HYDRA Star Tracker
Sodern
Best-in-class modular star tracker for institutional and commercial satellites: 2.8 arcsec XY precision, 245+ units launched, LEO-GEO-deep space, 1-4 optical heads, 18-year GEO lifetime.
Typed specifications53 values · 1 checked
Discloses 11 of 12 fields engineers filter by in this category (category median 8).
- Accuracy, cross-boresight
- 3.4 arcsec 3 sigma, High Frequency Spatial Error (XY) · datasheet p.2 0.6 arcsec 3 sigma, Low Frequency Spatial Error (XY) | 2.3 arcsec 3 sigma, Temporal noise (XY) | 3.4 arcsec High Frequency Spatial Error | 3.4 arcsec high frequency spatial error @ 3 sigma, XY +3
- Mass
- 1 400 g datasheet p.2 1 400 g max
- Accuracy, about boresight (roll)
- 27 arcsec 3 sigma, High Frequency Spatial Error (Z) · datasheet p.2 4.6 arcsec 3 sigma, Low Frequency Spatial Error (Z) | 18 arcsec 3 sigma, Temporal noise (Z) | 27 arcsec High Frequency Spatial Error | 27 arcsec high frequency spatial error @ 3 sigma, Z +2
- Envelope (L×W×H)
- 283 MM x 147 MM datasheet p.2
- Update rate
- 8 Hz datasheet p.2 8 Hz output rate
- Max tracking rate
- 6 °/s in Acquisition · datasheet p.2 8 °/s in Tracking | 8 °/s Tracking | 6 °/s max · acquisition | 8 °/s max · tracking
- Sun exclusion angle
- 26 ° datasheet p.2
- Lost-in-space acquisition time
- 2.2 s typ. · from lost-in-space · datasheet p.2 2.2 s time from lost-in-space, typ | 2.2 s typ
- Supply voltage
- 5 V nom. · datasheet p.2 5–5.5 V | 5 V nom. · 5V +/-10%
- Power consumption
- 0.7 W typ. · OH, TEC OFF, @ 30°C, 5V · datasheet p.2 0.7 W OH, TEC OFF, typ | 0.7 W OH, typ, @ 30°C 5V, TEC OFF | 0.7 W OH: TEC OFF
- Data interface
- SpaceWire datasheet p.2 SpaceWire MIL 1355 wording in datasheet✓ checked
- Operating temperature
- -30–60 °C operation · datasheet p.2
- Design lifetime
- 18 years GEO · datasheet p.2 10 years LEO
- TRL
- 9 flight-proven (TRL9) since 2014 · datasheet p.1
- Lead time
- 8 months Hydra Access off-the-shelf, 8 week lead time · datasheet p.3
- Export status
- ITAR-free datasheet p.2 EU dual-use 7A004a
- Configuration
- multi-head (2+ optical heads) up to 4 optical heads (OH) connected to spacecraft on-board c… · datasheet p.2
- Survival temperature
- -40–70 °C storage · datasheet p.2
- Random vibration
- 30 g RMS OH, random vibrations · datasheet p.2
- Flight heritage
- Flight-proven (TRL9) since 2014 datasheet p.1
- Missions flown
- 500 min · 500+ optical heads in orbit · datasheet p.1
- Shock qualification
- 2 000 g OH, SRS · datasheet p.2
- Detector
- CMOS HAS-2 CMOS sensor with Thermo-Electric Cooler (TEC) · datasheet p.2
- Earth exclusion angle
- 18.5 ° datasheet p.2
Each value is typed with its unit and measurement condition and cites the datasheet page it was taken from. Nothing is guessed: a field that is absent here has not been published by the manufacturer. machine-extracted ✓ checked by NewSpace Market ✓ manufacturer confirmed by the manufacturer.
As published by the supplier12 lines, in the manufacturer's own wording
- Precision xy
- 2.8 arcsec
- Temporal noise (XY/Z)
- 2.3 / 18 arcsec
- Acquisition robustness
- <=6 deg/s
- Tracking robustness
- <=8 deg/s
- Detector
- CMOS
- Optical heads
- 1-4
- Electronic units
- 1-2 (LEO, GEO, or TC dual-channel)
- Orbital range
- LEO, MEO, GEO, Deep Space
- Satellite size
- >12U
- Sun exclusion angle
- 26 deg
- Design lifetime
- 10 years LEO / 18 years GEO
- Flight heritage
- 245+ units launched, 10+ million hours in operation
About
The Sodern HYDRA is a highly modular star tracker recognized as best-in-class for institutional, scientific, telecommunications, and observation missions. The system supports 1 to 4 optical heads with 1 or 2 electronic units for redundancy, in centralized or stand-alone configurations. Three electronic unit versions are available: LEO, GEO (radiation-hardened), and TC (Two-Channel redundant). CMOS detector technology delivers 2.8 arcsec XY precision with temporal noise of 2.3/18 arcsec across/boresight. Robust acquisition at up to 6 deg/s and tracking at up to 8 deg/s. 26-degree sun exclusion angle. Over 245 units have been launched with more than 10 million hours of on-orbit operation accumulated. Suitable for all orbital regimes including deep space, with 10-year LEO and 18-year GEO design lifetime.
Documentation
- HYDRA_ACCESS_de7364cee6.pdf PDF source: api.sodern.com ↗
- HYDRA_BASELINE_762a952db4.pdf PDF source: api.sodern.com ↗
- VISEUR_HP_8_PAGE_2b387a8966.pdf PDF source: api.sodern.com ↗
Need the full ICD, test reports or a specific revision? Ask the supplier directly.