Development of a MOEMS sun sensor for space applications

The paper presents the development of a miniaturized sun sensor for sun angle detection in space applications. The sun sensor has a field of view (FoV) of greater than 2π sr and a resolution of approximately 1 degree in elevation and azimuth angle; thus, it is a coarse sun sensor with the advantage of having a large field of view. Key elements of this sun sensor are its curved shape, the photosensitive layer consisting of copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS), the transparent conductive layer consisting of thin molybdenum or aluminium doped zinc oxide, and its integrated design. The sun sensor will be one of the sensors in the attitude determination and control system (ADCS) of a nano-satellite.