Small Satellite Mission Concepts for Space Weather Research and as Pathfinders for Operations
Caspi, Amir; Barthelemy, M.; Bussy-Virat, C. D.; Cohen, I. J.; DeForest, C. E.; Jackson, D. R.; Vourlidas, A.; Nieves-Chinchilla, T.
2022-02
Citation
Caspi, Amir; Barthelemy, M.; Bussy-Virat, C. D. ; Cohen, I. J.; DeForest, C. E.; Jackson, D. R.; Vourlidas, A.; Nieves-Chinchilla, T. (2022). "Small Satellite Mission Concepts for Space Weather Research and as Pathfinders for Operations." Space Weather 20(2): n/a-n/a.
Abstract
Recent advances in miniaturization and commercial availability of critical satellite subsystems and detector technology have made small satellites (SmallSats, including CubeSats) an attractive, low- cost potential solution for space weather research and operational needs. Motivated by the first International Workshop on SmallSats for Space Weather Research and Forecasting, held in Washington, DC on 1- 4 August 2017, we discuss the need for advanced space weather measurement capabilities, driven by analyses from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), and how SmallSats can efficiently fill these measurement gaps. We present some current, recent missions and proposed/upcoming mission concepts using SmallSats that enhance space weather research and provide prototyping pathways for future operational applications; how they relate to the WMO requirements; and what challenges remain to be overcome to meet the WMO goals and operational needs in the future. With additional investment from cognizant funding agencies worldwide, SmallSats- including standalone missions and constellations- could significantly enhance space weather research and, eventually, operations, by reducing costs and enabling new measurements not feasible from traditional, large, monolithic missions.Plain Language SummaryCritical technology for satellites and scientific detectors has recently been miniaturized and become commercially available. This has made small satellites (collectively called SmallSats, which includes CubeSats) attractive as low- cost solutions for research into space weather and, potentially, for future forecasting and evaluation of space weather hazards. The first International Workshop on SmallSats for Space Weather Research and Forecasting was held in Washington, DC on 1- 4 August 2017. Motivated by this workshop and guided by analyses from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), we discuss how and why SmallSats can provide advanced measurement capabilities to fill gaps in space weather knowledge. We present some current and upcoming space mission concepts that use SmallSats to make measurements relevant to space weather and provide development pathways for future missions that can fill operational space weather forecasting/monitoring needs. We describe how these missions relate to WMO guidance and what challenges must be overcome to achieve future measurement goals for operational applications. If appropriate technology and infrastructure investments are made by relevant government agencies, SmallSats- including single- satellite missions and multi- satellite constellations- could significantly lower costs and enable new measurements to enhance space weather research and, eventually, forecasting/monitoring operations.Key PointsMiniaturization of satellite technologies make SmallSats viable, low- cost platforms for space weather research and operational prototypingCurrent missions and proposed concepts show how SmallSats can address relevant space weather measurement requirementsSuggested paths forward for future implementations using lessons learned from these missions are providedPublisher
Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Springer Cham
ISSN
1542-7390 1542-7390
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