RADIATION EFFECTS AWARDS
Reno Harboe Sorensen receives the
2007 NSREC Radiation Effects Award

Reno Harboe Sorensen started his space career in 1970 when he joined the components laboratory of the European Space Research Organisation (ESRO) where he performed Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) on semiconductors, X-ray analysis and supported other failure analysis work and evaluation activities. By 1975, when ESRO was integrated into the newly founded European Space Agency (ESA), Reno had started to turn his interest to radiation effects and employed the SEM as a micro radiation source and characterized device behavior under X-ray influence. In the following years, together with the late Len Adams, Reno developed a profound know-how on radiation effects and increased the awareness about radiation effects in ESA projects. Since that time he has planned, performed and reported hundreds of radiation test campaigns and initiated numerous studies on basic mechanisms and novel test approaches. In the process, Reno has become a widely recognized expert with a particular focus on Single Event Effects. His involvement in the development and improvement of European test facilities for radiation effects studies, such as the PIF, HIF and RADEF has been of crucial importance. Reno’s contribution to the space radiation effects community is impressively documented through his publications at NSREC and RADECS, through his forming influence on many of his young peers and through his constructive involvement in the RADECS Association. His citation reads: For contributions to the dissemination and advancement of radiation effects research associated with hardened systems for space applications.