The National Academy of Sciences has released its decadal survey for heliophysics, a report that outlines the top priorities for NASA’s heliophysics research program over the next decade. The survey, titled “Heliophysics Decadal Survey 2023-2032,” recommends two flagship missions for NASA to explore the Sun and its impact on the solar system.
The first recommended mission is the Solar Orbiter Plus, a follow-on to the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Solar Orbiter mission, which launched in 2020. The Solar Orbiter Plus would build on the success of its predecessor, providing even more detailed observations of the Sun’s polar regions and magnetic field. The mission would help scientists better understand the Sun’s influence on the solar wind, which affects the Earth’s magnetic field and upper atmosphere.
The second recommended mission is the Magnetosphere Multi-Scale Mission 2 (MMS 2), a follow-on to NASA’s MMS mission, which launched in 2015. The MMS 2 would study the Earth’s magnetic field and its interaction with the solar wind in unprecedented detail. The mission would help scientists better understand the complex processes that govern space weather, which can impact satellite communications, power grids, and other critical infrastructure.
Both missions would be designed to address key scientific questions in heliophysics, including the origins of the solar wind, the structure of the Sun’s magnetic field, and the impact of space weather on the Earth’s magnetic field. The missions would also provide valuable insights into the Sun’s influence on the solar system, including its effects on the planets and their atmospheres.
The decadal survey also recommends several smaller missions and research initiatives, including a lunar orbiter to study the Moon’s magnetic field and a network of ground-based observatories to study the Sun’s impact on the Earth’s upper atmosphere.
The recommendations outlined in the decadal survey are the result of a comprehensive review process that involved input from scientists, engineers, and policymakers from across the United States and around the world. The survey was conducted by the National Academy of Sciences’ Committee on Heliophysics and Space Weather, which is comprised of experts in the field of heliophysics.
The decadal survey provides a roadmap for NASA’s heliophysics research program over the next decade, and its recommendations are expected to shape the agency’s priorities and budget allocations for years to come. The survey’s findings and recommendations are also expected to inform the development of future missions and research initiatives in heliophysics, both in the United States and around the world.
In addition to the two flagship missions, the decadal survey recommends several other initiatives and research areas, including:
* A lunar orbiter to study the Moon’s magnetic field and its interaction with the solar wind
* A network of ground-based observatories to study the Sun’s impact on the Earth’s upper atmosphere
* A research initiative to study the effects of space weather on satellite communications and power grids
* A program to develop new technologies and instruments for heliophysics research, including advanced sensors and propulsion systems
The decadal survey also emphasizes the importance of international cooperation in heliophysics research, recommending that NASA work closely with its international partners to develop and launch future missions.
Overall, the decadal survey provides a comprehensive roadmap for NASA’s heliophysics research program over the next decade, and its recommendations are expected to shape the agency’s priorities and budget allocations for years to come.
