Camera Head Unit (CHU) bracket

The satellite star tracker is composed of two optical cameras, or “star cameras,” that are positioned at a 15-degree angle to one another. These cameras, together with the Camera Head Unit (CHU), are safeguarded against thermal and mechanical damage by the CHU bracket, typically crafted from an aluminum block. Using Additive Manufacturing instead of traditional milling techniques provides numerous benefits, especially in terms of design freedom and quality. For example, the structure can be 30% lighter in weight, has a 43% higher stiffness and 70% lower cost. The star tracker is a critical component of the “Flying Laptop” satellite, created by the University of Stuttgart’s Institute of Space Systems in 2014 to accurately determine the location and orientation of other satellites in space.

Courtesy of TRUMPF Group