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Feasibility study of a moon sensor for satellite attitude determination

Thesis (MScEng)--University of Stellenbosch, 2005.

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Main Author: Skinner, Robert Edmid
Other Authors: Treurnicht, J.
Format: Thesis
Language:en_ZA
Published: Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University 2012
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access_status_str Open Access
author Skinner, Robert Edmid
author2 Treurnicht, J.
author_browse Skinner, Robert Edmid
Treurnicht, J.
author_facet Treurnicht, J.
Skinner, Robert Edmid
author_sort Skinner, Robert Edmid
collection Thesis
dc_rights_str_mv Stellenbosch University
description Thesis (MScEng)--University of Stellenbosch, 2005.
format Thesis
id oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/50356
institution Stellenbosch University (South Africa)
language en_ZA
last_indexed 2026-06-10T12:45:21.489Z
license_str Other — see source repository
provenance_str_mv Harvested via OAI-PMH from SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository
publishDate 2012
publishDateRange 2012
publishDateSort 2012
publisher Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
publisherStr Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
record_format dspace
source_str SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository
spelling oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/50356 Feasibility study of a moon sensor for satellite attitude determination Skinner, Robert Edmid Treurnicht, J. Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Engineering. Dept. of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. Artificial satellites -- Attitude control systems Detectors Dissertations -- Electronic engineering Theses -- Electronic engineering Thesis (MScEng)--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of a moon sensor as an alternative or supplemental sensor to supply attitude information to a satellite. The visibility of the moon was evaluated with regards to that of the sun from a satellite (i.e. the feasibility of the moon sensor is compared to that of a sun sensor). An algorithm was developed to calculate the center of the moon, regardless of phase or rotation, to offer increased accuracy of the center of the moon. The accuracy of this algorithm and the possible error margins were evaluated and discussed in both ideal and actual test cases. The sensor was implemented on embedded hardware. The conclusion of the feasibility analysis was that the sensor would function well as a supplemental sensor (e.g. in conjunction with a sun-sensor) rather than as an alternative sensor. The accuracy of the moon center algorithm was satisfactory for attitude deterrnina tion. This sensor could thus be seriously considered for use on a future satellite. AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van die studie is om die lewensvatbaarheid van 'n maan-sensor, as alternatiewe of aanvullende sensor, om oriëntasie data aan 'n sateliet te verskaf, te ondersoek. Die sigbaarheid van die maan en die sigbaarheid van die son is met mekaar vergelyk, vanaf 'n sateliet (m.a.w. die uitvoerbaarheid van 'n maan-sensor is vergelyk met dié van 'n son sensor). 'n Algorittne is ontwikkel om die middelpunt van die maan, ongeag van fase of rotasie, te bereken om verhoogde akuraatheid van die maan se middelpunt te bied. Die akuraatheid van die maan-middelpunt algoritme en moontlike foute is evalueer en bespreek in beide ideale sowel as werklike toets gevalle. Die sensor was op hardeware geimplenteer. Die gevolgtrekking van die lewensvatbaarheids analise is dat die sensor effektief sal funksioneer as 'n aanvullende sensor (d.w.s saam met 'n son sensor) eerder as 'n alternatiewe sensor. Die resultate verkry van die evaluasie van die maan-middelpunt algoritme is bevredegind en is voldoende vir oriëntasie bepaling. Die sensor kan dus ernstig oorweeg word vir gebruik op 'n sateliet in die toekoms. 2012-08-27T11:33:22Z 2012-08-27T11:33:22Z 2005-12 Thesis http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/50356 en_ZA Stellenbosch University 117 p. : ill. application/pdf Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
spellingShingle Artificial satellites -- Attitude control systems
Detectors
Dissertations -- Electronic engineering
Theses -- Electronic engineering
Skinner, Robert Edmid
Feasibility study of a moon sensor for satellite attitude determination
title Feasibility study of a moon sensor for satellite attitude determination
title_full Feasibility study of a moon sensor for satellite attitude determination
title_fullStr Feasibility study of a moon sensor for satellite attitude determination
title_full_unstemmed Feasibility study of a moon sensor for satellite attitude determination
title_short Feasibility study of a moon sensor for satellite attitude determination
title_sort feasibility study of a moon sensor for satellite attitude determination
topic Artificial satellites -- Attitude control systems
Detectors
Dissertations -- Electronic engineering
Theses -- Electronic engineering
url http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/50356
work_keys_str_mv AT skinnerrobertedmid feasibilitystudyofamoonsensorforsatelliteattitudedetermination