Objectives

In this project we address space weather models to improve specification and prediction capabilities, with emphasis on the linkage of the different physical processes that occur simultaneously or sequentially in many domains in accordance with Work Programme 2010, Cooperation, Theme 9 SPACE call.

At the end of the project we will provide real time data of plasmaspheric densities, a data-assimilative model of the plasmasphere and a model of Relativistic Electron Precipitation (REP) losses. All these data, models and information will significantly contribute to European capacity to estimate and prevent damage of space assets from space weather events as well as to improving forecasting and predicting of disruptive space weather events.

The data, models and forecasting capabilities will be available for European and international actors in the field.

No such data and models are available to date, neither separately nor as a complex service or method which we will develop in the project.

As security of space assets from space weather events is a global challenge and thus difficult to confine any activity into the EU, therefore – completely conforming to the call -, we will involve partners from other space-faring nations (USA, New Zealand, and South Africa) as well as IPCP partner (South Africa). Without their specific expertize or the utilization of their special geographic (geomagnetic) location(s), the project objectives cannot be achieved.

ESA SSA preparatory programme – which is in the middle of its first phase – is currently identifying European Space Weather assets, operational services; services and methods that are potentially operational. No complex service or method such as proposed here is currently in the list of space weather-related assets of ESA.B1. Concept and objectives, progress beyond state-of-the-art, S/T methodology and work plan

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