Abstract
The performance of a star tracker is largely based on the availability of its attitude solution. Several methods exist to assess star tracker availability under both static and dynamic imaging conditions. However, these methods typically make various idealizations that can limit the accuracy of these results. This study aims to increase the fidelity of star tracker availability modeling by accounting for the effects of detection logic and pixel saturation on star detection. We achieve this by developing an analytical model for the focal plane intensity distribution of a star in the presence of sensor slew. Using the developed model, we examine the effects of slew rate on star detection using simulations and lab tests. The developed approach allows us to determine the maximum slew rate for which a star of a given stellar magnitude can still be detected. This information can then be used to describe the availability of a star tracker attitude solution as a function of slew rate, both spatially, across the entire celestial sphere, or locally, along a specified orientation track.
Highlights
Satellites that require high accuracy attitude estimates (
We utilize the tolerable slew rates defined by the Reed-based sensitivity model (Nmin = 3) in Figure 10 to determine the number of stars that would be detected within the star tracker image, Nobs, and if this satisfies the required number of stars for the star tracker attitude solution, Nmin
The main goal of this paper was to increase the fidelity of star tracker availability modeling by including the effects of slew rate and star tracker detection logic
Summary
Satellites that require high accuracy attitude estimates (
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