Space weather is closely linked to life security

As science and technology progresses, related departments are growing aware of the significance of space weather in the space age. According to relevant report, 40% of spacecraft malfunction is associated with space weather. As for astronauts, space weather is linked to life security.

Space weather prediction on key factors of solar activity, interplanetary space, magnetic layer, ionosphere, and the middle and upper atmosphere are made based on observation data and prediction models.

As early as two decades ago, countries with space weather services were only a few, while China has kicked off space weather prediction. In 1996, National Space Science Center (NSSC) of Chinese Academy of Sciences (with the name of Space Science and Applied Research Center at that time) officially released space weather prediction for the first time, specifically oriented to aerospace industry. On July 1, 2014, the Center officially initiated operations, marking the start of China’s national-level space weather operation. In November 2015, National Space Weather Prediction Station was established and incorporated into the integrated management of meteorological stations sequence of China Meteorological Administration (CMA).

Space Weather Center mainly releases operational products via its official website, which include myriad categories of products like forecasting, monitoring, and space weather reports, and serve departments like satellite launch in China, in-orbit satellite security, satellite return security, manned space activity security, ground technical system security, navigation, and telecommunication.

Monitoring layout has shaped up

Currently, sky-ground space weather operation monitoring layout based on FengYun series satellites and ground-based space weather professional monitoring network has basically formed, and can provide monitoring data of multiple areas from the Sun to the ionosphere on a near real-time basis.

In terms of 6 FY satellites, 21 instruments with 8 kinds of space weather monitoring facilities are onboard, with all monitoring in operation. As for ground-based monitoring, on the basis of meteorological monitoring and disaster warning project, coupled with current ground-based sounding stations and Meridian Project, the Sun, ionosphere, and upper air stations are set up in key localities and a ground-based space weather professional network layout has initially formed, with monitoring capacities markedly improved.

Besides, the Center has established a national-level space weather operational system, achieved benign results, and won wide recognition and support at home and abroad. It has also actively participated in space weather affairs of World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and served as the co-chair of Interprogramme Coordination Team on Space Weather (ICTSW) with SWPC/NOAA. The Center has also proposed and formulated the overall planning, construction, and implementation plans of China’s space weather operations based on national demands. It has also conducted civilian space weather prediction and services geared to the public and professional users.

Right now, the Center has established a contemporary space weather operational platform, which is capable of making short range, medium range, and long range prediction and warning of key factors of solar activity, interplanetary space, magnetic layer, ionosphere, and the middle and upper atmosphere. And a complete operational procedure encompassing operational monitoring, data collection, data processing, model operation, analysis and prediction, joint consultation, product making, product release, and technological R&D is formed. Predition accuracy of key factors is leading in China, and matches the global development level.

Right now, the Center has forged an applied service framework with contents of decision-making services, professional services, public services, and user cultivation, conducted a series of important space weather support services, and fostered a stable professional user group in terms of areas like aerospace, aviation, and telecommunication. Specificially speaking, meteorological services for in-orbit radiation dose prediction of Shenzhou VII spaceship astronaut, Chang'e-1 lunar probe, and the docking between Tiangong-1 and Shenzhou spaceship have made groundbreaking achievements and been highly applauded by user departments.

Furthermore, China has put launching its own space station on the agenda and this move is projected to start operation in 2020. At that time, docking and installation of orbital cabin, out-of-cabin maintenance and repair by astronauts, substantial space science missions, and space station supply subsidies all call for space weather services. And as solar activity turns from low to high, the frequency and intensity of space weather events will mount. This will pose a new challenge for China to provide space weather support and raise a higher bar for space weather prediction.

Editor: Liu Shuqiao