Victor, NY – Dec. 16, 2011 – New Scale Technologies (www.newscaletech.com) today announced that its miniature linear actuator modules were on board the United Launch Alliance Delta 2 rocket launched at Vandenberg Air Force Base October 28. The New Scale modules are integral to the Dynamic Ionosphere CubeSat Experiment (DICE) satellites, a pair of “pico-satellites” built by the Space Dynamics Laboratory at the Utah State University in partnership with ASTRA (PI), L-3 Communications Systems, NASA and the National Science Foundation.
The DICE satellites will collect data on variations in ionosphere plasma density that affect the performance of communications, surveillance, and navigation systems on earth and in space. The small, low-powered satellites measure 10 x 10 x 15 cm each, and require ultra-small, low-power components. The project is funded by a $1.2 million grant from the National Science Foundation.
The New Scale motion module is a miniature high-resolution positioning system with piezoelectric motor, integrated drive electronics and closed-loop control. Less than half the size and one-fourth the weight of comparable systems, it offers 0.5µm position resolution with many millimeters of travel. It operates on a 3.3V input and holds position with power off.
For more information about DICE visit http://www.sdl.usu.edu/programs/dice
For more information about New Scale miniature motion systems visit http://www.newscaletech.com
Filed Under: Aerospace + defense
