The effects of natural and enhanced Van Allen Belt radiation on a space based weapon platform
Monte Carlo radiation transport calculations have been performed to estimate the effects of natural (protons and electrons) and weapon enhanced (electron) Van Allen Belt (VAB) radiation on a space deployed weapon platform. (The satellite configuration adopted for this study represents the authors' concept of such a system.) The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long term and transient effects of these radiation modes on the components of a satellite deployed in a circular orbit at an altitude of 500 km and inclination angle of 0-deg. These kinds of satellites must survive long-term (up to 10 years) exposure to the natural radiation environment and the effects of enhanced radiation introduced when nuclear weapons are detonated in space. This paper describes the platform/weapon system and its components, the Van Allen Belt spectra, the methods of calculation, and summarizes the radiation damage to platform components from VAB protons and electrons and enhanced electron belt radiation. 1 ref., 11 figs., 2 tabs.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- DOD
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-84OR21400
- OSTI ID:
- 5233137
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-900216-2; ON: DE89016219
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Vulnerability assessment of a space based weapon platform electronic system exposed to a thermonuclear weapon detonation
SOLAR CELLS FOR COMMUNICATION SATELLITES IN THE VAN ALLEN BELT
Related Subjects
450000* -- Military Technology
Weaponry
& National Defense
654001 -- Radiation & Shielding Physics-- Radiation Physics
Shielding Calculations & Experiments
73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS
BEAMS
CALCULATION METHODS
ELECTRON BEAMS
LEPTON BEAMS
MONTE CARLO METHOD
NUCLEON BEAMS
PARTICLE BEAMS
PHYSICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
PROTON BEAMS
RADIATION BELTS
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATION TRANSPORT
SPACE WEAPONS