Satellite Anomalies due to Space Storms

Abstract

Space weather is a term that refers to the dynamic, highly variable conditions in the geospace environment. This includes conditions on the sun, in the interplanetary medium, and in the magnetosphere-ionosphere-thermosphere system. Rapid changes in the near-Earth space environment during major geomagnetic disturbances can affect the performance and reliability of both spacecraft and ground-based systems. Modern spacecraft systems and subsystems appear to show an increasing susceptibility to effects of the space environment including communication, navigation, and reconnaissance satellite operational anomalies. This trend is probably due to “softer” designs of electronic components, reduction in subsystem sizes, and increases in performance demands. The major elements of the space environment that contribute to spacecraft anomalies can be reasonably well identified. This paper reviews operational anomaly trends and assesses the identification and potential prediction of causative space weather. We discuss the principal adverse space environmental effects presently known including cosmic rays, trapped magnetospheric radiation, and solar energetic particles. The scientific underpinnings for present prediction methods in space weather are also considered.