Space Weather

The mission averaged integral >0.04 MeV electron flux (left) and resulting ionising dose in Si as function of Al shielding thickness (right) along
a typical Galileo spacecraft orbit for a three year mission. The AE-8 MAX flux and the SHIELDOSE-2Q dose are calculated using SPENVIS.

The service "Spacecraft Design - Environment specification: data archive" aims to provide, for past or future spacecraft, statistical information on the space environment (i.e. ionising radiation, plasma, microparticles, atmosphere, and UV) and its effects (e.g. dose, single event upset, sensor background, cumulated charge, spacecraft anomalies, microparticle impacts), as well as long-term solar cycle prediction since several spacecraft effects exhibit solar cycle variation. Such information is needed for tailored design of space systems especially in relation to radiation protection, electromagnetic compatibility and microparticle impacts. The service is intended for personnel involved in generating space environment specifications for the design of spacecraft.

This service is implemented through a combination of products and tools which can be found through the following tabs along with expert support provided by the teams constituting the ESA Space Weather Service Network. Should you require further guidance in the use of this service, or have specific questions about any aspects of the service presented here, don’t hesitate to contact the Helpdesk.

SPENVIS

SEDAT

SEPEM

EDID

UTU-SEP

EPT

SREM

MSSL

SPM

SaRIF

SWE Data

 

A number of models and in-orbit sensor datasets are made available with the help of tools and products such as:

• the Space Environment Information System (SPENVIS) coupling several empirical and engineering models of the space environment and its effects on spacecraft or components based on a mission plan;
• the Space Environment Data System (SEDAT) allows engineering analyses to be carried out on datasets related to the spacecraft charged particle environments;
• the Solar Energetic Particle Environment Modelling application (SEPEM) allowing solar energetic particle statistical analyses on an extended set of cross-calibrated data;
• the European Debris Impact Database (EDID) provides data processing and dissemination functions for measurements from European debris and meteoroid impact detectors;
• the Space Research Laboratory Solar Energetic Particles (UTU-SEP) products provide access to a high energy SEP event list as well as the calculation of the expected high energy proton fluence and worst-case proton flux for a specific mission length due to SEPs;
• measurements and derived data products from the Energetic Particle Telescope (EPT) on PROBA-V;
• measurements and derived data products from the Standard Radiation Environment Monitors (SREM) on Proba-1, Integral, Rosetta, Herschel and Planck;
• the electron population model from Mullard Space Science Laboratory (MSSL) for LEO, MEO and GEO as function of solar wind speed and Kp index;
• the SWIFF Plasmasphere Model (SPM) dynamical simulation provides the number density and temperatures of the electrons as a function of time;
• the Satellite Risk Indicators Forecast (SaRIF) provides colour-coded risk indicators showing the risk from internal charging and total ionising dose for the outer radiation belt and slot region, as well as a recontruction of these environments;
• the Space Weather Data Browsing and Analysis (SWE Data) provides access to space weather environment data.

This service page is curated by the ESC Space Radiation. For further information, please contact SSCC Helpdesk.

SOHO/LASCO coronagraph image showing
contamination by energetic particles
associated with solar activity (© ESA)
 

Impact crater (size 4 mm) on solar cell
retrieved from space (© ESA)

The space environments considered include energetic particle radiation, plasmas, atmospheres, micro-particles, and contamination. They can all cause serious problems for space systems that need to be carefully taken into account during the development of spacecraft. The radiation environment, consisting of radiation belts, cosmic rays, and solar energetic particles causes effects such as radiation damage, single-event upsets in electronics, background in detectors, and health hazards to astronauts. The plasma environment increases electrostatic charging of spacecraft parts or affects scientific instruments. The residual upper atmosphere causes surface erosion by atomic oxygen. Finally the micro-meteoroids and space debris environments introduce significant risks for manned and unmanned spacecraft.

A possible starting point when preparing space environment specifications for a spacecraft design is the Space Environment Information System (SPENVIS). This tool allows the execution of a set of space environment models based on a mission scenario (mission duration, typical spacecraft trajectories and spacecraft attitude) and to evaluate impacts and risks by propagating the results into engineering models. The tool includes graphical visualisation and an extended help with background information and references to the European standards. For a more comprehensive analysis of the space environment effects, the SPENVIS output could be exported to more specific applications, such as GRAS (Geant4 Radiation Analysis for Space) or SPIS (Spacecraft Plasma Interaction Software), that are taking into account the detailed geometry of the spacecraft.

When the available models don't include the appropriate statistical information, a tool such as SEDAT (Space Environment DATa system) could be considered. SEDAT allows a wide range of engineering analyses to be carried out using a comprehensive set of in-situ space environment datasets. The flexibility of the tool authorises the tailoring of the data processing to the problem under study and the incorporation of new datasets.

The Space Environment Standard ECSS-E-ST-10-04 (see Auxiliary Info) provides principles for determining the local induced environment and guidelines for the model and parameter selection process. The table below summarises typical programmatic concerns related to the space environment.

For further information, please contact SSCC Helpdesk.

No alerts are associated with this service.

This section provides links to web pages or resources that are not part of the ESA Space Weather Service Network or esa.int domain.  These sites are not under ESA control, and therefore ESA is not responsible for any of the information or links that you may find there. 

Reference documents

• ECSS-E-ST-10-04C Space environment (15 June 2020)
• ECSS-E-ST-20-06C Spacecraft charging (15 May 2019)
• ECSS-E-ST-10-12C Method for the calculation of radiation received and its effects, and a policy for design margins (issued on 15 November 2008)
• ECSS-E-HB-10-12A Calculation of radiation and its effects and margin policy handbook (issued on 17 December 2010)