1 Introduction
Addressing the science and sociatal challenges related to space weather
is a global enterprise, not only because the impacts can be worldwide,
but also because the observations required for effective forecasting and
specification have international implications (National Science and
Technology Council, 2019). This is particularly true as small satellite
(“SmallSat”) technologies are increasingly being applied to the space
weather priorities of many countries. While some international
coordination is happening bilaterally between government agencies of
individual states, and while such initiatives are important in promoting
the utilization of small satellites, there is need for larger,
global-scale, multi-lateral coordination. Just as international
coordination and cooperation have been adopted for maritime and air
transportation systems, similar policies and agreements must now be
formulated for space-based observing platforms.
SmallSats are a class of spacecraft with masses typically below 200 kg
(with some exceptions), including CubeSats with masses of
~1–10 kg and volumes measured in “units” of
~10×10×10 cm3 cubes. There is rich
literature describing SmallSat capabilities (e.g., National Academies of
Sciences, Engineering and Medicine [NASEM] 2016; Lal et al., 2017;
Millan et al., 2019). A recent report noted, “these lower-cost
satellites’ expendability, faster refresh, and simultaneous deployment
in large numbers—to enable lower-cost spatially or temporally
distributed data collection—enables greater risk-taking,
experimentation, and creation of new applications not feasible with
larger satellites” (Lal et al., 2017). As a result, SmallSats have made
forays in almost every area of space, including science and exploration.
Multiple prior missions exemplify the feasibility of using SmallSats for
high-quality space weather-related research (Spence et al., 2020), while
new missions promise to further expand these capabilities (Caspi et al.,
2020).
Per NASEM (2016), one of the most promising potentials for CubeSats in
science is that they enable launching “low-cost constellations and
swarms comprising hundreds or even thousands of data collection
platforms,” thereby introducing “entirely new architectures and ways
to conceptualize space science.” A COSPAR-sponsored international study
had similar findings (Millan et al., 2019). Because of the vast domain
over which space weather occurs, spanning from the Sun to the Earth’s
surface and beyond, extended SmallSat constellations are particularly
desirable for space weather research and monitoring.
Accurate terrestrial weather prediction achieved great advances through
deployment of a comprehensive observation network, and the same strategy
is required to realize significant advances in space weather prediction
capabilities.
Here, we identify several significant challenges posed by the blossoming
deployment of SmallSat constellations that require international
coordination and policy responses. We briefly summarize each challenge
and conclude with recommendations on how the international space weather
community may begin to address them. Whereas we focus here on issues
requiring international coordination, other papers in this special issue
highlight technological challenges and opportunities in applying
SmallSats to achieve space weather goals (e.g., Caspi et al., 2020;
Verkhoglyadova et al., 2020).