Integrating Radiation and Reliability for Holistic Space System Risk Predictions

SUMMARY & CONCLUSIONSAn approach to integrate reliability and radiation effects is described to provide a holistic risk prediction for space systems. The radiation effect of concern addressed in this paper is destructive single event effects due to linear energy transfer. The proposed approach described allows for the inclusion of radiation-susceptible parts if their inclusion can still meet the reliability allocated to the subsystem or component where they are utilized. Parts with quantifiably high radiation tolerance do not need to be included in the reliability prediction, since they are not expected to impact the predicted reliability in a perceptible way. Parts with quantifiably little radiation tolerance may not be allowed at all due to an inability for them to meet the required reliability in the intended environment. The parts with radiation tolerance between these values will be analyzed to determine their effect on the survivability of the system; then if the reliability prediction, including the radiation survivability of these parts, does not meet the allocated requirement, either a new part will be chosen, or other design considerations will be employed to ensure compliance. Also discussed are recommended methods and controls to ensure that this approach is incorporated into the requirements and design in a clear and consistent way.