Airbus UK to lead development of new satellite to monitor Sun for energetic outbursts
Airbus UK has been tasked with spearheading the development of a cutting-edge satellite, Vigil, set to monitor the Sun for the energetic outbursts it sends towards Earth. This announcement comes in the wake of a significant solar storm that recently impacted our planet, resulting in dazzling auroral lights visible across the globe. Vigil, a European Space Agency (Esa) mission with a budget of €340m, is slated for launch in 2031. The satellite will be positioned approximately 150 million km away from Earth, providing a unique vantage point to observe solar flares and coronal mass ejections that can potentially disrupt communication and navigation systems.
The development of Vigil marks a crucial step in enhancing space weather forecasting, offering a significant advantage by providing advanced warnings of potentially hazardous solar activities. With its state-of-the-art instruments and innovative technology, Vigil aims to revolutionize our understanding of the Sun’s behavior and its interaction with Earth. The project signifies a collaborative effort among European partners, with the UK playing a pivotal role in pushing for the implementation of the Vigil mission to address the urgent need for updated satellite infrastructure.
Cutting-edge technology to revolutionize space weather forecasting
The upcoming launch of Vigil, a groundbreaking satellite designed to monitor the Sun for energetic outbursts, represents a major leap forward in space weather forecasting. Equipped with advanced instruments and cutting-edge technology, Vigil will provide crucial insights into solar flares and coronal mass ejections that have the potential to impact various Earth-based systems. By offering a unique perspective on solar activities from a distant vantage point, Vigil aims to extend the lead time for predicting solar events, enabling better preparedness and mitigation strategies.
The development of Vigil underscores the importance of investing in space-based infrastructure to enhance our understanding of solar phenomena and their implications for our planet. With the imminent launch of this innovative satellite, the future of space weather forecasting looks promising, with increased accuracy and efficiency in predicting and managing solar disturbances. As global space agencies collaborate on this groundbreaking mission, Vigil is poised to revolutionize our approach to monitoring and forecasting space weather events, ushering in a new era of space exploration and discovery.
European Space Agency announces milestone contracts at Brussels summit
The European Space Agency (Esa) recently made a series of significant announcements at a high-profile space council in Brussels, marking a milestone moment in the advancement of space exploration. Among the key developments unveiled was the contract awarded to Airbus UK for the construction of Vigil, a state-of-the-art satellite designed to monitor the Sun for potential solar storms. This groundbreaking project, with a budget of €340m, represents a collaborative effort to enhance space weather forecasting and preparedness for solar disturbances.
In addition to the Vigil mission, Esa also signed contracts with The Exploration Company and Thales Alenia Space to further their designs for a space capsule capable of transporting cargo to and from the International Space Station (ISS). Furthermore, Esa director general Dr Josef Aschbacher announced the selection of the first European astronauts, Sophie Adenot and Raphaël Liégeois, to embark on long-duration missions to the ISS. These developments underscore Europe’s commitment to advancing space exploration and fostering international collaboration in the realm of space science and technology.
