COTS Semiconductor Components for the New Space Industry

So far, by the majority, most of the components used in space-related applications are specially designed for the very harsh space environment. However, these types of space-grade or military-grade Hi-reliability electrical components lack design flexibility due to limited options and cost a lot of money and time to acquire. Many private venture companies are entering the space industry with limited capital and human resources. It is very critical for them to build high-performance space systems with limited resources. This paper gives a brief overview of challenges faced during the use of Commercially Off-The-Shelf (COTS) semiconductor components for space application.