Multi-functional star tracker – future perspectives

Presentation duration: 15 minutes

Presenter: Jan Rohac

The paper is focused on a multi-functional wide-field star tracker (WFST) and the description of its present state-of-the-art and perspectives for the future. Proposed WFST will combine functions of several instruments together, such those as star-tracker and all-sky photometry camera. WFST will use fish-eye lens with up to 180 deg. field of view (FoV). In the present technology there is not any similar product available on market. Nowadays, instruments for all-sky photometry, stars, and planet observation, of course, already exist. Furthermore, star trackers exist as well. Nevertheless, star trackers usually have more than one object-lens with small FoV, and are not usually used for photometry. Therefore, a spacecraft has to carry more instruments for mentioned applications, which increases weight and thus decreases weight designated for a payload. Our proposed device should combine those instruments and their functions, so it will be lighter and variable for its applications during various space missions.

Hudec Rene
Rerabek Martin