Artists and scientists alike have been advocating for the development of a solar sail probe for years! Such technology would enhance our ability to detect space tornadoes, or flux ropes, which can threaten Earth’s magnetic field and infrastructure. These tornado-like spirals of plasma and magnetic fields can wreak havoc on satellites, navigation systems and even high-voltage power lines.
While flux ropes can be enormous, with widths ranging from 3,000 miles to an incredible 6 million miles, their relative sizes can vary tremendously. They tend to develop at the flanks of coronal mass ejections (CMEs), usually within 15 hours following a solar eruption. CMEs are gigantic waves finger-sized clouds of plasma, roughly 34 million miles in diameter. They go at unbelievable speeds, speeding towards the earth.
Detection of these phenomena is critical. If a flux rope interacts with Earth’s magnetic field, it can set off geomagnetic storms. In mid-May 2024, one of those centered around a geomagnetic storm caused by a flux rope struck hard. This event tripped critical high-voltage power lines, scrambled satellite orbits, and required rerouting of commercial flight paths. On top of that, the satellite navigation systems used by most tractors in the Midwest were scrambled, causing an estimated $17,000 in damages per farm affected.
The Limitations of Current Detection Systems
Current detection systems continue to use single-point monitoring, which is not sufficient for predicting the unpredictable, multi-dimensional shapes of flux ropes. As one researcher put it, this approach is like attempting to track a hurricane with just a single wind measurement instrument.
“Imagine if you could only monitor a hurricane remotely with the measurements from one wind gauge.” – Chip Manchester
This limitation implies that even if changes in the storm are observed, the overall configuration of the storm is still not visible. To further highlight the value of this wide-ranging tracking, Manchester points to the value of multiple disciplinary lenses.
“You’d see a change in the measurements, but you wouldn’t see the storm’s entire structure. That’s the current situation with single-spacecraft systems. We need viewpoints from multiple space weather stations.” – Chip Manchester
Mojtaba Akhavan-Tafti draws attention to these pressing issues. He stresses that we can no longer depend on solar observations alone to provide timely warnings of threats developing between the Sun and Earth.
“If there are hazards forming out in space between the sun and Earth, we can’t just look at the sun.” – Mojtaba Akhavan-Tafti
Introducing the SWIFT Constellation
To counter these limitations, researchers have put forth a new spacecraft constellation, SWIFT (Solar Wind Interstellar Flux Tracking). This revolutionary new system would be made up of four identical probes, in a triangular-pyramid formation, located about 200,000 miles apart. Three identical electrical probes will sit at each corner of the pyramid’s base. They are strategically located in a plane around L1, which is the Lagrange point 1.
This configuration would enhance detection capabilities significantly. The SWIFT constellation continuously observes solar wind variations before their arrival at the Earth, monitoring them. This technology makes it possible for space weather warnings to be implemented 40% faster than through existing processes.
The improved monitoring provided through SWIFT would be immensely valuable in terms of resources saved and disasters prevented by the effects of geomagnetic storms.
“This is a matter of national security. We need to proactively find structures like these Earth-bound flux ropes and predict what they will look like at Earth to make reliable space weather warnings for electric grid planners, airline dispatchers and farmers.” – Mojtaba Akhavan-Tafti
Like every intriguing phenomenon that the Sun produces, flux ropes can pose a relevant threat to Earth. These massive structures can carry intense magnetic fields which, when collided with Earth’s magnetic environment, have the potential to cause geomagnetic storms.
Understanding Flux Ropes and Their Effects
Research simulations show that the magnetic field trapped in these vortices can be strong enough to create major disruptions.
The implications of such storms are profound. And they can fry the communications and navigation systems that everyone from ordinary civilians to our national security depends on. Preventing and being prepared for these fast emerging events, with the help of advanced detection systems, could lessen the damage they cause.
“Our simulation shows that the magnetic field in these vortices can be strong enough to trigger a geomagnetic storm and cause some real trouble.” – Chip Manchester
The implications of such storms are profound. They can disrupt communications and navigation systems critical for both civilian life and national security. The ability to predict and prepare for these events through advanced detection systems could mitigate their impact.