MOONLIGHTER

1 -Y

• Star Tracker: A camera that uses the stars to calculate a vehicle orientation
• Double Avionics Stack: A set of circuit boards that are the brains and heart of the vehicle including: the power routing board, attitude control board, and the command and data handling computer
• L1/L2 GPS Antenna: Receives GPS signals for position and time
• Radio Antenna: Sends telemetry and receives commands from ground operators 

2 +Y  

• Payload Radio: Sends telemetry and receives commands from ground operators over a higher speed link
• Star Tracker: A camera that uses the stars to calculate a vehicle orientation

3 -X

• Gyro: Measures the rate and acceleration of the vehicle’s rotation in multiple directions

4 +X

• Z-Axis Reaction Wheel: A wheel that adjusts the pointing of the vehicle along the z-axis when the wheel speed or direction changes
• Y-Axis Reaction Wheel: A wheel that adjusts the pointing of the vehicle along the y-axis when the wheel speed or direction changes
• Sun Sensor: Measures light received to aid in determining the direction of the sun

5 -Z

• Earth/Horizon Sensor: Small infrared sensor to determine the direction of the earth
• X-Axis Reaction Wheel: A wheel that adjusts the pointing of the vehicle along the x-axis when the wheel speed or direction changes
• Payload Antenna: Transmits and receives radio frequency energy for the commands and telemetry from ground operators

6 +Z

• Star Tracker: A camera that uses the stars to calculate a vehicle orientation