Precision Scanning Star Tracker for Spin Stabilized Spacecraft

Recent advances in the design of microsatellites have led to renewed interest in the missions that can be flown with small spacecraft and small payloads. The CubeSat platform has prompted the development of attitude determination hardware typical of larger, more sophisticated, three axis stabilized spacecraft, including miniature gyroscopes and star cameras. The Precision Star Scanner is a new class of attitude sensor, designed to support precision spin-stabilized CubeSat and smallsat missions by providing arcminute attitude accuracy in a size compatible with a CubeSat, in fact occupying less than half of a 1U CubeSat module. The scientific and technological advances necessary to make this instrument possible are in place. Robust catalogs of guide stars is available through several all-sky surveys performed at various wavelengths. Solid state detectors and their related support electronics have been flown on a variety of missions. The concept of using guide stars to determine the attitude of a spinning vehicle has been demonstrated using flight data. The PSS fills the need created by the CubeSat platform for accurate attitude determination on a spin stabilized platform provided in a small package and fills the need expressed by NASA for accurate attitude determination hardware compatible with Earth observing spinning CubeSats.

The PSS will provide an arcminute level attitude reference for spin-stabilized spacecraft with a design targeting Earth observing CubeSat class spacecraft. However, this attitude sensor will be useful to any spin-stabilize spacecraft requiring arcminute level attitude determination accuracy enabling new missions by providing arcminute level point accuracies for spacecraft supporting key NASA missions such as: Earth mapping and observing missions; solar and astronomical observatories; and space weather missions.

The PSS will find users outside of NASA in the smallsat and CubeSat communities in general, but more specifically. There are several obvious DoD applications for precision spin stabilized spacecraft, including electronic intelligence, space weather observations, rapid responsive space communications satellites and earth observing spacecraft.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 3) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.