Space weather refers to the conditions in space environment that have impact on space-dependent technological systems. Space weather deals with the interactions of ambient radiation & matter within interplanetary, and occasionally interstellar space.
Space-dependent technologies are technologies which depend on use of satellites that are in orbits. Space weather is fast becoming a global concern. Today’s world is driven by space-dependent technologies. Communication-, satellite-, navigational-, aviation-, and Information technologies, are some of the mostly patronized space-dependent technologies in the world today. Virtually all human’s industries depend are on space-dependent technologies.
Space weather effects on satellites include surface and deep dielectric charging, single event upsets, spacecraft drags, accumulating dose effects, solar radio frequency interference and scintillation, photonic noise, spacecraft orientation effects, spacecraft imaging and attitude systems, materials degradation etc. The functionality and efficiency of all space-dependent technologies are prone to space weather hazards.
The International Space Weather Initiative (ISWI) of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space was launched in 2009 and formally concluded as an agenda item of the Committee in 2012. However, ISWI activities continued and since 2013 are discussed under the new permanent agenda item on Space Weather in the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee of the Committee. The UN-ARCSSTEE being one of the UN Regional Centres for Space Science and Technology Education serve as informational dissemination Centre for the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs that is anchoring the International Space Weather Initiative. Space Weather is this is one of the activities of the UN Regional Centres.