PULSE PocketQube: Cosmic Radiation Analysis of the LEO Environment During a Solar Event

Space weather events can cause harmful effects to spacecraft and communications in Low Earth Orbit, where the cosmic radiation environment during such an event is understudied. Real-time data that characterizes this environment in detail with respect to spatial and temporal characteristics could help us better understand particle composition and interactions in LEO during a solar event, as well as enhance existing predictive models for space mission planning. Current approaches have limited information on particle composition with respect to dose and energy rates, and are hindered by high costs in deploying large space weather monitoring constellations. This proposed satellite mission, PULSE, aims to overcome these challenges by demonstrating a 3P PocketQube equipped with a novel Timepix2 semiconductor detector that can conduct advanced radiation analysis by mapping particle flux corresponding to time of arrival and deposited energy rates for each particle, ultimately reconstructing the radiation environment during a solar event. PULSE is conceptually designed based on a unique operational concept in managing power and data link capacity within the PocketQube configuration to trigger an action that acts as a preliminary solar event alarm. Simulations of various subsystems are performed. The PULSE mission is planned for 7 months during the solar maximum event of 2025. To map the impact of particles on a LEO satellite. Eclipse time is estimated to be 35.42% of mission lifetime and additionally 6 partner ground stations are selected with average contact time of 330 seconds for telecommunications.