Utilization of simulations in space weather research and mission development

The Multiscale Atmosphere Geospace Environment (MAGE) model developed by the Center for Geospace Storms combines several regional models to provide complete simulation of geospace capable of resolving mesoscale features that are essential to understanding the evolution of the system during geomagnetic activity. The GAMERA-helio code uses the same MHD solver as the MAGE model to simulate the heliosphere. As part of our efforts the team has developed a Python package that facilitates the automated comparison of simulation results with observations including obtaining the data from online databases of both ground and space-based data, conducting efficient and accurate interpolations, as well as the computation of derived quantities ranging in complexity from particle spectra to ionospheric currents and ground magnetic field perturbations. Extending these tools to facilitate OSSEs for future mission concepts, such as has been done for the EZIE mission, is a straightforward application of the existing tools. Furthermore, generic approaches in the developed tools have allowed us to apply the same codes, with only minor modifications, to the solar wind simulation results of GAMERA-Helio to compare with the heliospheric spacecraft data. Another important application of automated comparisons tools is evaluation of changes to the code base that are designed to improve the fidelity of the simulation. Traditional code verification techniques look for changes in the answers, but when introducing algorithmic or physics advances to the model, designed to change the answer, these approaches will not work. In these cases, the application of tools that support automated comparisons and OSSEs need to be applied to understand the implications of the change and quantify the level of improvement as well as providing insights into determination of optimal values for simulation input parameters.