Title :
A low weight/power/cost infrared Earth sensor
Author_Institution :
Opt. Energy Technol. Inc., Stamford, CT, USA
Abstract :
This paper describes and analyzes a <2.5 cu. in Earth sensor weighing <100 grams, providing ±1° single axis attitude readout accuracy for Earth orbit altitudes below 800 km. Above 800 km, orbit altitudes, the same volume sensor, can provide two axis attitude readout with the same or better accuracy. These low volumes, weights and costs are achieved by using the spacecraft computer to implement a proprietary algorithm that compensates for seasonal Earth horizon infrared radiance variations. This algorithm is described in this paper. Improvements in the ±1° accuracy can also be achieved by sensor fusion with a 40 gram two axis Sun sensor, which is described in a referenced paper.
Keywords :
aerospace instrumentation; artificial satellites; attitude measurement; infrared detectors; optical sensors; sensor fusion; Earth orbit altitudes; infrared Earth sensor; proprietary algorithm; seasonal Earth horizon infrared radiance variations; sensor fusion; single axis attitude readout accuracy; spacecraft computer; two axis Sun sensor; two axis attitude readout; volume sensor; Costs; Earth; Extraterrestrial measurements; Infrared sensors; Optical computing; Optical filters; Optical sensors; Sensor fusion; Sensor phenomena and characterization; Space vehicles;
Conference_Titel :
Aerospace Conference, 2004. Proceedings. 2004 IEEE
Conference_Location :
Big Sky, MT
Print_ISBN :
0-7803-8155-6
DOI :
10.1109/AERO.2004.1368068
