And Writers Programme Press Releases Press Release Insurance industry funds new research into satellite failures 11 July 2000 PR No. MSSL will also develop a spacecraft 'black box' to measure the amount of exposure to 'killer' electrons from the Sun. Space weather has been blamed for satellite failures that have cost the insurance industry billions of pounds.
Solar conditions drive the space weather environment near Earth.
Explosions on the Sun send gigawatts of energy hurtling towards Earth via the solar wind, causing space storms around Earth. This activity increases when the solar cycle reaches its peak every 11 years. This year sees the peak, making the studies even more urgent. Both projects will help space insurers minimise losses and set premiums. We intend to investigate this link by comparing data collected from around the world, including Antarctica, with known failures since the beginning of the space age in 1957.