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NASA has developed silicon-germanium (SiGe) electronics for exploration on ocean worlds like Europa, which endure extreme radiation (5 Mrad) and low temperatures (-180ºC). A team at Georgia Tech, in collaboration with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, aims to create autonomous sensors and systems that can operate efficiently without protective warm boxes.

The SiGe technology demonstrated robust performance under harsh conditions, allowing for smaller, lighter, and less power-intensive designs. The project achieved a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 5/6, indicating readiness for future mission applications. This technology has potential uses for lunar and Martian exploration as well.