SSSC Objective F: Open the Frontier to Space Environment
Prediction
Understand the fundamental physical processes of the space
environment - from the Sun to Earth, to other planets, and beyond to the
interstellar medium.
F.1 Understand
magnetic reconnection as revealed in solar flares, coronal mass ejections, and
geospace storms.
F.2 Understand the plasma processes that accelerate and
transport particles throughout the solar system
F.3 Understand how nonlinear interactions transfer energy and
momentum within planetary upper atmospheres
F.4 Determine how solar, stellar, and planetary magnetic
dynamos are created and why they vary.
SSSC Objective H: Understand the Nature of our Home in
Space
Understand how human society, technological systems, and
the habitability of planets are affected by solar variability and planetary
magnetic fields.
H.1 Understand the causes and subsequent evolution of activity that affects EarthÕs space
climate and environment.
H.2 Understand changes in the EarthÕs magnetosphere, ionosphere,
and upper atmosphere to enable specification, prediction, and mitigation of
their effects.
H.3 Understand the Sun's role as an energy source to the
EarthÕs atmosphere, particularly the role of solar variability in driving
climate change.
H.4 Apply our understanding of space plasma physics to the
role of stellar activity and magnetic shielding in planetary system evolution
and habitability.
S3C Objective J: Safeguard our Outbound Journey
Maximize the safety and productivity of
human and robotic explorers by developing the capability to predict the extreme
and dynamic conditions in space.
J.1 Characterize the
variability and extremes of the space environments that will be encountered by
human and robotic explorers.
J.3 Develop the capability to predict the acceleration and
propagation of energetic particles in order to enable safe travel for human and
robotic explorers.
J.4 Understand how space weather affects planetary
environments to minimize risk in exploration activities.