QinetiQ helps protect aircraft from space weather

On 4 November 2003, the Sun emitted the largest solar flare ever recorded, following 10 days of unprecedented solar activity. The atmosphere protects people on the Earth's surface from solar flares, but passengers and crews on commercial jets at high latitudes could receive exposure that significantly exceeds one chest x-ray and can even exceed annual limits.

QinetiQ, Europe's leading science and technology research organisation, is at the forefront of performing calculations for such events and has developed a new product for monitoring solar flares and other space weather hazards called Merlin.

Incorporating over 15 years of QinetiQ flight heritage and expertise, the Merlin space weather hazard monitor is a small, low power instrument, which weighs just one kilogram and can be fitted on all operational and experimental spacecraft. The space version is available immediately, whilst the aircraft variant (based on similar technology) will be launched shortly.

Backed by QinetiQ's experienced space team, the Merlin monitor uses its unique measurement capability to provide operators with real-time data and alarms when threat levels are high. Simple actions can then be taken to minimise risk - for example, satellite operators can delay complex operations until the threat reduces, increase staff alert levels or even shut down sensitive equipment as a precautionary measure. Aircraft may be able to change altitudes or routes.

"Space weather is a genuine concern for future aircraft and satellites since modern electronics is increasingly easy to upset and damage", said Dr Clive Dyer, a Senior Space Consultant at QinetiQ. "When problems do occur they almost always come as a real surprise to the equipment's original designers. Merlin helps to diagnose any unexpected events as soon as possible which improves the quality and speed of decisions on corrective action."

Dr Dyer added "Equipment designs can be modified based on hard evidence so as to eliminate the problem at source. The cost of Merlin is negligible when compared to the overall cost of an aircraft or satellite or to the potential cost of the problem it is addressing. Several operators are already undertaking evaluations of Merlin and we expect a system to be commercially deployed within the near future."