Page 15 - MEMS and Microstructures in Aerospace Applications

Osiander / MEMS and microstructures in Aerospace applications DK3181_c001 Final Proof page 6 1.9.2005 11:41am

6 MEMS and Microstructures in Aerospace Applications

1.3.5 MISSILES AND MUNITIONS —INERTIAL MEASUREMENT UNITS
On June 17, 2002, the success of the first MEMS-based inertial measurement units
(IMU) guided flight test for the Army’s NetFires Precision Attack Missile (PAM)
program served as a significant milestone reached in the joint ManTech program’s
efforts to produce a smaller, lower cost, higher accuracy, tactical grade MEMS-
based IMU. During the 75 sec flight, the PAM flew to an altitude of approximately
20,000 ft and successfully executed a number of test maneuvers using the naviga-
tion unit that consisted of the HG-1900 (MEMS-based) IMU integrated with a GPS
receiver. The demonstration also succeeded in updating the missile’s guidance point
in midflight, resulting in a successful intercept. 6

1.3.6 OPAL, SAPPHIRE, AND Emerald

Satellite Quick Research Testbed (SQUIRT) satellite projects at Stanford University
demonstrate micro- and nanotechnologies for space applications. SAPPHIRE is a
testbed for MEMS tunneling infrared horizon detectors. The second microsatellite,
OPAL,isnamedafteritsprimarymissionasanOrbitingPicosatelliteLauncher.OPAL
explores the possibilities of the mothership–daughtership mission architecture using
the SQUIRT bus to eject palm-sized, fully functional picosatellites. OPAL also
provides a testbed for on-orbit characterization of MEMS accelerometers, while
one of the picosatellites is a testbed for MEMS RF switches. Emerald is the upcoming
SQUIRT project involving two microsatellites, which will demonstrate a virtual bus
technology that can benefit directly from MEMS technology. Its payloads will also
include a testbed dedicated to comprehensive electronic and small-scale component
testing in the space environment. Emerald will also fly a colloid microthruster
prototype, a first step into the miniaturization of thruster subsystems that will
eventually include MEMS technology. The thruster is being developed jointly with
7–9
the Plasma Dynamic Laboratory at Stanford University.

1.3.7 INTERNATIONAL EXAMPLES
Itwould truly be unfair after listing a series of UnitedStates originated demonstrations
to imply that this activity was limited to the U.S. On the international field, there is
significant interest, effort, and expertise. The European Space Agency (ESA) 10,11 and
Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales (CNES) 12 have significant activity. Efforts in
13
Canada at the University of Victoria include MEMS adaptive optics for telescopes.
14
In China, it is being experimented with ‘‘Yam-Sat’’ and on silicon satellites, while
15
workinJapan includes micropropulsion and otheractivities toonumerous toinclude
herein. Many of these efforts cross national boundaries and are large collaborations.
1.4 MICROELECTROMECHANICAL SYSTEMS AND
MICROSTRUCTURES IN AEROSPACE APPLICATIONS
MEMS and Microstructures in Aerospace Applications is loosely divided into the
following four sections:

© 2006 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC