MET Tech and ASU developing miniature planetary seismometer

MET Tech and Arizona State University researchers have entered a collaborative project to develop a high performance miniature seismometer for planetary exploration under a NASA Steckler grant, based on MET technology.

Before the moon and other planets can be colonized, the threat posed from seismic events must be better characterized. A lunar seismometer network would serve to characterize the size, frequency, and location of dangerous seismic events, providing critical input for safely constructing a lunar outpost and designing lunar architecture capable of withstanding these events. The program aims to develop, for flight readiness, a miniaturized, rugged seismometer for deployment in a seismometer network. MET sensor technology was selected for the project due to the sensors’ high performance in a small footprint, low noise, ruggedness, and inherent radiation-hardness.

ASU scientists involved in the work include Professors Hongyu Yu and Matthew Fouch at the School of Earth and Space Exploration.