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176 MEMS and Microstructures in Aerospace Applications

8.8 CONCLUSION

Space communications systems are ‘‘ripe’’ for the insertion of MEMS-based tech-
nologies, in part due to the growth in commercial communication developments.
One of the most exciting applications of MEMS for microwave communications in
spacecraft concerns the implementation of ‘‘active aperture phase array antennas.’’
These systems consist of groups of antennas phase-shifted from each other to
take advantage of constructive and destructive interference in order to achieve
high directionality. Such systems allow for electronically steered radiated and
received beams, which have greater agility and will not interfere with the satellite’s
position.
Optical communications could also play an important role in low-power, low-
mass, long-distance missions such as the Realistic InterStellar Explorer (RISE)
mission, which seeks to send an explorer beyond the solar system, which requires
traveling a distance of 200 to 1000 AU from the Sun within a timeframe of about 10
to 50 years. The primary downlink for such a satellite would need to be optical
because of the distances and weight limits involved. It has been proposed that a
MEMS implementation of the beam-steering mechanism may be necessary to
achieve the desired directional accuracy with a sufficiently low mass. 112 MEMS
in space communication may well fall under the trendy term ‘‘disruptive technol-
ogy’’ for their potential to redefine whole systems.

REFERENCES

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