The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.
Zero Force Accelerometer
Based on Draper’s extensive experience with strategic missile guidance and space science missions, there is a well-defined need for new enabling technologies for higher precision sensors, particularly solid-state accelerometers. Draper is investing internal research and development funding to pursue tomorrow’s state-of-the-art in inertial sensing.
Draper’s Zero Force Accelerometer (ZFA) is a solid-state device with the potential to exceed strategic-grade performance requirements. Combining a nearly free proof mass, optical displacement sensing, and electrostatic force rebalance, ZFA is projected to surpass strategic-level performance without the tight environmental controls typical of currently deployed systems. By leveraging the ZFA technology, Draper also is enabling a new class of science instruments to support critical climatology, earth, and planetary science missions. Our engineers have already demonstrated key ZFA components, including a low-restrained proof mass suspension and ultralow-noise optical readout. Performance evaluation of brassboard test beds is underway.
