1. Lee-Anne McKinnell and Mpho Tshisaphungo
Managing Director Space Science
South African National Space Agency (SANSA)
The Significance of Operational Space Weather Practices in the South African region

3. SPACE SCIENCE PROGRAMME AT SANSA
Located in Hermanus operating as a Directorate of SANSA
Part of the worldwide network of magnetic observatories.
Responsible for research infrastructure and data which is used to monitor the near Earth space environment.
Activities includes: fundamental and applied space science research, post-graduate student training, science advancement, and the provision of Space Weather and Magnetic Technology services.

4. SpAce weather

5. SPACE WEATHER: REGIONAL WARNING CENTRE FOR AFRICA
Monitoring the Earth-Space system, predictions and forecasts
Distributing data and creating new knowledge on the system

6. Space weather center Activities
SW Forecast
HF predictions
Warning/Alert
Bulletins
Space weather research
Model developments
Expansion and usage of data network
Weekly tours
Information days
Training

7. HF frequency predictions
Space Weather Centre
HF frequency predictions
Space Weather Website
Daily Space Weather bulletins
Space Weather Warnings
Space Weather Information to Defence, Energy, and Aviation sectors.

8. Space Weather Centre
Provide forecasts, alerts and warnings to government, defence and the public
Delivery of training courses to users
Provision of space weather information
Provision of applicable tools to assist users
Building capacity through internships, bursaries etc
Developing additional products/services in collaboration with research group
Global partnerships to enhance space weather access (ISES)
Focus has been on HF Communication impacts

9. DATA & infrastructure
measuring space from the ground

10. SPACE WEATHER DATA
Measuring space from the ground in support of space weather research and applications
SANSA operates an extensive geophysical instrumentation network across Southern Africa, Antarctica and the Atlantic Islands
This is complimented with available satellite data

12. GEOPHYSICAL LABORATORY PROVIDING THE DATA TO INVESTIGATE SPACE
Ionosondes
GPS receivers (dual frequency & scintillation)
VLF receivers
Doppler Radar
Magnetometers (variation & pulsation)
Riometer
MT Stations
Radar
Lidar
Lightning detectors
Neutron Monitor

13. Space Science in Remote Areas
Marion
Gough
SANAE

14. RESEARCH
Building an application foundation

15. SPACE WEATHER RESEARCH
Current Space Weather Research Projects
Geomagnetically Induced Currents (GICs) - measuring and modelling
High Frequency (HF) propagation paths frequency sensitivity analysis
Ionospheric modelling and characterisation
Thermospheric neutral density – using EISCAT radar
Space Weather impacts on Aviation – understanding, service level development
Economic benefits of space weather

16. IONOSPHERIC STORM-TIME INDEX FOR SOUTH AFRICA
Using South African Ionosonde Data
Modelling technique of neural networks
Output is delta foF2
Scientific research towards the operational space weather product for user applications

17. GIC PROXY MODELLING
Solar wind-based model performs well for initial storm phase
During recovery magnetospheric reconfiguration drives the disturbance
Such a model (SW-only inputs) cannot work for entire storm
Magnetospheric, ionospheric input parameters are needed in real time

18. MT DATA ANALYSIS
Utilising MT stations to provide surface impedance for GIC modelling
13 Stations deployed, 9 currently operational
Data from 7 stations retrieved and results are being processed

19. ImPACT ON AVIATION Fairly new area for South Africa
Create awareness and needs analysis within SA Aviation Sector
Primarily focus on Airline communication; navigation & Avionics with some research into radiation impacts

20. INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS
Working together to accelerate capacity and capability

21. SANSA - NRC
SANSA – Natural Resources Canada (NRC) partnership started several years ago through the ISES relationship
Covers both operational applications and research
Has included forecaster exchange to South Africa
Research has been mostly in Geomagnetically Induced Currents (GICs)

22. UKSA IPSP Project
Partnership with the UK Met Office to share knowledge and develop operational capabilities:
Participation in UKSA IPSP project
SANSA visits to MO in August to October 2015
Daily teleconference between MOSWOC and SANSA since December 2015
Met Office Space Weather Advisors seconded to SANSA during January through to March 2016
Increased access to Space Weather models run at the Met Office including WSA-ENLIL

23. Space Weather Capacity Development
Partnership with the DLR to develop capacity and interest in Space Weather
2016 Joint Space Weather Camp

24. CONCLUSION

25. FOCUS AREAs Focus areas include: Expand on services (e.g. in aviation)
Solar flare and eruption prediction models
Development of Regional Space Weather Models
Establish Forecast Verification Methods
Space weather data networks
Economic benefit study
Dst Index
SANSA

26. INTERNATIONAL BENEFIT FOR SW OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Benefits of working together:
Forecaster exchange for skills development
Sharing ideas for outreach activities around SW
Forecast verification comparisons
Providing data to international databases (INTERMAGNET, DIDBASE)
Access to industry and industry requirements
Participation in international research and operational projects