A case history of solar and galactic space weather effects on the geosynchronous communications satellite TDRS-1 Original Research Article

Energetic particles of both galactic and solar origin have the potential to cause state changes in memory devices used on-board spacecraft. The particular memory device used in the attitude control system of the Tracking and Data Relay System (TDRS-1) lends itself to the study of this phenomena due to its high susceptibility to such upsets. An eight-year record of TDRS-1 on-orbit upsets reflect the solar cycle variation in galactic radiation as well as radiation enhancements due to solar events. The proton and alpha particle data from the GOES space environment monitor are used to illustrate the radiation environment responsible for these upsets.