N. V. Kuznetsov

First results of investigating the space environment onboard the Universitetskii-Tatyana satellite

The complex of scientific pay load installed onboard the research and educational Universitetskii-Tatyana microsatellite of Moscow State University is described. The complex is designed to study charged particles in the near-earth space and ultraviolet emissions of the atmosphere. Data of the measurements of charged particle fluxes in the microsatellite orbit are presented, spectra are calculated, and the dynamics of penetration boundaries for protons of solar cosmic rays (SCR) during geomagnetic disturbances in 2005 is investigated. Intensities of the ultraviolet emission are measured in the entire range of variation of the atmospheric irradiation, as well as intensities of auroras in the polar regions of the Northern and Southern hemispheres. The experimental data on flashes of ultraviolet radiation (transient light phenomena in the upper atmosphere) are considered, and some examples of oscillograms of their temporal development and their distribution over geographical coordinates are presented.

Investigations of the space environment aboard the Universitetsky-Tat’yana and Universitetsky-Tat’yana-2 microsatellites

The first results obtained through the university small satellites program developed at Moscow State University (MSU) are presented. The space environment was investigated aboard two MSU microsatellites designed for scientific and educational purposes, Universitetsky-Tat’yana and Universitetsky-Tat’yana-2. The scientific equipment is described to study charged particles in near Earth space and atmospheric radiations in ultraviolet, red, and infrared optical wavelength ranges. The dynamic properties of fluxes of charged particles in microsatellite orbits are studied and findings are presented regarding specific parameters of solar proton penetration during the geomagnetic disturbances. Experimental results are considered concerning flashes of ultraviolet (UV), red (R), and infrared (IR) radiation that are transient light phenomena in the upper atmosphere. The space educational MSU program developed on the basis of the Universitetsky-Tat’yana projects is reviewed.

Occurrence frequency of single event upsets induced on geosynchronous orbit: Model calculations and TDRS-1 experience

Abstract Single event upset rate calculations using a galactic cosmic ray dynamic model and a simple single event upset (SEU) model were carried out. It is shown that the calculated SEU rate for the Fairchild 93L422 RAM chip on the TDRS-1 geosynchronous satellite in 1983–1991 is in good agreement with the experimental data.

An analysis of the SEU rate of microcircuits exposed by the various components of space radiation

In the present paper the experimental and calculated data of SEU rate in microcircuits operating onboard spacecraft are compared. The main features of models and the calculation methods, which are incorporated in the SEREIS software package, are considered. The main features of models, and the calculation methods are considered. The contribution of the different space radiation components (ERB Protons; GCR particles and SEPs) to the SEU rate is discussed with an allowance for the shielding thickness.

Single event upsets of spacecraft microelectronics exposed to solar cosmic rays.

The technique for evaluating the SEU rate induced by solar particle incidence on spacecraft microelectronics is described, including the contributions from the primary (heavy ion-induced) and secondary proton-induced) SEU mechanisms. The technique is based on original computational models for solar particle energy spectra and for SEU occurrence in electronics. The technique was used to analyze the data of the TDRS-1 Fairchild 93L422 IC exposed to protons and ions during the solar cosmic ray event of September-October 1989. The analysis included the distribution of the microcircuit shielding. A strong dependence of solar proton-to-ion ratio on the shielding thickness was indicated by the calculations.

Variation of the trapped proton flux in the inner radiation belt of the earth as a function of solar activity

Fluxes of trapped protons with energies above 70 MeV measured onboard the NOAA-15 satellite during the 23rd solar activity cycle (from 1999 to 2006) are analyzed. Comparing to similar experimental data obtained for 1976–1996, regularities of changes in the proton flux at low drift shells (L = 1.14–1.20) of the Earths’s radiation belt caused by changes in the solar activity are discussed.

Estimates of radiation effect for a spacecraft on the Earth-Mars-Earth route

The space radiation environment predicted for a spacecraft on the Earth-Mars-Earth route at different solar activity levels is analyzed in terms of the Russian-devised models.

Empirical model of pitch-angle distributions of trapped protons on the inner boundary of the Earth’s radiation belt

We have made a generalization of experimental data on the fluxes of trapped protons that were detected by various instruments on three low-orbit satellites (NOAA-17, Universitetskii-Tatiana, and CORONAS-F) during April of 2005. Based on these data, a new quantitative model is suggested to describe the fluxes of trapped protons. It allows one, using analytical expressions, to predict the fluxes of protons with energy from 30 keV to 140 MeV under quiet geomagnetic conditions in the period close to the solar activity minimum at drift shells L = 1.14–1.4. The suggested model establishes differential directional fluxes of protons as a function of pitchangle on the geomagnetic equator and takes into account the anisotropy of trapped particles on the lower boundary of the Earth’s radiation belt.

On the problem of lunar radiation environment

In connection with projects of manned bases on the Moon it becomes topical to estimate radiation danger for their inhabitants. In this paper we describe a method of evaluation of the radiation environment on the lunar surface produced by galactic and solar cosmic rays. The roles of both primary and secondary radiations generated in the depth of the lunar soil under the action of high-energy protons and nuclei are taken into account. Calculated fluxes of particles are used in order to estimate annual averaged absorbed and equivalent local dose rates in tissues. It is established that in the lunar rock the contribution of secondary neutrons to the dose rate exceeds that of protons. The contribution of the secondary particles generated by nuclei of galactic cosmic rays to the dose rate is estimated.

Predictions of integrated circuit serviceability in space radiation fields

Abstract The present paper suggests an approach to estimating and predicting the serviceability of on-board electronic equipment. It is based on the postulates of the reliability theory and accounts for total-dose and single-event radiation effects as well as other exterior destabilizing factors. The methods of determination of failure and upset rates for CMOS devices are considered. The probability of non-failure operation of a two CMOS RAM is calculated along the whole trajectory of the “Solar Probe” spacecraft.