years, and has plans that reach out to 2080. Draper has designed and developed the boost guidance system for every submarine-launched ballistic missile deployed by the U.S., and has had an intellectual leadership role with the guidance systems for intercontinental ballistic missiles. The Lab was tapped in the same era by the new national space agency, NASA, to develop the guidance system for the Apollo Moon Program. Draper provided essential guidance and control capability for every U.S. human space flight program since Apollo. For Apollo, not only did the Lab develop the inertial guidance system, but it also designed the flight computer and all the software for the orbiter and lander, which required creating one of the first higher-order computer languages and the concept of interrupt-driver, real-time software. Since divesture from MIT, the independent Laboratory’s technical expertise has expanded in step with the needs of the nation while we maintained an active collaboration with AeroAstro. Based on its success with digital controls on the Apollo guidance computer, the Laboratory collaborated with NASA on the Based on its success with digital first digital fly-by-wire aircraft control systems.
controls on the Apollo guidance computer, the Laboratory collaborated with NASA on the first digital fly-by-wire aircraft control systems.
Beginning 30 years ago, Draper transitioned micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) from the Lab to practical applications, first with solid-state gyroscopes and accelerometers. Later, the Lab used MEMS to develop close-in sensors for intelligence collection, and implantable sensors and tissue engineering for biomedical applications. From these experiences, Draper developed a significant competence in vanishingly small systems (VSS), including electronics packaging, very low-power system design, and low-rate production. Future development of VSS technology will include a heavy emphasis on attaining smaller (nanoscale) features in existing sensors and processes, as well as developing novel, specialized polymeric and piezoelectric materials. MEMS and VSS will continue to be foundational technologies for the Laboratory, supporting continued advances in new sensor and system applications. Draper is laying the groundwork for practical guidance, navigation, and control systems that will integrate multi-axis, cold atom accelerometers, gyroscopes, and clocks—all using a single technology platform.
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AEROASTRO 2013-2014