Silicon Sensing’s inertial measurement technology to equip first small SAR satellite from iQPS

Silicon Sensing Systems’ high performance DMU30 micro electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) inertial measurement unit (IMU) has been selected by the Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space (iQPS) of Fukuoka, Japan, for the control system of Japan’s first X-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) small satellite. This is a 1m resolution, high-performance, X-band SAR-satellite weighing only 100Kg. Ultimately, iQPS plans to deploy 36 of these satellites, offering an earth observation data service to support tasks such as disaster management as well as land and infrastructure surveying. In this environment the advantages of Silicon Sensing’s MEMS technology over traditional high-performance options, such as fibre optic and ring laser gyro devices, are clear. The DMU30, Silicon Sensing’s highest performing IMU, is an ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations)-free product that matches the performance of a FOG unit but is far more rugged, ideal for operating over extended periods in the harsh space environment. www.siliconsensing.com