Solar Proton Fluence Models

Proton fluence models provide estimates of the likelihood of receiving a given fluence over a specified period of time.  Spacecraft engineers and mission planners typically use these models to design or plan for long duration missions and for worst-case solar event scenarios.  The JPL 1991 (Feynman et al 1993) and King  (King 1974) models are most commonly used.  These models utilize fluence data for three solar cycles and statistically determine the probability of exceeding a particular fluence level.  Other models, such as CREME and CHIME, use the solar proton fluence models to estimate the radiation risk to electronics.  While the models are useful for many purposes, they lack the ability to examine the impacts of specific events and do not allow for much physical interpretation of the origins of a received radiation dose.

JPL 1991 and the King Model have the following inputs and outputs:

INPUT: Mission Duration

OUTPUTS: Solar Proton Fluence, Number of SEP Events, Probability of Experiencing a SEP Event of a Given Magnitude

Solar Proton Fluence Models