Space Micro, Inc. Launches Balloon Test Platform for Advanced Microelectronics For Immediate Release: (San Diego, CA) Space Micro Inc. launched a high altitude balloon with a specially designed payload to investigate a new mechanism of failures in advanced microelectronics. Teamed with UCSD CalSpace, an experiment was designed, fabricated and tested on a 5-hour balloon flight reaching over 100,000 feet altitude. The purpose of this research is to study atmospheric neutron effects in fine geometry microcircuits found in avionics for aircraft, missile interceptors, and UAVs or High Altitude Airships (HAAs). Atmospheric flux of neutrons increases from sea level and peaks around 60,000 feet. This is an altitude of interest for long duration HAAs, since it is above most surface winds. A six-pound experiment payload was launched from Ramona, CA and was recovered near Borrego Springs, CA with the use of on board GPS hardware tracking. The payload contained a Cereron based single board computer monitoring microelectronic test samples consisting of 0.12 um-advanced 512 Mbit SDRAM integrated circuits. Additionally, the payload was linked to a ground station with a 430 MHz transceiver, connected to the Automatic Position Reporting System (APRS). The APRS link provided both position and real-time telemetry data for the atmospheric neutron experiment. The successful launch demonstrated the feasibility of low cost, real-time test platform capable of sustained exposures to atmospheric neutrons at altitudes in excess of 100,000 feet. Additional test platform benefits can result in “near-space” environment exposure to extremely low temperatures and vacuum conditions, useful for satellite hardware testing. About Space Micro Inc. Founded in 2000 as a satellite technology research and development company, Space Micro Inc. is a pioneer in providing radiation hardened by design solutions for advanced electronic systems and microelectronics. Space Micro has completed development of the world’s most advanced satellite computers, the Proton100k and Proton200k products. In 2004, Space Micro purchased CyberDog Communication, Inc. and formed the Rocket Science Security Division to offer world class information security products. Key government customers include NASA, Missile Defense Agency (MDA), and the Air Force. Our management team includes two of the founders of Space Electronics Inc., an industry leader in satellite microelectronics. Space Micro Inc. is a privately held company, with headquarters in Poway, California and engineering/production facility in San Diego, CA. - END –
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