Space Weather and Navigation Systems (SWANS)

The modern-day society relies heavily on operational technological systems using radio waves: ground-to-ground and ground-to-satellite telecommunications, radars, Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) such as GPS or GALILEO. Space Weather phenomena are often the origin of disturbed ionospheric conditions which can strongly affect the performances of technological systems based on radio waves. Therefore, it is indispensable to monitor, model and forecast the ionospheric activity and its effects on these technological systems.

In 2008, the Royal Meteorological Institute (RMI) launched the project Space Weather And Navigation Systems (SWANS). The project is primarily concerned with monitoring and research of space weather phenomena and their effects on GNSS-based applications. Later on, the Royal Observatory (ROB) joined the project and focused on the developement of GNSS-based services. The cooperation of both institutes is in the frame of the Belgian Solar-Terrestrial Centre of Excellence (STCE).

Most measurements are carried out at the RMI Geophysical Centre in Dourbes (CPG) and the Royal Observatory (ROB). Several developments have already been released and are now available on this website in the 2 main areas:

• Space Weather effects on GNSS-based applications
• Space Weather monitoring services

We hope the offered services will be of help to a broad range of users - scientists, students, radio/satellite operators, radio amateurs, etc.

Contact

Stan STANKOV
Royal Meteorological Institute (RMI)
RMI Geophysical Centre (IRM-CPG)
R. Centre Physique 1, B-5670 Dourbes, Belgium
tel: +32 60 395 427; fax: +32 60 395 423
e-mail: S.Stankov@meteo.be

Nicolas BERGEOT
Royal Observatory of Belgium (ROB)
Avenue Circulaire 3
B-1180 Uccle, Belgium
tel: +32 2 373 06 19
e-mail: nicolas.bergeot@oma.be