Solar Wind monitoring for Space Weather impact prediction

Kurzfassung

Applications in safety-critical communication, precise navigation and remote sensing require comprehensive information on the current and future state of the ionosphere. Of particular interest are monitoring and prediction of solar activity driven disturbances, which significantly impact the operation of these services. This in turn requires a sufficiently good database as well as powerful models and simulation tools. Additionally, early knowledge of the relevant sources of ionospheric disturbances, primarily solar radiation and wind, are necessary for forecasting. Therefore, near real time solar wind data are crucial for assessing and predicting the impact of space weather on the ionosphere and on technical systems. DLR is part of the Real Time Solar Wind network coordinated by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and therefore responsible for receiving the DSCOVR satellite in the European sector. We will provide information about the solar wind receiving facility, data acquisition and the product processing at the Ionosphere Monitoring and Prediction Center of DLR in Neustrelitz. In addition, we present storm events from the current space weather situation near solar maximum and their effects on the ionosphere and technical systems. Finally, we give a brief outlook on upcoming solar wind missions and future forecasting products.