Predicting changes of the environment based on the behavior of the Sun

Space weather describes the changes nature of Earth’s environment predominantly because of the behavior of our Sun. This can include Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) and the shockwaves that come with them, solar energetic particles (SEP), extreme ultraviolet, X-rays and solar winds, all with the potential to cause damage on Earth.

Charting a three-dimensional map of our Galaxy and contributing to a database of potentially hazardous near-Earth objects

Solar Heliospheric Observatory - predicting space weather with the potential to negatively impact Earth

Identifying and studying events on the Sun that have implications for (space) weather

Early detection of hazardous orbital debris

Studying and monitoring space weather: from coronal mass ejections to solar energetic particles

Life on Earth depends on heat and light from our nearest star, the Sun. However, the environment around our planet is constantly being altered by the Sun’s varied behaviours, and this ‘space weather’ is notoriously difficult to predict.

Automatic detection and identification of potentially hazardous near-Earth objects

The Earth is constantly bombarded by small, usually rocky bodies that are flung toward it, most originating from the asteroid belt. Fortunately, our planet is surrounded by a thin but vital atmosphere that protects it from the vast majority of these visitors, causing them to burn up before they can do any damage.

ESA Space Debris Training Course

Space debris describes the mass of human-made junk that has been discarded into space. Initially launched with ambitious scientific and technological goals in mind, these old satellites and rocket parts are now obsolete but continue to orbit the Earth despite the ending of their missions.

As of 2017, 23 000 artificial objects were being tracked in Earth orbit, including 1200 operational satellites. It is estimated that the number of objects too small to be observed is over 166 million.