Politics & Government
UNH In Space: Scientists Chosen By NASA To Lead $250 Million HelioSwarm Mission
Researchers will prepare 9 spacecraft and manage a team of scientists studying how the sun impacts the environment.
UNH’s Space Science Center will lead a $250 million space mission after being selected by NASA, the university announced on Friday. The budget for this mission is the university’s largest to date, according to the announcement.
Researchers will be charged with preparing nine spacecraft and managing the team of scientists that will study how the sun impacts the environment in space, information the university said will eventually help protect astronauts and satellite technology. Among the craft to be put in orbit are a large hub and eight smaller spacecraft, called nodes, to help scientists better understand turbulence in space. Scientists at UNH will design the instruments that will be on the craft and man the Science Operations Center for the mission.
Find out what's happening in Across New Hampshirefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The mission, which is called HelioSwarm, will observe how turbulence in space heats space plasma, the matter that makes up the sun, stars, solar wind, and the upper atmosphere of Earth.
The New Hampshire Bulletin, the Granite State's newest independent, nonprofit news organization, delivers accountability reporting on New Hampshire politics and policies. The New Hampshire Bulletin is part of States Newsroom, a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit supported by grants and a coalition of donors and readers.
