Agnirva Space Premier League - Expedition #31021: The ILAN-ES Project: Watching Earth's Thunderstorms from Space

The ILAN-ES (Imaging of Lightning and Nighttime Electrical phenomena from Space) project, part of Expedition 67, is unlocking the secrets of high-atmosphere electrical activity. Led by Dr. Yoav Yair of Reichman University and developed by Axiom Space, ILAN-ES uses the ISS's unique perspective to observe elusive events like sprites, elves, and blue jets.

While traditional meteorology focuses on ground-level weather patterns, ILAN-ES focuses on what happens above the clouds. Lightning discharges can create spectacular luminous events that rise into the mesosphere and beyond—regions difficult to study from Earth. Capturing these rare events from orbit allows scientists to gather data about their frequency, distribution, and role in Earth’s atmospheric balance.

These findings contribute to our understanding of the global electric circuit, the continuous movement of electric charge around the Earth. By tracking TLEs from space, researchers can also study how cosmic rays and other factors trigger these displays. It’s a multidisciplinary puzzle involving physics, environmental science, and space technology.

Beyond pure science, ILAN-ES inspires educational programs and outreach, helping students connect classroom theory with real-world space applications. The ISS becomes more than just a satellite; it becomes a classroom in orbit.

By documenting Earth’s electrical beauty from above, ILAN-ES opens new doors for scientific inquiry and educational engagement alike.

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