Abstract:
As we look at sending humans to Mars, building tools that advance Human Understanding of our universe becomes a compelling avocation. The focus of the mission is on supporting exploration. Therefore, the ability to design small, lightweight, low power electronics is a key to this endeavor. This talk highlights the challenges for space electronics, citing an example of a recent successful project where the application of MEMS Gyros and System on a Chip (SOC) technology is dramatically reducing the satellite SWAP and cost, an opportunity for the future for a next generation sensor, and finally highlights an advanced development effort based on Carbon Nano-Tube electronics. These three examples showcase the partnerships and methodology that is required to explore Low Earth Orbit, the solar system and beyond.