ARGO 1.0 Star Tracker
Hipparcos S.r.l.
Flight-proven multicamera autonomous attitude determination system (star tracker) for small satellites.
Technical specifications
- Interface
- RS422, SpaceWire, CANBus (redundant)
- Flight heritage
- In-orbit demonstration on D-Orbit ION SCV2, launched Jan 2021, validated through Jul 2022
- TRL
- 8 (flight-demonstrated)
- Validated functions
- Pattern recognition, tracking-mode accuracy, straylight robustness, Moon/Earth-in-FOV handling, in-orbit calibration
About
ARGO 1.0 is Hipparcos’ multicamera Autonomous Attitude Determination System (AADS), designed to let a small satellite autonomously determine its attitude, angular rate, acceleration and the derivative of acceleration using onboard star-pattern recognition, without dependence on external references such as GNSS. The system uses a proprietary multi-camera architecture with integrated image processing electronics, built on more than three decades of heritage from parent company EICAS Automazione’s work on ESA’s original Hipparcos astrometry mission and the SAC-C and AST/MHS2 spacecraft programs.
ARGO 1.0 reached TRL8 through an in-orbit demonstration (IOD) campaign on D-Orbit’s ION SCV2 orbital platform, launched 24 January 2021 and operated through July 2022. The IOD validated star pattern recognition, tracking-mode accuracy, robustness to straylight, correct behaviour with the Moon and Earth in the field of view, and in-orbit calibration routines. The unit supports RS422, SpaceWire and redundant CANBus interfaces for integration with spacecraft avionics.
Documentation
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