Technology

Enhancing Satellite Platforms to Monitor Space Weather

Published

2 weeks ago

September 6, 2024

We’re so used to relying on weather forecasts that few people pause to think about the satellite technology behind it. But did you know that satellite platforms can also monitor space weather? Of course, space weather monitoring is different from forecasts we’re used to on Earth. Instead, sensors installed on monitoring satellites measure the levels of radiation from solar flares, including gamma rays, estimate ultraviolet emissions, and much more. That’s how we get updates on geomagnetic storms and other extreme solar activity that can disrupt many processes back on Earth, using this data to further study our solar system. Below, we will explain how satellite platforms for monitoring space weather work and why it’s important we keep receiving this data.

Why is it important to monitor space weather?

Space weather monitoring may not seem that important on Earth, but there are valid reasons for monitoring solar activity. For starters, power solar storms can disrupt technical systems, especially power lines, back on Earth — when a storm is strong, our atmosphere may not be enough to fully shield us from it. Fortunately, storms that affect our magnetosphere aren’t too common; the most notable example occurred in 1989 in Quebec, causing a nine-hour power outage.

But while major disruptions aren’t common on Earth, our space tech operating in orbit does not enjoy the same protective benefits of an atmospheric shield. And we do have a lot of satellites in orbit — satellites we rely on for communication, navigation, and forecasting terrestrial weather. Intense solar activity can disrupt their operation, and if the storm is strong enough, it may even destroy stored information — including volumes of Earth monitoring data we use for long-term analysis of climate change and other processes back at home.

Finally, as manned missions to space (both professional astronauts and tourist travel) become more common, there is an issue of human safety. Solar flares emit intense radiation, and a timely space weather forecast can warn astronauts about the need to seek shelter in better-shielded areas of their spacecraft or even adjust start dates for an upcoming mission.

How satellites are used to monitor the weather?

Scientists do receive some information about space weather from ground-based stations, but space monitoring satellites ensure higher data accuracy — simply because they operate ‘in the field.’ Depending on the particular type of information that needs monitoring, space weather sensors can detect levels of the emitted radiation, speed and intensity of the solar wind, disruptions in Earth’s magnetic field, etc.

Space weather monitoring satellites collect relevant data and send it back to Earth for analysis, where scientists interpret it. And while there is nothing we can do to prevent geomagnetic storms from happening, a timely warning can help us prepare for potential damage and, possibly, even alleviate its negative consequences.

Scientists processing data about space weather

What satellites are used to monitor space weather?

Multiple satellites, as well as ground-based observatories, have been monitoring space weather for decades, providing scientists with invaluable data about solar activity. But not everything is as peachy as it sounds because most space weather monitoring spacecraft were launched in the 1990s, and this tech is already reaching (sometimes, even exceeding) its expected operational span. Here are some of the most notable spacecraft currently monitoring space weather:

SOHO (Solar and Heliospheric Observatory), positioned in the first Lagrangian point (L1), is monitoring the Sun’s corona and solar wind. However, the observatory was launched in 1995 and designed for two years of operation. Even though it is still monitoring space weather, it can go out of operation at any time now.
ACE (Advanced Composition Explorer) is another NASA’s old-timer launched in 1997. Its focus is on monitoring solar wind particles and cosmic rays.
GOES (Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite) series fares somewhat better because the most recent space weather monitoring satellite, GOES-18, was launched in 2022. However, there are a lot of spacecraft launched way before, and only four of the total eighteen launched spacecraft are still operational.
Parker Solar Probe is currently the fastest-traveling man-made object that has been heading towards the Sun since 2018. Its mission is to study our star’s corona up close, which can potentially provide valuable information about space weather. However, it is still unclear how the mission goes and what monitoring data we’ll receive.

Future solutions for monitoring space weather

Most spacecraft currently monitoring space weather are large satellites developed before today’s tech advances. And while they still provide valuable data, the need for new satellites is already obvious. Fortunately, space agencies are already taking steps in this direction. For example, ESA launched its innovative Solar Orbiter in 2020, which should study our star up close and act as a totally new kind of solar monitoring observatory.

Next, advances in small satellite building, including innovative CubeSat designs, allow the grouping of smaller, more affordable satellites into constellations for space weather monitoring. Potentially, this could ensure even better coverage and provide more monitoring data than old-school spacecraft. With international collaboration strengthening and private-public sector relations steadily increasing, it looks like we will have brand-new space weather monitoring tech soon enough.

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Top 10 Free Data Recovery Software for Windows [2024]

Published

1 week ago

September 12, 2024

mixedwpgals

Top 10 Free Data Recovery Software for Windows [2024]

Data loss on Windows PC due to accidental deletion, formatting, virus attacks, or any other reason can put you in trouble. Luckily, there are many free data recovery software and manual methods available online that you can try to restore your lost or deleted data. Though manual workarounds are tricky and often difficult to implement, restoring your files using a professional Windows data recovery software is easy. Many of these tools are available in free and paid versions which vary in features.

A free data recovery software allows you to restore your deleted data without additional cost. So if you are looking for a free data recovery software to restore your lost data on Windows PC, then keep reading this article. Here, we will discuss the top 10 free data recovery software for Windows, their features, and many more details. Let’s get started!

Best Free Windows Data Recovery Software to Restore Lost Data

Here are the top 10 free data recovery software for Windows PC which allows you to restore your lost or deleted data without any cost. Just check and compare their features and select the one that best fits your requirements:

01: Stellar Data Recovery Free

Stellar Data Recovery Free is an all-in-one free data recovery software that allows you to restore files lost due to accidental deletion, formatting, virus attacks, etc. You can easily restore files and folders deleted from any internal and external storage devices, including SD cards, USBs, SSDs, and many more. This software allows you to easily restore deleted data of any type, such as photos, videos, documents, emails, etc. in three simple clicks.