Life in the Universe An Assessment of U.S. and International Programs in Astrobiology (2003) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:
2. The Structure of the NASA Astrobiology Program
2. The Structure of the NASA Astrobiology Program
Pages 18-31
The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.
From page 18... ...
While the NAI and the technology-development programs are new, the Exobiology R&A program and the NSCORT program have been ongoing at NASA for many years. It is important to note that while the NAI is the most publicly visible part of the NASA Astrobiology program, it represents less than half of the total funding for the program and far less than half when one considers relevant research programs in related scientific disciplines.
|
From page 19... ...
of Major NASA Astrobiology Program Elements Program Funding (in millions of dollars) Consortium-based NAI NSCORT Research and analysis Exobiology Evolutionary Biology Technology development ASTID ASTEP 18 2 8.6 1.3 6 NOTE: Only programs specifically tagged as part of the NASA Astrobiology program are included.
|
From page 20... ...
Reza Ghadiri 19 0 3 0 22 University of Washington Peter D Ward 18 5 4 0 27 SOURCES: NASA Astrobiology Institute, Annual Science Report: Year 2, July 1999-June 2000, CD-ROM, Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif., 2001.
|
From page 21... ...
A Director's Discretionary Fund is used to support innovative research ideas with seed money and to encourage scientists at member organizations to undertake unconventional and risky projects that address fundamental questions in astrobiology. A NASA Astrobiology Postdoctoral Fellow program,2 administered by the National Research Council, selects talented young astrobiology researchers and supports them directly in order to facilitate work that cuts across departmental and institutional boundaries.
|
From page 22... ...
Since that time, an NAI Web site has been established to highlight programs specifically directed at student involvement in NAI activities. The NAI can enhance opportunities for astrobiology students by providing an easily accessible and updated list of internships and fellowships not funded by the NAI and the Astrobiology program.
|
From page 23... ...
Issues COEL has identified a number of concerns regarding the NAI that it strongly recommends be taken up by the new director and by NASA Headquarters. They include the following: · Implementation of the virtual institute concept, · Perception of the NAI membership, · Barriers to research collaborations, and · Recompetition for NAI membership.
|
From page 24... ...
Many non-NAI universities have made significant investments of their own in research infrastructure, through nonfederal funding that represents value added to the Astrobiology program. The dangers inherent in excessive canonization of NAI's lead institutions is that the field will actually contract rather than expand, as nonNAI institutions with potentially important roles to play in astrobiology see doors closing and hence realign their own research priorities.
|
From page 25... ...
These reviews should honestly and frankly assess the extent to which the NAI model has been responsible for new discoveries and insights that traditional research and analysis programs might not be able to foster. NAI nodes should be required to reapply every 5 years for membership in the NAI.
|
From page 28... ...
Recommendation Although the Astrobiology program's present level of involvement in flight missions is appropriate, NASA is cautioned against attempting to force the NASA Astrobiology Institute or other elements of Astrobiology into an artificially focused role of trying to design specific "astrobiology missions." While individual NAI investigators are encouraged to propose instrument concepts or whole Discovery-class (or equivalent) missions, NASA should be careful not to bias the usual peer-review selection process for instruments and missions by specially labeling proposals proffered by NAI investigators.
|
From page 29... ...
Recommendation NASA should continue the two astrobiology technology programs, Astrobiology Science and Technology Instrument Development, and Astrobiology Science and Technology for Exploring Planets, and in addition the Planetary Instrument Definition and Development Program (in the Solar System Exploration program) and the Extrasolar Planets Advanced Missions Concepts program (in the Astronomical Search for Origins program)
|
From page 30... ...
, its technology programs (i.e., the Astrobiology Science and Technology Instrument Development program and the Astrobiology Science and Technology for Exploring Planets program) , and the NASA Astrobiology Institute.
|
From page 31... ...
5. The white paper is available directly from Jack Farmer and Ronald Greeley of Arizona State University.
|
Key Terms
This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
More
information on Chapter Skim is available.