cEDM WORKSHOP # 31

Quality and reliability are key elements of space electronics. Space agencies like ESA prefer flight-proven technologies in their spacecraft and require extensive equipment testing and qualification to guarantee reliability. Adhering to flight-proven technologies has drawbacks. A highly performing, reliable solution without adaptation to the technological evolution does not remain performant nor reliable in the 21^st century’s technological and operational context. This workshop will provide insight in the status of space electronics design and manufacturing for ESA spacecraft and on the steps to take to create better electronics for future ESA space missions.

Jussi Hokka of ESA will discuss the challenges and the impact that imposes the trend towards more complex and densely populated electronic assemblies, the increasing operating temperature and the lead-ban on space electronics in the coming five to ten years.

A highly integrated spacecraft control unit is crucial to succeed in the system design of small satellites with high autonomy as Proba-V. Steven De Cuyper of QinetiQ will explain the development and manufacturing of such electronics per ESA procedures and standards.

Certain well-proven technologies required by these ESA standards put severe limits to the use of modern industrially well-proven technologies in space electronics. Geert Willems of imec will identify these limiting technologies, their background and the alternatives that allow building lower weight, better performing, more reliable and more environmentally friendly space electronics at a lower cost.

Assessing the environmental impact of space missions is taking a bigger role in mission development for ESA. Electronics is identified as one of the environmental hot spots in spacecrafts. An Vercalsteren of VITO will illustrate this as well as some eco-design alternatives based on the ESA GreenSat study using Proba-V as a reference case.

More complex and denser electronic assemblies require the use of PCB substrates that use microvia, high aspect ratio core vias and small track widths and spacing.  Joachim Verhegge of ACB will discuss this High-Density Interconnect (HDI) demand and the balanced approach between capabilities and reliability required for space electronics

The seminar closes with a short introduction of the ESA Space Solution Belgium program by Luisa Leroy of Verhaert. This program aims at stimulating technology exchange between space and industrial applications.