Orbital Attitude Control

Orbital Attitude Control is a space subsystem that keeps a spacecraft pointed correctly for power, thermal safety, communication, or science for spacecraft orbit planning and station keeping. It uses sensors, reaction wheels, thrusters, and control laws so teams can maintain pointing without exceeding constraints while keeping evidence, reliability, and public-safe operational boundaries clear.

“The mission team used Orbital Attitude Control when a spacecraft entered a crowded orbital shell, so the team could maintain pointing without exceeding constraints before the next mission decision point.”