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, was awarded a $600,000 U.S. National Science Foundation Translation to Practice—Explore (NSF TTP-E) grant to translate fundamental research on coronal mass ejections (CMEs) from their low-corona signatures to their effects near Earth, establishing actionable parameters for operational space weather forecasting and contributing to next-generation space weather warning systems that help protect satellites, aviation and power grids—including (by ), the forecasting platform founded by Krista, which integrates her patented flare-forecasting technology, DEFT.

CIRES scientist Larisza Krista fuels new space weather forecasts with Helio Today

CIRES research advances space weather forecasting through the observation, modeling, and interpretation of solar eruptions and geomagnetic storms. These events can cause major disturbances to Earth’s magnetic field, impacting power grids, communications, satellites, and the health of airplane crew and astronauts in space. As our reliance on orbital infrastructure grows, the economic risk of a single unpredicted solar event now totals in the billions.

Building on decades of experience in this space, CIRES Senior Research Scientist Larisza Krista identified a gap between what public forecasting systems provide and what commercial industries need: while probabilistic forecasts alert that a disruption might happen or is already underway, operators require early alerts, consistency, and improved certainty. To meet this need, Krista created Helio Today to identify the early physical triggers and signs of solar phenomena and provide deterministic arrival windows and magnitudes that help operators respond effectively.