Spacecraft interactions with their space environments

Radiation belts, solar flares and cosmic rays are at the origin of the space radiative environment. Electrons and protons of the radiation belts as well as protons from the sun coronal mass ejection lead to total dose effects on electronic devices. Cosmic rays and heavy ions solar flares are responsible for heavy ions effects. Recently two other kinds of effects had to be considered. The first one is the so called proton effects and is due to the fact that with the miniaturisation of the devices the lighter ion is now able to affect (indirectly or directly) the electronic. The second one is also due to proton, which, in addition of having ionising effect (leading to total dose effects), may occur displacement effects (like neutrons). In the first part of this paper, we will review these radiation effects. Even though electrostatic charging (we do not address this point in this paper) and radiation effects are the main concern, other aspects of the space environment have also to be taken into account. In the second part of this paper, we will address the effects of the atomic oxygen which can affect LEO satellites, the effects of solar U. V, as well as the micrometeoroid effects and finally the man made space debris.