Development of a Comprehensive Tool for Monitoring, Assessing and Responding to Space Weather Impacts to Satellites

The intense particle radiation environment near Earth fluctuates dramatically in response to changes in the connected sun-Earth system (known as space weather) and is a constant challenge for maintaining continuous satellite operations. The high intensity radiation can damage electronic components, resulting in temporary malfunctions, degraded performance, or a complete system/mission loss. As the number of satellites in orbit grows with the increasing demand for services such as global internet and imaging, the need for tools to monitor on-orbit performance and understand anomalies also increases. In this case, the impact of the radiation is highly dependent on the individual satellite orbit and architecture. Thus, users need tailored tools unique to their specific systems to reliably monitor and mitigate space weather impacts. Here we discuss how commercial and government entities can effectively collaborate to meet this particular user need. We review user requirements gathered through in-person meetings with stakeholders, discuss progress toward developing a comprehensive satellite monitoring and anomaly assessment tool, and highlight the benefit of commercial/government cooperation through initiatives such as the Small Business Innovative Research program to meet user needs.