The effects of an electronic component radiation qualification program on satellite longevity and shielding requirements

Current electronic component radiation qualification test methods are believed to seriously underestimate component radiation hardness, and hence, underestimate a satellite's longevity in the natural space radiation environment. Recent research shows several problems with the current test techniques and indicates that linear systems theory may not be applicable to predicting low dose rate response from high dose rate laboratory data. Analysis of published data and use of a simple computer model suggest that high dose rate laboratory test data may actually overestimate low dose rate component survivability