Radiation Analysis of LEO Mission in the South Atlantic Anomaly During Geomagnetic Storm

We have studied the radiation environment of LEO spacecraft when passing through the South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA) during the geomagnetic storm event of 15 May 2005. The 70-180 MeV proton flux information were numerically obtained from a simulation model of the inner radiation belt. The radiation analysis was consisted of two parts: the estimation of the Single Event Upset (SEU) rates and the absorbed radiation doses. One of the characteristics of the SAA at 800 km altitude during the recovery phase of the geomagnetic storm was the enhancement of its southern proton flux cell. It was found that the excess SEU rates and absorbed radiation doses could reach at least 200% and 70% respectively during the recovery phase in comparison to the initial phase of the geomagnetic storm. The estimated radiation results were in a good agreement with observations.

Automated summary

The radiation environment of LEO spacecraft passing through the South Atlantic Anomaly during a geomagnetic storm event in May 2005 was studied. It was found that during the recovery phase of the geomagnetic storm, the southern proton flux in the SAA increased, resulting in significantly higher SEU rates and absorbed radiation doses.