Instruments

Solar Wind Electrons Alphas and Protons Investigation (SWEAP), which will specifically count the most abundant particles in the solar wind — electrons, protons and helium ions — and measure their properties. TSWEAP uses two instruments - the Solar Probe Cup (SPC) and the Solar Probe Analyzers (SPAN) - to gather the measurements of the coronal and solar wind plasma needed to meet SPP science objectives.  Principal Investigator: Justin C. Kasper, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, Cambridge, Mass.

The Wide-field Imager for Solar Probe Plus (WISPR), a telescope that will make 3-D images of the sun's corona and inner heliosphere. The experiment actually will "see" the solar wind and provide 3-D images of shocks and other structures as they approach and pass the spacecraft. This investigation complements instruments on the spacecraft providing direct measurements by imaging the plasma the other instruments sample. Principal Investigator: Russell Howard, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington DC

The Electromagnetic Fields Investigation (FIELDS), which will make direct measurements of the shock waves that course through the Sun's atmospheric plasma. FIELDS comprises two fluxgate magnetometers, a search coil magnetometer and five electric antennas measuring electric and magnetic fields and waves, spacecraft floating potential, density fluctuations, and radio emissions. Principal Investigator: Stuart Bale, University of California Space Sciences Laboratory, Berkeley, Calif.

The Integrated Science Investigation of the Sun (IS☉IS), which consists of two instruments that will take an inventory of elements in the Sun's atmosphere using a mass spectrometer to weigh and sort ions in the vicinity of the spacecraft. IS☉IS is composed of two independent instruments (EPI-Hi and EPI-Lo) covering different (and overlapping) energy ranges. This suite will make observations of energetic electrons, protons and heavy ions that are accelerated to high energies (10 s of keV to 100 MeV) in the Sun’s atmosphere and inner heliosphere.. Principal Investigator: David McComas, Southwest Research Institute, San Antonio.

The Heliospheric Origins with Solar Probe Plus - Principal Investigator Marco Velli, of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif., is the mission's observatory scientist, responsible for serving as a senior scientist on the science working group. He will provide an independent assessment of scientific performance and act as a community advocate for the mission.