Researchers have been awarded £4m to help solve “space radiation mysteries” which affect our satellites and space weather.
A Northumbria University-led team is trying to understand why the Earth’s radiation belts behave so unpredictably, affecting thing such as GPS navigation, telecommunications and weather forecasting.
The radiation belt environment has remained “frustratingly unpredictable” despite Nasa missions to understand it, lead researcher Prof Clare Watt said.
Over five years, researchers will combine spacecraft data with advanced computer modelling to help improve forecasting accuracy.