The Radiation Environment For Earth-Orbiting Astronomical Satellites

C. Tranquille. E. J. Daly. (1990), JBIS, 43, pp.51-56

Refcode: 1990.43.51

Abstract:

Astronomy payloads are flown on platforms employing a variety of near-Earth orbits which have the great advantage of avoiding the inherent atmospheric absorptions and distortions associated with ground-based observations. Together with such issues as propulsion system performance and ground-station coverage, radiation levels encountered along orbits are always a major consideration in orbit selection for such missions. ESA is flying or is planning missions for astronomy at wavelengths ranging from the far infra-red, through the visible, ultra-violet, X-ray and gamma-ray parts of the electromagnetic spectrum [I]. All of these studies will be affected by the radiation environment.