INESC TEC - Institute for Systems and Computer Engineering, Technology and Science

Publications

Dual-Purpose Star Tracker and Space Debris Detector: Miniature Instrument for Small Satellites

Publication . Beltran Nadal Arribas; Maia, João G.; Castanheira, João Pedro Conceição ; Filho, Joel Alves Costa ; Melício, Rui; Gordo, Paulo Romeu Seabra; Onderwater, Hugo; Duarte, Rui; Silva, André Resende Rodrigues da

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.

2025-07-15Contribution to journal

Open access