QinetiQ to study space weather to protect Europe's satellite navigation system Galileo

QinetiQ's Merlin space weather monitor has been selected to fly on European Space Agency's (ESA) Galileo Satellite Test Bed (GSTB-V2/A), a test satellite which will assist in the final development of Europe's Galileo satellite navigation system. Galileo will become operational later in this decade. This test satellite is being built by Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) on behalf of the European Space Agency and is planned for launch in 2005.

QinetiQ's Merlin will measure space weather hazards and so provide vital information to assist the designers, operators, owners and insurers of the principal Galileo fleet and many other future missions. Space weather can pose a significant threat to complex technological systems and more measurement data is required for scientists to fully quantify the problem.

The fleet of approximately 30 Galileo satellites will operate in the heart of the Earth's outer 'Van Allen' belt where the radiation environment is, overall, significantly more severe than in the well-known geostationary or low Earth orbits. This outer-belt region is highly vulnerable to space weather effects caused by solar activity.

Incorporating over 15 years of QinetiQ flight heritage and expertise, the Merlin space weather monitor is a small, low power instrument, which weighs just one kilogram and can be fitted on all operational and experimental spacecraft. Backed by QinetiQ's experienced space team, the Merlin monitor uses its unique measurement capability to provide continuous data on the hazard level to on-board equipment and systems.

"Space weather is a genuine concern for future satellites and aircraft 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."