Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
Solar and Space Physics: A Science for a Technological Society
327
A
Statement of Task and Work Plan
The Space Studies Board shall establish a heliophysics survey committee to develop a comprehensive
science and mission strategy for heliophysics research for a 10-year period beginning in approximately
2013. The survey committee, informed by up to five study panels that will also be established by the board,
will broadly canvas the field of solar and space physics and:
1. Provide an overview of the science and a broad survey of the current state of knowledge in the
field, including a discussion of the relationship between space- and ground-based science research and
its connection to other scientific areas;
2. Identify the most compelling science challenges that have arisen from recent advances and
accomplishments;
3. Identify—having considered scientific value, urgency, cost category and risk, and technical readiness—the highest priority scientific targets for the interval 2013-2022, recommending science objectives
and measurement requirements for each target rather than specific mission or project design/implementation concepts; and
4. Develop an integrated research strategy that will present means to address these targets.
SCOPE
This “decadal survey” follows the National Research Council’s (NRC’s) previous survey in solar and
space physics, The Sun to the Earth—and Beyond: A Decadal Research Strategy in Solar and Space Physics,
which was completed in 2002 and published in final form in 2003. The scope of the study will include:
• The structure of the Sun and the properties of its outer layers in their static and active states;
• The characteristics and physics of the interplanetary medium from the surface of the Sun to interstellar space beyond the boundary of the heliosphere; and
Solar and Space Physics: A Science for a Technological Society
327
A
Statement of Task and Work Plan
The Space Studies Board shall establish a heliophysics survey committee to develop a comprehensive
science and mission strategy for heliophysics research for a 10-year period beginning in approximately
2013. The survey committee, informed by up to five study panels that will also be established by the board,
will broadly canvas the field of solar and space physics and:
1. Provide an overview of the science and a broad survey of the current state of knowledge in the
field, including a discussion of the relationship between space- and ground-based science research and
its connection to other scientific areas;
2. Identify the most compelling science challenges that have arisen from recent advances and
accomplishments;
3. Identify—having considered scientific value, urgency, cost category and risk, and technical readiness—the highest priority scientific targets for the interval 2013-2022, recommending science objectives
and measurement requirements for each target rather than specific mission or project design/implementation concepts; and
4. Develop an integrated research strategy that will present means to address these targets.
SCOPE
This “decadal survey” follows the National Research Council’s (NRC’s) previous survey in solar and
space physics, The Sun to the Earth—and Beyond: A Decadal Research Strategy in Solar and Space Physics,
which was completed in 2002 and published in final form in 2003. The scope of the study will include:
• The structure of the Sun and the properties of its outer layers in their static and active states;
• The characteristics and physics of the interplanetary medium from the surface of the Sun to interstellar space beyond the boundary of the heliosphere; and