Interferometric star tracking.
A new star-tracking technique based on interferometry is described and analyzed in detail. A heuristic comparison is made with traditional star-tracking methods that demonstrates several advantages in the interferometric approach for very high accuracy systems. A detailed error analysis is performed on several versions of the system that use all solid-state detection. One such system is shown to have a potential accuracy of +/-0.01 sec of arc using a small optical system and state-of-the-art components. Applications of the new system in large orbiting astronomical observatories and deep space laser communications systems are also discussed.