This article was first published by The Conversation. Space.com's Expert voices: Op-Ed and Insights was contributed by the publication.
Brett Carter, Senior lecturer, RMIT University
Iver Cairns is Professor of Space Physics at the University of Sydney
CUAVA-1, an Australian-made space weather satellite, was launched into orbit by the International Space Station (Oct. 6) This CubeSat, which is about the size of a shoebox, was launched to orbit in August aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Its primary purpose is to study the effects radiation from the sun on Earth's atmosphere and electronic devices.
Space weather, such as solar flares or changes in the sun's direction, can have an impact on Earth's ionosphere. This is a layer of charged particles that exists in the upper atmosphere. This can have an effect on long-distance radio communications, the orbits of certain satellites, and create fluctuations in the electromagnetic fields that can cause havoc with electronics down to the ground and in space.
The Australian Research Council Training Centre For Cubesats UAVs and Their Applications (or CUAVA) is responsible for the creation and construction of the new satellite. It is equipped with technology demonstrators and payloads that were built by UNSW-Sydney, Macquarie University and University of Sydney.
CUAVA-1's goal is to improve space weather forecasts which are currently limited. CUAVA-1 is not only a scientific step, but also a step towards the Australian Space Agency's goal to grow the local space industry by 20,000 workers by 2030.
Satellites and Space Weather
Although the Australian Space Agency was established in 2018, Australia has a long history of satellite research. FedSat, for instance, was the first satellite to have a GPS receiver in 2002.
Space-based GPS receivers make it possible to measure the atmosphere around the globe for weather prediction and monitoring. Space-based GPS data is used by the Bureau of Meteorology, and other forecasting agencies for their forecasting.
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Satellite-based GPS receivers make it possible to monitor Earth's ionosphere. This layer of the atmosphere transforms from a mixture of uncharged atoms, molecules and gases to a mixture of electrons and protons at heights between 50 and 620 miles (80 and 1,000 km). A plasma is a gas composed of charged particles.
The beautiful auroral display that occurs at high latitudes during moderate to severe geomagnetic storms is known as the ionosphere, but there are many more.
Satellite navigation and positioning can be complicated by the ionosphere, but it can also be useful for ground-based radar or radio signals that can bounce off it to scan the sky or communicate with it.
Space weather events can affect technology and infrastructure. Image credit NASA
Why is space weather so difficult to predict?
Operational space weather forecasting is only possible if you understand the ionosphere. We know that the ionosphere can become highly irregular during severe geomagnetic thunderstorms. It can disrupt radio signals passing through it and cause surges in electric current in power grids or pipelines.
A large amount of energy is deposited into the Earth's upper atmosphere near the south and north poles during severe geomagnetic storms. This causes changes in currents and flows within the equatorial Ionosphere.
This energy is dissipated through the system, causing large changes in the upper atmosphere and changing high-altitude wind patterns over the equator hours after.
X-rays, UV radiation from solar flares and other sources heat the atmosphere directly (above the ozone layers) above the equator. These changes affect the amount of drag in low Earth orbit. This makes it difficult to predict satellite and space debris's paths.
There are many "quiet time" disturbances that can affect GPS and other electronic systems, even if there aren't geomagnetic storms.
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Unfortunately, it is impossible to make precise predictions about bad space weather for more than three days in advance. Even more difficult to predict is the impact of bad weather on Earth's upper atmosphere. This includes satellite drag changes and GPS disturbances.
Therefore, most space weather prediction agencies have limited capabilities. They can only "nowcast": they observe the current space weather conditions and project for the next few hours.
To understand the relationship between Earth and the sun, how the energy from the sun is dissipated through the Earth system and how these system changes impact the technology we rely on every day, it will require a lot of science.
This will mean more research and more satellites for the equatorial and mid-latitudes that are relevant to Australians (and most people on Earth). CUAVA-1 represents a first step toward a constellation Australian space weather satellites, which will play an important role in space weather forecasting in the future.
This article was republished by The Conversation under Creative Commons. You can read the original article.
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