SPACE-RADIATION DAMAGE TO ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS AND MATERIALS

Abstract : Space radiation damage to electronic components and materials is of increasing concern as the nation's space capability develops. This report is a general compilation of information and is intended for use by electronic design engineers during early design phases, in making 'ballpark' predictions of expected electronic equipment performance in the space radiation environment. Transistors appear to be the electronic components that will limit space electronic equipment life because of degradation in gain caused by exposure to space radiation. Careful attention to experimental design principles and effective development and exploitation of theoretical and empirical models relating device performance to radiation energy, flux, and fluence are needed. (Author)