Decadal Study-Request for Information (RFI) from Community
To:Members of the Solar and Space Physics Community
From: Daniel Baker and Thomas Zurbuchen, chair and vice-chair of the 2013-2022
NRC Decadal Survey in Solar and Space Physics
Date: July 12, 2010
Background: As you may know, the Space Studies Board of the National Research Council(NRC) is beginning to organize the next “decadal survey” in solar and space physics(heliophysics). This community-based effort will develop a comprehensive science andmission strategy for the field that updates and extends the first-ever NRC survey, which wascompleted in 2002. An open web site has been created to describe the survey and to provide
an opportunity for community input throughout the study process:
http://tinyurl.com/2b4e4sh.
The statement of task, which is posted on the website, directs the survey committee to:1.
Provide an overview of the science and a broad survey of the current state of knowledge
in the field, including a discussion of the relationship between space- and ground-based
science research and its connection to other scientific areas;
2.
Identify the most compelling science challenges that have arisen from recent advances
and accomplishments;
3.
Identify—having considered scientific value, urgency, cost category and risk, andtechnical readiness—the highest priority scientific targets for the interval 2013-2022,
recommending science objectives and measurement requirements for each target
rather than specific mission or project design/implementation concepts; and4.
Develop an integrated research strategy that will present means to address thesetargets.
The scope of the study will include: The structure of the Sun and the properties of its outer layers in their static and activestates; The characteristics and physics of the interplanetary medium from the surface of the Sun tointerstellar space beyond the boundary of the heliosphere; and The consequences of solar variability on the atmospheres and surfaces of other bodies insolar system, and the physics associated with the magnetospheres, ionospheres,thermospheres, mesospheres, and upper atmospheres of the Earth and other solar systembodies.
The section of the report that provides recommendations to NASA will reflect NASA’s
responsibility for flight mission investigations. (However, the survey will consider the space-based
activities and programs of other agencies; e.g., NSF’s CubeSat program.) Recommendations
related to ground-based implementations (e.g., ground-based solar observatories) will be directedto the NSF. As noted above, the survey committee is charged with establishing science targets
and then matching these targets to notional mission designs. In a change from the previous
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survey, we will employ an independent contractor to assist in the cost estimation and technicalanalysis of the notional missions.
We anticipate that the survey committee will recommend a mix of small ($250-$500 million),
medium ($500-$750 million), and large ($750-$1000 million) strategic flight investigations
appropriate to goals of the Solar-Terrestrial Probes program and the Living With a Star program.
Flagship (> $1 billion) flight investigations will be considered if permitted by the budget guidelines
provided to the survey committee by NASA. Candidates for individual Explorer and lower-cost
flight projects, including sub-orbital programs, will not be prioritized; they will be solicited andselected as PI-led missions on the basis of science merit via NASA’s standard AO processes.
However, the strategic value of these smaller mission programs to the overall science agenda will
be appraised and described in the report from the study.
Request to the Community: We invite you to write a concept paper (e.g., mission, observation,
theory, or modeling activity) that promises to advance an existing or new scientific objective,
contribute to fundamental understanding of the Sun-Earth system, and/or facilitate theconnection between science and societal needs (e.g., improvements in space weatherprediction). Note that missions that had been prescribed in the 2003 survey (The Sun to theEarth—and Beyond) or other recent NRC reports but have not yet been formally confirmed for
implementation will need to be reprioritized for inclusion in the present survey (with theexception, per NASA, of Solar Orbiter and Solar Probe Plus).
The ideas and concepts received will be reviewed by one or more of the survey’s study panels,
which are organized to address the following themes: Atmosphere-Ionosphere-Magnetosphere Interactions
 Solar Wind-Magnetosphere Interactions
 Solar and Heliospheric Physics
Initiatives and concepts that are cross-cutting among these themes are particularly encouraged.
We anticipate that one or more of the concepts will be selected by each panel for a detailed
technical and cost assessment. Panel recommendations and the technical and cost assessments
will be provided to the decadal survey steering committee, which is charged with writing a final
report that includes targeted recommendations for the agencies.
All responses will be considered non-proprietary public information for distribution withattribution. The concept papers should be no longer than five single-spaced pages in length,
excluding figures, tables, and references, and should provide the following information, if
possible:
1. For proposed observations, technology innovations, or missions, a summary of the science
concept, including the observational variable(s) to be measured, the characteristics of themeasurement if known (accuracy, spatial and temporal resolution), and domain of theobservation. For proposed theory, modeling, or cross-cutting science themes, a summaryof the science concept, key opportunities to be addressed, and approach used.

22. A description of how the proposed science concept will help advance solar and space
physics science or provide a needed operational capability for the next decade andbeyond.
3. For proposed observations, technology innovations and missions, a rough estimate of thetotal cost (FY10 dollars), including launch, of a proposed mission over ten years, if it can beestimated. For an “operational” mission, the costs should include one-time costs
associated with building the instrument and launch and ongoing operational costs. Please
describe the supporting rationale for the total mission cost estimate to understand theconfidence that the mission considered could fall within the cost bins identified (i.e. small,medium or large). For proposed theory, modeling, and cross-cutting science themes, anestimated total cost, including all key phases of the proposed project.
4. A description of how the proposed concept meets one or more of the following criteria,
which will be used to evaluate the candidate proposals:a. Is identified as a high priority or requirement in previous studies or roadmaps (forexample, the earlier NRC decadal survey);b. Makes a significant contribution to more than one of the Panel themes;c. Contributes to important scientific questions facing solar and space physics today;
d. Contributes to applications and/or policy making (operations, applications, societalbenefits);e. Complements other observational systems or programs available;
f. Is affordable (cost-benefit);g. Has an appropriate degree of readiness (technical, resources, people);h. Fits with other national and international plans and activities.
The description should provide enough detail that the potential value and feasibility can beevaluated by an independent group of experts. We note that the National Research Council’s
ongoing Astronomy and Astrophysical Decadal Survey solicited Science White papers for their“Astro2010” activity. Examples of community input to their request can be found at
http://sites.nationalacademies.org/BPA/BPA_050603.
Submissions to the survey, which will be posted on a public website, can be made by following
instructions on the survey website (http://tinyurl.com/2b4e4sh). For full consideration, pleasesubmit the concept paper by September 15, 2010. Questions about the RFI may be directed tothe study director, Art Charo (acharo@nas.edu), or to us: Dan Baker(Daniel.Baker@lasp.colorado.edu); and Thomas Zurbuchen (thomasz@umich.edu). You can also
contact Dr. Charo by telephone at 202 334-3477, or by fax at 202 334-3701.

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