Understanding international GNC hardware trends

Abstract

An industry-wide survey of guidance, navigation and control (GNC) sensors, namely star trackers, gyros, and sun sensors was undertaken in 2014, in which size, mass, power, and various performance metrics were recorded for each category. A multidimensional analysis was performed, looking at the spectrum of available sensors, with the intent of identifying gaps in the available capability range. Mission types that are not currently well served by the available components were discussed, as well as some missions that would be enabled by filling gaps in the component space. This paper continues that study, with a focus on reaction wheels and magnetometers, as well as with updates to the listings of star trackers, gyros, and sun sensors. Also discussed are a framework for making the database available to the community at large, and the continued maintenance of this database and the analysis of its contents.

High-Agility, Miniaturized Attitude Control Sensors and Actuators in an All-in-one Module

“…3, the specifications of various ready-made 1-axis wheels are plotted as blue circles. A similar study was conducted by Greenbaum et al 10) , where momentum storage ℎ was plotted against mass , and this appears to indicate a clear threshold for performance. However, there are many wheels that ride along the threshold ℎ ∝ 5/3 , which is p r e s u m e d f r o m t h e r e l a t i o n s h i p s o f ℎ ∝ 5 and ∝…”