Geometric Inverse Problem of Radiative Heat Transfer as Applied to the Development of Alternate Spacecraft Orientation Systems

Abstract

At present, the angular position of small spacecraft is determined using solar sensors, magnetometers, and angular-velocity pickups as a rule, whereas star trackers are used for complicated problems requiring high accuracy. Each individual system has its advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, combined systems are used to avoid them. Also, to improve the reliability of a craft, recourse to redundancy of the sensors must be had. All these subtleties result in the increased materials intensity and in the complicated mutual synchronization of the systems. In the present work, the authors analyze the possibilities of creating and using the main or alternative orientation system for small spacecraft with radiative-heat-flux sensors on the basis of the methodology of inverse heat-transfer problems. This system will allow checking and correcting the craft's angular position.