Calculations and observations of solar particle enhancements to the radiation environment at aircraft altitudes

The space-developed dynamic vertical cutoff rigidity model and its applicability to aircraft radiation dose

“…The solar particle flux predicted to arrive to the skin of the space shuttle was used as input to the NASA/JSC PDOSE code to compute the radiation dose rate. A more detailed description of this radiation dose rate calculation method is given by Golightly and Weyland (1997). The general procedure was: 1.…”

“…Figure 6 illustrates the normal quiescent cutoff rigidity values that would be experienced along this flight path together with the values calculated for the actual geomagnetic conditions for this specific flight. (Western hemisphere longitudes are designated as negative in this Figure.) Further analysis of these cutoff rigidity data and the corresponding radiation dose experienced at flight altitude has been done by Dyer et al, (2003). …”

Validation of modelling the radiation exposure due to solar particle events at aircraft altitudes

“…Comparison of on-board measurements of solar particle dose rates with GCR contribution subtracted (see Figure 1) with QARM calculations. Flight from Prague to New York during GLE 60, 15 April 2001 (19) . (15) and SiGLE (below) (16) .…”

“…For anisotropic events, the situation may be different. The QARM model uses ground level neutron monitor data plus GOES spacecraft data and has been validated against Concorde data for this event as well as the events of October 1989 (19) . More recently, comparison has been made with measurements of the 15 April 2001 event as shown in Figure 7 (20) .…”

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“…SEPs can significantly increase the radiation dose rates compared with geomagnetically quiet times, disturbing satellite operations and producing hazardous effects to manned and robotic flight missions in the near-Earth environment, including aircrafts with their crew and passengers [Dyer et al, 2003], and influencing the atmospheric chemistry and dynamics [Danilov and Lastovicka, 2001].…”