A UK-led mission aims to launch scientific instruments into low-Earth orbit (LEO) to mitigate risk from space weather phenomena.
Space weather is a consequence of the behaviour of the Sun, the nature of Earth’s magnetic field and atmosphere, and our location in the Solar System. It drives changes in the electromagnetic and radiation environment in near-Earth space, in the atmosphere and at the surface.
As such, it can represent a real threat to human technology, including satellites, power grids, communications, navigation and transport infrastructure. The most severe solar radiation storms can travel from the Sun to Earth in as little as 10 minutes.
Observations are critical to implementing timely strategies for mitigating potentially damaging space weather effects.
At the Royal Astronomical Society’s National Astronomy Meeting being held in Durham, the Science and Technology Facilities Council’s (STFC) RAL Space has proposed a new UK-led satellite mission concept called UK-ODESSI (UK...