GROUP F

EFFECTS ON INSTRUMENTS, SPACECRAFT & COMMUNICATIONS

Solar activity can affect instrumentation, spacecraft and communications in several ways. The solar energetic particle radiation has been found to degrade the performance of solar cells. This radiation may affect the electronics in all kinds of instrumentation primarily by causing single event effects. It can also interfere with various kinds of sensors both by direct ionization and by activation of the sensor or surrounding materials. For example, direct ionization can interfere with the imagery obtained using solid state cameras and may degrade optical and thermal control surfaces. Activation can interfere with gamma ray spectrometers used for scientific investigations. This group will discuss the effects of solar activity on these systems and identify approaches to avoid or mitigate these effects.