Laboratory calibration of star sensors using a global refining method

Area of Science:

• Aerospace Engineering
• Optical Metrology
• Attitude Determination Systems

Background:

• Precise attitude determination is crucial for star sensors.
• Existing calibration methods struggle with large fields of view and extensive data.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a robust and precise laboratory calibration method for star sensors.
• To address limitations of current methods for large-field-of-view star sensors.

Main Methods:

• A global refining method combining maximum likelihood estimation and linear least-squares.
• Iterative optimization of principal point, focal length, distortion, and installation angles.
• Simultaneous estimation of all star sensor parameters.

Main Results:

• The proposed method demonstrates superior robustness and precision compared to traditional and Li's methods.
• Simulation and real-world data validate the enhanced calibration performance.
• Achieved high precision suitable for large-field-of-view star sensor applications.

Conclusions:

• The novel global refining method effectively calibrates star sensors.
• The technique meets the stringent precision requirements for advanced aerospace applications.
• This advancement supports more accurate spacecraft attitude determination.