Space Radiation Environment

Spacecraft in near-Earth orbits are exposed to a complex and harsh environment that poses a great challenge to mission design and success. The space radiation environment near Earth composes of three main types of primary radiation: solar energetic particles (SEP), galactic cosmic radiation (GCR) and charged particles trapped in the Earth’s magnetic field. All three types are of different origin, vary greatly in energy and flux and underlie short-term and long-term variations modulated by the sun’s activity.

An essential part of any space mission is on-ground testing of the satellite, satellite systems, sub-systems, and/or components. International test standards ensure the applicability of on-ground radiation tests for in-orbit environments and allow to evaluate the susceptibility of components to the effects of the space radiation environment.

Please register by email: aero@fhwn.ac.at