A new development from the HUN-REN Institute of Earth Physics and Space Science (EPSS) in Sopron promises to improve space weather forecasting, aiding the protection of satellites and Earth-based infrastructure. According to the HUN-REN Hungarian Research Network, the project will help predict extreme space weather events more accurately, providing critical support for space industry stakeholders.
The European Space Agency (ESA) continuously monitors space weather conditions to ensure the safe operation of satellites. Researchers from the HUN-REN FI have contributed to this effort by developing new space weather data products that enhance situational awareness in Earth’s near-space environment. By improving predictions, the Hungarian team aims to reduce the risks posed by space weather to satellite operations and technologies such as GPS navigation, telecommunications, and internet services.
Space weather refers to dynamic processes occurring in Earth’s surrounding space, primarily driven by solar activity. During periods of heightened solar activity, such as the current phase, extreme fluctuations can take place within short periods. These disturbances can endanger satellites and the technologies that depend on them. ESA operates several satellites dedicated to observing these phenomena, and the data they provide are crucial for understanding and forecasting space weather conditions.
‘With these measurements, we can better understand space weather processes, enhance their predictability, and create a safer environment for space industry players,’ researcher at HUN-REN FI Tamás Bozóki explained.
The HUN-REN Institute became the first institution in the region to join ESA’s Swarm DISC (Data Innovation and Science Cluster) consortium in autumn 2022. The Swarm satellite mission focuses on analyzing Earth’s magnetic field, and the Hungarian researchers are working to understand the mechanisms behind extreme space weather events. Their findings will improve forecasting models and help satellite operators prepare for high-radiation events by developing emergency protocols or designing more resilient spacecraft.
One of the key aspects of their research is the study of ultra-low frequency (ULF) waves, which play a crucial role in energizing high-energy particles that pose a risk to satellites. The team has developed advanced algorithms capable of reliably detecting and characterizing these waves, revealing that their occurrence is closely linked to the movements of the plasmasphere, the cold plasma region surrounding Earth.
‘We found that the location of these waves strongly follows the motion of the plasmasphere’s outer boundary. This suggests that the plasmasphere’s dynamics play a fundamental role in the generation and propagation of these waves,’ Bozóki highlighted.
The data products and related documentation developed by the Hungarian researchers are now freely available on ESA’s dedicated platform. Their first research paper detailing these findings has been published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics.
The HUN-REN EPSS team is also preparing for ESA’s upcoming NanoMagSat and SMILE missions, which will further advance space weather monitoring. The SMILE mission, a joint initiative between China and Europe, will study how the magnetosphere and ionosphere respond to geomagnetic storms and substorms through in-situ measurements and newly developed remote-sensing imaging techniques.
According to Deputy Director for Space Research at HUN-REN EPSS Balázs Heilig, Hungarian scientists will contribute by analyzing Swarm and NanoMagSat data, along with ground-based observations, to improve understanding of substorm formation, development, and impact.
As space weather forecasting continues to evolve, the research led by Hungarian scientists is playing a vital role in strengthening global space infrastructure against solar-induced disturbances. Their contributions ensure that future satellite missions can operate more safely and efficiently, even in extreme space conditions.
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