Toward the development of new standard radiation belt and space plasma models for spacecraft engineering

Abstract

An international meeting on New Standard Radiation Belt and Space Plasma Models for Spacecraft Engineering, sponsored by NASA's Living With a Star Program, was held in 2004 to begin rebuilding the infrastructure required to develop new standard radiation belt and plasma environment models. The goal of one standard model will be accomplished in stages, including the formation of interim regional models, the calibration and incorporation of existing data sets, and the gathering of new data through future science missions. The Committee on Space Research/Panel for Radiation Belt Environment Modeling will play a central role in standardization and data archiving. Workshop attendees support the standardization of two interim models: a model of geostationary orbit electrons and a model of inner belt protons. Two future missions are planned or are being planned to provide missing measurements and to increase the scientific understanding of the particle dynamics. This information will lead to more robust modeling of the particle environment for the design and operation of spacecraft for space exploration as well as for industry and military applications.