This paper outlines the design of the space radiation detection experiment RADS to demonstrate new shielding materials in space during the Athene-1 mission, as well as the Gena-OT1 CubeSat precursor mission. The experiment compares new materials in the form of functional layers integrated into fibre-reinforced composite structures against traditional aluminium shielding. Trapped-particle motion is considered to maximise the exposure of the experiment in space. The radiation sensing units are based on off-the-shelf electronic components. Dosimeters based on a floating-gate MOSFET architecture are used to represent the damage mechanism in electronic devices exposed to space radiation.
