Supporting space weather research with high-precision timing
Magics is proud to announce that its MAG TDC (Time-to-Digital Converter) is now operating in orbit onboard the International Space Station (ISS), contributing to ongoing space weather research.
This milestone marks the transition from development and qualification to in-orbit operation, a key step in demonstrating the performance and reliability of Magics’ radiation-tolerant timing technology in real mission conditions.
From Qualification to Orbit
The MAG TDC has undergone extensive development, including multiple design iterations, radiation validation, and qualification testing, to ensure reliable operation in harsh environments.
Now deployed in space, the device is being used as part of a system dedicated to space weather monitoring, where precise timing and measurement are critical to understanding and predicting the effects of solar activity on space and ground-based infrastructure.
Enabling Accurate Measurement in Space
Time-to-Digital Converters play a key role in capturing high-resolution timing information, enabling accurate event detection and signal analysis. In space weather applications, this contributes to improved data quality and more reliable forecasting models.
Operating in orbit introduces additional constraints, including radiation exposure, thermal variation, and long-term reliability requirements, conditions for which the MAG TDC has been specifically designed.
From Lab to Mission
The deployment of the MAG TDC on the ISS reflects the culmination of years of engineering effort, from early design through validation and system integration.
It also represents an important milestone for Magics, demonstrating the readiness of its technology for mission-critical applications beyond Earth.
As the system continues to operate in orbit, it will contribute valuable data and further validate the performance of high-reliability timing solutions in space.
🔗 Read more about the mission:
https://www.lanl.gov/media/newsletters/ste-highlights/09-2025-space-weather-forecasting
