Semiconductor Materials for Resilient Space Sensor Systems and Crew Protection
Semiconductor Materials for Resilient Space Sensor Systems and Crew Protection

Summary/Abstract: This review assesses semiconductor materials for resilient crew-protection sensor systems in human spaceflight, focusing on radiation monitors, atmosphere and trace-contaminant sensors, pressure-integrity sensors, and temperature or thermal-state sensors. Silicon is the reference platform, while SiC, GaN and AlGaN/GaN platforms, β-Ga2O3, diamond, and selected ultrawide-bandgap materials are evaluated as harsh-environment alternatives. No single semiconductor is optimal for all functions; suitability depends on how intrinsic properties are translated into stable device behavior through defects, interfaces, contacts, and packaging. Current literature indicates that SiC offers the strongest near-term overall balance for radiation, pressure, and thermal sensing, while GaN-based platforms are especially promising for atmosphere, gas, and leak-related sensing

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