Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
The Sun doesn't feel like a threat – until it does.
Solar storms can put on beautiful light shows in the night sky, known as auroras. But they can also cause serious problems for the technology we rely on every day. Strong solar activity can interfere with communications, power grids and navigation systems on Earth and satellites in orbit.
Although we cannot stop such space weather from happening, we can limit its impact. The most effective protection comes from carefully monitoring the Sun and the effects of solar activity on the space environment around Earth. This information can be shared with system operators through services similar to weather reports and forecasts, so the operators can take protective action when needed.
Observing space weather and reducing its risks are activities of ESA’s Space Safety programme. ESA is building a wide range of space weather services, brought together in the ESA Space Weather Service Network, supported by data from ESA's own space weather sensors deployed in space. These services help industry and spacecraft operators respond quickly and effectively when space weather events occur.
Credits: European Space Agency (ESA)
Access the video on the ESA video library: https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Videos/2026/02/Space_safety_hazards_space_weather
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We are Europe's gateway to space. Our mission is to shape the development of Europe's space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world. Check out https://www.esa.int/ to get up to speed on everything space related.
Copyright information about our videos is available here: https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Terms_and_Conditions
The Sun doesn't feel like a threat – until it does.
Solar storms can put on beautiful light shows in the night sky, known as auroras. But they can also cause serious problems for the technology we rely on every day. Strong solar activity can interfere with communications, power grids and navigation systems on Earth and satellites in orbit.
Although we cannot stop such space weather from happening, we can limit its impact. The most effective protection comes from carefully monitoring the Sun and the effects of solar activity on the space environment around Earth. This information can be shared with system operators through services similar to weather reports and forecasts, so the operators can take protective action when needed.
Observing space weather and reducing its risks are activities of ESA’s Space Safety programme. ESA is building a wide range of space weather services, brought together in the ESA Space Weather Service Network, supported by data from ESA's own space weather sensors deployed in space. These services help industry and spacecraft operators respond quickly and effectively when space weather events occur.
Credits: European Space Agency (ESA)
Access the video on the ESA video library: https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Videos/2026/02/Space_safety_hazards_space_weather
★ Subscribe: bit.ly/ESAsubscribe and click twice on the bell button to receive our notifications.
Our main YouTube channel: youtube.com/@EuropeanSpaceAgency
Check out our full video catalog: bit.ly/SpaceInVideos
Follow us on Twitter: bit.ly/ESAonTwitter
On Facebook: bit.ly/ESAonFacebook
On Instagram: bit.ly/ESAonInstagram
On LinkedIn: bit.ly/ESAonLinkedIn
On Pinterest: bit.ly/ESAonPinterest
On Flickr: bit.ly/ESAonFlickr
We are Europe's gateway to space. Our mission is to shape the development of Europe's space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world. Check out https://www.esa.int/ to get up to speed on everything space related.
Copyright information about our videos is available here: https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Terms_and_Conditions
![What a cosy evening on the ISS looks like 🍵 [French with English subtitles]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/f2vDosge2h4/mqdefault.jpg "What a cosy evening on the ISS looks like 🍵 [French with English subtitles]
This video was published on social media by ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot with the following caption:
[EN] Day 169, orbit 2618 — Cozy evening time in my crew cabin — something I’m definitely going to miss when I’m back on Earth… A few emails, a pouch of herbal tea, a few yin yoga stretches and then off to sleep!
[FR] Jour 169, orbite 2618 – Moment cocooning du soir dans ma cabine de couchage, qui va me manquer une fois de retour sur Terre… Quelques emails, une tisane, des étirements de yin yoga et au lit !
Credits: European Space Agency (ESA)
Footage: ESA/NASA
Our main YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@EuropeanSpaceAgency
We are Europes gateway to space. Our mission is to shape the development of Europes space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world. Check out https://www.esa.int/ to get up to speed on everything space related.
Copyright information about our videos is available here: https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Terms_and_Conditions")
