SunbYte: an autonomous pointing framework for low-cost robotic solar telescopes on high altitude balloons

IF 2.7 3区 物理与天体物理 Q2 ASTRONOMY & ASTROPHYSICS
Yun-Hang Cho, Gianni Heung, Yakov Bobrov, Joseph Middleton, Josh Brownlow, Gary Verth, Viktor Fedun
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Abstract

The design and usability of a fully autonomous robotic control system (SunbYte - Sheffield University Balloon “lYfted” TElescope) for solar tracking and observational applications onboard high-altitude balloons are addressed here. The design is based on a six-step development plan balancing scientific objectives and practical engineering requirements. The high-altitude solar observational system includes low-cost components such as a Cassegrain-type telescope, stepper motors, harmonic drives, USB cameras and microprocessors. OpenCV installed from ROS (Robotic Operating System), python and C facilitated the collection, compression, and processing of housekeeping and scientific data. This processed data was then transmitted to the ground station through the launch vehicle’s telecommunication link. The SunbYte system allows the brightest spot in the sky, the sun, to be identified, and a telescope pointed towards it with high enough accuracy that a scientific camera can capture images. This paper gathers and presents the results from primarily two missions with the High-Altitude Student Platform (HASP, NASA Balloon Program office and LaSpace). Additionally, a discussion will be made comparing these with an earlier iteration flown with the German-Swedish “REXUS/BEXUS” programme coordinated by the European Space Agency. By capturing and analysing a series of tracking images with the location of the Sun at the calibrated centre, the system demonstrated the tracking capabilities on an unstable balloon during ascent. Housekeeping sensor data was collected to further analyse the thermal and mechanical performance. The low temperature increased friction in the drive train and reduced the responsiveness of the harmonic drive actuation system. This caused some issues which require further work in future missions, for example, with SunbYte 4 and its work when flying with the HEMERA ZPB (Zero Pressure Balloon) program.

Abstract Image

SunbYte:高空气球上低成本机器人太阳望远镜的自主指向框架
本文讨论了用于高空气球上太阳跟踪和观测应用的全自动机器人控制系统(SunbYte - 谢菲尔德大学气球 "悬挂式 "TElescope)的设计和可用性。该设计基于六步开发计划,兼顾了科学目标和实际工程要求。高空太阳观测系统包括卡塞格林型望远镜、步进电机、谐波驱动、USB 摄像头和微处理器等低成本组件。安装在 ROS(机器人操作系统)、python 和 C 语言中的 OpenCV 为收集、压缩和处理内务和科学数据提供了便利。处理后的数据通过运载火箭的电信链路传输到地面站。SunbYte 系统可以识别天空中最亮的地方--太阳,并将望远镜对准太阳,使科学相机能够捕捉到足够精确的图像。本文收集并介绍了主要由高空学生平台(HASP,美国宇航局气球计划办公室和 LaSpace)执行的两次任务的结果。此外,还将对这些成果与欧洲航天局协调的德国-瑞典 "REXUS/BEXUS "计划的早期飞行成果进行比较。通过捕捉和分析一系列以太阳位置为校准中心的跟踪图像,该系统展示了在上升过程中对不稳定气球的跟踪能力。为进一步分析热性能和机械性能,还收集了内部管理传感器数据。低温增加了传动系统的摩擦力,降低了谐波驱动系统的响应速度。这造成了一些问题,需要在今后的飞行任务中进一步解决,例如 SunbYte 4 及其与 HEMERA ZPB(零压气球)计划一起飞行时的工作。
本文章由计算机程序翻译,如有差异,请以英文原文为准。
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来源期刊
Experimental Astronomy
Experimental Astronomy 地学天文-天文与天体物理
CiteScore
5.30
自引率
3.30%
发文量
57
审稿时长
6-12 weeks
期刊介绍: Many new instruments for observing astronomical objects at a variety of wavelengths have been and are continually being developed. Furthermore, a vast amount of effort is being put into the development of new techniques for data analysis in order to cope with great streams of data collected by these instruments. Experimental Astronomy acts as a medium for the publication of papers of contemporary scientific interest on astrophysical instrumentation and methods necessary for the conduct of astronomy at all wavelength fields. Experimental Astronomy publishes full-length articles, research letters and reviews on developments in detection techniques, instruments, and data analysis and image processing techniques. Occasional special issues are published, giving an in-depth presentation of the instrumentation and/or analysis connected with specific projects, such as satellite experiments or ground-based telescopes, or of specialized techniques.
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