Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
Solar and Space Physics: A Science for a Technological Society
ENABLING DISCOVERY IN SOLAR AND SPACE PHYSICS
37
by increasing the cadence of the recommended mission and foundational activities in DRIVE, Explorers,
and the STP and LWS lines, a commensurate increase in program value can be obtained.
A DECADE OF TRANSFORMATIVE SCIENCE
Implementation over the coming decade of the multifaceted program recommended in this report will
allow substantial progress to be achieved in meeting the survey’s four key science goals. Indeed, as summarized in Table 1.1, the survey committee anticipates a decade of transformative advances in scientific
understanding and observational capabilities, both space- and ground-based, upon implementation of the
existing program and execution of the recommended program.
Throughout this report, the committee emphasizes the necessity of adopting a systems approach to
achieve appropriately balanced progress in understanding an interconnected solar-heliospheric-terrestrial
and planetary system. Of particular importance is the capability to advance solar and space physics science that is directly relevant to societal needs. However, the resources assumed in crafting this survey’s
recommended program are barely adequate to make required progress; with reduced resources, progress
will be inadequate. It is also evident that with increased resources, the cadence of the assets by which the
nation pursues the recommended program can be increased, with a concomitant increase in the pace of
scientific discovery and in the value added for society.
Solar and Space Physics: A Science for a Technological Society
ENABLING DISCOVERY IN SOLAR AND SPACE PHYSICS
37
by increasing the cadence of the recommended mission and foundational activities in DRIVE, Explorers,
and the STP and LWS lines, a commensurate increase in program value can be obtained.
A DECADE OF TRANSFORMATIVE SCIENCE
Implementation over the coming decade of the multifaceted program recommended in this report will
allow substantial progress to be achieved in meeting the survey’s four key science goals. Indeed, as summarized in Table 1.1, the survey committee anticipates a decade of transformative advances in scientific
understanding and observational capabilities, both space- and ground-based, upon implementation of the
existing program and execution of the recommended program.
Throughout this report, the committee emphasizes the necessity of adopting a systems approach to
achieve appropriately balanced progress in understanding an interconnected solar-heliospheric-terrestrial
and planetary system. Of particular importance is the capability to advance solar and space physics science that is directly relevant to societal needs. However, the resources assumed in crafting this survey’s
recommended program are barely adequate to make required progress; with reduced resources, progress
will be inadequate. It is also evident that with increased resources, the cadence of the assets by which the
nation pursues the recommended program can be increased, with a concomitant increase in the pace of
scientific discovery and in the value added for society.