Hemispherical Pointing Mechanism (HPM)
Abstract
The Hemispherical Pointing Mechanism (HPM) was designed for wide angle, high accuracy pointing and tracking of medium to large spacecraft payloads. The concept employs two positioning axes arranged at an angle of 47.5 deg with respect to each other. A third axis is provided at the payload interface to allow an additional rotation of the payload. Identical drive units are used at all three axes, with almost identical frames between them. An on-board computer enables the HPM to perform in a variety of operation modes, including automatic tracking with or without the use of external sensors. An RF linkage model with rotary joints was built to demonstrate the feasibility of an RF option for the supply of antenna payloads. Other payload interface options can be incorporated as well. The mass limit of 12 kg can almost be met, but the mechanism is not strong enough to support larger payloads during launch without clamping.
- Publication:
-
Final Report Teldix Luftfahrt-Ausruestungs G.m.b.H
- Pub Date:
- October 1984
- Bibcode:
- 1984tlag.rept.....H
- Keywords:
-
- Payloads;
- Pointing Control Systems;
- Spacecraft Components;
- Modularity;
- Onboard Data Processing;
- Systems Engineering;
- Tracking (Position);
- Space Communications, Spacecraft Communications, Command and Tracking