Nanosatellite reflector for optical calibrations: attitude control and determination aspects Original Research Article

Nanosatellite REFLECTOR has been designed to provide an orbital reference target for collaborative optical sensing, imaging, and tracking experiments with space objects. The satellite hosts well-calibrated laser reflectors that provide a unique target for experiments involving laser illumination. A passive gravity-gradient attitude control system is used to ensure a given angular motion of the satellite. A problem of attitude control system development and ideas of attitude determination without on-board sensors are discussed.