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Radiation in the Space Environment
Volume 4, Number 2 (Summer 2003)
From the Editors
Headlines
Profile
George A. Paulikas
A Decade of Space Observations: The Early Years of the Space Physics Laboratory
Little was known about the space environment when the space race kicked into high gear, but Aerospace quickly helped fill the knowledge gap.
An Overview of the Space Radiation Environment
Space systems operate in an environment whose effects and descriptions are unusual compared with the weather in Earth's atmosphere. Engineering new systems to survive and perform in space is still a challenge after more than 40 years of spaceflight.
What Could Go Wrong? The Effects of Ionizing Radiation on Space Electronics
Space radiation comes in many forms and affects electronic components in diverse ways. Aerospace investigations of how energetic particles interact with integrated circuits and other electronics have been helping spacecraft designers and mission planners minimize the risk of component failure or performance degradation.
Picosecond Lasers for Single-Event Effects Testing
In the past 10 years, Aerospace has developed a state-of-the-art facility that uses picosecond laser pulses to simulate the transient effects of energetic particles striking microelectronic devices. This system is used to diagnose radiation-hardened designs and to validate radiation-hardening techniques for mitigating the effects of space radiation on integrated circuits.
Heavy-Ion Testing for Single-Event Effects
The most reliable way to reproduce the space-particle environment on Earth is with a particle accelerator such as a cyclotron. Aerospace has conducted numerous tests measuring the susceptibility of microelectronic devices to single-event effects.
Designing Integrated Circuits to Withstand Space Radiation
The high cost of maintaining dedicated foundries to create space electronics has motivated an exploration of alternatives for next-generation space systems. One approach in particular—the use of design techniques to mitigate the effects of space radiation on integrated circuits—is gaining wider acceptance.
Ground Testing of Spacecraft Materials
Spacecraft paints, films, and coatings are more than cosmetic—they contribute to the vehicle's thermal design. Ground-based testing can help determine how well and how long these materials will survive the harsh space environment.
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