Fundamental Physics In Space

Physics of the Earth’s Space Environment

This book was written for readers interested in learning about the disciplines, methods and results of space research, perhaps because they happened upon the field during the course of their higher education or professional career, or perhaps because they simply feel an urge to know more about the space environment of the Earth. The present monograph is based on lectures cover ing the same topic, which have been held regularly over the past years at the University of Bonn. Like the lecture series, the book is directed at a relatively broad group of students and interested laypersons, the only prerequisite being knowledge of fundamental physics and mathematics, as usually acquired from introductory college courses in science or engineering curricula. More specific knowledge is derived in association with each phenomenon considered. These derivations are kept as simple as possible, adhering to the principle that, when conflicts arise, physical insight is preferable to mathematical precision. As a rule, I strived to avoid the trite phrase 'It may be easily shown that . . . ' and tried to present all derivations in readily verifiable steps, even if this may seem somewhat tedious to the more advanced readers. Also serving clarity and insight are the many illustrations, which do indeed often say more than 'a thousand words'. Our knowledge of the Earth's space environment has grown exponentially during the last few decades and an attempt to cover all aspects of the field would extend way beyond the scope of an introductory text.

The Significance of Space Research for Fundamental Physics

Recapturing a Future for Space Exploration

More than four decades have passed since a human first set foot on the Moon. Great strides have been made in our understanding of what is required to support an enduring human presence in space, as evidenced by progressively more advanced orbiting human outposts, culminating in the current International Space Station (ISS). However, of the more than 500 humans who have so far ventured into space, most have gone only as far as near-Earth orbit, and none have traveled beyond the orbit of the Moon. Achieving humans' further progress into the solar system had proved far more difficult than imagined in the heady days of the Apollo missions, but the potential rewards remain substantial. During its more than 50-year history, NASA's success in human space exploration has depended on the agency's ability to effectively address a wide range of biomedical, engineering, physical science, and related obstacles-an achievement made possible by NASA's strong and productive commitments to life and physical sciences research for human space exploration, and by its use of human space exploration infrastructures for scientific discovery. The Committee for the Decadal Survey of Biological and Physical Sciences acknowledges the many achievements of NASA, which are all the more remarkable given budgetary challenges and changing directions within the agency. In the past decade, however, a consequence of those challenges has been a life and physical sciences research program that was dramatically reduced in both scale and scope, with the result that the agency is poorly positioned to take full advantage of the scientific opportunities offered by the now fully equipped and staffed ISS laboratory, or to effectively pursue the scientific research needed to support the development of advanced human exploration capabilities. Although its review has left it deeply concerned about the current state of NASA's life and physical sciences research, the Committee for the Decadal Survey on Biological and Physical Sciences in Space is nevertheless convinced that a focused science and engineering program can achieve successes that will bring the space community, the U.S. public, and policymakers to an understanding that we are ready for the next significant phase of human space exploration. The goal of this report is to lay out steps and develop a forward-looking portfolio of research that will provide the basis for recapturing the excitement and value of human spaceflight-thereby enabling the U.S. space program to deliver on new exploration initiatives that serve the nation, excite the public, and place the United States again at the forefront of space exploration for the global good.