The use of proton testing for evaluating COTS: example of a commercial camera for ISS

With the increasing demand for high performance and lower cost, commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) parts are being applied to many space applications. Because certain products have a large quantity of COTS devices, testing them individually can become cost prohibitive and complex. Proton testing provides such a compromise. Depending on the space environment and the application, proton testing can be a cost effective technique for evaluating parts. This paper presents some of the advantages and disadvantages in considering tradeoffs between protons versus heavy ion testing. Such a case is discussed of using a commercial video controller and CCD for a LEO system such as the International Space Station where COTS are heavily being considered. Possible risk mitigating steps are suggested to reduce the possibility of a catastrophic failure