HelioArc Foundation Launches Mission to Protect the Future of Space Infrastructure

At spaceNEXT 2026, Raphael Attie, President of the HelioArc Foundation, introduced a new nonprofit initiative designed to strengthen global research and collaboration around space weather and heliophysics—an area of science increasingly critical to the future of the space economy.

As humanity sends more satellites, infrastructure, and missions beyond Earth’s protective magnetic field, Attie warned that the risks posed by space weather are growing rapidly.

“Space weather isn’t becoming more dangerous,” Attie explained. “We’re simply becoming more exposed.”

Solar storms and other heliophysical events can disrupt satellites, communications systems, navigation networks, and even power grids on Earth. In extreme cases, these events can threaten astronaut safety and critical military infrastructure. Attie highlighted the example of the Gannon Storm, which caused widespread disruptions and financial losses estimated at up to $1 billion.

With new lunar missions planned and commercial activity expanding rapidly in orbit, the stakes are rising. Beginning later this decade, major investments in lunar exploration and infrastructure will operate beyond Earth’s natural magnetic protection—making proactive research and mitigation essential.

To address this growing challenge, Attie announced the creation of the HelioArc Foundation, a new 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to advancing research in heliophysics and space weather mitigation.

The organization’s goal is to serve as a strategic bridge between the space industry and the scientific community, helping companies, governments, and researchers collaborate more effectively.

“The science needs to flow,” Attie said. “Our role is to help connect the right experts with the right challenges.”

HelioArc aims to catalyze high-impact research and development by linking commercial space companies with leading scientists studying solar activity, space radiation, and other heliophysical phenomena. Through partnerships with universities and research institutions, the foundation plans to accelerate practical insights that can help protect satellites, missions, and future space infrastructure.

Another major focus is helping organizations navigate the research landscape. Many space companies recognize the risks posed by space weather but may not know where to turn for expertise or how to structure collaborations with researchers.

HelioArc plans to act as an interpreter between these communities—facilitating partnerships while handling the administrative and organizational complexities that often slow down research collaborations.

The foundation’s board includes a group of experts from across the heliophysics and space science community, including Nicol Walker, Emily Mason, Shadi Salam, Cynthia Lopez Portella, and Fang Goi, alongside Attie himself.

By building networks between industry, academia, and researchers, the organization hopes to close critical funding gaps and ensure that the science needed to protect the space economy continues to advance.

The stakes, Attie emphasized, extend far beyond the scientific community.

As space infrastructure becomes essential to modern life—from navigation and communications to defense and commerce—understanding and mitigating space weather risks will become a cornerstone of the orbital economy.

“Together we can fill the funding gap for this critical research,” Attie said. “The future of space infrastructure depends on it.”