Global Validation of the Data-Assimilative VERB-3D Code for the Radiation Belts

Electrons in Earth’s radiation belts exhibit significant variability in both space and time during geomagnetic storms, posing potential risks to satellites and astronauts. Physics-based models aim to describe the behavior of energetic electrons in the radiation belts but often face challenges due to uncertainties and inaccuracies, especially in the initial and boundary conditions. Data assimilation addresses these limitations by integrating satellite observations with model predictions, incorporating all available information to produce a more reliable reconstruction. This study evaluates the performance of the data-assimilative 3D Versatile Electron Radiation Belt code (VERB-3D) using data from three independent satellite missions: Arase and GOES for assimilation and Van Allen Probes for validation. The datasets were carefully cleaned and normalized to ensure compatibility. The results confirm that the model accurately reproduces radiation belt dynamics, highlighting the effectiveness of data assimilation techniques for space weather research and improving our understanding of the radiation belt environment.