Rapid retargeting and precision pointing is an enabling technology for small satellites. The objective of this effort is to transition an integrated precision attitude determination and control system from technology readiness level 3 to 5, using enhanced star tracker technology for attitude knowledge and second generation miniaturized control moment gyroscopes (CMGs) for attitude control. One of the innovations of the enhanced star tracker technology is to enable precision attitude knowledge during rapid slew maneuvers. Utilizing existing commercial off-the-shelf technology and novel algorithms, the CMGs innovatively operate in CMG-mode for rapid retargeting and in reaction wheel-mode for precision pointing.

This technology will enable precision guidance, navigation and control. Miniaturization and advances in electronics and rapid prototyping have resulted in significant interest in disaggregated small satellites, with applications being envisioned such as high resolution imaging, and Earth and space monitoring. Disaggregating the functionalities of a monolithic spacecraft unto smaller platforms can provide mission flexibility, responsiveness, and robustness against on orbit threats/failures. Furthermore, sharing of resources amongst disaggregated spacecraft can increase performance as was shown in where attitude knowledge was shared; however, the performance improvements were predicated on the availability of at least one highly maneuverable spacecraft to task the other less capable spacecraft.