Aspect Determination for the AFGL Infrared Survey Experiments.

Abstract

The AFGL probe borne infrared celestial survey experiments are designed to obtain the inertial aspect of the payload reference frame with an accuracly comparable to the spatial size of a resolution element in the infrared telescope. Constraining the axis of payload rotation to known inertial coordinates through maintaining lock onto a selected pole star with a star tracker co-aligned to the roll-axis, and by careful geometric alignment of the optical elements and dynamic balancing the payload, the desired accuracy was achieved. Further refinement in position was obtained from the stellar detections by the infrared sensor, with an ultimate knowledge of the inertial aspect being within 1.5 artc minutes root mean square deviation between the measured and catalogued positions for known infrared stars. The procedures used to obtain this accuracy are described. Also detailed is a method of aspect determination using only a star mapper with an N slit focal plane reticle. (Author)

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 16, 1978
Accession Number
ADA067017

Entities

People

  • Charles V. Cunniff
  • David S. Akerstrom
  • Leonard P. Marcotte
  • Peter C. Tandy
  • Stephan D. Price

Organizations

  • Air Force Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes
  • Sensors
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accuracy
  • Air Force
  • Calibration
  • Coordinate Systems
  • Detection
  • Detectors
  • Equations
  • Focal Planes
  • Gas Bearings
  • Geometry
  • Guidance
  • Infrared Detection
  • Infrared Detectors
  • Infrared Telescopes
  • Measurement
  • Observation
  • Observatories

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Astronomy/Astrophysics
  • Geodesy
  • Image Processing and Computer Vision.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Spacecraft Maneuvers