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SOLAR AND SPACE PHYSICS: A SCIENCE FOR A TECHNOLOGICAL SOCIETY
BOX 4.8 SPACE WEATHER TODAY
As the nation’s official source of space weather alerts and warnings, NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction
Center (SWPC) delivers space weather products and services that meet evolving national needs. Within NOAA,
SWPC works especially closely with the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS),
which provides satellite services and includes the National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC), which archives
and disseminates NOAA’s data. As part of the National Weather Service, SWPC provides actionable alerts, forecasts, and data products to space weather customers and works closely with partner agencies, including NASA,
the Department of Defense (DOD), the Department of Energy, the U.S. Geological Survey, the Department of
Homeland Security, and the Federal Aviation Administration. In addition to these agencies, SWPC also works
with commercial service providers and the international community to acquire and share data and information
needed to carry out its role in serving the nation with space weather products and services.
The Air Force Weather Agency (AFWA) has the lead for providing space weather data, products, and services to DOD users worldwide. Missions supported range from ground- and sea-based users of HF and satellite
communications and GPS navigation systems, to space surveillance and tracking radars, to on-orbit satellite
operations. AFWA’s Space Weather Operations Center collects observations in real time, operates specification
and forecast models, and disseminates mission-tailored information to users via Web services, Web pages, and
dedicated communications. AFWA, in close collaboration with Air Force Space Command and the Air Force
and Naval Research Laboratories, has been a strong proponent of transitioning research to operations, and it
routinely leverages sensor data and models provided by NOAA, NASA, and DOD-funded research efforts. AFWA
collaborates closely with the Air Force Research Laboratory Space Weather Center of Excellence and with NASA’s
Space Weather Laboratory.
NASA is addressing its own space weather needs through a combination of two collaborating centers. The
Space Radiation Analysis Group (SRAG) has as its focus the protection of humans in space, from low Earth orbit
to destinations beyond. Combining data from NASA, NOAA, and partner sensors, SRAG provides state-of-theart assessments tailored to the needs of NASA’s human spaceflight program. The Space Weather Laboratory
(SWL) provides services to NASA’s robotic missions, based on execution of the largest set of space weather
forecasting models in existence to date. Data from a large variety of sources and model output are gathered
and disseminated by an innovative space weather analysis system that is accessible not only by NASA but also
by interests worldwide. Both SRAG and SWL collaborate closely with each other, as well as with entities inside
and outside the United States.
Recent years have seen the emergence of a vibrant commercial sector that is engaging in space weather
operations and providing new services and products for customers ranging from agencies and commercial
aerospace to consumers. University organizations have established operational centers that produce space
weather data for commercial users (e.g., Utah State University’s Space Weather Center). An important focus of
these commercial activities is the provision of derivative products to improve communications and navigation. The American Commercial Space Weather Association was formed in 2011 to represent private-sector
commercial interests nationally and internationally; its formation represents a milestone at the end of the first
decade of a maturing commercial space weather enterprise. Member companies also supply advisory services
related to space weather to government agencies and commercial organizations.
Solar and Space Physics: A Science for a Technological Society
110
SOLAR AND SPACE PHYSICS: A SCIENCE FOR A TECHNOLOGICAL SOCIETY
BOX 4.8 SPACE WEATHER TODAY
As the nation’s official source of space weather alerts and warnings, NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction
Center (SWPC) delivers space weather products and services that meet evolving national needs. Within NOAA,
SWPC works especially closely with the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS),
which provides satellite services and includes the National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC), which archives
and disseminates NOAA’s data. As part of the National Weather Service, SWPC provides actionable alerts, forecasts, and data products to space weather customers and works closely with partner agencies, including NASA,
the Department of Defense (DOD), the Department of Energy, the U.S. Geological Survey, the Department of
Homeland Security, and the Federal Aviation Administration. In addition to these agencies, SWPC also works
with commercial service providers and the international community to acquire and share data and information
needed to carry out its role in serving the nation with space weather products and services.
The Air Force Weather Agency (AFWA) has the lead for providing space weather data, products, and services to DOD users worldwide. Missions supported range from ground- and sea-based users of HF and satellite
communications and GPS navigation systems, to space surveillance and tracking radars, to on-orbit satellite
operations. AFWA’s Space Weather Operations Center collects observations in real time, operates specification
and forecast models, and disseminates mission-tailored information to users via Web services, Web pages, and
dedicated communications. AFWA, in close collaboration with Air Force Space Command and the Air Force
and Naval Research Laboratories, has been a strong proponent of transitioning research to operations, and it
routinely leverages sensor data and models provided by NOAA, NASA, and DOD-funded research efforts. AFWA
collaborates closely with the Air Force Research Laboratory Space Weather Center of Excellence and with NASA’s
Space Weather Laboratory.
NASA is addressing its own space weather needs through a combination of two collaborating centers. The
Space Radiation Analysis Group (SRAG) has as its focus the protection of humans in space, from low Earth orbit
to destinations beyond. Combining data from NASA, NOAA, and partner sensors, SRAG provides state-of-theart assessments tailored to the needs of NASA’s human spaceflight program. The Space Weather Laboratory
(SWL) provides services to NASA’s robotic missions, based on execution of the largest set of space weather
forecasting models in existence to date. Data from a large variety of sources and model output are gathered
and disseminated by an innovative space weather analysis system that is accessible not only by NASA but also
by interests worldwide. Both SRAG and SWL collaborate closely with each other, as well as with entities inside
and outside the United States.
Recent years have seen the emergence of a vibrant commercial sector that is engaging in space weather
operations and providing new services and products for customers ranging from agencies and commercial
aerospace to consumers. University organizations have established operational centers that produce space
weather data for commercial users (e.g., Utah State University’s Space Weather Center). An important focus of
these commercial activities is the provision of derivative products to improve communications and navigation. The American Commercial Space Weather Association was formed in 2011 to represent private-sector
commercial interests nationally and internationally; its formation represents a milestone at the end of the first
decade of a maturing commercial space weather enterprise. Member companies also supply advisory services
related to space weather to government agencies and commercial organizations.