World’s first space weather forecast protects satellites
There’s weather in space – powerful bursts of energy from the Sun that can damage satellites and disrupt everyday life – from phone calls and GPS to banking and flights.
BAS scientists study how solar storms disturb Earth’s radiation belts and have pinpointed just how extreme a once-in-a-century event could be across different satellite orbits. Drawing on decades of polar research, they created the world’s first 24-hour space-weather forecast, capable of predicting radiation risks before they strike.
Their findings now shape how satellites are built, flown and insured.
Operators and manufacturers use BAS data to add the right level of shielding and design more resilient spacecraft. Insurers use it to price risk and stress-test worst-case scenarios. BAS results feed into the UK’s National Security Risk Assessment and space-security policy, as well as US space-weather benchmarks, helping governments plan for storms that could otherwise cost billions.
This work has already cut the UK’s potential financial losses from £2.9 billion to £900 million and earned a Lloyd’s Science of Risk award.
BAS has also turned this science into culture. By converting natural space radio waves into eerie “sounds of space”, the team has inspired albums, live performances, art installations and even new gameplay in the space simulator Elite Dangerous.
These projects bring the invisible drama of space weather to life, helping people everywhere hear – not just read about – how space and Earth are connected.
By turning cutting-edge science into real-world impact, BAS is safeguarding billions in orbit and powering growth in Britain’s £17 billion space industry.
Facts and stats
- Cut the UK’s potential financial losses from £2.9 billion to £900 million
- £17.5bn – Annual value of the UK’s growing space sector
- Award-winning BAS research – recognised by Lloyd’s for reducing global risk