ECSS-E-50-12 Compliant On-Board Spacecraft Data Networks
SpaceWire Cables: 200 Mbit/s On-Board Data Networks for Spacecraft
Gore SpaceWire cables comply with the ESA SpaceWire standard (ECSS-E-50-12), enabling reliable 200 Mbit/s high-speed data networks that connect spacecraft processors, instruments, mass memory, and telemetry systems through EMI-shielded, space-qualified interconnects.
ESA SpaceWire standard-compliant cables for high-speed on-board data handling networks in spacecraft, enabling reliable 200 Mbit/s communication. Gore SpaceWire cables combine the electrical performance required by the ECSS-E-50-12 standard with the environmental qualification demanded by space programs — radiation tolerance, low outgassing, and extreme thermal performance.
Why Choose Gore SpaceWire Cables?
Full ECSS-E-50-12 Standard Compliance
The SpaceWire standard defines detailed cable electrical requirements including characteristic impedance (100 Ω differential), signal rise time, propagation delay, and EMI shielding effectiveness. Gore SpaceWire cables are designed and characterized to meet these specifications, simplifying the compliance verification process for system integrators and reducing the risk of SpaceWire link margin failures during system testing.
EMI Shielding for Clean Data in Noisy Spacecraft
Spacecraft are electrically noisy environments — switching power converters, reaction wheel motors, and RF transmitters all generate electromagnetic interference that can corrupt high-speed serial data. Gore SpaceWire cables provide high-effectiveness EMI shielding that maintains signal integrity at 200 Mbit/s even when routed alongside power cables in dense harness bundles.
Space-Grade Environmental Qualification
Standard SpaceWire cables designed for ground use lack the radiation tolerance, low outgassing, and thermal cycling capability required for flight. Gore SpaceWire cables add full space environmental qualification to the SpaceWire electrical performance — covering radiation hardening, ECSS outgassing compliance, and the -180°C to +200°C operating temperature range of orbital environments.
Technical Specifications
- Standard Compliance
- ECSS-E-50-12 (SpaceWire)
- Data Rate
- Up to 200 Mbit/s
- Characteristic Impedance
- 100 Ω differential
- EMI Shielding
- High-effectiveness braid + foil
- Insulation
- Radiation-tolerant ePTFE
- Operating Temperature
- -180°C to +200°C
- Outgassing
- ECSS-Q-ST-70-02 compliant
Applications
- On-board data handling (OBDH) computer network interconnects
- Science instrument to mass memory data buses
- Image data routing from Earth observation cameras
- Star tracker and AOCS sensor data links
- Remote terminal unit (RTU) data collection networks
- Spacecraft avionics cross-strapping and redundancy buses
Industries Served
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the SpaceWire standard and why does it matter for cable selection?
SpaceWire (ECSS-E-50-12) is an ESA-developed standard for high-speed serial links in spacecraft. It specifies point-to-point links at up to 200 Mbit/s using Low Voltage Differential Signaling (LVDS). The cable must meet specific impedance, attenuation, and shielding requirements to achieve reliable link operation — making cable specification a direct factor in system performance.
Can Gore SpaceWire cables be used with commercial SpaceWire router ASICs?
Yes. Gore SpaceWire cables are compatible with all commercial SpaceWire router and endpoint ASICs (including those from Aeroflex/Gaisler, STAR-Dundee, and others) when used within the cable length limits specified by the standard for the chosen data rate.
What is the maximum cable length for SpaceWire at 200 Mbit/s?
The ECSS-E-50-12 standard recommends maximum cable lengths that depend on the cable's electrical characteristics. Gore SpaceWire cables' low attenuation and controlled impedance support links at the maximum data rates and typical spacecraft internal lengths. Contact RSTECH for link budget analysis support for your specific topology.
Does RSTECH stock SpaceWire cable or is it made-to-order?
SpaceWire cable for space programs is typically procured on a project basis due to the documentation and traceability requirements. RSTECH Electronics manages the ordering and documentation process from Gore's production facilities. Contact us early in your program planning to ensure cable availability aligns with your integration schedule.
Ready to source SpaceWire Cables in Israel?
Contact RSTECH Electronics — your authorized Gore representative in Israel.