Horizon sensor for satellites using superconductor(s) having a high critical temperature

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings, wherein like reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views: FIG.
1 illustrates a general block diagram of the horizon sensor of the instant invention; FIG.
2 shows the general circuit diagram of the horizon detector of the instant invention; FIG.
3 depicts the sensor mounted in a sealed cavity suitable for mounting on a satellite body; and FIG.
4 shows the sensor of FIG.
3 in position on a satellite.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS With initial reference to FIG.
1, there is shown a basic functional block diagram of the major components of the horizon sensor 10 of the instant invention.
An optical system 1 which is capable of passing space-based radiation is optically coupled to a radiation detecting element 2.
This radiation detecting element 2 is capable of sensing the presence of certain types of space-based radiation, changing temperature as a result of the quantity of exposure to such radiation, and emitting a voltage which conforms to said temperature change, said voltage being fed to a signal processor 3.
The optical system 1 allows for the selective passing and/or filtering of specific types and quantities of radiation, namely light and/or infrared radiation.
The signal processing element 3 may be a known signal processing means which can receive voltage signals from a sensor and pass along signals to be acted upon, for the purposes of monitoring or correcting the satellite's orientation in space.
FIG.
2 is an electrical schematic showing the detailed configuration of the radiation detector element 2.
FIG.
2 shows a high temperature superconductor, indicated as HTS, positioned in a commonly known resistor network.
As radiation which has been passed through optical system 1 impinges upon the high temperature superconductor the superconductor will change temperature.
Essentially, the high temperature superconductor reaches its lowest temperature in the absence of impinging radiation, and reaches its maximum temperature when the amount of radiation impinging upon it is at its maximum