Low altitude dose measurements from APEX, CRRES and DMSP

Dosimeter data taken on the APEX (1994–1996), CRRES (1990–1991) and DMSP (1984–1987) satellites have been used to study the low altitude (down to 350 km) radiation environment. Of special concern has been the inner edge of the inner radiation belt due to its steep gradient. We have constructed dose...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Advances in space research 1998, Vol.21 (12), p.1651-1660
Main Authors: Mullen, E.G., Gussenhoven, M.S., Bell, J.T., Madden, D., Holeman, E., Delorey, D.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Altitude
Electrons
Extraterrestrial Environment
Linear Energy Transfer
Magnetics
Models, Theoretical
Protons
Radiation Dosage
Radiation Monitoring - instrumentation
Radiation Protection
Software
Space Flight - instrumentation
Spacecraft - instrumentation
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Dosimeter data taken on the APEX (1994–1996), CRRES (1990–1991) and DMSP (1984–1987) satellites have been used to study the low altitude (down to 350 km) radiation environment. Of special concern has been the inner edge of the inner radiation belt due to its steep gradient. We have constructed dose models of the inner edge of the belt from all three spacecraft and put them into a personal computer utility, called APEXRAD, that calculates dose for user-selected orbits. The variation of dose for low altitude, circular orbits is given as a function of altitude, inclination and particle type. Dose-depth curves show that shielding greater than ∼ 1/4 in Al is largely ineffectual for low altitude orbits. The contribution of outer zone electrons to low altitude dose is shown to be important only for thin shields and to have significant variation with magnetic activity and solar cycle.
ISSN:0273-1177
1879-1948
DOI:10.1016/S0273-1177(98)00009-X