Horizon sensor apparatus and method therefor
US5055689A · kind A · utility
6Cited by
6References
5Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 26, 1990 |
| Grant date | Oct 8, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 26, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01S3/7868
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A horizon sensor for spacecraft utilizes two or three telescopes, each imaging upon a linear array of pyroelectric elements. The telescopes are pointed at the earth's horizon and the transition or midpoint angle between earth and space is determined in processing the output signals from each pyroelectric array. Low cost and versatility are provided with great accuracy due to, for example, use of a 32 element pyroelectric array. Such pyroelectric material is also tolerant of temperature changes and inertial forces.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.