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Different types of star identification algorithms for satellite attitude determination using star sensor

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Abstract

Star sensor is one of the most accurate sensors for attitude determination, out of the atmosphere. This sensor uses stars as means to determine the attitude. Attitude determination using a star sensor involves identifying the stars in the field of view, image processing, and finally determining the attitude matrix. This paper deals with the identification of existing stars in the field of view of the star sensor. This step is known as star identification. This paper proposes three star-identification algorithms. In these algorithms existence of at least six stars in the sensor field of view is needed. These three algorithms are investigated, using simulations performed with MATLAB software; in terms of efficiency, identification time, robustness against false stars, and required memory for the database storage. The simulated star sensor is a sensor with a square-shaped field of view of dimensions of 13.8° × 13.8° same as dimensions of the ASTRO-15 star-sensor. All the presented algorithms depict high efficiency and robustness against false stars. Due to the number of required stars, proposed algorithms are appropriate for the next generation of star sensors with large fields of view.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Aerospace Engineering Department, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran

    Mona Zahednamazi & Alireza Toloei

  2. Electrical Engineering Department, University of Qom, Qom, Iran

    Reza Ghasemi

Authors
  1. Mona Zahednamazi
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  2. Alireza Toloei
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  3. Reza Ghasemi
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Correspondence to Reza Ghasemi.

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Zahednamazi, M., Toloei, A. & Ghasemi, R. Different types of star identification algorithms for satellite attitude determination using star sensor. AS 4, 315–321 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42401-021-00093-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42401-021-00093-y

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