(Credits: ESA - S. Corvaja, 2009)

The Digital Sun Sensor technology as demonstrated onboard PROBA-2 represents the foundation of a long line of advances in sun sensor technology in terms of accuracy and efficiency. Sun sensors provide satellites and space missions with information about the orientation of the satellite in respect to the Sun. Every mission depends on these types of sensors for the guidance navigation and control inputs essential to success. TNO has been making attitude sensors for over 35 years with a 100% success rate, and looks forward to bringing a future line of tiny, sophisticated sensors to fruition based on this successful maiden flight.

Four Cool Gas Generators onboard will demonstrate a new and advantageous system for reliable gas creation in space. A huge step forward in comparison to current gas generation systems, the Cool Gas Generators produce gas from a solid form and are small, simple and robust. They are not under pressure, can be stored for long periods of time, produce gas at room temperature, and never leak. Dependable gas generation is vital to spaceflight, not only for closed-loop life support systems and inflatable structures, but also for cold propulsion systems and micro-propulsion, planetary landing systems, pneumatics, or future fuel cells dependent on chemical generation. Because of its unique qualities, the system has also already found Earth-based applications in lifeboats, emergency floating systems for helicopters and fire extinguishers. TNO and space SME Bradford Engineering B.V, developed the progressive cool gas generator technology together, and the product will be commercialized by another space SME, Aerospace Propulsion Products B.V.

Both the Digital Sun Sensor and the four Cool Gas Generators will make a maiden voyage onboard PROBA-2 that will lead to a substantial contribution to the future of space technology.