Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Star sensor mounting for highly agile Earth imaging satellite

  • Published:
Journal of Astrophysics and Astronomy Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Star sensor (SS) is one of the most critical instrument on-board a spacecraft when it comes to attitude determination and control. Capability of providing precise attitude information makes it even more important for high resolution imaging satellite with stringent pointing requirements. At the same time, these instruments are highly sensitive to bright objects like Sun and Earth Albedo. In this paper, selection of star sensor mounting has been elaborately studied and presented for missions primarily performing highly agile Earth imaging. This paper addresses selection factors like Sun and Earth avoidance from bore-sight axis, orbit altitude and local time, angular separation between SS, sensitivity of SS on body axis and functional availability during imaging. Results are presented in the form of available mounting options and the way they satisfy geometrical constraints over a year.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5
Figure 6
Figure 7
Figure 8
Figure 9
Figure 10
Figure 11

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Liebe C. C. 2002, Accuracy performance of star trackers – a tutorial, IEEE Trans. Aero. Electron. Syst., 38(2), 587

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Markley F. L., Crassidis J. L. 2014, Fundamental of Spacecraft Attitude Determination and Control, Springer, New York, NY

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Solaiappan A., Kannan S., Pandiyan R. 2012, Mounting of star sensors satisfying constraints for Chandrayaan-1 lunar mission – design and realization, J. Spacecraft Technol., 22(1), 49

    Google Scholar 

  • Spratling IV B. B., Mortari D. 2009, A survey on star identification algorithms, Algorithms, 2(1), 93

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wertz J. R. (ed.) 1978, Spacecraft Attitude Determination and Control, Kluwer Academic, Dordrecht

    Google Scholar 

  • Wertz, J. R., Larson W. J. (eds) 1999, Space Mission Analysis and Design Microcosm

  • Zhao L., Su Z., Hao Y. 2012, The star sensor layout based on geometric position analysis, 2012 IEEE International Conference on Automation and Logistics, Zhengzhou, pp. 141–144

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Dr. M. P. Ramachandran, Group Director, Flight Dynamics Group and Mr. B. S. Kiran, Deputy Director, Mission Development Area, U. R. Rao Satellite Centre for their support in carrying out this work. The authors are also obliged to Mr. P. Kunhikrishnan, Director, U. R. Rao Satellite Centre, Bangalore for his support.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Attitude Determination and Maneuver Planning Division, Flight Dynamics Group, U. R. Rao Satellite Centre (ISRO), Old Airport Road, Bangalore, 560 017, India

    Piyush Kumar Gaurav & S. Kannan

Authors
  1. Piyush Kumar Gaurav
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. S. Kannan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Piyush Kumar Gaurav.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Gaurav, P.K., Kannan, S. Star sensor mounting for highly agile Earth imaging satellite. J Astrophys Astron 41, 16 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12036-020-09629-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12036-020-09629-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation