Space Weather

Space weather reporter Vigil in deep space

Space weather, or the fierce radiation, charged particles and plasma thrown our way by the Sun, can derail critical infrastructure in space and on Earth. Damages from big solar storms may run into the hundreds of billions of euros.

Observing space weather and reducing its risks are activities of ESA’s Space Safety programme. ESA is building a wide range of space weather services, brought together in the ESA Space Weather Service Network, and supported by data from ESA's own space weather sensors deployed in space. These services help industry and spacecraft operators respond quickly and effectively when space weather events occur.

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[ Space weather ]

23 OCT. 2026

Space weather mission Sawa reveals Polish roots

The European Space Agency’s (ESA) Sawa mission is its second space weather nanosatellite mission. Sawa will primarily watch the thermosphere in situ from Earth orbit, observing how space weather causes the atmospheric layer to warm up and expand, pushing satellites off course.

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[ Space weather ]

29 JUL. 2026

Virtual totality ahead of the solar eclipse

On 12 August 2026, a total solar eclipse will sweep across Greenland, Iceland, Spain and part of northeastern Portugal. This rare event will provide a unique opportunity to study the solar corona. Ahead of the eclipse, researchers are using advanced computer simulations and the latest solar observations to predict what the corona will look like during occultation. By comparing those forecasts with reality, scientists look to improve the models used to understand the Sun's magnetic environment and forecast space weather.

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[ Space weather ]

22 APR. 2026

ESA funds Polish radio telescope to monitor solar outbursts

A new station in Poland has begun monitoring the Sun for the early warning signs of disruptive space weather phenomena. The six-metre radio dish, known as ROSIE, will contribute to the protection of key European infrastructure in orbit and on Earth.

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[ Space weather ]

Coronal Mass Ejection erupts from the Sun on 18 January 2026

20 JAN. 2026

ESA monitoring January 2026 space weather event

The European Space Agency’s (ESA) Space Weather Office is closely monitoring a notable space weather event, first detected 18:09 UTC on Sunday, 18 January 2026. We are collecting detailed information from our expert service centres.Further details and updates will be provided here as they become available.This page was last updated on 20 January 2026, at 14:00 CET.

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