When you step onto a plane, the pilot is already equipped with information about the weather along the flight path. They can navigate around storms or give you a heads up if bad weather is ahead. However, when it comes to “space weather” caused by solar events, the same level of preparedness is not guaranteed. These phenomena can have a serious impact on satellites and even commercial flights.
Mission Space is gearing up to launch a constellation of satellites that will provide near-real-time monitoring of this increasingly crucial aspect of space exploration.
Space weather refers to the radiation present in the near-Earth environment. Beyond the protective shield of our planet, satellites and spacecraft are exposed to the full force of solar radiation. A solar storm can disrupt or even disable these vital pieces of technology. This type of radiation behaves like atmospheric weather, constantly changing in type and intensity. However, due to its fast-moving and invisible nature, it’s much harder to observe and predict accurately.
While there are existing satellites and missions dedicated to monitoring solar radiation, they have their limitations. It’s akin to trying to predict a storm using just a few scattered sensors in the vast ocean. With the rapid growth of the space industry, space weather has evolved from a sporadic inconvenience to a persistent and quantifiable threat.
According to Alex Pospekhov, CEO of Mission Space, more companies are recognizing the importance of space weather monitoring. Currently, there are approximately 7,000 satellites orbiting Earth, but in a decade, that number is expected to skyrocket to 50,000. This surge in satellites will amplify the impact of space weather events, making real-time monitoring crucial.
Not only do serious solar storms pose a danger to electronics, but they also present risks to astronauts on spacewalks. Establishing a permanent human presence on the moon would require accurate knowledge of safe conditions for venturing outside. Closer to home, airlines are concerned about passengers receiving high doses of radiation during flights over the poles, leading to some cancellations. These potential dangers highlight the critical need for reliable space weather monitoring systems.
Mission Space, founded in Europe and now based in Israel and the U.S., is gearing up to launch the first two satellites of a planned 24-satellite constellation. These satellites will provide reports and predictions about space weather in near real-time. Rather than replacing existing scientific instruments in space, Mission Space’s constellation aims to augment their data with a proprietary stream for more precise and timely monitoring.
Pospekhov highlighted the outdated infrastructure and complex data integration challenges in the current space weather monitoring system. By launching their satellites and leveraging their proprietary data stream, Mission Space hopes to revolutionize space weather monitoring and prediction.
Their goal is to collaborate with governments, scientific organizations, aerospace companies, satellite operators, and space tourism companies to address the pressing issue of space weather and ensure the safety and reliability of space operations. With the launch of their first satellites set for the first quarter of 2025, Mission Space is poised to make a significant impact in the field of space weather monitoring.
