Space environment effect on earth observation satellite instruments

The interaction of a space system with its orbital environment is a major consideration in the design of any space system, since a variety of hazards are associated with the operation of spacecraft in the harsh space environment. In this paper, several types of hazards to the imaging instruments of Earth-orbiting spacecraft are discussed: spacecraft temperature effect, radiation hazards to spacecraft instruments, with emphasis on the natural environmental factors and interactions which contribute to these hazards. Environmental factors including trapped and transient radiation, solar and galactic cosmic rays, which can profoundly damage spacecraft electronics, are presented. Some effects such as debris and oxygen atomic are also briefly mentioned.