The FaintStar sensor is engineered primarily for medium to high precision star tracking applications, including navigation and rendezvous tasks in aerospace settings. Characterized by its 1020 x 1020 pixel array and a 10μm pitch, it includes 12-bit A-to-D conversion, ensuring significant detail in imaging precision. The sensor’s design is robust and reliable, evident in its Flight-proven Technology Readiness Level 9 (TRL9) status, affirming its tested and trusted use in critical missions.
An important feature of the FaintStar is its 'light-to-centroids' image processing capability, which is highly attuned to the needs of aerospace navigation, providing accurate and reliable data processing needed for space applications. The sensor includes connectivity options via a SpaceWire LVDS command/data interface, capable of 40Mb/s and 80Mb/s speeds, facilitating seamless communication.
Its construction is specifically tailored to withstand the challenging conditions of space, highlighting radiation tolerance including Total Ionizing Dose (TiD), proton sensitivity, and Single Event Effects (SEE) data are verified. Being ITAR-free enhances its accessibility for international collaborations, while it meets the standards set by ESCC 2269000-evaluated and ESCC 9020 flight model procurement, ensuring compliance and reliability in operational use.
