A major obstacle for NASA’s much awaited Europa Clipper mission is a fundamental component issue with a major supplier. The mission, which aims to explore Jupiter’s icy moon Europa, has encountered problems with its metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs). These components are essential for the spacecraft’s operations, but recent tests have revealed that they are failing to withstand the high levels of radiation expected in Jupiter’s harsh environment. This discovery has put the entire mission at risk.
Unveiling the Issue
The problem first came to light in May during an industry conference attended by engineers from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). Colleagues from an undisclosed third-party organization informed JPL engineers about the underperformance of radiation-hard MOSFETs produced by Infineon Technologies. These transistors, designed to endure high levels of ionizing radiation, are a crucial part of the hardware supplied by the German semiconductor manufacturer to the aerospace industry.
Alarmed by this information, the JPL engineers promptly relayed their concerns to NASA officials. The engineers at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL), responsible for developing Clipper’s body in collaboration with JPL, decided to conduct their own tests on the MOSFETs used in the mission. The results were concerning: several MOSFETs failed to withstand lower radiation levels than anticipated.
Confirming the Problem
In order to perform additional testing, technicians at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, where the Europa Clipper is being readied for launch, rotated the spacecraft. These tests confirmed the initial findings: the MOSFETs’ performance was inadequate for the extreme radiation environment near Jupiter and its moon Europa. During a recent Planetary Science Advisory Committee (PSAC) meeting, officials disclosed that some transistors failed at lower radiation levels than expected, prompting significant concern about the transistors’ longevity.
“According to testing data so far, some transistors are not as radiation resistant as planned, which makes them prone to failure in the intense radiation environment around Jupiter and its moon Europa,” NASA clarified in a blog post that followed. The group is attempting to ascertain the potential number of vulnerable transistors as well as their in-flight performance. NASA is investigating ways to extend the lifetime of transistors in the Jupiter system.” Later this month, the agency intends to publish a preliminary study of its findings.
Supplier’s Response and Potential Solutions
Infineon Technologies, the supplier of the faulty MOSFETs, is now collaborating with the Europa Clipper team to address the issue. Shannon Fitzpatrick, NASA’s associate director of planetary science flight programs, explained that Infineon was unaware that the MOSFETs would be used in such a high-radiation environment. “Fitzpatrick stated at the PSAC conference, “They were unaware that it would have an impact on us. Infineon had not notified NASA about the failing radiation tests conducted by other organizations, leading to the current predicament.
NASA is now exploring several options to mitigate the problem and ensure the mission’s success. If the agency can verify that Clipper’s MOSFETs meet the required specifications within the next few months, the mission is still on track to launch via a commercial rocket this October. In the event of further delays, backup launch dates have been scheduled over the following two years.
The Europa Clipper Mission’s Significance
The Europa Clipper mission has been eagerly awaited by the scientific community. Its primary objective is to study Europa’s ice-covered surface and subsurface ocean, which may harbor conditions suitable for life. Over the course of three and a half years, the spacecraft will conduct dozens of flybys of Europa, collecting valuable data that could transform our understanding of the moon’s potential habitability.
Despite the current challenges, NASA remains committed to the Europa Clipper mission. The agency is determined to resolve the MOSFET issue and ensure that Europa Clipper can withstand the intense radiation environment of Jupiter. As NASA works tirelessly to overcome this obstacle, the mission’s success will ultimately depend on the ingenuity and perseverance of its engineers and scientists.
