New Results of Radiation Study on Board TGO ExoMars in 2018–2023
Mitrofanov, I.; Golovin, D.; Kozyrev, A.; Litvak, M.; Mokrousov, M.; Semkova, J.; Malchev, S.; Tomov, B.; Koleva, R.; Krastev, K.; Shurshakov, V.; Bengin, V.; Matveychuk, Y.; Bankov, N.; Dachev, Ts.; Drobyshev, S.
Bulgaria, Russia
Abstract
The article provides a brief description of the Liulin-MO dosimeter, which is part of the FREND (Fine Resolution Epithermal Neutron Detector) device installed on the TGO (Trace Gas Orbiter) spacecraft of the ExoMars-2016 mission. Since April 2018, TGO has been operating in orbit around Mars. Data are presented on the radiation environment in the orbit of Mars during the decline phase of the 24th cycle of solar activity and the growth phase of the 25th cycle. During the period under review, a maximum flux and dose rate due to galactic cosmic rays (GCR) were observed. Between July 2021 and March 2023, the Liulin-MO dosimeter recorded eight increases in particle fluxes and dose rates from solar proton events (SPEs). Data are presented on the radiation environment during the SPE in Mars orbit in July 2021–March 2022, when Mars was on the opposite side of the Sun from Earth. A comparison is made of particle fluxes measured in orbits around the Earth and Mars.