Rocket Lab USA, one of the leading launch and space systems companies has introduced a new high-performance star tracker for small satellites and spacecraft. The ST-16RT2 star tracker is extensively flown and tested by Rocket Lab with more than 90 currently in orbit.
The ST-16RT2 star tracker uses a 2592 x 1944 CMOS active-pixel sensor and provides attitude quaternion and angular rates at 2 Hz Zero initial acquisition time. It has an accuracy of up to 55 arcseconds around boresight (RMS) and a maximum slew rate of 3 degrees/second. The star tracker comes with 3 baffle options with a minimum field of view of 7.5 x 10-degree half-angle.
The star tracker has a processor and star catalog built into the unit and supports two half-duplex RS-485 interfaces for command. It can also share data links with Rocket Lab reaction wheels. The ST-16RT2 lens is a full-custom 16 mm f/1.6 4-element glass that is designed for shock and vacuum. The star tracker has a lifetime of up to 13 years in low-earth orbit (800 km) and up to 9 years in geostationary orbit.
Click here to learn more about the ST-16RT2 Star Tracker from Rocket Lab.
Click here to view other Star Trackers from various manufacturers listed on SATNow.
