Fine (Digital) Sun Sensor NFSS-411

A sun sensor determines a spacecraft’s orientation with respect to the sun. The front surface of the NewSpace Systems (NSS) NFSS-411 sensor is a synthetic sapphire window with a reflective metal coating beneath. Slits are etched in the metal and sunlight passes through them and through an optical filter onto a sensor. The charge on the photo-sensors are read by the microcontroller which processes the image and computes the sun vector.

the vector and other telemetry is returned to the spacecraft through the serial interface. The NSS Fine Sun Sensor accepts the configuration commands and outputs digital angles and telemetry over a serial interface to the on-board computer. The unit can be powered from unregulated DC power from the spacecraft.

Main Features

Application:

 · Accurate determination of sun-angle

 · Four sensors can achieve full sky coverage

 · Can be used as safe-mode sensors on gyro or star-mapper controlled systems

 · Used in conjunction with a magnetometer for simple attitude control

Properties:

 · Field of view：140°

 · Update rate：5Hz

 · Accuracy：≤ 0.1° RMS error over the FOV

 · Dimensions：34mm x 32mm x 20mm

 · Mass：35 grams

 · Power：37.5mW average, 130mW peak

 · Operating temperature：-25°C to + 50°C

 · 16.3g RMS random (10g RMS acceptance), 5000g shock

 · 10krad total dose (component level)

 · Power Supply：5V DC nominal ( 5V to 50V)

Qualification:

 · The NFSS-411 was first flown in 2007

 · It has been used on a number of constellations with a total of over 100 delivered