A: Space is nearly void of all matter, that is, a hard vacuum. There is no air to speak of that can support life or provide heating or cooling conduction and convection. Temperature extremes for the ISS range from –250oF on the dark side to 250oF in sunlight requiring temperature control systems. Getting to space is no easy ride requiring a rocket launch that imposes large acceleration and vibration forces to the spacecraft. The spacecraft must provide for its own power using on board energy storage, some form of fuel and or solar panels. Radiation levels are high outside earth’s atmosphere causing degradation to the spacecraft. Space debris and meteoroids must be avoided. Low orbits must account for atmospheric drag else succumb to eventual reentry.

A: In space, radiation consists of a complex mixture of high energy electromagnetic waves and subatomic particles. The electromagnetic waves are similar to visible light however are higher in frequency such as x-rays and gamma rays. The subatomic particles get their high energy from their speed. The particles consist of a mixture of electrons, protons, alpha particles (a helium nucleus) and the nucleus of heavier elements. The subatomic particles are called cosmic rays.

A: Radiation with sufficiently high energy that can remove one or more electrons from matter thereby creating ions. By freeing electrons, the atom becomes a positively charged ion.

A: Near earth, most space radiation is emitted from our sun, but some comes from far away stars and galactic events. Many charged particles are trapped in the earth’s magnetic field creating the Van Allan radiation belts which are areas of high radiation surrounding the earth.

A: The health effects of radiation are dependent on the cumulative amount, the energy and the particle makeup of radiation. Radiation is considered dangerous to life as low doses of ionizing radiation can cause damage to DNA causing cell mutations. Doses of between 100 to 600 rad (measurement for radiation) can cause stomach discomfort, fatigue and vomiting. However, doses of 200 to 800 rad without medical assistance has a 50% of causing death within 60 days. Doses of 800 or more rad are almost certainly lethal without treatment.

A: For astronauts to survive in space we must provide them with an environment suitable for life. That means a breathable atmosphere, temperature controls, physical protection from meteoroids, micrometeoroids and space debris and protection from radiation. Food and water must be planned carefully so as to not run out between re-supply missions.

A: Radiation can alter material characteristics with permanent or temporary degradation. Electrical charge can build up on surfaces eventually discharging as static charges. A single event effect or SEE is the immediate result of a high energy charged particle releasing its energy in electronics. It can change logic bits upsetting a computer or may cause permanent destructive damage. Long term radiation known as total ionizing dose, or TID, gradually changes the performance of electronics. With enough TID circuits will stop functioning as designed.

A: Most earth orbiting satellites get their power from the sun. Photo Voltaic (PV) panels on the spacecraft, similar to those used on rooftops, convert sunlight to electricity. However to save weight, the space grade PV cells often use higher efficiency, multi layered structures able to convert more of the light energy into electricity. The power that is generated will vary from shadowing of earth or other satellite parts, angle facing the sun, electrical load and age of the panels as darkening and radiation effects take their toll on efficiency. To correct for the variations, power conditioning units adapt the available power to the spacecraft and rechargeable battery and distribute a voltage bus to the satellite components. The batteries supply power during periods when the satellite is completely shaded by the earth. There are several common bus voltages but typically they range between 28V and 100V.

A: Satellite power distribution can be complex. Subsystem loads require voltage regulation, isolation from the bus, noise filtering, transient suppression, fault isolation and adequate power delivered over a localized network. These tasks are accomplished by a combination of Power Distribution Units (PDU) and unit level power supplies sized for each load. The PDU provides fault isolation and may also regulate. The unit power supply commonly includes voltage regulation from the bus voltage to load levels ranging from 0.5V to 12V, bus isolation, noise filtering and transient suppression and sometimes includes fault protection.

A: Vicor had developed a product line that considers the unique requirements for space products including the effects of TID and SEE. The semiconductor components have been chosen to have a tolerance to both radiation effects. Vicor tests all lots of parts to ensure product radiation capabilities will be met. The modules incorporate dual power train structures that assure power integrity during single event effects enabling critical loads to receive continuous power without interruption.

A: Vicor’s radiation tolerant power converters offer high power density, high conversion efficiency, small size and weight and low noise switching performance. These benefits are achieved through Vicor’s use of zero-voltage and zero-current switching techniques which allow for efficient high frequency operation.

A: Vicor’s radiation tolerant power products are rated at 50k rad TID. New modules have been tested and still maintain published ratings up to 80k rad TID.

A: Vicor maintains a strict control over materials used in the radiation tolerant product line. All semiconductors susceptible to radiation are tested on a lot basis. Only those lots that pass our stringent tests are transferred to be used in assembling the radiation tolerant modules.

A: Vicor has paid attention to every detail in the design and parts selection for the radiation tolerant DC-DC converter line. Heavy ion tests are required for the components used in radiation tolerant products. We test MOSFETS for single event burnout, SEB, and single event gate rupture, SEGR. Significant voltage de‑ratings are applied to the MOSFETS insuring survival. Devices may only be used if they can survive a linear energy transfer, LET, of > 35 MeV-cm²/mg.

A: Vicor has performed extensive characterization of the modules in a heavy ion environment. Heavy ions may cause functional upsets, SEFI, to the power train. We have taken the approach to detect all forms of SEFI and reset the power train. Each of Vicor’s radiation tolerant power modules include two power trains which normally operate in parallel. If one power train becomes upset from charged particles and is reset, the parallel unit assumes the full load for the duration of the reset time, a form of active redundancy. When the upset module comes back online, both halves of the module share the load again. This dual power train approach ensures that power will be delivered reliably in a SEE environment.

A: Vicor has passed a qualification flow suitable for non-hermetic modules intended for space applications. The four qualified modules are a Bus Converter Module, BCM®, a Pre‑Regulator Module, PRM™, and two Voltage Transformation Modules, VTM™. The qualification flow includes burn in, thermal cycling, temperature humidity bias, high temperature operating life, and a rigorous highly accelerated life test.

A: The initial product family is designed to operate from a 100V spacecraft bus. With a slight change in the Bus Converter Module, BCM, and Pre‑Regulator Module, PRM, the products can operate over any common bus including 28V, 50V and 70V.

A: All modules have been de‑rated following IPC-9592B and can meet common space de‑ratings when operated at conservative case temperatures.

A: Yes, under contract, Vicor can supply a complete data package that includes analyses for worst case circuit performance, radiation, thermal, stress de‑rating, FMEA and reliability.

A: Vicor has invested heavily in Advanced Product manufacturing processes called SM‑ChiP™ package, a high density package optimized for power products. The molded and plated module has been designed to facilitate heat transfer to the customer’s heatsink. The modules may be assembled on the host PCB using common SMT assembly equipment.

A: All Vicor radiation tolerant products are assembled in the USA.

A: Vicor anticipates first flight in the third quarter of 2022.

A: Vicor rad tolerant power products are rated EAR99 for export.