US 11,987,392 B2
Satellite control system using electrically controllable variable reflection glass panels
Harold A. Rosen, Santa Monica, CA (US)
Assigned to THE BOEING COMPANY, Chicago, IL (US)
Filed by The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US)
Filed on May 11, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/872,070.
Application 16/872,070 is a continuation of application No. 15/074,786, filed on Mar. 18, 2016, granted, now 10,647,450.
Prior Publication US 2020/0299005 A1, Sep. 24, 2020
Int. Cl. B64G 1/24 (2006.01); B64G 1/36 (2006.01); B64G 1/40 (2006.01); B64G 1/44 (2006.01)
CPC B64G 1/242 (2013.01) [B64G 1/244 (2019.05); B64G 1/363 (2013.01); B64G 1/407 (2013.01); B64G 1/443 (2013.01)] 27 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of controlling a satellite having a satellite body, comprising:
accepting an error signal; and
varying a reflectivity of at least one control panel coupled to the satellite body and at least partially facing the sun according to the error signal by varying a transparency of a layer of the at least one control panel to control the satellite in at least one of orbit and attitude;
wherein:
the at least one control panel comprises a glass panel having an electrically controllable variable reflection, wherein the glass panel comprises:
a first outer transparent layer located on a side of the control panel facing the sun;
a second outer transparent layer, having a reflective film located on a second transparent layer outer surface opposing the first outer transparent layer; and
a middle layer, located between the first outer transparent and the second outer transparent layer, the middle layer having an electrically controllable transparency.