SpectraTRAC Star Tracker
Adcole Space (Redwire)
A miniature autonomous star tracker for CubeSat and NanoSat missions delivering 10 arcsecond quaternion accuracy at 4 Hz update rate, weighing only 475 grams with Lost-in-Space star identification.
Technical specifications
- Attitude Accuracy
- 10 arcsec (quaternion)
- Output Rate
- 4 Hz
- Maximum Tracking Rate
- >2°/sec
- Solution Availability
- 96.4%
- Mass (with baffle)
- 475 g
- Dimensions
- 120 × 61 × 61 mm
- Power Consumption
- <2.5 W
- Radiation Tolerance
- 75 krad (electronics tested)
- Sun Exclusion (with baffle)
- 45°
- Star Identification
- Lost in Space (autonomous)
- Star Catalog
- ~1,825 stars, ~70,000 star-pair separations
- Design Life
- >5 years in LEO
- Heritage
- Yes — 20+ units delivered
About
The Adcole Space SpectraTRAC Star Tracker is a high-performance miniature star tracker designed for CubeSat, NanoSat, and small spacecraft missions. The unit is completely self-contained, incorporating the optical head, detector, processing electronics, and star catalog in a single compact package that requires no external attitude initialization. Lost in Space (LIS) star identification enables the tracker to autonomously determine spacecraft attitude from any initial orientation without prior knowledge.
The SpectraTRAC delivers quaternions accurate to 10 arcseconds at a 4 Hz output rate, with a maximum tracking rate exceeding 2°/second — performance that was previously only available in much larger, more expensive instruments. This enables precise attitude determination for Earth observation, communications, science, and national security small satellite missions. At 96.4% solution availability, it provides reliable continuous attitude data throughout the orbit.
Optimized for the mass, volume, and power constraints of small satellites, the SpectraTRAC weighs only 475 grams (including baffle and star tracker assembly) and measures 120 × 61 × 61 mm. Power consumption is under 2.5 W. The electronics have been radiation tested to 75 krad, and an optional baffle provides 45° of sun exclusion to protect the detector during maneuvers near the sun.
The SpectraTRAC has been successfully deployed on over 20 missions across commercial, civil, and academic programs. It is available in single-camera (~$32,000) and dual-camera (~$100,000) configurations.
Documentation
Need the full ICD, test reports or a specific revision? Ask the supplier directly.
