Potential Applications of Micro and Nano Technologies on Space Transportation Systems

摘要

This paper highlights the current state of art of Micro and Nano technologies and also describes the Research and Developments activities going on at EADS-Space transportation with CNES and ESA. A diverse range of MEMS COTS/MOTS (MEMS Commercial off The shelf) are available in the markets that are primarily applicable to Space Transportation vehicles particularly on the Telemetry Sub systems with some specific upgrading activities. For the 'End-User' reliability assurance is an integral part of the space qualification process. The testing methods/protocols are also very device dependent EADS-ET has participated with CNES ESA and research labs tor the development of PoF (Physics of Failure) modelling on reliability prediction. In order to apply MNT's (Micro and Nano Technologies) in the space domain (launchers, satellites, probes,) validation of these devices under space launchers environment is essential. Flight opportunities are a key issue since technologies not qualified in-orbit are usually seen as risky and are discarded by the Space Industry. There are some flight opportunities tor MNT in-orbit demonstration with Ariane 5 launchers. For that we propose to develop a recurrent Technology Test Bed (TTB) which could offer standard interfaces with technology experiments. The target in short term (5 years) is the development of Low cost telemetry sub-systems' by using smart MEMS sensors. For that, we started the following works for coming three years (2005-2007): Phase 1: Spatialization (up grading), qualification and adaptation of MEMS COTS tor a flight demonstrator on Ariane 5 launchers environments Phase 2: Realization of test bed to make flight demonstration of MNTs for space transportation use Phase 3: Study of 'Low cost telemetry sub-systems' by using smart MEMS sensors.