Kenya Establishes First Ionospheric Observatory at the Luigi Broglio Space Centre

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An antenna at the Luigi Broglio Space Centre. Source: INGV

Kenya has established its first ionospheric observatory at the Luigi Broglio Space Centre in Malindi as part of the New Observatory for Real-Time Ionospheric Sounding over Kenya (NORISK) project. This project aims to provide real-time ionospheric data crucial for studying and predicting space weather events. Additionally, the project will fill a critical gap in addressing the space weather monitoring infrastructure, particularly in central and equatorial Africa. The NORISK project has been set up as part of a collaborative agreement framework between the Italian Space Agency (ASI), the Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV) in Italy, with the support of the Kenya Space Agency. 

The ionosphere, particularly in low-latitude regions near the geomagnetic equator, is a hotspot for unique electrodynamic phenomena. These phenomena can significantly impact satellite-based technologies, including navigation and communication systems. The scarcity of ground-based ionospheric capabilities, including tools such as Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receivers and ionosondes, poses one of the primary challenges for space weather research in Africa. Consequently, this makes real-time monitoring and forecasting a challenge. The Malindi-based observatory aims to fill this gap, positioning Africa as a key player in global space weather research. 

Features of the Observatory

The established ionospheric observatory consists of a GNSS Ionospheric Scintillation Monitor Receiver (ISMR) and the  Advanced Ionospheric Sounding ionosonde, built at the INGV (AIS-INGV). The ISMR is a multi-frequency, multi-constellation receiver capable of real-time tracking of ionospheric disturbances affecting satellite signals. Additionally, the AIS-INGV ionosonde will be used to infer key ionospheric parameters. It is fully programmable, supporting data acquisition, control, storage, and online processing. 

The Malindi ionospheric observatory location (black star). Source: NORISK

The observatory is strategically located along the geomagnetic equator, where some of the most intense ionospheric activities occur. This makes it an ideal location for studying such phenomena. The combined analysis of Total Electron Content  (TEC), signal disruptions (scintillation data), plasma frequencies, and heights enables a comprehensive study that reveals the processes that drive changes in the ionosphere. The observatory will also offer new insights into equatorial plasma bubbles, ionospheric scintillations, and space weather impacts on technology. 

Research Outputs from the Observatory

Since its establishment and collection of its first data from August 2023, a research team from INGV, ASI, Pwani University, the South African Space Agency (SANSA), and the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics published scientific results by the Ionospheric Observatory. The promising results indicated significant improvements in modelling ionospheric irregularities and plasma drift velocity. Additionally, the results have revealed critical insights into the origin of ionospheric disturbances, which are crucial for GNSS-based applications. 

In addition, the observatory plays a key role in advancing global space weather research by supplying essential data to improve and test ionospheric models, like the International Reference Ionosphere. This input is especially valuable because equatorial Africa has historically been underrepresented in global space weather studies, making this contribution crucial for a more accurate understanding of the ionosphere worldwide. Looking to the future, the NORISK project aims to continue training a new generation of space weather scientists across Eastern Africa. Additional steps also include expanding instrumentation and developing data-driven forecasting models. 

The Status of Space Weather Infrastructure in Africa

Unlike regions such as South America and Southeast Asia, with well-established ionospheric monitoring networks, Africa lacks sufficient ground-based tools and infrastructure for space weather research, creating a notable gap in the continent’s capabilities. For instance, data indicates that Japan’s GEONET system has a density of more than 34 GNSS receivers per 10,000 square kilometres. In comparison, Africa’s eight-network system has less than 0.09 receivers for the same area. Critical space weather instruments such as ionosondes are also highly scarce across Africa. The continent has fewer than five operational ionosondes, with four located in South Africa,  while the only present one in West Africa is currently not operational. Hence, the operationalisation of the observatory in Malindi proves beneficial for the continent at large. 

Ethiopia’s Space Science and Geospatial Institute (SSGI) recently commissioned a GNSS receiving station, in collaboration with SANSA, to contribute to space weather monitoring and Earth’s magnetic field analysis. This advancement will lead to better space weather predictions and increase the precision of satellite navigation systems, vital for aviation, maritime activities, and emergency response operations.