Like mariners of previous, spacecraft steer by the celebs—utilizing mixtures of telescopes, cameras and computer systems referred to as startrackers to acknowledge stellar constellations to calculate their very own place in space.
The check bench seen right here generates a synthetic star-like mild supply to check the optical efficiency of startrackers.
A part of the Steering and Navigation Management (GNC) Perspective and Orbit Management (AOCS), and Pointing Laboratory, primarily based at ESA’s ESTEC technical middle within the Netherlands, this check bench combines a two-axis exact rotating desk with a single star simulator—simulating the sunshine coming from infinity from a star of a given brightness and coloration.
Produced in home by the lab crew, the aim of this facility is to characterize or calibrate a startracker when it comes to distortion, chromatic aberration and different optical variables.
The GNC, AOCS and Pointing Lab works on method of applied sciences associated to a spacecraft’s skill to derive its orientation and site in space. It’s one in all a collection of ESA technical labs addressing all points of spaceflight.
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European Space Agency
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A synthetic star for testing the optical efficiency of startrackers (2023, September 7)
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