Engineering Homework Help

1)In addition to the NOAA site we’ve been checking (most) every day, find some other group that provides daily Space Weather forecasts. 

2)(worth triple points!) Let’s delve into Space Weather Policy… imagine if you can… POTUS has convened a special executive committee in the Situation room to understand the possible implications of severe space weather on the U.S. … the President, VP, Secretary of Homeland Security, Secretaries of Defense, State, and the Treasury, Chairman of the Fed, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (VCJCS), and you! The briefing is 30 minutes, generally 10 – 15 minutes of presentation and then questions, though questions can be asked at any point and the meeting may extend to 1 hour. Are you prepared?! a) What is severe space weather and what technological and engineering systems may be harmed? List the first order consequences on foundational infrastructure systems, then second order consequences, third order, etc. For example, electrical systems are directly impacted by space weather (how?) Are computer systems impacted by severe space weather? b) What are the risks associated with space weather? When thinking of risk, think of 1) what can go wrong, 2) what are the chances, and 3) what are the consequences? c) Given the risks, how may they be effectively managed and communicated? d) What are your recommendations and next steps?

3)An article to read: “ The Economic Impact of Space Weather: Where Do We Stand?”…. list 5 reasons why estimating economic costs of space weather impacts is challenging.

4)I’ve heard that there doesn’t appear to be much in the way of ensemble forecasting in space weather. Is this correct? If so, why do you think this is? How does data assimilation fit into this picture?

5)Go to the Community Coordinated Modeling Center (CCMC) (http://ccmc.gsfc.nasa.gov/models/models_at_glance….). Now, pick a model… learn about it… then tell me about it (what are its inputs, utility, etc.?)

6)If you could pick anywhere on the planet to build a “space weather research center,” where would it be? Why there?? (hint: your answer might depend on what you plan on doing at your research center).

7)Define a CubeSat mission designed to help in the forecasting of Space Weather effects. Sketch your idea. Tell me how the data will be used.

8)Find a recent job posting in “Space Weather” (cast a wide search net; you should know what terms to use by now) … do you think you would qualify for it after this class? If not, what else would you need to learn first?