Star Pattern Recognition and Spacecraft Attitude Determination

摘要

A method for real-time on-board spacecraft attitude determination is presented. The method is suitable for processing CCD or CID stellar camera and rate gyro output to determine orientation to better than five arc seconds. The system is self-calibrating; uncertain parameters such as interlock angles and gyro biases can be included in the estimation algorithms. The system is implemented in a microcomputer system which conclusively establishes that the system is compatible with on-board computation constraints. (Author)