Mechanical cryocoolers will be used to provide 4 K cooling for the HFI bolometer instrument in the Planck Surveyor mission for measurement of the anisotropies in the cosmic microwave background. They may also find application in future Earth-observing satellites. We describe an experimental programme to investigate the effects of microphonic vibrations on infrared detectors. Our initial tests have demonstrated the feasibility of operating far-infrared photoconductive detectors in conjunction with a 4 K cryocooler for Earth observing applications. The microphonic susceptibility of a bolometer at 100 mK has also been investigated, using a modified variation of the Planck Surveyor zero gravity flight dilution system. The results of these tests gives us confidence in the proposed use of sensitive bolometers with mechanical cryocoolers for space missions. We also describe development of the bolometers, the readout systems and temperature regulators for improved systems level performance of such instruments.