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Hardening of MJS77 spacecraft against the Jupiter radiation belts

Conference · · IEEE Trans. Nucl. Sci., v. NS-22, no. 6, pp. 2669-2674
OSTI ID:4087767

The Mariner Jupiter/Saturn spacecraft (MJS77) will be launched in 1977 and fly by Jupiter in 1979. Pioneer spacecraft have measured large fields of electrons and protons trapped in the Jupiter magnetic field. Because these radiation fields are potentially damaging to the sophisticated electronic systems of MJS77, it was necessary to initiate a program to radiation-harden the systems. This paper presents the results of parts-radiation studies, the purpose of which is to provide devices capable of meeting the environmental requirements or data from which to determine how to harden the circuits or to shield the parts. In the device-characterization tests, the general radiation sensitivity levels of approximately 200 different device types were determined under the specific conditions used in the spacecraft. The shielding includes both specific shaped shields and natural shielding of the spacecraft, where sensitive parts are rearranged to be placed deep within the package, so as to take advantage of the energy absorption of less sensitive materials and parts. In device screening, a number of radiation-sensitive device types are irradiated to determine acceptability and level of damage of each diffusion or wafer lot. The device- characterization program is nearly complete, but only a limited amount of screening has been completed to date. IRAN screening is in its preliminary stages. A considerable amount of experimental work has been done in linear devices. A very limited amount of flight parts has been tested. (auth)

Research Organization:
Jet Propulsion Lab., Pasadena, CA
NSA Number:
NSA-33-020362
OSTI ID:
4087767
Journal Information:
IEEE Trans. Nucl. Sci., v. NS-22, no. 6, pp. 2669-2674, Journal Name: IEEE Trans. Nucl. Sci., v. NS-22, no. 6, pp. 2669-2674; ISSN IETNA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English