What Sustained Multi-Disciplinary Research Can Achieve: The Space Weather Modeling Framework

TL;DR

This paper showcases how sustained multi-disciplinary academic collaboration over 25 years led to the development of the mature Space Weather Modeling Framework, supporting both research and operational space weather prediction.

Contribution

It presents a successful long-term university-led effort in developing a comprehensive space weather modeling framework with practical research and operational applications.

Findings

Development of the SWMF over 25 years

Support for research and operational space weather prediction

Integration of the BATS-R-US extended MHD code

Abstract

MHD-based global space weather models have mostly been developed and maintained at academic institutions. While the "free spirit" approach of academia enables the rapid emergence and testing of new ideas and methods, the lack of long-term stability and support makes this arrangement very challenging. This paper describes a successful example of a university-based group, the Center of Space Environment Modeling (CSEM) at the University of Michigan, that developed and maintained the Space Weather Modeling Framework (SWMF) and its core element, the BATS-R-US extended MHD code. It took a quarter of a century to develop this capability and reach its present level of maturity that makes it suitable for research use by the space physics community through the Community Coordinated Modeling Center (CCMC) as well as operational use by the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC).