An all-sky autonomous star map identification algorithm

Abstract

The attitude of the spacecraft can be obtained with accuracy by using star sensors. Its key technology is how to identify stellar maps. Triangle algorithm is used most widely in the current star map identification algorithms. In the field of physical geography modelling, Delaunay triangulation cutting algorithm has been widely used because of its important characteristic; the result of this triangulation cutting method is unique from a random set of points. This triangulation algorithm is first applied to identify star map for its particular character. In final, the proposed method is applied to simulation; the results show that compared with the current star map identification algorithms, the algorithm presented in this paper has the advantage of real-time properties and robustness. It needs a smaller database of guidance stars and matches more rapidly.