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Solar Particle Events from a risk management perspective.
1ANSER, Arlington, VA 22202, USA.
IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science. IEEE Nuclear and Plasma Sciences Society
|September 20, 2002
Summary
Solar Particle Events (SPEs) endanger astronauts. Current forecasts lack credibility, but improved understanding of solar energetic particle physics will enable better risk management for space travel.
Area of Science:
- Space physics
- Astronaut health
- Solar energetic particles
Background:
- Solar Particle Events (SPEs) present significant health risks to astronauts during space missions.
- Existing forecasting models for SPEs lack the necessary credibility for effective operational risk mitigation.
- Advancements in understanding Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) and particle acceleration/propagation are imminent.
Purpose of the Study:
- To detail the health impacts of SPEs on astronauts.
- To review the underlying physics governing SPEs.
- To present a novel approach for comprehensive space weather data to enable physics-based SPE risk management.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on SPE physics and impacts.
- Analysis of current Solar Particle Event forecasting tools.
- Development of a framework for integrating comprehensive space weather data.
Main Results:
- SPEs pose a critical threat to human spaceflight.
- Current forecasting capabilities are insufficient for reliable astronaut protection.
- A physics-based approach utilizing comprehensive data is proposed for improved SPE risk management.
Conclusions:
- Enhanced understanding of SPE physics is crucial for astronaut safety.
- Improved SPE forecasting is achievable through integrated, physics-based data analysis.
- The proposed approach aims to provide credible advance warnings for SPEs, enabling protective measures.