The Hubble Space Telescope fine guidance system operating in the coarse track pointing control mode

Details The Hubble Space Telescope fine guidance system operating in the coarse track pointing control mode The Hubble Space Telescope fine guidance system operating in the coarse track pointing control mode

Feb 1993

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1993fmet.symp..439w&link_type=abstract

In NASA. Goddard Space Flight Center, Flight Mechanics/Estimation Theory Symposium, 1992 p 439-452 (SEE N93-24694 09-13)

Computer Science

Performance

Controllability, Error Analysis, Hubble Space Telescope, Interferometers, Pointing Control Systems, Spacecraft Guidance, Star Trackers, Computerized Simulation, Firmware, Mechanical Shock, Microprocessors, Photomultiplier Tubes, Photons, Radiation Counters, Servomotors, Steering

Scientific paper

The Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Fine Guidance System has set new standards in pointing control capability for earth orbiting spacecraft. Two precision pointing control modes are implemented in the Fine Guidance System; one being a Coarse Track Mode which employs a pseudo-quadrature detector approach and the second being a Fine Mode which uses a two axis interferometer implementation. The Coarse Track Mode was designed to maintain FGS pointing error to within 20 milli-arc seconds (rms) when guiding on a 14.5 Mv star. The Fine Mode was designed to maintain FGS pointing error to less than 3 milli-arc seconds (rms). This paper addresses the HST FGS operating in the Coarse Track Mode. An overview of the implementation, the operation, and both the predicted and observed on orbit performance is presented. The discussion includes a review of the Fine Guidance System hardware which uses two beam steering Star Selector servos, four photon counting photomultiplier tube detectors, as well as a 24 bit microprocessor, which executes the control system firmware. Unanticipated spacecraft operational characteristics are discussed as they impact pointing performance. These include the influence of spherically aberrated star images as well as the mechanical shocks induced in the spacecraft during and following orbital day/night terminator crossings. Computer modeling of the Coarse Track Mode verifies the observed on orbit performance trends in the presence of these optical and mechanical disturbances. It is concluded that the coarse track pointing control function is performing as designed and is providing a robust pointing control capability for the Hubble Space Telescope.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

The Hubble Space Telescope fine guidance system operating in the coarse track pointing control mode does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with The Hubble Space Telescope fine guidance system operating in the coarse track pointing control mode, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The Hubble Space Telescope fine guidance system operating in the coarse track pointing control mode will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1273740