The Ionosphere Monitoring and Prediction Center (IMPC) at the DLR Institute of Communications and Navigation in Neustrelitz, part of the German Remote Sensing Data Center (DFD), provides real-time information, forecasts and warnings on the state of the ionosphere.
The Ionosphere Monitoring and Prediction Center (IMPC) is based at the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) DLR Institute of Communications and Navigation in Neustrelitz. The facility primarily serves users of satellite-based communications and navigation systems, the performance and availability of which may be severely impaired by disturbances in space weather.
Real-time information and forecasts on the state of the ionosphere
The IMPC is part of German Remote Sensing Data Center (DFD); it delivers real-time information, forecasts and warnings about the prevailing conditions in the ionosphere. For this purpose, the large-scale facility is one of eight stations worldwide to possess an antenna system, a computing cluster and a variety of special software that enables the reception of ionosphere-relevant satellite data transmitted via L- or S-band.
The IMPC accommodates the entire chain, from reception and processing, to fast data transfer and delivery of the ionosphere products (for example, forecasts and warnings) to the users. This combination of hardware (messaging, computing technology) and special software is the basis for flexible testing and piloting of innovative, time-critical services in the area of space weather. Consequently, it is a prerequisite for the establishment of these services at national and international levels.
The IMPC facility is used for a large variety of projects, especially within the field of ionospheric research.
Contact
Volker Speelmann
Head of Research Infrastructures
German Aerospace Center (DLR)
Executive Board department for Innovation, Transfer and Research Infrastructure
