3 ms·
The cause of the failure is most likely tin whiskers [1] or radiation. [1] https://nepp.nasa.gov/WHISKER/background/index.htm https://nepp.nasa.gov/WHISKER/bac
by mikeytown2 5y ago
The cause of the failure is most likely tin whiskers [1] or radiation.
[1] https://nepp.nasa.gov/WHISKER/background/index.htm https://nepp.nasa.gov/WHISKER/background/index.htm.
- bumby 5y agoIs there evidence of either yet? I’m not sure how you get from “potential” failure mode to “most likely”
- mikeytown2 5y agoThey're trying to find the broken component; what caused the issue is usually a handful of things in space. Those are usually the top causes of component failure in that environment.
- bumby 5y agoAlthough a relatively small part of my career, I spent some time working within the quality arm of an aerospace org. A lot more on propulsion systems, but both those and satellites are usually required to meet J-STD specs for electronic builds. After a few failure investigations, you become acutely aware of the dangers of prematurely jumping to conclusions.
- NelsonMinar 5y agoSo no evidence then.
- ComputerGuru 5y agoI thought NASA no longer used lead-free solder to avoid this.
- kube-system 5y agoI think a lot of safety-critical systems even here on earth have exemptions from lead-free regulations because of this... but even lead can form whiskers.