Journal of Technology in Aerospace Engineering

Journal of Technology in Aerospace Engineering

Star Trackers Evaluation by Statistical Analysis

Document Type : Research Article

Authors
Mohammad Sajjad Mahdiyari 1
Mehran Nosratollahi 2
Reza Zardashti 3
1 Ph. D. Student, Department of Flight Dynamics and Control, Faculty of Aerospace Engineering, Malek Ashtar University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
2 Associate Professor, Department of Flight Dynamics and Control, Faculty of Aerospace Engineering, Malek Ashtar University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
3 Assistance Professor, Department of Flight Dynamics and Control, Faculty of Aerospace Engineering, Malek Ashtar University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
10.22034/jtae.2024.8.1.4
Abstract
A comprehensive statistical analysis and comparison on the characteristics of star trackers used in the world can provide valuable information to researchers, manufacturers and customers in this field. In this regard, with a comprehensive search, 12 indicators of star sensors (accuracy, maximum trackable rotation rate, acquisition time, data transmission rate, field of view, star magnitude, mass, volume, power, voltage, temperature and lifetime) among 72-star trackers has been investigated and compared in this article. Also, by fitting the curves in the comparative graphs, relationships were extracted that provide statistical design for the manufacturers. By scoring each index from 1 to 10, it is possible to compare all the characteristics of the sensors by radar charts at the same time, and it gives the satellite designers the opportunity to identify and choose the best available star sensor for their purpose and mission by weighting the criteria. Among the other features of these statistical studies is the investigation of sensors made inside the country, which shows that by taking modeling from the hardware and software of sensors such as PST3, it will be possible to upgrade and improve products in less time.
Keywords
Star Tracker
Performance Specifications
Statistical design
Subjects
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  • Receive Date 17 February 2023
  • Revise Date 09 June 2023
  • Accept Date 13 June 2023
  • First Publish Date 13 June 2023