In recent years, the development of commercial spacecraft has accelerated globally, and in Japan as well, privately-led satellite launches—particularly of small satellites—have become increasingly active. As a result, the use of Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) electronic components in spacecraft has progressed, driven by the need to reduce development costs and timelines. However, to ensure reliability in the harsh space radiation environment, the demand for radiation tolerance evaluation has surged. On the other hand, Japan’s domestic radiation testing infrastructure faces several challenges: the labor-intensive process of component selection, the lack of standardized testing and evaluation methods, the complexity of utilizing irradiation facilities, and issues related to equipment congestion and aging. These issues render the current system vulnerable to the expected surge in testing demand. This paper identifies these challenges based on insights from a study group involving 105 organizations across industry, academia, and government, as well as the results of a supply-demand survey. It then proposes a radiation testing platform centered around a shared access point for irradiation facilities, support functions, and a COTS component database. Furthermore, the paper discusses the potential ripple effects of this platform on emerging markets such as lunar exploration, next-generation satellite communications, and the global deployment of COTS components, illustrating its potential as an infrastructure that can enhance the international competitiveness of Japanese companies.
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