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Solar Orbiter Science Requirements Document

Title Solar Orbiter Science Requirements Document

Issue 2

Revision 0

Author Daniel Mller, Richard Marsden

Date 2010-10-29

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 SCOPE................................................................................................................................................ 4
2 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 4
3 Solar Orbiters Top Level Science Objectives ..................................................................................... 5
4 Science Requirements ....................................................................................................................... 6
4.1 Observations, Measurements, and Orbital Characteristics ............................................................................................6
4.1.1 Measurement Requirements and Instrument Capabilities ..........................................................................................7
4.1.2 Orbit Requirements .......................................................................................................................................................7
4.1.3 Summary of Requirements on the Solar Orbiter Spacecraft ........................................................................................8
4.2 Selected Payload Summary ..............................................................................................................................................8
4.3 Science Operations Coordination and Science Planning ..............................................................................................10
4.3.1 Data Rates, Telemetry, Inter-Instrument Communication & Burst Mode ................................................................10
4.3.2 Science Orbits................................................................................................................................................................11
4.4 Supporting Observations ................................................................................................................................................11
4.4.1 Space-Based Observations Supporting Solar Orbiter Science .....................................................................................11
4.4.2 Ground-Based Observations Supporting Solar Orbiter Science................................................................................. 12
4.5 Theory, Modelling, and Scientific Closure..................................................................................................................... 12

SCOPE

This document replaces the original Solar Orbiter Science Requirements Document (SCISH/2005/100/RGM, dated 31 March 2005) that was prepared by the Solar Orbiter Science Definition
Team and was included in the Proposal Information Package for the ESA Announcement of
Opportunity for the Solar Orbiter Payload issued on 18 October 2007. The present document is based
on the Solar Orbiter Assessment Study Report (ESA/SRE/(2009)5) and includes information relevant
to the payload instruments selected via the ESA AO and the NASA Focused Opportunity for Solar
Orbiter, as well as the modified mission profile that was introduced during the course of the ESA
Cosmic Vision 2015-2025 down-selection process in early 2010. As in the original document, the toplevel scientific goals of the Solar Orbiter mission are translated into specific scientific questions that
in turn are used to derive the basic scientific requirements of the mission. Based on these scientific
requirements, a quantification of the scientific measurements is given. This is followed by a summary
of the selected payload, a brief description of science operations coordination and science planning,
and a discussion of supporting observations and theory/modeling efforts.

INTRODUCTION

Solar Orbiters mission is to address the central question of heliophysics: How does the Sun create
and control the heliosphere? This, in turn, is a fundamental part of the second science question of
ESAs Cosmic Vision programme: How does the solar system work? Solar Orbiter is specifically
designed to identify the origins and causes of the solar wind, the heliospheric magnetic field, solar
energetic particles, transient interplanetary disturbances, and the Sun's magnetic field itself.
The supersonic solar wind, driven by dynamic plasma and magnetic processes at the Suns surface,
expands to surround the solar systems planets and the space far beyond. Below the surface, the solar
dynamo drives magnetic fields whose buoyancy brings them to the surface where they form huge
arcades of loops, which contain enormous amounts of stored energy. These magnetic loops are
stretched and sheared by the Suns differential rotation and unknown surface processes, eventually
erupting in explosions, which eject magnetic structures that fly into the solar system, occasionally
impacting the Earth and its magnetic shield with disruptive effects on space and terrestrial systems.
Understanding the complex physical processes at work in this system is the central goal of
heliophysics. Since the Sun and presumably the heliosphere are typical of many small stars and their
stellar spheres, these studies are relevant to astrophysics, but are unique since the Sun alone is close
enough for detailed study.
Over the past ~15 years, an international effort to understand the Sun and heliosphere has been
undertaken with an array of spacecraft carrying out both remote observations at visible, UV, and Xray wavelengths, as well as in-situ observations of interplanetary plasmas, particles, and fields.
Combined and coordinated observations from missions such as Ulysses, Yohkoh, SOHO, TRACE,
RHESSI, Hinode and STEREO have resulted in an enormous advance in our understanding of the Sun
and heliosphere, and have proven that critical progress in understanding the physics requires both
remote and in-situ observations working together.
Although our vantage point at 1 AU is close by astrophysical measures, it has been long known that
much of the crucial physics in the formation and activity of the heliosphere takes place much closer to
the Sun, and that by the time magnetic structures, shocks, energetic particles and solar wind pass by
Earth they have already evolved and in many cases mixed so as to blur the signatures of their origin.
With the proven effectiveness of combined remote and in-situ studies on the missions cited above, it
is clear that the critical new advances will be achieved by flying a spacecraft combining remote and
in-situ observations into the inner solar system. From this inner-heliospheric vantage point, solar
sources can be identified and studied accurately and combined with in-situ observations of solar wind,
shocks, energetic particles, etc., before they evolve significantly. The expertise gained by the

international scientific community on existing missions has been used to design Solar Orbiter to
provide the complete set of required measurements.
This document outlines the major physical problems that Solar Orbiter will address and how Solar
Orbiter will address them.

SOLAR ORBITERS TOP LEVEL SCIENCE OBJECTIVES

Solar orbiters scientific mission can be broken down into four top-level science objectives:

1. How and where do the solar wind plasma and magnetic field originate
in the corona?
The solar corona continuously expands and develops into a supersonic wind that extends outward,
interacting with itself and with the Earth and other planets, to the heliopause boundary with
interstellar space, far beyond Plutos orbit. The solar wind has profound effects on planetary
environments and on the planets themselves for example, it is responsible for many of the
phenomena in Earths magnetosphere and is thought to have played a role in the evolution of Venus
and Mars through the erosion of their upper atmospheres.
Two classes of solar wind fast and slow fill the heliosphere, and the balance between them is
modulated by the 11-year solar cycle. The fast solar wind (~700km/s and comparatively steady) is
known to arise from coronal holes. The slow solar wind (~400 km/s) permeates the plane of the
ecliptic during most of the solar cycle so it is important to Earth's space environment. The slow solar
wind differs from the fast wind in mass flux and composition, which is consistent with confined
plasma in the solar corona. The specific escape mechanism through the largely closed magnetic field
is not known since candidate sites and mechanisms cannot be resolved from 1 AU. Fast and slow
wind carry embedded turbulent fluctuations, and these also display different properties compatible
with different solar origins. It is thought that such fluctuations may be responsible for the difference
in heating and acceleration between different solar wind streams.
Understanding the physics relating the plasma at the solar surface and the heating and acceleration of
the escaping solar wind is crucial to understanding both the effects of the Sun on the heliosphere and
how stars in general lose mass and angular momentum to stellar winds.

2. How do solar transients drive heliospheric variability?

The largest transient events from the Sun are coronal mass ejections (CMEs), large structures of
magnetic field and material that are ejected from the Sun at speeds up to 3000 km/s. CMEs are also of
astrophysical interest since they are the dominant way that stars shed both magnetic flux and magnetic
helicity that build up as a result of the stellar dynamo. Interplanetary CMEs (ICMEs) are the major
cause of interplanetary shocks, but the locations and mechanisms by which shocks form around them
are not known since they occur in the inner solar system. Similarly, the longitudinal structure of
ICMEs is not directly observable from the ecliptic, while their extent has a large impact on the
acceleration of energetic particles. ICMEs are a major cause of geomagnetic storms but their
effectiveness at disrupting the magnetosphere is only loosely related to the parent CME, because the
evolution of the propagating cloud with the surrounding heliosphere is complex and has not been well
studied. These unknowns have direct impact on our ability to predict transient (space weather)
events that affect Earth.

3. How do solar eruptions produce energetic particle radiation that fills

the heliosphere?
Like many astrophysical systems, the Sun is an effective particle accelerator. Large solar energetic
particle (SEP) events produce highly energetic particles that fill the solar system with ionizing
radiation. CME-driven shocks can produce relativistic particles on time scales of minutes, and many
CMEs convert ~10% of their kinetic energy into energetic particles. Other processes produce highenergy particles on magnetic loops without involving shocks. The multiple processes operating in

SEP events are not well understood or distinguishable from observations at 1 AU. In particular,
particles accelerated in the corona and inner heliosphere are scattered by inhomogeneities in the
interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) before they arrive at Earth, destroying much of the information
they carry about the processes that accelerated them. Particle transport and scattering in the inner solar
system are poorly understood since the turbulence properties cannot be determined from 1 AU. The
actual seed population of particles energized by CME-driven shocks in the inner solar system is
unexplored, and needs to be understood to construct a complete picture of particle acceleration in
shock-related events.

4. How does the solar dynamo work and drive connections between the
Sun and the heliosphere?
The Suns magnetic field connects the interior of the star to interplanetary space and is dominated by
a quasi-periodic 11-year sunspot cycle that modulates the form of the heliosphere and strongly affects
the space environment throughout the solar system. The large-scale solar field is generated in the
Suns interior, within the convection zone, by a dynamo driven by complex three-dimensional mass
flows that transport and process magnetic flux. Despite notable advances in our knowledge and
understanding of solar magnetism made possible by Ulysses, SOHO, and Hinode observations as well
as by recent theoretical models and numerical simulations, fundamental questions remain about the
operation of the solar dynamo and the cyclic nature of solar magnetic activity. Of paramount
importance to answering these questions is detailed knowledge of the transport of flux at high
latitudes and the properties of the polar magnetic field. To date, however, the solar high latitudes
remain poorly known owing to our dependence on observations made from the ecliptic. In addition to
questions about the global dynamo and the generation of the large-scale field, there are unanswered
questions about the origin of the small-scale internetwork field observed in the quiet photosphere. Is
this weak field produced by turbulent local dynamo action near the solar surface?

SCIENCE REQUIREMENTS

This chapter describes how the Solar Orbiter science investigation will be implemented and places
special emphasis on demonstrating traceability: the flow-down from the science objectives discussed
in the previous section to the observations and measurements required to meet those objectives, to the
instrumentation needed to provide the required measurements, and to the requirements placed by the
science objectives on the design of the orbit. Table 4.1 - Table 4.4 map the science questions to the
required observations and instrumentation. Table 4.5 then traces in detail the flow-down from
observations to specific measurement requirements to the capabilities of the selected payload. Table
4.6 provides an overview of the payload. (For more detailed information on the payload, see the Solar
Orbiter EID-Bs.)

4.1

Observations, Measurements, and Orbital

Characteristics

To address its science objectives, Solar Orbiter will use a combination of in-situ and remote-sensing
instrumentation, a unique orbit and mission design, and a well-planned observational strategy to
explore systematically the region where the solar wind is relatively unevolved and heliospheric
structures are formed.
As discussed in Section 3, the broad question that defines the overarching objective of the Solar
Orbiter mission is broken down into four interrelated scientific questions. Common to all of these
questions is the requirement that Solar Orbiter make in-situ measurements of the solar wind plasma,
fields, waves, and energetic particles close enough to the Sun that they are still relatively pristine and
have not had their properties modified by dynamical evolution during their propagation. Solar Orbiter
must also relate these in-situ measurements back to their source regions and structures on the Sun
through simultaneous, high-resolution imaging and spectroscopic observations both in and out of the
ecliptic plane.

4.1.1

Measurement Requirements and Instrument Capabilities

The measurement requirements for Solar Orbiter have been defined by two independent science
definition teams. The Solar Orbiter Science Definition Team provided the input for the original Solar
Orbiter Science Requirements Document (SCI-SH/2005/100/RGM) taking into account the Payload
Definition Document and the reports from the Payload Working Groups. The Joint ESA-NASA
Heliospheric Explorers (HELEX) Science and Technology Definition Team subsequently refined
Solar Orbiters observation and measurement requirements in the context of the joint HELEX mission
(then comprising Solar Orbiter and NASAs Solar Sentinels). These formed the basis for the
competitive AO and the initial instrument selection and have subsequently been revised based on
instrument selection and the increased minimal perihelion distance.
Table 4.1 - Table 4.4 specify the observations required to address Solar Orbiters science objectives
and the specific science questions. Table 4.5 maps these required observations the suite of instruments
that constitute the Solar Orbiter payload. This table repeats the required observations in its first
column and maps them to instruments and measurements in its second column. The third column
gives detailed measurement requirements for each of the observations, and fourth column gives the
corresponding capability of the selected instrument.

4.1.2

Orbit Requirements

The science objectives discussed in Section 3 specifically identify a set of orbit characteristics and
mission design parameters that define the Solar Orbiter mission. In summary, the requirements on the
orbit are to:
1. Go close to the Sun (within 0.3 AU);
2. Have periods in which the relative angular motion of the spacecraft with respect to the solar
surface is such that individual solar surface features can be tracked for periods approaching
one solar rotation (i.e., significantly longer than from Earth orbit);
3. Achieve moderate out-of-ecliptic viewing (~25) and latitudinal coverage; and
4. Comprehensively characterize conditions in the inner heliosphere as a function of distance
and latitude. One critical factor that drives the mission and spacecraft design is the perihelion
distance, while a second is the trade between perihelion distance and relative motion with
respect to the solar surface; and a third is inclination of the orbit. The detailed scientific
rationale for these requirements is reviewed below.
Perihelion Distance Requirement. The Helios mission, which reached a perihelion distance of 0.29
AU, demonstrated that stream-stream interactions, solar wind acceleration and wave-particle
interactions are still active at this distance. In order to measure the less processed, pristine solar wind
streams and the ongoing interaction at their interfaces as well as the kinetic processes that accelerate
and heat the wind, Solar Orbiter must spend sufficient time within 0.3 AU in order to guarantee
multiple observations of the fast-slow stream interface.
Another driver to go close to the Sun is the measurement of energetic particles, which should be made
within one or two scattering mean free paths (typically 0.2 AU) of their source in order to minimize
propagation effects. Solar Orbiter therefore must spend several solar rotations, sufficient to pass over
several active regions, while within 0.4 AU.
The maximum time a particular location on the Sun can be tracked by the spacecraft is intimately
linked, through orbital mechanics, with Solar Orbiters perihelion distance. The main drivers are the
need to observe solar features or source regions, while at the same time sampling in situ the solar
wind and energetic particles emanating from them on time scales that are comparable to their growth
and evolution. From Earth orbit, no region can be observed for more than ~14 days, observations
being further restricted by line-of-sight effects when the regions are near the solar limb. In order to
determine the evolution of solar features, Solar Orbiter must travel sufficiently slowly above the solar
surface to observe a feature within 30 of the disk centre for a time that is comparable to active

region growth times (~10 days). Furthermore, Solar Orbiter must also maintain an uninterrupted view
of solar features for a time comparable to the total lifetime of a small active region (~27 days).
Latitude Requirement. The principal driver for attaining an out-of-ecliptic vantage point is to
resolve outstanding questions about the dynamics of the solar dynamo and to measure directly the
fast/slow solar wind boundary emanating from the edges of high latitude coronal holes. The
inclination of the heliospheric current sheet means that this boundary must be sampled at a range of
latitudes, comparable to the current sheets inclination, resulting in a requirement to measure from
15 solar latitude within 0.5 AU. In order to accurately measure the polar magnetic field and its
dynamics and meridional transport, at least five consecutive days of observations above 25 are
required.
Comprehensive Characterization of the Inner Heliosphere. Many of Solar Orbiters science
objectives require a comprehensive characterization of the properties of the inner heliosphere at a
level of sophistication never previously achieved. The only other mission to explore the inner
heliosphere between 0.3 and 1 AU, Helios, had a payload limited in many ways (measurements,
cadence) compared to modern instrumentation and lacked several critical elements such as remote
sensing (imaging and spectroscopy) observations and composition measurements. Helios was also
restricted to measurements in the ecliptic plane. Solar Orbiter will make critical, previously
unavailable measurements that are essential to fully characterize the inner heliosphere and relate these
properties out to near-Earth measurements at 1 AU.

4.1.3

Summary of Requirements on the Solar Orbiter Spacecraft

The scientific measurement requirements detailed above place the following requirements on the
spacecraft:

Solar Orbiter must be a three-axis stabilized spacecraft with a pointing accuracy sufficient to
achieve the scientific objectives.

Solar Orbiter must satisfy electromagnetic cleanliness requirements such that the
magnetometer and radio and plasma waves instruments can accurately measure relevant
physical parameters and electrostatic cleanliness requirements so as not to significantly
compromise the plasma measurements.

Solar Orbiter must satisfy particulate and silicate cleanliness levels such that the EUV and
white light instruments can measure relevant physical parameters.

For each operational orbit, the Solar Orbiter spacecraft must allow full operations of the
complete payload for a minimum of three continuous periods of 10 days each.

4.2

Selected Payload Summary

The Solar Orbiter payload was selected from proposals submitted in response to the ESA
Announcement of Opportunity (AO) for the Solar Orbiter Payload, released on 18 September 2007,
and to the NASA Small Explorer Focused Opportunity for Solar Orbiter (SMEX/FOSO) AO, released
on 22 October 2007). Following a review of the 14 proposals submitted to ESA, the Payload Review
Committee (PRC) issued a final report on 24 May 2008 recommending a payload for selection. ESA
subsequently called for an independent review of the PRCs recommended payload in the context of a
joint scientific programme with NASAs high-priority Solar Probe Plus (SPP) mission.1 The joint
ESA-NASA review panel confirmed the validity of the recommended payload in its report of March

1The

PRCs original payload recommendation was made in the context of the HELEX programme, a
joint ESA-NASA programme involving both Solar Orbiter and the NASA Sentinels mission. During the
course of 2008, however, NASA assigned higher priority to a re-designed Solar Probe mission, Solar
Probe Plus (SPP), which is planned to be operating at the same time as Solar Orbiter and whose
science objectives are strongly synergistic with those of Solar Orbiter (cf. 3.4.1).

2009. As a result, the instrument selections as recommended by the PRC in 2008 were formally
announced on 20 March 2009 (selection to be confirmed after mission approval). In parallel, NASA
announced the results of the FOSO selection, and selected 2 instruments and portions of 2 instruments
to be included in the Solar Orbiter payload. The payload consists of the following instruments:
The in-situ instruments:

The Solar Wind Analyser instrument suite (SWA, PI: C. J. Owen, UK) will fully characterize
the major constituents of the solar wind plasma (protons, alpha particles, electrons, heavy
ions) between 0.29 and 1.4 AU.

The Energetic Particle Detector experiment (EPD, PI: J. R. Pacheco, Spain) will measure the
properties of suprathermal ions and energetic particles in the energy range of a few keV/n to
relativistic electrons and high-energy ions (100 MeV/n protons, 200 MeV/n heavy ions).

The Magnetometer experiment (MAG, PI: T. S. Horbury, UK) will provide detailed in-situ
measurements of the heliospheric magnetic field.

The Radio and Plasma Waves experiment (RPW, PI: M. Maksimovic, France) will measure
magnetic and electric fields at high time resolution and determine the characteristics of
electromagnetic and electrostatic waves in the solar wind from almost DC to 20 MHz.

The remote-sensing instruments:

The Polarimetric and Helioseismic Imager (PHI, PI: S. K. Solanki, Germany) will provide
high-resolution and full-disk measurements of the photospheric vector magnetic field and
line-of-sight velocity as well as the continuum intensity in the visible wavelength range.

The Extreme Ultraviolet Imager (EUI, PI: P. Rochus, Belgium) will provide image sequences
of the solar atmospheric layers from the photosphere into the corona.

The Spectral Imaging of the Coronal Environment EUV Spectrograph

(SPICE, PI: D. M. Hassler, USA) will provide spectral imaging of both the solar disk and in
the corona to remotely characterize plasma properties of regions at and near the Sun.

The Spectrometer/Telescope for Imaging X-rays (STIX, PI: A. O. Benz, Switzerland)

provides imaging spectroscopy of solar thermal and non-thermal X-ray emission from ~4 to
150 keV.

The Multi Element Telescope for Imaging and Spectroscopy Coronagraph (METIS/COR, PI:
E. Antonucci, Italy) will perform broad-band and polarized imaging of the visible K-corona,
narrow-band imaging of the UV and EUV corona, and UV and EUV spectroscopy in a
coronal sector of 32 width.

The Solar Orbiter Heliospheric Imager (SoloHI, PI: R. A. Howard, USA) will image both the
quasi-steady flow and transient disturbances in the solar wind over a wide field of view by
observing visible sunlight scattered by solar wind electrons.

Figure 4.1 illustrates the accommodation of the instruments on the spacecraft. An overview of the
selected payload is given in Table 4.6. Complete, detailed information about the selected payload can
be found in the individual EID-Bs for each instrument.

Figure 4.1 Illustrations of the preliminary accommodation of Solar Orbiters remote-sensing

instruments (left) and in-situ instruments (right) [to be updated].

4.3

Science Operations Coordination and Science Planning

The science return of the Solar Orbiter mission will be maximized by coordinating operations and
data taking between instruments. Every science objective described in Section 2 requires coordinated
observations between several in-situ and remote sensing instruments, and the strength of the Solar
Orbiter mission stems from the synergy and comparative analysis of in-situ and remote sensing
observations.
Since the orbits of Solar Orbiter evolve significantly from one to the next and so do the designated
encounter periods in which Solar Orbiter will be out of contact with Earth, detailed planning will be
required for every science orbit by the SWT/SOC. This endeavour will be very similar to what has
been used in a highly successful manner in ESA's SOHO missions Joint Observation Programmes.

4.3.1

Data Rates, Telemetry, Inter-Instrument Communication &

Burst Mode

Given the flexibility of the on-board SpaceWire bus, instruments can communicate with each other,
making it possible for teams to coordinate operations without incurring additional workload for the
spacecraft operations team.
Since the telemetry rates from Solar Orbiter are limited, the spacecraft will be equipped with a large
mass memory to allow for variable downlink speeds. However, the instruments are not limited to
taking data at one rate and a number of coordinated and targeted data rate selection mechanisms will
be implemented.
Burst Mode. Coordinated burst-mode data acquisition will enable detailed studies of the
microphysics of the solar wind. Approximately 10% of the data return is expected to be in burst
mode, with around 10 times the data rate of normal mode, corresponding to around 1% of the time.
For instance, this mode will be used to study solar flares, which explosively release magnetic energy,
driving shocks and accelerating particles. The Solar Orbiter X-ray instrument (STIX) will detect the
flares onset and location and trigger high time resolution measurements by remote sensing
instruments to determine the properties of the flare site and its evolution, as well as Solar Orbiter's
Radio and Plasma Wave instrument (RPW) to measure radio emission from accelerated particles and
its Energetic Particle Detector (EPD) to measure accelerated particles passing the spacecraft. Burst
mode will also be used to study shocks crossing the spacecraft. They will be detected in the magnetic
field and plasma and will trigger short burst mode measurements by Solar Orbiter's in-situ suites
10

(MAG, RPW, SWA, and EPD) to quantify shock substructure and the motion and acceleration of
particles nearby. Rolling buffers within the instruments will make it possible to store high-cadence
data from upstream of the shock trigger time.
Small-scale kinetic processes will be measured using coordinated burst mode measurements of the
magnetic and electric fields and particle distributions by Solar Orbiter's MAG, RPW and SWA. By
sharing data on local plasma and field conditions, the instruments will trigger short burst mode
intervals to ensure a wide coverage of different plasma regimes. In addition, some remote sensing
instruments will take high cadence measurements of sub-fields of view. These can be planned based
on known positions of active regions, but also in response to triggers based on emission levels of
rapid changes in observed conditions.
Sharing of Magnetic Field Direction. Magnetic field directions can be shared among the in-situ
instruments to produce reduced velocity distribution functions on board Solar Orbiter, thus greatly
reducing the telemetry requirements. The local magnetic field direction is important to particle
instruments in order to compute reduced data products such as temperature anisotropies or pitch-angle
distributions. The Solar Orbiter magnetometer will transmit the measured magnetic field direction in
real time to other instruments via the SpaceWire bus. The generation of high time-resolution data and
accurately reduced distribution functions requires precise timing knowledge between the contributing
instruments, which will be achieved by synchronizing instrument clocks with the spacecraft via the
SpaceWire bus. An accuracy of around 10ms can be achieved and will be used to ensure
synchronization of sampling between instruments. This is sufficient given the proton gyro-period of
roughly half a second at ~65 solar radii (near perihelion).

4.3.2 Science Orbits

Certain subsections of every ~150/168-day (depending on resonance condition) orbit are designated
as part of the encounter period. This typically consists of a 10-day window centered on the
perihelion for high-resolution imaging studies and two 10-day windows centered on the highest
latitudinal extents reached during that specific orbit or maximum co-rotation. If operational
constraints allow, other encounter windows may be considered in order to optimise the use of
resources (e.g. telemetry) and increase the science return. In-situ instruments operate during the entire
orbit whereas the remote-sensing instruments operate primarily during the 30 days within the
encounter windows.

4.4

Supporting Observations

4.4.1

Space-Based Observations Supporting Solar Orbiter

Science

Solar Probe Plus (status October 2010). The NASA Solar Probe Plus mission is highly
complementary to Solar Orbiter. Solar Probe Plus is a ~7 year mission to approach the Sun, planned
to be launched in 2018 and reaching a 9.5 Rs x 0.7 AU orbit with an 88-day period resulting in many
close passes to the Sun. Since Solar Probe Plus scientific payload, selected in September 2010, will
contain primarily in-situ instruments and a single Heliospheric Imager, the two missions can address
many questions in powerful new ways. Figure 4.2 shows cases of particular interest, which occur
during nominal missions: The left panel shows the case of SPP and Solar Orbiter radially aligned. In
this configuration the radial evolution of solar wind properties, including shock and turbulence
properties can be studied directly. The middle panel shows cases of alignment along a nominal IMF
spiral, where energetic particles travelling past one of the two spacecraft will later move past the
other, permitting direct tests of energetic particle transport and scattering since the source function is
determined at one of the spacecraft and result is seen at the other. The right panel shows cases of
quadrature alignment, where Solar Orbiter remotely observes plasma low in the corona that later
passes by Solar Probe Plus, allowing tests of radial evolution of solar wind plasma, shocks, and other
structures.

11

Figure 4.2 Solar Orbiter (SO) and Solar Probe Plus (SPP) will provide multiple
opportunities for coordinated observations from complementary vantage points
When Solar Orbiter enters the high latitude phase of its mission, alignments with SPP will allow
latitude gradient studies. Since both spacecraft's orbital motions are in the same direction, these
alignment periods can range from a few days to over a month, depending on the radial distances at the
time. Finally, there are many periods during which Solar Orbiter, Solar Probe Plus, and Earth lie
within a 30 - 60 wedge, which is ideal for studies of larger structures such as high-speed streams, or
large CME-driven interplanetary shocks.
Solar-C (status mid-2010). JAXAs Solar-C is a next-generation Japanese solar physics satellite that
is presently under study. Following the great success of Hinode, an international Solar-C Working
Group is, together with JAXA, developing the mission concept of Solar-C. Many different Solar-C
mission concepts have been discussed, and there will certainly be synergies between Solar-C and
Solar Orbiter that can be exploited once Solar-C becomes defined.
Other missions in the planning stage may contribute to heliophysical science and will be coordinated
under the ILWS initiative.

4.4.2 Ground-Based Observations Supporting Solar Orbiter

Science
Ground-based instruments in the visible and radio range will support Solar Orbiter observations.
Spectro-polarimetric on-disk observations in the visible and infrared will provide the photospheric
magnetic field vector from a different viewing angle (with the Advanced Technology Solar Telescope
(ATST) and the European Solar Telescope (EST)). Coronagraphic observations of the density and the
magnetic field vector in the corona (with the Coronal Solar Magnetism Observatory (COSMO)) will
be most valuable, especially during perihelia in quadrature and give plasma properties in the coronal
region observed by Solar Orbiter from straight above. Radio observations with the large arrays of
LOFAR (Low Frequency Array) and ALMA (Atacama Large Millimeter Array) will allow highresolution observations of the thermal and magnetic structure of the chromosphere and the corona.
Availability of the Global Oscillation Network Group (GONG) or a similar successor will make it
possible to carry out stereoscopic helioseismology for the first time, probing the deep interior of the
Sun.

4.5

Theory, Modelling, and Scientific Closure

Underlying the science objectives of Solar Orbiter are some of the most important outstanding
questions in solar and heliospheric physics, and more generally in plasma astrophysics, today. They
12

are also some of the most challenging, namely the complex coupling of physical processes across
multiple spatial and temporal scales. Microscopic physical processes lead to the formation of
macroscopic solar wind streams; kinetic, small-scale processes combine with large-scale ones (e.g., to
accelerate particles in shocks or compression regions); CME evolution is determined by its micro- and
macroscopic interaction with the ambient corona and solar wind. The powerful high-resolution and
high-cadence measurements during co-rotation will allow Solar Orbiter to discriminate between
spatial and temporal variations and to correlate small-scale solar phenomena with larger ones both
remotely and in-situ. Solar Orbiter's instrumentation and observational strategy are innovatively
designed to tackle these problems, to understand the coupling from the global MHD scales of the
Suns corona to the local kinetic scales of wave and particle distributions in the heliosphere.
However, observations alone will not be sufficient. Theory and modelling will be key to provide the
interpretive framework and also be required to elucidate the multi-scale connections among the
coronal and heliospheric phenomena observed. Theory and modelling efforts are integral parts of the
Solar Orbiter mission and each instrument team has equally talented scientists responsible for the
theory and modelling aspects of their investigations.
Moreover, our understanding of both global and local processes has advanced considerably in recent
years. Several large-scale programs are under way in Europe, the U.S., and worldwide to develop
global MHD models that encompass the whole corona-heliosphere system. At the same time, there
have been broad advances in theories for basic mechanisms such as particle acceleration and
reconnection in collisionless plasmas. We expect that the theories and models will greatly increase in
sophistication during the next five to ten years, and that Solar Orbiter will play a key role in testing
and refining these powerful new models. For example, data-driven 3D MHD models of the initiation
and development of solar wind streams and CMEs are now being developed and should be in a
production state by the time Solar Orbiter delivers data. One of the crucial missing items for such
models have been measurements of the photospheric field on the entire 4- steradian surface of the
Sun, not just the one half which happens to face the Earth at any given time. Thus Solar Orbiter will
not only provide fundamentally new and important missing data, but also provide a powerful tool to
verify model predictions and provide quantitative information about the state of the heliosphere in a
wide range of latitudes and heliocentric distances.

13

Table 4.1 Required observations and instrumentation for Science Objective 1.

Objective 1: How and where does the solar wind plasma and magnetic field originate in the corona?
1.1 What are the source regions of the solar wind and heliospheric magnetic field?

Composition of source regions (SPICE) and in-situ (SWA)

Determine magnetic connectivity (STIX, RPW, EPD, SWA)

Full disk photospheric magnetic fields (PHI)

In situ magnetic field (MAG)

Full Sun, high-resolution and spectral images of corona and chromosphere (EUI, SPICE, METIS)

Global maps of H and He flow velocities and He fractions (METIS, SoloHI)

1.2 What mechanisms heat and accelerate the solar wind?

High-resolution images of the photospheric magnetic field (PHI)

High-resolution images of coronal loops, and evolving structures (EUI, SPICE)

Wave propagation and heating (SPICE)

H and He flow velocities (SPICE, METIS)

Velocities and mass density of evolving structures (SoloHI, METIS)

Composition and plasma properties of associated wind (SWA, MAG, RPW)

Distribution of smallest flares and solar particle events (STIX, EPD)

1.3 What are the sources of solar wind turbulence and how does it evolve?

High-cadence measurements of the plasma micro state across a wide band of heliolatitudes for all
relevant solar wind regimes and heliocentric distances (MAG, SWA, RPW)

Images of source regions in Doppler-broadened lines (SPICE)

Identify dropouts and measure scattering of SEPs by turbulence (EPD)

Time history of velocity and brightness of solar wind features and turbulence (METIS, SoloHI)

High-resolution, high-cadence maps of photospheric magnetic field (PHI)

Table 4.2 Required observations and instrumentation for Science Objective 2.

Objective 2: How do solar transients drive heliospheric variability?
2.1 How do CMEs evolve through the corona and inner heliosphere?

High-resolution maps of photospheric magnetic field (PHI)

Map CME source location, expansion, rotation, and composition through corona (EUI, SPICE, STIX)

Link CME to in-situ properties (MAG, RPW, SWA, EPD)

Link evolution of CME properties in the corona to those measured in-situ (SoloHI, METIS)

Distribution of energy into heat, particle acceleration, and bulk kinetic energy (SWA, MAG, EPD)

2.2 How do CMEs contribute to solar magnetic flux and helicity balance?

In-situ properties of ejecta (SWA, MAG, RPW)

Full-disk maps of photospheric magnetic field to determine source region helicity (PHI)

Map source regions to in-situ properties magnetic connectivity, polarity, and helicity (EUI, METIS,

14

SPICE, SoloHI, SWA, MAG, EPD)

2.3 How and where do shocks form in the corona?

Global maps of electron density, H & He flow velocities (METIS)

Position and speed of shocks (SPICE, METIS, SoloHI, RPW EUI)

Full-sun and high-resolution coronal and chromospheric images (EUI, STIX, METIS, SPICE)

Location, intensity, thermal/non-thermal distribution of erupting regions (SoloHI, RPW, EPD)

Timing of eruptions and coronal manifestations (EUI, SoloHI, METIS, EPD)

Plasma, electric and magnetic fields in-situ (SWA, MAG, RPW, EPD)

Table 4.3 Required observations and instrumentation for Science Objective 3.

Objective 3: How do solar eruptions produce energetic particle radiation that fills the heliosphere?
3.1 How and where are energetic particles accelerated at the Sun?

UV, white light and X-ray imaging of loops, flares, and CMEs (EUI, SPICE, STIX, METIS, SoloHI)

Global maps of electron densities, H, He flow velocities (METIS)

Image coronal suprathermal seed population (SPICE)

Location, timing, and motion of CMEs and shocks (EUI, SoloHI, METIS, EPD)

X-ray signatures of energetic particle interactions at loop footpoints, or on loops themselves (STIX)

Radio signatures of coronal shocks and escaping electrons (RPW)

Magnetic field, plasma wave and solar wind measurements to determine turbulence levels and identify
shock passages (MAG, RPW, SWA)

Seed population specification from the heavy ion composition of solar wind and suprathermals in the
inner heliosphere (SWA, EPD)

Velocity distributions, scattering characteristics, spectra and composition of energetic particles (EPD)

Timing and properties of small events (STIX, EPD, RPW, EUI)

Images of longitudinal extent of CMEs in visible, UV, and hard X-rays (SoloHI, METIS, EUI, SPICE,
STIX)

3.2 How are energetic particles released from their sources and distributed in space and time?

Timing, location, and intensity profiles of EUV, radio, and X-ray emissions in relation to energeticparticle intensities at a wide range of energies (EUI, SPICE, RPW, STIX, EPD)

X-ray spectral images of flaring regions (STIX)

High-resolution, high-cadence maps of photospheric magnetic field (PHI)

Turbulence properties throughout the inner heliosphere and corona (MAG, SWA, RPW, SPICE, EPD,
METIS)

Magnetic connectivity (SWA, MAG, EPD)

3.3 What are the seed populations for energetic particles?

Map coronal supra-thermal ion pool (SPICE)

Map inner-heliosphere supra-thermal ions (EPD, SWA)

Shock and turbulence parameters (MAG, SWA, RPW)

15

Table 4.4 Required observations and instrumentation for Science Objective 4.

Objective 4 How does the solar dynamo work and drive connections between the Sun and the
heliosphere?
4.1 How is magnetic flux transported to and re-processed at high solar latitudes?

Full-disk & high-resolution maps of the photospheric magnetic field and local and convective flows,
maps of rotation, differential rotation, and meridional circulation, structure of subduction areas, properties
of sub-surface convection cells (PHI)

High-resolution images of small-scale magnetic features at the poles (EUI, SPICE, PHI)

4.2 What are the properties of the magnetic field at high solar latitudes?

Amount, distribution, and evolution of polar photospheric magnetic flux transversal magnetic field (PHI)

Magnetic fields, plasma flows, and temperatures of polar regions (PHI, EUI, SPICE, METIS)

Images of coronal and heliospheric structure in visible, UV and EUV (EUI, METIS, SoloHI)

Properties of bulk solar wind (SWA, MAG)

Magnetic connectivity (SWA, MAG, EPD, EUI)

4.3 Are there separate dynamo processes acting in the Sun?

Latitudinal distribution of small-scale, emerging magnetic flux (PHI)

16

Table 4.5 Measurement and instrument requirements.

Required
Observations
(from Tables
4.1 4.4)

Instrument: Measurement Requirements and

Measuremen Coordinated Observation Plans
t

Selected Payload
Capability

Global maps of
H and He flow
velocities and
He abundance

METIS:
coronal
imaging in
visible, H I and
He II Ly-alpha
lines,
polarization
brightness

1.4 -3.0 Rs at 0.28 AU at

20 at 20s/20min/1hr
cadence (vis/UV/EUV)

Polarized visible-light imaging:

Physical quantity: electron density
FOV: annular between ~1.4 and 3.0 Rs. (at 0.28
AU) ; 4.3 - 11 Rs (at 0.8 AU)
Spatial res:< 104 km at 0.28 AU
Spectral coverage: 500-650 nm
Cadence: 5 min. (CMEs obs.)
UV & EUV imaging:
Physical quantities: hydrogen and singly-ionized
helium densities, and outflow velocities
FOV: annular between ~1.4 and 3.0 Rs. (at 0.28
AU); extendable to 4.3 - 11 Rs (at 0.8 AU)
Spatial resolution:< 104 km at 0.28 AU
Spectral coverage: HI Ly-, 121.6 nm; HeII Ly-,
30.4 nm
Spectral Resolution: / 10-1
Cadence: ~< 15 20 min.
Substantial coverage of the Solar Probe Plus orbit

Mapping of
coronal features
to inner
heliosphere,
evolution of
velocities and
mass densities
of coronal
structures

SoloHI: White
light,
polarization
brightness
imaging

Visible-light imaging:
Physical quantity: electron distribution
FOV: 5.5 40.5
Spatial res: 2.7 arcmin
Stray-light rejection: 10-14 B/Bs
Cadence: 15-30 min.

17

FOV: 40x40 at better

than 1.9'/pixel

Table 4.5 Measurement and instrument requirements (contd).

Required
Observations
(from Tables
4.1 4.4)

Instrument:
Measurement Requirements and Coordinated
Measurement Observation Plans

Selected Payload
Capability

Composition of
coronal source
region

SPICE: imaging
EUV
spectroscopy in
two channels
(plus one 2nd
order band)

(1, 2, and 6) x 17'

slits
1/pixel and
76m/pixel

On disk:
SPICE:
- Best spatial resolution 1
- Instantaneous FOV = 16 arcmin x 1 arcsec
- Rastered FOV = 16 arcmin x 4 arcmin
- Two lines per temperature decade
- Exposure time 5 s
METIS (coronal - Spectral cadence of 20 min
imaging):
- Compositional signatures
visible, H I and
He II Ly lines, Off disk:
SPICE:
polarized
- Spatial resolution 1
brightness
- Stare (no raster)
- Spectral cadence of 10 min
- Radial coverage out to 2 Rs
- Compositional signatures and outflow

Cadence: 16 min per

raster
4 resolution
rastered
5 min cadence
1.0 3.0 Rs
METIS: (see above in
table)

METIS: see above in table, He abundance

Composition of SWA: Mass,
solar wind and
charge, energy
compositional
of ions
changes at solar
wind boundaries

Many heavy ion 1-D energy spectra (0.5 60 keV/q,

5% energy resolution); FOV = 25; cadence: up to 1
min at 0.3AU

Full-disk and
high-resolution
EUV images of
chromosphere
and corona

(a) FSI: 2 passbands (cool/hot), 5.5 FOV, 7.2/pixel, FSI: 5.2 x 5.2 at 9
1 min maximum cadence, SNR>10 in QS (dimmings) resolution, cool and
and off-limb (CME ejecta)
hot passbands (He II
304) and Fe IX/X
(b) HRI: 2 passbands, 17 arcmin FOV, >1k format, 5 s 174)
cadence in burst mode, SNR>10 on AR loops
HRI: 1000 at 1
(nanoflares)
resolution
Ly- (1216), Fe
IX/X (174)

EUI: 174 and

304 A and HI
Ly-alpha

In-situ magnetic MAG: magnetic 1000 nT, 0.5nT absolute precision; 0-20 Hz
field properties field vector

18

SWA-HIS: 3-D VDFs,

FOV=(-30-+66) x
(-17-+22.5),
0.5 100 keV/e,
5.6% resolution, 5
min cadence, 30s
burst mode (heavy
ions)
3s ( particles)
sensitivity ~210-5

Ranges: from 32 nT
to 2048 nT at ~ 4
pT resolution, up to
128 vectors/sec

Table 4.5 Measurement and instrument requirements (contd).

Required
Instrument:
Measurement Requirements and
Observations Measurement Coordinated Observation Plans
(from Tables
4.1 4.4)

Selected Payload
Capability

High-cadence
plasma
properties

SWA: proton
and electron
E/q spectra

Solar wind protons:

Detailed 3-dim velocity distribution functions at
10s time-resolution; FOV: 45 to Sun, 15
north/south, angular resolution of 2
Solar wind electrons:
3-D velocity distribution functions (about 5 -5000
eV, 10% energy resolution); 10s resolution
MAG: already covered by previous requirements
MAG: magnetic (see above in table)
field vectors
(MAG vectors will be used to derive reduced highcadence VDFs by SWA)

SWA/PAS: up to 1/10s (in

burst mode), FOV = (-24 + 42) x ( 22.5),
resolution < 2
SWA/EAS: FOV = (360 x
( 45) on 2 orthogonal
sensors for near 4
steradian total FOV, 1 eV
5 kV, 10% resolution,
3s/10s cadence,
0.125 s in burst mode

Full-disk and
high-resolution
images of
photospheric
magnetic field

PHI: Stokes
parameters of
Fe I 617.3 nm
line

PHI/HRT:
Accuracy: 0.1 G/14 G
16.8'x16.8' at 150 km (at
0.29 AU) 1.11 arcsec at
617.3 nm;
45-60 sec cadence
PHI/FDT: accuracy same
as for HRT
Cadence: 45-60s
FOV > 156'

High-Res Mode:
Vector magnetic field with accuracy of 0.1 G
(longitudinal), 20 G (transverse);
15'x15' FOV; resolution 1'' (0.5'' pixel size);
Cadence: 1 min over selected periods of time;
Low-Res. (full disk) Mode:
Vector magnetic field with accuracy of 0.1 G
(longitudinal), 20 G (transverse);
Pixel size: ~5'';
Cadence: 1 min. over selected periods of time
FOV: >150' (full apparent Sun)

HighEUI: highEUI: already covered by previous requirements (see See above in table
resolution
resolution EUV above in table)
EUI/HRI resolution
images of loops images
Wave
propagation
and heating

SPICE: Doppler
broadening of
lines;
RPW: spectra
and waveforms;
METIS: coronal
density
fluctuations and
Doppler
broadening of H
I and He II Ly
lines in a sector
of the corona;

SPICE: already covered by previous requirements

(see above in table), plus motions to 5km/s

SPICE: see above in table;

RPW: range from V/m to

Radio waves, 3-axis electric and magnetic spectra V/m,
and correlations; frequency range: 100 kHz to 20
down to near-DC
MHz
METIS (coronal
METIS (coronal imaging): see above in table +
spectroscopy):
METIS (coronal spectroscopy): intensity, profile
Slit radial position:
and Doppler shift of H I and He II Ly lines at
1.4, 1.7, 2
Slit extension 0.8
three radial positions (1.4, 1.7, 2.0) from Sun
Spatial res.: 34
center at equatorial latitudes around West limb
Spectral res: 0.054 nm (H
(32 sector)
I), 0.013 nm (He II)
Cadence: 0.5 20 min

19

Table 4.5 Measurement and instrument requirements (contd).

Required
Observations
(from Tables
4.1 4.4)

Instrument: Measurement Requirements and

Measuremen Coordinated Observation Plans
t

Selected Payload
Capability

Magnetic
connectivity

MAG: local
field direction
SWA:
halo/strahl
electron pitchangle
distribution

MAG: see above in table

SWA/EAS: two
orthogonal heads
covering 2 each, 32
azimuth bins by (16-32)
elevation bins

X-ray imaging of STIX: highloops, flares

resolution
energyresolved X-ray
images of loops
and footpoints

MAG: already covered by previous requirements

(see above in table)
SWA: electrons FOV at least 2 solid angle, ideally
180 to Sun, 45 north/south, angular
resolution 10, core-halo electron pitch-angle
distributions with strahl population;
While MAG provides B vector, strahl electrons and
pitch-angle distributions give connectivity.
Energy range: 4 to 150 keV; Energy resolution:
E/E ~0.2 FWHM; Angular Resolution: <~7 arcsec;
FOV for imaging: >~20 arcmin; FOV for source
centroid location: Full Sun at 0.29 AU, i.e. ~150
arcmin; Effective area ~ 5 cm2; time resolution (for
flares) <~5 s

STIX: range: 4 150 keV,

Resolution: 1 keV@ 6
keV, 15 keV @ 150
keV;imaging at scales
from 7 to 8.8', field-ofview for imaging of 1.5
degree, source centroid
location over full Sun at
all radial distances,,
effective area 6.4
cm2,<0.1s time resolution

Timing of radio
emissions

RPW:
3-axis electric and magnetic spectra and
magnetic/elect correlations; frequency range: 100 kHz to 20 MHz
ric fields

From DC to 20 MHz/500
kHz (electric/magnetic)
at up to 500kS/s

Timing of EUV
emission

EUI: highcadence
imaging

10s or better cadence

EUI: up to 2s typical for

EUV, sub-second in highcadence mode for Ly

Timing of
energetic
particles

EPD: proton/emeasurements:
particle
intensities in
various energy
ranges, velocity
dispersion,
different
species

Electrons:
Energy range: ~2 keV to ~1 MeV, energy resolution:
E/E ~0.2, geometry factor > ~0.1-1 cm2sr; time
resolution 10 s at < 0.5 AU, 1 min >0.5 AU
Protons:
Energy range: 0.005 to >100 MeV; energy
resolution: E/E ~0.2; geometry factor >~0.1-1
cm2sr; time resolution 20 s below 10 MeV at <0.5
AU, 1 min > 0.5 AU

EPD/EPT: up to 1s in
burst mode, electrons 2
keV-30 MeV; protons: 2
keV - 7 MeV

20

Table 4.5 Measurement and instrument requirements (contd).

Required
Observations
(from Tables
4.1 4.4)

Instrument:
Measurement Requirements and Coordinated
Measurement Observation Plans

Selected
Payload
Capability

Turbulence
levels

MAG: highcadence
magnetic field
RPW: highcadence electric
and magnetic
field, power
spectral
densities

MAG: already covered by previous requirements (see

above in table)

MAG: see above in

table

Plasma wave electric spectra for thermal-noise

spectroscopy; sensitivity: 3 nV/Hz1/2; frequency range:
10-800 kHz.
Electric and magnetic spectra and waveforms in an
internal burst mode (triggered internally or on input),
frequency range: near DC to 1 MHz;
AC Magnetic Fields: 10Hz 10kHz; waveform capture

RPW: see above in

table, up to 5oo
kS/s

SWA: highalready covered by previous requirement (see above in

cadence bulk
table)
ion and electron
properties,

SWA: see above in

table

EPD: electron
and proton
anisotropies

electrons: angular resolution 30 over 60 FOV as close EPD: up to 1s

to Sun as possible;
(burst mode),
protons: two angular sectors from 0-90 as close to the EPT/HET: 4 FOVs,
Sun as possible up to 10 MeV
LET 6 FOVs

Supra-thermal
seed population

EPD:
suprathermal
particle
composition

Heavy Ions:
He Fe, energy range: 0.02 100 MeV/nucleon (species
dependent) Composition: separate 3He, 4He, C, N, O and
Fe as a minimum; energy resolution: E/E ~0.2;
geometry factor >~0.1-1 cm2sr; time resolution 30 s <0.5
AU, 1min >0.5AU

EPD/SIS: 0.21 cm2

sr geom. fact; 3He,
major species HeFe, delta E/E <0.1;
range 0.008 10
MeV/nuc

Solar wind bulk

properties

SWA: electron,
proton, alphaparticle
velocities,
temperatures,
densities

SWA: already covered by previous requirements (see

above in table)

SWA: ~3s cadence

Distribution of
smallest flares
and solar
particle events

EPD: small flux EPD: already covered by previous requirement (see above EPD: Low noise
events
in table)
detectors & FEE,
large geometric
STIX: high XSTIX: already covered by previous requirements (see
factor
ray intensity
above in table)
(>0.1 cm2sr), LET
up to 1.7 cm2sr in
While STIX will observe bremsstrahlung emission in the single-detector
X-ray range from energetic electrons at the Sun, EPD will mode
measure the properties of the escaping particles to
STIX: 6.4 cm2
determine to determine the energy content in energetic
effective area
particles.

21

Table 4.5 Measurement and instrument requirements (contd).

Required
Observations
(from Tables
3.1 3.4)

Instrument:
Measurement

Measurement Requirements and Coordinated

Observation Plans

Selected
Payload
Capability

High-cadence
measurements
of the plasma
micro state
across a wide
band of heliolatitudes for all
relevant solar
wind regimes
and heliocentric
distances

MAG: highcadence magnetic

field
SWA: highcadence 2-D
electron/proton
VDFs,
composition
RPW: highcadence electric
and magnetic
field spectra,
wave forms

MAG, SWA, RPW: already covered by previous

requirements (see above in table)

Images of source
regions in
Dopplerbroadened lines

SPICE: on-disk
SPICE: already covered by previous requirements (see
and limb imaging above in table)
spectroscopy in
UV
METIS: already covered by previous requirements (see
above in table)
METIS: off-limb
imagingspectroscopy in H
I and He II Ly
lines

SPICE: see above

in table

Identify
dropouts and
measure
scattering of
SEPs by
turbulence

EPD: intensities
and anisotropies
of low-energy
ions, protons and
electrons
MAG: B-vectors
SWA: bulk solar
wind

EPD:/STEIN: few
keV 100 keV e/p,
1storder anisotropy
EPD/EPT: 20
400 keV electrons,
20 7 MeV
protons, 4 FOVs
EPD/LET: lowenergy protons in
6 FOVs
EPD/SIS: 0.01-10
MeV/nuc heavy
ions

MAG: see above in

table
SWA: 0.125s e-,
Accurate timing between the three instruments is
0.1s protons, 3s
ensured by SpaceWire time signal to in-situ payload.
alpha articles, 30s
Occasional burst modes chosen such as to cover all
heavy ions
solar wind regimes at all distances and latitudes. Burst RPW: low
mode coordinated between in situ instruments.
frequency (near
Composition will be used to determine coronal origin of DC up to local
solar wind.
plasma frequency)
and time-domain
sampling, at up to
500 kS/s

EPD: already covered by previous requirements (see

above in table)
At least 1st-order anisotropies (forward-backward)
Use velocity dispersion plots in conjunction with pitchangle distributions and correlate with solar wind
turbulence levels and variations at the coronal source.

22

METIS: see above

in table

Time history of
velocity and
brightness of
solar wind
features and
turbulence

METIS: highcadence visible, H

I and He II Lyalpha lines;
SoloHI: whitelight and pB

METIS: already covered by previous requirements (see

above in table)
Derive acceleration and heating properties from timeheight and time-brightness plots.
SoloHI: Provide density power spectra in selected
regions along the ecliptic path of the s/c and compare
with SWA measurements.

High-resolution, PHI: Stokes

high-cadence
parameters
maps of
photospheric
magnetic field

PHI: already covered by previous requirements (see

above in table)

METIS: see above

in table at 20 min
cadence;
SoloHI: 2 x 5
FOV centered at 7,
15, 20 Rsun at
0.28 AU, 10 sec
2 min cadence
with SNR > 16
PHI: see above in
table

Table 4.5 Measurement and instrument requirements (contd).

Required
Observations
(from Tables
3.1 3.4)

Instrument:
Measurement

Measurement Requirements and

Coordinated Observation Plans

Selected
Payload
Capability

Map CME
source location,
expansion,
rotation, and
composition
through corona

STIX: X-ray source location STIX, EUI, SPICE, METIS, SoloHI, RPW:
STIX, EUI, SPICE,
of associated flare
already covered by previous requirements (see METIS, SoloHI:
above in table)
see above in table
EUI: high-resolution
images of source region
Coordinated observations focusing on
promising active region. STIX/EUI measure
SPICE: on-disk and limb
associated flare, SPICE/METIS flow velocities,
imaging spectroscopy
expansion of different ions, SoloHI tracks to
interplanetary space, while RPW measures
METIS: H and He flow
radio emission from accelerated electrons at
velocities, electron
local plasma frequency (compare with METIS
densities
e- density)
SoloHI: track to inner
heliosphere

Map CMEs to
in-situ
properties

RPW: radio emission

RPW: up to 20
MHz

PHI: high-resolution
PHI, EUI, SPICE, METIS, SWA, RPW, MAG:
photospheric magnetic field already covered by previous requirements (see
above in table)
EUI: high-resolution
images of source region
While EUI and STIX provide context and
timing, SPICE gives composition, for
SPICE: composition of
comparison with SWA composition. Compare
source region
PHI and MAG field data, track evolution with

PHI, EUI, SPICE,

METIS: see above
in table

23

SWA: elemental
and charge-state
composition

SWA: composition of insitu CME

RPW: time history of (type
II) radio emission
MAG: in-situ magnetic field
rotation
METIS: track CMEs in
inner corona (coronal
images in visible, H I and
He II Ly lines)
SoloHI: image large-scale
heliospheric structures ,
track CMEs to inner
heliosphere

RPW, METIS, SoloHI

SoloHI: Use statistical properties of CMEs to
link them to in-situ properties. When Solar
Probe Plus is appropriately located, compare
with in-situ data.

RPW: up to 20
MHz
MAG: see above in
table

Table 4.5 Measurement and instrument requirements (contd).

Required
Observations
(from Tables
3.1 3.4)

Instrument:
Measurement

Measurement Requirements and

Coordinated Observation Plans

Selected Payload
Capability

Distribution of
energy into heat,
particle
acceleration, and
bulk kinetic
energy

SWA: 3-D velocity

distribution functions,
bulk speed
MAG: magnetic pressure
EPD: particle spectra

SWA, MAG, EPD: already covered by previous SWA, MAG, EPD:

requirements (see above in table)
normal operation
mode
Measure directly, in-situ, the energy content in
the various forms and acquire distribution as
statistics build up.

Energetic particle
timing

EPD: particle intensities EPD: already covered by previous

in different energy ranges requirements (see above in table)
and for different species

Image coronal
suprathermal
population

SPICE: imaging UV
spectroscopy

EPD: burst mode

intervals

SPICE: already covered by previous

SPICE: see above
requirements (see above in table)
in table
Excellent signal to noise ratio, low background
Use intensity differences in highly Dopplerbroadened lines

X-ray signatures
STIX: high-cadence,
of energetic
energy resolved imaging
particle
interactions at
loop footpoints or
on loops
themselves

STIX: already covered by previous

requirements (see above in table)

STIX: see above in

table

Radio signatures
of coronal shocks
and escaping
electrons

RPW: already covered by previous

requirements (see above in table)

RPW: see above in

table

RPW: Type II and III

radio

24

Table 4.5 Measurement and instrument requirements (contd).

Required
Observations
(from Tables
3.1 3.4)

Instrument:
Measurement

Measurement Requirements and

Coordinated Observation Plans

Magnetic field,
plasma wave,
and solar wind
measurements
to determine
turbulence levels
and shock
passage

MAG: highcadence magnetic

field
RPW: highcadence
electric/magnetic
field
SWA: highcadence bulk
plasma
properties, 2-D
VDFs,

MAG, RPW, SWA: already covered by previous

requirements (see above in table)

Seed population
specification
from the heavy
ion composition
of solar wind
and
suprathermals
in the
heliosphere

SWA: heavy ion

composition and
long-term
velocity
distribution
functions
EPD:
suprathermal
particle
population

SWA: already covered by previous requirements

(see above in table)
This drives upper range of HIS energy band (100
keV/e)

SWA: normal
operation mode

EPD: already covered by previous requirements

(see above in table)

high latitudes and full

radial coverage

Timing, velocity
distributions,
scattering
characteristics,
spectra and
composition of
energetic
particles,
continuous
spectra of
multiple heavy
ion species in
energy range
0.1100 MeV/n

Selected Payload
Capability

MAG: burst mode (128

vectors/s)
RPW, SWA: burst
Use RPW of MAG to trigger in-situ suite. MAG and mode
SWA data provide Alfvn velocity and turbulence
parameters such as Elssser variables; RPW
measures electric field properties which influence
solar wind electron and proton VDFs.

EPD/SIS: normal
operation mode

Cross calibrated SWA and EPD/SIS fluences over a

wide range in latitudes and distance

EPD: full
EPD: already covered by previous requirements
composition,
(see above in table)
anisotropies,
energy coverage,
occasional highcadence studies;
Resolution of 3He
and multiple
heavy ion species

25

EPD: 2keV-20 MeV e-,

3keV 100 MeV p,
8keV/n 200 MeV/n
ions continuous
coverage with
geometric factors > 0.1
cm2sr
4 20 keV neutrals,
normal operation,
occasional burst mode

Table 4.5 Measurement and instrument requirements (contd).

Required
Observations
(from Tables
3.1 3.4)

Instrument:
Measurement

Measurement Requirements and

Coordinated Observation Plans

Selected
payload
capability

Timing of EUV,
radio, and X-ray
emissions in
relation to
energetic particle
intensities at a
wide range of
energies

EUI, STIX: highcadence imaging of

active region, trigger to
EPD
RPW: type II and type
III radio emission
EPD: staggered highcadence measurements
of particle intensities

EUI, STIX, RPW, EPD: already covered by

previous requirements (see above in table)

EUI, STIX, RPW,

EPD: see above in
table

Full-disk & highresolution maps of

the photospheric
magnetic field and
local and
convective flows,
maps of rotation,
differential
rotation, and
meridional
circulation,
structure of
subduction areas,
properties of subsurface convection
cells;

PHI: full-disk and highresolution Stokes

parameters, Doppler
shifts, intensity
variations

High-Res Mode:
Vector magnetic field with accuracy of 0.1 G
(longitudinal), 20 G (transverse);

PHI/HRT:
Accuracy: 0.1 G/14
G;

Doppler velocity with accuracy of 15 m/s;

7 m/s;

Continuum images with accuracy of 0.5% (flat

field uniformity)

0.5%

15'x15' FOV; resolution 1'' (0.5'' pixel size);

Cadence: 1 min over selected periods of time;

16.8'x16.8' FOV,
1.11 resolution at
617.3 nm;
45-60 sec cadence

High-resolution
images of smallscale magnetic
features at the
poles

EUI: high-resolution
EUV images
SPICE: high-resolution
spectroscopy
PHI: high-resolution
Stokes parameters

EUI/STIX provide trigger to EPD. RPW gives

shock location (if present) from radio emission,
and EPD determines particle properties. HET
and EPT (for electrons) are triggered first,
lower energy LET later (velocity dispersion)

Low-Res. (full disk) Mode:

Vector magnetic field with accuracy of 0.1 G
(longitudinal), 20 G (transverse);
Doppler velocity with accuracy of 15 m/s;
Continuum images with accuracy of 0.5% (flat
field uniformity)
Pixel size: ~5'';
Cadence: 1 min. over selected periods of time
FOV: >150' (full apparent Sun)
EUI, SPICE, PHI: already covered by previous
requirements (see above in table)
Coordinated high-resolution FOVs

26

PHI/FDT:
accuracy same as
for HRT
Cadence: 45-60s
FOV > 156'

EUI, SPICE, PHI:

normal operation
mode

Table 4.5 Measurement and instrument requirements (contd).

Required
Observations
(from Tables
3.1 3.4)

Instrument:
Measurement

Amount,
PHI: full-disk and
distribution, and high-resolution
evolution of
Stokes parameters
polar
photospheric
magnetic flux

Measurement Requirements and

Coordinated Observation Plans

Selected
Payload
Capability

PHI: already covered by previous requirements (see

above in table)

PHI: normal
operation mode

Transversal
PHI: high-resolution PHI: already covered by previous requirements (see
magnetic field in Stokes parameters
above in table)
the photosphere other remote-sensing
observations (e.g.
SDO/HMI)

PHI: normal
operation

Latitudinal
PHI: high-resolution PHI: already covered by previous requirements (see
distribution of
Stokes parameters
above in table)
small-scale,
emerging
magnetic flux in
the photosphere

PHI: normal
operation mode
large latitude
coverage

Position and
METIS: flow
speed of shocks; velocities, electron
densities
SoloHI: white-light
coronagraphy
SPICE: temperatures
from Dopplerbroadened lines
RPW: radio
emissions

METIS, SoloHI, SPICE, RPW: already covered by

previous requirements (see above in table)

METIS, SPICE,
RPW: see above in
table

High-cadence
microphysics of
plasma

SWA, MAG, EPD, RPW: already covered by previous SWA, MAG, EPD,
requirements (see above in table)
RPW: see above in
table

SWA: burst mode 2d velocity

distribution
functions
MAG, EPD: burst
mode
RPW: burst mode
trigger to in-situ

Use METIS electro-density maps to pinpoint radio

emission and compare with RPW type-II radio
SoloHI: FOV 5.5bursts. Compare speeds of features in METIS/SPICE 45.5, cadence 6-15
with derived velocities, use temperatures and
min
magnetic field extrapolations to determine
magnetosonic speed and compare with shock speed.
Follow shocks in SoloHI images and extract speed
and density profile

27

Table 4.5 Measurement and instrument requirements (contd).

Required
Observations
(from Tables
3.1 3.4)

Instrument:
Measurement

Measurement Requirements and

Coordinated Observation Plans

Selected
Payload
Capability

Timing and
properties of
small events

STIX: high-cadence, highresolution

EUI: high-cadence, highresolution images
EPD: energy spectra of
electrons and protons
RPW: high-cadence

STIX, EUI, EPD: already covered by previous

requirements (see above in table)

STIX, EUI, EPD,

RPW: see above in
table

Images of
longitudinal
extent of CMEs
in visible and
UV

METIS: flow velocities

SoloHI: white light
EUI: UV images

METIS, SoloHI, EUI: already covered by

previous requirements (see above in table)

Magnetic fields,
plasma flows,
and
temperatures of
polar regions

PHI: high-resolution
photospheric magnetic
field
EUI: high-resolution EUV
images
SPICE: high-resolution
images, Dopplerbroadened lines
METIS: H I and He II flow
velocities

PHI, EUI, SPICE, METIS: already covered by

previous requirements (see above in table)

Images of
coronal and
heliospheric
structure in
visible and EUV;

METIS: electron density,

METIS, SoloHI, EUI: already covered by
H, He flows
previous requirements (see above in table)
SoloHI: white-light images
of corona
EUI: coronal images

METIS, SoloHI,
EUI: see above in
table

Images of
evolution of
coronal hole
boundaries

EUI: full-disk images in

EUV
METIS: images of coronal
holes boundaries in the
inner corona

EUI, METIS,
SoloHI: see above
in table

RPW: already covered by previous

requirements (see above in table), low
background, low noise

High latitudes

EUI, METIS, SoloHI: already covered by

previous requirements (see above in table)
Make available as data product for
comparison with in-situ data and observations
from near-Earth assets.

SoloHI: images of coronal

hole boundaries in the
inner heliosphere

28

PHI, EUI, SPICE,

METIS: see above
in table

Table 4.6 Overview of the selected Solar Orbiter payload.

Investigation

PI
C. Owen,
MSSL, UK

Countries
UK, I, F,
JP, D, CH,
USA

Energetic
Particle
Detector
(EPD)

J.
RodrguezPacheco,
Univ. of
Alcala, E

E, D, FI,
GR, CH, F,
SK, USA

Magnetomete
r (MAG)

T. Horbury,
ICSTM,
London, UK
M.Maksimovic, Obs. de
Meudon,
Paris, F

UK, A, I,
H, D, F, E,
DK, USA
F, SE, CZ,
NO, UK, A,
D, GR, AU,
I, H, FI,
RU, USA
D, E, F, SE,
NO, CH,
AU, USA

Solar Wind
Analyzer
(SWA)

Radio &
Plasma Waves
(RPW)

Measurement
Solar wind ion and
electron bulk properties,
ion composition (1eV- 5
keV electrons; 0.2 - 100
keV/q ions)
Composition, timing, and
distribution functions of
suprathermal and
energetic particles (8
keV/n 200 MeV/n
ions; 20-700 keV
electrons)
DC vector magnetic fields
(0 64 Hz)

Technique
Multiple sensors (electrons,
proton/alpha, heavy ions);
electrostatic deflection, time-of-flight
measurement, solid state detectors

AC electric and magnetic

fields (~DC 20 MHz)

Electric antennas, Search Coil

Magnetometer; Low-frequency and
Thermal Noise/High-frequency
receivers, Time-domain sampling

Vector magnetic field and

line-of-sight velocity in
the photosphere

High-res. telescope: off-axis RitcheyChrtien, full-disk telescope:

refractor, Fabry-Perot filtergraph
Full-Sun Imager: dual-band EUV offaxis Herschelian, 2 High-res.
Imagers: single-band EUV and Ly
off-axis Ritchey-Chrtien
Off-axis paraboloid telescope, TVLS
grating spectrograph

Multiple solid-state dE/dx vs E

detector telescopes, time-of-flight
measurement

Dual fluxgate sensors

Polarimetric
and
Helioseismic
Imager (PHI)
EUV Imager
(EUI)

S. Solanki,
MPS,
Lindau, D

Spectral
Imaging of the
Coronal
Environment
(SPICE)
X-ray
Spectrometer
Telescope
(STIX)
Coronagraph
(METIS/COR
)

D. Hassler,
SwRI,
Boulder,
USA

USA, UK,
D, F, N

Full-disk EUV and highresolution EUV and

Lyman- imaging of the
solar atmosphere
EUV spectroscopy of the
solar disk and corona

A. Benz,
ETH Zrich,
CH

CH, PL, D,
CZ, IRE, A,
UK, F, USA

Solar thermal and nonthermal X-ray emission

(4 150 keV)

Fourier transform imaging, CZT

detectors

E.
Antonucci,
INAF-OATo,
Torino, I

I, D, CZ, F,
GR, USA

Externally-occulted coronagraph

Heliospheric
Imager
(SolOHI)

R. Howard,
NRL,
Washington
DC,USA

USA

Visible, UV and EUV

imaging of the solar
corona; UV/EUV
spectroscopy of a coronal
sector
White-light imaging of
the extended corona;
High cadence imaging of
subregion

P. Rochus,
CSL, Liege,
B

B, UK, F,
D, USA

29

Wide-angle lens with linear occulter

APPENDIX A ACRONYMS
AO
AOCS
APE
APM
APS
ASR
AU
CDPU
CIR
CME
CPS
CVP
CZT
DC
DPU
DPU
DSM
DSN
EAS
EELV
EPD
EPS
EPT
ESA
ESAC
ESOC
ESTRACK
EUI
FDT
FEE
FG
FIP
FOSO
FOV
FSI
GAM
GI
HCS
HELEX
HET

Announcement of Opportunity
Attitude and Orbit Control Subsystem
Absolute Pointing Error
Antenna Pointing Mechanism
Active Pixel Sensor
Assessment Study Report
Astronomical Unit
Common Data Processing Unit
Corotating Interaction Region
Coronal Mass Ejection
Chemical Propulsion System
Checkout and Verification Phase
Cadmium-Zinc-Telluride
Direct Current
Data Processing Unit
Digital Processing Unit
Deep Space Manoeuvres
Deep Space Network
Electron Analyzer System
Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle
Energetic Particle Detector
Electrical Power Subsystem
Electron Proton Telescope
European Space Agency
European Space Astronomy Centre
European Space Operations Centre
ESA Tracking Station Network
Extreme Ultraviolet Imager
Full Disk Telescope
Front-end Electronics
Filtergraph
First Ionization Potential
Focused Opportunity for Solar Orbiter
Field of View
Full Sun Imager
Gravity Assist Manoeuvre
Guest Investigator
Heliospheric Current Sheet
Heliophysical Explorers
High Energy Telescope

30

HIS
HMF
HRI
HRT
HTHGA
IAPS
ICU
IDS
IMF
IMU
JSTDT
kS/s
KSC
LCVR
LEOP
LET
LFR
LGA
LOS
LVPS
LWS
MAG
MEB
METIS/COR
MGA
MLI
MOC
NASA
OBC
OBDH
OSR
PAS
pB
PCDU
PCU
PHI
PMP
PRC
RFDU/WUI
RIU
RPE
RPW
RHESSI
SAA
SADE
SADM
SCE
SCM

Heavy Ion Sensor

Heliospheric Magnetic Field
High Resolution Imager
High Resolution Telescope
High Temperature High Gain Antenna
Intensified Active Pixel Sensor
Instrument Controller Unit
Interdisciplinary Scientist
Interplanetary Magnetic Field
Inertial Measurement Unit
Joint Science and Technology Definition Team
Kilosamples per second
Kennedy Space Center
Liquid Crystal Variable Retarders
Launch and Early Orbit Phase
Low Energy Telescope
Low Frequency Receiver
Low Gain Antenna
Line of Sight
Low Voltage Power Supply
Living with a Star
Magnetometer
Main Electronics Box
Multi Element Telescope for Imaging and Spectroscopy
Medium Gain Antenna
Multi-Layer Insulation
Mission Operations Centre
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
On-Board Computer
On-Board Data Handling
Optical Solar Reflector
Proton Alpha Sensor
Polarized Brightness
Power Conditioning and Distribution Unit
Power Converter Unit
Polarimetric and Helioseismic Imager
Polarization Modulation Package
Payload Review Committee
Radio-Frequency Distribution Unit / Wave Guide Interface
Remote Interface Unit
Relative Pointing Error
Radio Plasma Wave
Reuven Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager
Solar Aspect Angle
Solar Array Drive Electronics
Solar Array Driving Mechanism
SoloHI Control Electronics
Search Coil Magnetometer

31

SEP
SIM
SIS
SMEX
SMP
SOAD
SOC
SOHO
SoloHI
SPC
SPICE
SPP
SSMM
STEIN
STEREO
STIX
SWA
SWT
TCS
TDS
TNR-HFR
TOF
TRACE
TVLS
UV

Solar Energetic Particle

SoloHI Instrument Module
Suprathermal Ion Spectrograph
Small Explorer
Science Management Plan
Science Operations Assumptions Document
Science Operations Centre
Solar and Heliopsheric Observatory
Solar Orbiter Heliospheric Imager
Science Programme Committee
Spectral Imaging of the Coronal Environment
Solar Probe Plus
Solid State Mass Memory
Suprathermal Electrons Ions and Neutrals
Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory
Spectrometer/Telescope for Imaging X-rays
Solar Wind Analyzer
Science Working Team
Thermal Control Subsystem
Time Domain Sampler
Thermal Noise and High Frequency Receiver
Time of Flight
Transition Region and Coronal Explorer
Toroidal Variable Line Space
Ultraviolet

32