Responsive Space Pointing and Tracking

Light Steering Technologies, Inc have developed and patented a novel mechanism for piston-tip-tilt platform actuation based on the laterally unconstrainted magnetic joint. This mechanism provides a typical ±20 degrees of platform motion and in optical applications, where the platform is a front surface mirror, offers scanning, pointing, tracking, and line-of-sight stabilization capabilities with ±30 degrees field of regard. The performance of this mechanism – the Multi-Axis Scanner™ – was successfully demonstrated in laboratory conditions for optical systems with apertures ranging from 25 mm to 300 mm. The main differentiator of the Multi-Axis Scanner™ from other pointing solutions such as gimbal systems is minimization of overall mass and in particular the mass of moving components. This makes this device attractive for space applications where the mass reduction results in lower launch costs, lower disturbance torque, and lower power consumption. The proposed effort aims at increasing the Technical Readiness Level (TRL) of the Multi-Axis Scanner™ technology and producing the flight-ready prototype. While the components used in Multi-Axis Scanner™ assemblies, such as motors, encoders, magnets, and others, all have flight heritage, the device, as a whole, still needs to be proven and qualified. Development of the radiation hardened controller – a common engineering task for any spacecraft electronics – is part of the scope