Advancing Mars space weather forecasting: multi-point validation during a major solar storm

As Mars becomes a key target for sustained robotic and future human
missions, reliable space weather forecasting is increasingly critical.
This study presents the first practical, validated predictive plasma
modeling at Mars, using simultaneous multi-point observations during both
an extreme solar storm and a relatively quiet period. The physics based
global model accurately reproduces the key plasma and magnetic features of
the near-Mars environment, from the magnetosheath to the ionosphere, with
unprecedented agreement to MAVEN and Tianwen-1 magnetometer data
(normalized root mean square error <15%). It also captures the
dynamic Martian current system, shaped by the interplanetary magnetic
field and the rotating crustal fields, which particularly affects the tail
current configuration. This work marks a crucial step toward practical
space weather forecasting at Mars.