System for monitoring the levels of space environment exposure experienced by satellites developed by “Information satellite systems” company

This article presents full-scale experimental results, which study how space environment levels influence spacecrafts. Such experiments were carried out with special monitoring equipment designed in cooperation with the specializing key Russian research institutes. Operation results analysis for Russian and non-Russian satellites show the presence of significant correlation between anomalous operation of satellites and variations of solar activity, geomagnetic disturbances of space environment and man-induced satellite operation conditions. The full-scale satellites operation is carried out in the magnetosphere structural areas filled with plasma, which vary in its energetic characteristics and concentration. ISS satellites operate in several orbit types covering almost all domains of near-Earth space. Also spacecraft operation performs in gas environment, caused by construction material gassing and sublimation process, inner modules gas leakage and equipment work. The structure and dynamics of this man-induced environment called satellite-surrounding atmosphere (SSA) depends on both peculiarities of satellite on-board systems’ design and operation, and on many other flight factors. Main pulse SSA source is stationary plasma thruster stream of the spacecraft correction system. Described problems are actual due to increased lifetime of satellites, increased complexity and miniaturization of on-board equipment based on LSI sensitive semiconductor elements, increased satellite power-to-weight ratio, increased number and power of receivers and transmitters. Also it’s marked, that real-time information about spacecraft environment influence is especially necessary in case of anomalous on-board situations and for efficient spacecraft control.