Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
Solar and Space Physics: A Science for a Technological Society
RECOMMENDATIONS
89
BOX 4.5 A NEW WAY OF DOING SCIENCE
In Chapter 2, the survey committee discusses the key science challenges for solar and space physics. Embedded in these “grand challenges” are complex questions whose full resolution has remained elusive. Work on the
challenges has traditionally been informed by research groups that work mostly independently and employ
either observational or theory and modeling-based approaches. Increasingly, major advances in the field are
taking place as a result of the close interaction between observers, theorists, and modelers. Thus, a coherent
attack on the most challenging problems requires the development of research and analysis (R&A) programs
that bring together multidisciplinary teams with a broad range of skills. The heliophysics science centers will
facilitate the formation of such diverse teams.
Over the past decade, the ongoing exponential increase in computing power had a significant impact on
the process of science discovery—modeling of complex plasma phenomena is now carried out on massively
parallel computers and can address physical phenomena on a broad range of spatial and temporal scales. To
capitalize on advances in computational architectures and machines, it has become necessary to collaborate
in critical-size groups with experts in computer science, algorithm development, and large-scale visualization
and analysis tools. At the same time, observations establish ground truth for emerging models. Through these
synergies, physical insight can be achieved beyond what is possible with paper-and-pencil models, stimulating
new ideas to explore with analytic theory, influencing the interpretation of observations, and motivating the
need for new missions.
The level funding of R&A over the past decade, and the subsequent loss of buying power due to inflation,
have resulted in increasingly fragmented science, given that individual researchers must rely on multiple proposals to secure adequate funding. This trend toward piecemeal support is happening at a time when advancing the science requires collaboration—but when funding multiple scientists on a single grant at any meaningful level is almost impossible. The formation of several heliospheric science centers will reverse this trend.
goals. Such an approach would more readily enable highly desirable missions that have been deferred to
a later decade owing to as-yet immature technology or high cost.
Technologies such as solar sails and constellations of satellites have tremendous potential (see Appendix B, “Instrumentation, Data Systems, and Technology”). Missions reliant on such technologies are not
yet feasible, in part because of the constrained budget environment, but also because of a low level of
technical readiness. Future progress in solar and space physics hinges on new observational capabilities
in state-of-the-art instrumentation, access to unique locations in space, and affordable fabrication and
operation of large satellite constellations.
Some of the DRIVE components already discussed for NSF would promote technology development,
i.e., CubeSats and a midscale project line. At NASA, current technology development is funded by the SR&T
program, Living With a Star (LWS), and LCAS. The survey committee concluded that technologies required
for novel mission design and instrumentation need a more coherent and better-funded NASA program
than is currently available, one that would emulate the Planetary Instrument and Development Program.
Recommendation: NASA should consolidate the technology funding now in the SR&T, LWS, and LCAS
programs into a single heliophysics instrument and technology development program and increase current
annual funding levels, ramping to $4 million per year (plus increases for inflation) in order to facilitate
urgently needed innovations required for implementation of future heliophysics mission. Further, issues
pertaining to implementation of constellation missions (e.g., communications, operations, propulsion,
and launch mechanisms) should be explicitly addressed.
Solar and Space Physics: A Science for a Technological Society
RECOMMENDATIONS
89
BOX 4.5 A NEW WAY OF DOING SCIENCE
In Chapter 2, the survey committee discusses the key science challenges for solar and space physics. Embedded in these “grand challenges” are complex questions whose full resolution has remained elusive. Work on the
challenges has traditionally been informed by research groups that work mostly independently and employ
either observational or theory and modeling-based approaches. Increasingly, major advances in the field are
taking place as a result of the close interaction between observers, theorists, and modelers. Thus, a coherent
attack on the most challenging problems requires the development of research and analysis (R&A) programs
that bring together multidisciplinary teams with a broad range of skills. The heliophysics science centers will
facilitate the formation of such diverse teams.
Over the past decade, the ongoing exponential increase in computing power had a significant impact on
the process of science discovery—modeling of complex plasma phenomena is now carried out on massively
parallel computers and can address physical phenomena on a broad range of spatial and temporal scales. To
capitalize on advances in computational architectures and machines, it has become necessary to collaborate
in critical-size groups with experts in computer science, algorithm development, and large-scale visualization
and analysis tools. At the same time, observations establish ground truth for emerging models. Through these
synergies, physical insight can be achieved beyond what is possible with paper-and-pencil models, stimulating
new ideas to explore with analytic theory, influencing the interpretation of observations, and motivating the
need for new missions.
The level funding of R&A over the past decade, and the subsequent loss of buying power due to inflation,
have resulted in increasingly fragmented science, given that individual researchers must rely on multiple proposals to secure adequate funding. This trend toward piecemeal support is happening at a time when advancing the science requires collaboration—but when funding multiple scientists on a single grant at any meaningful level is almost impossible. The formation of several heliospheric science centers will reverse this trend.
goals. Such an approach would more readily enable highly desirable missions that have been deferred to
a later decade owing to as-yet immature technology or high cost.
Technologies such as solar sails and constellations of satellites have tremendous potential (see Appendix B, “Instrumentation, Data Systems, and Technology”). Missions reliant on such technologies are not
yet feasible, in part because of the constrained budget environment, but also because of a low level of
technical readiness. Future progress in solar and space physics hinges on new observational capabilities
in state-of-the-art instrumentation, access to unique locations in space, and affordable fabrication and
operation of large satellite constellations.
Some of the DRIVE components already discussed for NSF would promote technology development,
i.e., CubeSats and a midscale project line. At NASA, current technology development is funded by the SR&T
program, Living With a Star (LWS), and LCAS. The survey committee concluded that technologies required
for novel mission design and instrumentation need a more coherent and better-funded NASA program
than is currently available, one that would emulate the Planetary Instrument and Development Program.
Recommendation: NASA should consolidate the technology funding now in the SR&T, LWS, and LCAS
programs into a single heliophysics instrument and technology development program and increase current
annual funding levels, ramping to $4 million per year (plus increases for inflation) in order to facilitate
urgently needed innovations required for implementation of future heliophysics mission. Further, issues
pertaining to implementation of constellation missions (e.g., communications, operations, propulsion,
and launch mechanisms) should be explicitly addressed.