Space Commerce

Space Micro µSTAR-250™ Star Trackers Support Government Program

By Keith Cowing
Press Release
Space Micro
June 14, 2023
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Space Micro µSTAR-250™ Star Trackers Support Government Program
Space Micro
Space Micro

Space Micro Inc., powered by Voyager Space, today announced the on-going successful performance of its µSTAR-250™ Star Trackers on orbit in support of a U.S. Government program. Launched in 2023, the rugged and highly accurate star trackers are built to deliver precise spacecraft attitude and rate determination. The µSTAR-250 can also provide raw image data and be configured for Space Domain Awareness.

USA sourced and manufactured at Space Micro in San Diego, CA, the µSTAR-250 is fully compliant with National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) 2021 domestic sourcing specifications. The μSTAR-250 represents the next generation of high-performance star trackers based on Scientific CMOS technology that features very low read noise for optimal accuracy. Its reliability and radiation tolerance make it ideal for long-duration missions in LEO, MEO, GEO, and cislunar orbits.

The µSTAR-250 can be calibrated on-orbit in real time. Its space-flight-proven software and algorithms utilize the Pyramid Code for star identification and deliver real-time quaternion output.

“We are proud to produce highly reliable, American-made Star Trackers to support government, scientific and commercial needs and to further the U.S. space industrial base”, said David J. Strobel, Space Micro Executive Chair.

Space Micro’s full line of electro-optic subsystems includes SpaceCam™ 5MP and 9MP, Coarse and Medium Sun Sensors, in addition to Star Trackers such as the µSTAR-250.
About Space Micro Inc.

Space Micro Inc., powered by Voyager Space and based in San Diego, CA, is an engineering-driven supplier of affordable, high-performance, radiation-hardened communications, electro-optics, and digital systems for use in commercial, civil, and military space applications around the world. Space Micro solutions include Telemetry, Tracking and Command (TT&C) transmitters, mission data transmitters, space cameras, star trackers, image processors, Command & Data Handling (C&DH) systems and laser communications systems.

For more information, please visit www.spacemicro.com

About Voyager Space

Voyager Space (Voyager) is a space technology company dedicated to building a better future for humanity in space and on Earth. With nearly 20 years of spaceflight heritage and over 1550 successful missions as of Spring 2023, Voyager delivers space station infrastructure and services and technology solutions to commercial users, civil and national security government agencies, academic and research institutions, and more, with the goal to accelerate a sustainable space economy.

For more information, please visit www.voyagerspace.com

SpaceRef co-founder, Explorers Club Fellow, ex-NASA, Away Teams, Journalist, Space & Astrobiology, Lapsed climber.