NASA Sun-Earth connection program strategic mission and technology requirements (2006-2015)

Author

Calabrese, Michael A.

Author_Institution

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, USA

Volume

1

fYear

2001

fDate

2001

Abstract

Our variable star, the Sun, is the source of varying solar wind, electromagnetic radiation and electromagnetic particles that interact with the Planets and the Galaxy. The Sun-Earth Connection (SEC) Theme in the NASA Office of Space Science (OSS) has a strategic goal to understand our changing Sun and its effects on the Solar System, Life and Society. This paper describes the planned SEC strategic missions planned for the period 2006-2015 and their technology requirements. These missions range from individual spacecraft to clusters and constellations of micro-nano satellite missions utilizing both imaging and in-situ instrumentation. Enabling technologies include micro-nano satellite and instrumentation along with solar sail propulsion providing reduced flight times and unique nonkeplerian orbits to extend traditional vantage points. Enhancing technology requirements related to instruments and subsystems are described that will improve payload mass-fraction, improved performance and lower cost

Keywords

solar wind; space research; space vehicles; 2006-2015; Frontier Probes; NASA; SEC Roadmap strategy; Space Weather Research Network; Star Program; Sun-Earth connection program; cost; electromagnetic particles; electromagnetic radiation; flight program; micro-nano satellite; nonkeplerian orbits; payload mass-fraction; performance; solar sail propulsion; spatial domain; spectral domain; temporal domain; varying solar wind; Electromagnetic radiation; Instruments; NASA; Planets; Propulsion; Satellites; Solar system; Space technology; Space vehicles; Sun;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Aerospace Conference, 2001, IEEE Proceedings.

Conference_Location

Big Sky, MT

Print_ISBN

0-7803-6599-2

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/AERO.2001.931729

Filename

931729