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New Process for Space Qualified Electronic Components
Navy STTR FY2011A - Topic N11A-T039 ONR - Mr. Steve Sullivan - [email protected] Opens: February 28, 2011 - Closes: March 30, 2011 6:00am EST N11A-T039 TITLE: New Process for Space Qualified Electronic Components TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Electronics, Space Platforms ACQUISITION PROGRAM: Mobile User Objective System (MUOS), ACAT I OBJECTIVE: Develop a new design or manufacturing process to quickly produce electronic components that are reliable in the space environment. DESCRIPTION: Space is a harsh environment. Spacecraft are subjected to high levels of radiation depending on the orbit. Spacecraft undergo extreme thermal cycles as they move in and out of direct sunlight. Temperatures range from -171C to 108C at geosynchronous orbit. The electronics on spacecraft must be able to withstand the space environment to assure mission success. However, the aerospace industry orders relatively low quantities of "space qualified" electrical components, often at irregular intervals. This makes it a difficult business case for companies to keep a manufacturing line open just for space components. This leads space programs to rely on a very small number of suppliers, sometimes even a single source, which is highly undesirable. New electronic component designs or manufacturing processes are needed to address this problem. If manufacturers could quickly and easily transition from producing mainstream items to space qualified components, competition would increase. Increased competition will reduce space program costs and improve availability and reliability of components. Although desirable, a single process for multiple types of components is unlikely. Therefore, this topic will focus on resistors, specifically the RNC-70 class of resistors described by MIL-PRF-55182/6P. The resistors must be able to withstand greater than 8,000 thermal cycles as described above and continue to meet the standard. PHASE I: Develop a new design or manufacturing process to quickly produce resistors that are reliable in the space environment. Tasks under this phase could include: PHASE II: Implement the new design or process and demonstrate its performance against expectations. PHASE III: This phase will focus on manufacturing components required for Navy satellite systems. PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: This technology can be applied to any space system, including space exploration, and commercial communications and imaging satellites. REFERENCES: KEYWORDS: Space-hardened resistors; space qualified resistors; pre-qualified space electronic parts Questions may also be submitted through DoD SBIR/STTR SITIS website.
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