Operational Space Environment Network Display (OpSEND)

Abstract

The Air Force Research Laboratory and Space and Missile Systems Center, Detachment 11, have implemented a new system of graphical products that provide easy‐to‐visualize displays of space weather effects on various radio systems operating through the ionosphere. By means of a three‐level Web page, the user can select the radio system (UHF, HF, GPS, or radar), the map area (global or regional theater where the radio system is located), the time (nowcast or forecast), and additional options. This system, the Operational Space Environment Network Display (OpSEND), was first installed at the 55th Space Weather Squadron, Schriever Air Force Base (AFB), Colorado, and is now producing its first four products with a new Web format at the Air Force Weather Agency, Offutt AFB, Nebraska. Radar auroral clutter maps specify (nowcast) the estimated position and strength of the auroral oval relative to radar coverage regions. UHF Satcom scintillation maps nowcast and 2‐hour forecast ionospheric scintillation and its potential degradation to UHF Satcom communication links. HF illumination maps nowcast and 1‐hour forecast HF communication performance. Estimated GPS single‐frequency error maps nowcast and 1‐hour forecast positioning errors resulting from GPS constellation geometry and inaccurate ionospheric correction. Details and examples are presented.