Low Cost Radiation-Hardened Cryocooler Control Electronics for Space Missions

Many NASA and commercial space science missions require high performance electronics within strict budgetary limits. Many of these missions, therefore, use commercial-grade electronic products despite significant technical risk due to lack of radiation hardness. Creare proposes to evolve our commercial‑grade, three-phase Brushless DC motor drive electronics to be adaptable for missions which require higher reliability, radiation-hardened cryocoolers at reasonable cost. During Phasenbsp;I, we developed a drive electronics design which meets cost and radiation-hardness requirements for LEO and lunar missions. We will ensure compatibility for future missions by working closely with a leading developer of low-cost cryocoolers with dozens of space flight coolers delivered to date and with dozens more already known in the future pipeline. During Phasenbsp;II, we will work closely with our partner to fabricate and qualify a radiation-hard, low-cost cryocooler-control electronics solution for space missions. Successful completion of this program will substantially expand the use of low-cost cryocoolers for space-borne science, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions.