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THE SPACE ENVIRONMENT DEFINITIONS AND EFFECTS
By Editor | July 28, 2009
1) Perturbation-irregularity in the motion of a satellite caused by an outside force, creates degradation of signal or total loss of communications
a)Lunar/Solar effects, earth triaxiality, solar winds
2) Solar Conjunction-A phenomenon that occurs when the earth, satellite and sun are in alignment. The earth terminal antenna is pointing directly at, or very near the sun. Communications can be degraded for 2 to 15 minutes total communications blackout can last for up to 5 minutes.
3) Van Allen Radiation Belts-The dynamo action of the Earth generates a magnetic field known as the Magnetosphere. Energetic particles from the Sun’s Solar Wind leak into the Magnetosphere and become concentrated in an area known as the Plasmasphere.
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