NASA Prepares to Launch STORIE Mission for New View of Earth's Ring Current
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NASA is preparing to launch the STORIE mission to study Earth's ring current from a new perspective aboard the International Space Station. The mission will scan for a specific glow to build a complete view of the current every 90 minutes, which may help scientists understand its effects on technology. The instrument is scheduled for launch in May and a six-month operational period.
Facts First
- NASA launching the STORIE mission to study Earth's ring current from the International Space Station.
- Mission will provide an 'inside-out' perspective of the ring current, scanning outward roughly every 90 minutes.
- Instrument focuses on oxygen ions (O+) and will detect energetic neutral atoms (ENAs) to image the ring current.
- Ring current fluctuations can affect technology, potentially impacting power lines, pipelines, and satellite orbits.
- Launch is scheduled for May aboard a SpaceX resupply mission, with operations planned to last six months.
What Happened
NASA is preparing to launch the STORIE mission, scheduled for May aboard a SpaceX commercial resupply flight to the International Space Station (ISS). The instrument, designed at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, is part of the Space Test Program – Houston 11 (STP-H11) payload, a partnership with the U.S. Space Force. After arrival, it will be robotically installed on the exterior of the ISS's Columbus module.
Why this Matters to You
Changes in the ring current can cause magnetic fluctuations on the ground, which may affect long-distance infrastructure like pipelines and power lines. Energy transfers from the ring current can also heat the upper atmosphere, increasing drag on satellites and potentially causing them to deorbit sooner, which could impact global communications and navigation services you rely on.
What's Next
Following its installation, the STORIE mission is planned to operate for six months. It will scan for the glow of energetic neutral atoms to build a complete view of the ring current from its unique 'inside-out' vantage point on the ISS. The data collected may improve understanding of how solar storms cause the ring current to fluctuate, which could lead to better forecasts for space weather effects on technology.