Radiation belt monitoring in the Universat-SOCRAT multi-satellite mission

D. V. Skobeltsyn Institute of Nuclear Physics of M. V. Lomonosov Moscow State University (SINP MSU) is developing the new project Universat-SOCRAT intended for monitoring of space factors being a threats space missions: ionizing space radiation, electromagnetic transient luminous events in the atmosphere, asteroids and space debris, and powerful gamma ray bursts in space. A system of small satellites will be launched into specially selected orbits crossing the wide range of magnetic drift shells at different altitudes. The primary scope for the project is the operational monitoring of near-Earth’s radiation environment: fluxes of electrons and protons of Earth’s radiation belts and energetic particles of solar galactic origin. The energetic particles are responsible for an enhanced radiation exposure, ionization effects, internal charging, single event effects and other hazards that can prevent human activity in spacecraft altitudes as well as in the upper and lower atmosphere and on-ground. These space factors also represent a significant health risk for manned spacecraft crew and passengers onboard aircraft. Activity in terms of Universat-SOCRAT project can address so far unanswered questions of detection and dosimetry of ionizing radiation both of cosmic and terrestrial origin and will contribute to the improvement of space weather models, air transport safety measures and global navigation systems reliability.