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Solar and Space Physics: A Science for a Technological Society
6
SOLAR AND SPACE PHYSICS: A SCIENCE FOR A TECHNOLOGICAL SOCIETY
• Diversify observing platforms with microsatellites and midscale ground-based assets.
• Realize scientific potential by sufficiently funding operations and data analysis.
• Integrate observing platforms and strengthen ties between agency disciplines.
• Venture forward with science centers and instrument and technology development.
• Educate, empower, and inspire the next generation of space researchers.
The five DRIVE components are defined in Chapter 4, with specific and actionable recommendations
offered for each element. Implementation of the NASA portion of the DRIVE initiative would require an
augmentation to existing program lines equivalent to approximately $33 million in current (2013) dollars
(see Chapter 6). 4 The cost and implementation of the NSF portion of DRIVE are described in Chapter 5.
Although the recommendations for NSF within the DRIVE initiative are not prioritized, the survey committee calls attention to two in particular:
The National Science Foundation should:
• Provide funding sufficient for essential synoptic observations and for efficient and scientifically
productive operation of the Advanced Technology Solar Telescope, which provides a revolutionary
new window on the solar magnetic atmosphere.
• Create a new, competitively selected mid-scale project funding line in order to enable midscale
projects and instrumentation for large projects. There are a number of compelling candidates for
a midscale facilities line, including the Frequency-Agile Solar Radiotelescope (FASR), the Coronal
Solar Magnetism Observatory (COSMO), and several other projects exemplifying the kind of creative
approaches necessary to fill gaps in observational capabilities and to move the survey’s integrated
science plan forward.
R2.0 Accelerate and Expand the Heliophysics Explorer Program
The survey committee recommends that NASA accelerate and expand the Heliophysics Explorer program. Augmenting the current program by $70 million per year, in fiscal year 2012 dollars, will restore
the option of Mid-size Explorer (MIDEX) missions and allow them to be offered alternately with Small
Explorer (SMEX) missions every 2 to 3 years. As part of the augmented Explorer program, NASA should
support regular selections of Missions of Opportunity.
The Explorer program’s strength lies in its ability to respond rapidly to new concepts and developments in science, as well as in the program’s synergistic relationship with larger-class strategic missions. 5
The Explorer mission line has proven to be an outstanding success, delivering—cost-effectively—science
results of great consequence. The committee recommends increased support of the Explorer program to
enable significant scientific advances in solar and space physics. As discussed in Chapter 4, the committee
believes that the proper cadence for Heliophysics Explorers is one mission every 2 to 3 years. The committee’s recommended augmentation of the Explorer program would facilitate this cadence and would
also allow selection of both small- and medium-class Explorers. Historically, MIDEX missions offered an
opportunity to resolve many of the highest-level science questions, but they have not been feasible with
the current Explorer budget.
4 The survey committee assumed inflation at 2.7 percent in program costs, the same as the percentage used by NASA for new starts.
5 National Research Council, Solar and Space Physics and Its Role in Space Exploration, The National Academies Press, Washington, D.C., 2003, p. 36.
Solar and Space Physics: A Science for a Technological Society
6
SOLAR AND SPACE PHYSICS: A SCIENCE FOR A TECHNOLOGICAL SOCIETY
• Diversify observing platforms with microsatellites and midscale ground-based assets.
• Realize scientific potential by sufficiently funding operations and data analysis.
• Integrate observing platforms and strengthen ties between agency disciplines.
• Venture forward with science centers and instrument and technology development.
• Educate, empower, and inspire the next generation of space researchers.
The five DRIVE components are defined in Chapter 4, with specific and actionable recommendations
offered for each element. Implementation of the NASA portion of the DRIVE initiative would require an
augmentation to existing program lines equivalent to approximately $33 million in current (2013) dollars
(see Chapter 6). 4 The cost and implementation of the NSF portion of DRIVE are described in Chapter 5.
Although the recommendations for NSF within the DRIVE initiative are not prioritized, the survey committee calls attention to two in particular:
The National Science Foundation should:
• Provide funding sufficient for essential synoptic observations and for efficient and scientifically
productive operation of the Advanced Technology Solar Telescope, which provides a revolutionary
new window on the solar magnetic atmosphere.
• Create a new, competitively selected mid-scale project funding line in order to enable midscale
projects and instrumentation for large projects. There are a number of compelling candidates for
a midscale facilities line, including the Frequency-Agile Solar Radiotelescope (FASR), the Coronal
Solar Magnetism Observatory (COSMO), and several other projects exemplifying the kind of creative
approaches necessary to fill gaps in observational capabilities and to move the survey’s integrated
science plan forward.
R2.0 Accelerate and Expand the Heliophysics Explorer Program
The survey committee recommends that NASA accelerate and expand the Heliophysics Explorer program. Augmenting the current program by $70 million per year, in fiscal year 2012 dollars, will restore
the option of Mid-size Explorer (MIDEX) missions and allow them to be offered alternately with Small
Explorer (SMEX) missions every 2 to 3 years. As part of the augmented Explorer program, NASA should
support regular selections of Missions of Opportunity.
The Explorer program’s strength lies in its ability to respond rapidly to new concepts and developments in science, as well as in the program’s synergistic relationship with larger-class strategic missions. 5
The Explorer mission line has proven to be an outstanding success, delivering—cost-effectively—science
results of great consequence. The committee recommends increased support of the Explorer program to
enable significant scientific advances in solar and space physics. As discussed in Chapter 4, the committee
believes that the proper cadence for Heliophysics Explorers is one mission every 2 to 3 years. The committee’s recommended augmentation of the Explorer program would facilitate this cadence and would
also allow selection of both small- and medium-class Explorers. Historically, MIDEX missions offered an
opportunity to resolve many of the highest-level science questions, but they have not been feasible with
the current Explorer budget.
4 The survey committee assumed inflation at 2.7 percent in program costs, the same as the percentage used by NASA for new starts.
5 National Research Council, Solar and Space Physics and Its Role in Space Exploration, The National Academies Press, Washington, D.C., 2003, p. 36.