Muri mitigate modeling of ionosphere-thermosphere impacts of gravity waves from tropospheric sources tracking number 24-000007421

The Office of Naval Research awarded Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University $1.575 million on December 1, 2025, under the Basic and Applied Scientific Research program (CFDA 12.300) to model ionosphere-thermosphere impacts of gravity waves originating from tropospheric sources through the MURI (Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative) MITIGATE project, with performance through November 30, 2030, in Florida.

The project develops computational frameworks to simulate and predict ionospheric disturbances triggered by atmospheric gravity waves propagating upward from weather systems including thunderstorms, jet streams, and atmospheric fronts. Embry-Riddle serves as the lead institution coordinating a multi-university effort.

Sub-recipients deliver specialized components. Arizona State University's Office of Research and Sponsored Projects Administration analyzes observational data across the stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and ionosphere using satellite-based instruments (AIRS, SABER, ICON, GOCE, GUVI) and ground-based systems (GNSS TEC, airglow, lidar, meteor radar wind) to characterize day-to-day and seasonal gravity wave activity and develop case studies of non-orographic gravity wave events. The University of Miami's Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science develops a modeling framework using the Weather Research and Forecasting Model to simulate gravity wave production from weather systems over the continental United States and provide detailed information on upward-propagating waves. Boston University provides technical guidance and software engineering for the MITIGATE software ensemble in C++, Fortran, Python, and CMake, configures reference simulations and integration tests for high-performance computing, and develops and maintains adaptive mesh refinement data loading and plotting code and GNSS data handling software. Boise State University develops numerical algorithms incorporating solvers and features needed for ionosphere/thermosphere applications.