Radiation Monitoring in Space with a 1U CubeSat
A flexible low-cost instruction for radiation monitoring in space
Radiation poses a major threat to satellites. Galactic cosmic rays, solar flares and particles trapped in the Earth’s magnetosphere can have severe consequences on a satellite’s integrity, as the high energies associated with them can damage or even destroy its electronic components. CERN faces similar problems inside the Large Hadron Collider’s (LHC) tunnels and has developed radiation monitoring devices to prevent radiation damage to electronics.
Space RadMon is a miniaturised version of the LHC’s well-proven radiation monitoring device. This reliable low-cost, low-power and low-mass instrument for radiation monitoring in space is entirely based on standardised, commercial-off-the-shelf components, selected and calibrated at CERN. Space RadMon is the ideal instrument to measure in realtime radiation effects such as total ionising dose, upsets and latchups.
Weighing one kilogram and measuring 10 centimetres on each of its sides, CELESTA (CERN latchup and radmon experiment student satellite) is a 1U CubeSat – a nanosatellite standard – designed to study the effects of cosmic radiation on electronics. The satellite carries a Space RadMon, a miniature version of a well-proven radiation monitoring device deployed in CERN’s Large Hadron Collider (LHC). CELESTA has been sent into an Earth orbit of almost 6000 kilometres. Right in the middle of the inner Van Allen belt, CELESTA will survey an unusual orbit where radiation levels are at their highest.
Launched by the European Space Agency from the French Guiana Space Centre (CSG), the satellite deployed smoothly and its payload was activated. The team at CERN is now analysing the first collected data and will need several months to collect enough statistics to reach its scientific objectives.
The Space RadMon is a flagship example of how CERN technologies can have applications beyond particle physics experiments. Based entirely on standardised, ultra-sensitive components selected and calibrated by CERN, and mostly in CERN facilities, the Space RadMon is a lightweight and low-power instrument, ideal for future risk-tolerant space missions. If CELESTA is successful, the Space RadMon could even be adapted to satellite constellations as a predictive maintenance tool – to anticipate the necessary renewal of satellites.
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