Providing knowledge of the satellite-killer electrons in near-Earth space using a near real-time data driven space weather model based on ULF-wave radial diffusion.
Enhancements in the flux of relativistic electrons in the Earth’s outer radiation belt can cause sudden damage to sensitive spacecraft electronic components, and can pose a serious health hazard for astronauts. For example, an enhancement in the flux of radiation belt electrons is believed to be responsible for the temporary loss of Telsat, Canada’s Anik E-1 communications satellite and the permanent loss of its sister satellite, Anik E-2. Understanding the conditions which cause these enhancements in the flux of radiation belt electrons, and being able to forecast when they are likely to occur, will enable satellite companies to power down the radiation sensitive components reducing the possible damage resulting from these relativistic electrons. Due to their importance for space-based technology one of the major objectives of NASA’s multi-billion dollar LWS Geospace program is to create the scientific understanding needed to model the physical processes responsible for the acceleration, transport and loss of these radiation belt particles. In addition, one of the primary CGSM scientific objectives is “to elucidate the fundamental processes that cause the energization, transport, and loss of magnetospheric particles”, such as these radiation belt electrons.