News

Medium-class space missions (~€670 million) form the backbone of European Space Agency's Science Programme, enabling Europe to answer important scientific questions. From the Sun to dark matter, ESA's existing M-class missions cover a huge range of space science topics. Following a two-year study phase and careful consideration of the three finalist candidates, ESA has proposed that Plasma Observatory be selected as the next medium-class mission. The Science Programme Committee has taken note of this recommendation and will make the formal decision at the next meeting in November 2026.

Plasma Observatory (PO) is a fundamental space plasma physics mission, the science underpinning space weather. PO's seven spacecraft will fly in formation to study how plasma is energised in shockwaves, turbulence, and magnetic reconnection, and how the energy flows in the Earth's magnetosphere - topics which are at the core of the QMUL space plasma group. The mission is targeted to launch in 2037.

Several QMUL scientists are playing key roles in the PO mission: Dr Heli Hietala has been part of the mission team since its conception and the original proposal. During the latest study phase, she led the writing of one of the science objectives and contributed to the science requirements and mission design as a member of the Cross Discipline Working Group. Early career researchers at QMUL are also involved in the mission. Dr Laura Vuorinen is a member of the PO simulation working group: for example, her simulation of shock-turbulence interaction features in the study report. Dr Florian Koller conducted statistical analyses to help define the science requirements.

Commenting on the ESA press release, Dr Hietala said: "This is indeed fantastic news to the space plasma community across the world."