Miniaturization of components and systems for space using MEMS technology

Paper number

IAC-06-B5.5.12

Author

Mr. Tor-Arne Grönland, NanoSpace AB, Sweden

Coauthor

Dr. Pelle Rangsten, NanoSpace AB, Sweden

Coauthor

Dr. Martin Nese, Norway

Coauthor

Dr. Martin Lang, European Space Agency (ESA)/ESTEC, The Netherlands

Year

2006

Abstract

Development of a MEMS-based (Micro Electro Mechanical System) components and subsystems for space applications has been pursued by various research groups and organizations around the world for at least two decades. The main driver for developing MEMS based components for space is the miniaturization that can be achieved. Miniaturization can not only save orders of magnitude in mass and volume of individual components, it can also allow increase redundancy, and enable novel spacecraft designs and mission scenarios. However, the commercial breakthrough of MEMS has not occurred within the space business as it has within other branches such as the IT/telecom or car industries, or as it has in biotech- or life science applications. 
A main explanation to this is the highly conservative attitude to new technology within the space community. This conservatism is in many senses motivated by a very low risk acceptance in the few and costly space projects that actually ends with a space flight. Two overcome this threshold there is a strong need for flight opportunities where reasonable risks can be accepted. 
 Currently there are few flight opportunities allowing extensive use of new technology in space, but one of the exceptions is the PRISMA program. PRISMA is an international (Sweden, Germany, France, Denmark, Norway, Greece) technology demonstration program with focus on rendezvous and formation flying. It is a two satellite LEO mission with a launch scheduled to second half of 2008. On PRISMA, a number of novel technologies e.g. RF metrology sensor for Darwin, autonomous formation flying based on GPS and vision based sensors, ADN-based “green propulsion” will be demonstrated in space for the first time. One of the satellites will also have a miniaturized propulsion system onboard based on MEMS-technology.
This novel propulsion system includes two microthruster modules, each including four thrusters with micro- to milli-Newton thrust capability. The novelty of this micropropulsion system is that all critical components such as thrust chamber/nozzle assembly including internal heaters, valves and filters are manufactured using MEMS technology. Moreover, miniaturized pressure sensors, relying on MEMS technology, is also part of the system as a self standing component.
The flight opportunity on PRISMA represents one of the few and thus important opportunities to demonstrate MEMS technology in space. The present paper aims at describing this development effort and highlights the benefits of miniaturized components and systems for space using MEMS technology.

Abstract document

IAC-06-B5.5.12.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-06-B5.5.12.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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