Lightweight Materials & Structures

NASA to Launch Study of Magnetic Reconnection to Protect Communication Networks

In March of 2015, NASA will launch the Magnetospheric MultiScale (MMS) mission to study magnetic reconnection. MMS is a phenomenon unique to plasma, that is, the mix of positively and negatively charged particles that make up the stars, fill space, and account for an estimated 99% of the observable universe. Scientists want to understand this process better because it is ultimately responsible for disturbances that affect our modern technological systems such as communications networks, GPS navigation, and electrical power grids. Watch the video to preview how MMS will make this journey.