October 2016
AWARD OF THE GRANT
Award of the grant H2020 SME INSTRUMENT 2016-2017, GA 738589.
Legacy product
ARGO 1.0 multicamera star tracker
A flight-proven legacy product, kept as part of Hipparcos heritage.
Legacy of ARGO FA
ARGO 1.0 is a Multicamera Star Tracker with flight heritage since 2021 specifically designed for SmallSats, able to autonomously determine the spacecraft attitude, rate, acceleration and derivative of the acceleration.
The core element of ARGO 1.0 Star Tracker is the Smart Camera, composed by FPA and main electronics, with integrated processing capabilities and custom-designed optics.
The smart camera can be declined in different architectures according to the user's needs or accommodation constraints, thanks to different interfaces.
- RS422, SpaceWire and redundant CANBus interfaces.
- Multi-camera connection without external electronic box.
- Optional Router and Power Control Unit when a single power line is available.
Product video
ARGO Star Tracker
A closer look at the product architecture and its mission role.
Heritage
ARGO 1.0 development path
2017-2018
ARGO 1.0 ENGINEERING MODEL EXTENSIVE TEST CAMPAIGN
The project followed an incremental process, from ground models for software porting to validation of the optical assembly.
February 2019
ARGO 1.0 PROTOFLIGHT MODEL
Laboratory tests, calibration test benches and night sky sessions validated the flight software.
2019-2020
ARGO 1.0 QUALIFICATION CAMPAIGN
A qualification model was used for environmental tests including thermal-vacuum cycling, vibration and shock tests.
24 January 2021
LIFT-OFF! THE WAY TO SPACE IS OPEN
ARGO 1.0 was integrated in ION-mk02 by D-ORBIT S.p.A and launched from Cape Canaveral.
May 2021 - July 2022
IN-ORBIT DEMONSTRATION OF ARGO 1.0
Validated features include pattern recognition, tracking mode and accuracy, straylight robustness, Moon and Earth in FOV and in-orbit calibration.