Abstract
This study examines the problems encountered by spacecraft due to the space radiation environment. Particular emphasis is placed on the environment experienced by low-Earth orbiting satellites, especially UoSAT spacecraft. The space radiation environment and the various species of particle and electromagnetic wave to be found are discussed and the resulting damage due to those species described. The motions of particles in magnetic fields are described and mathematical models of particle flux and energy in the geomagnetic field and SEU error rate prediction are developed. There is included a chapter on radiation measurement devices, with some examples of such devices already flown and details of experiments to be launched on board future UoSAT spacecraft are given in the section on further work. Results are shown for the effects of solar activity, geometric arrangement of on board devices and multiple upsets. In conclusion, it was found that finer measurements are necessary to analyse solar effects, secondly that care must be taken when considering physical location as unintentional asymmetric shielding can occur and finally, that multiple errors can occur with the passage of one particle.