Development of the Expert Service Center Ionospheric Weather within the Space Situation Awareness Programme

Abstract

Disruptions of satellite missions and modern communication, navigation and remote sensing systems can be the consequence of perturbations in the ionosphere. 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. Since these services are relevant in diverse safety of life and precise positioning applications, detection, monitoring and prediction of ionospheric effects are important for mitigating related threats to human life and economy. A comprehensive system to monitor, predict and disseminate space weather information and alerts is currently being developed under the Space Situational Awareness (SSA) Programme of the European Space Agency (ESA). Within this activity, a dedicated space weather network is organized around internationally distributed Expert Service Centres (ESCs). Being part of this network, the ESC Ionospheric Weather comprises the expertise concerning space weather effects in the upper atmosphere, including the ionosphere, which is specifically applicable in the domains of space surveillance and tracking and transionospheric radio links. In this talk, we present an overview on the current status of the ESC Ionospheric Weather, the targeted end-user groups and the provided services and products. The initial product delivery, which was established in the Preparatory Phase of SSA, is being further developed as part of the recently started SSA Period 2. The planned coordination and development activities within the P2-SWE-I activity will be presented including the description of the contributing assets.