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| | | | | | | | | Technologies that are less sensitive to thermal and radiation effects are preferred | |
Extreme environment testing for miniaturised systems
Of great high concern regarding exploration spacecraft avionics is the environment encountered on other planets, particularly if there are surface or subsurface operations. Temperatures range from -120 (Mars) up to 400 degrees Celsius (Venus). Furthermore, pressures can be very high, and almost everywhere on the planetary surfaces of the Solar System a demanding radiation-harsh environment is encountered.
Technologies that are less sensitive to thermal and radiation effects are preferred in order to minimize the mass of thermal (heaters, coolers) and radiation (shielding) protection. However, these new technologies are not so easy to implement and miniaturisation requirements (mass and performances issues) involve increasingly critical space environment issues.
Analysis and/or simulation is a first step to assess miniaturised electronics compatibility with the space environment. Yet, it is not sufficient largely due to the complex physics related to the phenomena that occur in electronic devices when they are submitted to a harsh environment. These are mostly non-linear problems that can only be solved through numerical simulations. Even then, it is necessary to perform wide testing campaigns to down-select materials and miniaturised systems that will withstand these extreme conditions.
In this perspective, the primary objective of this activity is to perform this selection. This will allow the construction of avionics or payload systems of landers or surface elements. Testing campaigns shall include planetary simulator tests along with destructive analysis of technology samples for assessing the environmental impact on the internal structure of the sample. Indeed, planetary protection will benefit from this activity in the sense that extreme conditions can also be achieved during harsh sterilisation processes.
Focus will be given to missions targeting Mars such as ExoMars or Mars Sample Return going through analysis of the mission assessments, past extreme environment assessment activities, preliminary architecture of a planetary probe and key functions, definition of environmental conditions and definition of the test plan.
This activity is a first step in the identification of technologies that can be used for those missions that shall be followed by further validation, procurement and pre-qualification efforts. The know-how in electronic devices for ground applications is very extensive. This activity is of great benefit for space applications since the space electronics evolution lags behind with respect to ground devices because qualifying space electronics can be a very long process.
| Start | Expected or
actual duration | Status | Prime contractor | | 2003 | 30 months | Completed | SpaceX |
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Last update: 10 May 2006 | |
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