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SOLAR AND SPACE PHYSICS: A SCIENCE FOR A TECHNOLOGICAL SOCIETY
resolutions (~0.5 R E ) and image cadences (~15 min) sufficient to image the boundaries and visualize their
motions and structure. New techniques for reducing background noise are also needed.
A number of the science goals outlined in Section 9.4 involve connecting phenomena and signatures
that occur in the ionosphere with their corresponding phenomena and signatures in the magnetosphere.
Because this connection occurs primarily via the geomagnetic field, which is strongly distorted and highly
variable due to currents flowing within the magnetosphere itself, an accurate mapping between the ionosphere and magnetosphere for all relevant conditions is lacking. Current efforts to relate magnetospheric
and ionospheric physics thus typically rely on empirical models based on statistical analysis of large data
sets acquired over long time periods and under a variety of conditions. Techniques to definitively establish
the instantaneous mapping are thus urgently needed.
It is the SWMI panel’s view that the current limited investment in technology development has discouraged the development of new instrument concepts. Therefore, the panel strongly supports the creation
of a robust Heliophysics Instrument and Technology Development Program (HITDP) in the context of the
NASA ROSES. In the panel’s opinion, this program should be funded sufficiently to support several grants
at levels significantly larger than is possible at present through supporting research and technology.
Moreover, the missions of the future will require new satellite and systems technologies. Such technologies are most appropriately pursued by the Office of the Chief Technologist, in close consultation with the
Heliophysics Division so that real mission needs are addressed. Possible technology development needs
noted by the panel include, but are not limited to, techniques that make it feasible to produce and deploy
large numbers of identical spacecraft at an affordable price and with high radiation tolerance; solar sails;
advanced propulsion and power; low-cost launch vehicles; mass-production techniques; component miniaturization; and wireless communications within a satellite.
Another area where near-term investments will help reduce the risk and long-term cost of new instruments is in raising the technology readiness level (TRL) of the instruments of the future, particularly in the
area of providing in-space operating experience. The panel believes that suborbital flights are cost-effective
ways to mature instrument technologies for future science applications, even if no immediate science can
be obtained from flying suborbitally. Thus, while the panel applauds and supports the science output of
the suborbital program, it also encourages the utilization of suborbital flights for increasing the TRL of
instruments with long-term science applications, but not necessarily science output from the flight itself.
SWMI Imperative: Invest significantly in developing the technologies to enable future high-priority
investigations.
9.5.3.4 Ground-Based Instrumentation
Since the science objectives established by this panel emphasize a global view of the coupled magnetosphere-ionosphere-thermosphere system the SWMI panel strongly supports networks of ground-based
instruments. For example, the MEDICI mission will be greatly enhanced by the data from magnetometer
arrays and the SuperDARN network, and both MISTE and MEDICI benefit from the data provided by
incoherent scatter radars (ISRs) and networks of all-sky cameras. The panel concluded that existing facilities, e.g., ISRs, SuperDARN, and magnetometer arrays, should continue to be supported, upgraded, and
perhaps enhanced. Moreover, research drawing on increasing access to data from these instrument suites
via the Internet would greatly benefit from the development of standards for data collection and access.
The SWMI panel takes note of successful NASA contributions in the past decade to ground-based assets
that directly support their space missions, e.g., the THEMIS all-sky camera network, for which an example
image is shown in Figure 9.15. The panel encourages continuation and expansion of these efforts. The
Solar and Space Physics: A Science for a Technological Society
254
SOLAR AND SPACE PHYSICS: A SCIENCE FOR A TECHNOLOGICAL SOCIETY
resolutions (~0.5 R E ) and image cadences (~15 min) sufficient to image the boundaries and visualize their
motions and structure. New techniques for reducing background noise are also needed.
A number of the science goals outlined in Section 9.4 involve connecting phenomena and signatures
that occur in the ionosphere with their corresponding phenomena and signatures in the magnetosphere.
Because this connection occurs primarily via the geomagnetic field, which is strongly distorted and highly
variable due to currents flowing within the magnetosphere itself, an accurate mapping between the ionosphere and magnetosphere for all relevant conditions is lacking. Current efforts to relate magnetospheric
and ionospheric physics thus typically rely on empirical models based on statistical analysis of large data
sets acquired over long time periods and under a variety of conditions. Techniques to definitively establish
the instantaneous mapping are thus urgently needed.
It is the SWMI panel’s view that the current limited investment in technology development has discouraged the development of new instrument concepts. Therefore, the panel strongly supports the creation
of a robust Heliophysics Instrument and Technology Development Program (HITDP) in the context of the
NASA ROSES. In the panel’s opinion, this program should be funded sufficiently to support several grants
at levels significantly larger than is possible at present through supporting research and technology.
Moreover, the missions of the future will require new satellite and systems technologies. Such technologies are most appropriately pursued by the Office of the Chief Technologist, in close consultation with the
Heliophysics Division so that real mission needs are addressed. Possible technology development needs
noted by the panel include, but are not limited to, techniques that make it feasible to produce and deploy
large numbers of identical spacecraft at an affordable price and with high radiation tolerance; solar sails;
advanced propulsion and power; low-cost launch vehicles; mass-production techniques; component miniaturization; and wireless communications within a satellite.
Another area where near-term investments will help reduce the risk and long-term cost of new instruments is in raising the technology readiness level (TRL) of the instruments of the future, particularly in the
area of providing in-space operating experience. The panel believes that suborbital flights are cost-effective
ways to mature instrument technologies for future science applications, even if no immediate science can
be obtained from flying suborbitally. Thus, while the panel applauds and supports the science output of
the suborbital program, it also encourages the utilization of suborbital flights for increasing the TRL of
instruments with long-term science applications, but not necessarily science output from the flight itself.
SWMI Imperative: Invest significantly in developing the technologies to enable future high-priority
investigations.
9.5.3.4 Ground-Based Instrumentation
Since the science objectives established by this panel emphasize a global view of the coupled magnetosphere-ionosphere-thermosphere system the SWMI panel strongly supports networks of ground-based
instruments. For example, the MEDICI mission will be greatly enhanced by the data from magnetometer
arrays and the SuperDARN network, and both MISTE and MEDICI benefit from the data provided by
incoherent scatter radars (ISRs) and networks of all-sky cameras. The panel concluded that existing facilities, e.g., ISRs, SuperDARN, and magnetometer arrays, should continue to be supported, upgraded, and
perhaps enhanced. Moreover, research drawing on increasing access to data from these instrument suites
via the Internet would greatly benefit from the development of standards for data collection and access.
The SWMI panel takes note of successful NASA contributions in the past decade to ground-based assets
that directly support their space missions, e.g., the THEMIS all-sky camera network, for which an example
image is shown in Figure 9.15. The panel encourages continuation and expansion of these efforts. The