Can radiation-hardened electronics enable spacecrafts to handle extreme space conditions?
In the last few decades, there has been a massive growth in the launch of small satellites. Space is full of various challenges, such as the presence of high radiation, which can be responsible for causing a defect in the spacecraft.
Space radiation is much different from the radiations experienced on the Earth, such as gamma rays and X-Rays. Due to such a high presence of radiation in space, the electronics on the spacecraft are always at risk of getting affected or damaged.
To overcome this problem and provide better protection to space electronics, radiation-hardened electronics can be the best alternative.
What is radiation?
Outside the protective layer of the Earth’s atmosphere, the whole universe is suffering from the same problem of radiation. Different people have different meanings and reactions to the word radiation. But what exactly are radiations?
Radiation refers to an energy source that is developed in the form of electronic waves, particles, and rays.
In some scenarios, this radiation can be visible directly through devices such as gamma rays and X-Rays.
There are mainly three space radiation that cause problems to the electronics:
- Galactic Cosmic Rays (GCRs)
In GCRs, neutrons, protons, and electrons mainly originate outside of the solar system causing high space radiation that causes issues for space electronics.
- High Solar Radiation
Direct high radiation from the solar due to explosions or solar flares is stored as magnetic energy.
- Radiation Belts
It consists of multiple trapped ions and electrons that have different energy levels in comparison to each other.
Need for Radiation-Hardened Electronics in Space
Radiation-hardened electronics refer to those electronic components, products, and packages that are tested and designed to protect against space radiation.
These radiations are extremely high and capable enough to cause malfunction, damage in the spacecraft circuits, and complete shutdown of the space electronics.
This protection is mandatory when the space electronics are launched into the space environment in a spacecraft, where the electronics get exposed to high levels of space radiation and ionizing.
Miniature satellites such as CubeSats have proven to be the most reliable option to fight against the strong space radiation due to the attachment of the radiation-hardening electronics and providing reliable options.
Developing radiation-hardened electronics for the safety of electronics in the space sector also refers to providing an external shield as protection against radiation.
The electric components of space electronics are mandatory to the success of every space mission. Any malfunction or damage to any component of the electronics can be dangerous.
As the innovation in the space sector is increasing, the dependency on space electronics is also getting high. So, in such high dependency, it becomes even more important to protect these electronics from harmful space environments such as radiation, temperature changes, and extreme velocities.
Once the spacecraft leaves the atmosphere and reaches space, repairing them becomes almost impossible, which is why making durable electronics that can stand against space challenges is a must. Adopting radiation-hardened electronics is the only possible solution to this situation.
Industry Insight of Radiation-Hardened Electronics for Space Application Market
The radiation-hardened electronics market has grown tremendously in the last few years, majorly due to the increase in satellite launching activities by several commercial space-related companies.
According to BIS Research, the global radiation-hardened electronics for space application market is expected to rise from a market value of $2,348.0 million in 2021 to $4,761.1 million in 2032, at a CAGR of 1.70% during the forecast period 2022–2032.
Moreover, countries such as the U.K., the U.S., and China are constantly investing in various space projects for launching deep-space probes and several satellites in outer space, which is also resulting in high demand for radiation-hardened electronics components.
Challenges Associated with Radiation-Hardened Electronics
Radiation hardening is the method of manufacturing electronics to make them durable in space-radiation environments.
The components that are radiation-hardened stay stronger against extreme temperatures and less sensitive against traditional damages.
However, the high cost of radiation-hardened electronics is one of the major factors restricting its growth globally.
Conclusion
There are different applications of radiation-hardened electronics in the space sector.
Despite differences in the use of radiation-hardened electronics in different industries, the overall demand continues to grow and shows strong potential across various sectors, including space.
