Anthropogenic Space Weather

Anthropogenic effects on the space environment started in the late 19th century and reached their peak in the 1960s when high-altitude nuclear explosions were carried out by the USA and the Soviet Union. These explosions created artificial radiation belts near Earth that resulted in major damages to several satellites. Another, unexpected impact of the high-altitude nuclear tests was the electromagnetic pulse (EMP) that can have devastating effects over a large geographic area (as large as the continental United States). Other anthropogenic impacts on the space environment include chemical release ex- periments, high-frequency wave heating of the ionosphere and the interaction of VLF waves with the radiation belts. This paper reviews the fundamental physical process behind these phenomena and discusses the observations of their impacts.Comment: 71 pages, 35 figure

Measuring and Analyzing Effects of HEMP Simulation on Synthetic Power Grids

There is significant uncertainty about the potential effects of a high-altitude electromagnetic pulse (HEMP) detonation on the bulk electric system. This study attempts to account for such uncertainty, in using Monte-Carlo methods to account for speculated range of effect of HEMP contingency. Through task parallelism and asynchronous processing techniques implemented throughout simulation, this study measure the effects of 700 large-scale HEMP simulations on a 7173 bus synthetic power grid. Analysis explores how contingency severity varies, depending on initial contingency parameters. Severity indices were captured throughout simulation to measure and quantify the cascading nature of an HEMP event. Further development of HEMP simulation modeling is explored as well, which could augment forecasts of potential contingency events as well.Comment: 6 pages. 13 figure

A Wide-area Analysis of Shifts in Electric Power System Generation Profiles and High-impact Event Scenarios

Often cited as the largest machine in the world, the electric power grid is a complex system, integral to modern life. Continuous technology advancements over the past hundred years have delivered improvements to both the system itself, e.g., wide-area management systems (WAMS), as well as modeling capabilities in order to better understand how that system functions. Phenomena that could once be simulated only in small, localized settings can now be studied from a wide-area perspective. Chapter 1 briefly introduces the three major U.S. electric interconnections along with wide-area power system analysis tools and the benchmarked models used in this work. It also puts forward two topics that wide-area modeling must address: the effect of generation portfolio changes on dynamic system response and the assessment and hardening of the grid against high-impact, interconnection-wide events. The first topic is investigated in Chapter 2 and Chapter 3. Specifically, Chapter 2 examines dynamic response repercussions of the recent shift from coal-fired generation plants to natural gas turbines. Chapter 3 extends this discussion to the increase in low-inertia renewable sources. Modeling and analysis of wide-area events in line with the second topic, including extreme weather phenomena, solar storms, and physical attacks, as well as methodologies to harden the grid, are investigated in the remainder of this work. Chapter 4 begins with an example of modeling geomagnetically induced current (GIC) effects while Chapter 5 discusses high-altitude electromagnetic pulse (HEMP) components and impacts. Chapter 6, guided by the 2015 Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, extends the scope of these scenarios and presents a methodology to find the most critical elements for any given system and determine the minimum required spare large power transformer (LPT) reserve that should be available. Conclusions and potential future research directions are presented in Chapter 7

Emc aerospace systems analysis Interim scientific report

Analysis and data requirements for solving potential aerospace electromagnetic compatibility problem

THE ELECTROMAGNETIC THREAT TO THE UNITED STATES: RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CONSEQUENCE MANAGEMENT

This thesis analyzes the threat of both electromagnetic pulse (EMP) and geomagnetic disturbances (GMD) to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. EMP/GMD events are classified as low-probability/high-impact events that have potential catastrophic consequences to all levels of government as well as the civilian population of the United States. By reviewing current literature and conducting two thought experiments, this thesis determined that various critical infrastructure sectors and modern society are at risk of the effects of EMP/GMD events. Some of the most serious consequences of a large-scale EMP/GMD event include long-term power loss to large geographic regions, loss of modern medical services, and severe communication blackouts that could make recovery from these events extremely difficult. In an attempt to counteract and mitigate the risks of EMP/GMD events, resilience engineering concepts introduced several recommendations that could be utilized by policymakers to mitigate the effects of EMP or GMD events. Some of the recommendations include utilizing hardened micro-grid systems, black start options, and various changes to government agency organizations that would provide additional resilience and recovery to American critical infrastructure systems in a post-EMP/GMD environment.Captain, United States ArmyApproved for public release. Distribution is unlimited

NOSS altimeter algorithm specifications

A description of all algorithms required for altimeter processing is given. Each description includes title, description, inputs/outputs, general algebraic sequences and data volume. All required input/output data files are described and the computer resources required for the entire altimeter processing system were estimated. The majority of the data processing requirements for any radar altimeter of the Seasat-1 type are scoped. Additions and deletions could be made for the specific altimeter products required by other projects

Design of an unmanned, reusable vehicle to de-orbit debris in Earth orbit

The space debris problem is becoming more important because as orbital missions increase, the amount of debris increases. It was the design team's objective to present alternative designs and a problem solution for a deorbiting vehicle that will alleviate the problem by reducing the amount of large debris in earth orbit. The design team was asked to design a reusable, unmanned vehicle to de-orbit debris in earth orbit. The design team will also construct a model to demonstrate the system configuration and key operating features. The alternative designs for the unmanned, reusable vehicle were developed in three stages: selection of project requirements and success criteria, formulation of a specification list, and the creation of alternatives that would satisfy the standards set forth by the design team and their sponsor. The design team selected a Chain and Bar Shot method for deorbiting debris in earth orbit. The De-orbiting Vehicle (DOV) uses the NASA Orbital Maneuvering Vehicle (OMV) as the propulsion and command modules with the deorbiting module attached to the front

Modeling, simulation, and mitigation of the impacts of the late time (E3) high-altitude electromagnetic pulse on power systems

High impact, low frequency (HILF) events are a growing concern in civilian and military domains. Two HILF events of concern are geomagnetic disturbances (GMDs), also known as geomagnetic storms, and high-altitude electromagnetic pulses (HEMPs). These two events have the potential to cripple electric grids and damage electronics. The study of HEMPs and their effects on the electric grid have often been associated with the effects of GMDs. The quicker rise-times and larger magnitudes of electric fields induced by HEMPs, as compared to GMDs, can significantly impact the large disturbance voltage stability of the power system. This dissertation presents a methodology for integrating HEMP impacts into power system transient stability assessments. The beginning simulations of this dissertation use relatively simple models to model the dynamics in the power system. As the dissertation progresses, more detailed and accurate models are incorporated in order to capture the most realistic response as possible. Various test cases were created in order to simulate the effects of HEMP on power systems as a part of this research. The research and transient stability studies performed in this dissertation indicate that second to minute long dynamics are crucial when simulating the impacts of HEMPs on power systems in order to gain an accurate understanding of the impacts. This research created and determined power system models appropriate for HEMP analysis, and ultimately serves to inform power system engineers about what models are most suitable in use for HEMP analysis on the electric grid

User's guide to data obtained by the Aerospace Corporation energetic particle spectrometer on ATS-6

Descriptions of the energetic particle detector are offered with calibration data, as part of a user's guide to the data obtained by ATS 6. Information on instrumental and operational anomalies and a description of the procedures used to reduce the data are also presented along with a description of the format of the data

Data catalog series for space science and applications flight missions. Volume 3A: Descriptions of low- and medium-altitude scientific spacecraft and investigations

Earth orbits spacecraft whose apogees are well below geostationary altitude and whose primary purpose is to conduct investigations in the near-Earth environment are considered