NASA selects new mission to improve space weather forecasting

Artist’s rendition of the DAPHNE (Dynamic Atmosphere-Ionosphere Explorer) mission concept. The coloring represents auroras and atmospheric waves in Earth’s atmosphere File: NASA

The mission, officially known as Dynamic Atmosphere-Ionosphere Explorer (DAPHNE), will move into the next stage of development, where scientists will begin detailed planning and design work. The project will use two identical satellites to examine how activity in the lower atmosphere influences the upper atmosphere, where space weather events occur.

According to NASA, the mission will help improve predictions of space weather, which can affect important technologies such as GPS systems, low Earth orbit satellites, and communications. Better forecasting could also help protect astronauts during future space missions.

"By providing new insights into Earth's atmosphere, we can better predict and prepare for impacts in our daily lives on Earth and in space," said Nicky Fox, associate administrator of NASA's Science Mission Directorate.

The twin satellites will collect data on winds, temperature, and atmospheric composition in the thermosphere, a region where Earth's atmosphere gradually transitions into space. Scientists hope these observations will improve understanding of how energy from the lower atmosphere influences conditions in near-Earth space.

The mission is led by Aimee Merkel of the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics at the University of Colorado Boulder.

DAPHNE is scheduled for a confirmation review in 2027. If approved, the mission's cost, excluding launch expenses, will be capped at $250 million. The earliest possible launch date is 2029.

The mission was proposed under NASA's DYNAMIC program, which focuses on understanding interactions between Earth's atmosphere and the space environment.