Optical system error analysis and calibration method of high-accuracy star trackers

Area of Science:

• Spacecraft engineering
• Optical metrology
• Attitude determination and control systems

Background:

• Star trackers are vital for spacecraft attitude measurement.
• Accurate performance relies heavily on precise optical system parameters.
• Existing research lacks a systematic and universal error analysis approach.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a detailed approach for synthetic error analysis of star trackers.
• To establish an intuitive and systematic error model.
• To guide optical design, calibration, and compensation for improved accuracy.

Main Methods:

• Developed a synthetic error analysis approach for star trackers.
• Determined error propagation relationships within the star tracker system.
• Designed and conducted a calibration experiment using the developed model.

Main Results:

• An intuitive and systematic error model was successfully built.
• The calibration experiment yielded excellent results.
• The proposed approach effectively guides optical design and calibration.

Conclusions:

• The developed error analysis approach and calibration method are precise and adequate.
• This work provides a crucial guarantee for the design, manufacture, and measurement of high-accuracy star trackers.
• The findings are foundational for advancing star tracker technology.