The Miranda star sensor experiment

The star sensor experiment in Miranda was investigated to determine the performance of the sensor in orbit and to demonstrate its compatibility with the spacecraft attitude control system when used to track a star. The basic design features of the sensor and the methods used to test and integrate it with the satellite are described. The various attitude control modes that were available in orbit are outlined and the way these were used to acquire and lock the control system onto the selected star is shown. Six successful star locks were achieved on either Canopus or Sirius at roughly one month intervals during the eight month operational lifetime of the satellite. On each of these occasions the control system remained in lock for its full scheduled period of about two days and only unlocked when commanded to do so.