An Integrated Space Experiment Demonstrating HTS Digital Circuits

The use of high temperature superconductor (HTS) electronics in space will achieve superior electrical performance at substantially lower power, volume, and weight than conventional electronics. This requires both HTS circuits and their supporting technologies, such as space-qualified packaging and interconnect, closed-cycle cryocooling, and interface electronics. To validate the feasibility of HTS digital circuits in space, we developed and delivered an integrated space-qualified experimental package consisting of digital HTS circuits and all the supporting components for the High Temperature Superconductor Space Experiment (HTSSE II). This paper describes the packaging, performance, and space test plan for TRW’s HTS digital cryogenic experiment.