The Advanced Spectroscopic and Coronagraphic Explorer (ASCE) Mission Concept Study

The ASCE Mission is currently in a Phase A feasibility study as a candidate for the upcoming MIDEX selection. The ASCE science payload provides next generation spectroscopic and polarimetric instrumentation aimed at identifying the physical processes governing solar wind generation and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). During the current phase, engineering design and analyses have demonstrated the feasibility of accomplishing the original mission objectives within the MIDEX mission constraints. The launch is planned for early 2007 and the operations and analyses are expected to continue for 5 years. ASCE data along with data analysis software and calibration data will be unrestricted and available to the scientific community via an automated web site. A Guest Investigator program is planned with an average of 15 grants running concurrently during 2008 to 2012. Grants would be awarded in response to proposals submitted during the first and subsequent years of the mission.