Surviving Harsh Electromagnetic Space Environments
Spacecraft face a range of environmental hazards throughout their mission lifecycle, starting from launch and continuing through operations in orbit. To ensure mission success and design spacecraft systems that last, engineers must understand these risks and actively work to reduce them.
Electromagnetic environmental effects (E3) present some of the most serious challenges, as they can damage electronic components and cause expensive failures if left unchecked. In this article, we examine the threats posed by E3 and demonstrate how simulation helps assess and mitigate these risks, leading to better design and increased resilience.
Key topics include:
- Introduction to space radiation
- Spacecraft EMC
- Charging and radiation hardening
- Indirect and direct effects of lightning
Introduction to Space Radiation
Space radiation consists of high-energy particles that originate from both outside and within our solar system. Each different type of radiation impacts spacecraft and astronauts in unique ways.
Solar energetic particles (SEPs) from the Sun can cause temporary surges in radiation, especially during solar flares, which may disrupt electronics and pose acute health risks. The Earth’s magnetic field traps energetic particles in regions known as the Van Allen belts, creating areas where radiation is concentrated and persistence, increasing the likelihood of electronic malfunctions and long-term health concerns for crew members.
Galactic cosmic rays, originating from distant sources outside our solar system, are some of the most energetic particles ever observed. These rays can penetrate the spacecraft and its shielding inducing single event effects. For astronauts, prolonged exposure leads to DNA damage, elevating the risk of cancer.
Understanding these different sources of space radiation is crucial for designing safer spacecraft and developing protective measures for astronauts. By monitoring and mitigating these risks, mission planners help ensure the reliability of space missions and the safety of their crews.
In the video below, EMA Principal Scientist and Lead Product Manager Kevin-Druis Merenda provides an in-depth exploration of the different types of electromagnetic radiation.
Spacecraft and Aircraft EMC
Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) refers to the ability of electronic systems to operate without causing or suffering from electromagnetic interference (EMI). In spacecraft, EMC is critical because the onboard environment is densely packed with sensitive electronics, communication systems, and scientific instruments.
Mitigation efforts include shielding, grounding, and filtering. These methods along with careful design, ensure that subsystems coexist without interference and remain resilient against external electromagnetic phenomena. Without proper EMC controls the risk of single-event upsets, communication loss, and cascading failures increases dramatically, potentially jeopardizing missions and astronaut safety.
Watch the video below for an in-depth look at common EMC issues encountered in spacecraft and how they can be mitigated using Ansys EMC Plus simulation.
Spacecraft Charging and Radiation Hardening
Spacecraft charging occurs when a spacecraft accumulates electrical charge on its surfaces due to interactions with the space environment, primarily plasma, energetic particles, and photoemission from sunlight. This can lead to differential charging, where parts of the spacecraft reach varying potential, creating strong electric fields leading to electrostatic discharges (ESD), damage to electronics, data corruption, or even mission failure.
Radiation hardening is the process of designing electronic components and systems to withstand the effects of ionizing radiation in space. Radiation hardening components use special materials, shielding, and circuit designs to minimize these effects.
Simulation is critical for predicting and mitigating these effects before launch. It can be used to:
- Estimate surface potential and discharge risks
- Calculate radiation dose and particle flux
- Validate shielding effectiveness and component resilience
In the video below, Merenda walks you through how Ansys Charge Plus helps optimize design, reduce risk, and avoid costly failures in orbit.
Indirect and Direct Lightning Effects
Lightning is primarily an Earth-based phenomenon, but it can still impact spacecraft during launch, ascent, or when operating in planetary atmospheres. Direct effects of lightning can lead to localized heating, material erosion, or damage to external components like antennas or sensors. Indirect effects generate intense electromagnetic pulses (EMPs) and transient currents that can couple to spacecraft wiring and electronics leading to:
- Single-event upsets in avionics
- Sensor malfunctions or corrupted data
- Damage to power systems or communication links
Spacecraft have experienced lightning strikes during launch, such as Apollo 12 in 1969, which was hit shortly after liftoff and suffered temporary power and telemetry loss.
Lighting mitigation is essential to ensure spacecraft electronics remain operational and to prevent catastrophic loss of the vehicle and its payload. Learn more about high fidelity full vehicle simulations in the video below.
Get Ahead of Risk with Simulation
Understanding and managing the effects of radiation, EMC, and lightning is key to keeping spacecraft systems reliable and mission ready. With advanced simulation tools like Ansys EMC Plus and Ansys Charge Plus, engineers can spot potential issues early, test shielding, and put solid mitigation strategies in place well before launch. These high-fidelity simulations not only boost safety and mission confidence, but also streamline design, cut costs, and prevent surprises in orbit.
Curious how simulation-driven design can strengthen your project and safeguard your mission. Reach out to EMA now to get expert insights and tailored solutions. Contact us here.
