Space plasmas like the solar wind exhibit fluctuations in their fields and plasma moments across a broad range of spatial and temporal scales. These fluctuations consist of turbulence, waves, instabilities, and coherent structures. When these fluctuations transition into or occur at the characteristic ion and electron scales of the plasma, a complex interplay of kinetic processes determines the fate of the kinetic, thermal, and electromagnetic contributions to the overall energy. Recent observations by Solar Orbiter and Parker Solar Probe suggest that these kinetic processes are crucial for the overall behaviour of space plasmas.

We will review some of these observations of small-scale electromagnetic and electrostatic fluctuations in the solar wind, highlight the importance of multi-scale effects in turbulent space plasmas, and discuss a selection of kinetic processes identified in the solar wind. Lastly, we will discuss present capabilities and future plans to observe electron-scale kinetic processes in space plasmas, which are arguably the next frontier in space plasma physics.