XPost: misc.misc   
   From: henry@spsystems.net   
      
   In article ,   
   Matthew Montchalin   wrote:   
   >|Once ISS' electronics are fried by the Van Allen belts, it will be   
   >|a dead hulk...   
   >   
   >Can you describe the extent of the 'frying?' Is there going to be   
   >so much electrical charge that it arcs around the ship and melts   
   >holes through it?   
      
   No, nothing so spectacular.  The semiconductors in the electronics will   
   simply start glitching, become erratic, and finally stop working   
   altogether due to accumulated radiation damage.   
   --   
   "Think outside the box -- the box isn't our friend."    |   Henry Spencer   
                                   -- George Herbert       | henry@spsystems.net   
      
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