In News:

NASA is set to launch the PUNCH (Polarimeter to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere) mission on March 6, 2025, from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California. It will be the third major solar mission launched globally in the past 18 months.

About the PUNCH Mission:

Aspect                                Details

Agency                               NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)

Launch Date                    March 6, 2025

Mission Objective       Study the Sun’s corona (outer atmosphere) and how solar wind evolves as it moves

                                        into the heliosphere

Unique Features         - First dedicated mission to image the transition from the corona to the heliosphere
                                       - Will use four identical suitcase-sized satellites for continuous imaging of the inner corona

Importance                     - Improves understanding of space weather
                                       - Helps predict solar storms, safeguarding satellites, astronauts, and

                                                     communication networks

What is the Solar Cycle?

• The solar cycle is an ~11-year periodic change in the Sun’s magnetic field, where the north and south poles flip positions.
• This cycle governs the level of solar activity, including sunspots, solar flares, and coronal mass ejections (CMEs).
• Solar Maximum: Period of peak activity with increased sunspots and solar eruptions.
• Solar Minimum: Period of least activity.

The current solar cycle began gaining momentum around May 2022, and solar activity remained above normal through 2024. The solar maximum is anticipated around 2025, offering an ideal window for solar observation.

Why the Surge in Solar Missions?

• Solar maximum periods offer the best conditions to observe high-energy events like flares and CMEs.
• Scientists aim to maximize data collection before the next solar minimum (next solar max expected ~2035–36).
• Monitoring solar activity is crucial because solar storms can disrupt satellite communications, navigation systems, and power grids on Earth.

Recent Major Solar Missions (2023–25):

Mission             Agency              Launch Date                     Purpose

Aditya-L1         ISRO (India)     Sept 2, 2023             India’s first solar observatory; studies solar flares, solar winds, and magnetic fields

Proba-3            ESA (Europe)   Dec 4, 2024              Dual-satellite mission to study solar corona and space weather

PUNCH               NASA (USA)      Mar 6, 2025              First mission to study continuous evolution from solar corona to heliosphere