Space Weather Enterprise Forum

Solar Maximum: Can We Weather the Storm?

PROGRAM:

The National Space Weather Program (NSWP) Council is organizing the next Space Weather Enterprise Forum scheduled for June 21, 2011 at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. Our theme this year is, Solar Maximum: Can We Weather the Storm?

The NSWP Council is part of the U.S. Federal meteorological coordinating infrastructure under the Office of the Federal Coordinator for Meteorological Services and Supporting Research (OFCM). The Council brings together the Federal agencies involved in providing space weather products and services, space weather research, users of space weather information, and other offices that set policy or funding for the space weather enterprise. The purpose is to facilitate coordination, collaboration, and leveraging of activities, results, and capabilities across the Federal agencies.

As we approach the next peak of solar activity expected in 2013, our Nation faces multiplying uncertainties from increasing reliance on space weather-affected technologies for communications, navigation, security, and other activities, many of which underpin our national infrastructure and economy. We also face increased exposure to space weather-driven human health risk as trans-polar flights and space activities, including space tourism, increase.

Over the years, the annual Space Weather Enterprise Forums have gathered a wide range of stakeholders including providers, users, and researchers from government, academia, and the private sector as well as legislators and staff from Capitol Hill to raise awareness and share information on space weather. This year, we will continue this outreach but will sharpen the focus on two aspects of our Nation's critical infrastructure: electrical power distribution networks and precision navigation and timimg provided by Global Navigation Satellite Systems. In recent years, we have come to understand that these two areas underpin virtually every aspect of our modern society.

We will again follow a panel session format, including brief presentations by the expert panelists followed by ample time for lively exchange across a diverse group of attendees.

Planned Sessions:

Critical Infrastructure Vulnerability to Space Weather: We depend on critical systems and activities affected by space weather, such as the electric power grid, communications, positioning and navigation, and national security. These effects must be understood, mitigation actions planned and developed, and acceptable levels of risk assessed to build and support an informed and resilient society. The session: “Critical Infrastructure Vulnerability to Space Weather” covers the main areas in which space weather can have a significant impact on our modern technological society. It will also focus on impact mitigation planning and disaster response.

Human Safety and Response Preparedness: This session will draw attention to human health and safety impacts from space weather primarily caused by high altitude and space radiation effects. This session will also include discussion of disaster response planning and social science aspects. The U.S. Government and industry are taking the threat of space weather impacts to society very seriously and have begun taking steps for impact mitigation and avoidance.

Space Weather Warnings and Prediction Services: This session will introduce the new interagency and international Unified Space Weather Operational Capability initiative to improve space weather products and services in advance of the coming solar maximum. Dr. Jack Hayes, the U.S. Permanent Representative to the World Meteorological Organization, will present the overarching concept and the international context, followed by a number of agency leaders who will describe the components of their programs that comprise the overall capability.

Strategic Communications, Education, and Outreach: The final session will focus on strategic communications and examine the challenges and opportunities in raising public and stakeholder awareness and understanding of space weather impacts on daily life, security, the global economy, infrastructure, and business continuity.
Agenda:

Forum Agenda
Forum Presentations

Time	Event
7:30 am	Registration and Continental Breakfast
8:00 am	Session 1: Welcome / Opening Remarks
8:30 am	Keynote Speaker
9:30 am	Session 2: Critical Infrastructure Vulnerability to Space Weather
10:30 am	Break
11:00 am	Session 3: Human Safety and Response Preparedness
Noon	Lunch (served in meeting room)
12:30 pm	Luncheon speaker
1:30 pm	Session 4: Space Weather Warnings and Prediction Services
2:30 pm	Break
3:00 pm	Featured Speaker
3:30 pm	Session 5: Strategic Communications, Education and Outreach
4:30 pm	Session 6: Summary and Wrap-Up
5:00 pm	Forum adjourns