International Coordination and Support for SmallSat-enabled Space
Weather Activities
Abstract
Advances in space weather science and small satellite (SmallSat)
technology have proceeded in parallel over the past two decades, but as
these fields have matured there is a need for better communication and
coordination among the respective communities contributing to this rapid
progress. We identify six areas where improved international
coordination is especially desirable. These include: (1) orbital debris
mitigation; (2) communication protocols and spectrum management; (3)
export regulations; (4) launch opportunities; (5) data policies; and (6)
education. Recent successful SmallSat missions, as well as proposed or
notional mission concepts, are detailed in the companion papers in this
special issue. Here, we argue the need for policies and programs under
international coordination to promote the use of SmallSats for space
weather research and forecasting, and to ensure that maximum scientific
and technical advances are realized through the integration of these two
increasingly important endeavors.