Sodern Auriga CP
Sodern
The Sodern Auriga CP is a compact, radiation-resistant star tracker optimized for small satellite missions and constellations, offering high performance and reliability with a centralized software architecture.
Key figurescomparable across the catalogue
- Mass
- 0.205 kg
- Power
- 0.8 W
- Design life
- 15 years
Normalised to common units so this product can be compared with others in its category. The supplier's own wording is below.
As published by the supplier
- Operating temperature range
- -20/+40 °C
- Storage temperature
- -30/+70 °C
- Mechanical environment (in/out of plane)
- 14/22 gRMS / 2000gSRS @2000 Hz
- Oh size (including baffle)
- 66 x 56 x 94 mm (height)
- Eu size
- No Electronic Unit, centralized software
- Oh mass (including baffle)
- 205 g
- Eu mass
- No Electronic Unit, centralized software
- Eee parts class for oh
- ECSS Class 3 equivalent and Automotive
- Eee parts class for eu
- No Electronic Unit, centralized software
- Reliability for oh
- 230 FIT (FIDES method @20°C)
- Reliability for eu
- No Electronic Unit, centralized software
- Design life
- 10 years in LEO 400-1200 km; 15 years in GEO with EOR
- Oh power supply
- 5 (±10%) V
- Eu power supply
- No Electronic Unit, centralized software
- Oh power consumption (typ/max)
- 0.8/1.1 W
- Eu power consumption (typ/max)
- No Electronic Unit, centralized software
- Output data
- OH: SpaceWire (50 Mbps signaling rate)
- Output rate
- 10 Hz (5 Hz possible to relax CPU load)
- Bias (worst case)
- 0,017 deg
- Thermo-elastic error (worst case)
- 1 arcsec/°C
- Low frequency spatial (FOV) error xy/z @ 3σ
- 9/51 arcsec
- High frequency spatial (pixel) error xy/z @ 3σ
- 6.6/37 arcsec
- Temporal noise on xy/z @ 3σ
- 11/69 arcsec
- Time from lost-in-space (typ)
- 4 s
- Slew rate in acquisition
- 0.3 deg/s
- Slew rate in tracking
- Up to 3 deg/s²
- Acceleration in acquisition
- Up to 1 deg/s²
- Acceleration in tracking at 10 hz
- Up to 2.5 deg/s²
- Full moon in the field of view
- No performance degradation
- Baffle sun exclusion angle
- 35 deg
- Baffle earth exclusion angle
- 22 deg
- Solar flare acquisition/tracking
- Robust
About
The Auriga™ star tracker is a compact and high-tech solution for small satellite missions and constellations, particularly suited for platforms under 500kg and CubeSats from 6U. It features a radiation-resistant design with a thicker casing and hardened optics, ensuring a lifetime of over 15 years in geostationary orbit and 10 years in low Earth orbit (400-1,200km). The product is designed for cost reduction while maintaining excellent technical performance and reliability. Its small volume (66 x 59 x 94 mm) and light weight (225g) make it highly compact. Over 1200 Auriga™ units are already in orbit with a 100% mission success rate, and it has been in orbit demonstration since 2019, inheriting 50 years of experience in star tracker technology.
The Auriga CP consists of an Optical Head (OH) and utilizes centralized software, eliminating the need for a separate Electronic Unit (EU). The Optical Head includes baffle protection for direct Sun and Earth illumination and can be connected to the spacecraft’s On-Board Computer via a SpaceWire interface with a Power Converter Supplying. The centralized software is integrated into the spacecraft processor, can operate up to 10 Hz, and includes an embedded Star Catalog, algorithms, and a software library derived from Sodern’s extensive experience and the Hydra Star Tracker. This design allows for plug-and-play integration and is specifically tailored for small satellite missions, offering low cost, high production rates, and reduced weight and volume.
Documentation
Need the full ICD, test reports or a specific revision? Ask the supplier directly.