Development of star image simulator for star sensor algorithm validation

Abstract

The use of star sensor, which is the most accurate attitude sensor on satellites, began to penetrate into micro satellites and nano satellites. Thus the need arises to research and develop star sensor independently to meet the specific design of micro satellites and nano satellites. There are mainly three approaches in star sensor research: digital simulation, hardware in the loop simulation, and field test of star observation. In digital simulation approach, all of processes are done in a software, including star image simulation. Hence, it is necessary to develop star image simulation software which could simulate real space environment and various star sensor’s configuration. This paper focuses on star image simulation results done in various parameters: resolution, defocus level, stars’ magnitude limit, background noises, FOV, unexpected objects and missing stars. Those parameters are needed to test stars pattern recognition’s robustness. The results show that the star image simulation is able to simulate all those parameters.