2 Space Environment

Question 1

2 reasons we need to understand Space Weather?

Answer 1

Enables confident attribution of the origin of a disturbance

Protects military eq. and pers. from the effects of space weather

Question 2

What key region affects EMW?

Answer 2

Ionosphere

~85 km -700 km

Question 3

Negative effects in high vacuum (6)

Answer 3

Lubricants evaporate
Gasses can contaminate optical path
Cold welding (metals weld together)
Whiskers from metallic surfaces
Atomic oxygen erosion
Materials can expel moisture, gases and volatile compounds that can damage hardware

Question 4

Name the region of high radiation around the Earth

Answer 4

Van Allen Belts

Question 5

Describe the Van Allen Belts (types and alts)

Answer 5

Inner: 1,600 km - 13,000 km

Outer: 19,000 km - 40,000 km

South Atlantic Anomaly: 200km alt.

Question 6

What happens to the ionosphere in a day to night transition?

Answer 6

D region disappears
E region becomes weaker
F1 and F2 regions merge to become a single F region

Question 7

What are the Major characteristics of Space Environment (6)?

Answer 7

Weak aerodynamic forces
Variable temperatures
High vacuum
Space debris
High levels of radiation
Fluctuating magnetic field

Question 8

What phenomena are associated with Space Weather?

Answer 8

CMEs
Solar flares
Solar wind
Solar radiation storms
Geomagnetic storms

Question 9

What are the differences in time between CMEs and EM energy reaching Earth?

Answer 9

CMEs few hours to a few days (17 hrs - 96 hrs)

EM Energy: 8 mins

Question 10

What geomagnetic storm is most hazardous?

Answer 10

Southward orientated

Question 11

The continuous release of energetic particles is called…

Answer 11

…the solar wind

Question 12

Name the 2 main effects of a southward orientated geomagnetic storm

Answer 12

Ground induced current

Severe ionospheric disturbances

Question 13

What category is given to the most potent solar flares?

Answer 13

X (with no upper limit)

Question 14

Names the classes of solar flares

Answer 14

A, B, C, M and X

X has no upper limit eg X9, X45

Question 15

How might energetic particles disrupt satellite subsystems?

Answer 15

Interfere with electronics

Bit flips

Question 16

What defence systems could impacted by Space Weather?

Answer 16

Satellites
GNSS/GPS
Space-based RADAR
Ground-based RADAR
Systems dependent on magnetic field
Long range missile guidance
Avionics & aviation
Comms
Power

Question 17

Who provides the UK with space weather forecasting and warning?

Answer 17

MOSWOC (Met Office Space Weather Operations Centre)

Question 18

Who is the defence approved provider of Space Weather information?

Answer 18

UK SpOC