Question 1

How is STR-C different from traditional star trackers?

Accepted Answer

Traditional star trackers rely on flat sensors and narrow fields of view, which can limit performance during dynamic maneuvers. STR-C uses a curved sensor that aligns with the natural focal plane, reducing optical distortion and enabling a wider field of view with improved tracking performance.

Question 2

Why is wide field-of-view important in star tracking?

Accepted Answer

A wider field of view increases the number of visible stars in each frame, improving tracking reliability, reducing loss of lock, and enabling better performance during rapid motion or partial occlusion.

Question 3

What are the benefits of a curved sensor in star tracking?

Accepted Answer

A curved sensor improves image quality across the entire field of view by minimizing edge distortion. This leads to:
More consistent star detection
Higher accuracy across the frame
Reduced need for corrective optics
Lower size, weight, and power (SWaP) requirements

Question 4

How does STR-C perform during dynamic maneuvers?

Accepted Answer

STR-C is optimized for high-dynamic environments. Its wide field of view and fast update rates allow it to maintain accurate tracking during rapid motion, reducing star streaking and improving centroiding compared to narrow field-of-view systems.

Question 5

How many stars can STR-C track at once?

Accepted Answer

STR-C can track a significantly higher number of stars per frame compared to traditional systems, improving accuracy, redundancy, and reliability in various mission conditions.

Question 6

What types of missions is STR-C suited for?

Accepted Answer

STR-C is designed for missions that require precise and continuous attitude determination, including:
Earth observation
Defense and ISR applications
Communications satellites
Agile or maneuvering spacecraft

Question 7

What are the SWaP advantages of STR-C?

Accepted Answer

The curved sensor architecture reduces the need for complex optics, resulting in a more compact and efficient system. This enables lower size, weight, and power requirements without compromising performance.

Question 8

Can STR-C operate in challenging conditions?

Accepted Answer

STR-C is designed to maintain performance across a range of operational conditions, including dynamic motion, varying lighting environments, and complex mission profiles.

Feature	Commercial Star Trackers	STR-C
Radiation-Tolerant Electronics	Yes	Yes
Rugged for Harsh Environments	Yes	Yes
High-Precision Attitude Determination	Yes	Yes (Enhanced)
Revolutionary Sensor Technology	No	Yes
Wide Field-of-View Optics	No	Yes
Low-SWAP Design	No	Yes
Ultra-Fast Output Rate	No	Yes
High Dynamic Performance	No	Yes
Optimized for Agile Spacecraft	No	Yes
Near-Instantaneous Time from Lost-in-Space	No	Yes
Minimal Earth & Exclusion Angles	No	Yes

STR-C

Key Features

Download the JAM data sheet and see how autonomous navigation performs in the space domain.

Frequently asked questions