Radiation-tolerant

The space economy is accelerating, driven by a surge in commercial and government missions. As computing and AI evolve, demand is rising for high-performance technology capable of processing data directly in space. 

AI-enabled edge computing is transforming space operations, allowing spacecrafts to analyze sensor data, detect anomalies and make decisions autonomously, reducing reliance on earth-based systems while preserving uplink and downlink bandwidth. 

Radiation-tolerant storage solutions are essential to ensure these intelligent, autonomous platforms can operate reliably in the harsh conditions of space, where exposure to ionizing radiation can disrupt or degrade conventional electronics.

Learn what radiation-tolerance means in electronics, and how Micron qualifies its radiation tolerant memory solutions for space and defense. Connect with our Sales Support team to find out more. 

What is Radiation-tolerant?

Radiation-tolerant definition: Radiation-tolerant refers to electronic components that are specially qualified to operate reliably in environments with ionizing radiation.

The terms radiation tolerance and radiation-tolerant are closely related but serve different purposes in technical and marketing contexts.

Radiation tolerance refers to the measurable capability of a system, component or material to withstand ionizing radiation. It is achieved through design techniques and qualification processes that mitigate the effects of ionizing particles. The term radiation tolerance is typically used when discussing specifications or performance thresholds — e.g., “Micron’s memory solutions are qualified for radiation tolerance based on TID and SEE testing.”

Radiation-tolerant, by contrast, is a descriptive term applied to products or technologies that possess radiation tolerance — e.g., “Micron launched a new radiation-tolerant SLC NAND flash.” While widely used in engineering and marketing, radiation-tolerant is not formally defined by a single global standards body. Its meaning can vary depending on the context — the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the European Space Agency (ESA) and other organizations may apply different thresholds and qualification criteria.

At Micron, however, radiation-tolerant reflects a specific and rigorous qualification process aligned with recognized standards. This includes extended testing and screening protocols based on NASA’s PEM-INST-001 Level 2 flow, MIL-STD-883 TM1019 Condition D for TID, and ASTM F1192 / JESD57 for SEE. These alignments ensure that Micron’s radiation-tolerant components meet the reliability demands of space and defense environments.

Why does radiation tolerance matter?

Electronics deployed in remote and extreme environments — such as space, high-altitude flight and nuclear facilities — must withstand extreme conditions. These include vibration, vacuum pressure, temperature swings and radiation exposure. 

Prolonged exposure to ionizing radiation from solar energetic particles and galactic cosmic rays can degrade conventional electronics. Radiation-tolerant electronics are essential to ensure mission success, enabling intelligent platforms to operate safely and consistently despite these threats.

How is radiation tolerance achieved?

Radiation-tolerant components are tested and qualified to withstand three primary types of radiation effects:

• Total ionizing dose (TID): Cumulative damage from prolonged radiation exposure that degrades semiconductor performance. 
• Single-event effects (SEE): Sudden disruptions caused by a single high-energy particle striking a device, potentially leading to data corruption or functional errors. 
• Displacement damage: Structural damage within the semiconductor lattice caused by particles displacing atoms, which can affect long-term reliability. 

To achieve radiation tolerance, manufacturers use a combination of specialized materials, design strategies and rigorous testing protocols, including:

• Radiation-hardened materials such as silicon-on-insulator (SOI) and silicon-germanium (SiGe) are less susceptible to charge buildup and degradation caused by radiation exposure. 
• Robust circuit design techniques like backup circuits, automatic error correction and isolation of sensitive areas to prevent damage propagation. 
• Process-level hardening and shielding, which reduce the impact of radiation on device performance. 

What does radiation-tolerant mean at Micron?

While most radiation-tolerant components, including commercial plastic-encapsulated microcircuits (PEMs), are designed to withstand total ionizing dose (TID), single event effects (SEE), and displacement damage, they are not inherently designed for the harsh environments of space or defense. 

At Micron, radiation-tolerant goes beyond the industry standard. Radiation-tolerant at Micron means not only possessing radiation tolerance but also meeting rigorous space qualification standards, including TID, SEE and extended testing aligned with NASA and military protocols to ensure reliability in space and defense environments.

Micron’s radiation-tolerant qualification process includes:

• Extended quality and performance testing, an extensive component screening, aligned with NASA’s PEM-INST-001 Level 2 flow, including temperature cycling, defect inspections and 590 hours of dynamic burn-in.
• TID testing, aligned with MIL-STD-883 TM1019 condition D, measuring gamma radiation endurance in orbit.
• SEE testing, aligned with the American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM) F1192 and the Joint Electronic Device Engineering Council (JEDEC) standard JESD57, evaluating high-energy particle impacts on semiconductors.

These standards ensure that Micron’s components are not only radiation-tolerant but also space-qualified, delivering confidence for mission-critical applications.

What is the history of radiation-tolerant electronics?

The evolution of radiation-tolerant electronics reflects decades of innovation driven by the need to operate reliably in high-radiation environments such as space, military zones and nuclear facilities:

• 1960s–1970s Early space missions: Radiation tolerance emerged as a critical requirement during the early days of space exploration. NASA and defense agencies began adapting commercial electronics with basic shielding and redundancy to survive cosmic radiation. These early systems laid the groundwork for radiation-hardened design principles.
• 1980s–1990s Radiation-hardened components: As satellite and defense technologies matured, manufacturers began producing purpose-built radiation-hardened (rad-hard) components. These chips were designed with specialized materials and layouts to resist total ionizing dose (TID) and single-event effects (SEE). However, they often lagged commercial components in terms of performance due to older or less advanced technologies, and they were significantly more expensive because of their specialized manufacturing and limited production volumes.
• 2000–2010 Up-screening COTs: To reduce costs, increase performance and improve availability, engineers began up-screening commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components — testing and qualifying them for radiation environments. While more affordable, this approach introduced variability and lifecycle risks.
• 2010s–present Radiation-hardened by design (RHBD): The RHBD methodology revolutionized the field by embedding radiation tolerance directly into chip architecture. This enabled the development of system-on-chip (SoC) solutions with improved performance, reduced mass and greater reliability for space and defense missions 
• 2020s– Modern space-qualified memory: Companies like Micron now offer space-qualified, radiation-tolerant memory — engineered to meet rigorous standards like MIL-STD-883, ASTM F1192 and JESD57. These solutions support AI-enabled edge computing and autonomous decision-making in orbit, marking a new era of intelligent, resilient space systems.

How are radiation-tolerant devices and systems used?

Radiation tolerance is essential for enabling reliable operation in environments where ionizing radiation can compromise conventional electronics. Radiation-tolerant components and systems are used in a wide range of mission-critical applications:

Space exploration and satellite systems

Radiation-tolerant electronics ensure uninterrupted performance in orbit, where cosmic rays and solar particles pose constant threats to data integrity and system stability.

Military and defense electronics

Defense platforms rely on radiation-tolerant components for secure communications, surveillance and navigation in high-altitude and nuclear-prone zones.

High-altitude avionics

Aircraft operating at high altitudes are exposed to increased radiation levels. Radiation-tolerant avionics maintain flight safety and system reliability under these conditions.

Nuclear energy infrastructure

Control systems in nuclear facilities must withstand radiation exposure to ensure safe operation and prevent system failures during routine and emergency scenarios.

Industrial and IoT applications

Radiation-tolerant devices are increasingly used in industrial automation and remote sensing systems deployed in harsh environments, such as near reactors or in aerospace manufacturing.