In the past 10 years, observations from space have generated a genuine revolution in our understanding of the Sun. Its interior is now “observed” down to a few % of the solar radius, its internal dynamics, its rotation and the large scale flows that are found to exist under its “surface” are studied continuously for over nearly a complete solar cycle. The mechanisms that underlie solar activity are better understood as well as their effects on the heliosphere and on the planets of the Solar System, in particular on the Earth.

However, there are still opened questions that deserve to be answered through a new generation of space instruments, requiring the best experts in the world and an extended fleet of space missions that no single country is able today to undertake alone. In this context, the International Living with a Star programme is a key element that must be pursued with full strength. At the same time, new missions that are not part of that programme should begin to be studied. They will provide the ultimate resolution and accuracy that are necessary to go a step further in the knowledge of the Sun and of its effects on our planet.To search for other articles by the author(s) go to: http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abstract_service.html