GPS particle detectors track space radiation over two decades

Per Physics World, researchers in China have finally solved a persistent problem with space radiation monitoring. GPS satellites have tracked high-energy electrons from the Sun for decades—electrons that can disrupt or damage spacecraft. But the detectors were never cross-calibrated, so measurements from different satellites varied wildly. The team combined two decades of readings from twenty-five GPS satellites, using statistical techniques to align all the data into a coherent record. Understanding how electron flux rises and falls with the Sun's eleven-year cycle is crucial for satellite operators and designers. The researchers say their method can now be applied to other satellite systems, improving our understanding of the space weather threat.

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