NOAA/ESA Cooperation on Space-Based Space Weather Observing System

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Environmental Satellite Data and Information Service (NESDIS) manages the U.S Civilian Meteorological Satellite program. The European Space Agency (ESA) is an international Organization comprised of 22 Member States and serves as Europe’s gateway to space. ESA’s mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) conducted a study, titled the NOAA Satellite Observing System Architecture (NSOSA) study, to plan for the next generation of weather satellites. This study provided an opportunity to design a modern architecture with no pre-conceived notions regarding instruments, platforms, orbits, etc., but driven by user needs. The study formally concluded in the fall of 2017 and major results were presented at the AMS Annual Meeting in 2018. One result of the analysis was that there was high value associated with both on-Earth-Sun axis and off-Earth-Sun axis in situ space weather and solar imagery (e.g., coronograph, X-ray, etc.).

Since 2009, in the framework of the Space Situational Awareness Programme, ESA has been implementing a system to monitor, predict and disseminate space weather information and alerts. ESA conducted two parallel Space Weather System Architectural Design studies in 2012 – 2013 to define an architecture for an operational space weather service system in Europe. The importance of space weather measurements off-Earth-Sun axis was highlighted in both studies and a mission to carry out these measurements was included into the baseline architecture proposals.

Both NOAA and ESA have identified space-based space weather observations as a potential area of cooperation to be explored. Joint discussions thus far have included mission planning, instrument exchange, ground system architecture, rideshare on launches, and data and product sharing. This collaboration is an effort to ensure that both sides are getting the maximum benefit out of their investments in space weather observations. This presentation provides an overview, status, and future plans for NOAA/ESA cooperation on space-based space weather observing system.