Microinstruments and microsensors for space science

Advances in micromachining technology in many defense and civilian programs make it feasible to design miniature sensors and instruments of the order of 10 2 –10 3 and 10 3 –10 4 g, respectively. By applying new signal detection principles, we have designed microspectrometers, microseismometers, microsamplers and other devices, which are now in varying phases of development and testing. Microspacecraft of the order of 10 kg, employing miniature sensors and instruments, are uniquely suited for three types of space science missions: missions that require multiple simultaneous measurements in different locations, missions that require very high launch energy and high risk missions where risk may be reduced by replacing a single large and expensive spacecraft with numerous independent small crafts. Applications examined include seismological and meteorological measurements on planetary surfaces and atmospheres and investigation of the mesoscale plasma structure around the Earth.