Services for GNSS users within the ESA Space Situational Awareness Space Weather Service Network

Abstract

Ionospheric Space Weather can adversely degrade the performance of radio systems in communication, space based navigation and remote sensing. Navigation signals transmitted by Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) are delayed, refracted and diffracted by the highly variable ionosphere affecting the accuracy, availability, continuity and integrity of GNSS signals which can be crucial in safety of life and precise positioning applications. Therefore detection, monitoring and prediction of ionospheric effects are important for mitigating such impact. In the frame of its Space Situational Awareness (SSA) programme, the European Space Agency (ESA) is establishing a Space Weather Service Network to support end-users, in a wide range of affected sectors, in mitigating the effects of space weather on their systems, reducing costs and improving reliability. In this paper we present an overview of the current status of the network, the targeted end user groups and Expert Service Centers (ESCs). Focusing on the ESC for Ionospheric Weather (I-ESC), we report on the currently available products and tools as well as on the recent and ongoing activities in expanding the network for this domain.