Anisotropic aperture star camera systems and methods

A spacecraft navigation system, the spacecraft navigation system comprising:

• a housing, the housing comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end comprises an opening into an internal portion of the housing;
• an image sensor positioned within the internal portion of the housing;
• an optical element positioned within the internal portion of the housing, wherein the optical element has a length parameter and a width parameter, wherein at least one of the length parameter and the width parameter is larger than the other of the length parameter and the width parameter;
• and
• a computing system configured to:
• compare an image obtained by the image sensor of one or more stars to a stored image of the one or more stars;
• and
• determine an attitude of the spacecraft based on the comparison.

A method for determining an attitude of a spacecraft, the method comprising:

• capturing, by at least one secondary imaging system of the spacecraft, an image of one or more stars, the at least one secondary imaging system being aligned along a second axis that is different than a first axis of a primary payload sensor of the spacecraft, the at least one secondary imaging system comprising:
• a housing, the housing comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is an opening into the housing;
• an image sensor positioned within the housing;
• and
• an optical element positioned in the opening of the first end, wherein the optical element has a length parameter and a width parameter, and wherein one of the length parameter and the width parameter is larger than the other of the length parameter and the width parameter;
• comparing the image of one or more stars to a stored image of the one or more stars;
• and
• determining the attitude of the spacecraft based on the comparison of the image of one or more stars to the stored image.