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GE Americom Statement concerning Solar Max and recent 2001 Flares
The Solar Maximum (Solar Max) phenomenon associated with increased solar activity is a four-year period during each 11-year Solar Cycle. During Solar Max, more sunspots are observed and more radiation and particles are ejected from the sun in intense bursts. The peak of the current Solar Max occurred late 2000, but its effect will be felt through 2002.
GE Americom generally agrees with the experts on the predictions for the Solar Cycle and understands that spacecraft and terrestrial systems will be exposed to the effects associated with Solar Max 2000, but this does not mean that satellite services are threatened. Although some news reports and internet websites have indicated that Solar Max 2000 effects will be greater than in the past, the current cycle was described at the Space Weather Week 2000 Solar Activity Conference as “very middle of the road, neither high nor low in activity”. It has become clear that some reports of this phenomenon have exaggerated the potential consequences on satellites. These exaggerated reports should not generate any major concern for users of Americom’s in-orbit spacecraft.
GE Americom operates satellites that were designed with the Solar Max and other solar events in mind. Electronic components that are known to degrade in the presence of solar radiation have been “oversized” to degrade acceptably and operate nominally during the expected radiation exposure associated with Solar Max. In addition, shielding is utilized to reduce the exposure of electronic components to the effects of solar radiation. Satellite design parameters providing adequate protection have been successfully used in space for decades. GE Americom has operated spacecraft successfully through the two previous Solar Max periods, with no loss or degradation of service attributed to Solar Max.
In late March and early April 2001, the largest sunspot group of this solar cycle produced several major flares, including the second largest X-ray flare event ever measured. This occurred April 2, 2001, and the magnitude of the flare was measured by NASA spacecraft shortly afterwards. Fortunately, the Coronal Mass Ejection that carries the radiation from the flare was directed away from the Earth and the effects on Earth-orbiting spacecraft will be much less than other flares of this Solar Cycle. While the magnitude of the flare was historical and scientifically significant, its effects are not expected to impact GE Americom spacecraft.
Although the expectation of increased Solar Max effects and the recent flares may be considered newsworthy, GE Americom believes there is no significant additional threat to the communications services that are provided by the GE Americom spacecraft.
For further information we suggest:
- http://www.sec.noaa.gov
- http://science.msfc.nasa.gov/default.htm
- http://www.sunspotcycle.com
- http://www.spaceweather.com
Contact: Monica Morgan
609-987-4143
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