Radiation Hard, Moderate Accuracy MicroMak Star Sensor

Based on Microcosm’s MicroMak miniature star sensor, for which a breadboard version was built on a current Phase II SBIR with AFRL, Microcosm will implement design improvements to substantially increase the sensor lifetime and survivability with the addition of radiation hard components, and appropriate shielding, while maintaining low mass, power, and cost relative to traditional star sensors. The new sensor will maintain attitude accuracy from 5 to 10 arc seconds. Based on development results on MicroMak, key sensor improvements that will be implemented include: 1) radiation-hard focal plane arrays, 2) processing and interface electronics with adequate radiation tolerance, 3) structural modifications to minimize the total radiation dose on electronics and to mitigate performance loss due to thermal distortions, and 4) sensor software implementation, with support from Boeing, combining COTS modules, where possible, and in-house-developed modules (e.g., star centroiding, star catalog). Microcosm will build on current development efforts and provide a more robust, reliable, longer-life star sensor design for near-term and future missions seeking a lower cost alternative to existing star sensors. Required design modifications to the current MicroMak sensor design will be implemented to enable a flight-ready sensor within two years with follow-on enhancement or option funding.