Free Space Debris and Other Threats From Outer Space by Joseph N. Pelton Page B

massive solar flare or intensive forms of solar wind can have a devastating effect across the world in terms of automobiles, appliances, computer and telecommunications networks. It is a serious potential problem indeed. The threat extends to aircraft in the skies, electronic grids on the ground and even subterranean networks due to a phenomenon called ground-induced currents (GICs). This chapter discusses the current global monitoring and response systems that address global flares and coronal mass ejections. Today the protective response systems include powering down of spacecraft and switching off their electrical currents when the massive surges come from the Sun, but also Earth-based protective actions to help forestall massive energy failures such as occurred in March 1989 as a result of a large coronal mass ejection (Fig.  6.1 ).
    Fig. 6.1
    Solar coronal activities that are threats to satellites and to Earth (Graphic courtesy of NASA)
    Coronal mass ejections and super intense space weather have the potential to zap and disable operational satellites. Solar monitoring systems on the ground and now in space constantly monitor the Sun to detect such eruptions so that orbiting satellites can power down and achieve maximum protection against such events, but there is more at risk than just spacecraft. A sufficiently powerful blast from the Sun can also adversely affect electric power grids, computer networks, and more. Figure  6.2 shows a transformer before and after being hit by a major ejection on March13, 1989 [23].
    Fig. 6.2
    Transformer destroyed by a coronal mass ejection in 1989 (Graphic courtesy of NASA Science News site)
    One of the consequences of a coronal mass ejection is a ground-induced current or geo-magnetically induced current (often expressed simply as a GIC). In the case of a very large coronal mass ejection GICs can flow as deep as 20–25 km (12.5–16 miles) within Earth. One such solar event occurred on March 13, 1989. As a result of the CME a number of transformers failed or were rendered useless, including the one shown in Fig.  6.2 . The March 1989 coronal mass ejection created a massive power failure from Chicago to Quebec. Overall this event affected many millions of people and lasted for many hours. A strong enough CME can affect power grids at all latitudes, but the ground-induced currents and the most severe impacts on grid systems are most likely to have their strongest impact farther to the south or north [24]. This is because the Van Allen belts tend to divert these incoming surges off to the polar regions. A strong ground-induced current can enter and destroy electrical grids and transformers, but it can also adversely affect pipelines, telecommunications networks, other electrical devices and even hydrocarbon production. Trying to protect critical infrastructure or key aircraft or vehicles from a massive CME would not only involve putting these key assets in underground structures but also ones that are sealed with protective insulation coatings.
    The truth is that the highest southern and northern latitudes are almost daily affected by ground-induced currents that are driven by modest levels of auroral activity. Fortunately the Van Allen belts generally tend to divert incoming alpha and beta particles and gamma rays to the polar regions and protect all forms of life, which are largely concentrated at the low to moderate latitudes. In short Earth is constantly bombarded by solar and cosmic radiation that includes photons and high energy super X-rays (i.e., gamma rays), alpha and beta particles, and other elements of space weather on a 24/7 basis.
    In 1997 the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO), a joint undertaking of NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) was launched in order to study the Sun. The mission was designed with a particular focus on a better understanding of the concept of space weather and the powerful coronal mass ejections that occur during the course of