SCHRIEVER AIR FORCE BASE, Colo.—An Air Force unit says it has successfully tested a technique to correct an older-model satellite’s orientation in orbit without burning scarce fuel.
The innovation could extend the life of 1980s-era military communications satellites by making their fuel last longer, the 3rd Space Operations Squadron said Friday.
The squadron, based at Schriever Air Force Base outside Colorado Springs, is responsible for operating the Defense Satellite Communications System. The system’s eight satellites are used for messages ranging from a soldier’s call home to the president’s conversations with commanders.
The technique relies on the satellites’ “reaction wheels,” which are similar to gyroscopes, to realign an off-kilter satellite instead of firing the thrusters and burning fuel.
Newer satellites are designed to use the reaction wheels automatically, but older models are not, Lt. Col. Gregory Karahalis said.
Capt. Karl Meyer said improvements in simulation software allowed the squadron to try the technique on a computer before it ran the successful test on a satellite. It would have been too risky to try it on a satellite without the simulation, he said.
Meyer said it takes a combination of new software uploaded into the satellite’s computer and commands from ground controllers to apply the technique to the older satellites.
Karahalis said the technique might work for other satellites as well.
Alignment of a communications satellite is crucial because its main antenna has to be pointed at the Earth to work. Malfunctions and space disturbances sometimes knock them out of alignment.
Engineers from Lockheed Martin and The Aerospace Corp. helped develop the technique for older satellites.
