The technology of the solar sail will allow scientists to provide early warnings about the emergence of a solar or geomagnetic storm, which can disturb the work of technological systems on Earth, writes Space.
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The solar sail, which is attached to the satellite, uses particles of light or photons emitted by the sun, in order to move the spacecraft forward. The solar sail provides a more effective way to move in space compared to chemical engines.
Now scientists from the National Administration of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research of the USA (Noaa) use different satellites to collect data on flashes in the sun and create warnings about the appearance of geomagnetic storm on Earth, which can affect different technologies.
Some satellites not only observe the activity of the sun, but also track the sun wind. It consists of electrons and protons flying from the outer part of the atmosphere of the Sun called the crown. It is important to monitor the solar wind, because when it comes into contact with our planet, it can interact with the magnetic field of the Earth, and cause the appearance of geomagnetic storm.
Although warnings about the appearance of a solar storm are available before this happens, it is still necessary to prepare more time, if there is a chance of influencing various types of technological systems, including power networks and GPS.
Therefore, scientists from continuing to work on how future satellites will help to receive earlier warnings about geomagnetic storms. This means that you need to find ways to get information shortly after solar outbreaks. This is where solar sails will help.
With their help, satellites will be able to move much closer to the sun and receive the necessary data much earlier, which will allow to prepare in advance for the appearance of a solar storm, scientists say.
Noaa is now engaged in the creation of a full -scale version of the solar sails as part of the Solar Cruiser project in cooperation with NASA.
After deployment, the solar sail will have an area of \u200b\u200b1653 square meters.
The project should be completed in February 2026 and if everything goes according to the plan, then Noaa hopes to start using the solar sail in 2029.
Focus also wrote about the test of NASA solar sails last year and that problems had arisen with it.
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