The Arctic Floating University-2023 (APU) has launched a study of the impact of space weather on small satellites in the polar regions of low Earth orbit. To this end, Alexander Gordeychik, a graduate student at the Northern Arctic Federal University, installed a special antenna on the upper deck of the research vessel "Professor Molchanov" to receive telemetry data.
«The polar territories for small spacecraft are a zone of particular risk due to the influence of space weather, therefore, studying how this zone affects the operation of spacecraft will optimize their operation, extend their service life and minimize the impact [of space weather]», – explained Alexander Gordeychik.
Space weather is the totality of radiation from the Sun and from space in general. These radiations affect all satellites, but if their impact on large devices has been well studied, then in relation to small ones (weighing 10-20 kg) the issue has not yet been studied. Meanwhile, there are more and more such spacecraft.
«The state of satellites in the polar latitudes is generally quite difficult to study. APU is an excellent opportunity to get to high latitudes for several weeks to conduct such studies. There are a very limited number of receiving stations here at the frequencies at which telemetry is transmitted. You can say there are almost none», – added the agency's source.
Based on the results of the study, recommendations will be developed to protect satellites.