Sensor Pointing

The Pointing page enables you to set parameters to determine how a sensor is aimed, e.g. with respect to its parent object, the central body, objects selected for tracking, etc.

STK provides a number of Pointing Types for sensors. Available Pointing Types depend on the STK capabilities for which you are licensed.

Sensors have a natural coordinate frame in which the +Z axis is the sensor boresight and the X and Y axes form a plane perpendicular to the boresight.

Pointing Type	Description
3D Model	Point a sensor along one of the available elements of the selected 3D Model.
Along Vector	Controls the sensor pointing alignment using a pair of vectors defined using the Vector Geometry tool. The Clock angle offset value can be between -360 and 360 degrees.
Fixed	Model sensors that are fixed in the parent object's body coordinate frame, so that they always point in the same direction relative to the parent.
Targeted	Model sensors that track other objects.
Spinning	Model radars, push broom sensors and other instruments that spin, scan or sweep over time.
External	Import a custom sensor pointing file.
Grazing Altitude	Model a sensor so that the boresight vector will graze the central body at a specified altitude.
Fixed in Axes	Point a sensor with reference to a set of axes, using the selected orientation system.
Scheduled	This option is editable through automation interfaces only and appears in the list only if the sensor has been set to this option via Connect.

If you are not licensed for a given sensor pointing type, it will appear dimmed in the sensor pointing type drop-down list box. Find out more on the licensing Help page.

STK Technical Notes are available for central body reference frames supported in STK, vehicle body frames, sensor pointing types, and Vector Geometry Tool reference frames.