NASA's Heliophysics Division
The Heliophysics Division, within NASA's Science Mission Directorate,
manages science flight programs that carry out the exploration of the sun,
its effects on the planets within the solar system, and space environmental
conditions and their evolution. Specifically, it seeks to understand the transfer
of energy from the sun to the Earth, and the interaction of solar plasma and
radiation with Earth, the other planets and the galaxy.
The Solar Terrestrial Probes (STP) Program in the Heliophysics Division focuses
on specific scientific areas required to advance our fundamental understanding
of the sun-solar system connection. STP missions will focus on studying the
sun and Earth as an integrated system using a blend of in situ and remote-sensing
observations, often from multiple platforms. The major goals of the
STP program are aligned with the Heliophysics Division's science goals and
objectives which include: (1) understanding the changing flow of energy and
matter throughout the sun, heliosphere and planetary environments, and (2)
exploring the fundamental physical processes of plasma systems in the solar
system.
STEREO is the third mission within the Solar Terrestrial Probes Program.
APL also designed, built and operates the first STP spacecraft, TIMED
(Thermosphere, Ionosphere, Mesosphere Energetics and Dynamics), which was
launched on Dec. 7, 2001 (www.timed.jhuapl.edu).
Click here for more about NASA's Science Mission Directorate or Solar Terrestrial
Probes Program.
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