Electronics for Spacecraft

Learning Outcomes

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• What types of electronics might be used in the future.
• The key features of the space environment and how it affects electronics.
• How to design for the thermal environment in space.
• The effects of the radiation environment on electronics.

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• How electronic components are selected to allow them to operate reliably in the space environment.
• The requirements of electronics used in spacecraft.

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Study and learn independently.
• Solve problems.

Overview of space environment and effect on electronics (4 lectures)

• Radiation environments
• Thermal environment Launch environment
• Other environments (space debris, atomic oxygen, low energy plasma (spacecraft charging, arcing)

Design for thermal environment (4 lectures)

• Thermal modelling of spacecraft
• Temperature requirements Thermal cycling and testing

Radiation effects(12 lectures)

• Total ionizing dose (TID)
• Single event effects (SEEs)
• Radiation shielding
• Mitigation of SEEs (hardware,software)

EEE parts (10 lectures)

• Definition (electronic, electrical and electromechanical)
• Screening/testing and reliability
• Radiation Hardness Assurance Materials (Soldering and whiskers)
• FPGAs for space
• Standards(ECSS)
• Radiation design margins
• In-orbit monitors and testing

The future (4 lectures)

• Use of COTs
• Miniaturisation
• Use of MEMS in Space

Revision lectures (2 lectures)

Teaching methods include:

• 36 lectures, including slide and video presentations, and example classes
• Industry speakers

Learning activities include:

• Directed reading
• Individual work to understand and master the course content, with the objective of successfully solving problems

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.