Challenges

Radiation testing in Europe

Europe must have the means to increase its space radiation
testing capacity.

Recent geopolitical developments have highlighted the urgency of increasing the effort on reducing European technological dependencies. For space applications, space technology non-dependence means free, unrestricted access to any technology required to implement Europe’s space missions, as well as free export restrictions.

The only one facility worldwide is currently offering routine access to high-energy heavy ion beams for space applications is the NASA Space Radiation Laboratory (NSRL) in the United States. New projects are being promoted in the United States and Russia.

In comparison, the European space industry does not have the means to test advanced electronics components within the European borders. Current facilities are becoming less and less suited, while the offer for high-energy heavy ion beams remains very scarce and not tailored to welcome industrial users on a regular basis.

HEARTS project will be instrumental at reducing Europe’s dependence on critical infrastructures outside its borders. By the end of the project, HEARTS will provide two high-quality, high-energy heavy ion beam facilities capable of meeting the domestic demand for electronics testing, shielding and radiobiology.

Overview of the European ion beam infrastructure capacity after the HEARTS project (Image: CERN).

Overview of the European ion beam infrastructure capacity after the HEARTS project (Image: CERN).


Currently existing and targeted ion beam characteristics (Image: CERN).

Currently existing and targeted ion beam characteristics (Image: CERN).

The HEARTS project is funded by the European Union under Grant Agreement No. 101082402, through the Space Work Programme of the European Commission.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.