Correlation Of GSO Satellite Anomalies With Space Weateher Data
- Paper number
IAC-07-D5.2.03
- Author
Dr. C.G. Patil, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), India
- Coauthor
Dr. M.Y.S. Prasad, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), India
- Coauthor
Prof. Girija Rajaram, India
- Year
2007
- Abstract
Geostationary Satellites, more than other categories of satellites, are most vulnerable to the harmful effects of Space Weather, because their constant orbit- altitude of 6.6Re ( 40,000km from Earth’s centre) leaves them exposed continuously to the outer edge of the Earth’s Outer Van Allen Radiation Belt. This location is actually a region which undergoes dynamic alternation between the Outer edge of the Radiation Belt, the Plasmatrough, and the Inner edge of the Central Plasma Sheet (the CPS or the reservoir in which the maximum amount of Solar-Terrestrial exchange of Solar particle and field energy occurs). Three different types of magnetospheric processes operate at these regions, and they result in GSO satellites spending their lifetime surrounded by rapidly varying near-relativistic charged particle distributions. Vast quantities of electrical charge particles periodically accumulate around components which go into the fabrication of instruments aboard the satellites. The charge accumulation often results in Arcing which takes place irrespective of whether the charged surface is a Conductor, a Semi-conductor or an Insulator. This gives rise to a variety of Operational problems in GSO satellite instruments, and in rare cases that can extend to complete loss of control and command of the satellite, and hence the total loss of the satellite.
It is the 1-5 MeV electrons which are likely to cause the maximum damage to GSO satellites. Our studies of 2 MeV electron fluxes at GSO (Geostationary orbit) indicate that when the Flux of this energy band exceeds 103 cm-2sr-1s-1, or if the 24-hour Fluence exceeds 6x1010 cm-2day-1, then Satellite Operational Anomalies definitely follow in the GSO satellites. Very often it is too late to do anything about mitigating the damage because it is the GSO satellites which themselves measure the ‘killer electron’ fluxes, and give warning after they have arrived at the damage-susceptible regions. It would be far more useful to study other clues to Space Weather in the Interplanetary Medium itself, and thus predict the arrival of the high-energy particles at GSO orbit.
A thorough study of anomalies that occurred in GSO Satellites over the years, and of the associated Space Weather manifestations starting from the Solar surface itself, through Interplanetary Space were studied. 95
This paper presents the categories of observed anomalies, and their correlation with various parameters of Inter planetary space. Paper also describes the cause and effects, threshold of various parameters for the occurrence of satellite anomalies, and the prediction models developed. Further work being pursued is also explained.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-07-D5.2.03.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.