Low　threshold,　continuous　wavelength　tuning　micro-electro-mechanically　system　(MEMS)　tunable　vertical-cavity　surface-emitting　lasers　(VCSELs)　operating　at　980　nm　are　demonstrated.　The　device　utilizes　the　two-chip　concept　with　a　MEMS　membrane　mirror　suspended　by　an　air　gap　above　a　VCSEL　amplifier.　Output　power　of　4.56　mW　with　14　mu　m　diameter　oxide　aperture　in　continuous　operation　and　tuning　range　of　6.8nm　are　obtained.　Due　to　the　low　optical　loss　in　resonance　cavity　results　in　threshold　current　as　low　as　0.6　mA　at　room　temperature.　Theoretical　calculation　for　the　threshold　gain　as　a　function　of　the　wavelength　and　air　gap　is　obtained　respectively,　which　provides　the　design　strategies　to　improve　device　performance.