A triple-plane attitude measurement method based on X-ray pulsar observation

This paper describes the design, tests and preliminary results of a triple-plane sensor detecting the X-ray pulsars vectors to acquire the spacecraft attitude. Comparing to normal attitude measurement, the triple-plane sensor has made an adversary and new effort by inventing a triple-plane structure, with the orthogonal vectors pointing towards the different directions. By measuring the power received by each plane and considering the geometry relationship of the planes, the sensor computes the pulsars vector from a certain pulsar. Therefore, the attitude of the spacecraft can be acquired if vectors from several different pulsars is recognized and specified. Accordingly the simulation is established and the result proves its charming feasibility in future spacecraft missions.