Star Sensor Fine Attitude Pointing Model for a Spinning Geosynchronous Satellite.

Abstract

A fine attitude determination model is developed for a spinning geosynchronous satellite, based upon stellar observations from a V-slit star scanner and ground supplied satellite ephemerides. A true attitude model is determined through numerical integration of Euler's moment equations for a torque-free, rigid, axisymmetric body, and kinematic relations which consist of pitch, roll, yaw, orientation angles. Next, the closed form solutions to the Euler equations are coupled with first-order approximate solutions of the kinematic relations to develop a second order kinematics model. Observation relations, relating stellar slit-plane crossing times, (a priori star identification assumed), to attitude states, are then developed. Finally, a nonlinear least-squares estimation algorithm is used to identify the full satellite attitude state. Simulation is tested for single scan and multiple-scan capability using exact and noise ridden data. Keywords: satellite attitude determination; star sensors; star trackers; autonomous spacecraft navigation. (Theses)

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 1986
Accession Number
ADA179424

Entities

People

  • John V. Taylor Iv

Organizations

  • Air Force Institute of Technology

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Algorithms
  • Computational Science
  • Computer Simulations
  • Coordinate Systems
  • Ephemerides
  • Equations
  • Geosynchronous Satellites
  • Identification
  • Navigation
  • Numerical Integration
  • Orientation (Direction)
  • Satellite Orientation
  • Security
  • Simulations
  • Spacecraft
  • Star Trackers
  • Word Processors

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Finite Element Method (FEM) for solving Partial Differential Equations (PDEs)
  • Robotics and Automation.
  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Orbital Debris
  • Space - Spacecraft Maneuvers