Current Status on NASA's Living With a Star Program
Abstract
Living With a Star is a space weather-focused and application-driven research program. Its goal is to develop the scientific understanding necessary to effectively address those aspects of the connected Sun-Earth system that directly affect life and society. This program is part of the Sun-Earth Connection (SEC) theme within the office of Space Science. Living With a Star is a cross-cutting program whose goals and objectives have the following links to each of the four NASA Strategic Enterprises: Space Science: LWS quantifies the physics, dynamics, and behavior of the only stellar/planetary system we can see at a close distance. Earth Science: LWS improves understanding of the effects of solar variability and disturbances on terrestrial climate change. Human Space Flight: LWS provides data and scientific understanding required for advanced warning of energetic particle events that affect the safety of humans in space. Aeronautics and Space Transportation: LWS provides detailed characterization of radiation environments useful in the design of more reliable electronic components for air and space transportation system. LWS Program is implemented by a sequence of inter-related science missions, space environment test bed and targeted research and technology. 1) A space weather research network of spacecraft will provide continuous observations of the Sun-Earth system for interlocking, dual use, scientific and applications research.
Flight of a Solar Dynamics Observatory (launch 2008) to: - Probe solar interior, especially region where the dynamo is located, vs time to unravel physics of ``engine'' driving solar variability. -Track, for first time, solar active regions/solar storm regions simultaneously above and below solar surface to understand development and triggering of explosive events (Flares, Coronal Mass Ejections). Flight of Solar Sentinels, launch before and around next solar max to provide global view of the heliosphere, track solar active regions over entire sun, including for the first time the backside of Sun and describe the evolution of eruptions and flares from the Sun to Earth to Mars and beyond. Flight of Magnetospheric and Ionospheric Storm Probes, launch around solar max, geospace ``buoys'' in critical regions of Earth's space environment to determine its global and local response to solar variability. 2) A special data analysis and modeling program (Targeted Research & Technology) targeted at (1) obtaining a Sun-Earth systems model, (2) improving knowledge of space environmental conditions and variations over the solar cycle, (3) developing techniques and models for predicting solar/geospace disturbances which affect human technology, and (4) assimilating data from networks of spacecraft. 3) Orbital Technology Testbeds (Space Environment Testbeds) for low cost validation of rad-hard and rad-tolerant systems in high radiation orbits. - Implemented as missions of opportunity via cost-sharing partnerships with various international and national partners 4) Establishing and expanding partnerships for interdisciplinary science and applications with other NASA programs (Earth Science, Human Space Flight, Life Sciences), with other federal agencies (via interagency for National Space Weather Program, NOAA, NSF, DOE), international partners, academic community, and industry to obtain synergism and address common needs.- Publication:
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35th COSPAR Scientific Assembly
- Pub Date:
- 2004
- Bibcode:
- 2004cosp...35.3824G