Looking to the Future of Space Weather Specification and Geospace Forecasting
Daniel N. Baker
Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO
- Recent international space science programs have made a concerted effort to study activity on the Sun, the propagation of energy bursts from the Sun to near-Earth space, energy coupling into the magnetosphere, and its redistribution and deposition in the upper and middle atmosphere. Extreme solar, geomagnetic and solar wind conditions can be observed by a large international array of satellites and ground-based sensors. We briefly discuss the types of space weather-related problems that have been identified in recent years and consider examples of space weather-induced spacecraft (and ground-based) anomalies and failures that affect both civilian and military systems. In this context, we discuss near-term plans to consolidate and integrate results from these many international programs and campaigns. An important component of this community effort is to propose technical and operational solutions to space weather problems that can be achieved in the next 5-10 years. This talk will focus on new scientific understanding that is needed for successful space weather programs and will describe actions that can help assure a good future integrated space weather program. We will particularly try to anticipate what observations and models will be needed within the geospace domain to enable successful forecasting capabilities.
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