Study of Systematic Errors in Horizon Sensors Onboard 3-Axes Stabilized, Low Earth Satellites Due to Variations in Earth's Infrared Radiation

摘要

The sensor's operation principle, the simulation procedure, the mathematical modelling and the computer program are explained. The test results for a 900 km altitude circular and polar orbit are presented. The results show that the sign and magnitude of the sensor errors vary with satellite position and season. The maximum errors in pitch and roll are 0.06 and 0.03 degrees for the edge scanner sensor. The pitch error for a 2 deg field of view (FOV) analogue sensor is 0.12 deg. The size of the FOV affects the energy balance sensor but not the edge scanner sensor.