Saturday's night launch of the second Galileo test satellite GIOVE-B from the Russian spaceport Baikonur is a further step towards the installation of the Galileo constellation. In order to lay the foundation for a successful operational phase of the complete Galileo system new technologies will be verified on the GIOVE-B test satellite. The attitude control of the second test satellite is carried out with the help of three FSS Sun Sensors (Fine Sun Sensor) of Jenoptik's subsidiary Jena-Optronik. The complete system will consist of at large 30 satellites in Medium Earth Orbit.
The Fine Sun Sensor is an analogue sensor for flexible application. Jena-Optronik produces this sensor in large quantities. To date nearly 70 of these systems or its predecessor models have successfully been used in space. State-of-the-art production environments including comprehensive test equipment which are able to precisely simulate space conditions are available for production and a wide range of tests. With a weight of only 650 grams, its pure, compact construction and a life time of 13 years the Fine Sun Sensor is appropriate both for use on telecommunication satellites as well as on earth observation and scientific satellites.
Already in 2005 the first test satellite named GIOVE-A (Galileo In-Orbit Validation Element) started its journey into space and therewith initiated one of the greatest projects of the European space flight. Together with its four successors it is the pathfinder for the installation of the high-precision European satellite navigation system that will in future deliver data for the accurate rotational position control, navigation and chronometry.
