The Micro-Precision Control/Structure Interaction (CSI) program will develop the technology necessary for providing system alignment and stability in the nanometer/nano-g regime for future space missions requiring this level of precision control. The Micro-Precision CSI program is developing the technology that will enable the design and development of lightweight structures that will meet the needs of any space mission requiring precision pointing, precision positioning, quiet structures, and/or vibration isolation. It is an essential part of the new paradigm of " better, faster, cheaper" for precision space structures. Specific missions requiring micro-precision CSI technology include advanced optical systems such as interferometers and filled aperture telescopes as well as micro-gravity payloads for material processing and basic physics investigations. A broad range of other missions will also benefit substantially from the development of Micro-Precision CSI technology. These include precision optical and antenna systems operating on earth observing platforms, flexible robotic systems for space construction and assembly, and ultra-lightweight micro-S/C with flexible appendages and/or on-board disturbance sources. An additional goal of the Micro-Precision CSI program is to identify those of its technology products with potential commercial application and to form collaborative arrangements with American industry for the commercialization of these technologies. Promising areas for commercialization include the application of CSI vibration isolation technology to the problems of machinery quieting, active engine mounts, and ultra-quiet platforms for micro-machining and integrated circuit manufacture.
This program transistioned to more informal reporting at the end of fiscal year 1995 (October 1995). Formal reports are no longer available after this time. These past reports are provided for archival and information purposes. For more up-to-date information on current activies, see the program overview section earlier in this section.
Created July 27, 1994. Last update: April 25, 1997. Please see my Disclaimer and Web Policy page. Maintained by Gordon Johnston.
Gordon.Johnston@hq.nasa.govThe world wide web uniform resource locator (URL) for this page is:
http://ranier.hq.nasa.gov/Sensors_page/MpCSI/MpCSIov.html
