Large band high sensitivity motion measurement and control of spacecrafts and satellites

Abstract

In this paper we describe the characteristics and performances of mono-axial monolithic sensors aimed to low frequency motion measurement and control of spacecrafts and satellites. The mechanical part of these sensors is based on the UNISA Folded Pendulum, a mechanical architecture developed for ground-based applications. The unique features of the UNISA class of folded pendulum sensors (compactness, lightness, scalability, low resonance frequency and high quality factor) are based on the action of the gravitational force on the the moving part of the sensor. In this paper we show how to extend the application of ground-based folded pendulum also to space, in absence of gravity, still keeping all their peculiar features and characteristics. Tests on a prototype confirm the feasibility of this application, demonstrating also that interesting performances can be relatively easily obtained.