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AST
The STAR TRACKER is basically a "starfield-in, attitude-out" device capable
of determining its attitude in a few seconds without requiring a-priori
attitude knowledge. Following attitude aquisition, the AST (Autonomous
Star Tracker) transitions to its track mode, where it provides 3-axis attitude
and rate at a customer-selectable frequency up to 5 Hz. The AST comprises
athermalized, radiation-hardened refractive optics, a frame-transfer CCD,
camera electronics, a compact sinlge board computer with a 32-bit RISC
processor, and an all-sky guide star database. Our Lab designs and builds
high-quality, high reliability AST flight units. We are currently developing
units for P-59, the New Millenium DS-1 mission, IMAGE,
and MAP missions. |
