Researchers to Build Solar Wind Detectors for Space Weather Satellites

The Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) from San Antonio has landed a big deal worth $26. 1 million. They'll be designing and building two special instruments called magnetometers for NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). These magnetometers will measure the magnetic field that comes from the sun, known as the solar wind. The data collected will help NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center to forecast space weather events and issue warnings to protect technology on Earth. SwRI's job includes many steps: designing, analyzing, developing, building, testing, and ensuring the magnetometers work perfectly. They'll also help launch these instruments into space and support the ground operations from NOAA's facility in Maryland. Part of the work will happen in San Antonio, as well as at NASA's centers in Maryland and Florida.

NOAA is leading the project, setting requirements, managing operations, and providing funding. NASA and its partners are responsible for building the satellites and handling the launch. SwRI is already involved in other projects for NOAA, like building three coronagraphs for their Space Weather Next program and the QuickSounder weather satellite for the Near Earth Orbit Network. These magnetometers will be part of NOAA’s new series of satellites called Lagrange 1 Series, which is part of their Space Weather Next program. This program aims to improve our understanding and prediction of space weather events that can impact life and technology on Earth.

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