Surrey firm contributes to solar weather crisis conference
Wednesday 22 September 2010
A pioneering firm which specialises in examining risks to planes due to space weather and supported by the University of Surrey has taken part in a high-level conference at Westminster involving the US government and the Secretary of State for Defence.
The Summit brought together senior government representatives and scientists from Europe, the U.S. and other regions to review results of new research on electro-magnetic pulses and severe solar flare infrastructure risks.
A severe solar flare – a massive explosion of energy from the Sun – could cripple power grids and communications systems across the planet.
Experienced pilot Bryn Jones who operates the SolarMetrics firm was at the summit in Westminster to discuss airline safety issues relating to Space Weather. SolarMetrics is supported by the SETsquared collaboration between four research universities and based in the Surrey Technology Centre on the Surrey Research Park at the University.
The summit explored the potential for cooperation in implementing protective measures, and defined the mission and framework for the EISS process.
Space weather is a collective term for the impact of solar flares, or solar storms, and other phenomena that can take place in the space environment that exists between the Sun’s surface and the Earth’s protective magnetic field. The fluctuations can have a detrimental effect on planes and technological systems on Earth so it creates an important risk to security.
The phenomena that concern aerospace operations most are those that increase the radiation environment, and those that disrupt operational systems.
The EISS-London event is the First World Summit on Infrastructure Security, the inaugural event in a new international infrastructure security coordination process.
The first summit took place today (September 20) in the Grand Committee Room of Westminster Hall, at Parliament.
James Arbuthnot MP, Chair of the Defence Select Committee, chaired the meeting with Honorary Co-Chairs are U.S. Congresswoman Yvette Clarke and U.S. Congressman Trent Franks. The Defence Secretary of Sate Dr Liam Fox also attended.
The SETsquared Partnership consists of four leading UK research universities - Bath, Bristol, Southampton and Surrey. Between them, the 6,500 academics working at these universities are responsible for 7 per cent of the UK's research budget.
The Partnership supports the growth and success of new business opportunities through spin-outs, licensing and incubation. Recognised for their research, these four universities create some of the most exciting high growth companies in the UK. Through their incubation activities they also support some of the region’s best technology start-ups.
Notes to Editors:
SolarMetrics was formed by its co-founders in 2003 after working together on a UK Government Research Council funded study measuring radiation at aircraft altitudes. The Team comprises an airline pilot who is an international expert on the effects of space weather on aviation, and PhD solar, space weather and radiation physicists with world renowned expertise in radiation detectors. SolarMetrics staff are on the UK Government advisory body for space radiation.
Media Enquiries
Howard Wheeler, Press Office at the University of Surrey, Tel: +44 (0)1483 686141, or Email mediarelations@surrey.ac.uk