ASTRO CL Star Tracker
Jena-Optronik
Ultra-compact SoC-based star tracker for small satellites and constellations: 320g, 1.2W, 25deg FOV, 2/12 arcsec XY/Z accuracy, 5/8 Hz update rate, SpaceWire interface, >1000 units sold.
Technical specifications
- Field of View
- 25 deg full-cone (circular)
- Optics
- 23mm focal length, f/1.4
- Image Sensor
- FaintStar2 SoC, 1024x1024 px
- Update Rate
- 5 or 8 Hz
- Accuracy (XY/Z, 1-sigma)
- <=2.0 / 12 arcsec BOL; <=2.2 / 16 arcsec EOL (7yr LEO)
- Slew Rate (acquisition)
- >=3.0 deg/s
- Limiting Magnitude
- 5.8 mi
- Max Stars Tracked
- 16
- Mass
- <=320 g
- Dimensions
- 60 x 60 x 129 mm
- Power
- <=1.2 W
- Supply Voltage
- 4.2-5.5 V
- Interface
- 80 MHz SpaceWire
- Sun Exclusion Angle
- 26 deg half-cone
- Operating Temperature
- -35 to +50 deg C
- Radiation
- Up to 15yr LEO/GEO without shielding
- TRL
- 9 (>1000 units, in constellation service)
About
The Jena-Optronik ASTRO CL is the newest member of the ASTRO star sensor family, designed specifically for satellite constellations and small satellites. Its System-on-Chip (SoC) architecture (FaintStar2 custom ASIC) enables extreme compactness at 60x60x129 mm and 320g with only 1.2W power consumption. With a 25-degree full-cone FOV and f/1.4 optics at 23mm focal length, the ASTRO CL tracks up to 16 stars simultaneously with 2.0/12 arcsec XY/Z (1-sigma) attitude accuracy at BOL. Update rate is 5 or 8 Hz; SpaceWire interface at 80 MHz. The split architecture (optical head + ASTROlib software library running on the OBC) eliminates a dedicated electronics unit, reducing system mass. Production capacity exceeds 12 units/week. Over 1,000 units sold since its 2020 introduction with flight heritage in commercial constellation service.
Documentation
No public datasheet yet — request the datasheet / ICD from the supplier.
