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Vision for Microtechnology Space Missions 33

disruptive technological impact of MEMS on how space systems are designed,
built, and operated. One option is to adopt a technology infusion approach similar to
the one the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has pursued for
the development and widespread integration of MEMS-based microsystems to
revolutionize our military’s capabilities on future battlefields. Technologists, re-
searchers, and decision makers interested in developing truly innovative and enab-
ling MEMS-based microsystems that will support the VSE goals of affordability,
reliability, effectiveness, and flexibility would do well to study the DARPA ap-
proach, where multiple high-risk or high-payoff military MEMS technologies are
being pursued to dramatically improve the agility, accuracy, lethality, robustness,
and reliability of warfighter systems.
Transitioning MEMS microsystems and devices out of the laboratory and into
operational space systems will present many challenges. Clearly much has been
accomplished but several critical issues remain to be resolved in order to produce
MEMS microsystems that will satisfy the demanding performance and environ-
mental requirements of space missions. In the spirit of Rear Admiral Grace Murray
Hopper (who is quoted as saying ‘‘If it’s a good idea, go ahead and do it. It’s much
easier to apologize than it is to get permission’’) the community must continue to
innovate with open minds for if we constrain our vision for MEMS in space, an
opportunity may be missed to bend (or even break) current space platform design
and production paradigms.

REFERENCES
1. Osiander, R., S.L. Firebaugh, J.L. Champion, et al., Microelectromechanical devices for
satellite thermal control, IEEE Sensors Journal Microsensors and Microacuators: Tech-
nology and Applications 4(4), pp. 525 (2004).
2. Wesolek, D.M., J.L. Champion, F.A. Hererro, et al., A micro-machined flat plasma
spectrometer (FlaPS), Proceedings of SPIE — The International Society for Optical
Engineering 5344, pp. 89 (2004).
3. Sillon, N. and R. Baptist, Sensors and actuators B (chemical), Proceedings of 11th
International Conference on Solid State Sensors and Actuators Transducers ’01/Euro-
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infrared astronomy, Proceedings of SPIE — The International Society for Optical
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5. George, T., Overview of MEMS/NEMS technology development for space applications
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determination, 16th Annual AIAA/USU Conference on Small Satellites, Logan, UT (2002).
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Mechanics (SEM) Annual Conference (2003).
8. Connelly, J.A., et al., Alignment and performance of the infrared multi-object spectrom-
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