Interstellar Heliosphere Probes （IHPs）

Abstract

<p>Supersonic solar wind streams away from the Sun in all directions, interaction with the local interstellar medium to form a giant plasma bubble, which is coined by A. J. Dessler as “heliosphere”. Voyager 1& 2 spacecraft have recently encountered the heliospheric boundaries of this plasma bubble, e.g. the termination shock, heliosheath and heliopause.</p><p>To explore further on the dynamics on the heliospheric boundaries, even the hydrogen wall, and the local interstellar medium,  an Interstellar Heliosphere Probes （IHPs）mission have been proposed to Chinese national space agency (two spacecraft, one towards the nose of the heliopause, one opposite). The plan is that the spacecraft is to reach 100AU when it is 100th anniversary of the PR China (2049). Thus, IHP will allow us to discover, explore, and understand fundamental astrophysical processes in the largest plasma laboratory-- the heliosphere.</p>