UK's MAGIC Instrument to Enhance Space Weather Forecasting with HENON Mission
The HENON mission, featuring the MAGIC instrument, aims to extend advance warning of solar storms from 15 minutes to several hours. This capability could significantly improve responses to severe space weather, critical for infrastructure resilience.

The HENON mission, scheduled for launch in early 2027, will utilize the MAGIC instrument to measure the Sun's magnetic field from approximately 15 million kilometers upstream of Earth. This positioning aims to extend advance warnings of severe solar storms from 15 minutes to 2-3 hours, enhancing preparedness for satellite operators and power grid managers.
Developed at Imperial College London and funded by the UK Space Agency, MAGIC will work alongside instruments from the Czech Republic and Finland. HENON operates as a technology demonstration mission managed by the European Space Agency, marking a significant advancement in space weather monitoring technology. If successful, the mission could lead to a future operational system, SHIELD, designed for continuous early warning of solar storms.




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