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Solar and Space Physics: A Science for a Technological Society
REPORT OF THE PANEL ON SOLAR WIND-MAGNETOSPHERE INTERACTIONS
253
a preference for which agency conducts this mission, but these data must be available on a continuous
basis throughout the coming decade.
SWMI Imperative: Ensure continuity of measurements of the upstream solar wind.
9.5.3.2 Theory, Modeling, and Data Analysis
Efforts related to advancing theoretical and modeling studies of geospace are another key component
of the solar and space physics research effort. The future of data analysis is becoming ever more closely
linked with modeling, and tools need to be developed to enable a broad segment of the community to
access and combine observations and model results. Currently, a great deal of the science return from NASA
missions and NSF ground-based measurements occurs through theory, modeling, and data analysis supported in a portfolio of both NASA and NSF grants programs. The high productivity and cost-effectiveness
of these programs argue strongly that major increases in science output can be achieved with modest
funding increases. The SWMI panel therefore strongly encourages the agencies to enhance the funding of
R&A programs. In a constrained funding environment, this is one of the most cost-effective ways to ensure
that the high-priority science objectives outlined in this decadal survey will be accomplished.
In addition, the panel supports funding enhancements to enable the creation of a new program within
NASA’s research portfolio to bring critical-mass multidisciplinary science teams together to address grand
challenge problems. However, these proposed Heliophysics Science Centers must not be created at the
expense of the current research programs, e.g., the Heliophysics Theory program. They must also be competed regularly and be focused on addressing a key science question.
The SWMI panel also strongly affirms the vital role that theory and modeling supported by mission
funding play in advancing the science objectives of the missions. The panel believes that this role should
be protected by requiring external reviews of the impacts of any theory-funding reductions on the ability
of a mission to fulfill its science objectives.
SWMI Imperative: Enhance and protect support for theory, modeling, and data analysis, including
research and analysis programs and mission-specific funding.
9.5.3.3 Innovation and Technology
In reviewing the white papers submitted from the community, the SWMI panel found that many
relied on tried-and-true measurement techniques. However, while much can be accomplished with new
applications of state-of-the-art technology, it is also clear that to accomplish the most challenging science
objectives of the future, the development of new, innovative concepts will be necessary. Indeed, in an
observation-driven field such as solar and space physics, it is often new observations that point the way
to the science questions of the future.
Advanced instrumentation for constellation missions is an area of particular need for ultimate realization of the science goals the SWMI panel has outlined. Targeted research on how to acquire, analyze, and
display the simultaneous measurements from many spacecraft is also needed, along with development of
new ways to integrate global modeling and global observations.
Another area where technology development efforts could have a big scientific payoff is global imaging
systems, particularly systems that can stand off, well outside the magnetosphere’s bow shock, and image its
boundary structures using a range of techniques such as neutral atom imaging (ENA), scattered light, and
X-ray emission. New instrumentation with increased sensitivity and resolution is needed to achieve spatial
Solar and Space Physics: A Science for a Technological Society
REPORT OF THE PANEL ON SOLAR WIND-MAGNETOSPHERE INTERACTIONS
253
a preference for which agency conducts this mission, but these data must be available on a continuous
basis throughout the coming decade.
SWMI Imperative: Ensure continuity of measurements of the upstream solar wind.
9.5.3.2 Theory, Modeling, and Data Analysis
Efforts related to advancing theoretical and modeling studies of geospace are another key component
of the solar and space physics research effort. The future of data analysis is becoming ever more closely
linked with modeling, and tools need to be developed to enable a broad segment of the community to
access and combine observations and model results. Currently, a great deal of the science return from NASA
missions and NSF ground-based measurements occurs through theory, modeling, and data analysis supported in a portfolio of both NASA and NSF grants programs. The high productivity and cost-effectiveness
of these programs argue strongly that major increases in science output can be achieved with modest
funding increases. The SWMI panel therefore strongly encourages the agencies to enhance the funding of
R&A programs. In a constrained funding environment, this is one of the most cost-effective ways to ensure
that the high-priority science objectives outlined in this decadal survey will be accomplished.
In addition, the panel supports funding enhancements to enable the creation of a new program within
NASA’s research portfolio to bring critical-mass multidisciplinary science teams together to address grand
challenge problems. However, these proposed Heliophysics Science Centers must not be created at the
expense of the current research programs, e.g., the Heliophysics Theory program. They must also be competed regularly and be focused on addressing a key science question.
The SWMI panel also strongly affirms the vital role that theory and modeling supported by mission
funding play in advancing the science objectives of the missions. The panel believes that this role should
be protected by requiring external reviews of the impacts of any theory-funding reductions on the ability
of a mission to fulfill its science objectives.
SWMI Imperative: Enhance and protect support for theory, modeling, and data analysis, including
research and analysis programs and mission-specific funding.
9.5.3.3 Innovation and Technology
In reviewing the white papers submitted from the community, the SWMI panel found that many
relied on tried-and-true measurement techniques. However, while much can be accomplished with new
applications of state-of-the-art technology, it is also clear that to accomplish the most challenging science
objectives of the future, the development of new, innovative concepts will be necessary. Indeed, in an
observation-driven field such as solar and space physics, it is often new observations that point the way
to the science questions of the future.
Advanced instrumentation for constellation missions is an area of particular need for ultimate realization of the science goals the SWMI panel has outlined. Targeted research on how to acquire, analyze, and
display the simultaneous measurements from many spacecraft is also needed, along with development of
new ways to integrate global modeling and global observations.
Another area where technology development efforts could have a big scientific payoff is global imaging
systems, particularly systems that can stand off, well outside the magnetosphere’s bow shock, and image its
boundary structures using a range of techniques such as neutral atom imaging (ENA), scattered light, and
X-ray emission. New instrumentation with increased sensitivity and resolution is needed to achieve spatial