COURSE: Cross-scale cOUpling pRocesses in the Solar–tErrestrial system—SCOSTEP’s new program for 2026–2030

The committee nominated to define the Scientific Committee on Solar–Terrestrial Physics (SCOSTEP) Next Scientific Program (NSP) has identified cross-scale coupling as the overarching theme for conducting and promoting coordinated research and outreach activities in the upcoming period 2026–2030. The program is called COURSE (Cross-scale cOUpling pRocesses in the Solar–tErrestrial system) and is organized in three main scientific focus areas: 1) sources of space weather and space climate; 2) solar wind, magnetosphere, and ionosphere coupling; and 3) external impacts and internal dynamics of the Earth atmosphere. For each Focus Area the NSP committee has identified: 1) long-standing goals, i.e., key questions persistent through SCOSTEP scientific programs and 2) objectives, i.e., precise outcomes that can be addressed over the 5-year program duration, which contribute to achieving the goals over the long term. Moreover, the committee envisions the implementation of the program through identified novel methods, including machine learning and Artificial Intelligence techniques; integrated models; new missions; the combination of multipoint in-situ data with ground observations; improved metadata; and adoption of Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable (FAIR) principles.