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Science Space weather forecasts could protect satellites
Science Space weather forecasts could protect satellites | Space weather forecasts could protect satellites |
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| by Stephen Withers | |
| Monday, 05 February 2007 | |
  
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Science Discussions"Space weather affects spacecraft in many ways. There can be random lost data, changes in orbit dynamics and reduced quality of science data. Therefore, real-time updates are essential when deciding how long to shut down instruments during hazardous periods," says Alessandro Donati, Head of European Space Operations Centre's Advanced Mission Concepts and Technologies office. SEISOP has been initially directed at the Integral gamma-ray observatory. Space weather data from a variety of sources including ESA, NASA and NOAA spacecraft as well as ground-based facilities is combined with information about the 'health' of satellites. Predicting likely periods of damaging weather allows controllers to take protective action such as shutting down sensitive instruments. The weather reports also mean controllers can be confident that the danger period has in fact passed before reactivating the systems.{moscomment} |
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