A star identification algorithm based on group-matching

To reduce the time consumed in star identification, a novel approach of constructing the guide star catalog is proposed. Also, a new method of matching and identification, called group-matching, is presented. This algorithm firstly generated the pattern of guide stars and then calculated the P vector of them. The improved catalog was constructed in divided groups by the P values of those guide stars. An example is shown in the first table of the article. The identification was then completed by group matching. The simulation result shows that the novel algorithm based on group matching is much more timesaving than the conventional one. This method can promote the efficiency of attitude determination which will expand the application of the star sensors.