ИСТИНА

D. V. Skobeltsyn Institute of Nuclear Physics of M. V. Lomonosov Moscow State University (SINP MSU) is developing a system of small satellites with a mass <50–100 kg for monitoring of the space threats: ionizing space radiation, electromagnetic transient luminous events in the atmosphere, potentially dangerous objects of natural (asteroids, meteoroids) and artificial (space debris) origin, and powerful gamma ray bursts in space. The primary task for the satellite system is operative monitoring of near-Earth’s radiation: fluxes of electrons and protons of Earth’s radiation belts and energetic particles of solar cosmic rays. The necessity of such monitoring is explained by the fact, that these fluxes even during geomagnetically quiet conditions experience very high medium- and long-term variations, which can not be described by existing static models of Earth’s radiation belts. Several small spacecraft will be launched into specially selected orbits crossing the wide range of magnetic drift shells at different altitudes; measure fluxes of energetic electrons and protons by multidirectional detectors; and promptly transmit the data to the ground using satellite retranslation systems. In the ground data-center on the basis of these measurements the current distribution of particle fluxes in the wide range of Earth’s radiation belts (possibly up to GEO) will be computed. The end-user will be able to access the data center by the web-interface. Currently the first research stage of this project is being carried out, during which the optimal spacecraft orbits, instrument construction and placement are being determined. The project is open for cooperation.