Microsatellite attitude determination based on skylight polarization and geomagnetic measurement

A new attitude determination method based on skylight polarization sensors and magnetometers is proposed for microsatellites in the low earth orbits. First, a two-channel polarization sensor is developed to measure skylight polarization and obtain the solar direction information. Second, the measurement model of the polarization sensor and three-axis magnetometer are derived. Finally, with the satellite attitude equation as the state equation, an extended Kalman filter is developed to estimate the satellite attitude. Simulation results manifested the feasibility of using polarization sensors and magnetometers to determine the attitude information of low earth orbit microsatellite.