Electrostatic actuation and control of gravitational reference sensor test masses

Systems and methods for capturing a test mass (50) within an electrode housing (12) of a spacecraft (1) with a plurality of actuation and sensing devices (22) are described. The method comprises determining a position and/or attitude of the test mass (50) relative to the actuation and sensing device (22), and determining a control voltage for moving the test mass (50) to a desired position and/or attitude between the actuation and sensing device (22) by an electrostatic force generated by the actuation and sensing device (22), an electrostatic force required for moving the test mass and a control voltage for moving the test mass (50) to a desired position are determined based on the detected position and/or attitude of the test mass (50) between the actuation and sensing means (22). 描述了用于利用多个致动和感测装置(22)捕获航天器(1)的电极壳体(12)内的测试质量块(50)的系统和方法。该方法包括：确定测试质量块(50)相对于致动和感测装置(22)的位置和/或姿态，以及确定用于通过由致动和感测装置(22)生成的静电力将测试质量块(50)移动至致动和感测装置(22)之间的期望位置和/或姿态的控制电压，其中，基于所检测到的测试质量块(50)在致动和感测装置(22)之间的位置和/或姿态来确定用于移动测试质量块所需的静电力和用于将测试质量