Extreme electronics for in situ robotic/sensing systems

NASA's desire to study and characterize the solar system and small bodies like comets and asteroids will be done by in situ robotic systems in the near term. Work has already begun on the design of Mars and Europa mole penetrators, ultrasonic coring systems for Venus, and corers for comet nucleus sampling. Along with these in situ sampling systems come miniature science instruments that allow samples to be imaged microscopically, or sensor suites that break down and examine the chemical composition and DNA of samples. Both sample acquisition and instruments will be exposed to extreme radiation, temperatures, corrosion, or pressures. This paper describes these intended extreme mission environments, and discusses technologies being developed to enable systems to operate in extreme conditions.