Spacecraft attitude (orientation) information is needed in order to transform scientific vector measurements in the reference frame of the rocket into a more meaningful Earth-fixed reference frame. By fusing data from a 3-axial magnetometer, a sun sensor and three rate gyros the rockets attitude can be determined (reconstructed). Since the system does not need to determine the attitude in real time (the attitude data is not used to control the rocket orientation), all data from the attitude sensors can be transmitted back to ground, where they are fused to estimate an absolute orientation of the rocket. A prototype inertial measurement unit and a miniature high accuracy lens-less sun sensor for spinning rockets is under development. A test version of both instruments will be launched on a single stage Hotel Payload sounding rocket from Andoya Rocket Range in July 2005.
展开▼
