Artemis II to Monitor Cosmic Radiation with ADVACAM Technology

When the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket departs from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on February 6, 2026, it will carry four astronauts and six specialized cosmic radiation monitoring chips supplied by ADVACAM. These chips are integral to the Hybrid Electronic Radiation Assessor (HERA) system, designed to assess the composition of cosmic radiation throughout the mission. This initiative marks NASA’s first crewed mission to the Moon since the historic Apollo 17 in 1972.

The HERA system will play a crucial role during the ten-day flight as the astronauts orbit the Moon, testing critical life-support systems aboard the Orion spacecraft. Although they will not land on the lunar surface, this mission is significant as it serves as a rehearsal for the anticipated Artemis III mission, which aims to return astronauts to the Moon in the following years.

Significance of Cosmic Radiation Monitoring

Cosmic radiation poses potential risks to astronaut health and can affect the performance of sensitive onboard electronics. The HERA system will not only monitor radiation levels but also verify the effectiveness of the spacecraft’s radiation shielding. According to Jan Jakůbek, Scientific Director at ADVACAM, the technology employed in these chips is highly advanced. “These are extremely sensitive pixel chips capable of detecting every single particle of cosmic radiation and determining its energy, direction, interaction time, and particle type,” he explained. This capability allows for detailed analysis of radiation composition, which is essential as different cosmic particles have varying effects on health and technology.

The chips are assembled into two Hera Sensor Unit (HSU) units, each containing three Timepix modules. The HERA system autonomously processes the data gathered, providing the crew with real-time dosimetric information, including alerts during significant radiation events.

ADVACAM’s Role in Space Exploration

ADVACAM has been a certified supplier for NASA since 2013, delivering numerous detectors and chip modules based on the innovative Timepix technology. This technology has been utilized in various other space missions, including deployments aboard the International Space Station (ISS) and satellites like OneWeb’s Joey Sat. Additionally, radiation monitoring will be integrated into the future lunar orbital station, Gateway, through the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Internal Dosimetry Array (IDA) system.

Jan Sohar, CEO of ADVACAM, noted that the inclusion of their technology in the Artemis program signifies a major achievement for the company. “This is a clear indication that detailed radiation measurement is becoming an increasingly important part of human spaceflight, especially for deeper-space missions,” he stated. The chips will also be used during Artemis III, further demonstrating their relevance in upcoming lunar exploration.

Beyond the Artemis program, ADVACAM and its affiliated company, AdVaSpace, aim to expand their focus on processing and delivering radiation data. AdVaSpace is developing software tools to interpret radiation data and plans to create a satellite constellation using MiniPIX SPACE detectors. This constellation will share vital space weather data with various sectors, including aviation and power networks, similar to how meteorological satellites operate.

ADVACAM’s technology stems from research conducted at the CERN Large Hadron Collider (LHC). The company operates under a license from the Medipix Collaboration, which is committed to the development and commercialization of chip technology. As part of the AdVisiones Technologies technology hub, ADVACAM and AdVaSpace continue to innovate in radiation detection, aiming to enhance safety and efficiency in both space and terrestrial applications.

For more information, contact:
Barbora Velebilová
Communications Specialist, AdVisiones Technologies
+420 605 336 695
[Email Address]