Dual-Purpose Star Tracker and Space Debris Detector: Miniature Instrument for Small Satellites
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: This paper presents the conception, design and real miniature instrument implementation of a dual-purpose sensor for small satellites that can act as a star tracker and space debris detector. In the previous research work, the authors conceived, designed and implemented a breadboard consisting of a computer laptop, a camera interface and camera controller, an image sensor, an optics system, a temperature sensor and a temperature controller. It showed that the instrument was feasible. In this paper, a new real star tracker miniature instrument is designed, physically realized and tested. The implementation follows a New Space approach; it is made with Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) components with space heritage. The instrument’s development, implementation and testing are presented.
DOI: 10.3390/jsan14040075
Institutions: University of Lisbon, University of Beira Interior, LIP - Laboratory of Instrumentation and Experimental Particle Physics, Aeronautics and Astronautics Research Center, Institute of Astrophysics and Space Sciences, University of Coimbra, Instituto Superior Técnico, Instituto Superior Técnico Instituto de Engenharia Mecânica, Universidade Politécnica de Lisboa, Instituto de Novas Tecnologias
Language: English
Subfield: Aerospace Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,413
OpenAlex ID: W4412473050