science
Solar storms threaten Artemis II launch and crew radiation
A March 29-30 solar eruption produced a CME and prompted a NOAA G2 warning that could affect communications and raise radiation risks for the April 1 Artemis II lunar flyby; NASA and NOAA are monitoring with multiple satellites and have onboard alarms and shielding protocols.
Mar 31st 2026 · United States
Insights
- A strong solar eruption peaked at 23:19 EDT on March 29 and produced a coronal mass ejection from active region 4405.
- NOAA issued a G2 geomagnetic storm watch for March 31 with possible G1 conditions on April 1, the scheduled Artemis II launch day.
- The SLS is on the pad at Kennedy Space Center and the four Artemis II astronauts will leave Earths magnetosphere during their ten day lunar flyby, increasing their radiation exposure risk.
- Solar radio bursts can disrupt HF and satellite communications during launch and early orbit operations.
- NASA and NOAA are using SOHO, IMAP, GOES-19, Perseverance and other assets plus Goddard and Johnson analysis centers to deliver real time warnings while Orion carries radiation sensors, crew dosimeters and trained shielding procedures.
Sources
- “Aquí está el testamento, por si me pasa algo”, los riesgos que asumen los miembros de la misión Artemis 2 www.lavanguardia.com
- Cómo la astronauta Koch se ha preparado para ir a la luna con Artemis II: de yoga a misiones en el desierto www.20minutos.es
- Una serie de tormentas solares amenaza con poner en peligro a los astronautas de Artemis II www.elconfidencial.com
- Space weather could threaten NASA’s Artemis II astronauts during their trip to the moon www.scientificamerican.com