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THE NATIONAL SPACEWEATHER PROGRAM

Sixth Symposium on Space WeatherSession 1: Space Weather Agency Updates

AMS Annual Meeting

January 12, 2009

Mr. Samuel P. Williamson

Federal Coordinator for Meteorology

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Outline

• Background

• Activities– Space Weather Enterprise Forum– Committee for Space Weather (CSW)– Space Weather - Grand Challenges for

Disaster Reduction– Committee for Space Environmental

Sensor Mitigation Options (CSESMO)

• Summary

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Background - Plans• The National Space Weather Program (NSWP)

established in 1995 with publication of Strategic Plan– Pulled federal community together

and set a vision for the future

• Implementation Plan, 2nd Edition,published in 2000– Built on rapidly growing interest

and successes– Defined details on capabilities,

strategies, goals, research, technologytransition, education and outreach, and program management

– Linked National Security SpaceArchitect efforts and the NSWP

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Background - Goals

• To advance:– Observing capabilities– Fundamental understanding of processes– Numerical modeling– Data processing and analysis– Transition of research into operational techniques and algorithms– Forecast accuracy and reliability– Space weather products and services– Education on space weather

• To prevent or mitigate:– Under- or over-design of technical systems– Regional blackouts of power utilities– Early demise of multimillion dollar satellites– Disruptions of communications via satellite, HF, and VHF radio– Disruption of long-line communications– Errors in navigation systems– Excessive radiation doses dangerous to human health

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Background - NSWP Activities

• Assess and document the impacts of space weather

• Identify customer needs• Set priorities• Determine agency roles• Coordinate interagency efforts and resources• Ensure exchange of information and plans• Encourage and focus research• Facilitate transition of research results into

operations• Foster education of customers and the public

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Federal Committee for Meteorological Services and Supporting Research (FCMSSR)

Interdepartmental Committee for Meteorological Services and Supporting Research (ICMSSR)

National Space Weather Program Committee for Space Weather

Committee for Space Environmental Sensor Mitigation Options

National Aviation Weather ProgramCommittee for Aviation Services and

Research

Environmental Services, Operations, and Research Needs

Environmental Information Systems and Communications

Integrated Observing Systems

Climate Analysis, Monitoring , and

Services

Cooperative Research

Program Councils

Federal Coordinator for Meteorology

Standing Committees

National Operational Processing Centers Program

Committee for Operational Processing Centers

Background - OrganizationFederal Meteorological Coordinating Infrastructure

Multifunction Phased Array Radar(Executive Council)

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Activities

• Space Weather Enterprise Forum,May 21, 2008, National Press Club Washington, DC

– Purpose: Address economic, societal, and national securityimpacts of space weather

– Focus: Assessing the growing future needs of a rapidly developing technological world economy

– Outcome: Opportunity for Improvement • Strategic Cooperation• Education and Outreach• Requirements Definition

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• Space Weather Enterprise Forum 2009

– NSWP Council coordinated activity– Outreach and education for government,

industry, and public– Location: Downtown Washington, DC– May 19 - 20, 2009– Focus Areas

• Strategic Cooperation• Requirements• Education and Outreach

Activities

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• Committee for Space Weather updating primary NSWP documents– New Strategic Plan – publish in

Summer 2009

– Implementation Plan to follow

Activities

National Space Weather Program Strategic Plan

2009DRAFT

National Space Weather Program Strategic Plan

2009DRAFT

National Space Weather Program Implementation Plan

2010DRAFT

National Space Weather Program Implementation Plan

2010DRAFT

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Activities

• Space Weather Grand Challenges for Disaster Reduction– 10-year strategy to enhance resiliency– Committee for Space Weather

worked with SDR to craft an implementation plan

– Document submitted for publication – Feb 08– In final White House review, approval –

publication is imminent

National Science and Technology Council’s Subcommittee on Disaster Reduction (SDR) – Grand Challenges for Disaster Reduction

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Activities• Interagency impact

assessment of the changes to NPOESS space weather sensors and use of ACE solar wind data– Completed January 2008

(FOUO) – Identified both operational

and research impacts– Identified five consequences

ranging from moderate to extreme impacts to national infrastructure and activities

– Recommended further study for mitigation options

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Activities

• Office of Science and Technology Policy requested OFCM initiate a follow-on study to assess mitigation options

• NSWPC established the Committee for Space Environmental Sensor Mitigation Options (CSESMO) – Mitigation Options for NPOESS requirements

shortfall– Mitigation Options for continuity of ACE-like

solar wind monitoring– Briefings and Summary reports to OSTP in the

Summer and Fall 2009

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Summary• Last year

– Impacts Assessment for NPOESS and ACE– SDR Grand Challenges Implementation Plan– Space Weather Enterprise Forum, 2008 – Updating primary NSWP plans– Established the Committee for Space

Environmental Sensor Mitigation Options (CSESMO)

• In the next year– Space Weather Enterprise Forum - May 19-20– CSESMO Study on NPOESS and ACE mitigation– Improving products and services– Fostering research to ops activities

Reports and Plans available at www.ofcm.gov – click on publications

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BACKUP SLIDES

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Grand Challenges for Disaster Reduction

• Provide hazard and disaster information where and when it is needed

• Understand the natural processes that produce hazards

• Develop hazard mitigation strategies and technologies

• Recognize and reduce vulnerabilities of interdependent critical infrastructure

• Assess disaster resilience using standard methods

• Promote risk-wise behavior

Subcommittee on Disaster Reduction