From protecting our troops to monitoring natural disasters, there is an increasing need for analyzing vast amounts of data quickly to make real-time decisions in space. With innovative, flight-proven technology, Moog ensures crucial assets remain protected from data hackers and radiation threats.
Radiation Hardening
Space is a complicated environment, one of the most demanding operational domains in existence. Radiation in space poses significant challenges to the electronic systems onboard satellites. That is why it is imperative to have radiation hardened advanced processing solutions that allow high speed command and data handling (C&DH). Understanding the importance of radiation hardening can prevent degradation of onboard electronics due to long-term exposure.
The long duration of on-orbit operations and the high reliability requirements of these assets necessitate a layered approach to radiation protection.
Routine designs of radiation-hardened components in satellite avionics and electronic systems all aid in the advance protection of the hardware. Moog performs rigorous testing that has a proven track record of effectiveness and capability. The company designs and develops its own radiation hard by design (RHBD) components. For example, Moog engineers designed a system-on-chip microprocessor (SOC) using radiation-hardened by process and design (RHBD) techniques. The BRE440 SOC processor represents an extremely capable and highly radiation-hardened microprocessor capable of reducing SWaP (Size, Weight, and Power) over traditional single board computers. The capability to host popular real-time operating systems with support for legacy GN&C (Guidance, Navigation, and Control) software has made the BRE440 a strategic choice for both spacecraft and strategic missiles.
BRE440
Avionics Production Facility
Moog allocates a substantial budget each year for radiation testing of military and commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) electronic components to ensure their suitability for use in space. This technique involves acquiring components from single wafer lots and working closely with part vendors to ensure silicon manufacturing techniques align with the desired radiation capability.
Cyber Security
In addition to physical threats like radiation, the design team must also incorporate cyber security protections. Implementing strong encryption across data storage and data links, we can detect software and hardware anomalies, with continuous data integrity checks across memory, data buses, and external telemetry links.
During the early stages of development, Moog employs key processes to mitigate supply chain threats. These processes include sourcing components from trusted supply chains and implementing continuous counterfeit detection and avoidance programs. Moog's manufacturing centers also employ firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor all manufacturing networks, from design to test to shipment. All these preventative measures are necessary to assure customers that their products and systems have been built with safety and cyber security in mind.
Moog Cascade Single Board Computer
Maintaining the Ultimate High Ground
The development of radiation-tolerant and cyber-secured satellites requires a comprehensive understanding of the threats inherent in the evolving space domain. Moog has leveraged its decades of experience to develop a suite of robust flight-proven on-orbit computing capabilities designed to protect satellites, improve performance, and enable operators to maintain their assets in a state of operational-readiness. New products with high-speed data processing on the edge give decision makers real-time, accurate information to ensure they can protect assets both in space and on the ground. By implementing cutting-edge techniques and rigorous testing and qualification processes, Moog delivers high-reliability products and systems that not only survive but thrive in the demanding space domain, which allows operators to achieve and maintain the ultimate high ground. The commitment to radiation resilience and cyber-security solidifies Moog as a trusted provider of radiation-capable and cyber-secured satellite avionics.
Interested in speaking with Moog? Contact us at space@moog.com