Overview

• The SWORM task force's first-ever space weather exercise, conducted in May 2024, revealed major deficiencies in interagency coordination and forecasting for solar superstorms.
• Current space weather forecasting provides only 15–45 minutes of warning before a coronal mass ejection impacts Earth, leaving little time for mitigation efforts.
• The exercise simulated severe impacts, including power outages, GPS loss, satellite disruptions, and astronaut radiation exposure, underscoring vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure.
• The report recommends investments in next-generation satellites, enhanced sensors, and international and private-sector collaborations to improve preparedness.
• Despite the urgency, many government agencies lack clear Continuity of Operations (COOP) plans for responding to extreme solar events, leaving implementation of recommendations pending.