Transitioning Research to Operations: Transforming the “Valley of Death” Into a “Valley of Opportunity”

Transitioning technology from research to operations (23 R2O) is difficult. The problem’s importance is exemplified in the literature and in every failed attempt to do so. Although the R2O gap is often called the “valley of death”, a recent a Space Weather editorial called it a “Valley of Opportunity”. There are significant opportunities for space weather organizations to learn from the terrestrial experience. Dedicated R2O organizations like those of the various NOAA testbeds and collaborative “proving ground” projects take common approaches to improving terrestrial weather forecasting through the early transition of research capabilities into the operational environment. Here we present experience-proven principles for the establishment and operation of similar space weather organizations, public or private.