Gamma rays from solar flares can indeed pose a threat to spacecraft electronics, but the situation is complex and depends on several factors. Solar flares are intense bursts of radiation from the Sun that emit energy across the electromagnetic spectrum, including gamma rays, which are the highest-energy form of light. These gamma rays are produced when high-energy protons and heavier ions accelerated during the flare interact with the solar atmosphere, creating nuclear reactions that emit gamma radiation.
However, gamma rays themselves are not the primary cause of damage to spacecraft electronics. Instead, the main hazard comes from the energetic charged particles—such as protons and electrons—that are also accelerated during solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). These particles can penetrate spacecraft shielding and cause various types of damage to electronic components, including single-event upsets (bit flips), latch-ups, and long-term degradation of materials.
The gamma rays emitted by solar flares are highly penetrating electromagnetic radiation, but spacecraft are generally designed with shielding that can absorb or deflect much of this radiation. The real danger lies in the solar energetic particles (SEPs) that accompany these flares. These particles can flood the space environment around the spacecraft, causing intense radiation storms that can fry sensitive electronics if not properly shielded or if the spacecraft lacks adequate radiation-hardened components.
Solar energetic particles can arrive minutes to hours after the initial flare, depending on their energy and the magnetic field lines connecting the Sun to the spacecraft. This delay means that spacecraft operators can sometimes receive warnings and take protective measures, such as powering down vulnerable systems or switching to safe modes.
In addition to direct damage to electronics, solar flare events and their associated particle storms can interfere with spacecraft communications and navigation systems, further complicating mission operations.
Spacecraft designed for missions close to the Sun, such as ESA’s Solar Orbiter, face extreme radiation environments and incorporate advanced shielding and radiation-hardened electronics to withstand these conditions. Despite these precautions, solar energetic particles remain one of the most significant risks to spacecraft health and longevity.
In summary, while gamma rays from solar flares are part of the radiation environment in space, it is primarily the energetic charged particles accelerated during these events that can “fry” spacecraft electronics. Gamma rays contribute to the overall radiation dose but are less directly responsible for electronic failures compared to the particle radiation that accompanies solar flares and CMEs.