Space Weather Preparedness (E.O. 13744)

Summary

Sets up a plan for the U.S. government to work together to protect the country from the harmful effects of space weather, like solar flares.

What problem does this solve?

Extreme space weather can damage critical systems like the power grid, GPS, and communications, affecting the whole country. This order makes different government agencies work together to predict, prepare for, and recover from these events to reduce harm and economic loss.

What does this order do?

Establishes a national policy for space weather preparedness

Creates an official U.S. policy to prepare for space weather events. Aims to reduce economic loss and human hardship by improving prediction, alerts, protection, and recovery.

Assigns roles to federal agencies

Gives specific responsibilities to departments like Defense, Commerce, Energy, and Homeland Security, as well as NASA, to improve forecasting, protection, and response efforts.

Creates a new subcommittee for coordination

Establishes the Space Weather Operations, Research, and Mitigation Subcommittee to make sure all government agencies work together on the goals set in the order and the National Space Weather Strategy.

Requires testing of power grid protections

Directs the Secretary of Energy to create a pilot program to test devices that can protect the electrical power grid from the effects of geomagnetic disturbances.

Mandates public release of satellite data

Requires the Departments of Defense and Commerce to make historical data from GPS and other government satellites publicly available to help improve space weather forecasting models.

Develops a federal response plan

Tasks the Department of Homeland Security with leading the creation of a federal plan and checklist for how the government will respond to and protect against an incoming space weather event.

Who does this affect?

Federal government agencies
Critical infrastructure operators (e.g., power, communications, transportation)
Scientific and academic researchers

What is the real world impact?

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Protects essential services from space weather

Prevents widespread disruption to daily life by protecting critical systems like electricity, water, and GPS from solar events. The order requires government agencies and private companies to create and follow a coordinated plan to reduce potential damage.

When does this start?

This order sets multiple deadlines for federal agencies to complete specific preparedness tasks, beginning in late 2016.

Plan to protect electrical grid

Within 120 days (by February 10, 2017), the Secretary of Energy must develop a plan to test devices that protect the power grid.

Assess control over critical infrastructure

Within 120 days (by February 10, 2017), agencies overseeing essential services must assess their power to control those services during a space weather event.

Release of government satellite data

Within 120 days (by February 10, 2017), the Departments of Defense and Commerce must make historical GPS and other satellite data public.

Develop federal response concept

Within 120 days (by February 10, 2017), the Secretary of Homeland Security must lead the development of a coordinated federal plan to respond to space weather events.

Identify ways to improve space weather models

Within 60 days (by December 12, 2016), several agencies must identify ways to improve space weather observation and prediction.