The Capabilities and Applications of FY-3A/B SEM on Monitoring Space Weather Events

The space environment monitor (SEM), onboard the Chinese meteorological satellites FengYun-3A/B, has the abilities to measure proton flux in 3–300-MeV energy range and electron flux in 0.15–5.7-MeV energy range. SEM can also detect the heavy ion compositions, satellite surface potential, the radiation dose in sensors, and the single events. The space environment information derived from SEM can be utilized for satellite security designs, scientific studies, development of radiation belt models, and space weather monitoring and disaster warning. In this paper, the SEM's instrument characteristics are introduced, and the postlaunch calibration algorithm is presented. The applications in monitoring space weather events and the service for manned spaceflights are also demonstrated.