Harry Potter book-sized satellite detects solar flares that pose threat to Earth, says ESA

European ncy (ESA) informed on Tuesday that a satellite has started detecting X-ray pulses produced by solar flares. satellite is said to be size of two Harry Potter paperback books. A week after its launch onboard a Vega rocket, first solar X-ray spectrum was produced by CubeSat, reported India Today. CubeSats are small satellites launched by National Aeronautics and ministration (NASA) in 2016. se satellites orbit Earth and were launched with an aim to satellite-based studies much more affordable and compact. According to India Today, California Polytechnic State University and Stanford University h jointly launched CubeSat programme in 1999. 

ESA is happy to acquire first telemetry from instrument

European ncy, which operates CubeSat, stated that ncy is delighted to acquire first telemetry from instrument. ESA, in its release, furr ted that explosive releases of magnetic energy would also be detected by satellite. It ded that se explosive releases are seen as huge flashes on surface of sun. wear created by se huge flashes on sun's surface also poses a danger to satellites and terrestrial power. It also threatens communications networks and even aircraft on polar flights stated release. Before launch of CubeSats, ESA h indicated that a follow-on version of instrument would be sent on ncy's Lagrange operational wear monitoring mission. 

'Studying solar flares has become very important' 

Speaking of X-ray spectrum Juhani Huovelin, Chairman of ISAWARE said in a release that this is just a preliminary look, but it shows that CubeSat is in excellent health, and its stability, as well as data quality, are very encouraging. He stated that studying solar flares has become very important in wake of new rush by countries in modern to Moon and even beyond. Engineers have successfully established bi-directional S-Band communications with CubeSat since its launch, he stated. release furr ted that Cubesats have been seen as a feasible option to tritional satellites besides being increasingly attractive to institutional and commercial users. 

Im Credit: European ncy/Twitter