C H A P T E R
N ° 13
Space Weather and The Terrestrial Environment
When mentioning or discussing subjects related to outer space, we often automatically think that it does not have anything to do with our society. Yet, this is far from the truth. Today’s society is a rather technology dependent one of its kind and, thus, mostly, if not completely, connected to infrastructures and activities happening in outer space. The modern-day society is one where almost no critical infrastructure can function properly without the use of technological services enabled by the outer space near-Earth environment.
Moreover, the old idea of arguing that one critical infrastructure or sector is above all the others, and which can work independently, is likewise not true in the modern-day society. No one critical infrastructure within the modern-day society can function properly independently.
In SR Hoplon’s article; C H A P T E R N ° 9 Space Weather and Satellites, we discussed the interaction between space weather and the most at risk critical space infrastructure, that of satellites and CubeSats, and the consequences of this interaction. Today’s article will discuss the recognition of space weather as a hazard to national and global critical infrastructure, and provide a short introduction to the relation between space weather impact and critical space and terrestrial infrastructures.
The recognition of Space Weather as a hazard
Several countries have recognized the risks associated with extreme Earth-directed space weather events, and have launched initiatives to prevent, prepare, and respond to the hazard. However, it still seems to be a less explored subject and, in some countries, it even seems to be a whole new topic.
Previous impact from space weather have demonstrated the vulnerability of both terrestrial and space infrastructures. Additionally, it has shown to have a national impact as well as a global foot-print. This has already been demonstrated during space weather events such as the 2003 Halloween Storm [For more; read SR Hoplon’s chapter no. 2’3].
During the space weather event in 2003, numerous polar flights had to be re-routed, as the event had increased the risk of radiation exposure levels to pilots and crew members. In addition, disruption to satellites had occurred, consequently causing interior and exterior damage and/or satellite anomalies. This meant that satellites such as the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) had issues providing the services needed by pilots, and that satellite communication was no longer reliable for communication between pilots and the ground control center.
The disruption to the satellites created cascading effects into critical terrestrial infrastructure. Other than the aviation industry, the energy sector is a great example of this. The disruptions to satellites during the space weather event in 2003 caused cascading effects leading to significant damage on the energy sector globally. Examples of this is the disruption of power that happened in Europe, the widespread High-Frequency (HF) outage over the African continent with the additional transformer damage in South Africa, and the satellite communication and High-Frequency (HF) outages in Asia and Australia.
The reason behind these types of cascading effects is due to satellite services being significantly integrated into many systems which pilots and much of critical national and global infrastructure are highly dependent on. The cascading effects did, however, not end there, as many critical as well as non-critical infrastructures depend on the energy sector in order to function. Furthermore, critical space infrastructures have shown to be highly dependent on the energy sector in order to function properly. There is, thus, a certain level of interdependency between the critical space and terrestrial infrastructures. This interdependency between different critical infrastructures quickly creates a very complex system which can lead to highly complex environments and circumstances in cases of for example space weather impact.
Image Credit: SANSA (South African National Space Agency): Cartoon showing space weather impact on space and terrestrial infrastructure.
The Modern-day Society
Many different types of critical terrestrial infrastructures are known to be vulnerable to space weather. As mentioned, examples of these are the energy sector and the aviation industry. These types of infrastructures can either be directly or indirectly affected by space weather as most of them are getting increasingly more dependent on technology. A dependency on technology within critical terrestrial infrastructures creates a dependency on space infrastructures such as satellites and CubeSats. Yet, these technologies are the most at risk of space weather impact due to the environment they are located in.
In contrast to non-critical infrastructures, a disruption of a critical infrastructure can lead to cascading effects within other critical as well as non-critical infrastructures nationally and globally, consequently creating a much more complex situation. This is because a technology dependent society is a society created by systems that depend on each other. Likewise, the modern-day society is one where things are connected on a global scale. We no longer live in countries where the national critical infrastructure is a hundred percent independent of other countries and their critical infrastructures, and which is completely self-sufficient. Most often, they rely on global systems and infrastructures providing certain services. Impact on critical infrastructures at a national level can, thus, lead to cascading effects within that country’s infrastructures but also increase the risk of cascading effects at a global level.
This is one of the many complexities of space weather impact on critical space and terrestrial infrastructure in a modern-day technology dependent society. It is not enough to only implement mitigation measure and increase awareness within one critical infrastructure and not another, or at one sector or company and not another. It demands national and global efforts.
Government, Industry, and Scientists
It takes national and global effort to prevent, prepare, and respond to space weather impact. However, in order to provide the relevant, reliable, and usable information, better communication between scientists, government, and industry is needed. This is both at a national and a global level.
There are still many sectors at a national level that are not aware of space weather, not to mention whole countries that are unaware. Those who are aware often times do not know what to do or where to start. Those who know what to do either do not have the financial capabilities to do it, or they do not know where to get what they need. This is in cases of for example mitigation measures in the form of shielding and the creation of emergency plans and training.
By creating space weather communities nationally and globally, it will enable an enhancement of the awareness level and understanding of the risks in the different sectors, and improve global emergency response. Furthermore, we would be able to provide standardized information and guidance on space weather, improve education and training, and so much more.
The impact of space weather can happen at different scales. Not all events will cause huge impact and cascading effects leading to disasters. However, the risk is there, and the vulnerability to such impact will increase with increasing development and implementations of technology within critical national and global infrastructure without the implementation of mitigation measures.
Source
European Commission (2016): “Space weather and critical infrastructures: Finding and Outlook”. JRC Science For Policy Report.
Beredskabsstyrelsen (2022): “National Risiko Billede 2022”. https://www.brs.dk/da/nyheder-og-publikationer/publikationer2/alle-publikationer/2022/nationalt-risikobillede-2022/
UK Government (2023): ”National Risk Register”. 2023 Edition. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/64ca1dfe19f5622669f3c1b1/2023_NATIONAL_RISK_REGISTER_NRR.pdf
