Testing of COTS Systems in Space Radiation Environments

For long duration space missions beyond LEO there is a wealth of COTS hardware that could potentially be implemented for non-critical tasks within heavily shielded spacecraft cabins. To employ COTS systems for such missions, we propose to use a simulation/experimental/statistical approach for risk acceptance Radiation Hardness Assurance (RHA) suitable for Cis-Lunar and Cis-Mars missions. The simulation component will make use of Monte Carlo N-Particle transport codes to compute the likely secondary radiation environment within the spacecraft and determine the experimental parameters. The experimental component will bombard functioning COTS electronic samples in the AAMU Pelletron accelerator facilities in conditions as similar as possible to those found inside the shielded spacecraft cabins. The statistical component will comprise of a Bayesian methodology combined with an AI Decision Network capable of using a broad variety of historical, similarity, heritage, and specific experimental data for improved qualification and risk mitigation. At the completion of Phase I we expect to have demonstrated a robust and accurate RHA methodology that can be tailored to the risk tolerance appropriate for COTS electronic hardware. The Phase II program will refine and standardize the simulation techniques, testing will be conducted at accelerator facilities with energies >100MeV with a wider array of COTS electronics, and the statistical methodology will be refined. Additionally, in Phase II we will pursue commercialization of this risk acceptance RHA methodology to the nascent commercial space sector.

This project addresses the very real need for reduced cost and increased quality for Radiation Hardness Assurance of COTS electronics in planned and future spacecraft designs. Upcoming manned and unmanned missions beyond LEO have an increased need for computing power for scientific, mission crucial tasks. Our team proposes a modeling and component testing-based approach with the application of robust statistical methods to facilitate high-accuracy, low-cost analysis to enable the deployment of COTS electronics in shielded space environments.

Streamline Automation will market to COTS electronics manufacturers interested in qualifying and pre-qualifying their hardware for radiation resistance for component risk and failure analysis. This novel approach will grant a competitive advantage in the private space industry, and for industrial electronic failure analysis.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 4) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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