This document summarizes a research project that aims to study the effects of radiation on electronics by exposing three modules - ArduLab, Kicksat, and ArduSat - to different space environments. The modules will run programmed algorithms to identify specific radiation effects like total ionizing dose, displacement damage, and single event effects. It is expected that the modules will experience some radiation damage, particularly single event effects, providing valuable data on how electronics are affected by these conditions in space. The results of this experiment could inform further research on developing radiation mitigation techniques.

1. RADIATION EFFECTS EVENTS ON ELECTRONICS BASED
ON
ARDULAB – KICKSAT – ARDUSAT TESTING MODULES
Josean M. Reyes-Jemaris Martes
PROSSATeam – prossat.nasa@gmail.com
NASA Lunar Science Institute
Mentor: Dr. Sean Casey - Silicon Valley Space Center
Theory
Abstract
During space history, a number of successful missions have
been achieved; on the other hand, failures have been reported.
A considerable amount of space mission failures are attributed
to radiation exposure factors. Furthermore, many of these
radiation damages are directly related to electronic harms and
connection problems throughout the missions. With this
research project it is intended to study radiation effect events
on electronics. Specifically, to electronic open-source platforms,
which are commonly used on small missions like cubesats. The
principal objective of this research is to study the three main
radiation events effects (total ionizing dose, displacement
damage and single even effect), when using three different
experiment platform modules: ArduLab, Kicksat and ArduSat.
These modules will be exposed to radiation in different space
environments and time periods. After acquiring research
knowledge about space weather and radiation related topics, it
is preceded to program the three individual platforms. An
algorithm is formulated as the programming feature and main
testing in the experiment. This algorithm runs individually in
each assigned platform pin. In order to program the ArduLab
and ArduSat modules, a set of mathematic function are
developed and then downloaded to different pins in the
platforms. This helps identify the specific radiation effect event
on the electronic devices by each pin’s performance. Referring
to the Kicksat “Sprite”, a similar algorithm is developed. Instead
of sending coded data, the “Sprite” sends different frequencies
that serve as pin modes and functionality indicators. It is
expected that these platforms will experience some radiation
harm, mainly single event effects that will provide valuable data
about the operation of electronics and the platforms behavior in
these conditions.
Solar Environment
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Ardusat- Ardusat will give us the radiation exposure
data. Single Events Effect are expected while
orbiting on the LEO. It is expected at least, one
system rebut.
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Ardulab- It will run the algorithm. The algorithm
running on the board will tell us what damage was
caused using four LEDs as indicators. Total Ionizing
Dose or Single Event Effects is expected while
orbiting in LEO.
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Kicksat- A ground station will receive a signal code:
“prossateam”. Long term effects will be caused by
radiation to the chipsat. Total Ionizing Dose or
Displacement Damage will be expected while
orbiting on LEO.
The launching for these three modules will be on the 2013
– 2014 period. The launchings are mainly coordinated
through Nanoracks.
Based on this research predictions, it can be inferred that
the three module experiments will function correctly for a
certain amount of time; nevertheless, the platforms are
highly susceptible to radiation damage, especially single
event effects.
Methodology
After studying each module material and considering the
time period of exposure, it can also be predicted that the
ArduLab will be the most resistant platform module.
Research
Resource
Acquirements
Programming
Launching
Testing
Future Work
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Based on this experiment’s results, further
research related to radiation effect events and the
specific causes, can be continued in order to
develop radiation mitigating techniques and
shielding.
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Introduction
Radiation is energy that comes from a source and travels
through some material or through space. Light, heat and
sound are types of radiation. The kind of radiation
discussed in this presentation is called ionizing radiation
because it can produce charged particles in matter. Ionizing
radiation is produced by unstable atoms. Unstable atoms
differ from stable atoms because they have an excess of
energy or mass or both. Unstable atoms are said to be
radioactive. In order to reach stability, these atoms give off,
or emit, the excess energy or mass. These emissions are
called radiation. Applied to electronics, radiation can have a
harmful impact. This is why, previously, investigators
studied carefully space weather and radiation. Based on
preliminary research it was found and established three
main radiation effect events. These events are adjudge for
causing partial damage or complete dysfunctional events
on electronics on past missions. The two main
characterizations for the three main radiation effect events
are: the long term effect, which avoids rebut or any
repairing to the electronic, and the single particle event,
which is a less harm event caused only by a single charged
particle. In the long term effect division we can mention the
Total Ionizing Dose (TID) and the Displacement Damage
(DD). In other hand, the Single Event Effect can be
classified as a Single particle event. It is precisely these
radiation effect events on electronics what this research is
looking forward to amplify. In order to predict the radiation
effects on electronics, ArduLab, ArduSat and KickSat
modules are being programmed and will be launched.
ArduLab is an open source science platform, Arduino
powered, built tough enclosure. The ArduLab module will
be exposed on the external platform of the ISS. ArduSat is
a 1U cubesat containing a variety of sensors and
conducted by an Arduino board. It will be launched from the
ISS and will be orbiting in LEO. Each Sprite is composed
by an antenna, microcontroller, solar cells, capacitors, a
magnetometer and a gyroscope. Taking advantage of these
new technologies, this investigation will test, monitor,
compare and diagnose the different radiation effect events
on these platforms.
Conclusion
A comparison between the radiation effects on
electronics and radiation effects on biological
organisms can be studied using an ArduLab
module.
Programming
KickSat “Sprite”
ArduLab
ArduSat
Variables are determined.
An algorithm its made.
Acknowledgements
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LEDs algorithm
NSF
Dr. Arratia, AGMUS institute of mathematics
CCCE
Lunar Science Institute
Infinity Aerospace, Manu Sharma
Made in Space
Dr. Kathleen Morse, Radiation speaker
Dr. Oana Marcu, Astrobiology department
Zac Menchester, KickSat
Dr. Sean Casey
PROSSATeam
References
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"Definition of Radiation." Definition of Radiation. N.p., n.d.
Web. 21 July 2013.
"Space Radiation Effects." Space Radiation Effects. N.p.,
n.d. Web. 21 July 2013.
"Infinity Aerospace - Infinity Aerospace." Infinity Aerospace.
N.p., n.d. Web. 8 July 2013.
"Kickstarter." Kickstarter. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 July 2013.
"Space Apps Challenge." ArduSat. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 July
2013.