Tiny MEMS Speaker Being Sent to Space
Tiny MEMS Speaker Being Sent to Space
Designed to Work in Zero Gravity
A challenging space project named “Blue Marble: Put a Musical Synthesizer in Space!” is set to be launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on November 7th. The project entails the design of a zero-gravity music synthesizer.
"A major hurdle for Physical Synthesis to play sound and music in our Blue Marble Synth satellite was that magnets are basically forbidden since it would change the direction of our spacecraft."
Spencer Topel, Physical Synthesis
In partnership with Odyssey SpaceWorks, Physical Synthesis, a US-based hardware startup that builds state-of-the-art musical instruments, has designed a one-of-a-kind musical instrument named “The Blue Marble Synthesizer”. It is the first-ever music synthesizer that can only work in space and that can be used to experiment with sound. The instrument consists of a pressurized capsule, a network of sensors in a low earth orbit satellite, and a web-based interface for people to play with here on earth. The latter will be used as an earth-bound command center for project supporters to create music by sending and receiving data to and from the capsule.
USound, a provider of advanced audio solutions from Austria, has been selected by Physical Synthesis to help them complete the project. One of the requirements for completing the project was the integration of thin, non-magnetic speakers that could operate in zero-gravity. After careful consideration, Physical Synthesis selected USound as its MEMS speaker provider for this project. A key factor for this decision was the interest in integrating the Conamara full-range speakers and tweeters, which are known for their thin form and robustness. Their tiny size, non-magnetic properties, and reduced power consumption offer unlimited design freedom, even in the absence of gravity.
Conamara is one of USound’s MEMS speaker series, designed to deliver exceptional audio quality and allow unprecedented design flexibility. The speakers are part of the company’s Kore audio module, which, in combination with Tarvos 1.0 linear amplifier, provides the perfect solution for such a demanding project.
"A major hurdle for Physical Synthesis to play sound and music in our Blue Marble Synth satellite was that magnets are basically forbidden since it would change the direction of our spacecraft," said Spencer Topel, Founder of Physical Synthesis. "When we discovered USound, I was relieved not only that it was a magnet-free solution but that sound was amazingly good. We are thrilled to be working with USound on this first project and what will likely be many more.”
“In 2014, USound presented the first MEMS speaker to the world. In less than a decade, we have been selected as the trusted provider for a space musical project. This achievement would not have been possible without our dedication to deliver the best audio solutions on Earth, and now in space,” said USound CEO Ferruccio Bottoni.
The Blue Marble Synthesizer will be launched into space on November 7th, 2023 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The synthesizer will then be deployed from the rocket and start orbiting around earth every 90 minutes.
During the orbital mission, electronic musicians Andrew Huang, Trovarsi, Benn Jordan, and MAYSUN, will be composing original music using the Blue Marble Synthesizer. Their resulting tracks will be released on an exclusive album post-mission; an album currently available on the Blue Marble Kickstarter page.