The Lagrange mission
Earth’s magnetic field protects life on Earth from the intense radiation and titanic amounts of energetic material our Sun blasts in every direction. However, astronauts and satellites in space, future explorers travelling to the Moon and Mars, and infrastructure on Earth such as power grids and communication systems remain vulnerable to these violent outbursts.
For this reason, ESA is planning to send a satellite to monitor the ‘side’ of our Sun, from a gravitationally stable position known as the fifth Lagrange point. From here, the satellite will detect potentially hazardous solar events before they come into view from Earth, giving us advance knowledge of their speed, direction and chance of impact. Data from the mission – formerly known as Lagrange – will be distributed into ESA’s Space Weather Service Network in near real-time, generating timely warnings and forecasts.
While our Sun can’t be controlled, advance warning of oncoming solar storms would give operators of satellites, power grids and telecommunication systems time to take protective measures, and give explorers time to get to safety.
