SPACE ENVIRONMENT DATA ACQUISITION EQUIPMENT - ATTACHED PAYLOAD (SEDA-AP),
SEVEN INVESTIGATIONS
Research Area: Near-Earth Space Environment
Expedition(s): 19-ongoing
Principal Investigator(s): ● Kiyokazu Koga, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, Tsukuba,
Japan
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
The Space Environment Data Acquisition Equipment - Attached Payload (SEDA-AP) investigation
consists of 7 small instruments designed to measure the space environment around the
International Space Station (ISS). SEDA-AP instruments include 5 radiation and particle
monitors, an electronic device performance monitor, a micro-particles capturer, and a space
environment exposure device. Characterizing and understanding the environment around
space vehicles through this unique combination of instruments allows researchers to develop
and design more robust, safe, and protective spacecrafts in the future.
EARTH BENEFIT
It is possible to contribute to safety operation
of broadcasting, communication, and the car
navigation system satellite by using the space
environment data measured by SEDA-AP.
Additionally SEDA-AP provides support for
space weather forecasting and other fields in
atmospheric physics.
SPACE BENEFIT
The space environment is used to troubleshoot
the satellite anomalies caused by radiation and
the radiation dose control of the crews aboard
the ISS.
RESULTS
SEDA-AP gathered valuable data of the space environment at an altitude of 400 km over a
course of 3 years. This data will improve models used for the estimation of radiation hardiness
of satellite exterior design and minimize the radiation dose during a solar flare. The space
environment data is also useful for the trouble shooting of satellite anomalies caused by
radiation as well as determining dose control of astronauts in the space station.
New findings from SEDA-AP are obtained by analysis of neutron measurements, such as
understating the acceleration mechanisms of the solar flare particle and the evaluation of
neutron leakage from the terrestrial atmosphere which is called CRAND (Cosmic Ray Arbedo
Neutron Decay). Analysis of this data is ongoing. In this solar cycle 24, the solar activity is very
low, however, solar activity has been increasing in recent years, and is expected to increase
S127E008244 – Close-up view of Kibo arm moving
Space Environment Data Acquisition Attached
Payload. Solar arrays are visible in the background.
JAXA image.