Space weather impacts

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Severe space weather produces solar energetic particles, which can damage satellites used for commercial communications, global positioning, intelligence gathering and weather forecasting. Providing timely and accurate space weather information, nowcasts and forecasts is possible only if sufficient observation data are continuously available. 

NOAA's website says "Strong solar storms can cause fluctuations of electrical currents in space, directly impacting the power grid on Earth and energizing electrons and protons trapped in Earth's varying magnetic field. These disturbances can cause problems with radio communications, Global Navigation Satellite Systems (such as Global Positioning Systems or GPS), power grids, and satellites. Imagine all the ways in which we are dependent upon satellites: cell phones, weather prediction, TV, search and rescue, navigation, space travel, military surveillance, credit card and ATM transactions, and more. What if those satellites were damaged? As we become more dependent on technology, the need for space weather monitoring and forecasting becomes more important."