Autonomous fault-tolerant attitude reference system using DTGs insymmetrically skewed configuration

A novel symmetrically skewed configuration for an attitude reference system (ARS) using three dynamically tuned gyros (DTGs) is developed. Simple schemes for autonomous detection and identification of a faulty DTG in real time and subsequent reconfiguration of the attitude estimation algorithm are proposed. The performance of the present configuration is shown to be better than that of configurations proposed earlier, and it is shown to have better features. It tolerates all types of failures of DTG failures, requires very simple computations, and gives less error in attitude estimate than the other configurations     

Onboard Attitude Error Computation for Automatic Spin Axis Control of Bhaskara

The Indian experimental remote sensing satellite, Bhaskara, uses two horizon crossing sensors mounted at 45° and 135° with respect to spin axis for onboard roll error computation and automatic control of the spin axis orientation within 3° of the orbit normal. A new method for roll error computation and control and digital hardware for the same are described. The system has flexibility to vary the threshold, to adapt to altitude variations and various mission requirements, and to work with a single horizon sensor. Flight performance of the system is satisfactory.