Radiation-tolerant data recorders from Mercury Systems will head to International Space Station in 2022
NewsMarch 05, 2021
ANDOVER, Mass. Solid-state data recorders (SSDRs) built by Mercury Systems will fly to the International Space Station in 2022, after selection by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) to provide for NASA’s Earth Surface Mineral Dust Source Investigation (EMIT) science mission.
The parts will equip the Earth Imaging Spectrometer instrument, which as part of the EMIT mission maps the surface mineralogy of arid dust source regions and aids in improving forecasts of the role of mineral dust in the warming or cooling of the Earth’s atmosphere. EMIT is aimed at advancing the understanding of dust’s effects on the Earth as a whole and to human populations now and in the future.
Chris Opoczynski, vice president and general manager, Mercury Data, said of the NASA choice: “Developing high-tech electronics that survive launch and extended-lifetime operation in space is no easy task. Mercury’s solid-state data recorders are purpose-built to support the need for ultra-reliable and agile radiation-tolerant storage devices. This focus on reliability and agility is part of our commitment to reducing our customers’ program risk and cost with our portfolio of state-of-the-art, secure, space-qualified products utilizing our industry-leading commercial technology.”
