NATIONAL SPACE WEATHER ACTION PLAN

PRODUCT OF THE

National Science and Technology Council

October 2015

Space Weather Operations, Research, and Mitigation Task Force

Co-Chairs

Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Department of Homeland Security

Office of Science and Technology Policy

Members

Departments

Department of Commerce

Department of Defense

Department of Energy

Department of Homeland Security

Department of the Interior

Department of State

Department of Transportation

Agencies and Service Branches

Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Communications Commission

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 

National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

National Science Foundation

Nuclear Regulatory Commission 

Office of the Director of National Intelligence 

United States Air Force

United States Geological Survey

United States Navy

United States Postal Service

Executive Office of the President

National Security Council 

Office of Management and Budget

Office of Science and Technology Policy

White House Military Office

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Table of Contents

Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................1

Structure of the Action Plan......................................................................................................................1

Implementation of the National Space Weather Strategy .......................................................................1

Goal 1: Establish Benchmarks for Space-Weather Events............................................................................3

Introduction ..............................................................................................................................................3

1.1 Develop Benchmarks for Induced Geo-Electric Fields..................................................................4

1.2 Develop Benchmarks for Ionizing Radiation.................................................................................5

1.3 Develop Benchmarks for Ionospheric Disturbances.....................................................................6

1.4 Develop Benchmarks for Solar Radio Bursts (SRBs)......................................................................7

1.5 Develop Benchmarks for Upper Atmospheric Expansion.............................................................8

Goal 2: Enhance Response and Recovery Capabilities ...............................................................................10

Introduction ............................................................................................................................................10

2.1 Complete an All-Hazards Power Outage Response and Recovery Plan......................................11

2.2 Support Government and Private-Sector Planning for and Management of Extreme SpaceWeather Events..........................................................................................................................11

2.3 Provide Guidance on Contingency Planning for the Effects of Extreme Space Weather for 

Essential Government and Industry Services.............................................................................12

2.4 Ensure the Capability and Interoperability of Communications Systems during Extreme

Space-Weather Events................................................................................................................13

2.5 Encourage Owners and Operators of Infrastructure and Technology Assets to Coordinate 

Development of Realistic Power-Restoration Priorities and Expectations................................13

2.6 Develop and Conduct Exercises to Improve and Test Government and Industry-Related 

Space-Weather Response and Recovery Plans ..........................................................................13

Goal 3: Improve Protection and Mitigation Efforts....................................................................................14

Introduction ............................................................................................................................................14

3.1 Encourage Development of Hazard-Mitigation Plans that Reduce Vulnerabilities to, 

Manage Risks from, and Assist with Response to the Effects of Space Weather ......................15

3.2 Work with Industry to Achieve Long-Term Reduction of Vulnerability to Space-Weather 

Events by Implementing Measures at Locations Most Susceptible to Space Weather .............15

3.3 Strengthen Public-Private Collaborations that Support Action to Reduce Vulnerability to 

Space Weather ...........................................................................................................................16

Goal 4: Improve Assessment, Modeling, and Prediction of Impacts on Critical Infrastructure .................17

Introduction ............................................................................................................................................17

4.1 Assess the Vulnerability of Critical Infrastructure Systems to Space Weather ..........................18
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4.2 Develop a Real-Time Infrastructure Assessment and Reporting Capability ...............................18

4.3 Develop or Refine Operational Models that Forecast the Effects of Space Weather on 

Critical Infrastructure..................................................................................................................19

4.4 Improve Operational Impact Forecasting and Communications................................................21

4.5 Conduct Research on the Effects of Space Weather on Industries, Operational 

Environments, and Infrastructure Sectors .................................................................................21

Goal 5: Improve Space-Weather Services through Advancing Understanding and Forecasting................22

Introduction ............................................................................................................................................22

5.1 Improve Understanding of User Needs for Space-Weather Forecasting to Establish 

Lead-Time and Accuracy Goals...................................................................................................23

5.2 Ensure Space-Weather Products Are Intelligible and Actionable to Inform 

Decision-Making .........................................................................................................................23

5.3 Establish and Sustain a Baseline Observational Capability for Space-Weather Operations ......23

5.4 Improve Forecasting Lead-Time and Accuracy ...........................................................................25

5.5 Enhance Fundamental Understanding of Space Weather and Its Drivers to Develop and 

Continually Improve Predictive Models .....................................................................................26

5.6 Improve Effectiveness and Timeliness of the Process that Transitions Research 

to Operations..............................................................................................................................27

Goal 6: Increase International Cooperation ...............................................................................................28

Introduction ............................................................................................................................................28

6.1 Build International Support at the Policy Level for Acknowledging Space Weather as a 

Global Challenge.........................................................................................................................29

6.2 Increase Engagement with the International Community on Observation Infrastructure, 

Data Sharing, Numerical Modeling, and Scientific Research......................................................29

6.3 Strengthen International Coordination and Cooperation on Space-Weather Products 

and Services................................................................................................................................31

6.4 Promote a Collaborative International Approach to Preparedness for Extreme SpaceWeather Events..........................................................................................................................32

Conclusion...................................................................................................................................................34

References ..................................................................................................................................................35

Abbreviations..............................................................................................................................................37
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Introduction

Space-weather events are naturally occurring phenomena that have the potential to disrupt electric 

power systems; satellite, aircraft, and spacecraft operations; telecommunications; position, navigation, 

and timing services; and other technologies and infrastructures that contribute to the Nation’s security 

and economic vitality. These critical infrastructures make up a diverse, complex, interdependent system 

of systems in which a failure of one could cascade to another. Given the importance of reliable electric 

power and space-based assets, it is essential that the United States has the ability to protect, mitigate, 

respond to, and recover from the potentially devastating effects of space weather. 

The National Space Weather Strategy (Strategy), released concurrently with this National Space 

Weather Action Plan (Action Plan), details national goals for leveraging existing policies and ongoing 

research and development efforts regarding space weather while promoting enhanced domestic and 

international coordination and cooperation across public and private sectors. The implementation of the

Strategy will require the action of a nationwide network of governments, agencies, emergency 

managers, academia, the media, the insurance industry, nonprofit organizations, and the private sector. 

Strong public-private partnerships must be established to enhance observing networks, conduct 

research, develop prediction models, and supply the services necessary to protect life and property and 

to promote economic prosperity. These partnerships will form the backbone of a space-weather-ready 

Nation. This Action Plan details the activities, outcomes, and timelines that will be undertaken by 

Federal departments and agencies for the Nation to make progress toward the Strategy’s goals.

Structure of the Action Plan

With the objectives of improving understanding of, forecasting of, and preparedness for space-weather 

events (both the phenomena and their effects), the National Space Weather Strategy defines six 

strategic goals to prepare the Nation for near- and long-term space-weather effects. This Action Plan is 

organized around the same six strategic goals:

1. Establish Benchmarks for Space-Weather Events

2. Enhance Response and Recovery Capabilities

3. Improve Protection and Mitigation Efforts

4. Improve Assessment, Modeling, and Prediction of Impacts on Critical Infrastructure

5. Improve Space-Weather Services through Advancing Understanding and Forecasting

6. Increase International Cooperation

Implementation of the National Space Weather Strategy

The Action Plan outlines the Federal implementation approach for the National Space Weather Strategy. 

Each action has an associated deliverable and timeline. An interagency body coordinated by the 

Executive Office of the President will help oversee these actions, including the deliverables and 

timelines. This Action Plan aligns with investments proposed in the President’s Budget for Fiscal Year 

2016. The interagency body will also reevaluate and update the Strategy and Action Plan within 3 years 

of the date of publication, or as needed. Successful progress in achieving these objectives depends on a 

national commitment of resources, both public and private.

Each action indicates the lead Federal Executive Branch department for completing the action, but does 

not prescribe a specific approach. For example, a department might engage academia or the private 
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sector to complete a study or procure data. This Action Plan acknowledges the challenges associated 

with planning and preparing for extreme events that do not currently have well-defined recurrence 

rates; identified activities should therefore be prioritized accordingly, consistent with existing 

authorities.

Note: The actions specified in the National Space Weather Action Plan are intended to inform the policy 

development process and are not intended as a budget document. The commitment of Federal 

resources to support these activities will be determined through the budget process. Additional 

resources may be needed to fully implement many of the actions in this report; such resources could 

come from new Federal appropriations, redirection from lower priority Federal Agency activities, and/or 

from State, local, and/or other resources.

 
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Goal 1: Establish Benchmarks for Space-Weather Events

Introduction

Benchmarks are a set of physical characteristics and conditions against which a space-weather event can 

be measured. They describe the nature and intensity of extreme space-weather events, providing a 

point of reference from which to improve understanding of space-weather effects. Benchmarks can 

serve as input for creating engineering standards, developing vulnerability assessments, establishing 

decision points and thresholds for action, understanding risk, developing more-effective mitigation 

procedures and practices, and enhancing response and recovery planning.

Space-weather benchmarks should provide clear and consistent descriptions of space-weather events

based on current scientific understanding and the historical record. These benchmarks will not seek to 

categorize or classify a space-weather event’s degree of impact on a technology system.

A two-phase approach with different timelines will be used to balance immediate needs with 

requirements for scientifically and statistically rigorous benchmarks. Phase 1, a quick-turnaround 

analysis, will seek to develop each benchmark using existing data sets and studies, where available. For 

those benchmarks where a quick-turnaround analysis will not yield results of sufficient quality, more 

rigorous analyses (Phase 2) will be conducted. Benchmarks that are successful in Phase 1 may benefit 

from further refinement in Phase 2. All benchmarks will be reexamined at least every 5 years or when 

significant new data or models become available.

The objectives of Goal 1 are to develop the following benchmarks: 

• Induced geo-electric fields

• Ionizing radiation

• Ionospheric disturbances

• Solar radio bursts

• Upper atmospheric expansion
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1.1 Develop Benchmarks for Induced Geo-Electric Fields

Geomagnetic storms can induce geo-electric fields in the Earth’s crust, driving electric currents in long 

conductors on or near the Earth’s surface. These induced geo-electric fields present a risk to the reliable 

operation of electric power systems and may affect gas and oil pipelines, railways, and other 

infrastructures that have long conductive paths. For example, a geo-electric field induced by a spaceweather event can produce electric currents (i.e., geomagnetically induced currents [GICs]) that could 

affect electric-grid system stability, with the potential to damage or cause the failure of essential electric 

power transmission components. Depending on the severity of the geomagnetic storm, cascading 

system failure or damage could lead to regional interruptions of electrical power distribution and result 

in complications with recovery and restoration efforts. To be useful, geo-electric field benchmarks 

should characterize the induced geo-electric field at the Earth’s surface (E-field). This parameter can 

feed directly into vulnerability studies conducted by industry and the private sector.

At a minimum, the E-field benchmarks and associated confidence levels will define the following:

• Amplitude of the induced E-field; and

• Time dependence of the induced E-field.

At a minimum, these benchmarks will be developed for the following event occurrence rate and 

intensity level:

• An occurrence frequency of 1 in 100 years; and

• An intensity level at the theoretical maximum for the event.

All benchmarks will state the assumptions made and the associated uncertainties and provide sufficient 

means to account for regional differences across the United States.

The following actions will be taken to develop induced geo-electric field benchmarks:

1.1.1 The Department of the Interior (DOI), the Department of Commerce (DOC), and the National 

Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), in coordination with the Department of 

Homeland Security (DHS), the Department of Energy (DOE), and the National Science 

Foundation (NSF), will: (1) assess the feasibility of establishing functional benchmarks using 

currently available storm data sets, existing models, and published literature; and (2) use 

the existing body of work to produce benchmarks for specific regions of the United States.

Deliverable: Develop Phase 1 benchmarks

Timeline: Within 180 days of the publication of this Action Plan

1.1.2 DOI, DOC, NASA, and NSF, in coordination with DHS and DOE, will assess the suitability of 

current data sets and methods to develop a more-refined (compared to Phase 1) set of 

benchmarks. The assessment will also identify gaps in methods and available data, project 

the cost of filling these gaps, and project the potential improvement to the benchmarks 

based on filling each gap.

Deliverable: Complete assessment report

Timeline: Within 1 year of the publication of this Action Plan
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1.1.3 DOI, DOC, NASA, and NSF, in coordination with DHS and DOE, will improve on the induced

geo-electric field benchmarks for the continental United States.

Deliverable: Develop (Phase 2) improved induced geo-electric field benchmarks

Timeline: Within 2 years of the publication of this Action Plan

1.2 Develop Benchmarks for Ionizing Radiation 

Changes in the near-Earth radiation environment can affect satellite operations, astronauts in space, 

commercial space activities, and the radiation environment on aircraft at relevant latitudes or altitudes. 

Understanding the diverse effects of increased radiation is challenging, but the ionizing radiation 

benchmarks will help address these effects.

The following areas should be considered in addressing the near-Earth radiation environment:

1 the 

Earth’s trapped radiation belts, the galactic cosmic ray background, and solar energetic-particle events. 

The radiation benchmarks should account for any change in the near-Earth radiation environment,

which, under extreme cases, could present a significant risk to critical infrastructure operations or 

human health.

At a minimum, the ionizing radiation benchmarks and associated confidence levels will define at least the 

radiation intensity as a function of time, particle type, and energy for the following event-occurrence rate 

and intensity level:

• An occurrence frequency of 1 in 100 years; and

• An intensity level at the theoretical maximum for the event.

The benchmarks will address radiation levels at all applicable altitudes and latitudes in the near-Earth 

environment, and all benchmarks will state the assumptions made and the associated uncertainties.

The following actions will be taken to develop ionizing radiation benchmarks:

1.2.1 NASA and DOC, in coordination with NSF, the Department of Transportation (DOT), the 

Department of Defense (DOD), and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), will:

(1) assess the feasibility and utility of establishing functional benchmarks for ionizing 

radiation using the existing models and body of literature for this phenomenon; and (2) use 

the existing body of work to produce benchmarks.

Deliverable: Develop Phase 1 benchmarks

Timeline: Within 180 days of the publication of this Action Plan

1.2.2 NASA and DOC, in coordination with NSF, DOT, DOD, and FCC, will assess the suitability of 

current data sets and methods to develop a more-refined (compared to Phase 1) set of 

benchmarks. The assessment will identify gaps in methods and available data, project the 

cost of filling the gaps, and project the improvement to the benchmarks based on filling 

each gap.

Deliverable: Complete assessment report

Timeline: Within 1 year of the publication of this Action Plan

 1 The effects of space weather on technology can extend beyond the near-Earth environment, but this issue is considered 

outside of the scope of this Action Plan.
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1.2.3 NASA and DOC, in coordination with NSF, DOT, DOD, and FCC, will develop enhanced

benchmarks.

Deliverable: Develop (Phase 2) improved ionizing radiation benchmarks

Timeline: Within 2 years of the publication of this Action Plan

1.3 Develop Benchmarks for Ionospheric Disturbances

Ionospheric disturbances can adversely affect radio signals that propagate through the upper 

atmosphere, disrupting communication, navigation, and surveillance capabilities over wide areas on 

timescales ranging from minutes to hours.2 These disturbances can be caused directly by solar flares or 

indirectly by interactions between the solar wind and the Earth’s magnetic field. Solar flares primarily 

affect the dayside of the Earth, while solar wind can affect both the dayside and nightside.

High-frequency radio signals, which are used for airline, maritime, and emergency communications, are 

particularly susceptible to ionospheric disturbances.3 Effects of ionospheric disturbances can limit or 

restrict polar-route flights by commercial and military aircraft for several days and block amateur radio 

communications that are often used as a backup in disaster situations. Ionospheric disturbances induced 

by space-weather events can also produce signal errors in position, navigation, and timing (PNT) systems 

such as the Global Positioning System (GPS).

At a minimum, the ionospheric disturbance benchmarks and associated confidence levels will define at 

least the following:

• Ionospheric radio absorption and duration as a function of frequency;

• Total electron content (slant, vertical, and rate of change);

• Ionospheric refractive index; and

• Peak ionospheric densities and the height of the peak.

At a minimum, these benchmarks will be developed for at least the following event-occurrence rate and 

intensity level:

• An occurrence frequency of 1 in 100 years; and

• An intensity level at the theoretical maximum for the event.

All benchmarks will state the assumptions made and the associated uncertainties.

The following actions will be taken to develop ionospheric disturbance benchmarks:

1.3.1 DOC and DOD, in coordination with NASA, DOI, NSF, and FCC, will: (1) assess the feasibility 

and utility of establishing functional benchmarks using the existing models and body of 

literature for this phenomenon; and (2) use the existing body of work to produce 

benchmarks.

Deliverable: Develop Phase 1 benchmarks

Timeline: Within 180 days of the publication of this Action Plan

 

2 The ionosphere is a portion of the upper atmosphere 50 to 600 miles above the Earth’s surface that can be affected by solar 

flares, coronal mass ejections, and the solar wind. 

3 Radio signals between 3 and 30 MHz are defined as high frequency.
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1.3.2 DOC and DOD, in coordination with NASA, DOI, NSF, and FCC, will assess the suitability of 

current data sets and methods to develop a more-refined (compared to Phase 1) set of 

benchmarks. The assessment will identify gaps in methods and available data, project the 

cost of filling the gaps, and project the improvement to the benchmarks based on filling 

each gap.

Deliverable: Complete assessment report

Timeline: Within 1 year of the publication of this Action Plan

1.3.3 DOC and DOD, in coordination with NASA, DOI, NSF, and FCC, will develop enhanced 

benchmarks.

Deliverable: Develop (Phase 2) improved ionospheric disturbance benchmarks

Timeline: Within 2 years of the publication of this Action Plan

1.4 Develop Benchmarks for Solar Radio Bursts (SRBs) 

SRBs are radio wave emissions from the sun that can interfere with radar, communication, and tracking

signals. In severe cases, SRBs can inhibit the successful use of radio communications and disrupt a wide 

range of systems that are reliant on PNT services on timescales ranging from minutes to hours across 

wide areas on the dayside of Earth.

Solar flares are the primary drivers of SRBs. Intense SRBs interfere with radar systems, satellite 

communications, and PNT by increasing the noise level at frequencies of operation and overloading the 

signal, thus making it difficult for ground facilities to operate. Different types of radio bursts affect 

different frequency ranges.

At a minimum, the SRB benchmarks and associated confidence levels will define at least the following:

• Wavelength or frequency bands of the relevant SRBs; and

• Flux (photon energy per unit area) in these bands (solar flux unit).

At a minimum, these benchmarks will be developed for at least the following event-occurrence rate and 

intensity level:

• An occurrence frequency of 1 in 100 years; and

• An intensity level at the theoretical maximum for the event.

All benchmarks will state the assumptions made and the associated uncertainties.

The following actions will be taken to develop SRB benchmarks:

1.4.1 DOC, DOD, and NASA, in coordination with DOI and FCC, will: (1) assess the feasibility and 

utility of establishing functional benchmarks using the existing models and body of literature 

for this phenomenon; and (2) use the existing body of work to produce benchmarks.

Deliverable: Develop Phase 1 benchmarks

Timeline: Within 180 days of the publication of this Action Plan
8

1.4.2 DOC, DOD, and NASA, in coordination with DOI and FCC, will assess the suitability of current 

data sets and methods to develop a more-refined (compared to Phase 1) set of benchmarks. 

The assessment will identify gaps in methods and available data, project the cost of filling 

the gaps, and project the improvement to the benchmarks based on filling each gap.

Deliverable: Complete assessment report

Timeline: Within 1 year of the publication of this Action Plan

1.4.3 DOC, DOD, and NASA, in coordination with DOI and FCC, will develop enhanced 

benchmarks.

Deliverable: Develop (Phase 2) improved SRB benchmarks

Timeline: Within 2 years of the publication of this Action Plan

1.5 Develop Benchmarks for Upper Atmospheric Expansion 

Space-based systems support many different critical infrastructure sectors necessary to ensure the 

Nation’s homeland and economic security. Many of these systems are located in low-Earth orbit (LEO). 

Upper-atmospheric expansion describes an increase in the temperature and density of the Earth’s upper 

atmosphere. This change is driven by solar activity and can have a direct impact on LEO spacecraft that 

are susceptible to the effects of atmospheric drag.

4 Increased drag can pull satellites closer to Earth,

changing their orbit, decreasing the lifespan of space assets, and making satellite tracking difficult. 

Understanding this phenomenon and its relationship to atmospheric drag is essential to maintain safe 

and effective operations of space-based assets through collision avoidance, accurate satellite tracking, 

object custody, and reentry prediction. At a minimum, the upper-atmospheric expansion benchmarks 

and associated confidence levels will define neutral density, winds, composition, and temperature of the 

thermosphere for the following event-occurrence rate and intensity level:

• An occurrence frequency of 1 in 100 years; and

• An intensity level at the theoretical maximum for effects.

All benchmarks will state the assumptions made and the associated uncertainties.

The following actions will be taken to develop upper-atmospheric expansion benchmarks:

1.5.1 DOC, DOD, NSF, and NASA, in coordination with DOI and FCC, will: (1) assess the feasibility 

and utility of establishing functional benchmarks using the existing models and body of 

literature for this phenomenon; and (2) use the existing body of work to produce 

benchmarks.

Deliverable: Develop and complete Phase 1 benchmarks

Timeline: Within 180 days of the publication of this Action Plan

 4 Atmospheric drag refers to the air resistance in the regions where satellites orbit.
9

1.5.2 DOC, DOD, NSF, and NASA, in coordination with DOI and FCC, will assess the suitability of 

current data sets and methods to develop a more-refined (compared to Phase 1) set of 

benchmarks. The assessment will identify gaps in methods and available data, project the 

cost of filling the gaps, and project the improvement to the benchmarks based on filling 

each gap.

Deliverable: Complete assessment report

Timeline: Within 1 year of the publication of this Action Plan

1.5.3 DOC, DOD, NSF, and NASA, in coordination with DOI and FCC, will develop enhanced 

benchmarks.

Deliverable: Develop (Phase 2) improved upper atmospheric expansion benchmarks

Timeline: Within 2 years of the publication of this Action Plan
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Goal 2: Enhance Response and Recovery Capabilities

Introduction

The effects of space-weather events on critical infrastructure systems and economic sectors depend on 

the severity of the event. The effects of an extreme space-weather event may require a coordinated 

national response and recovery. The Nation can leverage the plans and frameworks in the National

Planning Frameworks5 to help manage response and recovery. From these frameworks, the Nation will 

develop comprehensive guidance to support and improve existing response and recovery capabilities 

with Federal, State, and local government,

6 and other Whole Community7 partners.

An improved ability to forecast and understand the effects and magnitude of a space-weather event is 

key to enhancing response and recovery planning. Actions that seek to enhance forecasting, impact

assessment, and benchmarking of events are outlined in Goals 5, 4, and 1 (respectively) of this Action 

Plan. Building the Nation’s restoration capability will require continued investments, unique solutions, 

and strong public-private collaborations.

The objectives for Goal 2 are:

• Complete an all-hazards power outage response and recovery plan

• Support government and private-sector planning for and management of extreme spaceweather events

• Provide guidance on contingency planning for the effects of extreme space weather for essential 

government and industry services

• Ensure the capability and interoperability of communications systems during extreme spaceweather events

• Encourage owners and operators of infrastructure and technology assets to coordinate

development of realistic power-restoration priorities and expectations

• Develop and conduct exercises to improve and test government and industry-related spaceweather response and recovery plans

 5 Refer to PPD-8 and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) website. “National Planning Frameworks,” last 

updated March 19, 2015, www.fema.gov/national-planning-frameworkswww.fema.gov/national-planning-frameworks.

6 Local governments include tribal, territorial, and insular area governments.

7 Whole Community partners refer to the Nation’s larger collective emergency management team and include not only DHS

and its partners at the Federal level, but also State, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) partners, non-governmental 

organizations such as faith-based and nonprofit groups and private sector industry, and individuals, families and 

communities. See FEMA website, “Whole Community,” last updated April 16, 2015, www.fema.gov/whole-community.
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2.1 Complete an All-Hazards Power Outage Response and Recovery Plan

2.1.1 DHS, in partnership with DOE, will develop an all-hazard Power Outage Incident Annex 

(POIA) to the Federal Interagency Operations Plans (FIOPs)8 for response and recovery that 

includes the response to and recovery from an extreme space-weather event.

Deliverable: Complete POIA

Timeline: Within 120 days of the publication of this Action Plan

2.2 Support Government and Private-Sector Planning for and Management of 

Extreme Space-Weather Events

2.2.1 DHS, in coordination with NASA and DOC, will incorporate the latest data on the threats and 

vulnerabilities from extreme space weather into the next Strategic National Risk Assessment 

(SNRA).

Deliverable: Complete update to SNRA

Timeline: Within 2 years of the publication of this Action Plan and update every 3 years

thereafter

2.2.2 DHS, in coordination with DOC, DOD, and NASA, will ensure a consistent, joint message 

concerning the research, prediction, and preparedness for extreme space-weather events

across the Federal Government.

Deliverable: Complete development of linkages between agency websites and ensure 

consistency in messaging

Timeline: Within 120 days of the publication of this Action Plan

2.2.3 DHS, in coordination with the National Preparedness Goal activity,

9 will set forth procedures 

for accessing and using available space-weather forecast and impact assessment modeling 

tools to inform response and recovery operational decision-making.

Deliverable: Available tools are identified and socialized with the Emergency Support 

Function Leadership Group (ESFLG)/Recovery Support Function Leadership Group (RSFLG); 

and referenced in the FEMA National Watch Center procedures

Timeline: Within 210 days of the completion of Phase 1 benchmarks and Action 4.1.1 initial 

assessments

 8 The FIOPs, one for each preparedness mission area, describe how the Federal Government aligns resources and delivers core 

capabilities. 

9 See FEMA website, “National Preparedness Goal,” last updated September 2015, www.fema.gov/national-preparednessgoal.
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2.2.5 DOC and DHS will ensure that space-weather products are integrated into established 

national preparedness plans (e.g., FEMA Recovery FIOP10), to including a background on 

space-weather phenomena, and products and services. 

Deliverable: Complete integration of space-weather products and develop a process to 

integrate future products into established response and recovery plans

Timeline: To be commensurate with national preparedness frameworks and FIOPs update 

cycle 

2.2.6 DHS, through Emergency Support Function (ESF) 1511 and in coordination with DOC, will 

develop a template for issuing a public information alert and a template for warning 

messaging for an impending and ongoing threat of extreme space weather to critical 

infrastructure, the private sector, State, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) governments, 

communities, and individuals and families.12

Deliverable: Complete update to the ESF 15 standard operating procedures

Timeline: Within 1 year of the publication of this Action Plan

2.3 Provide Guidance on Contingency Planning for the Effects of Extreme Space 

Weather for Essential Government and Industry Services

2.3.1 DHS, in coordination with Sector-Specific Agencies (SSAs),

13 will determine the immediate 

and cascading impacts of a benchmarked space-weather event on essential government and 

industry services, and provide guidelines on the inclusion of these impacts for continuity and 

contingency for all-hazards planning and exercises. Guidance will include the application of 

established benchmarks (as described in Goal 1), making operational the available forecast 

and impact assessment models or tools (as described in Goals 4 and 5), integration with 

protection and mitigation efforts (as described in Goal 3), and collaboration with spaceweather-community partners. Specific attention to pre-event warning and protective 

measures will be included in continuity planning guidance.

Deliverable: Complete a National Risk Estimate for Space Weather14 and integrate 

comprehensive space-weather preparedness into existing all-hazard preparedness guidance

Timeline: Within 1 year of the completion of Phase 1 benchmarks and Action 4.1.1 initial 

assessments 

 10 See FEMA website, “Recovery Federal Interagency Operation Plan (FIOP),” last updated July 2014, www.fema.gov/medialibrary/assets/documents/97360.

11 See FEMA website, “Emergency Support Function 15: Standard Operating Procedures,” last updated August 21, 2014, 

www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/34369.

12 External Affairs ensures that sufficient Federal assets are deployed to the field during incidents requiring a coordinated 

Federal response to provide accurate, coordinated, timely, and accessible information to affected audiences (e.g., 

governments, media, the private sector, and the local populace, including the special-needs population).

13 SSAs are defined by PPD-21 for each of 16 critical infrastructure sectors. See DHS website, “Sector-Specific Agencies,” last 

updated March 2, 2015, www.dhs.gov/sector-specific-agencies.

14 The Homeland Infrastructure Threat and Risk Analysis Center developed the National Risk Estimate product line in 2010 to 

provide authoritative, coordinated, risk-informed assessments of key national security issues in the Nation’s infrastructure 

protection community.
13

2.4 Ensure the Capability and Interoperability of Communications Systems during 

Extreme Space-Weather Events

2.4.1 DHS will assess the dependencies and vulnerabilities of the various communications systems 

used by government and industry to support response and recovery operations in the wake 

of an extreme space-weather event.

Deliverable: Complete white paper on space-weather communications assessment 

Timeline: Within 120 days of the completion of Action 2.3.1

2.4.2 DHS will develop guidance, including planning factors, on operating communications 

systems during and after a benchmarked space-weather event.

Deliverable: Complete comprehensive communications systems operations guidance

Timeline: Within 120 days of the completion of Action 2.4.1

2.5 Encourage Owners and Operators of Infrastructure and Technology Assets to 

Coordinate Development of Realistic Power-Restoration Priorities and 

Expectations

2.5.1 DHS, in coordination with DOD, will identify which essential facilities have sufficient back-up 

power capability to survive an extreme space-weather event and which have the ability to 

quickly deploy or accept temporary power.

Deliverable: Enter temporary power data into Emergency Power Facility Assessment Tool 

(EPFAT) database

Timeline: Ongoing

2.6 Develop and Conduct Exercises to Improve and Test Government and IndustryRelated Space-Weather Response and Recovery Plans

2.6.1 DHS, in coordination with DOC, DOD, NASA, and DOT, will develop training materials to

familiarize scientific, national security, and emergency management professionals with the 

role and execution of emergency management protocols during the response to extreme 

space-weather events.

Deliverable: Produce training materials and conduct an annual training seminar through an 

existing coordination forum

Timeline: Within 1 year of the completion of Phase 1 benchmarks and Action 5.2.2

2.6.2 DHS will incorporate exercise objectives tailored to testing and evaluating the Nation’s 

capabilities to respond to and recover from the potential impacts of a benchmarked spaceweather event within relevant exercises.

Deliverable: Incorporate exercise objectives appropriate to space weather in exercise plans

Timeline: Within 180 days of the completion of Action 2.1.1
14

Goal 3: Improve Protection and Mitigation Efforts

Introduction

Growing interdependencies among critical infrastructure systems and increasing reliance on electronic 

technologies have increased the Nation’s vulnerability to space-weather events. Protection and 

mitigation efforts to eliminate or reduce space-weather vulnerabilities are essential missions of national 

preparedness. Protection focuses on developing capabilities and actions to secure the Nation from the 

effects of space weather, including vulnerability reduction. Mitigation focuses on minimizing risks, 

addressing cascading effects, and enhancing the resilience to disasters.15 Together, these preparedness 

missions frame a national effort to reduce the vulnerabilities and manage the risks associated with 

space-weather events. Implementation of these missions requires joint action from public and private 

stakeholders, due to the shared expertise and responsibilities embedded in the Nation’s infrastructure 

systems. 

The objectives for Goal 3 are:

• Encourage development of hazard-mitigation plans that reduce vulnerabilities to, manage risks 

from, and assist with response to the effects of space weather 

• Work with industry to achieve long-term reduction of vulnerability to space-weather events by 

implementing measures at locations most susceptible to space weather

• Strengthen public-private collaborations that support action to reduce vulnerability to space 

weather

 15 Disaster resilience refers to the capability to prevent, or protect infrastructure from, significant multi-hazard threats and 

incidents and to expeditiously recover and reconstitute critical services with minimum damage to public safety and health, 

the economy, and national security.
15

3.1 Encourage Development of Hazard-Mitigation Plans that Reduce Vulnerabilities 

to, Manage Risks from, and Assist with Response to the Effects of Space Weather

3.1.1 DHS, in support of Whole Community planning for resilience, will integrate information 

about space-weather hazards into existing mechanisms for information sharing, including 

Sector Coordinating Councils (SCCs), and into national preparedness mechanisms that 

promote strategic alignment between public and private sectors.

Deliverable: Complete update to relevant planning documents

Timeline: Within 1 year of the publication of this Action Plan

3.1.2 DHS will develop a guidance document for integrating space-weather mitigation into 

existing coordinating mechanisms for mitigation and protection, including Federal 

leadership groups and SCCs, as outlined in the National Infrastructure Protection Plan.

16

Deliverable: Complete guidance document

Timeline: Within 1 year of the publication of this Action Plan

3.1.3 DHS, in coordination with other agencies as appropriate, will provide protection and 

mitigation guidance to enhance resilience across multiple sectors vulnerable to a range of 

space-weather events, including events less intense than those specified in the benchmarks 

(Goal 1). Guidance should be applicable to governments and private-sector owners and 

operators.

Deliverable: Complete guidance development

Timeline: Within 1 year of the completion of Action 4.1.1 initial assessments 

3.2 Work with Industry to Achieve Long-Term Reduction of Vulnerability to SpaceWeather Events by Implementing Measures at Locations Most Susceptible to 

Space Weather

3.2.1 DHS will enhance current and forthcoming strategic national risk assessments, analytic 

projects, national risk estimates, and other relevant activities that provide vulnerability 

assessments and prioritization guidance for infrastructure sectors at risk from space 

weather.

Deliverable: Complete necessary modification of assessments and other relevant activities 

Timeline: Within 1 year of the publication of this Action Plan

3.2.2 DHS, in coordination with relevant Federal agencies, will develop Federal resilience guidance

for space weather, including tools for assessing the value of backup, redundant, and

replacement systems. Based on benchmark development and vulnerability analysis, this 

guidance will identify which facilities and systems need protection.

Deliverable: Complete resilience guidance

Timeline: Within 2 years of the completion of the Phase 1 benchmarks and Action 4.1.1

initial assessments 

 16 See DHS website, “National Infrastructure Protection Plan,” last updated June 16, 2015, www.dhs.gov/nationalinfrastructure-protection-plan.
16

3.3 Strengthen Public-Private Collaborations that Support Action to Reduce 

Vulnerability to Space Weather

3.3.1 DHS, in coordination with relevant Federal agencies, will develop a cross-sector engagement 

strategy and assess the landscape and feasibility of incentives.

Deliverable: Complete strategy and assessment report

Timeline: Within 1 year of the publication of this Action Plan
17

Goal 4: Improve Assessment, Modeling, and Prediction of Impacts on 

Critical Infrastructure

Introduction

Many of the fundamental physical characteristics of how space weather affects critical infrastructure 

systems, such as the electric power system, are not fully understood. To enhance preparedness and

inform mitigation, protection, response, and recovery activities, the United States must address these 

gaps in scientific and engineering understanding. Understanding the effects of space weather and

associated infrastructure vulnerabilities will support the creation of an operational forecasting 

capability17 of space-weather effects. These capabilities will help enable timely warnings to system 

operators, policy makers, and emergency managers.

Goal 4 seeks to understand vulnerabilities, increase situational awareness, and develop the capability to 

predict impacts on all affected critical infrastructure systems. Three infrastructures and technologies of 

particular concern are the electric power grid, conventional aviation and space travel,18 and position, 

navigation, and timing (PNT) systems. Real-time monitoring of effects on critical infrastructure is 

essential for situational awareness, enhanced preparedness, and model validation. Identifying necessary 

measurements and ways to enhance data sharing are important activities in enabling the creation of a 

successful monitoring initiative.

The objectives for Goal 4 are:

• Assess the vulnerability of critical infrastructure systems to space weather

• Develop a real-time infrastructure assessment and reporting capability

• Develop or refine operational models that forecast the effects of space weather on critical 

infrastructure

• Improve operational impact forecasting and communications

• Conduct research on the effects of space weather on industries, operational environments, and 

infrastructure sectors

 17 An operational forecasting capability is one that is available at any time, is resistant to all failure modes, and has rapid 

computation and dissemination mechanisms.

18 The focus of support for aviation has been limited to conventional aviation altitudes, but commercial space travel is 

expected to expand in the coming decades and must be considered. The safety requirements for conventional aviation and 

space travel have different magnitudes of exposure to extreme space-weather events.
18

4.1 Assess the Vulnerability of Critical Infrastructure Systems to Space Weather 

To enable and increase situational awareness during an extreme space-weather event, Federal agencies 

will coordinate with academia and the private sector to accomplish the following action:

4.1.1 DHS, in collaboration with Sector Specific Agencies (SSAs), will assess the vulnerability of 

critical infrastructure to space-weather events (as described in Goal 1). The assessment will 

include interdependencies and failure modes among sectors that can lead to cascading 

failures and will identify gaps where scientific or engineering research is required to 

understand or mitigate risks to critical infrastructure. The assessments will use the Phase 1 

benchmarks as an initial input and will be reevaluated upon the completion of Phase 2 

benchmarks.

Deliverable: Complete assessment reports

Timeline: The initial assessments will be completed within 18 months of the development of 

Phase 1 benchmarks. Reevaluations based on the Phase 2 benchmarks will be completed 

within 1 year of the development of Phase 2 benchmarks

4.2 Develop a Real-Time Infrastructure Assessment and Reporting Capability 

The following actions will enable and increase capacity for real-time monitoring of the electric power 

system during space-weather events:

4.2.1 DOE, in coordination with DHS, DOC, and stakeholders in the energy sector, will develop

plans to provide monitoring and data collection systems. The plans will inform a systemwide, real-time view of geomagnetically induced currents (GICs) at the regional level and, to 

the extent possible, display the status of power generation, transmission, and distribution 

systems during geomagnetic storms.

Deliverable: Complete plan for national GIC and grid monitoring system and delineate 

responsibilities for deployment

Timeline: Within 1 year of the publication of this Action Plan

4.2.2 DOE, in coordination with regulatory agencies and the electric power industry, will define 

data requirements that facilitate a centralized reporting system to collect real-time 

information on the status of the electric power transmission and distribution system during 

geomagnetic storms.

Deliverable: Define data requirements

Timeline: Within 1 year of the publication of this Action Plan

The following actions will define requirementsfor real-time assessment and reporting of radiation impacts 

to aviation safety:

4.2.3 DOC, in coordination with NASA, DOD, and DOT, will work with the commercial aviation 

industry, space operations and services, and international groups to define the 

requirements for real-time monitoring of the charged particle radiation environment to 

protect the health and safety of crew and passengers during space-weather events.

Deliverable: Complete document on radiation monitoring requirements

Timeline: Within 1 year of the publication of this Action Plan
19

4.2.4 DOT, in coordination with DOC, the Department of State (DOS), NASA; and in collaboration 

with commercial aviation, space, and international stakeholders; will define the scope and 

requirements for a real-time reporting system that conveys situational awareness of the 

radiation environment to orbital, suborbital, and commercial aviation users during spaceweather events.

Deliverable: Develop and implement the mechanism for communicating real-time radiation 

awareness to aviation operators

Timeline: Within 2 years of the publication of this Action Plan

4.2.5 DOC and DOT, in coordination with NASA, academia, the private sector, and international 

partners, will develop or improve models for the real-time assessment of radiation levels at 

commercial flight altitudes.

Deliverable: Develop commercial aviation radiation-environment models ready for 

operational transition

Timeline: Within 2 years of the publication of this Action Plan

The following actions define requirements for real-time assessment and reporting of impacts to radio 

and satellite communications and space-based PNT systems:

4.2.6 DOC, in coordination with NSF and DOI, and commercial communication and PNT system 

stakeholders, will define requirements for real-time monitoring systems to assess 

atmospheric conditions that could affect these systems during ionospheric disturbances and 

geomagnetic storms.

Deliverable: Define requirements for a national operational network of real-time 

ionospheric monitoring stations

Timeline: Within 1 year of the publication of this Action Plan

4.2.7 DOC, DOD, and DHS, in coordination with government and commercial communications and 

PNT system users, will define the scope and observational requirements for a system that 

provides near-real-time situational awareness of the space environment for communication 

and PNT systems.

Deliverable: Complete report with scope and observational requirements

Timeline: Within 1 year of the publication of this Action Plan

4.2.8 DOC and DOD will create and support a satellite-anomaly database to enable secure 

collection and analysis of satellite-anomaly data related to space weather.

Deliverable: Complete development of a satellite-anomaly database in a secure format at 

DOC

Timeline: Within 1 year of the publication of this Action Plan

4.3 Develop or Refine Operational Models that Forecast the Effects of Space Weather 

on Critical Infrastructure

Accurate forecasts of the effects of a space-weather event on critical infrastructure require numerical 

models that can inform forecasters, decision-makers, and emergency managers prior to and during an

event. The following actions are essential to achieving this objective:
20

4.3.1 DHS, in coordination with SSAs, will work with forecasting centers, emergency managers, 

governments, and academic and commercial stakeholders to define and develop 

comprehensive requirements for operational models to forecast the effects of space 

weather on critical infrastructures.

Deliverable: Define sector-specific requirements for developing operational models for the 

effects of space weather on critical infrastructures

Timeline: Within 2 years of the publication of this Action Plan

4.3.2 DHS and DOC, in coordination with SSAs and stakeholders, will identify gaps in current 

modeling capabilities and work with the research community to develop new and improved 

impact models and decision support tools. This will include a survey of current infrastructure 

impact models to determine if these models adequately account for the effects of spaceweather events.

Deliverable: Complete survey of existing impact models

Timeline: Within 1 year of the completion of Action 4.3.1

4.3.3 Taking into account the results of the survey of existing models called for in Action 4.3.2,

DHS and DOC, in coordination with SSAs, and in collaboration with the research community 

and stakeholders, will test and validate the existing suite of infrastructure impact models 

(developed by government, private-sector, and academic stakeholders) that enable

forecasting of the full range of interconnected effects during an extreme space-weather 

event. New models will be developed if gaps are identified.

Deliverable: Complete testing and validation of existing models and provide a plan to 

address any identified gaps

Timeline: Within 1 year of the completion of Action 4.3.2 

4.3.4 DHS, in coordination with DOC and SSAs, will incorporate infrastructure impact models into 

existing and future exercises to develop realistic space-weather scenarios for response and 

recovery, including societal impacts. 

Deliverable: Complete extreme space-weather simulations on a national scale and complete 

an analysis of results for full system performance (including event forecasting, 

communications, impacts forecasting, mitigation, and response)

Timeline: Within 1 year of the completion of Phase 1 benchmarks

4.3.5 DHS and DOC, in coordination with government, private sector, and academic stakeholders,

will recommend a policy for standardizing communication and data formatting from 

infrastructure monitoring systems and model outputs.

Deliverable: Complete recommended policy on data access 

Timeline: Within 1 year of the publication of this Action Plan

4.3.6 DHS and DOC will develop data stewardship, archiving, and access-provision capabilities for 

space-weather infrastructure impact data and model output.

Deliverable: Develop policies on stewardship, archiving, and access of data

Timeline: Within 1 year of the completion of 4.3.5 
21

4.4 Improve Operational Impact Forecasting and Communications

An operational capability that can forecast the effects of space weather is required to enable timely 

warnings to policy makers, system operators, and emergency managers. The following actions will be 

taken to establish this capability:

4.4.1 DOC and DHS, in coordination with other relevant agencies and stakeholders, will conduct a 

survey of commercial systems operators, government operators, and emergency managers 

to identify and assess the requirements for developing functional forecasting capabilities 

and alert products, including specifications for lead time, accuracy, and uncertainty.

Deliverable: Complete documentation of forecast content and lead-time requirements for 

relevant critical infrastructure sectors

Timeline: Within 1 year of the publication of this Action Plan

4.4.2 DHS and DOC, in coordination with NASA, NSF, private sector, academia, and other 

stakeholders, will develop a national capability for operational forecasting of space-weather 

impacts. The process will seek the development of new or improved forecasting models and 

the development of relevant tools and products that ensure the operational execution and 

dissemination of forecasts.

Measure of performance: Complete the development of new or improved operational 

forecasting models for at least two critical infrastructure sectors: energy and 

communications

Timeline: Within 3 years of the publication of this Action Plan

4.5 Conduct Research on the Effects of Space Weather on Industries, Operational 

Environments, and Infrastructure Sectors

The fundamental physical characteristics of space-weather effects on critical infrastructure, such as the

electric power system, are not fully understood. The following actions are intended to address gaps in 

scientific, engineering, social, and economic understanding of these characteristics:

4.5.1 DHS, in coordination with SSAs, will support scientific and engineering research by 

governments, academia, and private-sector stakeholders to increase understanding of 

space-weather effects on critical infrastructure systems and to develop measurement 

systems and tools that enhance the forecasting and mitigation of effects.

Deliverable: Complete review of the extent to which grant programs at various agencies 

support research on the effects of space weather on critical infrastructure, and identify 

opportunities to introduce new programs or enhance existing processes

Timeline: Within 1 year of the publication of this Action Plan

4.5.2 DOC, in coordination with DHS, will support research into the social and economic impacts 

of space-weather effects, including costs of addressing irregularities in the electric power 

distribution system, addressing airline radiation, and lost productivity due to Global 

Navigation Satellite System signal impacts. Agencies will develop quantitative estimates of 

the potential costs of a space-weather event at the most severe level of estimated impact.

Deliverable: Initiate studies on the economic impact of space-weather events

Timeline: Within 2 years of the publication of this Action Plan
22

Goal 5: Improve Space-Weather Services through Advancing 

Understanding and Forecasting

Introduction

Space-weather information products are distributed to users worldwide and are vital for protecting life

and property and for promoting economic productivity. Accurate, understandable, and timely spaceweather information enables actions that reduce the vulnerability of interdependent national critical 

infrastructure. Building hazard-resilient communities requires an underlying network of interconnected 

resilient technologies and critical infrastructures. Understanding, predicting, and managing the effects of 

space weather—extreme events in particular—presents many challenges and requires continued 

investment in observations, modeling, and forecasting. 

Observations are the backbone of forecast and warning capabilities. To achieve a robust operational 

program for space-weather observations, the United States must: (1) establish and sustain a

foundational set of observations; (2) when feasible and cost effective, use data from multiple sources, 

including international, Federal, State, and local governments, as well as from the academic and industry

sectors; (3) ensure the continuity of critical data sources; (4) continue to support sensors for solar and 

space physics research; (5) ensure data-assimilation techniques are in place; and (6) maintain archives 

for ground- and space-based data, which are essential for model development and benchmarking.

Both applied and basic research are necessary to improve space-weather services. Applied research 

must have near-term goals and focus on needed services and technologies. Basic research activities can

advance the understanding of the dynamic processes of the sun and the sun-Earth connection. 

Enhanced understanding of these processes will lead to improved space-weather forecasts, warnings, 

and mitigation efforts. Federal and non-Federal partners must ensure that research is effectively 

transitioned to operational forecasting centers (e.g., the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center), meeting the needs of these centers and other users.

Timely and accurate space-weather information products will ensure that emergency managers, first 

responders, government officials, businesses, and the public will be empowered to make fast, smart 

decisions in response to space-weather events.

These efforts must be closely coordinated and mutually supportive to efficiently and effectively meet 

the growing need for the delivery of space-weather information and services through collaborations

among the Federal, private-sector, academic, and international communities. These collaborations can 

enhance the Nation’s research, effectively transition research to operations, and provide the services 

needed to protect critical infrastructure.

The objectives for Goal 5 are:

• Improve understanding of user needs for space-weather forecasting to establish lead-time and 

accuracy goals

• Ensure that space-weather products are intelligible and actionable to inform decision-making

• Establish and sustain a baseline observational capability for space-weather operations

• Improve forecasting lead-time and accuracy

• Enhance fundamental understanding of space weather and its drivers to develop and continually 

improve predictive models

• Improve effectiveness and timeliness of the process that transitions research to operations
23

5.1 Improve Understanding of User Needs for Space-Weather Forecasting to 

Establish Lead-Time and Accuracy Goals

5.1.1 DOC will conduct a comprehensive survey of space-weather data and product requirements 

needed by user communities to help improve services.

Deliverable: Complete survey and associated analysis of user requirements

Timeline: Within 1 year of the publication of this Action Plan

5.2 Ensure Space-Weather Products Are Intelligible and Actionable to Inform 

Decision-Making

5.2.1 DOC and DOD, in coordination with DHS, will assess best practices across the Federal 

Government to identify and document the most effective means to produce and deliver 

space-weather alerts, warnings, and notifications.

Deliverable: Complete report on best practices with recommendations for implementation 

Timeline: Within 6 months of the publication of this Action Plan

5.2.2 DHS, in coordination with DOC, will develop space-weather event-specific protocols that 

define the chain of command, control, and communication of space-weather-impact 

information during an extreme space-weather event.

Deliverable: Determine space-weather event-specific protocols

Timeline: Within 1 year of the publication of this Action Plan

5.3 Establish and Sustain a Baseline Observational Capability for Space-Weather 

Operations

To ensure that an extreme space-weather event is detected before it affects Earth, and to enable future 

improvements while maintaining current levels of products and services, the United States must 

establish and sustain a set of baseline space- and ground-based observations. These platforms must 

meet reliability standards to ensure the observing systems reliably deliver the data and data-derived 

products. The associated data reception, relay, processing, assimilation, and archiving infrastructure 

required to utilize space-weather observations must also be included in the baseline.

The following two actions are priorities to sustain current operational observing capabilities:

5.3.1 DOC, NASA, and NSF will develop a strategy for: (1) the continuous operation of the Solar 

and Heliospheric Observatory/Large Angle and Spectrometric Coronagraph (SOHO/LASCO)

for as long as the satellite continues to deliver quality observations; and (2) prioritizing the

reception of LASCO data in anticipation of extreme space-weather events.

Deliverable: Complete strategy to sustain SOHO/LASCO operations

Timeline: Within 1 year of the publication of this Action Plan
24

5.3.2 DOC, in coordination with NASA and DOD, will develop options to deploy an operational 

satellite mission to a position at least 1 million miles upstream on the sun-Earth line (e.g.,

the L1 Lagrangian point). The primary instrument on this mission will be a solar coronagraph 

to replace the SOHO/LASCO coronagraph capability. This mission will also provide solar 

wind measurements and other measurements essential to space-weather forecasting.

Deliverable: Complete an analysis of alternatives to achieve operational status in time to 

ensure continuity of coronagraph and solar wind data from the L1 Lagrangian point. This 

analysis will also consider commercial solutions and international partnerships.

Timeline: By the end of 2017

The following actions will be taken to establish and sustain baseline operational observing capabilities:

5.3.3 DOC will sustain or enhance solar imaging and measurements of solar X-ray irradiance, 

energetic particles, and in situ magnetic field vectors from geostationary orbit.

Deliverable: Achieve sustained measurement and data continuity

Timeline: Continuous

5.3.4 DOC and DOD, in coordination with NSF, will sustain or enhance ground-based solar 

imaging, including solar magnetic field and H-alpha data for operational forecasting.

Deliverable: Achieve sustained measurement and data continuity for at least 10 years

Timeline: Continuous 

5.3.5 DOD, in coordination with DOC, will sustain or enhance ground-based solar radio capabilities

that provide continuous observations of solar radio emission to operational forecasting 

centers.

Deliverable: Achieve sustained measurements from ground-based solar radio capabilities for 

at least 10 years

Timeline: Continuous

5.3.6 DOI, in coordination with DOC, will sustain the existing ground-based geomagnetic 

monitoring network and enhance the network through the installation of new observatories 

that will deliver data to operational centers in real time.

Deliverable: Achieve sustained measurement and data continuity, complete installation of 

new observatories, develop a real-time data delivery system, and develop enhanced 

visualization and analysis tools for geomagnetic activity

Timeline: Continuous for sustained measurement; enhancements completed within 5 years 

of the publication of this Action Plan and sustained thereafter

5.3.7 DOC and DOD will enable and sustain the acquisition and delivery of satellite-based Global 

Navigation Satellite System radio occultation data with sufficient geographical coverage,

data-rate, and latency to satisfy operational ionospheric-forecasting requirements. DOC will 

also ensure that such data are assimilated into operational models of Earth’s thermosphere 

and ionosphere.

Deliverable: Achieve sustained acquisition, delivery, and assimilation of data for operational 

models

Timeline: Data acquired and assimilated by 2018 
25

5.3.8 DOC, DOD, and NSF, in collaboration with academia, the private sector, and international 

partners, will develop options to sustain or enhance the worldwide ground-based neutronmonitoring network to include real-time reporting of ground-level events to operational 

space-weather-forecasting centers.

Deliverable: Complete plan to ensure a sufficient number of neutron detectors are 

deployed, worldwide, to adequately characterize the radiation environment and support a 

real-time alert and warning system

Timeline: Within 6 months of the publication of this Action Plan

The following actions will be taken to prioritize and plan the establishment of the baseline operational 

observing system:

5.3.9 DOC, in coordination with NASA, DOD, and NSF, will produce a plan for deployment of new 

operational space-weather-observing assets to provide the baseline measurements outlined 

above. The plan will prioritize and define the required fidelity, cadence, and latency of 

ground-based and space-based measurements.

Deliverable: Complete prioritized plan to provide baseline space-weather observations

Timeline: Within 2 years of the publication of this Action Plan

5.3.10 DOC, NASA, NSF, DOD, and DOI will develop a plan to sustain the availability of facilities for 

the calibration of space-weather-observing assets to ensure that measurements are 

accurate and comparable through traceability to international standards.

Deliverable: Complete plan to sustain the availability of facilities for the calibration of spaceweather-observing assets

Timeline: Within 1 year of the publication of this Action Plan

5.4 Improve Forecasting Lead-Time and Accuracy

Space-weather forecasters analyze near-real-time ground- and space-based observations to assess the 

current-state space environment. Forecasts are based on a mixture of observations and model 

calculations, with models relying on observations as inputs. Actions identified to improve both the 

accuracy and lead-time of space-weather forecasts include:

5.4.1 NASA and DOC will assess space-weather-observation platforms with deep-space orbital 

positions (including candidate propulsion technology), which allow for additional warning 

time of incoming space-weather events.

Deliverable: Complete assessment report

Timeline: Within 1 year of the publication of this Action Plan

5.4.2 NASA, DOC, DOD, and NSF will support the development of novel sensor technologies and

instrumentation to improve forecasting lead-time and accuracy.

Deliverable: Complete assessment of technology needs 

Timeline: Within 1 year of the publication of this Action Plan
26

5.4.3 NASA, DOC, DOD, and NSF will prioritize and identify needs for improved coverage, 

timeliness, data rate, and data quality for space-weather observations, and opportunities to 

address these needs through collaborations with academia, the private sector, and 

international community.

Deliverable: Develop a report with priorities and recommendations

Timeline: Within 1 year of the publication of this Action Plan and every year thereafter, as 

necessary

5.5 Enhance Fundamental Understanding of Space Weather and Its Drivers to 

Develop and Continually Improve Predictive Models

Accurate space-weather forecasts depend largely on understanding the complex interactions between 

the sun and the Earth. Limited understanding of these interactions hinders accurate forecasting of

space-weather events. Additional effort is needed to improve the understanding of these sun-Earth 

interactions that produce space weather. Actions identified to advance these efforts include:

5.5.1 NSF and NASA, in collaboration with DOC and DOD, will lead an annual effort to prioritize 

and identify opportunities for research and development (R&D) to enhance the 

understanding of space weather and its sources. These activities will be coordinated with 

existing National-level and scientific studies. This effort will include modeling, developing, 

and testing models of the coupled sun-Earth system and quantifying the long- and shortterm variability of space weather.

Deliverable: Document R&D priorities

Timeline: Within 1 year of the release of this Action Plan and every year thereafter, as 

necessary

5.5.2 NASA, NSF, and DOD will identify and support basic research opportunities that seek to 

advance understanding of solar processes and how the sun’s activity connects to and drives 

changes on Earth and its near-space environment.

Deliverable: Announce and provide financial awards that enhance basic research in this area

Timeline: Within 1 year and sustained thereafter

5.5.3 NASA, DOC, and DOD will identify and support research opportunities that seek to address 

targeted operational space-weather needs.

Deliverable: Announce and provide awards that enhance research in focused areas

Timeline: Within 1 year and sustained thereafter

5.5.4 DOI will assess and pilot a geo-electric monitoring capability through the installation of 

sensors at existing observatories. Data from these observatories will enhance the validation 

of electric field models.

Deliverable: Complete and begin geo-electric monitoring pilot program 

Timeline: Within 1 year of the publication of this Action Plan
27

5.5.5 DOI will identify and fill gaps in magnetotelluric (MT) surveys19 of the United States, 

beginning with the northeastern United States and concentrating on geographic regions 

judged to have the highest induction hazards.

Deliverable: Complete improvements to localized estimates of geo-electric fields and in 

lithospheric conductivity models

Timeline: Within 1 year of the publication of this Action Plan, surveys of the northeastern 

United States will be completed; the remaining components of this action are a long-term 

effort

5.5.6 DOI will map geomagnetic and geo-electric hazards using observatory and MT data.

Deliverable: Complete map of geomagnetic and geo-electric hazards for targeted 

geographic regions

Timeline: Within 1 year of the publication of this Action Plan, complete real-time 

geomagnetic mapping project for DOC, perform scenario storm analysis of induction 

hazards at sites where MT surveys have been made, develop a report on the feasibility of 

providing DOC with a real-time service for geo-electric field maps. Within 2 years, using 

conductivity models derived from MT surveys, perform scenario storm analysis of induction 

hazards across specific, geographically continuous regions of the United States

5.6 Improve Effectiveness and Timeliness of the Process that Transitions Research 

to Operations

The ability to effectively transition research to sustained operations is a critical element for improving

space-weather products and services. The following actions will facilitate the transition of needed spaceweather information and prediction capabilities to the Nation’s space-weather service providers: 

5.6.1 NASA and NSF, in collaboration with DOC and DOD, will develop a formal process to 

enhance coordination between research modeling centers and forecasting centers. This 

process will seek to identify roles and responsibilities in testing, verification, and validation 

for transitioning space-weather research models to space-weather-forecasting centers and 

for sustaining and improving models that transition into operations.

Deliverable: Signed memorandum of understanding between modeling and forecasting 

centers

Timeline: Within 6 months of the publication of this Action Plan

5.6.2 DOC and DOD, in collaboration with NASA and NSF, will develop a plan (which may include a 

center) that will ensure the improvement, testing, and maintenance of operational 

forecasting models. This action will leverage existing capabilities in academia and the private 

sector and enable feedback from operations to research to improve operational spaceweather forecasting.

Deliverable: Complete plan for improving, testing, and maintaining operational forecasting 

models and enabling operations-to-research feedback

Timeline: Within 6 months of the publication of this Action Plan

 19 A method to measure the subsurface electrical conductivity of Earth’s crust.
28

Goal 6: Increase International Cooperation

Introduction

Space weather is a worldwide threat and a concern shared by many nations. The technologies that have 

revolutionized the global economy and transformed lives are the same technologies that are vulnerable 

to space weather. This phenomenon is not constrained by national boundaries and has potential to 

affect many parts of the globe simultaneously. No one nation can meet this global challenge alone.

The United States must partner with other nations in developing and strengthening standards and 

protocols for the protection of key infrastructure. The actions in this chapter define an approach that 

unifies U.S. engagement with the international community. The Action Plan identifies the bilateral and 

multilateral cooperation necessary to promote safety, security, and economic stability before and after 

space-weather events.

This Action Plan recognizes that many important international initiatives are already underway. Goal 6

actions seek to support these efforts and encourage increased cooperation. The United States must 

consider complementary approaches to include internationally-negotiated top-down initiatives to 

further understanding and approaches to space-weather events.

The Nation must manage engagements with international partners under the authority of existing 

Presidential Directives and international agreements. National efforts will, where possible, advance 

regulatory coherence and enhance efforts of international organizations.

Common solutions to regional challenges associated with space weather and exchange of best practices 

between the United States and international partners will strengthen global capacity to respond to 

extreme space-weather events. These actions pursue an international collaboration that will empower

the United States and its international collaborators to be prepared to withstand the effects from space 

weather.

The objectives for Goal 6 are:

• Build international support and policies for acknowledging space weather as a global challenge

• Increase engagement with the international community on observation infrastructure, data 

sharing, numerical modeling, and scientific research

• Strengthen international coordination and cooperation on space-weather products and services

• Promote a collaborative international approach to preparedness for extreme space-weather 

events
29

6.1 Build International Support at the Policy Level for Acknowledging Space 

Weather as a Global Challenge

A prerequisite to enhanced international cooperation is high-level support across partner nations to 

raise awareness of space weather as a global challenge. The following actions will build international

support at the policy level:

6.1.1 DOS, in coordination with other agencies, will ensure that policy makers and leaders of 

partner nations are informed of the need for a comprehensive and coordinated approach to 

preparing for an extreme space-weather event.

Deliverable: Organize and host a high-level international meeting on economic and societal 

effects of an extreme space-weather event

Timeline: Within 18 months of the publication of this Action Plan

6.1.2 DOS will coordinate sustained U.S. participation in relevant international space-weather 

initiatives. This effort will include participation in United Nations activities and incorporation 

of space-weather-related elements into work plans, programs, and projects by supporting 

the following activities:

• Develop a 4-year plan for United Nations (UN) World Meteorological Organization

(WMO) space-weather activities

• Continue including space weather as a regular agenda item of the Scientific and 

Technical Subcommittee of the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space 

(COPUOS)

• Provide global space-weather information and services for international aviation with 

the UN International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)

• Provide guidance on ionospheric disturbances monitoring and forecasting with the 

International Telecommunications Union (ITU)

Deliverable: Complete report on progress and international engagement

Timeline: Within 1 year of the publication of this Action Plan and every year thereafter

6.2 Increase Engagement with the International Community on Observation 

Infrastructure, Data Sharing, Numerical Modeling, and Scientific Research

Increased access to government, civilian, and commercial space-weather observational infrastructure 

and data across the globe is of mutual benefit to the United States and its partners. Consistent with the 

U.S. Open Data Action Plan,

20 Federal agencies will facilitate full and open access to data to advance 

international cooperation in the characterization, prediction, and mitigation of space-weather effects. 

These same agencies should encourage international science and service partners to adopt policies that 

promote full and open access to data, consistent with the G8 Open Data Charter,

21 the international 

Group on Earth Observation (GEO) Data Sharing Principles,22 and WMO Resolution 40 principles,23 with 

 20 See White House, U.S. Open Data Action Plan, May 9, 2014.

21 See G8, “Open Data Charter,” 18 June 2013.

22 See GEO website, “GEO Data Sharing Principles Implementation,” www.earthobservations.org/geoss_dsp.shtml.

23 See World Meteorological Organization (WMO), “Resolution 40 (Cg-XII),” www.wmo.int/pages/about/Resolution40_en.html.
30

an emphasis on real-time data access. The following actions will increase engagement with the 

international community on observation infrastructure, data sharing, numerical modeling, and scientific 

research:

6.2.1 DOI will lead development of a plan for expansion of the real-time ground-based 

magnetometer network to improve global geophysical monitoring.

Deliverable: Complete strategy for expanding the magnetometer network

Timeline: Within 1 year of the publication of this Action Plan

6.2.2 DOC and DOI, in coordination with NASA and NSF, will explore opportunities to leverage 

international partnerships to sustain baseline operational space-weather-observing 

capabilities.

Deliverable: Complete report on international partnerships

Timeline: Within 1 year of the publication of this Action Plan and every year thereafter

6.2.3 DOC and NASA will collaborate with academia, the private sector, and the international 

community to explore the potential benefits and costs of space-weather missions in orbits 

complementary to the sustained missions at the L1 Lagrangian point, which may include 

missions at the L5 Lagrangian point. Such missions may improve monitoring of CME 

properties and trajectories relative to Earth.

Deliverable: Complete analysis of space-weather missions in orbits complementary to 

sustained missions.

Timeline: Within 1 year of the publication of this Action Plan

6.2.4 DOC, in collaboration with DOS, will sustain and enhance international partnerships for the 

acquisition of data from solar-imaging and solar-wind deep-space missions, building on the 

ongoing operational Real-Time Solar Wind (RTSW) network. 24

Deliverable: Complete report on the status of operational deep-space mission data 

acquisition and needs for additional antenna resources

Timeline: Within 1 year of the release of this Action Plan

6.2.5 DOC, in coordination with DOI, will maintain U.S. input to the WMO Observing System 

Capability Analysis and Review (OSCAR) database and encourage contributions of 

international partners to ensure comprehensive knowledge of international space-weather 

observational systems and their data products currently in use and planned for operational 

forecasting. This action will include information on ground- and space-based systems.

Deliverable: Complete documentation of international observational systems

Timeline: Within 1 year of the publication of this Action Plan, with annual updates 

 24 For a list of international and domestic partners, see the Space Weather Prediction Center website, 

www.swpc.noaa.gov/products/ace-ground-station-tracking-plots.
31

6.2.6 DOC and DOI, in coordination with NSF and NASA, will promote the improved exchange of 

data and information using the WMO Information System and other means, and organize 

international data comparison activities to promote the availability, intercalibration, and 

interoperability of space- and ground-based data.

Deliverable: Complete report on the use of the WMO Information System and other datasharing means and on international data comparison activities

Timeline: Within 2 years of the publication of this Action Plan

6.2.7 DOC and DOI, in coordination with NSF and NASA, will provide input to the WMO 

operational space-weather-observing requirements and Statement of Guidance and will 

report to relevant international organizations, including the COPUOS, the Coordination 

Group for Meteorological Satellites (CGMS), and the International Real-time Magnetic 

Observatory Network (INTERMAGNET),25 on priorities for coordinated action.

Deliverable: Submit report to each of the noted international organizations at their 

respective primary annual meetings

Timeline: Within 1 year of the publication of this Action Plan and every year thereafter

6.2.8 NASA will promote and support the continuation of space weather as a regular topic in the 

international efforts of the International Council for Science's Committee on Space Research 

(COSPAR) and within the International Living with a Star (ILWS) program.

Deliverable: Complete progress report 

Timeline: Within 1 year of the publication of this Action Plan and every year thereafter

6.3 Strengthen International Coordination and Cooperation on Space-Weather 

Products and Services

Providing high-quality space-weather products and services worldwide requires international consensus

and cooperation. To achieve this, the following actions are necessary: international agreement on

common terminology, measurements, and scales of magnitude; promotion, coordination, and

dissemination of space-weather observations, model outputs, and forecasts; and establishment of

coordination procedures across space-weather operations centers during extreme events. The 

following actions will strengthen international cooperation on space-weather products and services: 

6.3.1 DOC will lead U.S. efforts to engage international partners to ensure that communicated 

products and services are globally consistent during extreme events. 

Deliverable: Complete report on actions taken to sustain, improve, and develop 

international coordination mechanisms 

Timeline: Within 1 year of the publication of this Action Plan and every year thereafter

25 The INTERMAGNET program exists to establish a global network of cooperating digital magnetic observatories. See 

INTERMAGNET website, www.intermagnet.org/.
32

6.3.2 DOT, in coordination with DOC and DOD, will lead U.S. efforts to develop international 

standards for the provision of space-weather information for international air navigation.

Deliverable: Develop proposal for ICAO

Timeline: Within 1 year of the publication of this Action Plan

6.3.3 DOC and NASA will continue efforts within CGMS to promote an ongoing agenda item on 

space-weather activities.26

Deliverable: Complete progress report 

Timeline: Within 1 year of the publication of this Action Plan and every year thereafter

6.3.4 DOC will sustain engagement with the International Space Environment Service (ISES) and 

foster participation of additional nations in the network of space-weather service providers.

Deliverable: Complete progress report 

Timeline: Within 1 year of the publication of this Action Plan and every year thereafter

6.4 Promote a Collaborative International Approach to Preparedness for Extreme 

Space-Weather Events

The world’s interconnected and interdependent systems are vulnerable to extreme space-weather

events, which could possibly lead to a cascade of effects across borders and sectors. To mitigate these 

risks, the United States will work with the international community to facilitate the exchange of 

information and best practices to strengthen global preparedness capacity for extreme space-weather 

events. The United States will also foster development of global mutual-aid arrangements to facilitate 

response and recovery efforts, and will coordinate international partnership activities to support spaceweather preparedness and response exercises. The following actions will promote a collaborative 

international approach to preparedness for extreme space-weather events:

6.4.1 DOS, DOC, and DHS, in coordination with and other Federal agencies, will provide outreach 

and education to assist nations in understanding space-weather effects and integrating 

space weather into national hazard and risk registries.

Deliverable: Complete progress report 

Timeline: Within 1 year of the publication of this Action Plan and every year thereafter

6.4.2 DOS, DHS, NSF, DOE, and DOC will work with relevant international organizations27 and key 

partners on assessing global economic impact of an extreme space-weather event.

Deliverable: Develop proposal for international assessment

Timeline: Within 1 year of the publication of this Action Plan

 26 CGMS identified space weather coordination as the highest priority for the period 2014–18. See CGMS website, 

“Coordination Group for Meteorological Satellites (CGMS),” 

http://www.eumetsat.int/website/home/AboutUs/InternationalCooperation/CoordinationGroupforMeteorologicalSatellites

CGMS/index.html. .

27 For example, see OECD Futures Project on ‘Future Global Shocks’: Geomagnetic Storms, 14 January 2011.
33

6.4.3 The United States Postal Service (USPS), DOT, and DHS will participate in the Civil Emergency 

Planning Committee (CEPC) of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to advise 

NATO planners on possible implications of space weather for NATO operations; to promote 

consistency in communications and operations among NATO members and partner nations; 

and to assist in and, as appropriate, lead development of training and exercise events.

Deliverable: Complete progress report

Timeline: Within 1 year of the publication of this Action Plan and every year thereafter

6.4.4 DOS, in coordination with DHS, DOD, and DOC, will develop space-weather event-specific 

protocols that define the communication of U.S. space-weather-impact information to other 

nations and international organizations during an extreme space-weather event.

Deliverable: Complete development of communications protocols

Timeline: Within 2 years of the publication of this Action Plan

6.4.5 DOS, in coordination with DHS, DOC, and DOT, will inform U.S. Embassies and Missions 

worldwide of the effects from an extreme space-weather event.

Deliverable: Complete outreach strategy

Timeline: Within 6 months of the publication of this Action Plan

6.4.6 DOS, in coordination with relevant agencies, and consistent with Office of Management and 

Budget (OMB) Circular A-11928 and Executive Office of the President (EOP) Memo M-12-

08,

29 will support the development and use of international standards for improved 

resilience of equipment to extreme space-weather events by participating in the 

development of relevant open, consensus-based international standards.

Deliverable: Complete progress report

Timeline: Within 1 year of the publication of this Action Plan and every year thereafter

6.4.7 DOS, in coordination with DHS, DOC, and other Federal agencies, will address extreme 

space-weather events in accordance with supply-chain issues and as part of the U.S. 

government’s overall and ongoing efforts to implement the 2012 National Strategy for 

Global Supply Chain Security. 

Deliverable: Complete progress report

Timeline: Within 1 year of the publication of this Action Plan and every year thereafter

 28 OMB, “Federal Participation in the Development and Use of Voluntary Consensus Standards and in Conformity Assessment 

Activities,” OMB Circular A-119, February 10, 1998.

29 EOP, “Principles for Federal Engagement in Standards Activities to Address National Priorities,” EOP Memo M-12-08, January 

17, 2012.
34

Conclusion

The activities outlined in this Action Plan represent a merging of national and homeland security 

concerns with scientific interests. This effort is only the first step. The Federal Government alone cannot 

effectively prepare the Nation for space weather; significant effort must go into engaging the broader 

community. Space weather poses a significant and complex risk to critical technology and infrastructure, 

and has the potential to cause substantial economic harm. This Action Plan provides a road map for a

collaborative and Federally-coordinated approach to developing effective policies, practices, and 

procedures for decreasing the Nation’s vulnerabilities. By specifying tasks that will lead to improvements 

in forecasting, research, preparedness, planning, and domestic and international engagement, and 

identifying the responsible agencies, this Action Plan will help ensure that the Federal Government and 

its domestic and international partners are able to withstand and quickly recover from effects of 

extreme space-weather events.
35

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37

Abbreviations

CEPC Civil Emergency Planning Committee

CGMS Coordination Group for Meteorological Satellites

CME coronal mass ejection

COPUOS Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space

COSPAR Committee on Space Research

DHS Department of Homeland Security

DOC Department of Commerce

DOD Department of Defense

DOE Department of Energy

DOI Department of the Interior

DOS Department of State

DOT Department of Transportation

E-field induced geo-electric field at Earth’s surface

EOP Executive Office of the President

EPFAT Emergency Power Facility Assessment Tool

ESA European Space Agency

ESFLG Emergency Support Function Leadership Group

EUV extreme ultraviolet

FCC Federal Communications Commission

FIOP Federal Interagency Operations Plan

GEO Group on Earth Observation

GIC geomagnetically induced current

GPS Global Positioning System

HHS Department of Health and Human Services

ICAO International Civil Aviation Organization

ILWS International Living with a Star

INTERMAGNET International Real-time Magnetic Observatory Network

ISES International Space Environment Service

ITU International Telecommunications Union

LASCO Large Angle Spectrometric Coronagraph

LEO low-Earth orbit
38

MT magnetotelluric

NASA National Aeronautics and Space Administration

NATO North Atlantic Treaty Organization

NIST National Institute of Standards and Technology

NSF National Science Foundation

NSTC National Science and Technology Council

OECD Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development

OMB Office of Management and Budget

OSCAR Observing System Capability Analysis and Review

PNT position, navigation, and timing

POIA Power Outage Incident Annex

PPD Presidential Policy Directive

R&D research and development

RTSW Real-Time Solar Wind

RSFLG Recovery Support Function Leadership Group

SCC Sector Coordinating Council

SLTT State, local, tribal, territorial

SNRA Strategic National Risk Assessment

SOHO Solar and Heliospheric Observatory

SRB solar radio burst

SSA Sector-Specific Agency

UN United Nations

USPS United States Postal Service

UV ultraviolet

WMO World Meteorological Organization