Aps-based miniature sun sensor for earth observation nanosatellites

This paper describes the research activity at the university of Naples concerning the study and prototype development of a low-cost APS-based miniature sun sensor for mi-cro/nanosatellites attitude determination. In the paper the sensor architecture is described, as well as the development of its prototype and of the facility for laboratory testing. Part of the project is also the development of a numerical simulator of the sensor operation. The simulator is used to predict the sensor performance and to simulate the laboratory test of the prototype. Preliminary results show that a final accuracy better than 1 arcmin is achievable