Agnirva Space Premier League - Expedition #32597: Eyes from Orbit: Using Space to Forecast Disasters with Uragan–Electrostantsia

Natural disasters—earthquakes, floods, wildfires—can strike with little warning. But what if space could help us see them coming? That’s the idea behind the Uragan–Electrostantsia experiment led by Russia’s Institute of Geography under ROSCOSMOS.

Since the very first ISS expeditions, this experiment has used Earth observation from orbit to monitor conditions that might indicate developing disasters. The system collects data on environmental, geological, and atmospheric changes. Think of it as a space-based early warning system.

Over the years, the experiment has helped scientists track everything from volcanic eruptions to oil spills. It works by combining images, sensor data, and other measurements to detect anomalies that may signal a coming disaster.

This is a powerful example of international cooperation and practical science. Students can appreciate how data from space is being used in real-time to save lives on Earth. The experiment also highlights how long-term studies can provide increasingly useful insights, refining our understanding with each expedition.

As climate change increases the frequency of extreme events, the need for predictive tools becomes more urgent. Uragan–Electrostantsia proves that space isn’t just about exploring the unknown—it’s also about protecting what we already have.

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