European Space Agency Awards Airbus Contract to Build Space Science Satellite
The European Space Agency has chosen Airbus Defence and Space to construct a spacecraft called Vigil that will offer a unique perspective on the sun. Valued at 340 million euros, the contract was signed in Brussels on May 22. Airbus will be in charge of building Vigil at its Stevenage facilities in the UK. Scheduled for a 2031 launch, Vigil will be positioned at the Earth-sun L-5 Lagrange point, trailing the Earth by 60 degrees in its orbit. This spacecraft will work alongside others at the L-1 point, providing advanced warning of solar activity by observing regions of the sun before they come into view of the Earth.
ESA’s Vigil Spacecraft to Provide Unprecedented Solar Activity Warnings
ESA’s Vigil spacecraft, set to launch in 2031, will offer up to four to five days notice for certain space weather effects traveling toward Earth. The unique vantage point of Vigil will allow it to observe coronal mass ejections with greater clarity, improving the accuracy and lead time of space weather warnings. With six instruments on board, including the Joint EUV coronal Diagnostic Investigation (JEDI) from NASA, Vigil will be Europe’s first 24/7 operational space weather satellite. This will be crucial in protecting critical infrastructure on Earth, such as power grids and communication networks, as well as satellites in Earth’s orbit.
British Government Highlights Role in ESA Space Science Mission Development
The development of the Vigil space weather mission in Stevenage, UK, underscores Britain’s central role within the European Space Agency and its expertise in space manufacturing. With over 150 jobs supported by this project, British officials recognize the importance of contributing to advancements in space science and technology. The collaboration between European and US institutes on Vigil’s instruments showcases the international effort to enhance our understanding of solar activity and improve space weather forecasting capabilities.
