- Space weather stationVideo: 00:00:46 Over the course of a whole day, Norway’s plasma sampler, the multi-Needle Langmuir Probe (m-NLP), is seen being slowly moved around by a robotic arm to be slotted into place on the outside porch of Bartolomeo – the Airbus-operated platform attached to the Columbus laboratory of the International Space Station (ISS).Since its integration on Bartolomeo in September 2023, the task of this instrument has been to sample its immediate space weather environment by measuring the plasma surrounding the ISS. It does so to an extraordinarily high level of detail, making a few thousand measurements per second.Plasma, sometimes called ‘the fourth state of matter’ (the other three being solid, liquid, and gas), is essentially an electrically charged gas. Most of the visible matter in space is made of plasma, including the Sun and the radiation particles it throws off during solar flares. On Earth, we can see plasma in the form of auroras or lightning.The streams of particles flying from the Sun towards Earth are referred to as the solar wind, and they give rise to space weather. “Spectacular events such as solar flares can be accompanied by bursts of energetic particles that can reach Earth’s upper atmosphere and ionosphere, where most of our satellites are operating,” explains Fabrice Cipriani of European Space Agency’s Space Environment and Effects section and Technical Officer for the GSTP part of the activity.“This form of space radiation can for instance interrupt communication between satellites and the ground or cause a satellite to veer off its orbit. m-NLP helps us understand space weather by detecting electron density around the ISS, down to a resolution of a few meters. As the instrument is operating most of the time, its continuous measurements allow us to monitor the impact of the Sun on our nearby environment.”“So far, the instrument has given us a wealth of data about the plasma state in mid and low latitudes, at unprecedented resolution,” explains Lasse Clausen, professor for plasma physics at the University of Oslo and Principal Investigator for the experiment. “Now we can really start to understand the underlying physical mechanisms that drive space weather effects in this part of the globe. We were also lucky enough to capture the plasma’s response to one of the biggest solar storms in the last years.”The instrument is gathering data in its own right, but due to its flexibility, it also acts as the blueprint for operational space weather monitoring instruments that are currently being developed within ESA’s Space Situational Awareness programme.“m-NLP was the first instrument to be slotted onto the Bartholomeo platform,” says Atul Deep, ESA’s experiment system engineer. “This meant that during its integration, various system requirements had to be tested and validated. In this way, our instrument helped prepare the systems for future payloads that will be hosted on the platform.” Kenza Benamar, ESA’s technology research and development engineer, adds: “The m-NLP technology has potential to be used well beyond low Earth orbit. With modifications such as more radiation-resistant electronics or different coating, such instruments could be part of a future space weather constellation or even venture into deep space. This concept is currently under study in ESA’s Space Situational Awareness Programme.”m-NLP was co-funded by ESA’s PRODEX and General Support Technology (GSTP) programmes. Eidsvoll Electronics designed and built the ERIU electronics to interface the m-NLP instrument to the Bartolomeo platform, while the University of Oslo designed the m-NLP electronics and boom system with probes. Read more »Source: ESA Space Engineering & Technology | Published: 7th February 2025 - 14:20
- For astronaut radiation protection, just add waterSpace is not the safest place to be. During spaceflight, both devices and humans risk exposure to high levels of radiation. Without sufficient protection, instruments would malfunction, and astronauts might face serious health risks. A team of researchers from Ghent University in Belgium are testing the potential of 3D-printed hydrogels – materials that can soak up large amounts of water – to serve as highly-effective radiation shields. Read more »Source: ESA Space Engineering & Technology | Published: 6th February 2025 - 09:35
- Here there be radiation dragons‘Here there be dragons’ – medieval mapmakers would daub such warnings on dangerous or unknown recesses of mariners’ charts. Fast forward to the 21st century and the space surrounding our planet holds ‘dragons’ of its own: fierce radiation belts that surround Earth, Jupiter and other planets, and storms of particles originating from the Sun that travel far into space. A dedicated class of engineers work to safeguard space missions from such dangers. Read more »Source: ESA Space Engineering & Technology | Published: 3rd February 2025 - 08:43
- Transforming ESA’s technical heartImage: Transforming ESA’s technical heart Read more »Source: ESA Space Engineering & Technology | Published: 31st January 2025 - 13:15
- Using AI for more reliable space missionsAs we prepare to go deeper into space, the demand for autonomous systems capable of operating independently from ground control and crew interactions is increasing. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is shaping up to be an essential tool for reaching this goal. With support from ESA's Discovery programme, a team of researchers from Airbus explored how AI can collect and analyse data onboard the Columbus module of the International Space Station (ISS) in order to improve its prognosis and fault detection capabilities. Read more »Source: ESA Space Engineering & Technology | Published: 30th January 2025 - 08:39
- Rideshare deal opens new path to space for European innovationThe best way to test new space technologies is to actually fly them in space. Today the European Space Agency signed on behalf of the European Commission a series of contracts with small satellite makers from across our continent to ensure rapid access to orbit through rideshare services for future European innovations. Read more »Source: ESA Space Engineering & Technology | Published: 28th January 2025 - 12:15
- ESA grows private investment in Europe’s space sectorThe commercialisation of space is one of the European Space Agency’s (ESA) strategic priorities. By attracting private investors to the space sector, the Agency enables European entrepreneurs and established industry to innovate and develop new uses of space beyond infrastructure and ESA missions. Read more »Source: ESA Space Engineering & Technology | Published: 28th January 2025 - 10:45
- Satellite ready for close-upImage: Satellite ready for close-up Read more »Source: ESA Space Engineering & Technology | Published: 24th January 2025 - 13:25
- Seed-sized space chipImage: Seed-sized space chip Read more »Source: ESA Space Engineering & Technology | Published: 17th January 2025 - 10:00
- Hera asteroid mission in your houseImage: Hera asteroid mission in your house Read more »Source: ESA Space Engineering & Technology | Published: 20th December 2024 - 10:59