Solar Terrestrial Probes program

NASA's Solar Terrestrial Probes program (STP) is a series of missions focused on study the Sun-Earth system. It is part of NASA's Heliophysics Science Division within the Science Mission Directorate.[1]

Objectives
  • Understand the fundamental physical processes of the complex space environment throughout the Solar System, which includes the flow of energy and charged material, known as plasma, as well as a dynamic system of magnetic and electric fields.
  • Understand how human society, technological systems, and the habitability of planets are affected by solar variability and planetary magnetic fields.
  • Develop the capability to predict the extreme and dynamic conditions in space in order to maximize the safety and productivity of human and robotic explorers.

Missions

TIMED
Main article: TIMED

The TIMED (Thermosphere Ionosphere Mesosphere Energetics and Dynamics) is an orbiter mission dedicated to study the dynamics of the Mesosphere and Lower Thermosphere (MLT) portion of the Earth's atmosphere.[2] The mission was launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California on December 7, 2001 aboard a Delta II rocket launch vehicle.[3]

Hinode
Main article: Hinode (satellite)

Hinode, an ongoing collaboration with JAXA, is a mission to explore the magnetic fields of the Sun.[4] It was launched on the final flight of the M-V-7 rocket from Uchinoura Space Center, Japan on September 22, 2006.

STEREO
Main article: STEREO

STEREO (Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory) is a solar observation mission.[5] It consists in two nearly identical spacecraft, launched on October 26, 2006.

MMS
Main article: Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission

The Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission (MMS) is a mission to study the Earth's magnetosphere, using four identical spacecraft flying in a tetrahedral formation.[6] The spacecraft were launched on March 13, 2015.

IMAP
Main article: Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe

IMAP (Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe) is a heliosphere observation mission. Planned for launch in 2025, it will sample, analyze, and map particles streaming to Earth from the edges of interstellar space.[7]

References
  1. "Solar Terrestrial Probes". NASA.gov. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
  2. "TIMED Web Site". www.timed.jhuapl.edu. Retrieved 2019-02-12.
  3. "Press Release". www.jhuapl.edu. Retrieved 2019-02-12.
  4. "Hinode - About the Mission". hinode.msfc.nasa.gov. Retrieved 2019-02-12.
  5. "STEREO". stereo.gsfc.nasa.gov. Retrieved 2019-02-12.
  6. "Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) Mission". mms.gsfc.nasa.gov. Retrieved 2019-02-12.
  7. Northon, Karen (2018-06-01). "NASA Selects Mission to Study Solar Wind Boundary of Solar System". NASA. Retrieved 2019-02-12.
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