1. Satellite Observations for Future Space Weather Forescasting
Howard J. Singer, NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center
Space Weather Workshop
Boulder, CO
May 2, 2008
Acknowledgments: Bonadonna, Donovan, Fuller-Rowell, Green, Hill, Kunches, Maus, Onsager, Viereck

2. Satellite Observations for Future Space Weather Forescasting
Presentation Outline:
Introduction to space weather observations
NOAA satellite programs: GOES, POES, NPOES, Solar Wind Monitoring
Collaborating with the Space Weather and Space Science community
The Future
GOES 8-12
GOES NOP
ACE
STEREO
CORS - GPS
POES
SOHO
And More…
Satellite Observations for Future Space Weather Forecasting

3. Space Weather Observations
Space Weather observations extend from the Sun to interplanetary space, to the magnetosphere and ionosphere/upper atmosphere.
Space Weather observations support a growing and diverse user community:
DoD, NASA, FAA, Industry, Commercial
Service Providers, International …
Space Weather observations are used:
to specify and forecast the environment
in models (drive, assimilate, and validate)
for research
Satellite Observations for Future Space Weather Forecasting

4. Monitor, Measure and Specify: Data for Today’s Space Weather
NASA STEREO
(Ahead)
Ground Sites
Magnetometers (NOAA/USGS)
Thule Riometer and Neutron
monitor (USAF)
SOON Sites (USAF)
RSTN (USAF)
Telescopes and Magnetographs
Ionosondes (AF, ISES, …)
GPS (CORS)
SOHO (ESA/NASA)
Solar EUV Images
Solar Corona (CMEs)
ESA/NASA SOHO
ACE (NASA)
Solar wind speed, density, temperature and energetic particles
Vector Magnetic field L1
NASA ACE
NOAA GOES
NOAA POES
STEREO (NASA)
Solar Corona
Solar EUV Images
Solar wind
Vector Magnetic field
GOES (NOAA)
Energetic Particles
Magnetic Field
Solar X-ray Flux
Solar EUV Flux
Solar X-Ray Images
POES (NOAA)
High Energy Particles
Total Energy Deposition
Solar UV Flux
NASA STEREO
(Behind)
Satellite Observations for Future Space Weather Forecasting

5. SXI: A NOAA-USAF-NASA partnership
GOES: NOAA’s Geostationary Operational
Environmental Satellite
Space Environment Monitor (SEM) Instrumentation GOES 8-12
Energetic Particle Sensor (EPS)
Monitors the energetic electron, proton, and
alpha particle fluxes
e: 0.6 to 4.0 MeV, p: 0.7 to 700 MeV, a: 4 to 3400 MeV
Magnetometer (MAG)
Monitors the vector magnetic field
0.512 second samples, ~0.1 nT sensitivity, +/ nT
X-Ray Sensor (XRS)
Monitors whole-Sun x-ray brightness in two bands
Angstroms and Angstroms
Solar X-ray Imager (SXI) – first on GOES 12
One - minute cadence, full disk, 5 arc sec pixels,
0.6 – 6 nm, 512 x 512 pixel array
SXI: A NOAA-USAF-NASA partnership
AF Funded
GOES (Launch: 4/13/94, EOL orbit raising 5/5/04)
GOES (Launch: 5/23/95, loaned to Japan, EOL 6/14/07)
(Launch: 4/25/97, South America Coverage)
GOES (Launch: 5/13/00, Operational)
GOES (Launch: 7/23/01, Operational)
GOES 10
Satellite Observations for Future Space Weather Forecasting

6. GOES: NOAA’s Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite
Space Environment Monitor (SEM) Instrumentation GOES 8-12
Current Instrument Issues:
Energetic Particle Sensor (EPS)
GOES 12: Two proton channels not usable
Using GOES 11 and GOES 10
All other particle sensors functioning on GOES 10,
11, and 12
Magnetometer (MAG)
Functioning on GOES 10, 11, and 12
X-Ray Sensor (XRS)
X-ray Positioner failed on GOES 11 and 12
Using GOES 10
Solar X-ray Imager (SXI) – first on GOES 12
No longer functioning
Current Spacecraft Status:
GOES 11 (west) and GOES 12 (east): operatonal
GOES 10 over South America:
SWPC using XRS and Protons
Satellite inclination increasing
GOES 8-12
Satellite Observations for Future Space Weather Forecasting

7. GOES NOP: SEM Enhancement Summary
GOES 13 Launch May 24, 2006
First of New Generation
Magnetometer (MAG)
Two instruments operating simultaneously
Energetic Particle Sensors (EPS)
Lower energy electron (30 keV) and proton (80 keV) bands
More look-directions
X-Ray Sensor (XRS) (Limited functionality)
Eliminate electronic range-changing
EUV Sensor (EUVS)
New instrument, five wavelength bands nm
Solar X-Ray Imager (SXI)
Improved sensitivity and resolution
Autonomous event response
GOES O planned launch Nov 5, 2008
Satellite Observations for Future Space Weather Forecasting

8. Space Weather Instrumentation on GOES-R (Launch FY 2015)
Space Environment In-Situ Suite (SEISS)
Monitors solar, galactic and in situ electron, proton, and alpha particle fluxes
Medium energy electrons and protons begin on GOES 13
Low energy electrons and protons begin on GOES-R
Heavy Ions begin on GOES-R
Implementation phase (Contractor: Assurance Technology Corporation)
Magnetometer (MAG)
Monitors Earth’s time-varying vector magnetic field
Included in spacecraft procurement
Extreme Ultraviolet and X-ray Irradiance Suite (EXIS)
X-Ray Sensor (XRS) monitors whole-Sun X-ray irradiance in two bands
EUV Sensor (EUVS) monitors whole-Sun EUV irradiance in spectral bands - improved for GOES R
Implementation phase (Contractor: Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP))
Solar Ultraviolet Imager (SUVI)
Solar X-ray Imager (SXI) monitors solar flares, coronal holes, active regions-first GOES 12
New spectral bands for GOES R
Implementation phase (Lockheed Martin Advanced Technology Center)
Satellite Observations for Future Space Weather Forecasting

9. NOAA Polar Operational Environmental Satellites (POES)
Operating Parameters
Polar orbit at 850 km altitude (90 minute orbital period)
AM and PM orbits to provide complete coverage
Operational Satellites
NOAA15 (working SEM, no SBUV)
NOAA16 (working SEM, working SBUV)
NOAA17 (working SEM, working SBUV)
NOAA18 (working SEM, working SBUV)
Future NOAA POES Satellites
NOAA-N’ (2009)
Future (NPOESS)
Collaboration with DOD and NASA
Collaboration with Europeans (METOP)
Replaces POES, DMSP
First NPOESS with space weather ~ 2013
Collaborative Polar Satellites
METOP-1 (2006) European Collaboration
METOP-2 (2011) European Collaboration
POES SEM: Measurements of energetic particle energy deposition in upper atmosphere and solar irradiance to provide data of practical benefit to commercial and government activities and for extensive research.
Satellite Observations for Future Space Weather Forecasting

10. NPOESS Space Environmental Data Capabilities
Environmental Data Records (EDR)
Pre-NM Performance
Post-NM Performance
Electron Density Profile
Degraded EDR
No capability
Ionospheric Scintillation
Neutral Density Profile
Auroral Imagery
Auroral Energy Deposition
EDR satisfied
Auroral Energy Particles
Energetic Ions
Electric Field
Medium Energy Charged Particles
Geomagnetic Field
In-situ Plasma Temperature
In-situ Plasma Fluctuations
Auroral Boundary
2007: OFCM working with OSTP to assess N-M impact to national space environmental services.
2008: OSTP will determine if a Phase II Assessment of alternatives and Strategies is warranted to mitigate reduced NPOESS SESS capabilities
Satellite Observations for Future Space Weather Forecasting
Bonadonna AMS 08

11. Uses of Space Weather Data: Magnetometer Data Needed for Space Weather Model Validation
The geosynchronous magnetic field is used to validate models and eventually may be assimilated into models. It will be vital for models run in operations.
CISM: Huang et al.
U. Mich. Gombosi et al.
U. Of Michigan (Gombosi et al.)
Multiple groups of MHD modelers rely on the GOES magnetic field data for validating their models.
UNH: Raeder et al.
Satellite Observations for Future Space Weather Forecasting

12. Extreme Ultraviolet and X-ray Irradiance Suite
Solar Observations: Irradiance (EXIS)
Extreme Ultraviolet and X-ray Irradiance Suite
EUV Sensor (EUVS)
Measures the solar EUV energy input to the upper atmosphere and improves the ability to predict upper atmospheric and ionospheric conditions.
X-Ray Sensor (XRS)
Monitors whole-Sun X-ray irradiance in two bands and drives the Radio Blackout portion of NOAA’s Space Weather Scales.
Satellite Observations for Future Space Weather Forecasting

13. High-Latitude D-Region HF Radio Absorption
One-stop shopping for HF fade anywhere on the planet
New product to combine polar and low latitude HF absorption
Deployment as a tool later this year
Satellite Observations for Future Space Weather Forecasting

14. In Situ Observations: Particles (SEISS)Space Environment In Situ Suite
The SEISS is an ensemble of electron, proton, and heavy ion detecting telescopes. SEISS data drives Solar Radiation Storm portion of NOAA’s Space Weather Scales.
CRRES Electron Radiation Model
AF-Geospace, Courtesy of Greg Ginet, AFRL
SEISS products serve user communities in the airline industry, the satellite industry, and manned space flight operations.
Satellite Observations for Future Space Weather Forecasting

15. GOES-12 SXI color composite.
Solar Observations: Imaging (SUVI) Solar Ultraviolet Imager
GOES-12 SXI color composite.
SUVI will image the same portions of the Sun’s atmosphere as SXI, but in different spectral bands that provide better access to temperature and density.
SUVI will locate coronal holes, flares, and coronal mass ejection source regions. It will also detect “Over the horizon” active regions and observe active region complexity. Together, these observations support all space weather customers.
Simulated GOES-R SUVI color composite (SOHO EIT data, a joint NASA/ESA research program).
Satellite Observations for Future Space Weather Forecasting

16. Utilizing Non-NOAA Observations and Data
By continued awareness of, and involvement in research programs, SWPC can encourage and work together with non-NOAA satellite programs to provide data for operational use.
ACE: Through an interagency partnership, NASA modified the ACE spacecraft to provide continuous real-time data.
IMAGE: Through an interagency partnership, NASA modified the IMAGE spacecraft to provide continuous real-time data.
Living With A Star: Through involvement on NASA definition panels, SWPC has encouraged NASA to define satellite programs that include utility to space weather forecasting and specification (Solar Dynamics Observatory, RBSP, …)
STEREO: Through interagency planning, NOAA is obtaining real-time data from a satellite beacon that is being used by operations for forecasts and warnings of impending geomagnetic storms.
Satellite Observations for Future Space Weather Forecasting

17. Examples of Future Satellite Programs That Can Contribute to Space Weather
COMMUNICATION/NAVIGATION OUTAGE FORECASTING SYSTEM (C/NOFS) AF/NASA
S0LAR DYNAMICS OBSERVATORY 2008 NASA
RADIATION BELT STORM PROBES 2012 NASA
SWARM ESA
Satellite Observations for Future Space Weather Forecasting

18. Observations and Predictive
The Future
Observations and Predictive
Capabilities Enable
Space Exploration
Space Shuttle, Space Station
and extravehicular activities
Cislunar and lunar orbits and
lunar surface operations
Mars
Space Radiation Hazards and the Vision for Space Exploration
National Research Council Report 2006
Satellite Observations for Future Space Weather Forecasting

19. Good ground-based coverage will foster conjugate studies with GOES .
Ground-based Observations Contribute to Space Weather Forecasting
Canadian All-Sky Imagers and Magnetometers are a ground-component of the NASA THEMIS (Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions During Substorms) Mission.
Locations of Ground Stations and the GOES Field-line Intercept
GOES 12
GOES 11
Good ground-based coverage will foster conjugate studies with GOES .
Movie
Satellite Observations for Future Space Weather Forecasting
Donovan, U. of Calgary

20. Conclusions
Space weather forecasting requires observations, but also modeling and scientific understanding.
NOAA assets in space include GOES and POES, efforts to provide a new solar wind monitor, and partnerships with NASA for ACE, STEREO, …
We have valuable partnerships with other agencies, and national and international organizations for using non-NOAA space-based observations as tools to improve space weather services, and as prototypes for possible future operational observations.
New observations and new priorities are guided by new challenges and customer needs.
Satellite Observations for Future Space Weather Forecasting

21. Howard J. Singer, Chief Scientist NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center
Contact Information:
Howard J. Singer, Chief Scientist
NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center
325 Broadway
Boulder, CO 80305
Satellite Observations for Future Space Weather Forecasting