startrackers

Star trackers are essential components in spacecraft for attitude determination. Their primary function is to measure the orientation of a spacecraft with respect to a celestial reference frame. This is typically achieved by imaging known astronomical objects, such as stars, and comparing their positions to a stored star catalog.

A typical star tracker consists of a lens, an image sensor (like a CCD or CMOS), and processing electronics. The lens focuses starlight onto the sensor, creating an image. Algorithms then identify patterns of stars in the image and match them to a database of known star patterns. By knowing the precise positions of these identified stars in space, the spacecraft's orientation can be calculated with high accuracy.

Star trackers are crucial for a wide range of space missions, including scientific satellites, communication satellites, and interplanetary probes. They provide the attitude information needed for pointing telescopes, orienting solar panels towards the sun, and navigating through space. Their accuracy and reliability are paramount for mission success. Redundant star trackers are often employed on critical missions to ensure continuous operation even if one unit fails. Advanced star trackers also incorporate features like image processing to reject transient light sources such as meteors or artificial satellites, further enhancing their robustness.