Lynker Space is collaborating with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to provide more accessible space weather forecasts. These forecasts will be specifically designed for operators of power grids and other crucial elements of U.S. infrastructure.
This announcement coincides with NASA’s upcoming launch of two heliophysics missions and a NOAA space weather observatory. These missions, launching on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, aim to significantly improve the detail and accuracy of space weather observations.
Scott McIntosh, Lynker’s vice president of space operations, explained that a key challenge has been translating complex space weather forecasts into easily understandable information for infrastructure operators. He stated via email to SpaceNews that, in the past, the problem for terrestrial infrastructure operators has been making sense of space weather forecasts, which tend to be highly technical and full of jargon.
Lynker, after understanding the needs of these operators, will work alongside NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center to create sector-specific alerts and warnings. A trial run of this improved system is scheduled for next summer. McIntosh emphasized the importance of this work, stating: “Space weather is not an abstract threat — it’s a daily operational challenge for industries that underpin our modern society. The goal is to transform space weather forecasts from technical scales that are hard to interpret into clear, tailored risk assessments that operators can more easily implement.”
The recent solar cycle, peaking late last year, underscored the vulnerability of various sectors, including space traffic management, precision agriculture, and aviation, to geomagnetic storms. McIntosh noted that geomagnetic activity at Earth stations typically peaks a couple of years after solar maximum.
Lynker's collaboration with NOAA will incorporate recommendations from the White House Space Weather Advisory Group's 2024 survey. Future forecasts will be customized for various sectors including power grid operators, aviation, human spaceflight, space traffic management, emergency management, and GPS-reliant customers.