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 Earth's space climate and environment.

H.2 Understand changes in the Earth's 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 Earth's 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.2 Develop the capability to predict the origin of solar activity and disturbances associated with potentially hazardous space weather.

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.