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Solar and Space Physics: A Science for a Technological Society
340
SOLAR AND SPACE PHYSICS: A SCIENCE FOR A TECHNOLOGICAL SOCIETY
Communications
Study of the heliophysics system requires data-intensive observations from distant vantage points or
from small, resource-constrained spacecraft. As for planetary missions, optical communications could
enable large data rates. It would be prudent to start development of space and ground-station communications for a swarm of small, low-power, Earth-orbiting satellites and for distant platforms at L5, a solar polar
orbiter at high ecliptic latitude, or ultimately an interstellar probe.
Spacecraft Power
In situ study of the outer heliosphere requires operations past the orbit of Jupiter. At such large heliocentric distances, solar power is impractical. Other spacecraft power systems are needed. This applies
both to heliophysics and planetary exploration missions. Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generators are a
potential solution. There should be a sufficient supply of the radioactive isotope plutonium-238 for use in
advanced spacecraft power systems, regardless of the power conversion technology employed.
Advanced Fabrication
The heliophysics community needs access to advanced design and fabrication techniques for new
sensing elements, new instrument techniques, and the application of greater computing power to enable
scientific progress throughout the field. An agency-supported center could provide valuable assistance
to spacecraft teams, instrument designers, and computing groups, serving as a consultant, provider of
services, or broker for government or industrial technologies useful in aerospace applications. Rapid and
cost-effective creation of custom hardware for the implementation of computational algorithms is needed
for advanced sensor systems and for advanced heliophysics modeling. Custom hardware for numerical
simulations can exceed by orders of magnitude the speed of general computer implementations.
The experimental community must be able to design and fabricate custom analog, digital, mixedsignal, and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices rapidly and cost-effectively. Even complex
current technologies such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) continue to drive costs and deliveries.
Broad use of these techniques requires access to both design and fabrication methodologies at reasonable
cost. Access to advanced fabrication has the potential to revolutionize heliophysics sensor and spacecraft
systems.
Policy Issues—ITAR, Risk Management, Frequency Spectrum
International Traffic in Arms Regulations
The United States seeks to protect its security and foreign-policy interests, in part, by actively controlling
the export of goods, technologies, and services that are or may be useful for military development in other
nations. “Export” is defined not simply as the sending abroad of hardware but also as the communication
of related technology and know-how to foreigners in the United States and overseas. 2
The International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), which controls defense trade, includes the U.S.
Munitions List (USML), which specifies categories of defense articles and services covered by the regulations. In 1999, space satellites were added to the USML. However, in 2002, ITAR was amended to exempt
2 National Research Council (NRC), Space Science and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations: Summary of a Workshop, The
National Academies Press, Washington, D.C., 2008.
Solar and Space Physics: A Science for a Technological Society
340
SOLAR AND SPACE PHYSICS: A SCIENCE FOR A TECHNOLOGICAL SOCIETY
Communications
Study of the heliophysics system requires data-intensive observations from distant vantage points or
from small, resource-constrained spacecraft. As for planetary missions, optical communications could
enable large data rates. It would be prudent to start development of space and ground-station communications for a swarm of small, low-power, Earth-orbiting satellites and for distant platforms at L5, a solar polar
orbiter at high ecliptic latitude, or ultimately an interstellar probe.
Spacecraft Power
In situ study of the outer heliosphere requires operations past the orbit of Jupiter. At such large heliocentric distances, solar power is impractical. Other spacecraft power systems are needed. This applies
both to heliophysics and planetary exploration missions. Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generators are a
potential solution. There should be a sufficient supply of the radioactive isotope plutonium-238 for use in
advanced spacecraft power systems, regardless of the power conversion technology employed.
Advanced Fabrication
The heliophysics community needs access to advanced design and fabrication techniques for new
sensing elements, new instrument techniques, and the application of greater computing power to enable
scientific progress throughout the field. An agency-supported center could provide valuable assistance
to spacecraft teams, instrument designers, and computing groups, serving as a consultant, provider of
services, or broker for government or industrial technologies useful in aerospace applications. Rapid and
cost-effective creation of custom hardware for the implementation of computational algorithms is needed
for advanced sensor systems and for advanced heliophysics modeling. Custom hardware for numerical
simulations can exceed by orders of magnitude the speed of general computer implementations.
The experimental community must be able to design and fabricate custom analog, digital, mixedsignal, and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices rapidly and cost-effectively. Even complex
current technologies such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) continue to drive costs and deliveries.
Broad use of these techniques requires access to both design and fabrication methodologies at reasonable
cost. Access to advanced fabrication has the potential to revolutionize heliophysics sensor and spacecraft
systems.
Policy Issues—ITAR, Risk Management, Frequency Spectrum
International Traffic in Arms Regulations
The United States seeks to protect its security and foreign-policy interests, in part, by actively controlling
the export of goods, technologies, and services that are or may be useful for military development in other
nations. “Export” is defined not simply as the sending abroad of hardware but also as the communication
of related technology and know-how to foreigners in the United States and overseas. 2
The International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), which controls defense trade, includes the U.S.
Munitions List (USML), which specifies categories of defense articles and services covered by the regulations. In 1999, space satellites were added to the USML. However, in 2002, ITAR was amended to exempt
2 National Research Council (NRC), Space Science and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations: Summary of a Workshop, The
National Academies Press, Washington, D.C., 2008.