Compact star-field sensor (SFS)

US11046463B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• Triad National Security, LLC · US

Inventors

• Nicholas Dallmann · Los Alamos, US
• James Wren · Los Alamos, US
• Michael Proicou · Los Alamos, US
• Hannah Mohr · Los Alamos, US
• Jerry Delapp · Los Alamos, US
• Kimberly Katko · Los Alamos, US
• John Martinez · Minersville, US
• Donathan Ortega · Los Alamos, US
• Daniel Seitz · Altstätten, CH
• Paul Stein · Los Alamos, US
• Justin Tripp · Los Alamos, US
• Adam Warniment · Los Alamos, US
• Robert Wheat, Jr. · Los Alamos, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 24, 2018
• Grant date: Jun 29, 2021
• Expiry date: Feb 13, 2039

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01S5/163
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A compact SFS may can be deployed in small space vehicles. The SFS may have a small size, weight, and low power requirements. The hardware, software, catalogs, and calibration algorithm of the SFS provide highly accurate attitude information that can be used for pointing. For instance, accurate attitude determination may be provided that supports pointing of a deployable high gain helical antenna. A full “lost in space” attitude solution, accurate to about an arcminute, may be accomplished in under a minute. The SFS may be fully reprogrammable on orbit, allowing continued algorithm development and deployment after launch.