Precision spacecraft payload platforms

A method, comprising:

• emitting a first fanned laser light beam from a first fanned laser light source towards a structure, the first fanned laser light source having a substantially fixed orientation relative to a spacecraft attitude sensor;
• and
• measuring a position of the first fanned laser light beam with each of a plurality of first laser light sensing devices affixed to the structure distributed at different locations across the structure and disposed to intersect the first fanned laser light beam to determine an orientation of the structure and derive distortion occurring in the structure;
• wherein the structure connects the first fanned laser light source to the plurality of first laser light sensing devices and the structure comprises a spacecraft payload structure supporting a pointed payload and the determined orientation of the structure and derived distortion occurring in the structure are applied to reduce any pointing error of the pointed payload.

An apparatus, comprising:

• a fanned laser light source means for emitting a fanned laser light beam towards a structure, the fanned laser light source means having a substantially fixed orientation relative to a spacecraft attitude sensor;
• and
• a plurality of separate laser light sensing means affixed to the structure distributed at different locations across the structure and disposed to intersect the fanned laser light beam for measuring a position of the fanned laser light beam on each of the plurality of laser light sensing means to determine an orientation of the structure and derive distortion occurring in the structure;
• wherein the structure connects the fanned laser light source means to the plurality of laser light sensing means and the structure comprises a spacecraft payload structure supporting a pointed payload and the determined orientation of the structure and derived distortion occurring in the structure are applied to reduce any pointing error of the pointed payload.