It is my (James Green, former Planetary Science Division Director) understanding that continued New Horizons heliophysics measurements are threatened unless NASA finds a way for the Heliophysics Division to fund the data collection and downlink. The Heliophysics Decadal states “New Horizons will fill a major gap in the understanding of the plasma physics of the outer heliosphere” (Priority Science Goal 4). New Horizons measurements are unique and must continue uninterrupted.
New Horizons is the only spacecraft now in the outer heliosphere and is an essential element of the Heliophysics System Observatory making measurements that the two Voyager spacecraft were not equipped to do. For example, New Horizons is making in-situ measurements of Pick-Up Ions source population that the Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP) observes remotely as energetic neutral atoms. This New Horizons-IMAP partnership provides a unique opportunity that will probably never again arise and must be fully exploited which should significantly help in defining future missions. Help make our planetary missions multidisciplinary by signing the petition.
For questions, contact: James Green, jlgreen1@earthlink.net
To sign the Petition please go to: https://c.org/Yv6zG7JnvL
