BIRA-IASB mostly works with data acquired via rockets and artificial satellites for research to the physical and chemical structure of the higher atmosphere and extraterrestrial space.
The Sun fills interplanetary space with plasma, a gas of charged particles, in the form of a constant solar wind.
The Institute has built a strong theory and modeling programme, deeply rooted in observations provided by ESA's space missions, Ulysses, Cluster and Rosetta spacecraft.
BIRA-IASB has extensive expertise in: These modeling efforts help to mitigate the empiricism still prevailing in present-day space weather forecasting.
These services will be integrated in international initiatives like the European led GMES (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security).
Tools, methods and procedures are set up to deliver these services to the user community (European Space Weather portal).