Sun-Solar System ConnectionRoadmap: 2005-2035

NASA Sun-Solar System Connection Roadmap

2

Open the Frontier to Space Environment Prediction

Understand the Nature of Our Home in Space

Safeguard The Journey of Exploration

Understand the fundamental physical processes of the space environment – from the Sun to Earth, to other

planets, and beyond to the interstellar medium

Understand how human society, technological systems, and the habitability of planets are affected

by solar variability and planetary magnetic fields

Maximize the safety and productivity of human and robotic explorers by developing the capability to

predict the extreme and dynamic conditions in space

Sun-Solar System Connection ObjectivesAgency Strategic Objective: Explore the Sun-Earth system to understand the Sun and its effects on the Earth, the solar system, and the space environmental conditions that will be experienced by human explorers, and demonstrate technologies that can improve future operational systems

NASA Sun-Solar System Connection Roadmap

3

External and Internal Factors• We are poised to transform knowledge and provide predictive

understanding of the SSSC system

• Our technological society needs space weather knowledge to function efficiently

• Human beings require space weatherpredictions to work safely and productively in space

NASA Sun-Solar System Connection Roadmap

4

Nature of the Challenge

Integration and synthesis of multi-point observations

Data assimilative models & theory

Interdisciplinary communities and tools

A quantitative, predictive understanding of a complex system of systems

Microphysical processes regulate global & interplanetary structures

Multi-constituent plasmasand complex photochemistry

Non-linear dynamic responses

Solar CME engulfing the Earth: http://sun.stanford.edu/roadmap/NewZoom2.mov

NASA Sun-Solar System Connection Roadmap

5

Disturbed Upper Atmosphere

Space Storms at the Outer Planets

Solar System Blast Wave

Disturbed Mars-Space & Atmospheric Loss

Dangerous Radiation

Space Storms at Earth

We Have Already Begun!

Current Sun-Earth missions provide a prototype “SSSC Great Observatory”, providing a first look at the system level view and informing the roadmap plan

Theory, modeling, and observational tools now exist or can be developed to yield both transformational knowledge of the Sun-Earth system and provide needed tools and space weather knowledge for human exploration and societal needs

The SSSC Great Observatory must adapt as new questions and capabilities arise.

STP LWS ExplorersGreat

Observatory

Low Cost Access

to SpaceTechnology

Education & Public

Outreach

SupportingResearchPrograms

National Objectives

NASA Strategic Objective #15

Optimized Mission Scenario

Objectives Frontier, Home, Journey

Research Focus Areas

Investigations

Missions & SupportingElements

Setting Priorities

Current Budget Mission Scenario

Vision forSpace

Exploration

Potential Achievements

Flow Down:

Required UnderstandingCapability

Measurements

Framework

NAS Decadal Survey and additional

studies

OSS/SEC 2003 Roadmaps

Elements of Strategy

Sun Solar System Connection Roadmap Development

NASA Sun-Solar System Connection Roadmap

7

2) Understand the plasma processes that accelerate and transport particles throughout the solar system

1) Understand magnetic reconnection as revealed in solar flares, coronal mass ejections, and geospace storms

3) Understand the role of plasma neutral interactions in nonlinear coupling of regions throughout the solar system

4) Understand the creation of variability of magnetic dynamos and how they drive the dynamics of solar, planetary and stellar environments

Open the Frontier to Space Weather PredictionUnderstand the fundamental physical processes of the space environment – from the Sun to Earth, to other planets, and beyond to the interstellar medium

NASA Sun-Solar System Connection Roadmap

8

1) Understand the causes and subsequent evolution of solar activity that affects Earth’s space climate and environment

2) Understand changes in the Earth’s magnetosphere, ionosphere, and upper atmosphere to enable specification, prediction, and mitigation of their effects

3) Understand the Sun's role as an energy source to the Earth’s atmosphere, particularly the role of solar variability in driving atmospheric and climate change

4) Apply our understanding of space plasma physics to the role of stellar activity and magnetic shielding in planetary system evolution and habitability

Understand the Nature of our Home in SpaceUnderstand how human society, technological systems, and the habitability of planets are affected by solar variability and planetary magnetic fields

NASA Sun-Solar System Connection Roadmap

9

1) Characterize the variability and extremes of the space environments that will be encountered by human and robotic explorers

2) Develop the capability to predict the origin of solar activity and disturbances associated with potentially hazardous space weather

3) Develop the capability to predict the acceleration and propagation of energetic particles in order to enable safe travel for human and robotic explorers

4) Understand how space weather affects planetary environments to minimize risk in exploration activities

Safeguard the Journey of ExplorationMaximize the safety and productivity of human and robotic explorers by developing the capability to predict the extreme and dynamic conditions in space

NASA Sun-Solar System Connection Roadmap

10

Sun-Solar System Connection Roadmap Goal Structure

Phase 1: 2005-2015 Phase 2: 2015-2025 Phase 3: 2025-beyond

• Develop technologies, observations, and knowledge systems that support operational systems

Open the Frontier to Space Environment Prediction

Understand the Nature of our Home in Space

Safeguard the Journey of Exploration

Measure magnetic reconnection at the Sun and Earth

Model the magnetic processes that drive space weather

Predict solar magnetic activity and energy release

Determine the dominant processes and sites of particle acceleration

Quantify particle acceleration for the key regions of exploration

Predict high energy particle flux throughout the solar system.

Identify key processes that couple solar and planetary atmospheres to the heliosphere and beyond

Understand non-linear processes and couplings to predict atmospheric and space environments

Understand the interactions of disparate astrophysical systems

Understand how solar disturbances propagate to Earth

Identify precursors of important solar disturbances

Analyze the first direct samples of the interstellar medium

Identify how space weather effects are produced in Geospace

Quantify mechanisms and processes required for Geospace forecasting

Enable continuous scientific forecasting of conditions throughout the solar system

Discover how space plasmas and planetary atmospheres interact

Determine how magnetic fields, solar wind and irradiance affect habitability of solar system bodies

Determine how stellar variability governs the formation and evolution of habitable planets

Identify impacts of solar variability on Earth’s atmosphere

Integrate solar variability effects into Earth climate models

Forecast atmospheric and climate change (joint w/ Earth Science)

Determine extremes of the variable radiation and space environments at Earth, Moon, & Mars

Characterize the near-Sun source region of the space environment

Provide situational awareness of the space environment throughout the inner Solar System

Nowcast solar and space weather and forecast “All-Clear” periods for space explorers near Earth

Reliably forecast space weather for the Earth-Moon system and begin nowcasts at Mars

Reliably predict atmospheric and radiation environment at Mars to ensure safe surface operations

Determine Mars atmospheric variability relevant to Exploration

2005 2015 2025 2035

Phase 1Sun-Earth-Moon System

Characterization of System

Phase 1Sun-Earth-Moon System

Characterization of System

Phase 2Sun - Terrestrial Planets

Modeling of System Elements

Phase 2Sun - Terrestrial Planets

Modeling of System Elements

Model SystemsModel

SystemsCharacterizeEnvironmentsCharacterizeEnvironments

ForecastHazardsForecastHazards

Phase 3Sun-Solar System

System Forecasting

Phase 3Sun-Solar System

System Forecasting

Solar: SDO, Solar-B

CMEs & Heliosphere: SDO, STEREO, IHSentinels, Solar Sail

Demo

Radiation: RBSP, IHSentinels

Geospace Impacts: MMS, RBSP, THEMIS, ITSP/ITImager

Climate Impacts:SDO, AIM

Moon, Mars Awareness: LRO, MSL, ADAM

Interstellar Boundary: IBEX

Inner Boundary:Solar Probe

:Solar Processes: MTRAP, RAM

Heliospheric Structure & Disturbances:

HIGO, SPI/Telemachus

Geospace System Impacts: AAMP, IMC, ITMC, ITMW

Solar System Space Weather: DBC, FS/Shields

Planetary Orbiters: IoE, SCOPE, NO, TE, VAP

Interstellar Medium: Interstellar Probe

Habitability:Stellar Imager

Already In Develop-ment or FormulationExplorerPartnershipRecommended

Solar Processes: Solar Orbiter

Geospace System Impacts: GEC, GEMINI, MagCon

Climate Impacts: L1 Earth-Sun, SECEP

Mars Atmosphere: Mars Atmospheric Reconnaissance Satellite

Space Weather Stations: Heliostorm

Solar System Space Weather: SEPM, SWBuoys

Planetary Orbiters: Pluto/Kuiper, JPO/JUNO

Future Mission Recommendations

Sun-Solar System Mission Recommendations

Distributed small assets that form an evolving sensor web to sample the vast connection from the Sun to planetary environments and beyond

Sun-Solar System Mission RecommendationsOptimized Program

Flagship missions and partnerships:Recommendation: Obtain additional resources and work with partners to implement these missions

Partnership

In Development

New Initiative

In Development

Recommended

Partnership

Sun-Solar System Mission RecommendationsCurrent Constrained Budget Lines

Optimized program will require more resources …

Flagship missions and partnerships:Recommendation: Obtain additional resources and work with partners to implement these missions

New Initiative

In Development

Recommended

Partnership

Sun-Solar System Connection Summary