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1 Introduction and Background
Pages 10-24

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From page 10...
... At mid-century, the first space age satellites were launched and space physics changed forever our view of geospace. Today, the once-separate fields of solar physics and space physics now strive jointly to elucidate how changes in the Sun and the solar wind cause changes in the ionospheres, thermospheres, and magnetospheres surrounding Earth and other planets, as well as the heliosphere that marks the boundaries of our solar system.
From page 11...
... • Heliophysics Explorer Program. The Heliophysics Explorer Program funds competitively selected, p ­ rincipal-investigator-managed missions to provide frequent, relatively low-cost flight opportunities for worldclass investigations across the entire range of fundamental solar and space physics research.
From page 12...
... Understanding heliospheric structure, the distribution of magnetic fields and matter throughout the solar system, and the interaction of the solar atmosphere with the local interstellar medium. • Challenge 3.
From page 13...
... NASA's responsibilities under the integrated strategy included launching three space-based research missions (Solar-B, STEREO, and the SDO) , launching or starting development of 10 new space-based research missions during the upcoming decade (MMS, Geospace Network, Global Electrodynamic Connection, Jupiter Polar Mission, Solar Orbiter, Multi-Heliospheric Probes, Stereo Magnetospheric Imager, Magnetospheric Constellation, Solar Probe, and Solar Wind Sentinels)
From page 14...
... Thus, one of the foremost findings of this report is that the status of the Integrated Research Strategy is in jeopardy and that the loss of synergistic capabilities in space will seri ously impede progress in the Heliophysics Division. • Hinode, SOHO, and STEREO Missions Identify Origins of the Solar Wind.
From page 15...
... mission, part of NASA's Heliospheric Explorer Program, determined the sequencing of magnetic substorms in Earth's magnetotail that are responsible for sudden brightening and expansion of Earth's aurora. The five-spacecraft mission, in combination with groundbased observations, found that magnetic reconnection in the near-tail initiates the substorm and is followed by tailward ejection of plasma and rapid auroral brightening and poleward expansion (see Figure 1.3)
From page 16...
... Hanson Center for Space Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas. 1.2 bitmapped low-res FIGURE 1.3  Artist's concept showing the explosive release of energy generated by magnetic reconnection processes, which are responsible for sudden increases in the brightness and movement of the northern lights.
From page 17...
... When assessing the progress of NASA's Heliophysics Division, it is important to understand how the costs and budgets of NASA's solar and space physics programs have changed over the 5 years since the decadal survey was prepared.
From page 18...
... Over the past 6 years, a number of budgetary and cost factors, both within and outside NASA's control, have affected implementation of the Integrated Research Strategy recommended by the decadal survey. NationalResearch Council, The Sun to the Earth -- and Beyond: A Decadal Research Strategy in Solar and Space Physics, The National Academies Press, Washington, D.C., 2003, p.
From page 19...
... Underestimation of Decadal Survey Costs for Mission Operations and Data Analysis The decadal survey assumed an annual budget of $60 million for Heliophysics Division mission operations and data analysis (MO&DA)
From page 20...
... At the time of the decadal survey, the 5-year profile in the President's FY 2004 budget projected growth from about $800 million in FY 2004 to about $1,250 million in FY 2008. The actual appropriated budget for NASA's Heliophysics Division varied between approximately $710 million and $840 million over the same years, including about $250 million per year in Deep Space Network (DSN)
From page 21...
... 120.0 100.0 80.0 60.0 40.0 20.0 0.0 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Fiscal Year FIGURE 1.9  Solar-Terrestrial Probes actual and projected budget. SOURCE: Data courtesy of NASA.
From page 22...
... OTHER PROGRAM CHANGES SINCE THE DECADAL SURVEY In addition to cost growth, underestimated costs, and budget changes, changes in mission priorities, sched ules, and launch vehicles have altered NASA's implementation of the decadal survey's recommendations and may continue to do so in the future. Reordering of the Mission Sequence Recommended in the Decadal Survey In the President's FY 2009 budget, NASA proposed advancing the Solar Probe mission ahead of other mis sions in the 2003 decadal survey's recommended mission sequence.
From page 23...
... CHALLENGES TO FUTURE PROGRESS Over the past 5 years, NASA investments in the missions that would later comprise the Heliophysics Great Observatory and other research activities prior to the decadal survey continue to pay high dividends, enabling breakthrough discoveries that result in a better and deeper understanding of how various coupled, nonlinear systems drive changes in space plasmas from the Sun to Earth and into the heliosphere. The decadal survey built on this model of research and recommended the Integrated Research Strategy, which sought to extend and ­augment the H ­ eliophysics Great Observatory approach as well as to enhance NASA's other solar and space physics research NationalResearch Council, The Sun to the Earth -- and Beyond: A Decadal Research Strategy in Solar and Space Physics, The National Academies Press, Washington, D.C., 2003, p.
From page 24...
... Overcoming these challenges, as well as other key issues like launch vehicle availability, will be critical if NASA is to realize more of the decadal survey's priorities over the next 5 years and to succeed in its solar and space physics research enterprise over the long term. Chapter 3 provides recommendations about how NASA can better fulfill the 2003 decadal survey and improve future decadal surveys in solar and space physics.


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