from ice to … is a series of impact assessments showcasing how BAS addresses big issues and informs policy makers, through science knowledge, technologies and innovation.
from ice to … space
Polar research protecting satellites
Space has its own kind of weather – bursts of energy from the Sun that can damage satellites and disrupt phone signals, GPS, flights and banking
Drawing on decades of polar research into how particle radiation moves around Earth, BAS has created a new space-weather forecast that protects satellites across many orbits. It’s the first to cover medium Earth orbit, where GPS satellites operate and gives operators up to 24 hours’ warning of radiation risks.
Used by the European Space Agency, the Met Office and industry worldwide, it’s helping the UK prepare for storms that could otherwise cost billions and powering growth in the £17 billion space sector
from ice to … desert
Antarctic radar discovers desert water
A radar first built to study melting ice in Antarctica is now being used to tackle one of the world’s toughest challenges: finding water in the driest places on Earth.
A radar first built to study melting ice in Antarctica is now being used to tackle one of the world’s toughest challenges: finding water in the driest places on Earth.
The instrument works by sending radio waves into the ground and measuring signals that bounce back – a method BAS scientists originally used to measure the rate at which ice shelves melt in polar regions. With support from the Government Office for Technology Transfer (GOTT), BAS is adapting this technology for regions where people struggle most to access water, including parts of Africa, the Middle East, India and South-East Asia.
First trials in Morocco, South Africa and India show the radar can pinpoint hidden underground water and monitor how levels change over time, offering a cheaper, quicker and more reliable way for communities and authorities to find and manage vital water sources.