Technology Gaps, “The Akron List”

A structured catalogue of Technology Gaps that simultaneously constrain Space Sensing and Earth Applications. Each record captures the current state, required capability advances, mapped technologies, applications, SDGs, relevant R&D fields, and linked evidence, enabling systematic gap analysis, prioritisation, and research planning.

AKRON-1: Miniaturised High-Sensitivity Sensors

• Taxonomy:
• Sensors: Cross-cutting sensor subsystems
• Gap summary:
• High-sensitivity sensors remain too large or power-hungry for small platforms, limiting small probes and dense terrestrial deployments.
• Capability today:
• High precision often requires large mass/ volume/ power instruments; miniaturised units typically suffer higher noise, reduced dynamic range and narrower coverage.
• Capability needed:
• Low-SWaP sensors with flagship-class sensitivity, dynamic range and calibration stability, enabled by advanced materials, microfabrication and on-chip processing.
• Technologies:
• TECH-1: Miniaturised Sensor Systems
• TECH-2: Microelectronics
• Space Sensing Applications:
• SAPP-14: Distributed SmallSat Science Missions
• Earth Applications:
• EAPP-3: Precision Industrial Metrology
• UN 2030 SDG Goals:
• SDG-9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
• R&D Fields:
• 2.2. Electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering
• 2.10. Nanotechnology
• Sources:
• SRC-3: Astrophysics Roadmap 2013 (Enduring Quests Daring Visions)

AKRON-2: Extreme Environment Sensing Technology

• Taxonomy:
• Sensors: Cross-cutting sensor subsystems
• Gap summary:
• Sensors and electronics that can operate reliably in extreme temperature, pressure, radiation, dust/corrosion regimes remain limited.
• Capability today:
• Partial solutions exist (rad-hard parts; limited high-temperature electronics) but often with short lifetimes, reduced precision, or heavy thermal protection.
• Capability needed:
• Long-duration, precision sensor chains and packaging for >500°C, high-pressure, high-radiation and corrosive/ dusty environments without bulky conditioning.
• Technologies:
• TECH-3: High-Temperature & Radiation-Hardened Sensors
• TECH-4: Extreme Environment Electronics (SiC/ GaN/ diamond)
• Space Sensing Applications:
• SAPP-11: Planetary Science (Extreme Environment In-Situ Sensing)
• SAPP-12: Space Environment Monitoring (Radiation & Particles)
• Earth Applications:
• EAPP-2: Radiation Safety and Nuclear Facility Monitoring
• EAPP-6: Environmental Hazard Monitoring
• UN 2030 SDG Goals:
• SDG-9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
• SDG-13: Climate Action
• R&D Fields:
• 1.3. Physical sciences
• 2.2. Electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering
• 2.5. Materials engineering
• Sources:
• SRC-3: Astrophysics Roadmap 2013 (Enduring Quests Daring Visions)

AKRON-3: Far-Infrared Observation Capability

• Taxonomy:
• Sensors: Photonic sensors
• Gap summary:
• Far-IR (terahertz) observation remains limited by detector sensitivity, cryogenic systems and suitable mission-class instruments, constraining space astronomy and Earth radiation budget science.
• Capability today:
• Few missions cover key far-IR bands; detector/readout performance depends on deep cryogenics; long-life cooling and large-format arrays remain hard to field.
• Capability needed:
• End-to-end far-IR systems (detectors + readout + long-life low-vibration cooling + calibration) enabling high spectral sensitivity and stable long-duration measurements.
• Technologies:
• TECH-5: Far-IR Detectors and Cryogenic Optics
• TECH-6: Thermal Infrared Spectrometry
• Space Sensing Applications:
• SAPP-2: Astrophysics (Far-Infrared Astronomy)
• Earth Applications:
• EAPP-15: Climate Monitoring and Benchmarking
• UN 2030 SDG Goals:
• SDG-9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
• SDG-13: Climate Action
• R&D Fields:
• 1.3. Physical sciences
• 2.2. Electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering
• Sources:
• SRC-3: Astrophysics Roadmap 2013 (Enduring Quests Daring Visions)

AKRON-4: Advanced UV/Optical Detector Technology

• Taxonomy:
• Sensors: Photonic sensors
• Gap summary:
• UV/optical sensing is constrained by detector QE, noise, format size, and mirror/coating throughput and durability, limiting precision UV science and UV-based Earth/industrial measurements.
• Capability today:
• Existing UV detectors are relatively small, require intensive calibration, and degrade; coatings have limited reflectivity in far-UV and are contamination sensitive.
• Capability needed:
• Large-format low-noise high-QE UV/ optical arrays with durable high-reflectivity coatings and improved contamination tolerance for long-life operation.
• Technologies:
• TECH-7: UV-Visible Photon Detectors
• TECH-8: Optical Coatings and Materials
• Space Sensing Applications:
• SAPP-1: Astrophysics (UV/Optical Astronomy)
• SAPP-5: Heliophysics (Solar UV and X-ray Monitoring)
• Earth Applications:
• EAPP-1: Medical Diagnostic Imaging
• EAPP-11: Public Health UV Exposure Monitoring
• EAPP-14: Air Quality and Emissions Monitoring
• UN 2030 SDG Goals:
• SDG-3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG-9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
• SDG-13: Climate Action
• R&D Fields:
• 1.3. Physical sciences
• 2.2. Electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering
• 2.5. Materials engineering
• Sources:
• SRC-4: On-Orbit Degradation of Solar Instruments

AKRON-5: Quantum Sensor Technology for Fields and Gravity

• Taxonomy:
• Sensors: Field & gravity sensors
• Gap summary:
• Quantum sensing promises major sensitivity gains for magnetic/gravity/inertial measurements but remains limited in deployable, robust, calibrated flight/field systems.
• Capability today:
• Lab and prototype demonstrations exist (quantum magnetometers, atom interferometers) but are bulky, power intensive, and sensitive to environmental perturbations.
• Capability needed:
• Compact robust quantum sensors with stable calibration, environmental tolerance, and validated performance for operational deployment in space and terrestrial settings.
• Technologies:
• TECH-9: Quantum Sensors (NV magnetometers, atom interferometers)
• TECH-10: Precision Metrology
• Space Sensing Applications:
• SAPP-4: Astrophysics (Precision Spectroscopy & Photometry)
• SAPP-6: Heliophysics (Magnetospheric & Plasma Field Mapping)
• SAPP-10: Planetary Science (Gravity & Magnetic Field Surveys)
• Earth Applications:
• EAPP-3: Precision Industrial Metrology
• EAPP-18: Infrastructure Subsurface Mapping
• EAPP-19: Water Resource and Groundwater Management
• UN 2030 SDG Goals:
• SDG-6: Clean Water and Sanitation
• SDG-9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
• R&D Fields:
• 1.3. Physical sciences
• 2.2. Electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering
• Sources:
• SRC-5: Achieving Climate Change Absolute Accuracy in Orbit

AKRON-6: Autonomous Intelligent Sensing Systems

• Taxonomy:
• Autonomy: Onboard intelligence
• Gap summary:
• Remote sensing systems lack sufficient onboard intelligence to triage data and adapt observations in real time under comms constraints, reducing science/operational efficiency.
• Capability today:
• Most missions rely on ground-based planning; limited autonomy demos exist but are not widespread due to compute limits, validation burden and operational risk.
• Capability needed:
• Closed-loop autonomous sensing: onboard analysis, anomaly/event detection, adaptive retasking, and safe autonomy integrated with flight/field operations.
• Technologies:
• TECH-11: Onboard AI and Edge Computing
• TECH-12: Autonomous Satellite Operations
• TECH-13: Sensor Webs & Networks
• Space Sensing Applications:
• SAPP-15: Autonomous Deep-Space Observation
• Earth Applications:
• EAPP-5: Autonomous Industrial Operations
• EAPP-9: Industrial Edge Analytics and IoT Sensing
• EAPP-16: Disaster Risk Reduction and Emergency Response
• UN 2030 SDG Goals:
• SDG-9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
• SDG-11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG-13: Climate Action
• R&D Fields:
• 1.2. Computer and information sciences
• 2.2. Electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering
• Sources:
• SRC-8: NASA Space Technology Roadmaps and Priorities (National Academies): Modelling, Simulation, and Information Technology

AKRON-7: Space-Based Lidar for Atmospheric Sensing

• Taxonomy:
• Sensors: Active sensing
• Gap summary:
• Spaceborne lidar for winds/trace gases/aerosols is constrained by long-life space-qualified lasers, receiver sensitivity and calibration, limiting active atmospheric profiling for Earth and other planets.
• Capability today:
• Limited heritage (e.g., single demonstrators); laser lifetime, stability and power constrain sustained operations; planetary atmospheric lidar largely absent.
• Capability needed:
• Operational long-life stable lidar transmit/ receive chains (Doppler, DIAL) with validated lifetime, stable calibration, and higher coverage/ precision.
• Technologies:
• TECH-14: Spaceborne Lidar (Doppler Wind Lidar, DIAL)
• TECH-15: Laser Transmitters and Receivers
• Space Sensing Applications:
• SAPP-7: Heliophysics (Upper Atmosphere Dynamics)
• SAPP-9: Planetary Science (Atmospheric Dynamics & Composition)
• Earth Applications:
• EAPP-15: Climate Monitoring and Benchmarking
• EAPP-20: Weather Forecasting and Atmospheric Services
• EAPP-14: Air Quality and Emissions Monitoring
• EAPP-16: Disaster Risk Reduction and Emergency Response
• UN 2030 SDG Goals:
• SDG-9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
• SDG-11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG-13: Climate Action
• R&D Fields:
• 1.5. Earth and related environmental sciences
• 2.2. Electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering
• Sources:
• SRC-11: Introducing Aeolus
• SRC-12: Lidar-Measured Wind Profiles: The Need for Global Wind Observations

AKRON-8: Subsurface Penetrating Radar & EM Sensing

• Taxonomy:
• Sensors: Active sensing
• Gap summary:
• Subsurface characterisation is limited by radar/EM penetration vs resolution trade-offs and deployable architectures, constraining planetary subsurface science and terrestrial subsurface mapping.
• Capability today:
• Orbital/airborne radars provide limited depth or coarse resolution; EM methods are fragmented and not scalable for many targets; indirect inference remains common.
• Capability needed:
• Advanced low-frequency radar/ EM sounding with improved penetration and resolution, plus robust inversion/ validation for actionable subsurface products.
• Technologies:
• TECH-16: Ground-Penetrating Radar (Orbital/Aerial)
• TECH-17: Electromagnetic Subsurface Sounding
• TECH-18: Gravimetric Mapping Technologies
• Space Sensing Applications:
• SAPP-6: Heliophysics (Magnetospheric & Plasma Field Mapping)
• SAPP-8: Planetary Science (Surface & Subsurface Characterisation)
• SAPP-10: Planetary Science (Gravity & Magnetic Field Surveys)
• Earth Applications:
• EAPP-6: Environmental Hazard Monitoring
• EAPP-18: Infrastructure Subsurface Mapping
• EAPP-19: Water Resource and Groundwater Management
• UN 2030 SDG Goals:
• SDG-6: Clean Water and Sanitation
• SDG-9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
• R&D Fields:
• 1.3. Physical sciences
• 1.5. Earth and related environmental sciences
• 2.2. Electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering
• Sources:
• SRC-3: Astrophysics Roadmap 2013 (Enduring Quests Daring Visions)

AKRON-9: On-Orbit Calibration & Metrology Standards

• Taxonomy:
• Calibration & Validation: Metrology
• Gap summary:
• High-accuracy sensing is constrained by insufficient SI-traceable calibration and long-term stability, limiting cross-mission comparability and decadal trend detection.
• Capability today:
• Pre-flight and vicarious calibration dominate; instrument drift and inter-sensor biases require empirical correction, limiting absolute accuracy for subtle signals.
• Capability needed:
• On-orbit SI-traceable reference and transfer methods (radiometric, spectral, geometric) plus ultra-stable instruments and cross-calibration infrastructure.
• Technologies:
• TECH-19: On-orbit Metrology and Calibration Systems
• TECH-20: Ultra-Stable Instrumentation
• Space Sensing Applications:
• SAPP-4: Astrophysics (Precision Spectroscopy & Photometry)
• SAPP-5: Heliophysics (Solar UV and X-ray Monitoring)
• Earth Applications:
• EAPP-3: Precision Industrial Metrology
• EAPP-15: Climate Monitoring and Benchmarking
• UN 2030 SDG Goals:
• SDG-9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
• SDG-13: Climate Action
• SDG-17: Partnerships for the Goals
• R&D Fields:
• 1.3. Physical sciences
• 2.2. Electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering
• Sources:
• SRC-5: Achieving Climate Change Absolute Accuracy in Orbit

AKRON-10: Large-format low-noise X-ray focal plane arrays

• Taxonomy:
• Sensors: High-energy sensors
• Gap summary:
• X-ray imagers lack large-area, fast, low-noise, radiation-tolerant focal plane arrays with stable calibration for next-generation performance targets.
• Capability today:
• Flight-qualified arrays require trade-offs between format, read noise, speed, power, and radiation tolerance; large formats remain limited in availability/maturity.
• Capability needed:
• Large-format low-noise high-speed radiation-tolerant arrays with stable gain/linearity and on-orbit calibration support for long-duration missions.
• Technologies:
• TECH-21: X-ray Imaging Detectors
• Space Sensing Applications:
• SAPP-3: Astrophysics (X-ray Astronomy)
• SAPP-5: Heliophysics (Solar UV and X-ray Monitoring)
• Earth Applications:
• EAPP-1: Medical Diagnostic Imaging
• UN 2030 SDG Goals:
• SDG-3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG-9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
• R&D Fields:
• 1.3. Physical sciences
• 2.2. Electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering
• 2.5. Materials engineering
• Sources:
• SRC-1: High Definition X-ray Imager Technology Roadmap (Lynx HDXI)
• SRC-2: The Silicon Meta-shell X-ray Mirror Technology Development Roadmap for the Lynx Mission

AKRON-11: Lightweight high-throughput X-ray optics

• Taxonomy:
• Sensors: High-energy sensors
• Gap summary:
• X-ray focusing optics remain mass/cost intensive; scaling effective area while maintaining high angular resolution is constrained by fabrication and metrology limits.
• Capability today:
• Heritage grazing-incidence optics provide good performance but are heavy and complex; next-gen missions require lighter, larger-area, higher-precision optics.
• Capability needed:
• Scalable lightweight X-ray optics with improved figure quality, alignment stability, and manufacturability for large-aperture observatories.
• Technologies:
• TECH-22: X-ray Focusing Optics
• Space Sensing Applications:
• SAPP-3: Astrophysics (X-ray Astronomy)
• SAPP-4: Astrophysics (Precision Spectroscopy & Photometry)
• Earth Applications:
• EAPP-1: Medical Diagnostic Imaging
• EAPP-17: Industrial Non-Destructive Testing (NDT)
• UN 2030 SDG Goals:
• SDG-3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG-9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
• R&D Fields:
• 1.3. Physical sciences
• 2.2. Electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering
• 2.5. Materials engineering
• Sources:
• SRC-1: High Definition X-ray Imager Technology Roadmap (Lynx HDXI)
• SRC-2: The Silicon Meta-shell X-ray Mirror Technology Development Roadmap for the Lynx Mission

AKRON-12: UV detector QE and longevity

• Taxonomy:
• Sensors: Photonic sensors
• Gap summary:
• UV detectors are constrained by limited quantum efficiency, contamination sensitivity, and on-orbit degradation, impacting long-life UV measurements.
• Capability today:
• UV instruments require stringent contamination control and repeated calibration; QE and throughput often degrade under UV exposure and contamination.
• Capability needed:
• High-QE UV detector arrays with improved durability, contamination tolerance, and stable response over mission lifetimes.
• Technologies:
• TECH-2: Microelectronics
• Space Sensing Applications:
• SAPP-1: Astrophysics (UV/Optical Astronomy)
• SAPP-4: Astrophysics (Precision Spectroscopy & Photometry)
• SAPP-5: Heliophysics (Solar UV and X-ray Monitoring)
• Earth Applications:
• EAPP-1: Medical Diagnostic Imaging
• EAPP-11: Public Health UV Exposure Monitoring
• UN 2030 SDG Goals:
• SDG-3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG-9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
• R&D Fields:
• 1.3. Physical sciences
• 2.2. Electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering
• 2.5. Materials engineering
• Sources:
• SRC-4: On-Orbit Degradation of Solar Instruments

AKRON-13: Far-IR cryogenic detector/ readout maturity

• Taxonomy:
• Sensors: Photonic sensors
• Gap summary:
• Far-IR science is constrained by deployable low-noise cryogenic detector+readout chains with long-life cooling, low microphonics and stable calibration.
• Capability today:
• Lab detectors approach fundamental limits, but fielding requires robust cryocoolers, low-noise readout, vibration control and calibration stability.
• Capability needed:
• Integrated far-IR instruments with large-format arrays, long-life low-vibration cooling, low-noise readout, and repeatable calibration in flight/ field.
• Technologies:
• TECH-23: Cryogenic Photon Detectors
• TECH-24: Cryogenic Readout Electronics
• TECH-25: Cryogenic Optics
• Space Sensing Applications:
• SAPP-2: Astrophysics (Far-Infrared Astronomy)
• Earth Applications:
• EAPP-3: Precision Industrial Metrology
• UN 2030 SDG Goals:
• SDG-9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
• SDG-13: Climate Action
• R&D Fields:
• 1.3. Physical sciences
• 2.2. Electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering
• 2.3. Mechanical engineering
• Sources:
• SRC-3: Astrophysics Roadmap 2013 (Enduring Quests Daring Visions)

AKRON-14: Deployable quantum magnetometers

• Taxonomy:
• Sensors: Field & gravity sensors
• Gap summary:
• Quantum magnetometers are not broadly deployable as compact robust flight/field instruments with stable calibration and low SWaP.
• Capability today:
• High sensitivity demonstrated in lab; packaging, environmental control and calibration transfer remain barriers to operational deployment.
• Capability needed:
• Compact low-power quantum magnetometers with stable calibration, environmental tolerance and validated performance for operational missions and field use.
• Technologies:
• TECH-26: Quantum Magnetometers
• Space Sensing Applications:
• SAPP-5: Heliophysics (Solar UV and X-ray Monitoring)
• SAPP-6: Heliophysics (Magnetospheric & Plasma Field Mapping)
• SAPP-10: Planetary Science (Gravity & Magnetic Field Surveys)
• Earth Applications:
• EAPP-18: Infrastructure Subsurface Mapping
• UN 2030 SDG Goals:
• SDG-9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
• SDG-11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• R&D Fields:
• 1.3. Physical sciences
• 2.2. Electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering
• Sources:
• SRC-3: Astrophysics Roadmap 2013 (Enduring Quests Daring Visions)

AKRON-15: Ultra-stable pointing & thermal stability

• Taxonomy:
• Platforms: Pointing, stability & disturbance control
• Gap summary:
• Precision sensing is constrained by platform micro-vibration, thermoelastic drift and pointing jitter that exceed detector/optics limits in long integrations.
• Capability today:
• Current spacecraft/platforms achieve good stability but struggle to meet ultra-stable regimes needed for photon-starved, high-dynamic-range measurements.
• Capability needed:
• System-level thermal-mechanical stability and disturbance isolation enabling sustained ultra-stable pointing and optical path stability over mission lifetimes.
• Technologies:
• TECH-27: Precision Attitude Control
• TECH-28: Thermo-Mechanical Stability Engineering
• TECH-29: Disturbance Isolation
• Space Sensing Applications:
• SAPP-4: Astrophysics (Precision Spectroscopy & Photometry)
• Earth Applications:
• EAPP-3: Precision Industrial Metrology
• EAPP-7: Urban Environmental Monitoring
• UN 2030 SDG Goals:
• SDG-9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
• R&D Fields:
• 2.2. Electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering
• 2.3. Mechanical engineering
• Sources:
• SRC-3: Astrophysics Roadmap 2013 (Enduring Quests Daring Visions)

AKRON-16: Contamination control for optical throughput

• Taxonomy:
• Platforms: Contamination & cleanliness
• Gap summary:
• Molecular/particulate contamination degrades optical throughput and calibration stability, limiting long-life precision sensing in both space and high-end terrestrial optics.
• Capability today:
• Contamination control is mission- and facility-specific; on-orbit and in-field throughput loss remains a recurring performance limiter.
• Capability needed:
• Predictive contamination models, material/process controls, and in-flight monitoring/mitigation to sustain optical performance and calibration integrity.
• Technologies:
• TECH-30: Spacecraft Contamination Control
• TECH-31: Optical Surface Protection
• Space Sensing Applications:
• SAPP-1: Astrophysics (UV/Optical Astronomy)
• SAPP-5: Heliophysics (Solar UV and X-ray Monitoring)
• SAPP-8: Planetary Science (Surface & Subsurface Characterisation)
• Earth Applications:
• EAPP-3: Precision Industrial Metrology
• UN 2030 SDG Goals:
• SDG-9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
• R&D Fields:
• 1.4. Chemical sciences
• 2.5. Materials engineering
• 2.11. Other engineering and technologies
• Sources:
• SRC-4: On-Orbit Degradation of Solar Instruments

AKRON-17: Long-life low-vibration cryocoolers

• Taxonomy:
• Platforms: Cryogenic systems
• Gap summary:
• Cryogenic sensing is constrained by long-life low-vibration cooling (2-10 K class) with high reliability and low microphonics.
• Capability today:
• Space cryocoolers exist but exported vibration and lifetime/reliability risk limit the most sensitive instruments and long campaigns.
• Capability needed:
• Qualified long-life low-vibration cryocoolers with validated reliability, reduced exported disturbance and lower power for precision instruments.
• Technologies:
• TECH-32: Space Cryocoolers (Stirling, pulse-tube, JT)
• Space Sensing Applications:
• SAPP-4: Astrophysics (Precision Spectroscopy & Photometry)
• Earth Applications:
• EAPP-1: Medical Diagnostic Imaging
• EAPP-3: Precision Industrial Metrology
• UN 2030 SDG Goals:
• SDG-3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG-9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
• R&D Fields:
• 2.2. Electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering
• 2.3. Mechanical engineering
• Sources:
• SRC-3: Astrophysics Roadmap 2013 (Enduring Quests Daring Visions)

AKRON-18: High-performance rad-tolerant computing

• Taxonomy:
• Electronics: Radiation-tolerant computing
• Gap summary:
• Onboard processing is constrained by the performance/efficiency gap between radiation-tolerant processors and modern compute needs for data-intensive sensing.
• Capability today:
• Rad-hard/rt processors lag commercial parts in throughput and MIPS/W, limiting onboard analytics, autonomy, and compression at the source.
• Capability needed:
• Radiation-tolerant multicore/ accelerated processors and toolchains with substantially higher performance per watt and validated reliability.
• Technologies:
• TECH-33: Radiation-Tolerant High-Performance Spaceflight Computing (HPSC-class)
• Space Sensing Applications:
• SAPP-2: Astrophysics (Far-Infrared Astronomy)
• SAPP-12: Space Environment Monitoring (Radiation & Particles)
• Earth Applications:
• EAPP-2: Radiation Safety and Nuclear Facility Monitoring
• EAPP-9: Industrial Edge Analytics and IoT Sensing
• UN 2030 SDG Goals:
• SDG-9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
• R&D Fields:
• 1.2. Computer and information sciences
• 2.2. Electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering
• Sources:
• SRC-9: NASA’s High Performance Spaceflight Computing (HPSC): White Paper

AKRON-19: Radiation-tolerant high-density memory

• Taxonomy:
• Electronics: Radiation-tolerant memory
• Gap summary:
• High-capacity high-bandwidth memory with radiation tolerance and predictable error behaviour remains limiting for onboard sensing pipelines.
• Capability today:
• Space memory solutions are constrained in capacity/bandwidth; mitigation overhead and upset behaviour restrict buffering and in-situ analytics.
• Capability needed:
• High-density radiation-tolerant memory and controllers with characterised SEU/SEL behaviour, high bandwidth and low-overhead correction.
• Technologies:
• TECH-34: Radiation-Tolerant Space Memory Systems
• Space Sensing Applications:
• SAPP-12: Space Environment Monitoring (Radiation & Particles)
• SAPP-15: Autonomous Deep-Space Observation
• Earth Applications:
• EAPP-3: Precision Industrial Metrology
• UN 2030 SDG Goals:
• SDG-9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
• R&D Fields:
• 1.2. Computer and information sciences
• 2.2. Electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering
• Sources:
• SRC-3: Astrophysics Roadmap 2013 (Enduring Quests Daring Visions)

AKRON-20: Ultra-low-noise front-end readout ASICs

• Taxonomy:
• Electronics: Analogue & mixed-signal electronics
• Gap summary:
• Sensing performance is often limited by front-end electronics noise, dynamic range and power, particularly for large arrays and harsh environments.
• Capability today:
• ROIC/readout designs exist but trade noise vs speed vs power; scaling channels and achieving rad/extreme-environment robustness is difficult.
• Capability needed:
• Low-noise scalable ROIC/ASIC solutions with low power, radiation tolerance, stable linearity/gain and manufacturable integration for large arrays.
• Technologies:
• TECH-35: Readout Integrated Circuits (ROIC)
• TECH-36: Low-Noise Analogue Electronics
• Space Sensing Applications:
• SAPP-1: Astrophysics (UV/Optical Astronomy)
• SAPP-3: Astrophysics (X-ray Astronomy)
• Earth Applications:
• EAPP-1: Medical Diagnostic Imaging
• EAPP-17: Industrial Non-Destructive Testing (NDT)
• UN 2030 SDG Goals:
• SDG-3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG-9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
• R&D Fields:
• 1.3. Physical sciences
• 2.2. Electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering
• Sources:
• SRC-3: Astrophysics Roadmap 2013 (Enduring Quests Daring Visions)

AKRON-21: Extreme-temperature electronics for sensing chains

• Taxonomy:
• Electronics: Extreme-environment electronics
• Gap summary:
• End-to-end sensing chains lack validated operation across extreme temperatures/conditions for long durations while preserving precision (noise/ linearity/ drift).
• Capability today:
• Partial solutions exist but often need thermal conditioning and show reduced precision/lifetime under extreme temperature, pressure or radiation.
• Capability needed:
• Electronics, packaging and calibration strategies that maintain precision under extreme environments without heavy thermal management.
• Technologies:
• TECH-2: Microelectronics
• Space Sensing Applications:
• SAPP-5: Heliophysics (Solar UV and X-ray Monitoring)
• SAPP-11: Planetary Science (Extreme Environment In-Situ Sensing)
• Earth Applications:
• EAPP-6: Environmental Hazard Monitoring
• UN 2030 SDG Goals:
• SDG-9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
• SDG-13: Climate Action
• R&D Fields:
• 1.3. Physical sciences
• 2.2. Electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering
• 2.5. Materials engineering
• Sources:
• SRC-8: NASA Space Technology Roadmaps and Priorities (National Academies): Modelling, Simulation, and Information Technology