Research and Development Division Research and Development Division Research and Development at the Space Environment Center emphasizes understanding of the fundamental physical processes governing the regime from the solar surface, through the interplanetary medium, into the magnetospheric-ionospheric regions, and ending in Earth's upper atmosphere. Our research is focussed on areas where advanced applications can be developed and prototyped to improve space weather services, whereby the Nation is served through alerts and warnings of those conditions that can be often hazardous to technological systems in space and on the ground and human activities in space . The staff has expertise spanning from solar physics to Earth's upper atmosphere, and maintains close collaborations throughout the research community. Solar Terrestrial Instrumentation and Data Group Ensures that space environment data are processed, validated, interpreted, and disseminated in an efficient and timely fashion. The group develops analysis tools for working with data from a variety of spacecraft, including the NOAA geosynchronous and polar orbiters, and spacecraft in the solar wind.
Data access is provided through customized data-analysis routines and individualized displays.
In addition to enhancing the utility and value of the primary data through research and analysis, the group explores sources of new data and improved monitoring to support Space Weather Operations. Solar Influences and Imaging Group Conducts research into understanding processes on the sun and the effects of solar activity on the near-Earth space environment. To support Space Weather Operations, the staff examines both short and long-term solar influences on human activities in space and on the ground . The SEM instruments on GOES include magnetometers, energetic particle monitors, and solar x-ray intensity measurements. In addition, we cooperate with other agency satellite missions to provide real-time space weather information.