In-orbit demonstration of novel solid state micro-accelerometers☆

Abstract A self-contained sensor package comprising twelve solid state micro-accelerometers with its support system was built under ESA contract and flown in a Get-Away-Special canister onboard the Columbia orbiter during the STS-40 mission. The aim of this experiment is to characterize these novel accelerometers in space in μ-gravity environment and to prove the technology's potential in space applications. The successful flight on 6 June 1991 returned excellent calibration data of the accelerometers and gave insight into the real μ-gravity level of the Space Shuttle. Whilst the demonstrated sensitivity is in the order of 50 × 10 −9 g in the equivalent noise bandwidth, the residual gravitational disturbances of the Shuttle are at least a factor of 10 above. Current and future space projects will benefit from the ultrasensitive small size, low weight, low power sensors.