Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
Solar and Space Physics: A Science for a Technological Society
194
SOLAR AND SPACE PHYSICS: A SCIENCE FOR A TECHNOLOGICAL SOCIETY
costs and apply fixes in individual cases as they arise on particular missions. All of these aspects of the
program support a scientifically broad approach where no mission can impose the risk of cancellation on
others because it experiences unforeseen cost increases. A budget line enhancement to return the Heliophysics Explorer program to a level that allows for timely, focused science missions, with a range of scales
including the MIDEX, would enable significant new advances toward the AIMI panel’s top goals. The panel
notes that reorganizing the STP and LWS lines to accommodate a more robust Explorer program may well
make the difference between being able to support three versus two heliophysics missions for the decade.
The AIMI panel supports an enhancement of the Heliophysics Explorer budget line to accomplish a broad
range of science missions that can address important AIMI science challenges. The mission classes should
range from a tiny Explorer that takes advantage of miniaturized sensors and alternative platforms and hosting opportunities, up to a Medium Explorer that could address multiple science challenges for the decade.
8.5.2.2 Constellations of Satellites
The importance of AIM system interactions with neighboring systems above and below dictates the
need for a global-scale view of AIM system responses to various drivers. Such views will be enabled by
satellite constellations with a range of capabilities in terms of state variable measurements, spatial coverage, and sampling cadence. NASA will benefit from developing innovative technologies; having methods
to cost, launch, and implement multisatellite/platform programs; and working with the science community
to address the challenges presented by satellite constellation missions.
Small satellites for AIMI science have proved successful and offer a unique perspective on achieving
specific AIMI science objectives cheaply (thus the panel’s strong support for a tiny Explorer). This path offers
low-cost satellites in ad hoc constellations, expendable platforms for exploratory research, opportunities
for workforce development, and potential commercial collaborations. NASA and NSF are encouraged to
jointly explore opportunities to augment, or to otherwise complement, the NSF program for CubeSat-based
science missions for space weather and atmospheric research.
The AIMI panel supports development of the means to effectively and efficiently implement constellation missions, including proactive development of small-satellite capabilities and miniaturized sensors,
and pursuit of cost-effective alternatives such as commercial constellations. NASA, in partnership with
other agencies where advantageous, is best suited to lead this effort.
8.5.2.3 Suborbital Research
Low-cost access to space via rockets and balloons is a valuable program to the AIM community that
has reached a level of maturity enabling sophisticated instrumentation and new science. Present funding
for science payloads is inadequate and should be increased to take advantage of the new, near-spaceobservatory-class capabilities being developed. The sounding rocket program has been particularly fruitful
in advancing science, training and educating students, and developing technologies. It is essential that
this program be protected from infringement from other programs, including proposed low-cost orbiting
platforms. Without a critical mass needed to maintain core capabilities and a small, dedicated cadre of
engineers, the efficiencies of scale for maintaining the low-cost sounding rocket program would evaporate
and the many key advantages of the program to NASA, including the unique research capabilities it offers
to the nation, would be lost.
The AIMI panel supports maintaining a strong suborbital research program by continuing development
of observatory-class capabilities such as a high-altitude sounding rocket and long-duration balloons, and
expanding funding for science payload development for these platforms.
Solar and Space Physics: A Science for a Technological Society
194
SOLAR AND SPACE PHYSICS: A SCIENCE FOR A TECHNOLOGICAL SOCIETY
costs and apply fixes in individual cases as they arise on particular missions. All of these aspects of the
program support a scientifically broad approach where no mission can impose the risk of cancellation on
others because it experiences unforeseen cost increases. A budget line enhancement to return the Heliophysics Explorer program to a level that allows for timely, focused science missions, with a range of scales
including the MIDEX, would enable significant new advances toward the AIMI panel’s top goals. The panel
notes that reorganizing the STP and LWS lines to accommodate a more robust Explorer program may well
make the difference between being able to support three versus two heliophysics missions for the decade.
The AIMI panel supports an enhancement of the Heliophysics Explorer budget line to accomplish a broad
range of science missions that can address important AIMI science challenges. The mission classes should
range from a tiny Explorer that takes advantage of miniaturized sensors and alternative platforms and hosting opportunities, up to a Medium Explorer that could address multiple science challenges for the decade.
8.5.2.2 Constellations of Satellites
The importance of AIM system interactions with neighboring systems above and below dictates the
need for a global-scale view of AIM system responses to various drivers. Such views will be enabled by
satellite constellations with a range of capabilities in terms of state variable measurements, spatial coverage, and sampling cadence. NASA will benefit from developing innovative technologies; having methods
to cost, launch, and implement multisatellite/platform programs; and working with the science community
to address the challenges presented by satellite constellation missions.
Small satellites for AIMI science have proved successful and offer a unique perspective on achieving
specific AIMI science objectives cheaply (thus the panel’s strong support for a tiny Explorer). This path offers
low-cost satellites in ad hoc constellations, expendable platforms for exploratory research, opportunities
for workforce development, and potential commercial collaborations. NASA and NSF are encouraged to
jointly explore opportunities to augment, or to otherwise complement, the NSF program for CubeSat-based
science missions for space weather and atmospheric research.
The AIMI panel supports development of the means to effectively and efficiently implement constellation missions, including proactive development of small-satellite capabilities and miniaturized sensors,
and pursuit of cost-effective alternatives such as commercial constellations. NASA, in partnership with
other agencies where advantageous, is best suited to lead this effort.
8.5.2.3 Suborbital Research
Low-cost access to space via rockets and balloons is a valuable program to the AIM community that
has reached a level of maturity enabling sophisticated instrumentation and new science. Present funding
for science payloads is inadequate and should be increased to take advantage of the new, near-spaceobservatory-class capabilities being developed. The sounding rocket program has been particularly fruitful
in advancing science, training and educating students, and developing technologies. It is essential that
this program be protected from infringement from other programs, including proposed low-cost orbiting
platforms. Without a critical mass needed to maintain core capabilities and a small, dedicated cadre of
engineers, the efficiencies of scale for maintaining the low-cost sounding rocket program would evaporate
and the many key advantages of the program to NASA, including the unique research capabilities it offers
to the nation, would be lost.
The AIMI panel supports maintaining a strong suborbital research program by continuing development
of observatory-class capabilities such as a high-altitude sounding rocket and long-duration balloons, and
expanding funding for science payload development for these platforms.