Grant Joseph Stockton

Cassini solid-state recorder: a high-capacity, radiation-tolerant, high-performance unit

A high-capacity, high-performance solid-state recorder (SSR) design was chosen for the main software and data-storage system of the Cassini spacecraft. The SSR design was selected rather than candidate moving-tape data-transport designs, which have a demonstrated lifetime. In contrast, the SSR design offers unlimited read and write opportunities. Additionally, the design of the SSR permits definition of up to 16 individual partitions, each controllable and accessible independently of the others. The Cassini SSR is designed to operate during intense radiation events, including passage through Saturns trapped-proton belt, with indiscernible impact on data. Custom application- specific integrated circuits are used throughout the SSR. This paper presents the basic failure-tolerant SSR design and compares it with the design of earlier mechanical data- storage devices. The paper discusses why the move to solid- state recording techniques has brought with it optimal data storage.