A Prototype System for Distributed Space-Weather Models and Applications

Accurate and timely information about space weather has become essential for managing many technologies on which our lives depend (e.g., radio communications, Global Positioning Systems). A major limitation to accessing this information from NOAA and private vendors is the lack of well-defined, standardized methods for accessing data or running models remotely over the Internet. Northwest Research Associates proposes to develop both an open- architecture Space-Weather Model/Application Programming Interface (SWxMAPI) and a proprietary set of software tools that will allow users to provide and request Space Weather Data via this Interface. In Phase 1 of this SBIR proposal, we will develop an initial design of the SWxMAPI. We will then create prototypes of three of four modules in the envisioned system: A Space Weather Model Server (SWxMS) that accepts and serves client requests for data and model-run output; a client-side agent that can be used by non-expert personnel to formulate data requests compliant with SWxMAPI and receive data products; and a Space Weather Remote Database Agent that serves as an interface between the SWxMS and local and remote databases. The prototype system will build a generalized interface to SCINTMOD, our existing Web implementation (http://www.nwra.co/nwra/scintpred/) of a space weather model.