Mems Enabling Space Exploration And Exploitation

This chapter covers the use of MEMS technology for space exploration and exploitation. Most current uses for MEMS in space applications are single devices in place of typically larger mechanical or electronic parts. Future spacecraft systems and instruments will consist of holistically integrated micromechanical and electronic parts. This chapter discusses both the use of MEMs in spacecraft systems and subsystems and in instrument and sensor applications. The chapter concludes with a section on the uniqueness of the space environment and reliability concerns of the space environment. To consider MEMS devices for space flight application, it is important to understand the environmental impacts.