Innovations in Commercial Space
New Space Radiation Solutions
We specialize in advanced radiation testing and analysis for commercial applications that balances affordability and reliability.
Commercial & New Space Radiation Services
Radiation Environment Definition & Mission Analysis
Before any testing, companies need to understand what radiation their system will actually see.
Services needed:
- Orbit-specific radiation environment modeling (LEO, MEO, GEO, cislunar, deep space)
- Total Ionizing Dose (TID) predictions
- Displacement Damage Dose (DDD) estimates
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Why it matters: Prevents over-testing and over-design while ensuring adequate mission lifetime.
Component-Level Radiation Testing (COTS-Focused)
Most New Space missions rely heavily on commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) parts, which require characterization.
Total Ionizing Dose (TID) Testing
- Gamma or X-ray exposure
- Parametric drift and functional degradation monitoring
- Lot-to-lot variability assessment
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Single Event Effects (SEE) Testing
- Heavy ion testing (SEU, SEL, SEFI, SET)
- Proton testing (SEU, latchup screening)
- Laser SEE testing for early screening
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Displacement Damage (DDD)
- Proton or neutron testing
- Critical for sensors, optoelectronics, and RF components
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Why it matters: Enables informed part selection instead of full rad-hard redesign.
Board- and Subsystem-Level Testing
As integration increases, New Space companies need higher-level validation.
Services needed:
- SEE testing on populated boards
- Power-on latchup and system upset testing
- Identification of system-level failure modes
- Cross-strapping and redundancy validation
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Why it matters: System behavior often differs from individual component behavior.
System-Level Radiation Testing
Increasingly important for smallsats, hosted payloads, and complex spacecraft.
Services needed:
- End-to-end functional testing under radiation
- Fault propagation and recovery validation
- Autonomous reset and watchdog verification
- Radiation-induced performance degradation assessment
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Why it matters: Confirms mission survivability, not just component robustness.
Radiation Mitigation Engineering
Testing alone is not enough—New Space companies need engineering solutions.
Services needed:
- Parts derating and selection guidance
- Shielding trade studies
- Error detection and correction (EDAC) strategies
- Redundancy and fault-tolerant architecture design
- Software-based mitigation (scrubbing, resets, safing modes)
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Why it matters: Enables use of affordable hardware while meeting reliability goals.
Rapid Screening & Risk-Based Testing
Schedule pressure is a defining feature of New Space.
Services needed:
- Fast-turn SEE screening
- Radiation risk ranking of components
- Go/no-go decision support
- Test tailoring to mission criticality
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Why it matters: Focuses testing dollars where they reduce the most risk.
Qualification, Acceptance & Customer Readiness
Even agile programs must satisfy customers, insurers, and launch providers.
Services needed:
- Radiation test plans and procedures
- Qualification vs. acceptance test definition
- Test reports suitable for customer review
- Support for constellation or repeat builds
- Single Event Effect (SEE) rate prediction
- Worst-case and margin analysis
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Why it matters: Reduces friction with stakeholders and enables scaling.
Constellation & Fleet Considerations
For New Space constellations, services must scale.
Services needed:
- Lot characterization and drift tracking
- Radiation performance monitoring over builds
- Long-term reliability trend analysis
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Why it matters: Ensures consistency across dozens or hundreds of spacecraft.