The new century brought to the space a new type of solar cells with higher efficiencies and better resistance to radiation damage such as those based on the III-V single-junction GaAs. This new material opened the possibility of further improvement by the development of the... Continue reading
The objective of this activity is to examine the suitability of solid state fiber optic switches to meet future space applications and define a complete technology development and space qualification roadmap for the most suitable solid state optical switch technology for future... Continue reading
For decades, military/space electrical, electronic, and electromechanical (EEE) parts have proved to be suitable for use in military and space applications. [NASA's Office of Safety & Mission Assurance (OSMA) evaluates newly available and advanced electronic parts for programs... Continue reading
In order to evaluated the displacement damage on device induced by energetic particles in space, various device samples including optocouplers, solar cells, and bipolardisplacement damage radiation testing ransistors are irradiated with protons, neutrons and γ-rays. The... Continue reading
The advent of the chirped-pulse amplification (CPA) technique has revolutionized the physics of particle accelerations. Compared to conventional accelerator, lasers can produce ultra short particle beams with high brilliance and broad energy spectrum. Moreover Laser technology... Continue reading
Spacecraft structural health-monitoring applications are pushed forward by increased constraints in the cost of launching payloads into orbit that dictates major reduction in structural weight only attained through the use of advanced materials and innovative manufacturing... Continue reading
A novel integrated optical source capable of emitting faint pulses with different polarization states and with different intensity levels at 100 MHz has been developed. The source relies on a single laser diode followed by four semiconductor amplifiers and thin film polarizers... Continue reading
In space applications, optocouplers may need to work at very low temperatures. Under this low temperature operating conditions, the device degradation subjected to radiation exposure may show different behaviour compared to a standard radiation test under room temperature. The... Continue reading
This article describes the setup developments and some of the results obtained for the temperature characterization from -190ºC to more than +300ºC of passive components normally used for space missions, but with a standard operating temperature range in most of the cases. One... Continue reading
Fabrication technology and packaging strategy for 300V-5A Silicon Carbide Schottky diodes with a wide temperature operation range capability (between -170ºC and 300ºC). These diodes have been designed for harsh environment space applications such as inner Solar System... Continue reading
ASER diodes are increasingly used for space applications, either to pump solid state lasers, in photonic payloads, or as sources for LIDAR or spectrometric applications. In space applications reliability issues are a primary concern and among them, radiation hardness is one of... Continue reading
The use of photonic technologies for space applications has risen the problem related to the ability of optoelectronic and optic components to withstand space environment as all optoelectronic and optic components come from terrestrial applications. Therefore, the development of... Continue reading
