Simulations of radiation damage in spacecraft camera for ESA JUICE mission

TL;DR

This paper models radiation effects on spacecraft cameras for the ESA JUICE mission, using Monte Carlo simulations to optimize shielding and assess damage from energetic electrons in Jupiter's environment.

Contribution

It introduces a detailed simulation model for radiation damage in spacecraft cameras, aiding in shielding design for the ESA JUICE mission.

Findings

Optimized shielding configurations to reduce radiation dose.

Quantified ionizing and non-ionizing radiation doses in camera sensors.

Provided insights into radiation effects on electronic components during the mission.

Abstract

The JUpiter ICy moons Explorer (JUICE) is an ESA interplanetary spacecraft being developed to perform detailed investigations of the Jupiter system and three of its icy moons: Europa, Callisto and Ganymede. The emphasis will be given on Ganymede as a small planetary body to be studied as a potential habitat. The spacecraft is set for launch in 2022 and would reach Jupiter in 2030. Two identical optical cameras are proposed for the mission to monitor the spacecraft and its surroundings. The sensors of the cameras need to be protected from hazardous radiation levels caused by extremely high fluxes of very energetic electrons. A precise model of the camera was developed to be used for intense Monte Carlo simulations performed to optimize the shielding and to determine the radiation damage during the mission. Simulations included determination of the total ionizing and non-ionizing doses in the sensors and crucial electronic components. This paper presents both simulation methods and results.