Improvement of Star Sensor in Generic Test Environment

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Abstract

<p>A new star sensor for a microsatellite was developed for accurate and reliable attitude detection. Microsatellite RISING-2, which was launched on May 24, 2014, has raised some issues with regard to the functionality of its star sensor. It is confirmed that white spots caused by space radiation and the stray light of sunshine induce a false detection of the satellite's attitude, which imposes significant limitations on satellite operations. To make improvements, the brightness value of the picture was studied. This paper proposes avoidance algorithms for white spots and stray light. The effects of these algorithms were validated to process the flight data from RISING-2 in a software simulation. The soundness of the star sensor is indicated via attitude detection tests against several star patterns using real flight images taken by RISING-2. Thereafter, avoidance algorithms were integrated in a newly developed processing board. In this board, the avoidance algorithm for white spots was composed using both a hardware logic filter and a software filter. The avoidance algorithm for stray light was expressed using only a software filter. During the programming of these algorithms, the functionality of the satellite's attitude detection was verified in a generic test environment. This system displays the entire sky view of stars on a monitor and enables attitude detection tests for all star images regardless of time or location. As a result, the satellite's attitude was detected normally by this board. Finally, the effectiveness of the software filter for the avoidance algorithm for white spots was confirmed by using sample photographs, including those with white spots.</p>

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