MEMS solar sensor testing for satellite applications

Solar sensors are very common devices used for attitude control of satellites. MEMS technology is very useful to reach the target of reducing the sensor size and cost. We have designed and manufactured a 2 axis analog sun sensor in order to be testing and validated in a real application. The sensor is boarding in the NANOSAT 1B Spanish satellite to be launched in 2009. For several years the satellite and the load devices will be exposed to very hard working conditions. Very accurate calibrating and testing processes have been developed in land to ensure a right performance in orbit. Mechanical, electrical and thermal tests have been applied to the sensor. These tests and its results are discussed In this paper.