Angular micro-vibration of the Micius satellite measured by an optical sensor and the method for its suppression

Abstract

Satellite angular micro-vibration has an important impact on the efficiency of space quantum communication links. We measured the micro-vibrations on the Micius satellite in orbit using a high-precision optical sensor mounted on the satellite and analyzed the power spectral density. We designed a compound axis acquisition, tracking, and pointing (ATP) system based on a two-axis turntable and tested its suppressive effect on the micro-vibration through in-orbit experiments. The tracking error caused by the angular micro-vibration was found to be 9.3 µrad, with the energy concentrated primarily in the frequencies below 30 Hz; after suppression by the ATP system, the error was 0.47 µrad.