2023-07-15 11:11:00
DLR researchers examined the South Atlantic anomaly on board a Lufthansa Airbus A350. They wanted to know if the radiation is higher on flights through the zone. Now the results are in.
The South Atlantic Anomaly is noticed on the ISS space station. It describes a weak point in the Earth’s magnetic field. And that can lead to increased cosmic rays over the South Atlantic. The reason: The axis of the magnetic field does not run exactly through the center of the earth, as the German Aerospace Center DLR explains.
It is slightly offset and tilted from the Earth’s axis of rotation. Therefore, radiation belts surrounding the Earth reach closer to the surface in the Atlantic Ocean off the Brazilian coast. In this area, the radiation exposure in low-Earth orbit is increased. This can be felt, for example, on the International Space Station ISS at an altitude of around 400 kilometers.
Lots of gauges on board
But what about the altitude at which passenger planes normally fly? Two DLR scientists and one DLR scientist investigated this in March and April 2021 on board a Lufthansa Airbus A350-900. DLR called the investigation Mission Atlantic Kiss.
Flight path through the anomaly. Image: DLR
Using different instruments, they examined different components of the radiation field. The instruments included, for example, a 40-kilogram neutron probe to measure gamma rays. Because the instrument is sensitive, the researchers had to strap it in – in a row of seats at the center of gravity of the aircraft, where vibrations and turbulence are usually lowest.
No indication of excessive radiation
According to the DLR, four semiconductor detectors recorded charged particles, two so-called tissue-equivalent proportional counters measured the radiation that is absorbed in a very thin tissue. The result was clear. And gratifying.
The probe was strapped on. Picture. DLR
“Our measurements did not indicate any additional significant contribution to the radiation field at flight altitude in the geographic area of the South Atlantic Anomaly,” says Matthias Meier, head of the Atlantic Kiss mission. “The fear of increased radiation exposure at flight altitudes in this region is therefore scientifically unfounded.” The earth’s atmosphere effectively protects against cosmic radiation.
Lufthansa special flight
The measurements took place on board a Lufthansa special flight. The Airbus A350-900 flew from Hamburg to the Falkland Islands in March 2021 – it was the second of two special flights and the longest non-stop flight ever by a German airline. In addition to the DLR team, there was a 40-person crew on board who picked up the research vessel Polarstern on the Falkland Islands and steered it across the Atlantic back to Germany.
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