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A537 SPACE ORIENTATION. Lesson 2 Space Environment & Orbital Mechanics. Electromagnetic radiation and electrically-charged particles stream outward from the Sun and engulf the Earth. The radiation and particles interact with the Earth’s magnetic field and atmosphere. The Space Environment.
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A537 SPACE ORIENTATION Lesson 2SpaceEnvironment &Orbital Mechanics
Electromagnetic radiation and electrically-charged particles stream outward from the Sun and engulf the Earth. The radiation and particles interact with the Earth’s magnetic field and atmosphere. The Space Environment Electromagnetic radiation Magnetosphere Earth Electrically-charged particles
Electromagnetic Spectrum of Solar Energy Wavelength Gamma 10-12 meters X-ray Causes ionization and heating of atoms and molecules 10-8 meters Ultraviolet 10-7 meters Visible 10-6 meters Causes “traditional” weather Infrared 10-3 meters 0.01 meters *Radio Wave VLF HF UHF SHF 0.5 meters FM Radio AM Radio 100meters 105 meters * Not all types of radio waves are shown
Depiction of key environmental regions, examples of satellites currently in orbit, and approximate numbers of DoD satellites in orbit in various regions. (Not drawn to scale.) DSP MILSTAR DSCS FLTSAT GOES Comm SATCOM MAGNETOSPHERE 30+ Satellites S E A M L E S S B A T T L E S P A C E RADIATION BELTS 25+ Satellites GPS THERMOSPHERE 25+ Satellites DMSP/NOAA SHUTTLE IONOSPHERE MESOSPHERE SPACE WEATHER STRATOSPHERE U-2 TERRESTRIAL WEATHER TROPOSPHERE
Earth’s Magnetosphere Solar Wind
Tail Current Magnetopause Cusp Neutral Sheet Corotating Field Aligned Current Current Ring Current Magnetopause Current Magnetospheric Currents Interplanetary Magnetic Field
Aurora EUV image - auroral oval Visible light image - particle bombardment
Solar Cycles 19-23 200 Next Peak: 2000 150 100 50 0 1954 1957 1960 1963 1966 1969 1972 1975 1978 1981 1984 1987 1990 1993 1996 1999 2002 2005 The Solar Cycle Solar Minimum Solar Maximum
Solar Flare An explosive release of energy previously stored in intense, complex magnetic fields
Depiction of Radio Wave Signal Types and the General Effects Caused by the Ionosphere. Ionosphere’s Effect Frequency EHF (Extremely-High Frequency) 30 - 300 GHz Negligible SHF (Super-High Frequency) 3 - 30 GHz SATCOM Phase and Amplitude Disruptions UHF (Ultra-High Frequency) GPS 300 MHz - 3 GHz VHF (Very-High Frequency) 30 - 300 MHz HF (High Frequency) 3 - 30 MHz Significant Refraction MF (Medium Frequency) 300 - 3000 KHz LF (Low Frequency) 30 - 300 KHz VLF (Very-Low Frequency) 3 - 30 KHz
F E D Shortwave Fades Undisturbed Ionosphere HF radiowave
SATCOM Disruption Scintillation Ionosphere • SATCOM thresholds • Moderate (partially degraded): 4-12 dB • Severe (SATCOM impossible): >12 dB
Impacts on GPS Navigation Signals Ionosphere Scintillation
Spacetrack Errors Apparent location True location Ionosphere
Radar and SATCOM Interference Radio burst Radar interference SATCOM interference
Radar Interference AURORA Ionosphere Signal reflected
Spacecraft Charging and Upsets • Cause- electrically-charged particle bombardment, or solar illumination; combined with variations in vehicle shape and materials • Effect- surface or deep charging (depends on particle energy) • Result - electrostatic discharge (induces an electrical micro-current) • Physical damage or logic upset • Memory loss • False command Solar wind
False star? Satellite Disorientation Satellite Disorientation Particle stream (Protons)
Charged particles Expected trajectory Actual trajectory Launch Trajectory Errors and Payload Deployment Problems
Atmospheric Drag - Orbit Changes Expected position Actual position
August 1972 Solar Flare Radiation Hazard Astronauts on the moon could have received fatal radiation!
NASA FAA Power companies Researchers Ham radio operators General public Army Navy Air Force Marines National Space Weather Services Dept. of Commerce (NOAA) Department of Defense (AF Space Command) Space Weather Operations Boulder, CO 55th Space Weather Squadron (AF Space Forecast Center) Falcon AFB, CO Military Customers: Civilian Customers:
How to Get Support • Request information or support through your local weather officer or unit • Support assistance request (SAR) IAW AFI 15-118, requesting specialized weather support
The near-Earth space environment is neither empty nor benign • Many space weather hazards can impact military operations in space and on Earth • Space weather support helps designers, operators, and users optimize mission effectiveness Summary