On Orbit Performance of Active Pixel Sun Sensor on GSAT-14 Satellite

摘要

This paper presents the on orbit performance of newly developed high accuracy Active Pixel Sun Sensor (APSS) on GSAT-14 satellite. Sun sensor is one of the prime attitude sensors for spacecraft. LEOS has developed a novel high accuracy Sun sensor called Active Pixel Sun Sensor (APSS) with the accuracy better than 0.05 deg. APSS is a two axes high accuracy and compact Sun sensor using a CMOS as a detector. APSS was qualified and flight model was delivered to GSAT-5P spacecraft to validate the performance of this sensor on orbit. Subsequently, due to the failure of GSAT-5P mission, qualification model was proposed to fly on GSAT-14 spacecraft. On orbit performances of APSS on GSAT-14 satellite is satisfactory. In this paper, we have presented compliance of different sensor parameters like accuracy, field of view, resolution etc. with different attitude sensor. In addition to this, the different intelligent modes of sensor to avoid reflection (possible to some extent) from others appendages of satellite is also incorporated and this mode is also tested on orbit after east reflector deployment. With this experience, we can confidently replace Digital Sun Sensor (DSS) by APSS in future satellites.