Miniaturized Systems

Role in Scientific Discovery

Miniature Systems

Miniaturized systems open new possibilities for exploration by decreasing costs, coordinating measurements of interconnected systems, and facilitating technology infusion.

 

Benefit to JPL Mission

Miniaturized systems reduce mission costs and accelerate development schedules. By enabling new platform strategies, miniaturized systems also increase the flexibility and adaptability of JPL missions.

 

Challenges

Integrating and qualifying subsystems is a challenge, especially with the incorporation of COTS technologies. All components and subsystems must withstand the radiation levels, extreme temperatures, and other environmental challenges of space environments.

 

Solutions

  • Nano and Micro Devices: space-compatible microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), applied nanotechnology, and integrated photonics
  • Subsystem Miniaturization: space COTS capabilities, microelectronic packaging technology.
  • System Miniaturization: thermal, communication, and navigation architectures; multifunctional integration

 

Read more about this topic in JPL's 2019 Strategic Technologies document.