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NASA's Office of the Chief Technologist (OCT) has begun to rebuild the advanced space technology program in the agency with plans laid out in 14 draft technology roadmaps. It has been years since NASA has had a vigorous, broad-based program in advanced space technology development and its technology base has been largely depleted. However, success in executing future NASA space missions will depend on advanced technology developments that should already be underway. Reaching out to involve the external technical community, the National Research Council (NRC) considered the 14 draft technology roadmaps prepared by OCT and ranked the top technical challenges and highest priority technologies that NASA should emphasize in the next 5 years. This report provides specific guidance and recommendations on how the effectiveness of the technology development program managed by OCT can be enhanced in the face of scarce resources.

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Suggested Citation

National Research Council. 2012. NASA Space Technology Roadmaps and Priorities: Restoring NASA's Technological Edge and Paving the Way for a New Era in Space. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/13354.

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Publication Info

376 pages |  8.5 x 11 | 

ISBNs: 
  • Paperback:  978-0-309-25362-8
  • Ebook:  978-0-309-25366-6
DOI: https://doi.org/10.17226/13354
Chapters skim
Front Matter i-xviii
Summary 1-11
1 Introduction 12-15
2 Top Technical Challenges and High-Priority Technologies by Roadmap 16-58
3 Integrated Ranking of Top Technical Challenges and High-Priority Technologies 59-76
4 Observations and General Themes 77-86
Appendixes 87-88
Appendix A: Statement of Task 89-90
Appendix B: Revised Technology Area Breakdown Structure 91-99
Appendix C: Acronyms 100-104
Appendix D: TA01 Launch Propulsion Systems 105-116
Appendix E: TA02 In-Space Propulsion Technologies 117-130
Appendix F: TA03 Space Power and Energy Storage 131-146
Appendix G: TA04 Robotics, Tele-Robotics, and Autonomous Systems 147-166
Appendix H: TA05 Communication and Navigation 167-181
Appendix I: TA06 Human Health, Life Support, and Habitation Systems 182-203
Appendix J: TA07 Human Exploration Destination Systems 204-229
Appendix K: TA08 Science Instruments, Observatories, and Sensor Systems 230-243
Appendix L: TA09 Entry, Descent, and Landing Systems 244-266
Appendix M: TA10 Nanotechnology 267-281
Appendix N: TA11 Modeling, Simulation, and Information Technology and Processing 282-293
Appendix O: TA12 Materials, Structures, Mechanical Systems, and Manufacturing 294-312
Appendix P: TA13 Ground and Launch Systems Processing 313-319
Appendix Q: TA14 Thermal Management Systems 320-331
Appendix R: Steering Committee, Panel, and Staff Biographical Information 332-358

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Related Information

Appendixes D through R are not included in the printed book but can be found on the CD-ROM and online.

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