A survey of algorithms for star identification with low-cost star trackers

This paper aims to present a set of lost-in-space star identification algorithms that works effectively for small satellites. Several algorithms are investigated for both phases of star identification: feature extraction and catalogue search. For feature extraction, it is shown that an algorithm using extended images with combined images works best, and for catalogue search, the Group Catalogue is shown to be most efficient. Therefore, this paper proposes an algorithm combining these three. Simulation results show the effectiveness of this algorithm for its robustness to various errors, and an application of this algorithm, “unequal” star trackers, is introduced.

► Presented a lost-in-space star identification algorithm for small satellites.
► Extended and combined images work well in feature extraction for star identification.
► Group Catalogues work well in catalogue search for star identification.
► Concept of using multiple “unequal” star trackers is proposed.