Earth’s space environment is populated with charged particles. The energetic ones are trapped around Earth in radiation belts. Orbiting spacecraft that cross their region can accumulate charges on their internal surfaces, leading to hazardous electrostatic discharges. This paper showcases the SafeSpace safety prototype, which aims to warn satellite operators of probable incoming hazardous events by simulating the dynamics of the electron radiation belts from their origin at the Sun.

The radial diffusion mechanism is of utmost importance to both the acceleration and loss of relativistic electrons in the outer radiation belt and, consequently, for physics-based models, which provide nowcasting and forecasting of the electron population. In the framework of the "SafeSpace" project, we have created a database of calculated radial diffusion coefficients, and, furthermore, we have exploited it to provide insights for future modelling efforts.

We present a detailed account of the science programme PRESTO (PREdictability of the variable Solar–Terrestrial cOupling), covering the period 2020 to 2024. PRESTO was defined by a dedicated committee established by SCOSTEP (Scientific Committee on Solar-Terrestrial Physics). We review the current state of the art and discuss future studies required for the most effective development of solar–terrestrial physics.

The nature of the semi-annual variation in the relativistic electron fluxes in the Earth's outer radiation belt has been a debate for over 30 years. Our work shows that it is primarily driven by the Russell–McPherron effect, which indicates that reconnection is responsible not only for the short-scale but also the seasonal variability of the electron belt as well. Moreover, it is more pronounced during the descending phase of the solar cycles and coexists with periods of fast solar wind speed.

Swarm is the fourth Earth Explorer mission of the European Space Agency (ESA), launched on 23 November 2013. The mission provides an opportunity for better knowledge of the near-Earth electromagnetic environment. This study presents an initial attempt to derive an ultra low-frequency (ULF) wave index from low-Earth orbit satellite data. The technique can be potentially used to define a new product from the mission, the Swarm ULF wave index, which would be suitable for space weather applications.