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).