Low Cost Radiation Hardened Software and Hardware Implementation for CubeSats

Abstract

CubeSats are small satellites used for scientific experiments because they cost less than full sized satellites. Each CubeSat uses an on-board computer. The on-board computer performs sensor measurements, data processing, and CubeSat control. The challenges of designing an on-board computer are costs, radiation, thermal stresses, and vibrations. An on-board computer was designed and implemented to solve these challenges. The on-board computer used special components to mitigate radiation effects. Software was also used to provide redundancies in cases of faults. This paper may aid future spacecraft design as it improves the reliability of spacecraft, while keeping costs low.