The combination of a strap-down analog sun acquisition sensor (AS) and an on-board digital programmable signal processor results in a versatile guidance and control system. The combination can orient the rotation axis of a spin-stabilized spacecraft to the sun no matter what the initial attitude of the spacecraft. During the sun orientation process, spacecraft spin rate can be sensed and supplied as an input to the control algorithm. If needed, the AS-signal processor combination can be used to perform a rhumb-line turn maneuver. In case of unexpected spacecraft operating conditions, or unplanned pointing directions, the signal processor program can be updated via earth-based transmission of another program to cover the new situation. Using only three radiation-hard cadmium-sulfide detectors, containing no moving parts, needing only a few microwatts of power, included in a volume of 550 cubic cm (a redundant pair), and weighing only 540 grams, the AS is a small, simple, sturdy sensing device.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    A sun acquisition sensor for spacecraft guidance and control


    Contributors:

    Conference:

    Guidance and Control Conference ; 1983 ; Gatlinburg, TN


    Publication date :

    1983-01-01


    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English





    Spacecraft guidance and control

    Scull, J. R. | TIBKAT | 1966


    Autonomous Spacecraft Guidance and Control

    Lin, C. F. / Mettler, E. / Hadaegh, F. Y. | NTRS | 1996


    Autonomous Spacecraft Guidance and Control

    Hadaegh, F. Y. / Mettler, E. / Lin, C. F. et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 1996