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Solar and Space Physics: A Science for a Technological Society
314
SOLAR AND SPACE PHYSICS: A SCIENCE FOR A TECHNOLOGICAL SOCIETY
Adequate MO&DA Budgets and Mission-Related Guest-Investigator Programs
The science return from missions depends critically on adequate funding to analyze returned data, to
develop relationships of observations across the HSO, and to test theories and models that are required
to answer the science questions that motivated these missions quantitatively. Confirmed missions need to
have adequate Phase E research budgets that ensure it is possible to achieve mission success. In addition,
the budget for all missions needs to include an adequate GI program (typically 3 percent of the total mission cost spread over the prime mission) administered by NASA as part of the mission success criteria. The
GI programs enable the community at large to exploit new data further and relate them to other fields of
heliophysics research. 28
Heliophysics Instrument Development Program
Heliophysics is now exploring the boundaries of its domain, performing increasingly complex measurements, and preparing for truly predictive capabilities. Progress hinges on growing the capabilities of
new instrumentation. High-priority items include the following:
• UV-blind ENA detectors that promise breakthroughs in resolution and efficiency;
• Detectors for MeV ENAs to open new windows on localized acceleration processes; and
• Large-format, high-efficiency array detectors and rapidly switching polarization modulators that can
measure heating and acceleration processes in the solar atmosphere.
Achieving such capabilities requires increased support for new instrument concepts (recommended
in the 2003 decadal survey 29 ). Also needed are opportunities for low-cost rides into space to boost the
technology readiness level and means of leveraging technology-development resources in the Office of
the Chief Technologist.
Therefore, the SHP panel strongly advocates that current funding for instrument development within
SR&T, LWS, and the Low Cost Access to Space (LCAS) program be consolidated into a comprehensive
heliophysics instrument development program 30 that includes funding to cross the “valley of death” gap
(technology readiness levels 4-6). If the program grows to about 2 percent of the heliophysics flight program budget, or about $6 million in current-year funds, comparable savings can be achieved from flight
programs.
Low-Cost Access to Space Program
The NASA Heliophysics Division LCAS program provides opportunities for flying space experiments
on sounding rockets (100- to 1,000-km apogee altitude), balloon payloads, and CubeSats to address new
science opportunities, develop new instruments and technology, provide complementary science and
underflight calibrations for missions, and train the next generation of space scientists and engineers. The
SHP panel endorses the NRC’s 2010 recommendation to increase funding support of NASA’s suborbital
programs. 31 In particular, funding for science-payload development, flight, and data analysis is inadequate
and needs to be doubled.
28 A.J. Tylka, Heliophysics System Science and Funding for Extended Missions, white paper submitted to the Decadal Strategy for
Solar and Space Physics (Heliophysics), Paper 269; J.G. Luhmann et al., Extended Missions: Engines of Heliophysics System Science,
white paper submitted to the Decadal Strategy for Solar and Space Physics (Heliophysics), Paper 167.
29 NRC, The Sun to the Earth—and Beyond: A Decadal Research Strategy in Solar and Space Physics, 2003, p. 11.
30 E.R. Christian, Heliophysics Instrument and Technology Development Program (HITDP), white paper submitted to the Decadal
Strategy for Solar and Space Physics (Heliophysics), Paper 34.
31 NRC, Revitalizing NASA’s Suborbital Program: Advancing Science, Driving Innovation, and Developing a Workforce, The
National Academies Press, Washington, D.C., 2010.
Solar and Space Physics: A Science for a Technological Society
314
SOLAR AND SPACE PHYSICS: A SCIENCE FOR A TECHNOLOGICAL SOCIETY
Adequate MO&DA Budgets and Mission-Related Guest-Investigator Programs
The science return from missions depends critically on adequate funding to analyze returned data, to
develop relationships of observations across the HSO, and to test theories and models that are required
to answer the science questions that motivated these missions quantitatively. Confirmed missions need to
have adequate Phase E research budgets that ensure it is possible to achieve mission success. In addition,
the budget for all missions needs to include an adequate GI program (typically 3 percent of the total mission cost spread over the prime mission) administered by NASA as part of the mission success criteria. The
GI programs enable the community at large to exploit new data further and relate them to other fields of
heliophysics research. 28
Heliophysics Instrument Development Program
Heliophysics is now exploring the boundaries of its domain, performing increasingly complex measurements, and preparing for truly predictive capabilities. Progress hinges on growing the capabilities of
new instrumentation. High-priority items include the following:
• UV-blind ENA detectors that promise breakthroughs in resolution and efficiency;
• Detectors for MeV ENAs to open new windows on localized acceleration processes; and
• Large-format, high-efficiency array detectors and rapidly switching polarization modulators that can
measure heating and acceleration processes in the solar atmosphere.
Achieving such capabilities requires increased support for new instrument concepts (recommended
in the 2003 decadal survey 29 ). Also needed are opportunities for low-cost rides into space to boost the
technology readiness level and means of leveraging technology-development resources in the Office of
the Chief Technologist.
Therefore, the SHP panel strongly advocates that current funding for instrument development within
SR&T, LWS, and the Low Cost Access to Space (LCAS) program be consolidated into a comprehensive
heliophysics instrument development program 30 that includes funding to cross the “valley of death” gap
(technology readiness levels 4-6). If the program grows to about 2 percent of the heliophysics flight program budget, or about $6 million in current-year funds, comparable savings can be achieved from flight
programs.
Low-Cost Access to Space Program
The NASA Heliophysics Division LCAS program provides opportunities for flying space experiments
on sounding rockets (100- to 1,000-km apogee altitude), balloon payloads, and CubeSats to address new
science opportunities, develop new instruments and technology, provide complementary science and
underflight calibrations for missions, and train the next generation of space scientists and engineers. The
SHP panel endorses the NRC’s 2010 recommendation to increase funding support of NASA’s suborbital
programs. 31 In particular, funding for science-payload development, flight, and data analysis is inadequate
and needs to be doubled.
28 A.J. Tylka, Heliophysics System Science and Funding for Extended Missions, white paper submitted to the Decadal Strategy for
Solar and Space Physics (Heliophysics), Paper 269; J.G. Luhmann et al., Extended Missions: Engines of Heliophysics System Science,
white paper submitted to the Decadal Strategy for Solar and Space Physics (Heliophysics), Paper 167.
29 NRC, The Sun to the Earth—and Beyond: A Decadal Research Strategy in Solar and Space Physics, 2003, p. 11.
30 E.R. Christian, Heliophysics Instrument and Technology Development Program (HITDP), white paper submitted to the Decadal
Strategy for Solar and Space Physics (Heliophysics), Paper 34.
31 NRC, Revitalizing NASA’s Suborbital Program: Advancing Science, Driving Innovation, and Developing a Workforce, The
National Academies Press, Washington, D.C., 2010.