NASA Announces New Mission to Investigate Earth’s Protective Magnetic Field
📷 Image source: nasa.gov
NASA is set to unveil details of an upcoming mission designed to study Earth’s magnetic shield, a critical barrier that protects the planet from harmful solar radiation. The space agency will hold a media briefing to discuss the mission’s objectives, scientific instruments, and expected contributions to our understanding of space weather and its effects on technology and communications.
The mission, named *Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) 2*, builds on the success of its predecessor, which has been mapping the magnetosphere since 2015. Scientists aim to gather higher-resolution data on magnetic reconnection—a process where magnetic field lines explosively realign, releasing vast amounts of energy. This phenomenon not only influences auroras but also poses risks to satellites and power grids.
According to NASA, the new mission will deploy advanced sensors to capture real-time measurements of charged particles and magnetic fluctuations. Insights from MMS-2 could improve space weather forecasting, helping mitigate disruptions to GPS systems, aviation, and electrical infrastructure.
Supporting research from the European Space Agency (ESA) highlights the growing international focus on space weather. ESA’s Solar Orbiter mission, launched in 2020, complements NASA’s efforts by studying the Sun’s influence on Earth’s magnetic environment. Together, these missions aim to create a more comprehensive model of solar-terrestrial interactions.
NASA’s media briefing will feature leading heliophysicists and mission specialists, who will outline the launch timeline and collaboration with academic and international partners. The event underscores the increasing importance of safeguarding critical infrastructure against solar storms, which have caused notable blackouts and satellite malfunctions in the past.
