EUV Irradiance Inputs to Thermospheric Density Models: Open Issues and Path Forward

TL;DR

This paper reviews the current state of EUV irradiance measurements and proxies, highlighting issues and proposing improvements to enhance the accuracy of thermospheric density models for satellite drag prediction.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive assessment of EUV measurement challenges and outlines future pathways to improve solar forcing inputs for atmospheric models.

Findings

Identifies key issues with current EUV measurement techniques

Discusses recent advances in EUV proxy development

Suggests strategies for improving EUV data reliability and forecast accuracy

Abstract

One of the objectives of the NASA LWS Institute on Nowcasting of Atmospheric Drag for LEO Spacecraft was to investigate whether and how to increase the accuracy of atmospheric drag models by improving the quality of the solar forcing inputs, namely Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) irradiance information. In this focused review, we examine the status of and issues with EUV measurements and proxies, discuss recent promising developments, and suggest a number of ways to improve the reliability, availability, and forecast accuracy of EUV measurements in the next solar cycle.