Grant: Discovery Grants Program - Individual

We propose to develop a miniaturised sensor with mass less than 400 g that is able to determine spacecraft orientation, motion and orbit location for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) applications. The sensor will acquire and maintain a four-dimensional attitude quaternion and time derivative using inertial gyro and rate sensors and camera images of the surrounding space to determine uniquely orientation. It will also utilise timing signals broadcast by global positioning spacecraft including the GPS network in order to derive a geospatial location and velocity with respect to Earth. The sensor will estimate high-precision expected mean values of these parameters as they evolve in time using a fourteen-dimensional stochastic state estimator that predicts the spacecraft attitude and broadcasts this information via serial data stream to the spacecraft bus. We propose further to utilise an Earth-motion model in our attitude estimator to provide the first mechatronic device to provide attitude-coordinate predictions with respect to either solar system or Earth-based reference frames as well as predict solar, Lunar and Earth location. Our star-camera research will also examine additional information that may be extracted from motion blur in camera images. We will design, build and qualify for space flight a prototype sensor in our space-test facility and seek opportunities to contribute sensors to flight opportunities in support of the utilisation of space. Micro-satellites offer access to Earth orbit at a fraction of the cost of traditional space vehicles. Micro-satellites are developed quickly and efficiently by small teams of students and professionals and may be launched inexpensively in multiple batches riding as secondary launch payloads. Space Science and Engineering is a high-technology growth sector. This project will support the training of one graduate student in the CRESS research laboratory.