Abstract
This study attempted to identify whether space radiation sources could have affected the communication on RazakSAT-1 that was orbiting in a Low Earth Orbit-Near Equatorial (LEO-NEqO). Data on galactic cosmic rays (GCR), trapped protons, trapped electrons, and solar energetic particles (SEPs) obtained from Space Environment Information System (SPENVIS)are considered. The effects of these radiation sources are analyzed using the linear energy transfer (LET), total ionizing dose(TID), and solar cell degradation. Flux data from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) 15, 16, and 17 satellites, and the geomagnetic conditions during the time when RazakSAT-1’s missing is also analyzed. Another two satellites, Satelite de Coleta de Dados (SCD-2) and Advanced Land Observation Satellite (ALOS), are compared with the performance of RazakSAT-1. Results showed that GCR dominated at a high energy range of 103 MeV and above in the LEO-NEqO, whereas the energies of the trapped protons and trapped electrons are less than 400 MeV and 4 MeV, respectively. There are no SEPs estimated during the mission period (2009 – 2011). Based on the SPENVIS, SCD-2 and ALOS are more exposed to higher radiation damage than RazakSAT-1. Thus, an analysis of space radiation environment effects on the RazakSAT-1 communication lost after one year of operation will be discussed further, as a platform to fi nd the best strategy for future missions.
Highlights
RazakSAT-1, which was launched in 2009, is Malaysia’s second remote sensing satellite after TiungSAT-1 satellite (Ahmad 2013)
The lower galactic cosmic rays (GCR) fluxes are due to the fact that most of the incoming GCR have been attenuated by the Earth’s magnetic field while the inner radiation belt, the South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA), are already in low earth orbit (LEO)/near-equatorial orbit (NEqO) and it contributes to the trapped particles population
The radiation environment in the LEO/NEqO of the RazakSAT-1 was assessed through the fluxes of three space radiation sources: GCR, solar energetic particles (SEPs), and trapped particles
Summary
RazakSAT-1, which was launched in 2009, is Malaysia’s second remote sensing satellite after TiungSAT-1 satellite (Ahmad 2013). The satellite was designed to operate in a low earth orbit (LEO) and near-equatorial orbit (NEqO) at an altitude of 685 km with 9° of inclination. This orbital position allows for a satellite revisit frequency of 90 min, which is more frequent than a sunsynchronous orbital satellite. At this altitude, RazakSAT-1 can monitor the equatorial environment. The high-resolution images contribute to Malaysia’s development by aiding land management, resource development and forestry. This study was motivated by this situation with aim to verify whether space radiation environment of LEO-NEqO had a role in affecting the mission
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