STNS

STNS is a low cost star tracker based on CMOS image sensor for high accurate satellite attitude determination. The device captures images of a Star Field with an internal camera device and identifies star constellations to determine orientation of the satellite in an absolute reference frame and attitude with high accuracy.

The star tracker uses a CMOS camera that provides a high sensitivity with a simplified optics system based on a single lens to improve the robustness of the device. The sensor image is processed according to internal algorithms and a calibration table which is included in the sensor firmware. One of the key features of STNS is that it does not require the use of external memories or any extra processing unit.

STNS device fabrication combines microelectronics technology based on a SoC-FPGA with a high efficiency monolithic CMOS camera, leading to a high integrated device with small area and low weight. All materials used in the STNS fabrication process are compatible with space requirements in terms of thermal resistance, vacuum and vibration resistance.

STNS has minimum size, weight and power consumption to be the perfect ADCS solution for high accurate attitude determination of nano-satellite platforms like Cubesats. STNS has been selected to be launched in a first mission in 2021 in an ESA mission.

The development of STNS has been co-funded with FEDER funds in the frame of a Technology Transfer Program between Solar MEMS Technologies and the University of Seville (Project reference: AT-5972).