Feasibility study of a moon sensor for satellite attitude determination

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT:The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of a moon sensor as an alternativeor supplemental sensor to supply attitude information to a satellite. The visibility of the moonwas evaluated with regards to that of the sun from a satellite (i.e. the feasibility of the moonsensor is compared to that of a sun sensor).An algorithm was developed to calculate the center of the moon, regardless of phase orrotation, to offer increased accuracy of the center of the moon. The accuracy of thisalgorithm and the possible error margins were evaluated and discussed in both ideal andactual test cases. The sensor was implemented on embedded hardware.The conclusion of the feasibility analysis was that the sensor would function well as asupplemental sensor (e.g. in conjunction with a sun-sensor) rather than as an alternativesensor. The accuracy of the moon center algorithm was satisfactory for attitudedeterrnina tion.This sensor could thus be seriously considered for use on a future satellite.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University