Direct hits of atmospheric muons on sub-orbital neutrino detectors

Sub-orbital and satellite-based neutrino telescopes can detect the atmospheric Cherenkov and Fluorescence emission from extensive air showers (EASs) generated by the cosmic ray interactions in the atmosphere. For sub-orbital detectors, muons produced from cosmic rays in the atmosphere can directly hit the Cherenkov and Fluorescence telescope, and can simulate a signal similar to the EAS signals which can be a potential background. Using a semi-analytic technique with cascade equations for atmospheric particle fluxes, we quantify the atmospheric muon flux that reaches sub-orbital telescopes like Extreme Universe Space Observatory Super Pressure Balloon 2 (EUSO-SPB2). We take into account the effect of the Earth's magnetic field on the muons trajectory, and the muon production from different mesons like pions and kaons.