Long-Term Energetic-Particle Databases from Geosynchronous and GPS Orbits
Abstract
Since the Vela satellites, first launched in 1963, Los Alamos has had a number of instruments in space to measure energetic radiations from nuclear tests, such as x rays, neutrons, and gamma rays. It soon became clear that we also needed instruments dedicated to the study of the space environment, including energetic particles and the plasma. Energetic particles in space can induce some serious radiation effects in spacecraft. Electrons with energies above about 10 keV can charge the surfaces of spacecraft and change the surface potential. Relativistic electrons (energies greater than approx. 1 MeV) can penetrate deep into material and create hazardous deep dielectric charging. High fluxes of solar energetic particles can create anomalies in electronics and degrade the performance of solar panels and other spacecraft components. A good knowledge of the temporal and spatial variations of these energetic particles is needed in planning future spacecraft and in understanding the Earth's space environment. Energetic particle and plasma measurements by Los Alamos in space began with the second Vela satellite launch in 1963. Since then, Los Alamos has had energetic-particle instruments on twelve spacecraft at geosynchronous orbit since 1976 and on seven satellites of the Global Positioning System (GPS) since 1983. Data from these and other instruments, such as plasma analyzers, have been sent to Los Alamos for processing and analysis. Databases using these data have been or are being established at Los Alamos and are described here.
- Publication:
-
High Energy Radiation Background in Space
- Pub Date:
- 1999
- Bibcode:
- 1999herb.conf...45R
- Keywords:
-
- Geosynchronous Orbits;
- Aerospace Environments;
- Energetic Particles;
- Gamma Rays;
- High Energy Electrons;
- Radiation Effects;
- Relativistic Particles;
- X Rays;
- Global Positioning System;
- Dielectrics;
- Plasmas (Physics);
- Spacecraft Components;
- Spacecraft Orbits;
- Temporal Distribution;
- Vela Satellites;
- Space Radiation