NASA Develops SiGe Electronics for Harsh Environments on Ocean Worlds and Lunar Missions
A NASA-sponsored team has developed silicon-germanium (SiGe) electronics capable of operating in extreme radiation and temperatures found on ocean worlds like Europa. This technology supports autonomous exploration and aims to facilitate human outposts on the Moon and Mars. The team, led by Georgia Tech, has demonstrated robust operation of these electronics at -180ºC and under 5 Mrad radiation, achieving significant size, weight, power, and cost efficiencies. The resulting systems could benefit a variety of missions in cold environments across the solar system.
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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.
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