Extreme space weather could expose airline passengers to high radiation levels and cause significant flight disruption, according to a new study by the University of Surrey.
The research, carried out by the Surrey Space Centre (SSC), found that this radiation could also affect onboard systems and flight crews.
Radiation levels can surge considerably at typical flight altitudes of between eight and 14 kilometres, the study found, while also triggering faults in aircraft electronics that could raise flight safety risks.
The study was published in the Journal of Space Weather and Space Climate.
Increasing frequency of high radiation events
