Star sensor baffle optimization: some helpful practical design rules

摘要

The performance of a star sensor is often limited by the stray light level on the detector and by non-uniformity and slopes of the corresponding irradiance. One of the major contributors to this unwanted noise is the baffle, which is frequently designed as a single equipment: its geometry is derived using simple rule to block first and second level scattering of stray light flux coming from external sources at off-axis positions defined by the mission. The geometry of the baffle is constrained by mechanical engineering requirements which confine its overall dimension. Better system performances are obtained when the early design of the baffle can take into account the angular response of the camera.