AQUILA Sun Sensors - Product Data Sheet - Version 25.10

Q: What does the AQUILA Sun Sensor product line provide for spacecraft?

It provides reliable, accurate sun-angle measurements used for spacecraft attitude determination and control, including both primary and safe-mode sensing.

Q: Which AQUILA models are covered in this datasheet?

The datasheet covers the AQUILA-A05 and the AQUILA-H02 series (including AQUILA-HR02).

Q: What specifications categories are included for the AQUILA series?

It includes functional performance (field of view, update rate, accuracy), physical properties (dimensions, mass, current consumption), environmental limits (thermal, mechanical tests, radiation), and electrical interfaces and power supply details.

Aug 24, 2026

Upload by Alex Sinclair

Aquila Sun Sensors is a space-qualified product line delivering reliable, accurate sun-angle measurements for spacecraft attitude determination and control. Designed for high-reliability missions, it supports both primary and safe-mode attitude sensing, with over 1000 units delivered and more than five years of Low Earth Orbit heritage. The datasheet presents functional, physical, and environmental specifications for AQUILA-A05 and AQUILA-H02 series models, including performance, interfaces, power, dimensions, and qualification/acceptance testing context.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryTechnology

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

Overview

Functional performance

Physical specifications

Environmental specifications

Interfaces and power

Acceptance testing and configuration management

G U I D E AQUILA SUN SENSORS The Sun Sensor product line, known as AQUILA, provides reliable and accurate sun-angle measurements for spacecraft attitude determination and control . Designed for highreliability space applications, these sensors are suitable for both primary and safe-mode attitude sensing . With over 1000+ units delivered and an extensive in-orbit heritage exceeding five years in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), the NSS Sun Sensors are baselined on multiple satellite constellations . Their robust design, ultra-compact form factor, low power consumption, and wide field of view make them a preferred choice for both commercial and institutional missions . This data sheet outlines the functional, physical, and environmental specification s of t he AQUILA series, includingthe AQUILA-A05 and AQUILA-H02 models . 1,000+ SUN SENSORS DELIVERED 260+ UNITS IN ORBIT OPERATIONAL SINCE 2014 UTILIZED ON 5+ CONSTELLATIONS 5 YEARS OF LIFE IN-ORBIT The Aquila is TRL 9 with extensive in-orbit heritage . The Aquila Sun Sensor has demonstrated in orbit life times of > 5 years in LEO and, due to its robust nature, has become a preferred choice for constellation primes . To date, > 200 Aquila units have been delivered globally. Currently, the NSS Sun Sensor is baselined on 5 constellations . ⁺ Orbit determination and maneuvering ⁺ Precise time stamping and synchronization FUNCTIONAL AQUILA-A0 5 (N CSS-SA0 5 ) AQUILA-H 0 2 AQUILA-HR 0 2 | Field of view | 114° | 140° | 140° | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Update rate | >10 Hz (limited by
customer OBC) | 5 Hz | 5 Hz | | Accuracy | < 0.5 Average | < 0.2 RMS | < 0.2 RMS | | PHYSICAL | AQUILA-A0 5 (N CSS-SA0 5 ) | AQUILA-H 0 2 | AQUILA-HR 0 2 | | Dimensions (mm) | 33 mm × 11 mm × 6 mm | 34 mm × 40 mm × 20 mm | 34 mm × 40 mm × 20 mm | | Current Consumption | <10mA @ 5V | Idle: <3mA [15mW], boot loader mode <20mA [80mW], application mode Active:<40mA [200mW] | Current Consumption | | Mass | < 5 g | < 37 g | < 37 g | | ENVIRONMENTAL | AQUILA-A0 5 (N CSS-SA0 5 ) | AQUILA-H 0 2 | AQUILA-HR 0 2 | | Thermal (operational) | -20 °C to +60 °C | -25 °C to +70 °C | -25 °C to +70 °C | | Mechanical Tests (qualification) | 1 6 gRMS (random), 20g(sine) | 34 . 93gRMS (random),
26 . 25g (sine), 2000g (shock) | 34 . 93gRMS (random),
26 . 25g (sine), 2000g(shock) | | Radiation (TID) (qualification) | < 5 g | < 37 g | < 37 g | | INTERFACES | AQUILA-A0 5 (N CSS-SA0 5 ) | AQUILA-H 0 2 | AQUILA-HR 0 2 | | Power supply Data Connector Mechanical | 5V
5 analogue channels
9-way female Nano-D
3 × M2 threaded Holes | +5 V to +36 V (5 V nominal) RS-485 / RS-422
9-way female Micro-D
4 × M2 . 5 Socket Head Cap | +5 V to +36 V (5 V nominal) RS-485 / RS-422
9-way female Micro-D
4 × M2 . 5 Socket Head Cap | | ACCEPTANCE TESTING: All FM parts undergo random vibration (10 rms) as well as thermal cycling (four-cycle ambiant pressure) to five degrees beyond operational thermal specifications . However, NewSpace can perform additional environmental testing if required by a client .
CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT: Specifications are subject to change . Please refer to the latest version | | | | [mark@newspace systems . com](mark@newspace systems . com)[ ](mark@newspace systems . com)[www. new space systems . com](www. new space systems . com) Copyright NewSpace Systems (Pty) Ltd. 2025 | Version 25.10

FAQs

What does the AQUILA Sun Sensor product line provide for spacecraft?

It provides reliable, accurate sun-angle measurements used for spacecraft attitude determination and control, including both primary and safe-mode sensing.

Which AQUILA models are covered in this datasheet?

The datasheet covers the AQUILA-A05 and the AQUILA-H02 series (including AQUILA-HR02).

What specifications categories are included for the AQUILA series?

It includes functional performance (field of view, update rate, accuracy), physical properties (dimensions, mass, current consumption), environmental limits (thermal, mechanical tests, radiation), and electrical interfaces and power supply details.

Aug 24, 2026

Upload by Alex Sinclair