Abstract
Abstract. The Ionospheric Prediction Service (IPS) was formed in 1947 to provide monthly prediction services for high frequency (HF) radio, in particular to support HF communications with the United Kingdom. It was quickly recognized that to be effective such a service also had to provide advice when ionospheric storms prevented HF communications from taking place. With the advent of the International Geophysical Year (IGY), short-term forecasts were also required for research programmes and the task of supplying the Australian input to these was given to Frank Cook, of the IPS, while Jack Turner, also of the IPS, supervised the generation of ionospheric maps to support high latitude HF communications. These two important IGY activities formed the platform on which all future IPS services would be built. This paper reviews the development of the Australian Space Forecast Centre (ASFC), which arose from these early origins.
Highlights
During World War II both the prediction of high frequency (HF) conditions and a suitable system for advising when these predictions failed became important operational tools for supporting wartime HF communications
Wilkinson became the new head of the Ionospheric Prediction Service (IPS), with the title Assistant Director, and when he retired IPS was split into two functions: Space Weather Services (SWS), which contained all the services, including the Regional Warning Centre (RWC), and the Observations Section, which maintains the extensive network of operational equipment that forms an essential part of any modern space weather enterprise
In 1996 Thompson initiated discussions that led to International URSIgram and World Days Service (IUWDS) changing to its current name ISES (International Space Environment Services)
Summary
During World War II both the prediction of high frequency (HF) conditions and a suitable system for advising when these predictions failed became important operational tools for supporting wartime HF communications. In Australia, this led to the formation of the Ionospheric Prediction Service (IPS), in late 1947, a government group that provided HF support, ranging from advice on what frequencies to use, to what problems were likely to be experienced due to geomagnetic storms. This latter service formed the early basis for a short-term forecasting service that eventually developed into the Australian Space Forecast Centre (ASFC). A significant change took place in the late sixties with the appointment of Clarrie McCue as the head of the IPS These changes accelerated under David Cole’s leadership as data communications embraced the Internet and space-based datasets became commonplace forecasting tools. Tre, which was encouraged to meet the needs of the current users while seeking further customers for its services
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