Policy Update: National Academies Releases Decadal Priorities in Solar and Space Physics

December 16, 2024

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) released their Decadal report, The Next Decade of Discovery in Solar and Space Physics: Exploring and Safeguarding Humanity's Home in Space, providing key themes and recommendations in the field of solar and space physics. This Decadal report represents scientific consensus and is intended to guide federal investments at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA), the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the Department of Defense (DOD) over the next 10 years. Among the many recommendations, key highlights include the continuation of the Geospace Dynamics Constellation (GDC), increased space weather research and applications, continued focus on education and workforce development, and new NASA and NSF missions, which will all require a significantly increased NASA Heliophysics Division budget. 

Please the report from Lewis-Burke for additional details on key recommendations, missions, and political context.