Development of a Star Sensor for Satellite Attitude Control

摘要

The paper describes the early stages in the development of a star sensor which is designed to drive gas jets or reaction wheels to counter-balance disturbing torques and so stabilize the attitude of a satellite in space axes. Theoretical and practical results leading to the choice of a frequency modulated system are given. In laboratory tests an experimental sensor of this type, with an optical field of 3/4 degree, produced an output voltage that is roughly proportional to misalignment angle with less than one arcsecond equivalent r.m.s. noise in a bandwidth of 0.5 cps when sensing a +2 magnitude star. Almost as good a result was achieved in field trials at the Royal Observatory at Herstmonceux. (Author)