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Solar and Space Physics: A Science for a Technological Society
REPORT OF THE PANEL ON SOLAR AND HELIOSPHERIC PHYSICS
265
• Form a consolidated heliophysics instrument and technology development program for innovative instrument concepts.
• Provide flight and training opportunities through increased funding of the Low Cost Access to
Space program for science-payload development and data analysis.
4. To attack SHP science goals 3 and 4, develop the Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe
(IMAP), a mission to observe the interaction of the heliosphere with the interstellar medium, and measure
suprathermal ion populations with unprecedented resolution (§10.5.2.2). IMAP is the SHP panel’s highestpriority mid-size mission.
5. To attack SHP science goals 2 and 3, support U.S. participation in the Japanese-led Solar-C mission
that will measure the magnetic coupling of the lower atmosphere into the corona (§10.5.2.3).
6. To maximize the science returns on limited resources, extend the Explorer mission development
model to mid-size strategic missions (§10.5.3.3).
7. To attack SHP science goal 3, develop the Solar Eruptive Events (SEE) mission to image electron and
ion acceleration in SEEs with unprecedented resolution. This is the SHP panel’s highest-priority mission
concept for an LWS-class strategic mission (§10.5.2.4).
8. Carry out advanced planning for the Solar Polar Imager and Interstellar Probe missions (§10.5.2.6,
§10.5.2.7).
9. To develop solar-sail propulsion for future Heliophysics Division missions, invest about $50 million
as “seed money” in a full-scale solar sail demonstration mission by partnering with the Office of the Chief
Technologist’s Technology Demonstration Missions program (§10.5.2.8).
10.2.2 Prioritized Imperatives for NSF
1. Provide base funding sufficient for efficient and scientifically productive operation of the Advanced
Solar Technology Telescope, which is also central to achieving the SHP panel’s science goals (§10.5.4.1).
2. Establish a midscale projects funding program similar to NASA’s Explorer model (§10.5.4.2).
3. Fund the development and operation of the Frequency-Agile Solar Radiotelescope (FASR) to produce
three-dimensional images of the solar atmosphere with high temporal and spatial resolution (§10.5.4.3).
4. Fund the development and operation of the Coronal Solar Magnetism Observatory (COSMO), a
large-aperture coronagraph, chromosphere, and prominence magnetometer (§10.5.4.4).
5. Double the size of the National Science Foundation (NSF) small-grants programs to support the
effort required for analyzing and modeling the new data sets (§10.5.4.5).
6. Broaden the definition of NSF’s Solar-Terrestrial Research Program to include outer-heliosphere
research (§10.5.4.6).
10.2.3 Prioritized Multiagency Imperatives
1. Ensure continued support of current ground-based observations of the Sun, especially the line-ofsight and vector measurements of the solar magnetic field that are being used routinely for space weather
operations (§10.5.5.1).
2. Ensure continued support of laboratory facilities for accurate measurement of atomic properties and
for instrument calibrations (§10.5.5.2).
3. Develop real-time and near-real-time instrumentation and data streams from future missions and
ground-based facilities. In collaboration with other agencies, fly missions devoted to space weather objectives. Establish an interagency clearinghouse and archive for space weather data (§10.5.5.3).
4. Ensure continuity of real-time solar wind measurements from L1 (§10.5.5.4).
Solar and Space Physics: A Science for a Technological Society
REPORT OF THE PANEL ON SOLAR AND HELIOSPHERIC PHYSICS
265
• Form a consolidated heliophysics instrument and technology development program for innovative instrument concepts.
• Provide flight and training opportunities through increased funding of the Low Cost Access to
Space program for science-payload development and data analysis.
4. To attack SHP science goals 3 and 4, develop the Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe
(IMAP), a mission to observe the interaction of the heliosphere with the interstellar medium, and measure
suprathermal ion populations with unprecedented resolution (§10.5.2.2). IMAP is the SHP panel’s highestpriority mid-size mission.
5. To attack SHP science goals 2 and 3, support U.S. participation in the Japanese-led Solar-C mission
that will measure the magnetic coupling of the lower atmosphere into the corona (§10.5.2.3).
6. To maximize the science returns on limited resources, extend the Explorer mission development
model to mid-size strategic missions (§10.5.3.3).
7. To attack SHP science goal 3, develop the Solar Eruptive Events (SEE) mission to image electron and
ion acceleration in SEEs with unprecedented resolution. This is the SHP panel’s highest-priority mission
concept for an LWS-class strategic mission (§10.5.2.4).
8. Carry out advanced planning for the Solar Polar Imager and Interstellar Probe missions (§10.5.2.6,
§10.5.2.7).
9. To develop solar-sail propulsion for future Heliophysics Division missions, invest about $50 million
as “seed money” in a full-scale solar sail demonstration mission by partnering with the Office of the Chief
Technologist’s Technology Demonstration Missions program (§10.5.2.8).
10.2.2 Prioritized Imperatives for NSF
1. Provide base funding sufficient for efficient and scientifically productive operation of the Advanced
Solar Technology Telescope, which is also central to achieving the SHP panel’s science goals (§10.5.4.1).
2. Establish a midscale projects funding program similar to NASA’s Explorer model (§10.5.4.2).
3. Fund the development and operation of the Frequency-Agile Solar Radiotelescope (FASR) to produce
three-dimensional images of the solar atmosphere with high temporal and spatial resolution (§10.5.4.3).
4. Fund the development and operation of the Coronal Solar Magnetism Observatory (COSMO), a
large-aperture coronagraph, chromosphere, and prominence magnetometer (§10.5.4.4).
5. Double the size of the National Science Foundation (NSF) small-grants programs to support the
effort required for analyzing and modeling the new data sets (§10.5.4.5).
6. Broaden the definition of NSF’s Solar-Terrestrial Research Program to include outer-heliosphere
research (§10.5.4.6).
10.2.3 Prioritized Multiagency Imperatives
1. Ensure continued support of current ground-based observations of the Sun, especially the line-ofsight and vector measurements of the solar magnetic field that are being used routinely for space weather
operations (§10.5.5.1).
2. Ensure continued support of laboratory facilities for accurate measurement of atomic properties and
for instrument calibrations (§10.5.5.2).
3. Develop real-time and near-real-time instrumentation and data streams from future missions and
ground-based facilities. In collaboration with other agencies, fly missions devoted to space weather objectives. Establish an interagency clearinghouse and archive for space weather data (§10.5.5.3).
4. Ensure continuity of real-time solar wind measurements from L1 (§10.5.5.4).