SWF Speaks on Space Weather Policy for Preparedness and Recovery on Capitol Hill

Wednesday, February 19, 2020

Director of Space Applications Programs Krystal Azelton was invited to speak on a panel for the Space Advocates Congressional Staff Organization. This non-partisan group organizes regular briefings for Congressional staff on issues related to space. Ms. Azelton joined panelists from Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory and the National Science Foundation to share SWF's insight into the policy discussions related to space weather.

End-users of space weather data, like airlines, satellite operators, and the electric power industry are acutely aware of the effects space weather can have on their systems, but that knowledge is often lost on the broader public. Legislation before the House and Senate (H.R. 5260 and S. 881) would codify much of the executive branch coordination that has taken place over the past five years, while also further defining Congressional priorities. SWF will continue to work with industry, academia, government, and international partners to help mitigate the risk space weather presents to our modern connected world, and especially long-term sustainability.