F. Gliem

Rain, winds and haze during the Huygens probe's descent to Titan's surface

The irreversible conversion of methane into higher hydrocarbons in Titans stratosphere implies a surface or subsurface methane reservoir. Recent measurements from the cameras aboard the Cassini orbiter fail to see a global reservoir, but the methane and smog in Titans atmosphere impedes the search for hydrocarbons on the surface. Here we report spectra and high-resolution images obtained by the Huygens Probe Descent Imager/Spectral Radiometer instrument in Titans atmosphere. Although these images do not show liquid hydrocarbon pools on the surface, they do reveal the traces of once flowing liquid. Surprisingly like Earth, the brighter highland regions show complex systems draining into flat, dark lowlands. Images taken after landing are of a dry riverbed. The infrared reflectance spectrum measured for the surface is unlike any other in the Solar System; there is a red slope in the optical range that is consistent with an organic material such as tholins, and absorption from water ice is seen. However, a blue slope in the near-infrared suggests another, unknown constituent. The number density of haze particles increases by a factor of just a few from an altitude of 150 km to the surface, with no clear space below the tropopause. The methane relative humidity near the surface is 50 per cent.

TID Test of an 8-Gbit NAND Flash Memory

We report on new results of TID tests on an advanced 8-Gbit NAND-Flash memory. Data error percentage and standby current depend strongly on operational mode. Preventive memory refresh is proposed to move the first error occurrence to significant higher dose values. The count of erase cycles until wear out is not affected by the accumulated dose.

Heavy Ion Sensitivity of 16/32-Gbit NAND-Flash and 4-Gbit DDR3 SDRAM

16/32-Gbit NAND-Flash and 4-Gbit DDR3 SDRAM memories have been tested under heavy ion irradiation. At high LET, 25nm NAND-Flash show MBUs at normal incidence. Techniques for SEFI mitigation in DDR3 SDRAM are studied.

Heavy ion SEE test of 2 Gbit DDR3 SDRAM

New generation 2 Gbit DDR3 SDRAMs from Micron, Samsung and Nanya have been tested under heavy ions. SEFIs significantly outweigh random SEU errors even at low LET; however, SEFIs can be mitigated by frequent re-initialization.

SEU and MBU Angular Dependence of Samsung and Micron 8-Gbit SLC NAND-Flash Memories under Heavy-Ion Irradiation

The angular dependence of the SEU and MBU cross sections of two 8-Gbit NAND-Flash memories, Samsung and Micron, is measured under Ar, Fe, and Kr irradiation. The omnidirectional sensitivity is calculated based on experimental results.

In-Situ TID Test of 4-Gbit DDR3 SDRAM Devices

4-Gbit DDR3 SDRAM devices have been tested for total-dose effects up to 400 krad. Some devices show a very peculiar error pattern, depending on the time a page is kept active.

MBU characterization of NAND-Flash memories under heavy-ion irradiation

The angular dependence of the MBU-Cross-Section of two 8-Gbit-SLC-NAND-Flash and the orientation of the MBU-pattern has been measured.

NAND flash memory in-flight data from PROBA-II spacecraft

This paper presents an analysis of SEE in-flight data on NAND flash memories on-board Technology Demonstration Module (TDM) flying on PROBA-II spacecraft. Proba-II spacecraft has been flying for more than 3 years on a LEO orbit. Observed in-flight error rates are compared with predictions based on ground test data.

New SEE and TID test results for 2-Gbit and 4-Gbit DDR3 SDRAM devices

Different 2-Gbit and 4-Gbit DDR3 SDRAM devices have been tested. Under 60Co, some of them showed a peculiar error pattern. Under heavy ions, none of the tested types displayed any latch-up.

ROSINA's scientific perspective at Churyumov-Gerasimenko

The Rosetta Orbiter Spectrometer for Ion and Neutral Analysis (ROSINA) on board Rosetta is designed to analyze the volatile material of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. We show in this paper that the scientific requirements related to the volatile material of comets in general and specifically to the present Rosetta target can be met by the three ROSINA sensors. ROSINA will answer scientifically important questions concerning the elemental, isotopic and molecular composition of Churyumov-Gerasimenko.