The INCT GNSS NavAer infrastructure for Space Weather Monitoring.

The GNSS NavAer project has been under development since 2017, focusing on creating a comprehensive infrastructure dedicated to monitoring and analyzing space weather phenomena. This project represents a significant investment in scientific research and technology, aimed at enhancing our understanding of various atmospheric and environmental processes. The infrastructure established through the GNSS NavAer project is versatile and can be deployed across several scientific disciplines, including Geodesy, Aeronomy, and Space Weather, among others.

One of the primary motivations behind the GNSS NavAer project is the increasing reliance on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) for navigation, communication, and positioning applications. As these systems become more integral to modern society, understanding the factors that can disrupt their performance is of great insterest. Space weather events, particularly those affecting the ionosphere, have been identified as significant sources of interference that can degrade the accuracy and reliability of GNSS signals.

Ionospheric scintillation, a phenomenon characterized by rapid amplitude and phase fluctuations of GNSS signals, poses a particular challenge. This can result from natural irregularities in the ionosphere, often intensified by solar activity. When these irregularities are present, GNSS signals can experience disruptions that may lead to positioning errors, loss of signal lock, and degraded navigation accuracy. Such disruptions can have serious implications for air navigation, autonomous systems, and any application that relies on precise positioning data.

In this presentation, we will focus on the specific use of the GNSS NavAer infrastructure for monitoring space weather, with an emphasis on IS. The infrastructure includes a network of strategically placed GNSS receivers that continuously collect real-time data on ionospheric conditions, which are stored in a databank and can be explored via a dedicated toll specially developed for that (ISMR Query Tool). By integrating advanced data processing techniques and algorithms, researchers can analyze these data to identify and characterize scintillation events as they occur.

The significance of this monitoring cannot be overstated. By providing timely information on ionospheric conditions, stakeholders can better prepare for and mitigate the impacts of space weather on GNSS applications. For instance, real-time observations can help aviation authorities make informed decisions regarding flight operations, ensuring that aircraft can navigate safely even in conditions that would typically be challenging due to ionospheric disturbances.

Furthermore, the GNSS NavAer project facilitates collaborative efforts among scientists and researchers in various fields. By sharing data and findings, the project promotes a more comprehensive understanding of space weather and its impacts. International cooperation is vital, as space weather events often affect multiple regions simultaneously, making a collaborative approach essential for effective monitoring and response strategies.

In conclusion, the GNSS NavAer project is a groundbreaking initiative aimed at enhancing our ability to monitor and understand the complexities of space weather. Through its dedicated infrastructure, it addresses the challenges posed by IS and aims to provide solutions that improve the reliability of GNSS applications. The deterioration in positioning and navigation will be presented, together to some trial to reduce such problem.