Tutorial Sessions

IEEE Space, Aerospace and Defence Conference, SPACE 2025

Performance of Spacecrafts and its Payloads in Space Weather

Abstract:

Space weather, the encompassing phenomena such as solar flares, coronal mass ejections (CMEs), solar energetic particle events, suprathermal energetic particle radiation from galactic cosmic rays and geomagnetic storms—poses significant challenges to the performance and longevity of spacecraft and their onboard payloads. These events can lead to increased radiation levels, highly energetic plasma particles causing spacecraft charging, single-event upsets (SEUs) and long-term degradation in electronic components. Additionally, geomagnetic storms can enhance atmospheric drag on low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, leading to orbital decay and potential mission disruptions. By understanding and addressing the effects of space weather, we can enhance the resilience and reliability of spacecraft, ensuring the success of current and future missions in increasingly congested and dynamic space environments.

This workshop delves into the multifaceted impacts of space weather on spacecraft systems. We shall explore case studies highlighting anomalies and failures attributed to space weather events, such as the increased thermospheric density leading to the loss of multiple Starlink satellites in February 2022. Furthermore, we will discuss the implications of spacecraft charging, where differential surface charging, internal charging can result in electrostatic discharges, affecting spacecraft operations.

Bio-sketch for Speaker:

Dr. Soumyabrata Chakrabarty obtained his B. E. (Hons) degree from NIT (Previously REC) Silchar in 1988, M. E. from Jadavpur University in the year 1992 both in Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering and Ph. D. degree in Engineering from Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur in the year 1996. He served NIT, Silchar as lecturer in the Department of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering during 1995-1996. He is currently working as Professor of Practice Department of Space, Planetary & Astronomical Sciences & Engineering (SPASE) Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur. He served the Department of Electrical Engineering, IIT Gandhinagar as visiting professor during July 21-June 2024.

He served the Antenna Systems Group, Space Applications Centre, Ahmedabad as scientist/Engineer during September 1996 – June, 2021 and was involved in the development of a variety of state-of-the-art antenna systems related to Microwave Remote sensing payloads. He served the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) during 1999-2000 as guest scientist deputed from ISRO. His area of research is Space Weather interaction of Spacecrafts, Computational Electromagnetics, Design and development of Antennas for Radio Telescopes and Microwave Sensors. He has authored and co-authored more than 80 papers published in IEEE transactions on EMC, MTT and IET Journals, International journal of Electronics etc.

He received INSA visiting fellowship 1996 and was short-listed for INSA young Scientist award 1997. He received ISRO team excellence award for the successful development of Scatterometer and RISAT payload.

He is a professional violinist and graded artist of All India Radio. He participated in many classical music concerts in West Bengal, Assam, Gujarat and Delhi for the last 30 years.