Fiber Optic Rotation Sensors (FORS) are all solid-state devices capable of measuring rotations and rotation rates in inertial space. They are intended to eventually serve as replacements for spinning mass systems and ring laser gyros in applications that place a premium on long lifetime, low eight, low power consumption and/or reduced costs. As such, they should prove particularly well-suited to space applications such as NASA's planetary programs. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and Draper Laboratory (Draper), under NASA sponsorship, are in the process of developing a 0.003 deg/h(1sigma) FORS with the intent of using it on NASA space missions, particularly the Saturn-orbiting Cassini mission. Brassboard FORS have demonstrated the performance levels required for precision pointing and control of spacecraft, platforms, telescopes and advanced transportation systems. Preliminary tests of FORS solid-state opto-electronic components indicate that they are capable of meeting the reliability characteristics required for space usage. This paper describes the mission, Inertial Reference Unit (IRU) requirements, FORS instrument, and opto-electronic components. An overview of the design of the FORS, as well as the results of overall instrument performance tests will be presented. Laboratory test results achieved to date have demonstrated the viability of FORS technology meeting the high performance goals of NASA's Cassini spacecraft. Gyro electro-optic components technology needed for these inertial instruments exists in the marketplace and is being strongly driven by the needs of the communication industry. Developmental funds are presently being allocated and work undertaken to refine some packaging issues so that they can operate over the planned long life missions (> 16 years). Plans are to verify an engineering model FORS instrument not only in a laboratory environment but through the contemplated operational environmental disturbances.
Fiber optic rotation sensor for long lifetime space missions
Faseroptischer Sensor zur Drehmessung für langlebige Raumfahrtmissionen
1992
14 Seiten, 10 Bilder, 2 Tabellen
Conference paper
English
Fiber optic sensors for space missions
IEEE | 2003
|5.0101 Fiber Optic Sensors for Space Missions
British Library Conference Proceedings | 2003
|Fiber-optic rotation sensor technology
Tema Archive | 1980
|Fiber Optic Chemical Sensors for Manned Space Missions
SAE Technical Papers | 1993
|Low Cost Multimode Fiber Optic Rotation Sensor
SPIE | 1988
|