Radiation damage to Hubble has been 4.3 years out of phase with the Solar cycle

Researchers found that radiation damage to the Hubble Space Telescope's detectors over 24 years has been consistently 4.3 years out of phase with the Solar cycle, despite varying with solar activity. Using empirical fitting models, scientists were able to correct over 99.5% of radiation damage's effects on image quality, though the models required physically unrealistic parameters. The findings highlight the complexity of the radiation environment in Low Earth Orbit and underscore the need for continued monitoring of spacecraft radiation damage to better predict degradation and lifespan of future missions.