US4618259A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Star and sun sensor for attitude and position control
Assignee: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
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Filing: 1985-04-01
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Granted: 1986-10-21
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Expires: 2005-04-01
Abstract
Abstract A combined sun and star sensing system for attitude and position control of a space vehicle, includes a star image sensor having a first objective and a first detector array arranged in the focal plane, the objective being constructed for a well defined aberration so as to convert a point like object into a defined spot or area having a diameter larger than the diameter of an element of the detector array; the sun sensor has a regular objective and a second detector array is arranged in the image plane of that objective sun sensor; the two detector arrays have similar and a similar number of detector elements, and are alternately connected to a single evaluating electronic.
Inventors
- 👤 Reinhard Czichy
- 👤 Wilhelm Goeschel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 03:33
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S5/00; G01S5/16; G01S5/163; G01S3/00; G01S3/78; G01S3/782; G01S3/785; G01S3/786
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
164 words
A combined sun and star sensing system for attitude and position control of a space vehicle, comprising: a star image sensor, including a first objective lens or lens system having a focal and image plane, there being a first detector array arranged in said image plane; said objective or objective lens system being constructed for a well defined aberration so as to convert a point like object into a defined spot or area having a diameter larger than the diameter of an element of said first detector array; a sun sensor including a second objective lens or lens system having an image and focal plane, there being a second detector array being arranged in the image plane of said second objective of the sun sensor; said first and second detector arrays having similar and a similar number of detector elements; a single evaluating electronic for detector array images; and switching means for selectively connecting said first and said detector array to said evaluating electronic.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
164 words
A combined sun and star sensing system for attitude and position control of a space vehicle, comprising: a star image sensor, including a first objective lens or lens system having a focal and image plane, there being a first detector array arranged in said image plane; said objective or objective lens system being constructed for a well defined aberration so as to convert a point like object into a defined spot or area having a diameter larger than the diameter of an element of said first detector array; a sun sensor including a second objective lens or lens system having an image and focal plane, there being a second detector array being arranged in the image plane of said second objective of the sun sensor; said first and second detector arrays having similar and a similar number of detector elements; a single evaluating electronic for detector array images; and switching means for selectively connecting said first and said detector array to said evaluating electronic.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
A combination as in claim 1, wherein said first objective lens or lens system or the star sensor provides for a correction of the chromatic aberration through a spectral range from 0.3 to 1.2 micrometers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A combination as in claim 1, wherein said first objective lens or lens system provides a spherical aberration or apodisation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A combination as in claim 1, wherein said evaluating electronics is constructed to determine the center of any image spot, independently from a source for the spot.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-10-20 | 1990-04-21 | 1990-10-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-10-20 | 1994-04-21 | 1994-10-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-10-20 | 1998-04-21 | 1998-10-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |