Space Micro to build MEMS-based space weather instrument to aid satellite health monitoring
SAN DIEGO, 13 March 2008. Engineers at Space Micro Inc. in San Diego are working with experts at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., to build a MEMS-based miniature space weather instrument to help with satellite health monitoring.
Space Micro is working under terms of a phase-one Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) contract from the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.
MEMS stands for micro-electro-mechanical systems, and describes extremely tiny machines and devices.
"The plan is to productize this technology and provide satellite designers with a device that offers a sensing capability that is equal to, or better than, current products on the market, but in a smaller package and at a lower price point," says David J. Bozek, vice president of the Space Micro Space Electronics division.
Space Micro experts plan to use commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) technologies, "including commercially available MEMS foundries," says David J. Strobel, Space Micro's president and chief executive officer. For more information contact Space Micro online at www.spacemicro.com.
