Autonomous Star Tracker Performance

Rogers, Gabe; Schwinger, Marsha R.; Kaidy, James T.; Strikwerda, T. E.; Casini, R.; Landi, A.; Bettarini, Rossano; Lorenzini, Stefano

doi:10.2514/6.iac-06-d1.2.01

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 1 publication

(1 reference statement)

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“…In this study, we only examine the effects of sensor slew on availability. For more information on how sensor slew affects star tracker accuracy, please see [2][3][4][5][6].…”

Section: Star Tracker Availabilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Ground Testing Strategies for Verifying the Slew Rate Tolerance of Star Trackers

Dzamba¹,

Enright²

2023

Preprint

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The performance of a star tracker is largely based on the availability of its attitude solution. Several methods exist to assess star tracker availability under both static and dynamic imaging conditions. However, these methods typically make various idealizations that can limit the accuracy of these results. This study aims to increase the fidelity of star tracker availability modeling by accounting for the effects of detection logic and pixel saturation on star detection. We achieve this by developing an analytical model for the focal plane intensity distribution of a star in the presence of sensor slew. Using the developed model, we examine the effects of slew rate on star detection using simulations and lab tests. The developed approach allows us to determine the maximum slew rate for which a star of a given stellar magnitude can still be detected. This information can then be used to describe the availability of a star tracker attitude solution as a function of slew rate, both spatially, across the entire celestial sphere, or locally, along a specified orientation track.

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“…In this study, we only examine the effects of sensor slew on availability. For more information on how sensor slew affects star tracker accuracy, please see [2][3][4][5][6].…”

Section: Star Tracker Availabilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Ground Testing Strategies for Verifying the Slew Rate Tolerance of Star Trackers

Dzamba¹,

Enright²

2023

Preprint

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The New Horizons Spacecraft

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The New Horizons Spacecraft

et al. 2008

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(where the solar irradiance is 1/1000 of the level near the Earth) require a radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG) to supply electrical power. One RTG was available for use by New Horizons. To accommodate this constraint, the spacecraft electronics were designed to operate on less than 200 W. The travel time to Pluto put additional demands on system reliability.Only after a flight time of approximately 10 years would the desired data be collected and returned to Earth. This represents the longest flight duration prior to the return of primary science data for any mission by NASA. The spacecraft system architecture provides sufficient redundancy to meet this requirement with a probability of mission success of greater than 0.85. The spacecraft is now on its way to Pluto, with an arrival date of 14 July 2015. Initial inflight tests have verified that the spacecraft will meet the design requirements.

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Autonomous Star Tracker Performance

Cited by 3 publications

References 1 publication

Ground Testing Strategies for Verifying the Slew Rate Tolerance of Star Trackers

Ground Testing Strategies for Verifying the Slew Rate Tolerance of Star Trackers

The New Horizons Spacecraft

The New Horizons Spacecraft

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