Galileo GIOVE-A MEORAD Results and Analysis

• Published in: IEEE transactions on nuclear science Vol. 55; no. 6; pp. 3151 - 3157
• Main Authors: Taylor, B., Underwood, C., Evans, H., Daly, E., Ryden, K.A., Santin, G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York IEEE 01.12.2008; The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
• Subjects: Belts; CEDEX; electron; Electrons; Event detection; Extraterrestrial measurements; Fluxes; Galileo; GIOVE-A; GSTB-V2; Heavy ions; INTEGRAL; ionising dose; Ionizing radiation; IREM; LET; Merlin; Monitors; Orbits; Payloads; Poles; proton; Protons; radiation belts; radiation environment; radiation monitor; Satellites; Space technology; Spacecraft; Spectra; System testing
• ISSN: 0018-9499; 1558-1578
• DOI: 10.1109/TNS.2008.2006748

The Giove-A spacecraft carries two radiation monitors, CEDEX, built by the University of Surrey and Merlin, built by QinetiQ, to study the radiation environment encountered in the Galileo orbit. The two monitors have been functioning since the beginning of the mission and have measured protons, heavy ions and electrons. The electron environment has been found to be highly variable and driven by solar interactions. Comparisons with AE-8 indicate that the electron energy spectrum for the period measured was somewhat harder than that expected from the model. A series of large solar proton events were detected in December 2006, registering as enhanced fluxes of protons, heavy ions and also triggering a large enhancement in the outer electron belt. Comparisons with POLE and INTEGRAL/IREM show an improved spectral match over AE-8.