Increasing Space Radiation to Affect Satellite Technology: Study

New Delhi : A talk about Space, radiation and cosmic rays might sound like a Sci-Fi movie. But, unlike the reel world, the real fact is that increasing space radiation is becoming a threat to the Earth. Researchers at University of New Hampshire’s Space Science Center say that the exposure to radiation is at elevating level than expected before. Such condition could create serious inference on the working process of astronauts and satellite technology.

A renowned professor of physics and lead author of the study said Nathan Schwadron said, “The radiation dose rates from measurements obtained over the last four years exceeded trends from previous solar cycles by at least 30 percent, showing that the radiation environment is getting far more intense,” The study has also mentioned about the mission to Moon or even the Red planet ‘Mars’. He added, “these particle radiation conditions present important environmental factors for space travel and space weather, and must be carefully studied and accounted for in the planning and design of future missions to the moon, Mars, asteroids and beyond.”

A recent published article in the Journal Space Weather talked about large fluxes in Galactic Cosmic Rays (GCR). The fluxes found in the cosmic rays are rising faster and are on path to go beyond any other recorded time in the space age. Scientists also indicated that one of the most important Solar Energetic Particle (SEP) events occurred in September 2017 was releasing large doses of radiation that could pose major risk to both humans and satellites. 

Astronauts without any protection could suffer from acute effects like radiation illness or more serious long-term health issues like cancer and organ damage, including to the heart, brain, and central nervous system.

In the year 2014, Nathan Schwadron and his team forecast around a 20% increase in radiation amount in the years to come. Now, in 2018, their newest research shows current conditions exceed their calculations by about 10 percent, screening the radiation atmosphere is deteriorating even more than estimated. He says, “We now know that the radiation environment of deep space that we could send human crews into at this point is quite different compared to that of previous crewed missions to the moon,”

The researchers have used data from the source of NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO). It has been discovered that Lunar observations show that GCR radiation doses are rising faster than before. This abnormal increase for long period might lead to quieting of solar activity.

On the other hand, an active sun has numerous sunspots, which can strengthen the sun’s magnetic field. The magnetic field can be pulled out through the solar system by the solar wind and repel galactic cosmic rays away from the solar system  and also from the astronauts  who are on their journey  to the destination.

Records say that in the year 2006, scientists have observed the longest solar minimum and weakest solar activity occurred during the space age. As per science, the sun’s activity faded and flowed like clockwork in 11-year cycles, with six- to eight-year lulls in activity, called solar minimum, followed by two- to three-year periods when the sun is more active.

In September 2017 solar eruptions has created chapters of noteworthy ‘Solar Particle Events’ and related radiation caused by increase in velocity of the particle.

The researchers came to the conclusion that the radiation atmosphere continues to create important hazards associated both with traditionally large cosmic ray fluxes in the solar system and large galactic events. All these contribute to the challenges faced by the scientists in predicting the space weather possibilities.