Space Weather is a relatively recent science. As the level of society’s dependence on technology is rising, Space Weather and its impacts are becoming highly relevant. The losses estimation of just the August 2003 blackout due to severe Space Weather is of USD 4-10 billion. The big economic consequences of severe Space Weather effects are rising industry awareness and mitigation protocols are being developed. In many cases, those protocols are implemented depending on Space Weather forecast. Its cycle has four stages: Observation -> Modeling -> Application Products -> Delivery. Intense Research is done in all four stages.
Given the strong scientific implications of Space Weather, national and international public institutions, such as WMO, ESA, NASA and NOAA/NWS among others, are the core of Space Weather forecast. The commercial sector has been related mainly with value-added services in the Application Product and the Delivery stage. The sector is evolving and the commercial sector is entering also into the Observation stage.
This step from the commercial sector is promoted for instance by the WMO, since many of the detectors used for Space Weather forecast are experimental, with a limited lifespan that is related with research programs and funding. This means that part of the infrastructure on which the Space Weather forecast is based is not stable or thought for long term operation. The introduction of the commercial sector in the Observation stage with new, long term, stable detectors is highly desirable and as said, encouraged by WMO.
The objective of this H2020 SME Instrument Phase 1 action is to develop a Feasibility Study for the project Advanced Space Weather Detector (ASWD). Its aim is the development and introduction of a new type of ground-based high-resolution detector. The objective is to set a realistic framework to support the undertaking of the Phase 2 and 3 of the project by having thoroughly studied the full context. This includes the Sector Study, including the current situation and future of the Space Weather industry, its trend and its key stakeholders, and also the Project Study which covers all the resources needed at the organizational, technological, human, infrastructural and economic levels. A complete business plan was also developed. The project is found to be strongly scientifically founded, with global impact capabilities, a diverse and thriving market and a great business opportunity. As a result of this action we can conclude this project has a very favourable context and a demonstrated feasibility.
