Light Weight Shielding for Satellite Protection from Severe Space Weather

ABSTRACT: Size and weight issues are routinely addressed by reducing the number of components and/or boards required to perform a given function. This attention to the electronics components can produce SWAP reduction, however, the electronics enclosures can also represent a significant fraction of the overall size and weight of a subsystem. Various design practices that employ traditional materials (aluminum is typical), can yield incremental improvements in the size, weight, and thermal and EMI performance of electronics enclosures. However, what is missing in traditional electronics miniaturization/lightweighting approaches is a broader effort to capitalize on novel materials. Research in novel materials is rich and wide-ranging; Space Micro brings an applications-oriented, product-minded focus to evaluating the state-of-the-art and applying it to new electronics enclosure methods. BENEFIT: New weight efficient ways to shield electronics systems enable the use of advanced microelectronics. Disruptive improvements in the performance, reliability, and affordability of military and commercial satellites. High payoff, largely untapped, potential in transitioning novel, multifunctional materials technology into electronics enclosures/subassemblies. The end applications for this technology and product include many DoD, NASA, civil, and commercial space platforms. Among these specific space programs are Air Force Lynx, NRO Colony, ORS missions, DARPA Phoenix, Tacsat family, AEHF tech insertions, DARPA F6 cluster, SBSS, STSS, advanced GPS, and several classified space projects. This technology and evolving Space Micro products will also benefit many commercial space platforms, both LEO and GEO telecommunication satellites, such as Intelsat, Direct TV, XM radio, Orbcomm and Iridium Next telecom constellation replenishment, plus standard industry busses including Lockheed"s A2100, and Boeing"s HS-702. NASA programs include space science and earth science emissions, plus interplanetary missions to Mars and beyond. The new Orion CEV and advanced NASA space launch system (SLS) could benefit. Potential customers include university CubeSat programs as well as major U.S. space system suppliers, such as Boeing Space, Lockheed Martin, Space Systems Loral, Northrop Grumman Space, Internationally, subject to ITAR and export control, customers may include Astrium, Thales-Alenia, Toshiba, MELCO, and Alcaltel. Space Micro has established marketing channels for space hardware products including our current line of rad hard space computers, processors, and radios. Our team provides a strong path to market and commercialization.