The NewSpace stellar gyroscope uses a COTS sensor and optics resulting in a very low-cost attitude determination system that maintains accuracy during the eclipse phase. It can achieve this by using algorithms that tolerate noise and does not require a star database. It is thus far more robust against radiation damage than a standard star mapper solution would be if based on the same components.

The NewSpace stellar gyroscope can be used to propagate a spacecraft’s attitude from a known initial condition, without drift, while sufficient stars are common across frames. The image-based rotation estimates can complement a set of MEMS rate gyroscopes to maintain a high accuracy attitude estimate at low angular rates (where MEMS gyroscope drift is most severe).