Abstract

This project builds a public-facing tool that translates solar activity into operational risk for satellites and future off-world infrastructure.

Solar activity drives changes in radiation, atmospheric drag, and communications reliability. These effects are already observable in Earth orbit and will directly impact future lunar systems, including communications, navigation, and surface operations.

This dashboard provides a simple, real-time view of solar-driven risk, serving as an early operational prototype of space weather awareness tools required for sustained human activity beyond Earth. It provides a real-time window into the space environment that future lunar missions will depend on for safety, communication, and operational continuity.

Problem

Solar activity has direct operational consequences for space systems, but most people—including non-specialists—cannot interpret its impact.

Existing data (e.g., NOAA KP index, solar flux) is fragmented, technical, and not connected to real-world outcomes. This limits understanding of how solar events affect spacecraft, communications, and future lunar infrastructure.

For organizations working toward a permanent human presence beyond Earth, this gap represents a lack of accessible operational awareness.

Solution

This project will build a public web-based dashboard that translates solar activity into simple operational risk indicators relevant to both Earth orbit and future lunar missions.

Work includes:

• Ingesting public solar and space weather data (NOAA)

• Converting data into risk levels (low, medium, high)

• Mapping solar activity to:

  • Satellite drag (LEO)

  • Radiation exposure risk

  • Communication disruption potential

• Displaying results in a clear, real-time dashboard

• Providing layered explanations:

  • Simple public view

  • Optional technical detail view (KP index, solar flux, assumptions)

This is a first operational prototype of a broader space weather intelligence capability.

Example Use Case

A solar storm occurs. The dashboard immediately reflects elevated risk levels.

Users can see:

• Increased atmospheric drag affecting satellites in Earth orbit

• Elevated radiation conditions relevant to crewed systems

• Potential communication disruptions

This provides a real-time, intuitive view of how solar activity impacts both current space systems and future lunar operations.

Benefits

For MoonDAO Mission

• Introduces operational awareness of solar risk for future lunar systems

• Provides a conceptual foundation for monitoring:

  • Lunar communications reliability

  • Radiation exposure environments

  • Infrastructure vulnerability to solar events

• Supports long-term planning for sustained human presence beyond Earth

For the Community

• Makes space weather understandable and actionable

• Connects solar activity to real-world system impacts

• Provides an educational and interactive tool for MoonDAO participants

Risks

Risk 1: Oversimplification of Data

Simplified indicators may obscure underlying complexity

Mitigation:

• Provide dual-layer interface (simple + technical view)

• Include disclaimers and links to source data

• Clearly document assumptions behind risk levels

Risk 2: Limited Engagement

Mitigation:

• Integrate dashboard updates with MoonDAO communication channels (Discord)

• Provide periodic "solar risk updates" to the community

• Enable user testing and feedback cycles

• Explore interactive features such as tracking satellite response to solar events

Objectives

Objective #1

Build and deploy a public solar risk dashboard within 90 days

Key Results:

• Live solar data (KP index, solar flux) displayed

• Risk levels calculated and mapped to operational impacts

• Public demo available online

• At least 10–20 community users actively test the system

• Initial integration with MoonDAO communication channels

Future Vision

This project represents a first step toward a broader space weather intelligence capability.

Future extensions may include:

• Predictive modeling of solar events

• Integration with satellite telemetry

• Application to lunar surface operations

• Decision-support tools for mission planning

This aligns with the long-term need for reliable environmental awareness systems supporting human activity beyond Earth.

Team (Table A)

Project Lead:

Sean Casey (@sean.cc.casey0773)

Initial Team:

Single participant (expandable based on project growth)

Team Bio

Sean Casey is a program manager and systems integrator in aerospace and space systems. He has worked on scientific and operational space programs and focuses on applying data-driven methods to space weather and satellite operations.

This project reflects ongoing work to translate complex space environment data into operationally meaningful insights.

Timeline (Table B)

Days After Approval | Description

0 | Proposal passes

7 | Data ingestion setup

30 | Initial dashboard prototype

60 | Risk indicator integration

90 | Public demo release

Deadline:

90 days after approval

Budget (Table C)

Description | Amount | Justification

Development | $3,800 | Dashboard build and data integration

Hosting & Infrastructure | $400 | Cloud deployment

Miscellaneous | $400 | Tools, testing, contingency

Total | $4,600 | Within MoonDAO limit