Space Weather (SWE)

The start of the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027 of the European Union means at the same time the start of the new 'Space Programme of the European Union', also termed 'EU Space Programme'. It is composed of different elements, one of which is the Space Situational Awareness (SSA) element. 'SSA' is a world-wide known concept that covers the monitoring, understanding and possibly predicting of those aspects of the space environment that pose a potential threat to space and ground assets, and to humans.

One of the threats that is dealt with within a dedicated component of the SSA Programme is Space Weather (SWE), the phenomenon that is causing the threat of an impact of radiation and high energetic particles coming from the Sun on technological systems and on humans.

The EU SSA/SWE Programme will implement and fund a number of Space Weather services to users that are potentially affected by this threat. Potential users of these services are satellite and launcher operators, astronauts, the ISS, telecommunication and navigation actors, airplane companies, electricity companies, geological services, insurance companies, tourist industry, etc. The purpose of the services is to provide accurate and timely Space Weather information to the users which allows them to assess the risk and take measures to reduce the impact.

Within the following 7 years, this Programme will undertake the following activities in close cooperation with ESA where already a significant know-how and experience in this field has been built up (see the ESA S2P/SWE Programme component):

• Identification and assessment of user needs for different sectors.
• Selection of one or two high-priority user sectors based on user needs, timeliness, service availability, continuity, technology readiness and cost.
• Selection of the service provider(s) via an open call for tender towards public and private entities.
• Operational delivery of the selected service(s) via Service Level Agreements with the selected service provider(s) and continuous analysis of user feedback and evolution of user needs.  

Depending on the results of the first 7 years, the EU Programme may in the following period extend its scope towards more user services.  

BELSPO provides inputs to this Programme through its representation in the relevant EU Programme Committee and Expert Group. In view of Belgium's leading role in the Space Weather segment of the ESA SSA and S2P Programmes, BELSPO intends to play a corresponding role in the EU SSA/SWE Programme.