NASA and IBM Launch ‘Surya’ AI Model to Predict Solar Storms.
Science and Technology
In August 2025, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in partnership with International Business Machines (IBM) introduced ‘Surya,’ an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based Heliophysics Foundational Model designed to detect and predict solar storms and space weather.
- The Surya model has been developed under the Interagency Implementation and Advanced Concepts Team (IMPACT) of NASA’s Office of Data Science in collaboration with IBM Corporation.
- It is based on the advanced helio-AI foundation model and aims to improve forecasting accuracy of solar activities that affect satellites, power grids, and communication networks globally.
- The model derives its name ‘Surya’ from the Sanskrit word for ‘Sun.’ It leverages high-resolution data captured by NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO), launched in 2010, which has provided uninterrupted solar imagery every 12 seconds in multiple wavelengths for over 15 years. This continuous dataset forms the backbone of Surya’s predictive capabilities.
Main Point :- (i) Trained on nine years of continuous observations from SDO, the AI model can generate visual forecasts of solar activity up to two hours in advance with unprecedented accuracy. It also enhances predictive efficiency by around 16% compared to conventional forecasting methods.
(ii) The model was supported by the National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource (NAIRR) Pilot, a U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF)-led initiative. It integrates AI tools, datasets, and computing access with the support of industry players like NVIDIA, enabling broader scientific innovation in heliophysics and AI research.
(iii) The primary purpose of Surya is to provide protective measures for satellites, communication systems, aviation, and power grids by detecting early signs of solar flares and eruptions. This predictive capability will play a vital role in safeguarding infrastructure and ensuring continuity of technological operations during space weather disruptions.
About International Business Machines (IBM)
CEO: Arvind Krishna
Headquarters: Armonk, New York, United States
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