  Solar and heliospheric cosmic rays provide a unique perspective in cosmic ray
research: we can observe not only the particles, but also the properties of the
plasmas in which the they are accelerated and propagate, using in situ and
high-resolution remote sensing instruments. The heliospheric cosmic ray
observations typically require space missions, which face stern competition
against planetary and astrophysics missions, and it can take up to decades from
the initial concept proposal until the actual observing of the cosmic rays can
commence. Therefore it is important to have continuity in the cosmic ray
mission timeline. In this overview, we review the current status and the future
outlook in the experimental solar and heliospheric research. We find that the
current status of the available cosmic ray observations is good, but that many
of the spacecraft are near the end of their feasible mission life. We describe
the three missions currently being prepared for launch, and discuss the future
outlook of the solar and heliospheric cosmic ray missions.
