What Is A Star Tracker?

A star tracker is an optical device that determines a satellite's orientation, or attitude, by measuring the positions of stars with a photodetector or camera. Because astronomers have already mapped the precise positions of countless stars, a satellite can compare what it observes against that map to figure out exactly how it's oriented—much like how sailors once navigated the open ocean by watching the stars. Testing a star tracker requires a darkroom that simulates the darkness of space, and that's exactly where the "IR Flock Sheet" comes in.

Introducing The Infrared-Light-Absorbing Flocked Fabric "IR Flock Sheet"

The graph above shows total reflectance rates from visible light through near-infrared, up to 2500nm. The "IR Flock Sheet" achieves high light-absorption performance across this entire range by embedding carbon into the pile fibers during production. Thanks to this performance, we recommend the "IR Flock Sheet" for a range of applications—backdrops for near-infrared photography, simulated infinite-distance calibration for near-infrared sensors, masking unwanted objects during proximity sensor testing, and reducing reflections in near-infrared motion capture setups. In this darkroom application specifically, the fabric is valued for its ability to absorb both visible and near-infrared light.

What About Other Special Darkroom Applications?

The "IR Flock Sheet" can also be used in other specialized darkroom setups that need to absorb both visible and near-infrared light—for example, autonomous driving tests and smartphone facial recognition systems, among others.

The "IR Flock Sheet" is available for purchase starting at A4 size for easy testing, as well as in 950mm-wide rolls for larger-scale projects.

In Conclusion

If you've read this far and found yourself thinking, "Wait—did this actually go to space?"—you'd be right to wonder. This time, the product was used for ground-based testing, and it didn't make it into space itself. That said, our goal is to keep developing black materials capable of flying on the rockets and satellites of the future. Stay tuned for Part 2!