Abstract: The importance of star tracking for star sensor and the deficiency of existing star tracking algorithm are presented. To resolve these problems, a novel and fast star tracking algorithm is put forward. Real-time star position locating is implemented with Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) in the star tracking algorithm. Because of the technology, the star position is obtained quickly, the simple match identification for tracking is adopted and the tracking window method is abandoned. For new star identification, match group method is used. Finally the experiment results are presented.

Key words: star sensor, star tracking, real-time star position locating, match identification