Functions and activities
The Ionospheric Prediction Service (IPS) operates the Australian Space Weather Agency and the World Data Centre for Solar-Terrestrial Science (WDC), including the (Southern Hemisphere) Regional Warning Centre of the International Space Environment Service, to provide services and advice on space weather conditions for radio communications and other operations to support and enhance national security, defence, emergency services, public safety and industry.

Systems and technologies affected by space weather include HF (High Frequency) radio systems, communication and surveillance systems, satellite and spacecraft operations, geophysical exploration, power grid operations, and the cathodic protection of long distance pipelines.

The service is responsible for assisting users of radio communications to achieve the most effective and efficient use of radio communications, especially those influenced by the state of the ionosphere. These responsibilities also include the investigation and prediction of the effects of the atmosphere on radio communications and radio wave propagation, short term forecasting of ionospheric and geomagnetic disturbances caused by solar activity; observation of the state of the sun and the ionosphere; and provision of warnings of major solar activity that may effect radio wave propagation and influence other terrestrial systems.  Support is also provided for regional and global research into the space environment.

The IPS has its headquarters in Sydney and operates an extensive network of monitoring stations and observatories within Australia - including two solar observatories, one at Learmonth in Western Australia (jointly with the United States Air Force) and the other at Culgoora, near Narrabri in NSW - as well as in Papua New Guinea, the Pacific and Antarctica, to gather information on the space environment.  The service communicates, cooperates and exchanges data with kindred organisations and committees in Australia and overseas. Services are provided principally to aviation, telecommunications, broadcasting, defence, emergency organisations and also to the business community, pipeline and power transmission authorities and public authorities.


Sources
 
Commonwealth Bureau of Meteorology Annual Report 1968-69, Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, Parliamentary Paper no. 129 for 1969, pp.45-48

Department of Administrative Services Annual Report 1995-96, p.74

Department of Science - Ionospheric Prediction Service Annual Report 1972-73, Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, Parliamentary Paper no. 253 for 1973, pp.1-3

Commonwealth Government Directory, Volume 2 - FOI Statement, Science and Technology Portfolio, 1983, pp.8-9

The Federal Guide, 1957, p.114
The Federal Guide, 1958, p.113
 
Frame, Tom and Faulkner, Don. 2003. Stromlo - an Australian Observatory. Crows Nest NSW: Allen & Unwin. pp.91-95

Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, no.28, 13 February 1947, p.383
Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, no.60, 27 March 1947, p.1004
Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, no.17, 14 March 1957, p.793
Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, no.31, 30 May 1957, p.1622

Commonwealth of Australia House of Representatives Hansard, 12 April 1988, answer to question on notice no.806 Ionospheric Prediction Service, p.1426

IPS Radio and Space Services Website. 2006. www.ips.gov.au/Educational/ ; www.ips.gov.au/About_IPS (accessed 14 November 2006)

Government Online Directory, August 2006. Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources - Central Office - Ionospheric Prediction Service (IPS) entry. http://www.gold.gov.au/osearch.php?ou%3DIonospheric%20Prediction%20Service%20%28IPS%29%2Cou%3DCentral%20office%2Cou%3DDepartment%20of%20Industry%5C%2C%20Tourism%20and%20Resources%2Co%3DIndustry%5C%2C%20Tourism%20and%20Resources%2Co%3DPortfolios%2Co%3DCommonwealth%20of%20Australia%2Cc%3DAU&changebase  or  http://www.gold.gov.au/department/subreport573.rtf (accessed 14 November 2006)


Historical agency address
Headquarters
1947-1957: Sydney, NSW
1957-1964: 5 Hickson Road, Millers Point, NSW
1964-1970: Commonwealth Government Centre, 
             Chifley Square, Elizabeth Street, Sydney, NSW 
1970-1972: 132 Arthur Street, North Sydney NSW 
1972-1989: 162-166 Goulburn Street, Darlinghurst NSW
1989-1997: 15 Help Street, Chatswood NSW
1997-    : 477 Pitt Street, Sydney, NSW