The SiREUS MEMS rate sensor programme.

Paper number

IAC-08.E5.1.9

Author

Mr. Benedict Olivier, Systems Engineering & Assessment Ltd, United Kingdom

Year

2008

Abstract

The MEMS rate sensor (gyro), SiREUS, was delivered to the Cryosat 2 satellite 33 months after the start of the first technology research contract.   This development has been highlighted by ESA as the first European developed, mainstream MEMS technology to be flown.  MEMS technology has much to offer space exploration, ruggedness, low mass and power and low recurring cost.   The challenge for a low volume industry is to realise these benefits when the development of a successful MEMS device is often only commercially viable when the investment is returned from large production runs.
For the SiREUS programme the spin-in occurred from an AIS (formerly BAE Systems Plymouth) MEMS technology originally developed for missiles and subsequently mass produced for the automotive market.    The other team members were SEA who led the development undertaking the transfer of the technology into the space domain and SELEX-GALILEO (formerly BAE Systems Edinburgh) who manufacture the production versions of the fully developed 3 axis unit.
This paper recalls the history of the development and the lessons learned from the perspective of SEA with an emphasis on the business proposition, it covers both the five years of effort prior to the first tranche of development funding, the forces that shaped the evolution of the programme, the challenges faced in finding both a technical and industrial solution to what was often referred to as the ‘gyro problem in Europe’ and the impact of a rapidly changing industrial landscape and ownership structures over the relatively long timescales required to fund and develop products for spaceflight.  Finally the paper concludes with an assessment of the potential for spin-out of the technology back into both original and new applications and the steps taken during the programme to ensure that this potential was present.

Abstract document

IAC-08.E5.1.9.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-08.E5.1.9.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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