The National Academy of Sciences has released a comprehensive report outlining the top priorities for NASA’s heliophysics program over the next decade. The heliophysics decadal survey, which is conducted every 10 years, provides a roadmap for the agency’s research and exploration efforts in the field of heliophysics. This field of study focuses on the Sun, the solar wind, and the Earth’s magnetic field, as well as the interactions between the Earth’s magnetic field and the solar wind.
The survey recommends two flagship missions for NASA: the Solar and Space Physics Research (SSPR) mission and the Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission-2 (MMS-2). These missions are designed to improve our understanding of the Sun, the solar wind, and the Earth’s magnetic field, with significant implications for space weather forecasting and the protection of both people and electronic systems in space.
The SSPR mission is designed to study the Sun’s corona, the outer atmosphere of the Sun, and the solar wind, a stream of charged particles emanating from the Sun. The mission will focus on understanding the underlying physics of the Sun’s corona and the solar wind, including the acceleration of charged particles and the heating of the corona. The SSPR mission will also investigate the impact of the solar wind on the Earth’s magnetic field and the upper atmosphere.
The MMS-2 mission is designed to study the Earth’s magnetic field and its interactions with the solar wind. The mission will focus on understanding the dynamics of the Earth’s magnetic field, including the formation of magnetic reconnection, a process in which the magnetic field lines are broken and reformed. The MMS-2 mission will also investigate the impact of the solar wind on the Earth’s magnetic field and the upper atmosphere.
Both missions are critical for improving our understanding of space weather, which can have significant impacts on both people and electronic systems in space. Space weather events, such as solar flares and coronal mass ejections, can cause disruptions to communication and navigation systems, as well as pose a risk to both people and electronic systems in space.
The heliophysics decadal survey also recommends several smaller missions and research initiatives, including the development of new technologies and the support of existing research programs. The survey also emphasizes the importance of international cooperation and collaboration in the field of heliophysics.
The recommendations outlined in the heliophysics decadal survey are the result of a comprehensive review of the current state of heliophysics research and the identification of the most pressing scientific questions in the field. The survey was conducted by a committee of experts in the field of heliophysics, who reviewed the current state of research and identified the most critical areas for future research.
The release of the heliophysics decadal survey marks an important milestone in the development of NASA’s heliophysics program. The survey provides a roadmap for the agency’s research and exploration efforts in the field of heliophysics over the next decade, and will help to guide the development of new missions and research initiatives.
In conclusion, the heliophysics decadal survey recommends two flagship missions for NASA: the Solar and Space Physics Research (SSPR) mission and the Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission-2 (MMS-2). These missions are critical for improving our understanding of the Sun, the solar wind, and the Earth’s magnetic field, with significant implications for space weather forecasting and the protection of both people and electronic systems in space.
