The 2024 IEEE NPSS School of Space Qualification (SSQ) took place in Mooloolaba, Australia, 12^th – 15^th February. It was organized by the Centre for Medical Radiation Physics (CMRP), University of Wollongong under NPSS Educational Committee (EduCom) with co-sponsorship from the Australian Space Agency (ASA), University of Wollongong (UOW) and University of New South Wales (UNSW).

SSQ was founded by Anatoly Rozenfeld, CMRP UOW in consultation with Dan Fleetwood, Vanderbilt University in 2022 as a virtual workshop to address growing demand from the Australian space industry for electronic radiation space qualifications and building radiation hardness assurance (RHA) expertise. This two-day workshop, attended by students, academics and industry professionals was very successful with strong positive feedback and requests to continue as the School of Space Qualification.

SSQ2023 was sponsored by NPSS EduCom and ASA and run by CMRP successfully 11^th – 13^th February in Noosa, Australia. The Faculty of 10 internationally recognised experts in space radiation effects in electronics from the USA, Europe and Japan including NASA, ESA, National Laboratories, space industry and academics presented lectures which were attended by more than 50 people and was of great success.

SSQ 2024 in Mooloolaba

SSQ2024 was delivered by a Faculty of 15 experts in space radiation effects from the USA, France, Italy, Japan, Czech, Switzerland and Australia who are well known to NSREC and RADECS communities. SSQ2024 was attended by 78 delegates including a number of students from Australia, South Korea, Switzerland, UK and Japan

The opening lecture on space radiation environments by Janet Barth was amazing and very educational. The program has covered wide aspects of space radiation effects in electronics, radiation hardness assurance practices with examples for specific space missions presented by experts from the space industry.

During the last day a special session was held where Australian colleagues presented progress on Australian capabilities for RHA nurtured through learned experience and collaboration built during SSQ 2022 and 2023. A special talk on SEE in medical devices on the ground due to atmospheric neutrons demonstrated the importance of learning concepts from space exploration.

SSQ 2024 included hands-on experience for students on SEE studies at the Centre for Accelerator Science at the Australian National Science and Technology Organization (ANSTO) and visit to CMRP to learn laser facility techniques for SEE study on 8^th and 9^th February respectively. Faculty instructors Ani Khakhatrian (NRL), Francoise Bezerra (CNES), Samya Ahdjoudi (Thales Alenia), Marta Bagatin and Simone Gerardin (University of Padova) have shared their experience during this visit that was very useful for students and the Australian National Space Qualification Network (NSQN).

Each session concluded with a Q&A, providing interactive discussion and learning. The full program can be seen on the website.

The School Social Day was held on 14^th February and allowed continuing discussions in the pleasant Pacific beaches atmosphere of Mooloolaba and Noosa and places surrounding this area. The social day was culminated by the Gala dinner at the Mantra Mooloolaba Beach Resort with background music of local acoustic guitarist and singer Andrea Kirwin.

Sunshine Coast WIN News highlighted the SSQ2024 event with an interview of Anatoly Rozenfeld and Francoise Bezerra  — a great promotion of IEEE NPSS educational activities.  We received very positive feedback from participants and faculty on the valuable experience gained during the School and School organization, respectively.  NPSS SSQ is very appreciated by ASA and NSQN and leading to grow involvement of the Asia Pacific region and Australia in particular to NSREC and RADECS activities.   

Anatoly Rozenfeld, University of Wollongong, can be reached at [email protected]