STORIE heads to ISS to identify geomagnetic storm sources
Updated
Updated · spacedaily.com · May 10
STORIE heads to ISS to identify geomagnetic storm sources
10 articles · Updated · spacedaily.com · May 10
The NASA and US Space Force instrument will fly on a SpaceX resupply mission and image Earth’s ring current from the station over a six-month mission.
By distinguishing oxygen from hydrogen and helium, STORIE aims to show whether storm particles come mainly from Earth’s atmosphere or the solar wind.
That could improve forecasts for satellite drag, GPS and military spacecraft operations, and grid-damaging induced currents as Solar Cycle 25 nears peak activity.
Will a new space sensor's data finally enable AI to predict catastrophic solar storms weeks in advance?
Is the greatest threat in a solar storm the sun, or is our own atmosphere turning against our technology?
How can knowing a storm's origin help prevent a multi-billion dollar blackout before it happens?
Inside-Out Imaging of Earth's Ring Current: How NASA's 2026 STORIE Mission Will Transform Space Weather Forecasting After the 2024 Gannon Superstorm
Overview
The May 2024 Gannon storm was a historic geomagnetic event that caused auroras to appear at unusually low latitudes and captured global attention. Data from this storm, recorded in detail by JAXA's Arase satellite, revealed for the first time how Earth's plasmasphere can be severely compressed and take days to recover. Scientists expect to analyze this data for years, gaining crucial lessons to better prepare for future geomagnetic disturbances. These insights highlight the urgent need for missions like NASA's upcoming STORIE, which aims to deepen our understanding of space weather and protect vital technology.