Autonomous attitude determination from star data for a dual-spin planetary spacecraft
Abstract
A batch mode process which identifies three reference stars within a rotor-mounted star scanner's field-of-view based on the criteria of intensity and geometry was established. The sequential mode which continuously tracks the reference stars provides star transit times and estimates of rotor's spin rate. A least-square estimator was formulated which sequentially determines the spacecraft attitude from sucessive star crossings by minimizing the error in the star and scanner slit normal orthogonality. This spacecraft attitude also provides intermittent updates for the gyro propagated inertial attitude of the despun science platform. Simulation results are presented, showing successful star identification and attitude convergence in the presence of nutation and star transit time uncertainty.
- Publication:
-
In AGARD Spacecraft Pointing and Position Control 15 p (SEE N82-20208 11-12
- Pub Date:
- November 1981
- Bibcode:
- 1981sppc.agarQ....W
- Keywords:
-
- Automatic Control;
- Dual Spin Spacecraft;
- Satellite Attitude Control;
- Star Trackers;
- Algorithms;
- Onboard Data Processing;
- Spacecraft Stability;
- Spin Stabilization;
- Launch Vehicles and Space Vehicles