Artificial Depletion of the Relativistic Electrons in the Radiation Belt

The lifetime of relativistic electrons in the inner radiation belt is very long, posing persistent harm to space systems, especially to low-earth orbit satellites. We propose to use a space-borne transmitter that radiates VLF waves to reduce the lifetime of these electrons via pitch angle diffusion. The transmitter can be located in a low-altitude high-inclination orbit flying through the feet of the flux tubes in which the electrons are trapped. The wave-particle interaction occurs near and lowers the mirror points of the particles until they fall into the loss-cone. An order of magnitude estimate indicates that to substantially reduce the lifetime of these electrons, i.e. shorten it by factor of 10 from natural processes, a transmitter of a few kilowatts is needed. We will demonstrate the feasibility of such a system