The QUEST for Brazilian space research

Abstract

This paper describes how QUEST 1 (QUaternion ESTimator algorithm) influenced Brazilian space research activities. Indeed, we present a short survey paper on researches in attitude determination and propagation in Brazil arising from the influence of the author of QUEST. We show how Brazilian researchers started implementing QUEST, tasting it, and later deriving other applications based on it. Some Brazilian researchers worked out further investigations through direct interaction with the QUEST author, Dr. Malcolm Shuster, addressing attitude alignment and calibration problems. Further related researches show the influence of Dr. Shuster's work on Brazilian space research.