Zettlex and Astrium develop sensors for space

Supported by the Technology Strategy Board within the National Space Technology Programme, the LIMPPET (Lightweight Miniature Precision Position Encoding Technology) project is a 12 month, industry led, applied research project aimed at developing high value products and services whose commercial exploitation will come from UK high tech manufacturing companies. Astrium is involved in the design and manufacture of a variety of mechanisms that require accurate position sensing in harsh environments. This activity focuses on two critical applications: devices used for the deployment of and pointing of antenna and solar arrays, as well as space and planetary robotics systems. Mark Howard, general manager of Zettlex commented: "The LIMPPET project is a very important one for both parties. Position and speed encoders are common elements in space equipment but the requirements for high reliability in harsh environments are extremely challenging for traditional technologies such as potentiometers, resolvers and linear transformers, which are either insufficiently reliable or too bulky and heavy for space applications. Howard continued: "The LIMPPET concept offers a high precision, lightweight, miniaturised solution with the potential for ultra reliable operation, even in space's extreme environments. LIMPPET uses a novel, non contact, resonant, radio frequency sensing technique whose main components are arrays of printed conductors on thin, flexible, laminar substrates." The collaborators are currently midway through the project and are hoping to see space qualified sensors available by the end of 2013.