Sun Sensors

33 Sun Sensors for Space Applications from 20 manufacturers listed on SatNow

Sun Sensors for space applications from multiple manufacturers are listed on SATNow. Use the filters to select products based on your requirement. View product details, download datasheets, compare products, get quotes and pricing for matching products. SATNow has compiled this list of products specifically for Space and Satellite Applications.

Description:Analog Sun Sensor for Sun Tracking and Attitude Determination of NanoSats
Satellite Type:
NanoSat
Type:
Analog Sun Sensor
Accuracy:
0.5 º (3sigma) 0.1 º (precision)
Sun Field of View:
±60 Degree
Mass:
6.5 g
Radiation Tolerance:
30 kRad (gamma)6 MeV 3000 kRad(protons)
Supply Voltage:
3.3 to 5 V
Space Heritage:
Yes
Interface:
UART, I2C, SPI
more info
Description:A low cost attitude determination device suitable both for LEO and GEO orbits
Satellite Type:
SmallSat
Type:
Digital Sun Sensor
Accuracy:
0.5 Degree
Sun Field of View:
140 Degree
Update Rate:
10 Hz
Mass:
240 g
Supply Voltage:
12 to 50 V
Power Consumption:
50 mW
Interface:
RS-422, CAN, SPI
more info
Description:Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is responsible for Design Development and production of electro-optic sensors and optics for spacecraft
Accuracy:
±5 Degree
Mass:
50 g
Space Heritage:
Yes
more info
SKU:CUBESENSE
Type:
Digital Sun Sensor
Accuracy:
0.2° with Earth/Sun
Sun Field of View:
180 Degree
Update Rate:
2 Hz
Mass:
30 g
Radiation Tolerance:
24 krad
Supply Voltage:
3 V
Power Consumption:
100 mW (Avg Power) 200 mW (Peak Power)
Space Heritage:
Yes
Interface:
I2C, UART
more info
SKU:FSS
Accuracy:
0.15 Degee
Sun Field of View:
128 Degree
Mass:
650 g
Supply Voltage:
13 to 15 V
Power Consumption:
200 mW
more info
SKU:Coarse Sun Sensor (CSS) Pyramid
Accuracy:
±1 deg (null) Degree, ±5 Degree (linear range)
Sun Field of View:
2 Degree
Mass:
0.13 kg
Radiation Tolerance:
100 krad (Si)
more info
Description:A unit vector on the axis of the coordinate system associated with the sensor
Satellite Type:
CubeSat
Accuracy:
0.15 Degree
Sun Field of View:
half angled cone 45 deg
Mass:
50 g
Supply Voltage:
6 to 36 V
Power Consumption:
0.3 W
more info
SKU:PST3S-H1
Accuracy:
3 Degree (Pointing) 30 Degree (Rolling)
Sun Field of View:
15 x 18 Degree
Update Rate:
10 Hz
Mass:
130 g
Radiation Tolerance:
20 krad (Si)
Supply Voltage:
5 V
Power Consumption:
0.7 W
Interface:
RS-422, CAN
more info
SKU:FSS100
Satellite Type:
NanoSat
Accuracy:
0.1 deg with 45 deg, +/- 0.5 deg with 60 deg
Sun Field of View:
± 60 Degree
Mass:
4 g
Radiation Tolerance:
10 krad
Supply Voltage:
3.3 V
Space Heritage:
Yes
more info

What are Sun Sensors?

Sun sensors are navigational instruments that are used in space by a spacecraft to determine the direction and position of the sun to the position of the spacecraft. 

In a typical sun sensor, a thin slit is present at the top of a rectangular chamber which can be of different sizes and allows light to enter and fall on an array of photo detective cells at the bottom of the chamber. The chamber casts an image of a thin line on the chamber bottom. The cells at the bottom measure the distance of the image from a centerline and determine the refraction angle by using the chamber height.

Since these photo detective cells work on the principle of a photoelectric effect they convert the incoming photons into electrons and hence voltages which are in turn converted into a digital signal. When two sensors are placed perpendicular to each other, the direction of the sun about the sensor axes can be calculated. There are various types of sun sensors, each one best suited to the characteristics and requirements of the satellite.

Sun sensors are widely used in spacecraft attitude determination systems, orbit control, and attitude control of spacecraft. They are also used for solar array pointing, gyro updating, fail-safe recovery, meteorological systems, tracking systems, and navigation systems.



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