ISO 16457:2022 PDF

Space environment (natural and artificial) — The Earth's ionosphere model — International reference ionosphere (IRI) model and extensions to the plasmasphere

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Title (English):

ISO 16457:2022

Space environment (natural and artificial) — The Earth's ionosphere model — International reference ionosphere (IRI) model and extensions to the plasmasphere

Document status:: Active
Format:: Electronic (PDF)
Number of pages:: 19
Publication date:: February 10, 2022
Edition:: ISO IS 16457 edition 2 version 1
ICS:: 07.060

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Description (English):

This document provides guidance to potential users for the specification of the global distribution of ionosphere densities and temperatures, as well as the total content of electrons in the height interval from 50 km to 1 500 km. It includes and explains several options for a plasmaspheric extension of the model, embracing the geographical area between latitudes of 80°S and 80°N and longitudes of 0°E to 360°E, for any time of day, any day of year, and various solar and magnetic activity conditions. A brief introduction to ionospheric and plasmaspheric physics is given in Annex A. Annex B provides an overview over physical models, because they are important for understanding and modelling the physical processes that produce the ionospheric plasma.

Technical details

Technical committee: ISO/TC 20/SC 14 - Space systems and operations
SKU: ISO 16457:2022

Abstract

Overview

ISO 16457:2022 specifies the International Reference Ionosphere (IRI) model and options for plasmasphere extensions. The standard guides users on how to represent the global distribution of electron density, electron and ion temperatures, ion composition, and total electron content (TEC) in the Earth’s ionosphere and lower plasmasphere. Coverage is for altitudes from 50 km to 1 500 km, geographic latitudes 80°S to 80°N, and longitudes 0°E to 360°E, for any time of day, day of year, and levels of solar and magnetic activity. Annex A introduces ionospheric and plasmaspheric physics; Annex B summarizes relevant physical models.

Key topics and technical requirements

Model scope and outputs
- Monthly climatological averages of electron density, electron/ion temperatures, ion composition, and integrated TEC.
Geographic and temporal coverage
- Global coverage (80°S–80°N, 0°–360°E); any universal time and day of year.
Plasmasphere extensions
- Several options described: extrapolation of IRI profiles, Global Core Plasma Model (GCPM), IMAGE/RPI, and IZMIRAN extensions.
Real‑time IRI
- The 2022 edition adds guidance on a real‑time IRI implementation for nowcasting ionospheric conditions.
Model inputs and indices
- Uses solar and geomagnetic activity indices (e.g., F10.7, Kp/ap, sunspot number variants) and GNSS-derived TEC indices where applicable.
Accuracy and validation
- Clause on model accuracy, choice of sub-models, and comparison with measurements (ionosondes, incoherent scatter radars, satellite in situ and topside sounders).
Informative annexes
- Annex A (physics primer) and Annex B (overview of physical models) to aid correct interpretation and implementation.

Applications and practical value

ISO 16457:2022 is intended for anyone who needs standardized ionospheric/plasmaspheric parameters for:

GNSS and satellite navigation (TEC corrections, positioning accuracy)
Satellite communications and link budgeting (ionospheric delays and scintillation assessment)
HF/VHF radio propagation planning and frequency management
Space weather monitoring and operations (nowcasts/forecasts of ionospheric disturbances)
Remote sensing and radio astronomy where ionospheric refraction and delay affect measurements
Orbit determination and mission design requiring ionospheric drag or signal delay models

Who should use this standard

Space agencies, satellite operators, GNSS service providers
Aerospace engineers and mission planners
Radio and telecommunications system designers
Space weather researchers and operational centers
Ionospheric model developers and data assimilation teams

Related guidance

IRI is an internationally maintained empirical model (COSPAR/URSI). ISO 16457:2022 provides the standardized framework and references to commonly used IRI submodels and plasmasphere extensions for consistent implementation and interoperability.

Related standards

Other ISO standards

Abstract

Overview

Key topics and technical requirements

Model scope and outputs
- Monthly climatological averages of electron density, electron/ion temperatures, ion composition, and integrated TEC.
Geographic and temporal coverage
- Global coverage (80°S–80°N, 0°–360°E); any universal time and day of year.
Plasmasphere extensions
- Several options described: extrapolation of IRI profiles, Global Core Plasma Model (GCPM), IMAGE/RPI, and IZMIRAN extensions.
Real‑time IRI
- The 2022 edition adds guidance on a real‑time IRI implementation for nowcasting ionospheric conditions.
Model inputs and indices
- Uses solar and geomagnetic activity indices (e.g., F10.7, Kp/ap, sunspot number variants) and GNSS-derived TEC indices where applicable.
Accuracy and validation
- Clause on model accuracy, choice of sub-models, and comparison with measurements (ionosondes, incoherent scatter radars, satellite in situ and topside sounders).
Informative annexes
- Annex A (physics primer) and Annex B (overview of physical models) to aid correct interpretation and implementation.

Applications and practical value

ISO 16457:2022 is intended for anyone who needs standardized ionospheric/plasmaspheric parameters for:

GNSS and satellite navigation (TEC corrections, positioning accuracy)
Satellite communications and link budgeting (ionospheric delays and scintillation assessment)
HF/VHF radio propagation planning and frequency management
Space weather monitoring and operations (nowcasts/forecasts of ionospheric disturbances)
Remote sensing and radio astronomy where ionospheric refraction and delay affect measurements
Orbit determination and mission design requiring ionospheric drag or signal delay models

Who should use this standard

Space agencies, satellite operators, GNSS service providers
Aerospace engineers and mission planners
Radio and telecommunications system designers
Space weather researchers and operational centers
Ionospheric model developers and data assimilation teams

Related guidance

IRI is an internationally maintained empirical model (COSPAR/URSI). ISO 16457:2022 provides the standardized framework and references to commonly used IRI submodels and plasmasphere extensions for consistent implementation and interoperability.

ISO 16457:2022 PDF

Technical details

Abstract

Overview

Key topics and technical requirements

Applications and practical value

Who should use this standard

Related guidance

Related standards

Abstract

Overview

Key topics and technical requirements

Applications and practical value

Who should use this standard

Related guidance

Related standards

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