Counterfeit electronics: A threat for new space economy

Counterfeit electronics is a critical reliability concern. It is a form of fraud that could cause personal injury, mission failure and a dramatic reduction of the reliability of systems. In the new space application sector, counterfeit electronics can quickly spread as the utilization of commercial-off-theshelf components is a must as they limit the cost and the procurement time. The present work raises the awareness that using commercial-off-the-shelf components acquired from unauthorised suppliers exposes to the risk of procuring counterfeit devices. Moreover, it provides an overview on the methodologies to mitigate the risks of using suspect fake parts that could be implemented when procuring parts from non-certified suppliers.