Auburn University has installed a 200 MeV superconducting proton accelerator to power the nation’s first university-led space electronics testing facility. The new Radiation Hardening Facility, equipped with Mevion’s RAD-FX-200 synchrocyclotron, will simulate the harsh radiation environment of space to assess the reliability of critical microelectronics before launch.
“To provide for a highly reliable defense of our nation and our armed forces, we need to test every microelectronic component for its performance in space,” said Maj. Gen. Jason Cothern, Deputy Director of the Missile Defense Agency, which will have priority access to the facility; a single radiation-induced fault, engineers note, can disable systems like satellites and missile interceptors.
Auburn University’s RAD-FX-200 Accelerator Enables Space Electronics Qualification
The 200 MeV superconducting proton accelerator recently installed at Auburn University’s Applied Research Institute represents a new application of medical technology to national security, effectively simulating the radiation environment of space for critical electronics testing. Manufactured by Mevion Medical Systems, the RAD-FX-200 synchrocyclotron was originally designed to precisely target tumors during cancer treatment; now, that same precision is being used to assess the resilience of microelectronics before deployment on missions. This capability addresses a growing shortage of space-qualifying testing facilities, a need identified by both the Department of Defense and the aerospace industry.
The facility will accelerate protons to 200 MeV, replicating the proton radiation found in near-Earth orbit and during solar particle events, allowing engineers to measure the response of advanced microelectronics. Maj. Gen. Cothern said, “Going forward, we will have priority access to Auburn’s proton cyclotron facility to ensure timely radiation testing of the microelectronics our systems depend on.” Located within a new 50,000-square-foot laboratory in Huntsville’s Cummings Research Park, the Radiation Hardening Facility is strategically positioned near Redstone Arsenal, NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, and U.S. Space Command.
Auburn University views this project as a fulfillment of its mission to serve the state of Alabama and contribute to national security. Steve Taylor, senior vice president of research and economic development at Auburn University, stated, “Auburn takes its mission to serve the people of Alabama very seriously and is proud to answer the call to strengthen national security and be a valuable partner for our Huntsville defense ecosystem.” The facility is slated to begin testing in January 2027 and reach full operational capacity by 2029.
The new Radiation Hardening Facility meets two crucial needs in national security: closing the gap on lack of space-qualifying testing facilities and training the next generation of engineers and scientists to be ready to work in the industry on day one.
Steve Taylor, senior vice president of research and economic development at Auburn University
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