Single-Frame Attitude Determination Methods for Nanosatellites

• Main Authors: Guler Demet Cilden, Conguroglu Ece S., Hajiyev Chingiz
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Polish Academy of Sciences 2017-06-01
• Series: Metrology and Measurement Systems
• Subjects: attitude determination; single-frame methods; algebraic method; covariance analysis; vector observation
• Online Access: http://www.degruyter.com/view/j/mms.2017.24.issue-2/mms-2017-0023/mms-2017-0023.xml?format=INT

Single-frame methods of determining the attitude of a nanosatellite are compared in this study. The methods selected for comparison are: Single Value Decomposition (SVD), q method, Quaternion ESTimator (QUEST), Fast Optimal Attitude Matrix (FOAM) − all solving optimally the Wahba’s problem, and the algebraic method using only two vector measurements. For proper comparison, two sensors are chosen for the vector observations on-board: magnetometer and Sun sensors. Covariance results obtained as a result of using those methods have a critical importance for a non-traditional attitude estimation approach; therefore, the variance calculations are also presented. The examined methods are compared with respect to their root mean square (RMS) error and variance results. Also, some recommendations are given.