The International Space Environment Service (ISES) is a permanent service of the Federations of Astronomical and Geophysical Data Analysis Services (FAGS) under the auspices of the International Union of Radio Science (URSI) in association with the International Astronomical Union (IAU) and the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG). ISES was called IUWDS (International URSIgram and World Days Service) until 1996. The IUWDS was formed in 1962 as a combination of the former International World Days Service, initiated in 1959 as part of the IGY, and the former URSI Central Committee of USRIgrams which initiated rapid international data interchange services in 1928.

The mission of the ISES is to encourage and facilitate near-real-time international monitoring and prediction of the space environment by: the rapid exchange of space environment information; the standardization of the methodology for space environment observations and data reduction; the uniform publication of observations and statistics; and the application of standardized space environment products and services to assist users reduce the impact of space weather on activities of human interest.

Three basic functions accomplish the task of the ISES. First, the International URSIgram Service provides standardized rapid free exchange of space weather information and forecasts thru its Regional Warning Centers (RWC). Second, ISES prepares the International Geophysical Calendar (IGC) each year. This calendar gives a list of ‘World Days’ during which scientists are encouraged to carry out their experiments. And third, the monthly Spacewarn Bulletins summarize the status of satellites in earth orbit and in the interplanetary medium.

For more information about ISES, please visit http://www.ises-spaceweather.org

Copyright @ 2010, ISES - International Space Environment Service