Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
Solar and Space Physics: A Science for a Technological Society
RECOMMENDATIONS
79
The five DRIVE components are defined in Figure 4.1, and specific, actionable sub-recommendations
for each of these components are presented below. In recommending the DRIVE initiative, the survey
committee is cognizant that in a constrained budget environment funding for this program, while modest, will come at the expense of NASA missions. In the case of the NASA DRIVE sub-recommendations,
the survey committee has therefore provided explicit costing to ensure that the initiative, along with the
other program recommendations, fits within the projected NASA budget envelope (Chapter 6). For NSF,
the survey committee provides a more general discussion of expected costs, here and in the NSF program
implementation discussion in Chapter 5. The survey committee views the implementation of the DRIVE
initiative as crucial to accomplishing the proposed program of research in solar and space physics over
the next decade.
Diversify: Diversify Observing Platforms with Microsatellites and Midscale Ground-Based Assets
Exploration of the complex heliospheric system in the next decade requires the strategic use of diverse
assets that range from large missions and facilities, through Explorers and mid-size projects, to small
CubeSats and suborbital flights (Figure 4.2). The field is entering an era of opportunities for multipoint and
multiscale 3 measurements made with an increasingly diverse set of platforms and technologies (rockets,
balloons, CubeSats, arrays, commercial and international launchers and satellites, and so on). For more
information, see Appendix C, “Toward a Diversified, Distributed Sensor Deployment Strategy.” As part of
the DRIVE initiative, the survey committee particularly urges that NASA and NSF develop ongoing small
flight opportunities and midscale ground-based projects. Such platforms enable the direct engagement and
training of a new generation of experimentalists who gain end-to-end experiences ranging from concept
formation to project execution.
Midscale Projects
The current NSF equipment and facilities program supports investments in both small and very large
facilities. NSF maintains a major research instrumentation program for instrument development projects
(less than $4 million per year), and the Major Research Equipment and Facilities Construction (MREFC)
program for large infrastructure projects (greater than ~$90 million per year for Atmospheric and Geospace
Sciences Division-sponsored projects). However, this program does not cover midscale projects, many of
which have been identified by the survey committee as cost-effective additions of high priority to the overall
program. The addition of a midscale funding capability could enable solar and space physics projects with
well-developed science and implementation plans. Examples include the proposed Frequency-Agile Solar
Radio (FASR) and Coronal Solar Magnetism Observatory (COSMO) telescopes, as well as next-generation
ATST instrumentation and other projects that are not yet well developed but are representative of the kind
of creative approaches that will be necessary for filling gaps in observational capabilities and for moving
the survey’s integrated science plan forward (see “Candidates for a Midscale Line” in Chapter 5). A midscale funding line would also have a major impact on existing ground-based facilities, because it would
rejuvenate broadly utilized assets by taking advantage of new innovations and addressing modern science
opportunities. Finally, it would include essential support for accompanying research—a key requirement for
maximizing scientific benefit. This is consistent with the emphasis in the 2010 astronomy and astrophysics
decadal survey, which recommended a midscale line as its second priority in large ground-based projects. 4
3 Multiscale measurements involve the study of plasma dynamics, which involves the interaction of distinct domains with a large
range of spatial scales.
4 National Research Council, New Worlds, New Horizons in Astronomy and Astrophysics, The National Academies Press, Washington, D.C., 2010.
Solar and Space Physics: A Science for a Technological Society
RECOMMENDATIONS
79
The five DRIVE components are defined in Figure 4.1, and specific, actionable sub-recommendations
for each of these components are presented below. In recommending the DRIVE initiative, the survey
committee is cognizant that in a constrained budget environment funding for this program, while modest, will come at the expense of NASA missions. In the case of the NASA DRIVE sub-recommendations,
the survey committee has therefore provided explicit costing to ensure that the initiative, along with the
other program recommendations, fits within the projected NASA budget envelope (Chapter 6). For NSF,
the survey committee provides a more general discussion of expected costs, here and in the NSF program
implementation discussion in Chapter 5. The survey committee views the implementation of the DRIVE
initiative as crucial to accomplishing the proposed program of research in solar and space physics over
the next decade.
Diversify: Diversify Observing Platforms with Microsatellites and Midscale Ground-Based Assets
Exploration of the complex heliospheric system in the next decade requires the strategic use of diverse
assets that range from large missions and facilities, through Explorers and mid-size projects, to small
CubeSats and suborbital flights (Figure 4.2). The field is entering an era of opportunities for multipoint and
multiscale 3 measurements made with an increasingly diverse set of platforms and technologies (rockets,
balloons, CubeSats, arrays, commercial and international launchers and satellites, and so on). For more
information, see Appendix C, “Toward a Diversified, Distributed Sensor Deployment Strategy.” As part of
the DRIVE initiative, the survey committee particularly urges that NASA and NSF develop ongoing small
flight opportunities and midscale ground-based projects. Such platforms enable the direct engagement and
training of a new generation of experimentalists who gain end-to-end experiences ranging from concept
formation to project execution.
Midscale Projects
The current NSF equipment and facilities program supports investments in both small and very large
facilities. NSF maintains a major research instrumentation program for instrument development projects
(less than $4 million per year), and the Major Research Equipment and Facilities Construction (MREFC)
program for large infrastructure projects (greater than ~$90 million per year for Atmospheric and Geospace
Sciences Division-sponsored projects). However, this program does not cover midscale projects, many of
which have been identified by the survey committee as cost-effective additions of high priority to the overall
program. The addition of a midscale funding capability could enable solar and space physics projects with
well-developed science and implementation plans. Examples include the proposed Frequency-Agile Solar
Radio (FASR) and Coronal Solar Magnetism Observatory (COSMO) telescopes, as well as next-generation
ATST instrumentation and other projects that are not yet well developed but are representative of the kind
of creative approaches that will be necessary for filling gaps in observational capabilities and for moving
the survey’s integrated science plan forward (see “Candidates for a Midscale Line” in Chapter 5). A midscale funding line would also have a major impact on existing ground-based facilities, because it would
rejuvenate broadly utilized assets by taking advantage of new innovations and addressing modern science
opportunities. Finally, it would include essential support for accompanying research—a key requirement for
maximizing scientific benefit. This is consistent with the emphasis in the 2010 astronomy and astrophysics
decadal survey, which recommended a midscale line as its second priority in large ground-based projects. 4
3 Multiscale measurements involve the study of plasma dynamics, which involves the interaction of distinct domains with a large
range of spatial scales.
4 National Research Council, New Worlds, New Horizons in Astronomy and Astrophysics, The National Academies Press, Washington, D.C., 2010.