The AeroAstro Fast-Angular-Rate Miniature Star Tracker: Algorithms and Simulation Results

AeroAstro’s Fast Angular Rate Miniature Star Tracker (FAR-MST) is an optical-based system that uses image processing of star fields viewed from the satellite to determine ephemeris information. The FAR-MST system offers solutions to several problems, including the determination of an initial position fix (the “lost-in-space” problem), determination of spacecraft attitude, and measurement of spacecraft rotational velocity – even at high angular rates. Low-cost, high-performance microsatellites cannot afford the volume or mass required by a large star tracker. The target physical specifications of the FAR-MST make it very attractive to microsatellites. FAR-MST weighs less than 1 kilogram and consumes fewer than 3 Watts. It provides both spacecraft attitude to within 100 arc-seconds and angular rate information over rates up to 15 degree/second. As a result of its high performance, it can easily handle typical spacecraft tumble conditions, providing for recovery from a lost-in-space condition without aid from any other sensors at minimal cost and impact to spacecraft resources. FAR-MST provides the necessary information to enable accurate thrusting and slewing in specific directions, necessary for advanced microsatellite missions that require precise station-keeping, orbital-transfer capabilities, or rendezvous missions. FAR-MST provides a complete low-cost, low-power attitude determination solution ideal for small, rapid-response satellites