"International Space Station's New Probe Enhances Space Weather Forecasts"

A new space weather sensor called the Multi-Needle Langmuir Probe is being sent to the International Space Station (ISS) to help scientists understand how solar outbursts affect Earth's upper atmosphere. The sensor will gather data on charged particles from the sun and their interaction with Earth's magnetic field, allowing space weather forecasters to predict disruptions to satellite communication links and navigational signals. The probe's high precision measurements will provide a more accurate understanding of how radio signals are disrupted as they travel through Earth's atmosphere, aiding in the forecasting of disruptions to satellite services. The sensor will be installed on the ISS ahead of the Crew-7 mission and will remain in orbit for approximately three years.