NOAA SWPC
Human space exploration in the U.S. took another major step forward this spring in preparing for space weather risks. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA’s) Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) successfully led the first Space Weather Prediction Testbed (SWPT) exercise in support of NASA’s Artemis II mission, conducting two intensive sessions in April and May of 2025. This exercise marked an important milestone in operational readiness for human spaceflight, exceeding expectations in technical performance, coordination and strategic value.
NOAA’s support for human spaceflight dates back to the Gemini and Apollo eras. The SWPT exercise, however, ushers in a new era of modern capabilities for delivering timely, mission-critical space weather information to help protect astronauts and spacecraft. During the exercise, participants used advanced tools and experimental data while collaborating in real time to simulate how space weather services, known as the Artemis Space Weather Support Project, would support Artemis II.
Clinton Wallace, SWPC Director, highlighted the value of this approach, stating “the Artemis II Testbed exercise showed that enabling safe human spaceflight demands more than models and data; it requires the relationships and rapid iteration that only a live, collaborative environment can provide. This is how we deliver mission-ready capabilities that protect our astronauts and ensure America leads in space.”
More than 70 participants from NASA, the U.S. Air Force, commercial space companies, and leading research institutions took part in the exercise, reinforcing NOAA’s unique and central role as an operational partner in human spaceflight.
Accelerating Innovation Through Collaboration
The SWPT exercise brought the nation’s Research to Operations and Operations to Research (R2O2R) strategy to life, advancing key goals of the Promoting Research and Observations of Space Weather to Improve the Forecasting of Tomorrow (PROSWIFT) Act and aligning with recommendations from the Space Weather Advisory Group (SWAG).
One standout innovation was the fully synchronized, browser-accessible Testbed Replay System, which simulated SWPC’s operational interface. This system recreated the experience of two historic radiation storms, giving participants dynamic access to imagery, time series data, alerts, and model outputs tied to a simulated mission clock. This unprecedented level of realism allowed them to experience what an actual space weather scenario might look like during the Artemis II mission operations, which will send four astronauts around the moon and back next
year as part of NASA’s first crewed mission under its Artemis campaign. The system also integrated some of NASA’s key operational tools, offering a realistic perspective of how space weather forecasts would inform decisions at every level—from console operators and flight surgeons to mission directors.
Real-time Feedback and Adaptation
A valuable aspect of the exercise was the opportunity to innovate in real-time. Developers received immediate feedback on tool performance, allowing for on-the-fly adjustments to visual layouts, alert formats, labeling, and even color schemes based on participant input. Forecasters, analysts and researchers acted as co-designers, helping refine tools to improve clarity and usability for live operations.
Several newly introduced tools enhanced the exercise, including:
- Space Weather Timeline Viewer by the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute, which garnered particular acclaim from participants
- Automated solar flare detection algorithm based on the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES)
- New particle data products from GOES Energetic Heavy Ion Sensor (EHIS) and SolarN and Galactic Proton Sensor (SGPS) instruments
- University of Málaga Solar particle Event Predictor (UMASEP), a real-time solar energetic particle forecasting model
These tools significantly advanced forecasters’ capabilities, improving situational awareness and opening the door to faster, more accurate space radiation assessments.
Bridging Operations and Research
The direct, real-time collaboration between forecasters, researchers and developers demonstrated the immense potential of Operations to Research (O2R). Researchers and developers quickly identified what worked, what failed, and why, while forecasters refined split-second decision-making in real-time, demonstrating which information was especially critical under pressure during the simulated events. Just as importantly, operations personnel gained greater insights into model limitations and research workflows.
A Blueprint for the Future
The Artemis II SWPT exercise proved that NOAA can deliver mission-ready space weather capabilities, strengthen interagency partnerships and rapidly adapt tools in a fast-paced, collaborative environment. Teams held daily debriefs, used anonymous feedback portals and conducted focused technical briefings to gather insights and continuously refine their approaches.
This hands-on, immersive experience has not only helped prepare the nation for Artemis II, but also laid the foundation for future space weather capabilities. The exercise showcased the power of adaptable, collaborative systems and underscored the importance of continued collaboration across government agencies, industries and research communities to ensure safety in human spaceflight.