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Precision Attitude Determination for an Infrared Space TelescopeWe have developed performance simulations for a precision attitude determination system using a focal plane star tracker on an infrared space telescope. The telescope is being designed for the Destiny mission to measure cosmologically distant supernovae as one of the candidate implementations for the Joint Dark Energy Mission. Repeat observations of the supernovae require attitude control at the level of 0.010 arcseconds (0.05 microradians) during integrations and at repeat intervals up to and over a year. While absolute accuracy is not required, the repoint precision is challenging. We have simulated the performance of a focal plane star tracker in a multidimensional parameter space, including pixel size, read noise, and readout rate. Systematic errors such as proper motion, velocity aberration, and parallax can be measured and compensated out. Our prediction is that a relative attitude determination accuracy of 0.001 to 0.002 arcseconds (0.005 to 0.010 microradians) will be achievable.
Document ID
20080032422
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Benford, Dominic J.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
August 24, 2013
Publication Date
June 23, 2008
Subject Category
Astronomy
Meeting Information
Meeting: SPIE: Space Telescopes & InstrumentationI; Optical, Infrared and Millimeter
Location: Marseille
Country: France
Start Date: June 23, 2008
End Date: June 28, 2008
Sponsors: International Society for Optical Engineering
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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