Re: [amsat-bb] tantals in space

["Graham Shirville" <g.shirville@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

>
> Tantalum capacitors are most dangerous if not handled with care and
> unreliable compared to electrolytics.
>
> All (large) capacitors in all P3 satellites were made of electrolytics
> with the ends additionally sealed by epoxy, this is no problem et all.
>
But quite a large amount of actual Tantalum metal was used in the
construction of AO40!  A largish sheet was provided and cut up into small
pieces. These were attached to a number of the ICs on board to help protect
them from radiation damage. Apparently better performance/weight ratio than
lead, but just a bit more expensive.

73s

Graham G3VZV

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