Working Meeting - Military operations and space weather – experience, activities and plans

Mauro Messerotti (INAF-Astronomical Observatory of Trieste & Physics Dept.-Univ. Trieste, ITA); Ulf-Peter Hoppe (UiT The Arctic University of Norway, NOR); Frank Jansen (DLR Institute of Space Systems Bremen, DEU); Bryn Jones (SolarMetrics Ltd, GBR)
Tuesday 15th, 17:00-18:30, Mercator

Many military operations are supported with space-based services and by space systems, e.g., radio (HF, UHF) and data-link communications, ground surveillance, and navigation. NATO does not own or directly operate spacecraft and relies on space support provided by the allies. Space support is mission-critical, both strategic and tactical, for many military operations. On the other hand, air, space and even ground-based (e.g., Over-The-Horizon [OTH] radar) systems can malfunction due to perturbations in the space domain from solar and extra-solar sources. How is this aspect dealt with at the military level? Which are the requirements of space weather monitoring and forecasting to meet military needs? Are the available services adequate? Which are the weaknesses and pitfalls that can affect the success of military operations in this framework? These sample questions including a sketch of related SSA project activities in NATO form the discussion core for this working meeting. It is meant to be a discussion forum aimed at bringing together the civilian and military communities. The meeting is unclassified and open to all.