Engineers get a smarter way to spec memory for satellites

Infineon Technologies has published a technical paper detailing a framework for engineers to specify NOR Flash memory chips for space missions based on actual mission parameters, rather than applying blanket, overly conservative radiation-hardening specs. It explains how radiation degrades critical components like charge pumps and sense amplifiers, and how to model requirements based on orbit, lifetime, shielding, and risk tolerance.

The approach aims to replace expensive, over-specified 'one-size-fits-all' space-grade components with more precisely tailored, cost-effective memory that still provides auditable reliability. This could lower costs for satellite and space mission hardware while maintaining mission assurance. It's a pragmatic engineering shift for an industry where mass, power, and budget are always at a premium.