National Space Weather Program Strategic PlanThe Plan will promote the space weather advances our Nation will need as our technology-enabled society races forward in this new century and, at the same time, enhance our society's awareness of the potential impacts of space weather.In 2005, the Federal and Interdepartmental Committees for Meteorological Services and Supporting Research directed the OFCM to conduct a comprehensive review of the NSWP. To perform this independent review and assessment, a committee of six individuals with expertise encompassing the science and applications aspects of space weather was convened. The recommendations from this independent assessment, the input from numerous space weather conferences, and the legacy of 15 years of progress in the national space weather enterprise provided a solid foundation upon which to build this new NSWP Strategic Plan.National Space Weather Program CouncilNSWPC_19a18aaa-447b-11e0-93c7-cc137a64ea2aDR. JOHN HAYESDepartment of CommerceDR. FRED LEWISDepartment of DefenseMR. W. RANDALL BELLDepartment of EnergyMR. JAMES F. DEVINEDepartment of the InteriorDR. HAROLD BELLNational Aeronautics and Space Administration (Alternate)MR. DAMON WELLSOffice of Science and Technology Policy (Observer)MR. KENNETH HODGKINSDepartment of StateMS. VICTORIA COXDepartment of TransportationDR. RICHARD FISHERNational Aeronautics and Space AdministrationDR. TIMOTHY KILLEENNational Science FoundationMS. MARY KICZADepartment of Commerce (Alternate)MS. GRACE HUOffice of Management and Budget (Observer)MR. SAMUEL P. WILLIAMSONChairman, Federal Coordinator for MeteorologyMR. MICHAEL F. BONADONNAExecutive Secretary, Office of the Federal Coordinator for Meteorological Services and Supporting ResearchCommittee for Space WeatherC/SW_19a18cf8-447b-11e0-93c7-cc137a64ea2aThe Committee for Space Weather (C/SW) shall be the principal means for advancing the goals of the National Space Weather Program -- to achieve an interagency system to provide timely, accurate, and reliable space environment observations, specifications, and forecasts. It shall be responsible for: 1. Identifying the customer base and the customers' needs for space weather products. 2. Assessing the economic benefits of improved space weather services. 3. Establishing formal lines of communications linking all stakeholders in space weather services, including civilian and military agencies of the Government, industry, academia, etc. 4. Coordinating activities conducted by Government agencies with respect to research, instrumentation, data collection, and dissemination. 5. Developing those parts of proposed Federal Plans for Meteorological Services within its assigned areas for efficient utilizations of resources to meet valid user requirements. 6. Tracking progress in the development of the National Space Weather Program, providing periodic progress reports to the National Space 7. Weather Program Council (NSW/PC), and updating the National Space Weather Program Implementation Plan periodically to ensure that it remains a viable plan to advance progress toward meeting customer needs. 8. Considering other matters as directed by the NSW/PC.DR. THOMAS BOGDANCoChair; Director, Space Weather Prediction Center; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; Department of CommerceCOLONEL MARK ZETTLEMOYERCoChair; Chief, Integration, Plans, and Requirements Division; United States Air Force Directorate of Weather; Department of DefenseDR. WILLIAM DENIGNational Geophysical Data Center; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; Department of CommerceDR. KEN SCHWARTZProgram Manager; Defense Threat Reduction Agency; Department of DefenseCOMMANDER ANDREW LOMAXOceanographer of the Navy Staff Officer; United States Navy; Department of DefenseLIEUTENANT COLONEL DAVID RODRIGUEZNational Nuclear Security Administration; Department of EnergyDR. ROBERT ROBINSONUpper Atmospheric Research Program, National Science FoundationMAJOR KELLY DOSERUnited States Air Force Directorate of Weather, Department of DefenseMR. WILLIAM MURTAGHSpace Weather Prediction Center; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; Department of CommerceDR. RICHARD BEHNKECoChair; Director Upper Atmospheric Research Program; National Science FoundationDR. MADHULIKA GUHATHAKURTACoChair; LWS Program Scientist, ILWS; Heliophysics Division, National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationDR. JILL DAHLBURGSuperintendent, Space Sciences Division; Naval Research Laboratory; Department of DefenseDR. JOEL MOZERSpace Weather Center of Excellence; Air Force Research Laboratory; Department of DefenseMR. STEVEN ALBERSHEIMAviation Weather Policy and Standards, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of TransportationDR. JEFFERY J. LOVEUnited States Geological Survey; Department of LaborDR. PAUL KINTNEROffice of Space and Advanced Technology, Department of StateDR. JOHN ALLENSpace Operations Mission Directorate, National Aeronautical and Space AdministrationDR. ARIK POSNERHeliophysics Division, National Aeronautical and Space AdministrationA nation that capitalizes on advances in science and forecasting to better cope with the adverse impacts of space weather on human activity and on advanced technologies that underlie our global economy and national security._19a18e74-447b-11e0-93c7-cc137a64ea2aThe NSWP serves as the focal point for the Federal Government’s national space weather enterprise and partnerships. By providing an active, synergistic, interagency forum for collaboration, the NSWP facilitates mutually beneficial interactions among the Nation’s research and operational communities. The NSWP develops effective and efficient strategies and options to meet the various space weather challenges facing the Nation and works to advance basic scientific research and exploration, enhance reliable space environmental services, increase public awareness, and support national policy formulation._19a18f6e-447b-11e0-93c7-cc137a64ea2aPhysical Conditions and ProcessesDiscover and understand the physical conditions and processes that produce space weather and its effects._19a190b8-447b-11e0-93c7-cc137a64ea2aNSWP-SG-01National Space Weather Program CouncilCommittee for Space WeatherForecasting space weather depends on understanding the fundamental processes that give rise to hazardous events. Continued support for research is essential to achieve the level of understanding required for accurate predictions. Particularly important is the study of processes that link the Sun-Earth system and that control the flow of energy within the coupled system. Development of new instrumentation and observing capabilities are also important for discovery, understanding and as input to space weather models. Metrics need to be established so that improvements in forecasting capabilities can be monitored and assessed. Eventually, a chain of coupled models will be available that will reliably and accurately simulate and predict space weather events in the Sun-Earth system. Technology development is critically important for the success of the program and, in light of recent budget decisions, opportunity exists for great advancements.PrioritiesSet priorities for research to meet operational and science needs._19a191b2-447b-11e0-93c7-cc137a64ea2aNSWP-SO-01National Space Weather Program CouncilCommittee for Space WeatherSolar ProcessesConduct basic research to advance understanding of solar processes and how the Sun's activity connects to and drives changes on the Earth and its near-space environs._19a192c0-447b-11e0-93c7-cc137a64ea2aNSWP-SO-02National Space Weather Program CouncilCommittee for Space WeatherSpace Weather ServicesConduct applied research that addresses urgent needs to provide operational space weather services._19a193ce-447b-11e0-93c7-cc137a64ea2aNSWP-SO-03National Space Weather Program CouncilCommittee for Space WeatherGapsIdentify and assess existing gaps between the elements that need to be coupled together to create space weather models._19a194e6-447b-11e0-93c7-cc137a64ea2aNSWP-SO-04National Space Weather Program CouncilCommittee for Space WeatherSun-Earth ModelsDevelop and test models of the coupled Sun-Earth system that are accessible to the scientific user community, leading to useful physics-based models._19a19612-447b-11e0-93c7-cc137a64ea2aNSWP-SO-05National Space Weather Program CouncilCommittee for Space WeatherSpace Weather ParametersQuantify the variability and climatology of space weather parameters for use in research, engineering, and operational applications._19a1973e-447b-11e0-93c7-cc137a64ea2aNSWP-SO-06National Space Weather Program CouncilCommittee for Space WeatherTechnology Transition and Data ProcessingDevelop robust technology transition and data processing capabilities, including product test beds for scientific and technological advances and advanced data assimilation techniques to benefit operations and provide for improved products and services._19a19874-447b-11e0-93c7-cc137a64ea2aNSWP-SO-07National Space Weather Program CouncilCommittee for Space WeatherObservational CapabilitiesDevelop and sustain observational capabilities._19a199b4-447b-11e0-93c7-cc137a64ea2aNSWP-SG-02National Space Weather Program CouncilCommittee for Space WeatherModel development, verification, and maintenance require quality observations taken from space and on the ground. The reliability and accuracy of space weather models strongly depend on the quality of the data ingested. Continued improvement and development of space weather observing capabilities could result in better coverage, timeliness, and accuracy. Development of advanced technologies will improve the quality and affordability of new observing systems and optimize the path from research to operational use. The program should continually review the status of current and future space weather observing capabilities and plans to ensure consistency and efficiency in the implementation and use of these resources.Space Weather Observing PlansReview completed space weather observing plans and consolidate them into a single coherent strategy to ensure efficient use of resources to meet observational requirements._19a19afe-447b-11e0-93c7-cc137a64ea2aNSWP-SO-08National Space Weather Program CouncilCommittee for Space WeatherObservational CapabilitiesDevelop the necessary observational capabilities._19a19c7a-447b-11e0-93c7-cc137a64ea2aNSWP-SO-09National Space Weather Program CouncilCommittee for Space WeatherDataSustain useful space weather observing capabilities and explore improved coverage, timeliness, and quality of the data sources that are vital and urgent._19a19de2-447b-11e0-93c7-cc137a64ea2aNSWP-SO-10National Space Weather Program CouncilCommittee for Space WeatherHistorical DatasetsEnsure that historical space weather datasets are preserved within a national data center and made readily available to all, including the scientific and research communities._19a19f54-447b-11e0-93c7-cc137a64ea2aNSWP-SO-11National Space Weather Program CouncilCommittee for Space WeatherInformationProvide tailored and accurate space weather information where and when it's needed._19a1a0d0-447b-11e0-93c7-cc137a64ea2aNSWP-SG-03National Space Weather Program CouncilCommittee for Space WeatherOver the next 10 years, the NSWP will ensure processes are implemented to provide space weather data, analyses, and predictions with the accuracy, timeliness, and granularity required by the end user.Processing Center CapabilitiesImprove and expand the space weather operational processing center capabilities, to include: communications and data processing; product generation and tailoring; and product distribution and integration into user applications._19a1a256-447b-11e0-93c7-cc137a64ea2aNSWP-SO-12National Space Weather Program CouncilCommittee for Space WeatherService ProvidersFacilitate the transition of needed space weather information and prediction capabilities to the Nation's space weather service providers._19a1a3dc-447b-11e0-93c7-cc137a64ea2aNSWP-SO-13National Space Weather Program CouncilCommittee for Space WeatherSpace Weather Service ProvidersAwarenessRaise national awareness of the impacts of space weather._19a1a580-447b-11e0-93c7-cc137a64ea2aNSWP-SG-04National Space Weather Program CouncilCommittee for Space WeatherThe space weather enterprise requires proactive education and outreach efforts in an effort to ensure effective knowledge transfer at all levels. The national educational pipeline, from elementary through graduate school, needs to be surveyed and improved in an effort to ensure that no shortages of critical science, technology, engineering, and mathematics skills exist or will occur in the future. A well-informed general public that understands space weather concepts and the importance of space weather in addressing critical national needs is equally important. This can be achieved by the efficient use of far-reaching existing and emerging communications technologies.Effective transfer of space weather knowledge will require a better understanding of the impacts of space weather on technology and on commercial and military customers, to include the associated economic and political impacts on the Nation’s civil and military assets. The future will see increasing use of simulations and mitigation exercises to ensure operators of systems and the general public are better prepared for space weather events.Educational ProgramsEncourage and improve educational programs in space weather for grades K-12 and for undergraduate and graduate academic institutions._19a1a724-447b-11e0-93c7-cc137a64ea2aNSWP-SO-14National Space Weather Program CouncilCommittee for Space WeatherK-12 SchoolsUndergraduate Academic InstitutionsGraduate Academic InstitutionsWeb Sites and Communications TechnologiesDevelop and maintain interactive and engaging web sites and explore the use of other emerging communications technologies, including Internet-based social networking and mobile phone applications._19a1a8dc-447b-11e0-93c7-cc137a64ea2aNSWP-SO-15National Space Weather Program CouncilCommittee for Space WeatherCustomer Impact AssessmentConduct independent assessments of impacts of space weather on customers, including the economic and political impacts on the Nation's assets._19a1aa9e-447b-11e0-93c7-cc137a64ea2aNSWP-SO-16National Space Weather Program CouncilCommittee for Space WeatherEconomic ImpactsDevelop models to quantitatively assess the economic impacts on technical systems, particularly the North American electric power distribution network._19a1ac6a-447b-11e0-93c7-cc137a64ea2aNSWP-SO-17National Space Weather Program CouncilCommittee for Space Weather2010-06-012015-05-312010-06-30http://www.ofcm.govWilliamGlascoe III571.432.1353william.glascoe@osd.mil