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Published on 27 August 2026, the study is part of the Commission’s wider work to improve Europe’s ability to monitor, understand and respond to space weather.

The study looks ahead to 2040, using a scenario in which Europe has a fully operational and advanced space weather service.

Space weather refers to changes in the environment around Earth caused by activity from the Sun. Powerful solar eruptions can release energy and charged particles that travel towards Earth, potentially disrupting technologies and infrastructure.

While severe space weather events are relatively rare, their effects can cross borders and affect systems modern society relies on every day.

These can include satellites, navigation and communication services, electricity networks and other critical infrastructure.

The new study assesses the potential risks of such an extreme event and considers how improved space weather services could help reduce its consequences.

The study doesn’t just look at current impacts; it also considers future impacts by assessing what Europe could achieve by 2040.

It examines the potential benefits of an advanced, fully operational space weather service. Better forecasting, monitoring and information-sharing could give governments, infrastructure operators and other organisations more time to prepare for severe solar activity and take measures to limit disruption.

The findings suggest that strengthening Europe’s protection against space weather could deliver significant benefits for society as a whole.

Although the study shows the value of stronger space weather protection, it also identifies the need for continued investment.

Developing effective protection will require improvements in space weather monitoring, forecasting capabilities and services, alongside greater preparedness across sectors that could be affected by extreme events.

The study provides a bigger picture of the potential economic and societal value of investing in space weather resilience.

The study was produced as part of the European Commission’s work under the space weather (SWE) subcomponent of the EU Space Program.

It is a European Space Agency (ESA) deliverable under its Contribution Agreement with the European Commission. A consortium led by PwC carried out the work.