STEVENAGE, U.K. -Weather isn't just an Earthly concern; it also plays a role in space. To improve forecasting, Airbus is designing and building the satellite for ESA’s space weather mission Vigil. But what is space weather, and why is it important?
When we think of weather, we usually think of sun, rai,n and snow. But did you know that there is a form of weather that extends far beyond the Earth? In fact, space has its own dynamic and often unpredictable weather, driven by the Sun.
To improve our ability to forecast and mitigate its effects, the European Space Agency (ESA) is preparing Vigil—the first dedicated space weather monitoring satellite positioned at the Sun-Earth L5 Lagrange point. Airbus reports. Continue reading original article.
The Military & Aerospace Electronics take:
29 May 2025 - Space weather, driven by solar activity like flares and coronal mass ejections, can disrupt satellites, power grids, communication networks, and pose radiation risks to astronauts. These effects are especially concerning during periods of high solar activity in the 11-year solar cycle. As our reliance on space-based technologies grows, the ability to predict and prepare for solar storms becomes critical.
Currently, most space weather monitoring relies on Earth-orbiting satellites or those at the L1 Lagrange point, offering limited advance warning. The European Space Agency's (ESA) Vigil mission will change this by positioning a satellite at the L5 Lagrange point—60 degrees behind Earth. From here, Vigil can observe solar regions before they rotate into Earth's direct view, enabling earlier detection of potentially harmful events.
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Jamie Whitney, Senior Editor
Military + Aerospace Electronics
