Open AccessRealistic Worst Case for a Severe Space Weather Event Driven by a Fast Solar Wind Stream
Author(s) -
Horne Richard B.,
Phillips Mark W.,
Glauert Sarah A.,
Meredith Nigel P.,
Hands Alex D. P.,
Ryden Keith A.,
Li Wen
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
space weather
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.254
H-Index - 56
ISSN - 1542-7390
DOI - 10.1029/2018sw001948
Subject(s) - geostationary orbit , space weather , event (particle physics) , satellite , environmental science , geostationary operational environmental satellite , meteorology , flux (metallurgy) , solar wind , orbit (dynamics) , storm , physics , aerospace engineering , astronomy , plasma , astrophysics , engineering , materials science , quantum mechanics , metallurgy
Satellite charging is one of the most important risks for satellites on orbit. Satellite charging can lead to an electrostatic discharge resulting in component damage, phantom commands, and loss of service and in exceptional cases total satellite loss. Here we construct a realistic worst case for a fast solar wind stream event lasting 5 days or more and use a physical model to calculate the maximum electron flux greater than 2 MeV for geostationary orbit. We find that the flux tends toward a value of 10 6 cm −2 ·s −1 ·sr −1 after 5 days and remains high for another 5 days. The resulting flux is comparable to a 1 in 150‐year event found from an independent statistical analysis of electron data. Approximately 2.5 mm of Al shielding would be required to reduce the internal charging current to below the National Aeronautics and Space Administration‐recommended guidelines, much more than is currently used. Thus, we would expect many satellites to report electrostatic discharge anomalies during such an event with a strong likelihood of service outage and total satellite loss. We conclude that satellites at geostationary orbit are more likely to be at risk from fast solar wind stream event than a Carrington‐type storm.