Gravimetry for Aerospace, Autonomy and Planetary Exploration.
SMG provides a new generation of compact MEMS gravimeters for aerospace and autonomous platform applications. Our VBA MEMS gravity technology enables high-precision gravity measurement in a robust, low-power and deployable format, opening new opportunities in planetary science, resource exploration, Earth observation and gravity-aided navigation.
From UAV and airborne platforms to future lunar, planetary and deep-space missions, compact gravimetry can provide valuable information about subsurface structure, density variation and local gravitational fields.
Advance aerospace capability with compact, high-precision gravity sensing.
Planetary Surface Mapping
Autonomous Navigation
Lunar & Resource Prospecting
Earth Observation
Our technology.
Pioneering Compact Gravimetry for Aerospace Innovation
SMG develops gravimeters based on vibrating beam accelerometer MEMS technology. This allows high-precision gravity measurement in a compact, robust and low-power format suitable for mobile and autonomous platforms.
Our technology is designed to support applications where conventional gravimeters are too large, fragile or power-intensive, including UAV-based surveys, airborne mapping, planetary exploration concepts and future gravity-aided navigation.
Lightweight & Deployable
Compact MEMS-based sensing designed for integration into mobile, airborne and autonomous platforms where size, weight and power are critical.
High-Precision Measurements
Sensitive to small variations in gravity caused by changes in subsurface density, terrain, geology and local mass distribution.
Digital & Integrated
Designed for modern data workflows, with digital output, system diagnostics and compatibility with navigation, mapping and sensor-fusion systems.
Versatile Applications
Relevant to aerospace, planetary science, autonomous navigation, geophysical mapping and resource exploration.
Technology Comparison.
How MEMS Gravimetry Changes Deployment
Traditional high-performance gravimeters can deliver excellent sensitivity, but many systems are large, delicate, power-intensive or difficult to integrate into small mobile platforms. SMG’s MEMS approach reduces size, weight and power while retaining the sensitivity needed for practical gravity measurement.
Rather than replacing all existing gravity technologies, MEMS gravimetry enables new deployment models: smaller platforms, mobile mapping, autonomous operation and wider sensor distribution.
Miniaturisation & Deployment
The MEMS sensing element is extremely compact, enabling gravity measurement systems that can be integrated into smaller platforms than conventional gravimeters.
Low Power Operation
Reduced power requirements support mobile, autonomous and long-duration deployment scenarios.
Robust Mobile Sensing
SMG’s technology is designed for practical use outside traditional laboratory environments, including stabilised and mobile sensing applications.
Scalable Deployment
Compact MEMS gravimetry creates the potential for wider deployment across fleets, autonomous systems and distributed mapping programmes.
Aerospace Use Cases.
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UAV & Airborne Gravity Mapping
Enable compact gravity surveys from UAVs, aircraft or other mobile platforms, supporting geophysical mapping, infrastructure assessment and environmental monitoring.
Planetary Surface Mapping
Support future lunar and planetary missions by measuring gravity variations linked to subsurface structure, density contrast, voids and geological features.
Gravity-Aided Navigation
Develop passive navigation aiding for platforms operating where GNSS is unavailable, denied or unreliable, using gravity map matching to help constrain inertial drift.
Earth Observation and Climate Monitoring
Contribute to improved geophysical models by measuring gravity variations associated with mass change, oceanography, hydrology, tectonics and subsurface structure.
Contact Us
Explore Aerospace Applications for Compact Gravimetry
SMG works with aerospace organisations, research partners, platform developers and mission teams to explore new applications for compact gravity sensing.
Our MEMS gravimeter technology can support mobile mapping, planetary science, resource exploration and future gravity-aided navigation for autonomous platforms.