Monitoring Results of FY-3E Satellite High-energy Particle Detector

FY-3E satellite is one of the Fengyun-3 polar orbit meteorological satellite series and also the first morning dusk orbit meteorological satellite in China. The satellite orbits at an altitude of about 830 kilometers with an inclination angle of 98.75°. The high-energy particle detector mounted on the satellite is used to monitor the charged particle radiation environment, which can provide 0.15 MeV to 5.7 MeV high-energy electron and 3 MeV to 300 MeV proton flux data in three directions of the satellite body (–z skyward direction, –x flight reverse direction, and +y vertical orbital plane direction). The data of high-energy protons and electrons monitored by the detector from July 2021 to May 2024 are analyzed, and the spatial distribution and long-term evolution results are obtained in the three directions as follows. The lower the energy, the larger the distribution range, and the more complex the structure, especially for energy electrons, which exhibit multiple stripes at both high latitudes of north and south. Among the three directions, the flux intensity of electrons in the +y direction is the highest, and the –z direction is the smallest. The difference of protons in the three directions is relatively small. The +y direction electrons are most significantly affected by environmental disturbances. The extremely strong geomagnetic storm in May 2024 significantly affects the spatial distribution and flux intensity of both electrons and protons. The data results indicate that the high-energy particle detector can respond sensitively to the dynamics of high-energy particles in space. The measured data can not only support the assessment of orbital environment, serve for the design of spacecraft radiation protection and the secure layout of satellite equipment, but also can help to further understand the dynamic physics process of charged particles in radiation belts during disturbances, especially under the influence of extreme events.