Sensors for space applications

Sold-state sensors comprising several detector elements or highly integrated detector arrays play an important role in all spacecraft, be they manned vehicles or unmanned satellites. The author surveys the typical applications of these sensors. Sun sensors, earth sensors, and star trackers are used for attitude and orbit control of the vehicles. In rendezvous and docking maneuvers, microwave sensors, laser rangefinders, and optical sensors are used for the different phases. Depending on the mission requirements of the spacecraft, optoelectronic sensors (operating in the visible, near-IR, middle-IR, and far-IR) and sensors for X-ray and γ-ray measurements are put to work. The exact, reliable operation of these sensors at all times is a prerequisite for the success of the mission