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RXTE sun-pointing constraints


RXTE spacecraft axes. The roll angle is defined as a clockwise rotation around the pointing (X-) axis. The roll offset or roll bias is the angle between the X-Z plane and the sun vector; this angle is shown above, constrained to the initial post-launch range of +/-5 degrees. The default roll offset is now calculated as a function of sun-source angle, and can be as much as -30 degrees, as shown below.

Default RXTE roll angle as a function of sun-source angle

[Postscript] (Postscript)

HEXTErock - HEXTE background positions on the sky.


HEXTE: High Energy X-ray Timing Experiment

Send questions or comments to Philip Blanco

pblanco@ucsd.edu