First Direct Radiation Resistance Measurement on a Loop Dipole Antenna from Excitation of Whistler Waves

High energy electrons from either solar wind or from human activity may become trapped inside the Van Allen radiation belts or create an artificial radiation belt that can persist for long periods of time. Spacecraft flying through these belts may be susceptible to damage from these trapped electrons. Whistler waves are known to precipitate electrons into the atmosphere, so a proposed solution is using spacecraft to carry compact electron beams or antennas to remediate these trapped electrons. Recent space missions such as the Van Allen Probe spacecraft have collected data on electron enhancement and loss mechanisms to study the feasibility of this proposed solution. Additionally, the recently completed Demonstration and Science Experiment (DSX) satellite conducted experiments on the efficiency of injecting very low frequency (VFL) waves in space with their 82-meter tip to tip electric dipole antenna.