Spatial distribution of high-energy protons in the inner radiation belt, according to data from the ARINA and VSPLESK satellite experiments

Abstract

Measurements of high-energy proton fluxes (30–100 MeV) by the low-orbit satellite experiments ARINA (Resurs-DK1 satellite; inclination, ~70°; altitude, ~600 km; 2006–2016) and VSPLESK (International Space Station (ISS); inclination, ~52°; altitude, ~400 km; 2008–2013) are considered. The spectrometers have the same physical layouts, 10% energy resolution, and 7° angular resolution. Proton fluxes of different energies in the inner radiation belt (L < 2.0) are analyzed. The period of observation covers the declining phase of the 23rd solar cycle and the main part of the 24th cycle. The distribution of fluxes is analyzed for different proton energies, L-shells, and geomagnetic field inductions. It is shown that depending on the L-shell, proton fluxes can grow by up to 7 times (L = 1.16) during the Solar minimum, compared to the Solar maximum.