Abstract: An inertial sensor includes an inertial reference for determining the attitude and position of a satellite or satellite parts. A test mass is situated in a space which is essentially free of electric and magnetic fields and is enclosed by a housing, and optical measuring sections are set up between reference elements on the housing and on the test mass, for determining the attitude and/or position of the test mass relative to the reference elements on the housing. A measuring arrangement is situated outside the housing for the optical measuring sections. The optical measuring sections are constructed as optical interferometric measuring elements; and the attitude and position of the test mass can be adjusted by means of the pressures of light exerted on the optical interferometric measuring sections upon the test mass.

Abstract: An apparatus for regulating or controlling a satellite includes: at least one sensor for detecting reference targets such as stars, which is connected to arrangements for selecting and determining the position of reference targets, and to an arrangement for estimating model parameters of the satellite and of external interferences; a memory for storing a reference target catalog and a reference trajectory; a regulating unit for regulating the position of the satellite; and a filter that is connected to the arrangement for position determination of the reference targets, the arrangements for estimating the model parameters, the memory and the regulating unit.

Abstract: Positioning system for a high-precision measuring instrument (1) in a support structure (2) of a satellite, in which the measuring instrument (1) can be moved freely with predetermined degrees of freedom within a space (3) provided in the satellite support structure (2). The measuring instrument (1) produces reference signals required by it for its inertial alignment, and is aligned with respect to a predetermined measurement target by a first positioning device (7). The satellite support structure (2) follows the motion of the measuring instrument (1) in order to overcome external disruptive forces and moments.

Abstract: An inertial sensor includes an inertial reference for determining the attitude and position of a satellite or satellite parts. A test mass is situated in a space which is essentially free of electric and magnetic fields and is enclosed by a housing, and optical measuring sections are set up between reference elements on the housing and on the test mass, for determining the attitude and/or position of the test mass relative to the reference elements on the housing. A measuring arrangement is situated outside the housing for the optical measuring sections. The optical measuring sections are constructed as optical interferometric measuring elements; and the attitude and position of the test mass can be adjusted by means of the pressures of light exerted on the optical interferometric measuring sections upon the test mass.