Session
Technical Poster Session 1
Location
Utah State University, Logan, UT
Abstract
Almost all satellites fly Sunsensors for launch and early orbit (LEOP) and safe mode operations. More than 90% of these are analogue Sunsensors with either an analogue or digital interface. The later are quite often referred to as digital Sunsensors but contrary to a true digital Sunsensor, analogue Sunsensors with a digital interface are still largely affected by albedo generated error signals.
Depending on the positioning of the sensor on the satellite, the satellites altitude, and the local node time, albedo errors can lead to significant measurement inaccuracies.
This paper describes some research into albedo induced errors in analogue fine Sunsensors as performed while using the data generated by the NAPA-2 satellite. This Satellite was built and is operated by ISISpace. This 6 unit Cubesat has one Auriga startracker and three MAUS Sunsensors on board allowing to compare the startracker determined attitude with the Sunsensor determined attitude.
Although the study results are far from complete, preliminary results shown a strong influence of the Earth’s albedo on the measurement accuracy of the Sunsensors
LEO and the Big Blue Marble, a Bad Combination for Albedo Errors
Utah State University, Logan, UT
Almost all satellites fly Sunsensors for launch and early orbit (LEOP) and safe mode operations. More than 90% of these are analogue Sunsensors with either an analogue or digital interface. The later are quite often referred to as digital Sunsensors but contrary to a true digital Sunsensor, analogue Sunsensors with a digital interface are still largely affected by albedo generated error signals.
Depending on the positioning of the sensor on the satellite, the satellites altitude, and the local node time, albedo errors can lead to significant measurement inaccuracies.
This paper describes some research into albedo induced errors in analogue fine Sunsensors as performed while using the data generated by the NAPA-2 satellite. This Satellite was built and is operated by ISISpace. This 6 unit Cubesat has one Auriga startracker and three MAUS Sunsensors on board allowing to compare the startracker determined attitude with the Sunsensor determined attitude.
Although the study results are far from complete, preliminary results shown a strong influence of the Earth’s albedo on the measurement accuracy of the Sunsensors
