Project description
Multiplying our solar storm warning time
Solar storms pose a devastating threat to Earth. These bursts of electrically charged particles can cripple vital electric-dependent systems, such as GPS, and cause serious failures for satellites in space. Current warning times only offer up to 60 minutes. The EIC-funded STORM project aims to extend this crucial warning period, giving authorities hours to power down critical infrastructure and mitigate damage. STORM proposes launching a constellation of multiple-sensing spacecraft closer to the Sun. Arranging them in a strategic geometric distribution will allow for accurate, advance prediction of a storm’s time, strength, and velocity. The mission will rely on solar sails for propellant-free station-keeping and high-efficiency electric propulsion to reach their final position, tackling major challenges in long-distance communication and autonomous operation.
Objective
In STORM, satellite constellation operation in interplanetary space shall be demonstrated, preferably in a fixed position with reference to Earth, at the example of extending current solar storm warning capabilities by significant factors. Solar storms comprise electrically charged particles typically generated by Coronal Mass Ejections from the sun. Consequences on Earth can be devastating, as all vital systems depending on electricity (GPS, radar, traffic management and financial systems), may be impaired. Even worse damages can be caused in space, leading to complete system failure. The proposed Solar weather forecasting mission (STORM) is intended to extend current warning time of 30-60 minutes by factor up to 5 which will enable authorities to prevent severe damage, e.g. by powering down critical systems.
STORM will place a constellation of multiple sensing spacecraft at various positions closer to the sun well beyond L1. The geometric distribution of the SensSats (e.g. a V-shape as proposed in earlier work) will allow for accurate prediction of the time, strength, velocity, and extent of the solar storm. Solar sails are envisioned as a propulsion system to hold the position of the constellation satellites without using propellant mass, and high-efficiency electric propulsion shall be used to carry the small constellation satellites to their final positions. Multiple challenges of optimizing the propulsion system performance clearly beyond current capacities, complex orbit mechanics, communication over long distances in satellites as small as possible to minimize the requirements for the propulsions system, and autonomous operation of the carrier spacecraft will have to be overcome.
The proposed work will yield an optimized mission design in terms of number and position of sensing spacecraft and a technology roadmap with clear assessment of technology maturation needed to conduct the final mission.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- engineering and technology mechanical engineering vehicle engineering aerospace engineering astronautical engineering spacecraft
- engineering and technology mechanical engineering vehicle engineering aerospace engineering satellite technology
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering information engineering telecommunications radio technology radar
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.3.1 - The European Innovation Council (EIC)
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Topic(s)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
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Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-EIC-2024-PATHFINDERCHALLENGES-01
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
2628 CN Delft
Netherlands
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.