AER and AGI Release Updates to Space Environment and Effects Tool to Streamline Engineering Design of Satellites

Satellite engineers now have integrated models that predict radiation from solar energetic particles and galactic cosmic rays.

Exton, PA (PRWEB) July 10, 2014

Atmospheric and Environmental Research (AER) and Analytical Graphics, Inc. (AGI) today announced a new version of Space Environment and Effects Tool for System Tool Kit (STK SEET). STK SEET now includes internationally recognized environment models, implemented by AER, for solar energetic particles (SEPs) and galactic cosmic rays (GCRs). Satellite designers and mission planners can use these new, tightly integrated environment models to design robust spacecraft systems more quickly with improved radiation environment specifications.

AGI is the producer of commercial STK modeling, simulation, and analysis software for the space, defense, and intelligence communities. AER is the lead developer for STK SEET and is a leading provider of science-based solutions to global environmental challenges. AER is a unit of the Verisk Climate division of Verisk Analytics VRSK.

“Satellite designers and mission planners have expressed a need to predict radiation from SEPs and GCRs,” said Paul Graziani, AGI chief executive officer. “We are thrilled that STK SEET's new features will enable our customers to perform even more robust system design and mission planning.”

"Now for the first time, STK users have integrated access to standard SEP and GCR models within the industry-standard satellite and orbit system design tool,” said Ron Isaacs, AER president. “By adding those specifications, the new release of STK SEET allows designers and analysts to better predict a wider range of environments that affect spacecraft and other critical technology."

STK SEET provides near Earth radiation environment specification for satellite designers and mission planners to quickly determine the probable impact of the expected radiation environment on their hardware and perform trade studies to maximize performance over cost. The new capabilities help improve the resilience and performance of satellites. GCRs can lead to a variety of satellite anomalies, including failure in electronic components and software. SEPs from solar flares and coronal mass ejections can cause component failure and damage to solar arrays, which can eventually lead to loss of power to satellites. SEPs also cause increased radiation dose to astronauts and airline crews and passengers, as well as degraded HF radio communications that are used to communicate with aircraft in flight. Learn more at http://www.agi.com/seet.

About Analytical Graphics, Inc.
Analytical Graphics, Inc. (AGI) delivers software applications and development tools for timely and cost-effective development and deployment of space, defense and intelligence missions. AGI products are used for modeling, engineering and operations in the areas of space, cyberspace, aircraft, missile defense, C4ISR and electronic systems. For more information, visit http://www.agi.com.

About Atmospheric and Environmental Research (AER)
Atmospheric and Environmental Research provides science-based solutions to global environmental challenges. AER's internationally renowned scientists and software engineers collaborate to transform state-of-the-art predictive science and analytical tools into practical systems that address both civilian government and defense needs for geophysical understanding, computer simulation, and forecasting. AER customers include government agencies and national laboratories, aerospace and defense contractors, and academia. Areas of expertise comprise atmospheric and environmental science, remote sensing, meteorology, oceanography, space science, climate change, and software engineering. A unit of the Verisk Climate division at Verisk Analytics VRSK, AER was established in 1977 and is headquartered in Lexington, Mass. Visit http://www.aer.com.

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