Issue link: https://resources.mouser.com/i/1537868
C h a p t e r 3 The Toughest Environment Space is probably the most challenging environment faced by designers. Spaceborne equipment must operate in a vacuum, survive extreme temperature fluctuations, and resist prolonged exposure to radiation. Their inaccessibility means that they are beyond the reach of repair, so they must deliver long-term reliability to justify their cost. Every component must be carefully selected and qualified to ensure the best possible performance under these tough conditions. Extremes of Temperature Without the thermal insulation provided by the atmosphere, objects in space are vulnerable to extreme temperatures. Surfaces in direct sunlight are thus unprotected from significant solar heating. In contrast, when these same surfaces are in shadow, their temperature can plummet. Depending on the material and its coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), repeated cycling can distort structures. In SATCOM applications, this impacts the precision of antenna and optical equipment. As a result, designers need to choose the materials they use carefully, particularly when these systems are expected to operate unattended for periods between 3 and 6 years. Radiation Exposure Vehicles and satellites that are deployed to deep space or Geostationary applications operate outside the Earth's magnetosphere. This protects us from a large proportion of ionization damage caused by solar or cosmic radiation. DESIGNING FOR SPACE Environmental temperature is not just a background condition—it's a critical design parameter. SATCOM systems must be built with components that can withstand real-world thermal extremes to ensure consistent performance and long-term reliability." Mohammad Reza Farahdel Sr. Radio Frequency Engineer, FARASAT TELECOM 15 Engineering the Future of Satellite Communications