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TOPEX/Poseidon: Perspectives on an Ocean Planet

- Course Sun Sensors

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On the solar array are several course sun sensors which provide the Attitude Control System (ACS) with information about the angle between the solar array and the sun. The electronics in the ACS can then determine how to move the array and the spacecraft to get the desired sun angle. However, since solar array pointing is normally performed by the on-board computer, this ACS pointing function is usually held in reserve.