1. 1 THE NATIONAL SPACE WEATHER PROGRAM Sixth Symposium on Space Weather Session 1: Space Weather Agency Updates AMS Annual Meeting January 12, 2009 Mr. Samuel P. Williamson Federal Coordinator for Meteorology

2. 2 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

3. 3 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, 2 nd Edition, published in 2000 –Built on rapidly growing interest and successes –Defined details on capabilities, strategies, goals, research, technology transition, education and outreach, and program management –Linked National Security Space Architect efforts and the NSWP

4. 4 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

5. 5 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

6. 6 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 Program Committee 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 - Organization Federal Meteorological Coordinating Infrastructure Multifunction Phased Array Radar (Executive Council)

7. 7 Activities Space Weather Enterprise Forum, May 21, 2008, National Press Club Washington, DC –Purpose: Address economic, societal, and national security impacts 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

8. 8 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

9. 9 Committee for Space Weather u pdating primary NSWP documents –New Strategic Plan – publish in Summer 2009 –Implementation Plan to follow Activities National Space Weather Program Strategic Plan 2009 DRAFT National Space Weather Program Strategic Plan 2009 DRAFT National Space Weather Program Implementation Plan 2010 DRAFT National Space Weather Program Implementation Plan 2010 DRAFT

10. 10 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

11. 11 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

12. 12 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

13. 13 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

14. 14 BACKUP SLIDES

15. 15 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