MSU researchers are using a small satellite to study data from the sun with the hope to develop solar flare-proof technology.

The Multi-Order Solar Extreme Ultraviolet Spectrograph (MOSES) studies extreme ultraviolet to near-infrared waves of light to better understand what is happening on the sun.

“It’s important to understand what the sun does so that we can predict space weather” Dr. Charles Kankelborg, an associate professor at MSU, said.

Kankelborg hopes that the MOSES project will help researchers understand and predict space weather like radiation-laden solar flares. MOSES  is collecting data that will give insight on predicting solar flares’ activity.

Solar flares can wreck havoc on satellites, power grids and most technology. MSU researchers want to understanding how these flares work in order to better protect technology from their radiation.

The MOSES rocket, measuring 10 feet long by 20 inches wide, was first launched on Feb. 8, 2006 at the White Sands Missile base in New Mexico. It is part of a small rocket launch program hosted by NASA.

These smaller rockets have an advantage over traditional satellites because they are much cheaper.. MOSES cost about $1 millionl whereas NASA Satellites average $100 million.  

Because MOSES  is cheaper than traditional satellites, there is more room for risky, innovative research projects. However, the rocket is limited because it only has five minutes in space to collect data.

The solar research team at MSU has been studying all the data that MOSES collected in its five minute mission. They hope to launch a mission as soon as next summer, a goal that may be pushed back until 2013 due to limited space in NASA’s Sounding Rocket Program.