Attitude determination sensor for Explorer 53
Abstract
The X-ray Astronomy experiments on Explorer 53 (SAS-C) require an accurate determination of spacecraft attitude. Two strapped-down star trackers with enough sensitivity to continuously track randomly encountered stars are employed. The trackers use image dissector tubes as the imaging device. An 8 deg square field-of-view is searched with a raster pattern. When stars brighter than a commanded threshold are encountered, a small cross-scan tracking pattern is used to obtain accurate position information. Ten arc-second overall tracker accuracy is achieved by ground computer calibration of distortion and environmental errors. Successful orbital operation, tracking stars dimmer than 6th magnitude, has been achieved.
- Publication:
-
AIAA, Aerospace Sciences Meeting
- Pub Date:
- January 1976
- Bibcode:
- 1976aiaa.meetQ....C
- Keywords:
-
- Explorer 53 Satellite;
- Image Dissector Tubes;
- Sas-3;
- Satellite Attitude Control;
- Star Trackers;
- X Ray Astronomy;
- Calibrating;
- Design Analysis;
- Error Analysis;
- Flight Tests;
- Guidance Sensors;
- Spaceborne Astronomy;
- X Ray Sources;
- Spacecraft Instrumentation