Star-Field Identification for Autonomous Attitude Determination

Abstract

A six-feature all-sky star-field identification algorithm has been developed for autonomous attitude determination. The minimum identifiable star pattern element consists of an oriented star triplet defined by three stars, their celestial coordinates, and their visual magnitudes. This algorithm has been integrated with a charge-coupleddevice- (CCD-) based imaging camera and tested in an observatory environment. The autonomous intelligent camera identifies in real time any star field without a priori knowledge. Observatory tests on star fields with this intelligent camera are described.