Single-event Upsets
Single-event upsets (SEUs) are the effects of ionizing radiation on electronic devices, such as those used in spacecraft. These effects can cause errors in the operation of the devices, including memory bit flips, latch-ups, and functional interrupts. SEUs are caused by high-energy particles, such as cosmic rays, that collide with the atoms in the device and create electron-hole pairs. These pairs can then cause changes in the electrical charge of the device, leading to errors. SEUs are a major concern for space and astronautical engineering, as they can cause critical failures in spacecraft systems, including communication, navigation, and power. To mitigate the effects of SEUs, engineers use radiation-hardened components and shielding, as well as redundancy and error-correction techniques.
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