Whether it is to dissipate the heat generated by electronic components or to extend the service life of silicon sensors, thermal management is one of CERN’s main design concerns. CERN is developing very small and efficient cooling devices capable of operating in harsh environmental conditions of temperature, vacuum and radioactivity.

These devices include innovative pulsating heat-pipe concepts, either as extremely miniaturised devices for thermal control at component level (3D-printed or micro-fabricated in silicon or flexible materials), or as larger ultra-light structures embedded in carbon panels for radiators and cold plates.

Some technologies are especially useful for applications requiring powerful thermal control. Rocket nozzles can benefit from additive manufacturing techniques optimised for refractory metals like niobium. In the same way, titanium is interesting for both accelerators and telecom satellite payloads testing, to shape high power spiral radiofrequency loads. In addition, an advanced alloy with record high thermal conductivity properties has been developed for dissipating extreme heat fluxes.

Cheaper and better satellites? One of the most important features of the new-space ongoing revolution is the increasing adoption of standardised COTS (Commercial-Off-The-Shelf) components for space missions, especially for low- Earth orbit constellations. COTS components are indeed attractive thanks to their state-of-the-art performance, reduced cost, and high availability on the market. CERN can help increase the reliability of instruments based on COTS, by choosing the right components and optimising the system design.

CERN has vast experience in characterising components to design radiation tolerant systems. As such, it has developed one of the largest data-bases of test reports. An exceptional feature is its unique testing facilities, which are able to screen large batches of components and perform system-level testing.

Cameras, advanced radio systems, on-board computers… CERN works hand-in-hand with space companies and organisations to improve the design of their systems. One remarkable example is CNES’ Eye-Sat nanosatellite, launched in 2019. At the European level, CERN is coordinating the RADSAGA and RADNEXT projects, paving the way to standardised radiation-hardness assurance at system level.

Just like in spacecrafts, the devices inside accelerators and detectors must be able to withstand high levels of radiation. For this reason, CERN has designed and tested many radiation-hardened microelectronics, optoelectronics and detector components. Today, these technologies can have direct applications in space, from power distribution to data transmission and processing. CERN also investigates new fields: high efficiency gallium-nitride power transistors, as well as breakthrough silicon photonics solutions.

Apart from the well-known Timepix and other hybrid-pixel sensors, CERN explores new radiation-hardened detection technologies suitable for space applications. MAPS (Monolithic Active Pixel Sensors) sensors, like ALPIDE, as well as Gas Electron Multipliers are being considered for scientific space missions like China’s CSES-2, to study the impact of seismic events on the Earth’s magnetic fields, and NASA’s IXPE, to measure the polarisation of cosmic X-rays.

From power distribution to data transmission and data processing, many technologies developed at CERN are suitable for space applications:

• DC-DC converter modules (FEAST and bPOL systems);
• Optical transceivers (GigaBit Versatile Link and Versatile Link PLUS transceiver projects);
• General purpose FPGA-based radiation tolerant boards (GEFE, GBT Expandable Front-End).

The reference detector for astronaut dosimetry and low-energy cosmic rays

The new phase of human space exploration is coming. From the International Space Station to NASA’s Orion spacecraft, Timepix has been part of several human spaceflight missions.

Highly sensitive, capable of high spatial resolution and noiseless detection, Timepix is the CERN technology with the largest space flight experience.

Developed through the CERN-hosted Medipix2 Collaboration, Timepix detectors are extremely small but powerful particle trackers. Over the last decade, they have been used in various space applications: from detection and track visualisation of radiation and cosmic rays in open space to astronaut dosimetry. As such, they are on board the International Space Station and are being commissioned for use for NASA’s lunar exploration programme Artemis.

The chip’s technology is similar to the ones used to track particle trajectories in CERN’s LHC experiments. It is capable of measuring ionising alpha, beta, and gamma radiation, as well as heavy ions; it is also able to characterise traces of individual ionising particles, so that types and energies can be deduced.

*For these missions, ADVACAM is the Timepix chip module provider.

In focus: Launch of VZLUSAT-1

VZLUSAT-1 is a technological nanosatellite for in-orbit demonstration of new technologies and products, jointly developed by several Czech partners including Czech Technical University (CTU). It is well known for its “Lobster Eye” optical system, developed by a Czech company. The detection system is based on pixel sensor Timepix, developed by the Medipix collaboration. VZLUSAT-1 was launched 23 June 2017, and is part of the QB50 international network of CubeSats for multi-point, in-situ measurements in the lower thermosphere and re-entry research.

 

 

A flexible low-cost instrument for radiation monitoring in space

Radiation poses a major threat to satellites. Galactic cosmic rays, solar flares and particles trapped in the Earth’s magnetosphere can have severe consequences on a satellite’s integrity, as the high energies associated with them can damage or even destroy its electronic components. CERN faces similar problems inside the Large Hadron Collider’s (LHC) tunnels and has developed radiation monitoring devices to prevent radiation damage to electronics.

Space RadMon is a miniaturised version of the LHC’s well-proven radiation monitoring device. This reliable low-cost, low-power and low-mass instrument for radiation monitoring in space is entirely based on standardised, commercial-off-the-shelf components, selected and calibrated at CERN. Space RadMon is the ideal instrument to measure in realtime radiation effects such as total ionising dose, upsets and latchups.

An improved, more precise and more flexible version of the instrument is in development, the Space RadMon-NG, capable of unprecedented sensitivity to low-energy protons.

CELESTA, the first CERN technology demonstrator in space

On 13 July 2022, CELESTA, the first CERN-driven satellite, successfully entered orbit during the maiden flight of Europe’s Vega-C launch vehicle.

Weighing one kilogram and measuring 10 centimetres on each of its sides, CELESTA (CERN latchup and radmon experiment student satellite) is a 1U CubeSat – a nanosatellite standard – designed to study the effects of cosmic radiation on electronics. The satellite carries a Space RadMon, a miniature version of a well-proven radiation monitoring device deployed in CERN’s Large Hadron Collider (LHC). CELESTA has been sent into an Earth orbit of almost 6000 kilometres. Right in the middle of the inner Van Allen belt, CELESTA will survey an unusual orbit where radiation levels are at their highest.

Launched by the European Space Agency from the French Guiana Space Centre (CSG), the satellite deployed smoothly and its payload was activated. The team at CERN is now analysing the first collected data and will need several months to collect enough statistics to reach its scientific objectives.

A radiation monitor module for future missions

The Space RadMon is a flagship example of how CERN technologies can have applications beyond particle physics experiments. Based entirely on standardised, ultra-sensitive components selected and calibrated by CERN, and mostly in CERN facilities, the Space RadMon is a lightweight and low-power instrument, ideal for future risk-tolerant space missions. If CELESTA is successful, the Space RadMon could even be adapted to satellite constellations as a predictive maintenance tool – to anticipate the necessary renewal of satellites.

The first ever system-level test of a full satellite

A radiation model of the CELESTA satellite was also tested in CHARM, a CERN mixed-field facility capable of reproducing, to a large extent, the radiation environment of low Earth orbit. The mission will be an important validation of this capability at the facility. “Capable of testing satellites all at once, rather than component by component, CHARM is a unique installation worldwide, remarkably different from other irradiation test facilities. It offers a simple, low-cost alternative and the possibility to assess system-level effects,” says Salvatore Danzeca, CHARM facility coordinator.

The success of this satellite is the result of a fruitful partnership between CERN and the University of Montpellier, which involved many students from both institutions and radiation effect specialists from CERN. CELESTA is based on the CSUM ROBUSTA-1U 3.5 radiation tolerant platform. It will be operated from the CSUM control centre and the data generated will be made available to CERN scientists via a data diffusion platform. The European Space Agency provided the launch slot in the framework of its small satellite programme.

On a mission to make space more accessible, CELESTA is an exciting example of how CERN expertise can have a positive impact on the aerospace industry. With this mission, CERN displays its low-cost solutions for measuring radiation and testing satellites against it – thus providing universities, companies and startups with the means to realise their space ambitions.

 

 

CERN facilities relevant to the aerospace community

These unique technical facilities are able to reproduce environments representative of the most extreme radiation or thermal space conditions.

SPS NORTH AREA (Heavy ions)

Energetic heavy ions for high penetration tests

CERN is capable of replicating the actual galactic cosmic ray spectrum to test electronics before they take a trip into space. Unlike standard facilities, the SPS North Area can operate with ultra-high energy heavy ions. These particle beams allow in-depth testing of space components in air and without opening the package (decapsulation).

Many test campaigns have been organised in collaboration with ESA in the SPS North Area, using xenon and lead ions. Launched into space on ESA’s PhiSat-1 in 2020, Myriad-2, Intel’s new artificial intelligence chip for Earth observation, was first tested at CERN in 2018.

The SPS North Area is also used to calibrate scientific instruments for astroparticle physics in space from the iconic AMS-02 to future missions like the High Energy Cosmic-Radiation Detection (HERD), an experiment focused on indirect dark matter search, cosmic ray physics and gamma ray astronomy for China’s future space station.