Authors:
Ronilson Rocha
;
Caio Pequeno Gouvêia
;
Alexandre José Ferreira
and
Talita Bueno Barbosa
Affiliation:
Federal University of Ouro Preto, Brazil
Keyword(s):
Artificial Satellites, Attitude Determination, Photovoltaic System.
Related
Ontology
Subjects/Areas/Topics:
Control and Supervision Systems
;
Informatics in Control, Automation and Robotics
;
Instrumentation Networks and Software
;
Real-Time Systems Control
;
Robotics and Automation
;
Signal Processing, Sensors, Systems Modeling and Control
;
Space and Underwater Robotics
;
Vehicle Control Applications
Abstract:
It is necessary at least two or more independent known vectors for attitude determination of an artificial satellite. One of these vectors can be the Earth Magnetic Field, which is used as reference in navigation for centuries. Other reference can be the sun, which is easily distinguished of other astronomical objects in the proximities of the Earth. While the Earth Magnetic Field can be measured by a small solid-state three-axis magneto-resistive transducer, the own photovoltaic system of the artificial satellite can provide a evaluation of the azimuthal position of the sun. This paper presents a way to estimate the sun position from the own satellite power system. This information is used for attitude determination, allowing the integration of two important subsystems of an artificial satellite.