Space weather hazards to satellite systems

Very large magnetic storms; high-amplitude, hard-spectrum energetic proton events; extended periods of high levels of high-energy �killer electrons� in GEO and lower altitude orbit; and thermal electrons injected from the magnetotail and drifting toward dawn at GEO as well as trapped radiation (e.g. �South Atlantic Anomaly�) have created hazardous space weather conditions for satellites. Examples are: 13-14 March 1989, the �Great Magnetic Storm�; 14-16 July 2000, the �Bastille Day Storm�; 31 Mar-2 April 2001, the �Halloween Storm� in October-November 2003, and the most recent anomaly-producing event(s). An overview of the different types of space environment disturbances that comprise �Space Weather� will be given.