Design and validation of a space plasma environment detector for BeiDou navigation satellite

Abstract Most of the satellites of the BeiDou navigation system work in geostationary orbit (GEO) and medium earth orbit (MEO), where the space plasma environment can make a severe impact on spacecraft. To measure the parameters of the plasma environment in GEO and MEO orbital space and to improve the design of the environmental adaptability of the satellites based on in situ probe data, a 2π-solid-angle omnidirectional field-of-view plasma detector was investigated and tested. The overall system design and detailed design of the structure and electric system were implemented. Then tests and verification were carried out to validate the reliability and capability of the detector. The detector can supply accurate in situ data of the plasma environment and be used to investigate the space plasma environment and its effects.