Compact Full-Field Ion Detector System (CFIDS)

About this technology

Overview

Space radiation, or "space weather" comes in different forms from a variety of sources. High energy X-rays, gamma rays, and other ionizing radiation, in the form of subatomic particles and ionized atoms, can be produced by black hole activity, new star formation, and even via lightning from thunderstorms. Most of the radiation from space that reaches the earth is generated by our sun, in the form of the solar wind, solar flares, and coronal mass ejections. One of the ways in which the sun releases charged particles from its corona (outer atmosphere) is in the the solar wind. Interaction between the sun’s magnetic field, the solar wind, and the earth’s magnetic field can lead to magnetic disturbances of the earth’s magnetic field known as geomagnetic storms. Impacts of Space Radiation: High-energy radiation from space can damage electric components on satellites, space stations, and high-altitude aircraft. This damage can disrupt functionality and communication and may also lead to complete failure of those components. Ionizing radiation also leads to the slow degradation of materials that structures in space are made from. It can cause damage to DNA of astronauts and high-altitude aircraft pilots and crew. This same ionizing radiation interacts with the magnetic fields and atmospheres of planets such as the earth that have magnetic fields and atmospheres. It can disrupt radio signals, communications signals, and electrical grid performance on earth.