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Solar and Space Physics: A Science for a Technological Society
SUMMARY
9
A2.0 Work in a multiagency partnership to achieve continuity of solar and solar wind observations.
The survey committee recommends that NASA, NOAA, and the Department of Defense work in partnership to plan for continuity of solar and solar wind observations beyond the lifetimes of ACE, SOHO,
STEREO, and SDO. In particular:
A2.1 Solar wind measurements from L1 should be continued, because they are essential for space
weather operations and research. The DSCOVR L1 monitor and IMAP STP mission are recommended
for the near term, but plans should be made to ensure that measurements from L1 continue uninterrupted into the future.
A2.2 Space-based coronagraph and solar magnetic field measurements should likewise be continued.
Further, the survey committee concluded that a national, multifaceted program of both observations
and modeling is needed to transition research into operations more effectively by fully leveraging expertise
from different agencies, universities, and industry and by avoiding duplication of effort. This effort should
include determining the operationally optimal set of observations and modeling tools and how best to
effect that transition. With these objectives in mind:
A2.3 The space weather community should evaluate new observations, platforms, and locations that
have the potential to provide improved space weather services. In addition, the utility of employing newly emerging information dissemination systems for space weather alerts should be assessed.
A2.4 NOAA should establish a space weather research program to effectively transition research to
operations.
A2.5 Distinct funding lines for basic space physics research and for space weather specification and
forecasting should be developed and maintained.
Implementation of a program to advance space weather and climatology will require funding well
above what the survey committee assumes will be available to support its research-related recommendations to NASA (see Table S.1). The committee emphasizes that implementation of an initiative in space
weather and climatology should proceed only if it does not impinge on the development and timely execution of the recommended research program.
RECOMMENDED PROGRAM, DECISION RULES, AND AUGMENTATION PRIORITIES FOR NASA
Recommended Program
The committee’s recommended program for NASA’s Heliophysics Division is shown in Figure S.1. As
detailed in Chapter 6, the plan restores the medium-class Explorers and, together with small-class Explorer
missions and Missions of Opportunity, achieves the recommended minimum mission cadence. The plan
also begins the DRIVE initiative as early in the decade as budgets allow, with full implementation achieved
by mid-decade. However, funding constraints affect the restoration and recommended rebalance of heliophysics program elements such that full realization of the survey committee’s strategy is not possible until
after 2017 (see Figure S.1).
Solar and Space Physics: A Science for a Technological Society
SUMMARY
9
A2.0 Work in a multiagency partnership to achieve continuity of solar and solar wind observations.
The survey committee recommends that NASA, NOAA, and the Department of Defense work in partnership to plan for continuity of solar and solar wind observations beyond the lifetimes of ACE, SOHO,
STEREO, and SDO. In particular:
A2.1 Solar wind measurements from L1 should be continued, because they are essential for space
weather operations and research. The DSCOVR L1 monitor and IMAP STP mission are recommended
for the near term, but plans should be made to ensure that measurements from L1 continue uninterrupted into the future.
A2.2 Space-based coronagraph and solar magnetic field measurements should likewise be continued.
Further, the survey committee concluded that a national, multifaceted program of both observations
and modeling is needed to transition research into operations more effectively by fully leveraging expertise
from different agencies, universities, and industry and by avoiding duplication of effort. This effort should
include determining the operationally optimal set of observations and modeling tools and how best to
effect that transition. With these objectives in mind:
A2.3 The space weather community should evaluate new observations, platforms, and locations that
have the potential to provide improved space weather services. In addition, the utility of employing newly emerging information dissemination systems for space weather alerts should be assessed.
A2.4 NOAA should establish a space weather research program to effectively transition research to
operations.
A2.5 Distinct funding lines for basic space physics research and for space weather specification and
forecasting should be developed and maintained.
Implementation of a program to advance space weather and climatology will require funding well
above what the survey committee assumes will be available to support its research-related recommendations to NASA (see Table S.1). The committee emphasizes that implementation of an initiative in space
weather and climatology should proceed only if it does not impinge on the development and timely execution of the recommended research program.
RECOMMENDED PROGRAM, DECISION RULES, AND AUGMENTATION PRIORITIES FOR NASA
Recommended Program
The committee’s recommended program for NASA’s Heliophysics Division is shown in Figure S.1. As
detailed in Chapter 6, the plan restores the medium-class Explorers and, together with small-class Explorer
missions and Missions of Opportunity, achieves the recommended minimum mission cadence. The plan
also begins the DRIVE initiative as early in the decade as budgets allow, with full implementation achieved
by mid-decade. However, funding constraints affect the restoration and recommended rebalance of heliophysics program elements such that full realization of the survey committee’s strategy is not possible until
after 2017 (see Figure S.1).