Orientation sensor for space probe for determination of orientation of sensor housing in gravitational field in aerospace industry, has evaluation unit i.e. microprocessor, determining position of ball in inner side of sensor housing

摘要

The sensor (100) has an electrical conductive ball (109) changing a switching state of contacts (101, 102) in a position (114b) by an electrical conductive connection between the contacts over the electrical conductive ball. An evaluation unit (111) i.e. microprocessor, determines the position of the ball in an inner side of a sensor housing (113). The contacts and other contacts (103-108) are checked for applying voltage. The switching state of all the contacts is changed such that the ball is moved from a direction of gravitational force (110) on the inner side of the sensor housing. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a space probe (2) a method for determining an orientation of a sensor housing in a gravitational field.