Arthur McMiler
Nonprofit organization Aerospace Corp. will combine its space science expertise with Google Cloud’s artificial intelligence and machine learning tools in a partnership with Google Public Sector to deliver fast and accurate space weather forecasts. Using AI and advanced computing technologies can enable geomagnetic storm predictions days in advance, Aerospace said Tuesday.
The federally funded company added that technologies like Vertex AI can overcome the challenge of analyzing voluminous and complex images and data on solar activity that causes disruptive space weather phenomena. Dependable and long-term space weather forecasting models on solar flares and geomagnetic storms can be developed using such tools, Aerospace noted.
Wide-Ranging Potential Benefits
The Google-Aerospace partnership can provide wide-ranging benefits to national security and across industries, because space weather events can severely affect critical infrastructures, such as communication lines, internet connections and power grids. It can also help enable GPS navigation accuracy vital for services, such as transportation and logistics. In addition, critical data from the partnership can be drawn to protect U.S. Space Force assets.
Kevin Bell, Aerospace’s Engineering and Technology Group senior vice president, called the partnership “a game-changer for space weather forecasting,” exemplifying innovative ways to collaborate for national security and society’s benefit.
“Together, we’re not just advancing the science of space weather forecasting; we’re also strengthening the resilience of the systems and critical infrastructure that underpin our modern way of life,” the executive remarked.
Another collaboration in space weather forecasting is under the American Commercial Space Weather Association, a partnership between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the U.S. Air Force and the National Science Foundation.
