Multi-satellite Universat-SOCRAT mission for monitoring technogenic and natural hazards

Abstract

The natural and “man-made” space environment generates serious risks for the implementation of space missions, both automatic and human. The main natural and technogenic risk factors that limit or pose a threat to the implementation of space-based automatic and manned space missions in the near-Earth space are cosmic radiation and space debris. In the upper layers of the atmosphere, natural transient electromagnetic phenomena associated with significant energy release are also risk factors for suborbital flights. It is planned to create a system of spacecraft in the proposed “Universat-SOCRAT” project that makes it possible, in a mode close to real-time, to determine the radiation conditions in a significant part of the area of trapped radiation, up to the orbits of global navigation satellite systems or the geostationary orbit. It is also planned to create a space segment of monitoring space debris and electromagnetic transients in the upper atmosphere. Monitoring of space debris will allow all-weather and global tracking of near-Earth objects and, thereby, increase the efficiency of analyzing data and making necessary decisions. In some cases it will improve the accuracy of determining the coordinates of objects for their subsequent cataloging. Successful realization of the project will make it possible to create a space system for monitoring and preventing space hazards for both ongoing and planned space missions for the first time in the world.