Apparatus and method for operating electronics while protecting from radiation

Apparatus for protection of electronics in a radiation-prone environment from incoming particles liable to cause damage via energy deposition, the apparatus comprising:

• at least first and second radiation-detecting layers covering at least partially at least two sides of at least one radiation-sensitive electronic device to be protected, wherein the said at least first and second radiation detecting layers are configured to obtain a track of said detected particle, the at least first and second radiation-detecting layers being configured to obtain an estimation of a type of said detected particle and a difference in energy of said detected particle measured between said at least two radiation detection layers respectively;
• a stress assessment unit configured to determine whether said type and said measured difference in energy of the incoming particle implies the particle may be a threat to the radiation-sensitive electronic device;
• and
• a protection module associated with the stress-assessment unit and configured to power down the radiation-sensitive electronic device within a predetermined time after the incoming particle has been detected, thereby to protect the radiation sensitive electronic device from damage due to the detected particle, or to issue an indication that a current operation of said at least one radiation-sensitive electronic device is unreliable.