Engineering topics
Publications and source records attributed to Finkel, A..
Description of the optical and electronic characteristics of a star sensor developed for the Small Astronomy Satellite B. The specified design goals of the star sensor included an accuracy of 3 arc minutes. Results from field tests and operation in orbit are presented.
A star sensor/mapper to determine positional data for the small astronomy satellites was tested to detect stars of plus 4 visual magnitude. It utilizes two information channels with memory so that it can be used with a low-data-rate telemetry system. One channel yields star amplitude information; the other yields the time of star occurrence as the star passes across an N-slit reticle/photomultiplier detector system. Some of the features of the star sensor/mapper are its low weight of 6.5 pounds, low power consumption of 0.4 watt, bandwidth switching to match the satellite spin rate, optical equalization of sensitivity over the 5-by-10 deg field of view, and self-deployable sunshade. The attitude determination accuracy is 3 arc minutes. This is determined by such parameters as the reticle configuration, optical train, and telemetry readout. The optical and electronic design of the star sensor/mapper, its expansion capabilities, and its features are discussed.
As a requirement for the Small Astronomy Satellite-B (SAS-B), a star sensor was designed to provide satellite positional data to an accuracy of 3 arc minutes for satellite spin rates of 1/12 rpm and 1 rpm. The star sensor is required to detect stars having a +4 visual magnitude during the sunlit portion of the orbit. The spacecraft orientation can be anything achievable in its near equatorial 500-km orbit. The design of the star sensor resulted in an instrument which weighs 6.5 lbs., consumes 0.4 W and operates at spin rates ranging from 1/12 rpm to 3 rpm. The instrument design incorporates optical features providing excellent uniformity of response across the 5 by 10 deg field of view.