Advanced pointing systems for space astronomy

Robotics in the service of astronomy

“…Station‐keeping capabilities such as those developed for XEUS can also be applied to space telescopes to maintain high pointing accuracy and improve stability to drift (Delamere et al 1983). Most space observatories tend to be integrated into the spacecraft structure rather than employing independent instrument gimballing, imposing the requirement for high‐precision attitude control system capabilities.…”