Agnirva Space Premier League - Expedition #32529: Exploring Thunderstorm Mysteries from Space with Thor

Named after the Norse god of thunder, the Thor experiment peered into one of Earth’s most electrifying natural events: thunderstorms. Conducted aboard the International Space Station during Expeditions 43 and 44, the Thor study focused on phenomena that occur above thunderstorms, like sprites, blue jets, and other transient luminous events (TLEs).

These flashes of light in the upper atmosphere are not only stunning to observe but may also influence weather patterns and the Earth’s electrical environment. Thor used high-speed cameras and other optical equipment on the ISS to observe thunderstorms across the globe.

Principal investigator Dr. Torsten Neubert and the European Space Agency aimed to understand the dynamics of TLEs and how they interact with the stratosphere and ionosphere. Because the ISS travels above these storms, it offers a unique vantage point unobtainable from the ground or aircraft.

The data collected helps refine atmospheric models, improve our understanding of storm severity, and may even inform aviation safety protocols. It’s a prime example of using space-based science to illuminate what’s happening just above our heads — often out of sight, but never out of reach.

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