C H A P T E R
N ° 5
Space Weather and Critical Space Infrastructures (CSI)
As Critical National Infrastructures (CNI) increasingly get more dependent on technology, it increases our modern-day society’s vulnerability to space weather impact. ‘Critical National Infrastructures (CNI)’ includes parts of both space and terrestrial infrastructures. These are categorised as ‘Critical terrestrial Infrastructures’ and ‘Critical Space Infrastructures (CSI)’ and are vital in order for a society to function properly.
Critical terrestrial Infrastructures are ground based infrastructures and includes sectors such as the energy sector, the rail and road transport sector, and the marine industry. However, the first sign of impact of space weather on Critical National Infrastructures (CNI) is found within Critical Space Infrastructures (CSI). When discussing the impact of space weather, we, therefore, often talk about this category of critical infrastructure first.
When we use the term ‘space infrastructures’ without classifying it as ‘critical’, what we refer to are the facilities, equipment and technology that support space activities. This can be things such as satellites, rockets, ground-based space technologies, and the International Space Station (ISS). However, what is referred to when using the term ‘Critical Space Infrastructures (CSI)’, is the necessary infrastructures in space that are vital in order for infrastructures on Earth to function well.
Within this category of infrastructure, satellites have shown to be the most at risk of impact from space weather. Satellites like the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) - Global Positioning System (GPS) being part of that -, Telecommunication Satellites, and Earth Observation (EO) Satellites all enable things and services such as; long-distance communication, localization, navigation, cyber security, financial security, and prediction, prevention, and management of emergencies and disasters. Thus, satellites contribute to the well-being of citizens and makes it possible for society to meet many important needs and challenges on Earth.
Image Credit: ESA.
Space Weather and satellites
The discovery of the Van Allen Belts in 1958 provided an overview of the near-Earth space radiation environment, enabling a guiding tool for agencies and companies to choose the correct orbital class for their satellite to be launched into, and the correct shielding measures needed to be implemented [read more about the Van Allen Belts in blog Chapter No 4].
For example, due to the discovery of the radiation belts we now know that the inner Van Allen Belt is dominated by Galactic Cosmic Radiation (GCR) that interacts with Earth’s atmosphere. These particles can reach energy levels of 100 MeV (Megaelectron Volt) (i.e., ~43% of the speed of light) to 10 GeV (Gigaelectron Volt) (i.e., 99.6% of the speed of light). In contrast, the outer belt is dominated by Solar Energetic Particles (SEPs) and directly influenced by solar activity. Solar Energetic Particles (SEPs) can reach energy levels of 10 KeV (Kiloelectron Volt) to relativistic energies of several GeV (i.e., 90% of the speed of light).
Today, this information is important especially when discussing topics such as the lifespan of satellites and CubeSats, what orbit to launch a satellite into, what shielding properties that are needed within different orbital classes, satellite debris, and space sustainability.
During space weather events, there is a chance for a rapid increase of the energy level of particles within the Van Allen Belts. This quick acceleration of particles to very high energy levels within the space environment surrounding Earth, increases the intensity level of the radiation that objects in the near-Earth space environment are exposed to. However, space weather does not only increase the energy level of electrically charged particles but, additionally, causes an income of magnetically charged particles. This combination of incoming electrically and magnetically charged particles and the increasement of energy levels of already existing particles in the environment, creates a very complex and hazardous space radiation environment. Thus, during severe and extreme space weather events, the particles can reach energy levels and a level of complexity to such a degree, that current engineering-based mitigation measures are not always sufficient, consequently leading to impact on the functioning of satellites.
Furthermore, space weather does not only interfere with the satellite itself. It can, additionally, interfere with the transmission of the data from the satellite to the receivers on Earth. Satellites use a wide range of radio and microwaves frequencies to send and receive data. These have to travel through the Earth’s atmosphere. However, during severe and extreme space weather events, parts of the atmosphere can turn into very hazardous regions causing complete blockage of transmissions.
Satellites and modern-day society
Most critical terrestrial infrastructures are (in)directly dependent on satellites to function. Likewise, satellites dependent on the energy sector - which is a critical terrestrial infrastructure – in order for mission control centers based on Earth to manage their satellites. These types of interdependencies between critical terrestrial and space infrastructures increases the vulnerability to space weather impact within the overall category of Critical National Infrastructures (CNI).
If society loses one of the two mentioned critical infrastructures, it can cause cascading effects and severely impact the functioning of today’s modern society. It is, therefore, important to especially increase awareness within these two sectors and implement the necessary mitigation measures needed. Where there is a lack of mitigation measures, investments in the creation of new innovative solutions should be considered.
With the current capabilities and knowledge within the engineering discipline, society cannot be 100% resilient to space weather. This is due to the high energy levels of particles emitted during severe and extreme space weather events. We will, therefore, rely on a variety of mitigation measures combining engineering and non-engineering-based solutions.
Sources
European Commission (n.d.): “Critical infrastructure protection”. https://joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu/scientific-activities-z/critical-infrastructure-protection_en
Georgescu, A. (2020): “Critical Space Infrastructures”. Springer Link. Handbook of Space Security, Policy, Application and Programs. Editor in Chief: Kai-Uwer Schrogl. Pp. 227-244. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-23210-8_129
Alexandru Georgescu et al. (2019): ”Critical Space Infrastructures: Risk, Resilience and Complexity”. Springer Natura Switzerland AG. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-12604-9
Adrian V. Gheorghe et al. (2023): ”Critical space infrastructure: a complex system governance perspective”. International Journal of Cyber Diplomacy. DOI: https://ijcd.ici.ro/documents/39/Art._2_IJCD_2023.pdf
Government of Canada (2020): “Satellites serving Earth”. https://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/satellites/everyday-lives/
James P. McCollough et al. (2022): “Space-to-space very low frequency radio transmission in the magnetosphere using the DSX and Arase satellites”. Earth Planets Space 74. Article No. 64. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40623-022-01605-6
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D. F. Smart; M. A. Shea (1985): “Galactic Cosmic Radiation and Solar Energetic Particles”. Handbook of geophysics and the space environment. https://www.cnofs.org/Handbook_of_Geophysics_1985/Chptr06.pdf
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