Neutron Monitor Data as Input to European Projects: SWESNET and PECASUS

Abstract

Various space weather services, like those for spacecraft operations and aviation, rely on neutron monitor data. In this paper, two major European projects are discussed, respectively the ESA Space Safety Program Space Weather Service Network (SWESNET) project and the Pan-European Consortium for Aviation Space Weather User Services (PECASUS) project. Neutron monitor data is used by several products in the SWESNET Space Radiation Expert Service Centre product portfolio (e.g., ANeMoS products, AVIDOS, COMESEP, RadSEP, and UTU-SEP products). PECASUS relies on neutron monitor data to estimate the radiation exposure at flight level, a key input for compiling ICAO radiation advisories. Maintaining these and other products that depend on neutron monitor real-time data will require further extensions and support of the current neutron monitor network with new or updated stations