South Korea and US to Advance Space Environment Forecasts... Reducing Risks for Satellite and Communications Operations

Immediate Application of Research Outcomes to Warnings and Alerts
Strengthening Operational Reliability Through Deep Space Solar Observation Collaboration

South Korea and the United States have established a cooperative system to immediately apply space environment research findings to real-time warning and alert operations, and have agreed to expand joint observation and forecasting efforts based on deep space solar observation satellites. The aim is to enhance both the accuracy and timeliness of space environment predictions in preparation for periods of heightened solar activity.

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The Korea Aerospace Administration announced on January 21 that it held high-level discussions with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of the United States at the Space Environment Center to strengthen cooperation in the field of space environment. The meeting was attended by Noh Kyungwon, Deputy Commissioner of the Korea Aerospace Administration, and Irene Parker, Acting Director of the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS). NESDIS is the dedicated organization within NOAA responsible for satellite development, as well as the collection, distribution, and processing of related data.

The Space Environment Center of the Korea Aerospace Administration was launched based on the model of NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC), and has continued cooperation focused on sharing observational data, developing predictive models, and exchanging warning and alert information. Through these efforts, the foundation of South Korea's space environment warning and alert system has been elevated to an international level.

The core of this cooperation is the full-scale implementation of the 'Research to Operation' (R2O) approach, which directly links joint research to operational stages. Both sides have agreed to include in the space environment memorandum of understanding (MOU) cooperation items that ensure research outcomes-such as validation and improvement of predictive models and sharing of operational application procedures-are swiftly reflected in field warning and alert operations. The plan is to further enhance the effectiveness and reliability of space environment predictions through these measures.

Furthermore, the two agencies have agreed to expand the scope of cooperation by building and operating satellite receiving stations in connection with NOAA's next-generation deep space space environment observation missions, leveraging their experience in jointly receiving deep space solar observation satellite data. By jointly utilizing data that observes solar particles and solar wind from deep space, it is expected that both the accuracy of space environment forecasts and the ability to respond promptly during periods of peak solar activity can be secured.

In addition, South Korea and the United States have decided to elevate their space environment cooperation framework from inter-agency collaboration to the administration level, thereby strengthening policy and technical cooperation as well as joint response to space weather disasters. The message is to solidify the institutional foundation for cooperation by recognizing the space environment as a key element of national space security.

Noh Kyungwon, Deputy Commissioner of the Korea Aerospace Administration, stated, "Cooperation with NOAA has played a crucial role in advancing South Korea's space environment warning and alert capabilities," adding, "We will continue to enhance national space security by expanding exchanges of advanced space environment prediction technologies and policy coordination."