Radiation Effects on Satellites During Extreme Space Weather Events
2018
High-energy trapped electrons in the Van Allen belts pose a threat to the survivability of orbiting
spacecraft. Two key radiation effects are total ionizing dose and displacement damage dose in components
and materials, both of which cause cumulative and largely irreversible damage. During an extreme space
weather event, trapped electron
fl
uxes in the Van Allen belts can increase by several orders of magnitude in
intensity, leading to an enhanced risk of satellite failure. We use extreme environments generated by
modeling and statistical analyses to estimate the consequences for satellites in terms of the radiation effects
described above. A worst-case event could lead to signi
fi
cant losses in power generating capability
—
up
to almost 8%
—
and cause up to four years
’
worth of ionizing dose degradation, leading to component
damage and a life-shortening effect on satellites. The consequences of such losses are hugely signi
fi
cant
given our increasing reliance on satellites for a vast array of services, including communication, navigation,
defense, and critical infrastructure.
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