Microelectronics in space

With approximately 1,500 active satellites orbiting Earth, most of them carry highly sophisticated microelectronics that support communication and enable research that was scarcely imaginable a generation ago. Telecom satellites keep people around the world continuously in touch and informed, research satellites monitor global weather, while other missions provide scientists with information on the earth’s magnetic field and geomagnetic storms.

Increasing the gain of avalanche photodiodes (APDs) without adding more than a negligible amount of noise boosts the sensitivity of photon detectors. Leti and CNES showed that APDs made of HgCdTe (mercury cadmium telluride) significantly outperform those based on other semiconductor materials, making it possible to greatly improve their sensitivity, while maintaining a nearly constant signal-to-noise ratio.

Electronic boards for us are delivering a service onboard the launcher- Gilibert said. “Of course, we are shaking them a lot and warming them up and down. However, the ideal situation for us would be … to test the functional aspects to make sure it works as a functional chain onboard the launcher, and get rid of having to demonstrate one by one that all the equipment is qualified for the dynamic, radioactive and thermal environment of space.” In space and on Earth, the challenges and opportunities for the microelectronics industry are far reaching.