HARDWARE / PRODUCTUpdated 19 Jul 2026

Redwire Coarse Sun Sensor – Pyramid

Redwire Corporation
Redwire Coarse Sun Sensor – Pyramid

2-axis, 4-detector pyramid-configuration coarse sun sensor for solar array pointing and sun acquisition.

Typed specifications34 values

Discloses 5 of 8 fields engineers filter by in this category (category median 4).

Accuracy
1 °
±1° at null (typically) · datasheet p.1 5 ° ±5° throughout linear range  |  1 ° at null (typically)  |  5 ° throughout linear range
Mass
130 g
nominal · datasheet p.2 130 g nom. · 0.29 LB (0.13 KG) nominal
Envelope (L×W×H)
mounting base 2.3″×2.3″ (58×58) mm; with baffles 3.5″×3.5″×1.7″ (89×89×43 mm)
datasheet p.1 2.3″×2.3″ (58×58) MM mounting base  |  3.5″×3.5″×1.7″ (89×89×43 MM) with baffles
Field of view
360 °
datasheet p.2
Radiation tolerance (TID)
100 krad
datasheet p.2 100 krad min · rad hard to more than 100 krad (Si)
Export status
EAR
ECCN 7A104; export licence required · datasheet p.1
Sensor class
coarse
datasheet p.1
Axes
2
datasheet p.1
Flight heritage
MAVEN
datasheet p.3 MARS ODYSSEY  |  STARDUST  |  ODIN/CYCLOPS  |  AMOS-1  +13
Output current at normal incidence
0.5–1.3 mA
peak output, each detector · datasheet p.1

Each value is typed with its unit and measurement condition and cites the datasheet page it was taken from. Nothing is guessed: a field that is absent here has not been published by the manufacturer. machine-extracted ✓ checked by NewSpace Market ✓ manufacturer confirmed by the manufacturer.

As published by the supplier11 lines, in the manufacturer's own wording
Configuration
2-axis, pyramid bracket
Number of detectors
4 per bracket (2, 6, 8 also available)
Field of view
2-pi steradian plus
Accuracy
+/-1 deg at null (typical), +/-5 deg over linear range
Mounting base dimensions
2.3 x 2.3 in (58 x 58 mm)
Dimensions with baffles
3.5 x 3.5 x 1.7 in (89 x 89 x 43 mm)
Mass
0.29 lb (0.13 kg) nominal
Input power
None required
Peak output
500-1300 uA per detector
Radiation tolerance
>100 krad (Si)
Export control
ECCN 7A104

About

The Redwire Coarse Sun Sensor (CSS) Pyramid is a two-axis navigational instrument containing four photodetectors arranged in a pyramid bracket, used by spacecraft to detect the sun’s position for solar-array pointing, sun acquisition, and fail-safe recovery. The standard bracket carries 4 detectors, with alternate 2, 6, or 8-detector bracket configurations available.

The sensor provides a field of view of 2-pi steradian plus, with a null-point accuracy of approximately +/-1 degree and +/-5 degrees maintained through the linear range. Redwire can design custom baffles to tailor the field of view to mission-specific stray-light requirements. The unit requires no input power and produces a peak photodetector output of 500-1300 microamps per detector.

At only 0.13 kg nominal mass, with a mounting base of 2.3 x 2.3 inches (58 x 58 mm) and 3.5 x 3.5 x 1.7 inches (89 x 89 x 43 mm) including baffles, the CSS Pyramid is radiation hardened beyond 100 krad (Si) and has flown on programs including MAVEN, SMAP, Landsat, GPS IIR/IIF, and TDRS.

Documentation

Need the full ICD, test reports or a specific revision? Ask the supplier directly.

Source: rdw.com ↗

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