Enhancement of the Geomagnetic Cutoff Models inside SIRE2

The enhancement of the geomagnetic cutoff models inside of the Space Ionizing Radiation Environments and Effects (SIRE2) tool will evaluate and expand on our geomagnetic cutoff modeling as an extension of our previous work. This proposal will also adapt the current geomagnetic cutoff modeling software to be driven by the Dst index rather than the Kp index to better reflect the ring current effects. These improved geomagnetic cutoff modeling timelines will be compared to geomagnetic cutoff measurements for a selected Solar Particle Event (SPE). This proposal is submitted to the Space Weather Research-to-Operations/Operations-to-Research (R2O/O2R) Technology Development subtopic and will provide key research that can be used to improve future geomagnetic cutoff models. Specifically, this research can be included in the next iteration of the Smart Shea model (circa 2025) to enhance the geomagnetic cutoff modeling of the SIRE2 toolkit. This will provide mission designers, planners, and mission operators with advanced geomagnetic cutoff modeling techniques. Once incorporated into a tool like SIRE2, these advancements will provide improved modeling of the energetic particle environment within the Earth’s magnetosphere. This Phase I proposal will result in demonstrations that illustrate the improvements that can be made to the geomagnetic cutoff models by driving the model by the Dst index rather than the Kp Index and using finer Dst levels to create the cutoff grids. In addition, these improvements of the geomagnetic cutoff modeling timeliness will be compared to geomagnetic cutoff measurements for a selected SPE to illustrate the improvements in these techniques.

When the goals of this Phase I effort are complete, NASA will have a better understanding of improvements that can be made to the current geomagnetic cutoff models. These improvements will provide better modeling capabilities of the energetic particle environment inside of the Earth’s magnetosphere. The current NASA programs, projects, or missions that could greatly benefit from this Phase I effort are any satellites or missions that operate inside the Earth’s magnetosphere, including the International Space Station, Space Launch System, etc.

Companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin can utilize this Phase I/II work to support future space adventure plans. Enhanced geomagnetic cutoff models would provide these companies with more accurate particle environments. There are also numerous DoD and DoE programs that exclusively operate within the Earth’s magnetosphere and would benefit from enhanced geomagnetic cutoff models.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 3) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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