Star trackers - Principle, capabilities, operational modes, performances
Abstract
The theory, design and performance of star trackers for spacecraft attitude and position determination and control are discussed. Attention is given to the acquisition and tracking phases of star tracker operation, and the optical system, photoelectric image sensor, artificial star generator, data processing system and other components of the device. The calibration of a star tracker to an uncertainty of 0.2 arcsec is also considered. The star trackers developed for the Spacelab Instrument Pointing System and the Exosat satellite are examined, and the performances obtained with the two instruments in their stellar, solar, lunar limb and earth limb modes are indicated.
- Publication:
-
L'Aeronautique et L'Astronautique
- Pub Date:
- 1979
- Bibcode:
- 1979AerAs..79...23D
- Keywords:
-
- Celestial Reference Systems;
- Spacecraft Control;
- Spacecraft Guidance;
- Star Trackers;
- Attitude Control;
- Calibrating;
- European Space Agency;
- Pointing Control Systems;
- Spacelab;
- Trajectory Control;
- Spacecraft Instrumentation