Space Weather-Induced Charging in The Garuda-1 Satellite Power Failure
Abstract
This study investigates the relationship between the geostationary space environment and the Garuda-1 satellite power anomaly that occurred on April 5, 2005. To assess potential anomaly mechanisms, GOES-12 electron and proton flux data, geomagnetic indices, solar wind parameters, and SPENVIS-based charging simulations were examined. While proton fluxes and solar X-ray activity remained relatively low during the event period, relativistic electron fluxes increased significantly under disturbed geomagnetic conditions, as indicated by enhanced AE activity, increased solar wind speed, and prolonged southward IMF Bz. Under these conditions, SPENVIS simulations indicate increased spacecraft surface and internal charging susceptibility. The findings suggest that storm-time energetic electron enhancement and associated charging processes in the geostationary environment may have been associated with the reported Garuda-1 anomaly. This work emphasizes the importance of magnetic local time dependence and geomagnetic activity in influencing spacecraft charging risk for geostationary satellites.
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