<ul><li>A tabletop space weather exercise exposed weaknesses in America's readiness for severe solar storms.</li><li>The exercise in May 2024 simulated multiple coronal mass ejections from the sun heading towards Earth.</li><li>Such solar storms can disrupt power grids, satellite signals, and threaten astronauts with radiation.</li><li>Communication protocol deficiencies and lack of space and ground measurements hinder effective response.</li><li>Participants faced challenges in forecasting and decision-making due to measurement limitations.</li><li>Key issue: The unpredictable impact of a coronal mass ejection's magnetic field orientation.</li><li>The exercise highlighted the need for more satellites to enhance forecasting capabilities.</li><li>Severe impacts of the hypothetical scenario included power blackouts and communication disruptions.</li><li>Satellites deviated from trajectories, affecting positioning services and causing potential collision risks.</li><li>Government agencies were urged to collaborate and develop templates for space weather event responses.</li></ul>

The US isn't prepared for a big solar storm, exercise finds

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