Micromachined Nano-G Accelerometer

Future scientific and military space missions plan to use micro and nano-satellites.  Because their payloads are much smaller than traditional satellites, the instruments used on these next generation satellites need to be miniaturized.  If micro and nano-satellites are to be used to map and model the atmosphere density, a miniaturized accelerometer that can measure accelerations as low as 10 nano-g is required. Creare and our collaborators from Stanford Universitys Gravity Probe-B instrumentation team, propose to design, fabricate, test, and deliver a micromachined nano-g accelerometer.  Our micromachined accelerometer is based on previously demonstrated technologies: innovative micromachined structures; capacitive position sensing; electrostatic actuation; and advanced signal processing of spectrally shifted acceleration measurements.  These sensing techniques have been demonstrated on Gravity Probe-B to be capable of measuring 10 pico-g.  By combining these previously demonstrated technologies in an innovative way, we expect to develop a nano-g accelerometer that will meet the power, mass, and size requirements of the Air Force. During Phase II, we will fabricate, test, and demonstrate a prototype micromachined nano-g accelerometer based on our innovative design.  We will deliver a prototype accelerometer that can be easily integrated with Space Plug-and-Play Avionics hardware as required by the Air Force. BENEFIT: In addition to providing the required sensing capability of atmospheric mapping on micro and nano-satellites for the Air Force, Creares micromachined nano-g accelerometer has the potential to influence satellite communications, global positioning systems, radar ranging, inertial navigation systems, and fundamental science experiments in space.