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3 Summaries of Major Reports
Pages 35-100

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From page 35...
... This microgravity research can be divided into five broad areas, all of which focus primarily on phenomena that are strongly perturbed by gravity: biotechnology, combustion, fluid physics, fundamental physics, and materials science. To these disciplines, the Physical Sciences Division is considering adding research in such emerging areas as biomolecular physics and chemistry, nanotechnology, and research in support of the human exploration and development of space (HEDS)
From page 36...
... The report contains chapters discussing the impact of the microgravity program on the fields of combustion, fluid physics, fundamental physics, and materials science, along with recommendations for promising avenues of future research in each field. There are also chapters that discuss promising research in the emerging areas and provide guidance on cross-discipline research priorities.
From page 37...
... Investigators have received numerous prestigious awards for their work in this program, and a high percentage of them are professional society fellows and members of the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Sciences. HIGH-PRIORITY MICROGRAVITY RESEARCH Below are the areas of research considered to have a high priority within each microgravity discipline.
From page 38...
... Fundamental Physics In fundamental physics, the committee gave high priority to the successful execution of the specific experiments that have already been selected for flight on the ISS. These experiments will test important fundamental principles in physics, and in most cases an experiment's success would end any further need for space experimentation in that area.
From page 39...
... The following topics were identified by the committee as the most promising areas of future research relevant to NASA needs and PSD capabilities: · Methods for long-term stabilization of proteins in vitro. Long-term preservation of protein function is essential to the utilization of proteins in space in sensors, for diagnostics, and in bioreactors on extended flight missions.
From page 40...
... RESEARCH PRIORITIES AND PROGRAM DIRECTIONS In order to assess and compare research across the microgravity disciplines, the committee critically examined the potential impact of the research on the scientific field of which it is part, on NASA's technology needs, and on industry or other terrestrial applications. The committee's evaluation of research in each of these categories is expected to assist NASA program planners by providing the insight into likely risks and potential rewards of the research necessary to create a vibrant microgravity research program that has an impact in all of these areas.
From page 41...
... Most Important \ ~ / 2a\ IL o 0 16 z ~ 17 2b 3a 4bJ Am) Important > Low PROBABILITY OF ACHIEVING IMPACT High FIGURE ES.2 Assessment of research topics in terms of their likely impact on terrestrial applications such as industry's technology needs.
From page 42...
... Complete Current Set of Fundamental Physics ISS Experiments: (a) Low Temperature Experiments, (b)
From page 43...
... These and other factors argued for a balanced PSD program of research that retains the unique potential for studying the effects of gravity on phenomena in combustion, fluid physics, materials, fundamental physics, and biotechnology topics such as tissue culturing. The committee concluded that the relative proportion of the physical sciences program devoted to the emerging areas should remain relatively modest, perhaps 15 percent of the program, until such time as a clear justification arises for increasing its size.
From page 44...
... AVAILABILITY AND USEFULNESS OF NASA'S SPACE MISSION DATA The Task Group on the Usefulness and Availability of NASA's Space Mission Data was charged by NASA's associate administrators for Earth science and space science to evaluate the availability, accessibility, and usefulness of data from Earth and space science missions, and to assess whether the balance between attention to mission planning and implementation versus data analysis and utilization is appropriate. Based on input from various sources recent National Research Council (NRC)
From page 45...
... The work of Earth Science Information Partners, Regional Earth Science Application Centers, Infomarts, and similar applications programs is an important step in increasing the usefulness of NASA data. However, meeting the needs of the broader community would require a very substantial additional investment of resources, and such investments should be preceded by an assessment of the market for NASA information and a prioritization of investments according to cost-effectiveness and likely impact.
From page 46...
... The task group concludes that the management of science data and information has become a function of sufficient scope and importance that its successful execution requires leadership with the expertise to carry out these tasks: · Provide strategic planning, oversight, and advice concerning the collection, processing, archiving, and dissemination of data and information collected by NASA's space missions; · Be the advocate for the appropriate balance of investment in data analysis; · Ensure the preservation and accessibility of valuable space mission data and information · Require a data management plan for each mission and monitor its implementation; · Provide oversight for the design and implementation of software, hardware, and database systems for processing and storing NASA's massive data sets; · Develop a long-term software plan for NASA's Earth Science and Space Science Enterprises; · Require interenterprise communication and sharing of successful methods and systems for data management: · Work out the memorandums of understanding governing access to data from those missions that are carried out cooperatively with other countries; and · Determine how information generated by the space programs of other countries can be accessed and effectively used by U.S. scientists and institutions.
From page 47...
... Ground and flight systems should be designed in conjunction in order to achieve cost-effective data acquisition and analysis. Recent program solicitations from both the Earth Science and Space Science Enterprises require the PIs to prepare budgets for the total mission cycle cost from mission definition to data processing, publication, and archiving.
From page 48...
... Federations capitalize on bottom-up decision making and local, custom solutions to specific user needs. A prototype federation of Earth Science Information Partners, which has been operating for 3 years, has demonstrated the ability of different NASA-funded organizations to cooperate, provide system operability at the catalog level, and produce specialized data products.
From page 49...
... NASA recognizes the problems associated with EOSDIS and is developing a strategy for the evolution of the network of data systems and service providers that support the Earth Science Enterprise. The next-generation system is called SEEDS (Strategic Evolution of ESE Data Systems)
From page 50...
... · A mechanism should be established (such as the senior reviews in space science) for making trade-offs among operations of long-lived missions and operations of active archives and data centers in a way that reflects the scientific merit of the range of possible investments.
From page 51...
... In fundamental biology many experiments are labor-intensive, and the reduction in crew time is expected to critically compromise experiments in this area. LIMITING FACTORS While some research areas are more severely affected than others by the changes, clearly NASA's revision of the ISS to the Core Complete configuration has drastically reduced the overall ability of the ISS to support science.
From page 52...
... The most widespread and significant impact of ISS design revisions on the achievement of scientific objectives stems from the more than 85 percent reduction in crew time available for scientific activities.) This limitation has an impact on every discipline examined, ranging from a potential total elimination of the ability to achieve even a modicum of meaningful work on the ISS in the areas of radiation biology, systems physiology, crew behavior and performance, and fundamental biology, to lesser impacts on disciplines such as plant science, materials science, fundamental physics, combustion science, and fluid physics.
From page 53...
... NASA should establish systematic coordination between human physiology research and operational medicine on the ISS so that crew care is not compromised and coordinated acquisition of scientific data is facilitated. Crew Time As already noted, the time available for science activities on the ISS is wholly inadequate and is the single biggest factor that is limiting achieving science objectives.
From page 54...
... F to Core Complete has severely limited the facilities available to accomplish U.S.-based scientific research. Increased collaboration with international partners to share facilities and crew time could enable research that the U.S.
From page 55...
... Weller, NASA's associate administrator for the Office of Space Science, tasked the Committee on the Origins and Evolution of Life (COEL) with assessing the state of NASA's Astrobiology program and with providing by mid-2002 a report presenting the following:2 · An assessment of the direction of the NASA Astrobiology program; · A survey of initiatives for seeking life in the universe conducted by other U.S.
From page 56...
... Recommendation. NASA should undertake a comprehensive review of the scientific and educational results of its Astrobiology program in general, and of the NASA Astrobiology Institute (NAI)
From page 57...
... As a new interdisciplinary scientific endeavor, astrobiology spans a much larger volume of intellectual and capital resources than the NASA Astrobiology Institute itself. In its public materials, NASA should emphasize the broad base of national scientific capability in astrobiology, which is stabilized by three types of programs (consortium science, individual principal investigator research, and technology-development programs)
From page 58...
... While the NAI is playing an important role in mission definition through its focus groups, a crucial additional component is a technology-development program for astrobiological instrumentation that might fly in space or be used to analyze samples and environments here on Earth. Recommendations 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)
From page 59...
... The SETI Institute in Mountain View, California, the nexus of such efforts in the United States, has accomplished in a spectacular way the founding of a science institute and the procurement of stable private funding to carry on the search. Because world-class scientists lead the SETI Institute, it is a carefully designed effort and worthy of notice by the scientific community and relevant federal agencies.
From page 60...
... In the list below, COEL summarizes the overall problems that NASA's Astrobiology program should address in the near future to ensure its own health: · Definition of astrobiology and its goals. The widespread perception that astrobiology as both an intellectual endeavor and a NASA program is ill-defined continues to impair its interaction with related scientific disciplines.
From page 61...
... A broad survey of the state of knowledge was requested. In addition, NASA asked for identification of the top-level scientific questions to guide the ongoing program and a prioritized list of the most promising avenues for flight investigations and supporting ound-based activities.
From page 62...
... Present candidates for continuation include Cassini, projects in the Mars Exploration Program, and several Discovery flights. The SSE Survey supports the current Senior Review process for deciding the scientific merits of a proposed mission extension and recommends that early planning be done to provide adequate funding of mission extensions, particularly Flagship missions and missions with international partners.
From page 63...
... Comet Surface Sample Return Kuiper Belt-Pluto Explorer South Pole-Aitken Basin Sample Return Jupiter Polar Orbiter with Probes Kuiper Belt-Pluto Explorer South Pole-Aitken Basin Sample Return Comet Surface Sample Return Jupiter Polar Orbiter with Probes Kuiper Belt-Pluto Explorer Comet Surface Sample Return Cassini Extended Venus In-Situ Explorer Mars Upper-Atmosphere Orbiter Europa Geophysical Explorer Mars Smart Lander Mars Sample Return Mars Sample Return Venus In-Situ Explorer Mars Smart Lander Mars Long-Lived Lander Network Mars Sample Return Large-Aperture Synoptic Survey Telescope Kuiper Belt-Pluto Explorer South Pole-Aitken Basin Sample Return Cassini Extended Jupiter Polar Orbiter with Probes Venus In-Situ Explorer Comet Surface Sample Return Europa Geophysical Explorer Mars Smart Lander Mars Upper-Atmosphere Orbiter Mars Long-Lived Lander Network Mars Sample Return Jupiter Polar Orbiter with Probes Cassini Extended Kuiper Belt-Pluto Explorer Large-Aperture Synoptic Survey Telescope NOTE: Since missions in the Discovery and Mars Scout lines might address many of these scientific topics, they are not shown, to maintain clarity.
From page 64...
... 1 Kuiper Belt-Pluto Explorer A flyby mission of several Kuiper Belt objects, including Pluto/Charon, to discover their physical nature and understand their endowment of volatiles 2 South Pole-Aitken Basin Sample Return A mission to return samples from the solar system's deepest crater, which pierces the lunar mantle 3 Jupiter Polar Orbiter with Probes A close-orbiting polar spacecraft equipped with various instruments and a relay for three probes that make measurements below the 100+ bar level 4 Venus In-Situ Explorer A core sample of Venus to be lifted into the atmosphere for compositional analysis; simultaneous atmospheric measurements Comet Surface Sample Return Europa Geophysical Explorer Several pieces of a comet's surface to be returned to Earth for organic analysis An orbiter of Jupiter's ice-encrusted satellite to seek the nature and depth of its ocean 1 Mars Scout line A competitively selected line of Mars missions similar in concept to Discovery 2 Mars Upper-Atmosphere Orbiter A spacecraft dedicated to studies of Mars's upper atmosphere and plasma environment Medium (< $650 million) 1 Mars Smart Lander A lander to carry out sophisticated surface observations and to validate sample return technologies 2 Mars Long-Lived Lander Network A globally distributed suite of landers equipped to make comprehensive measurements of the planet's interior, surface, and atmosphere Large(>$650 million)
From page 65...
... The committee anticipates that the information returned from this mission might lead to a new paradigm for the origin and evolution of these objects and their significance in the evolution of objects in other parts of the solar system. South Pole-Aithen Basin Sample Return (SPA-SRJ SPA-SR will return samples from the Moon in order to constrain the early impact history of the inner solar system and to comprehend the nature of the Moon's upper mantle.
From page 66...
... Rather, they exist to create frequent opportunities to fly small missions addressing fundamental scientific questions and to pursue new research problems in creative and innovative ways. Recommended Mars Flight Missions For Mars exploration, the SSE Survey endorses the current science-driven strategy of seeking (i.e., remotesensing)
From page 67...
... The SSE Survey recommends that NASA commit to significant new investments in advanced technology in order that future high-priority flight missions can succeed. RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE In an era of competitively selected missions for space exploration, it will continue to be necessary to improve the technical expertise and infrastructure of organizations providing the vital services that enable the planning and operation of all solar system exploration missions.
From page 68...
... The SSE Survey encourages NASA to continue the integration of astrobiology science objectives with those of other space science disciplines. Astrobiological expertise should be called upon when identifying optimal mission strategies and design requirements for flight-qualified instruments that address key questions in astrobiology and planetary science.
From page 69...
... CONCLUSIONS For nearly 40 years, the U.S. solar system exploration program has led to an explosion of knowledge and awe of our celestial neighborhood as ground-based telescopes and spacecraft have become much more capable while reaching out further from Earth.
From page 70...
... how well the approach outlined in the plan will serve to advance NASA's stated goals and objectives for the ESE Applications Program. THE EARTH SCIENCE ENTERPRISE APPLICATIONS PLAN The Applications Plan consists of a preface; four main sections that address (1)
From page 71...
... A number of aspects of the Applications Plan are especially noteworthy. Notable examples of elements of the Applications Plan that the committee applauds include the following: · The mission statement for the ESE Applications Program is a good broad-based statement.
From page 72...
... The current draft of the Applications Plan lacks sufficient language regarding how the NASA applications strategy will build on past approaches and projects, even as the Applications Plan retains a forward-looking agenda that remains its primary focus. · The plan should address NASA's ongoing commitment to providing data, models, and infrastructure support for operational solutions needed to attain the 2010 goals.
From page 73...
... A number of concepts could benefit from further development and explanation. Among the needed improvements are a stronger opening statement as to why the strategy is necessary and why this particular strategy is the best approach; an explanation of how the plan reflects consultation with non-NASA stakeholders; a more specific identification of who the program is for and how it is to be accomplished, including the role of Earth Science Information Partners Regional Earth Science Applications Centers, and others; a greater distinction between the general mission of ESE and the more specific mission of the ESE Applications Program; a specific rationale for conveying a 10-year commitment for the strategy; clarification as to whether the strategy employs a "push" or "pull" (or "driver vs.
From page 74...
... THE MARS PROGRAM IN CONTEXT Even though NASA is actively pursuing a Mars exploration program, it is not yet actively pursuing a human mission to Mars, and there is no officially selected reference human exploration mission. Accordingly, the committee determined that it might best assist NASA by assuming that a long-stay mission to Mars will take place, as such a mission would levy the more stringent demand for the safety of astronauts while in the Martian environment.
From page 75...
... However, the committee does not recommend that any precursor in situ measurements be taken on Mars to characterize the mechanical and abrasive properties of airborne dust. Rather, it expects that an appropriate simulant would adequately stress the design of any mechanical and seal systems that will be used during a human mission to Mars.
From page 76...
... Recommendation. In order to evaluate if hexavalent chromium on Mars poses a threat to astronaut health, NASA should conduct a precursor in situ measurement to determine if hexavalent chromium is present in Martian soil or airborne dust at more than 150 parts per million (ppm)
From page 77...
... If NASA decides not to implement the necessary engineering controls or for other science-related reasons chooses to measure the oxidation properties of Martian airborne dust and soil, then the measurement should be performed on the surface of Mars rather than via a sample return. Certain organic compounds can be highly toxic to humans, even if those compounds are not associated with a life-form, and the threat should be evaluated in planning the first human mission to Mars.
From page 78...
... The detection of organic carbon might indicate the presence of life-forms. If a sample of Martian soil and airborne dust is returned to fulfill this requirement, the returned sample should be considered hazardous and NASA should follow quarantine procedures as outlined in previous NRC studies (NRC, 2002b)
From page 79...
... There has been some concern that if a sample return is required, the planning for the first human mission to Mars may be delayed until a sample can be obtained. The committee believes that, even should a sample be required because organic carbon has been found, a baseline mission plan for a mission to Mars and even hardware development may still proceed under the assumption that a sample return will not find anything significant enough with regard to Martian biology to invalidate the baseline mission plan.
From page 80...
... Why is the solar corona several hundred times hotter than its underlying visible surface, and how is the supersonic solar wind produced? Challenge 2: Understanding heliospheric structure, the distribution of magnetic fields and matter throughout the solar system, and the interaction of the solar atmosphere with the local interstellar medium.
From page 81...
... program, a Solar Probe mission, and gave it high priority for implementation in the decade 20032013. The programs in the vitality category are those that relate to the infrastructure for solar and space physics research; they are regarded by the committee as essential for the health and vigor of the field.
From page 82...
... Fifty to a hundred nanosatellites to create dynamic images of magnetic fields and charged particles in the near magnetic tail of Earth. Three spacecraft with solar sails positioned at 0.98 AU to provide earlier warning than L1 monitors and to measure the spatial and temporal structure of CMEs, shocks, and solar-wind streams.
From page 83...
... Together with ongoing NSF-supported solar physics programs and facilities as well as the start of the Advanced Technology Solar Telescope (ATST) , these missions constitute a synergistic approach to the study of the inner hello sphere that will involve coordinated observations of the solar interior and atmosphere and the formation, release, evolution, and propagation of coronal mass ejections toward Earth.
From page 84...
... En s ~ FIGURE ES.2 Recommended phasing of the highest-priority NASA missions if budget augmentation for Solar Probe is not obtained. MO&DA costs for all missions are included in the MO&DA budget wedge.
From page 85...
... should be implemented as soon as possible within the coming decade. The Solar Probe iThe Solar Probe mission recommended by the committee is a generic mission to study the heating and acceleration of the solar wind through measurements as close to the surface of the Sun as possible.
From page 86...
... (See the Solar Probe discussion in the report of the Panel on Sun and Heliospheric Physics, which is published in The Sun to the Earth—and Beyond: Panel Reports, 2003, in press.) While accepting the panel's assessment of the critical importance of the in situ measurements for understanding coronal heating and solar wind acceleration, the committee does not wish to rule out the possibility that some additional remote-sensing capabilities, beyond the remote-sensing experiment to measure the polar photospheric magnetic field envisioned by the panel, can be accommodated on a Solar Probe within the cost cap set by the committee.
From page 87...
... A number of activities are under way in the United States to better understand and mitigate the effects of solar activity and the space environment on important technological systems. The mid-199Os saw the creation of the National Space Weather Program (NSWP)
From page 88...
... , which over the next decade and beyond will carry out targeted basic research on space weather. Crucial components of the national space weather effort continue to be provided by the operational programs of the Department of Defense and NOAA.
From page 89...
... A new, centralized database of extreme space weather conditions should be created that covers as many of the relevant space weather parameters as possible. Public and private sectors in space weather applications.
From page 90...
... The solar and space physics research community is especially dependent on the availability of a wide range of suborbital and orbital flight capabilities to carry out cutting-edge science programs, to validate new instruments, and to train new scientists. Suborbital flight opportunities are very important for advancing many key aspects of future solar and space physics research objectives and for enabling the contributions that such opportunities make to education.
From page 91...
... The scientific objectives of the NASA Discovery program should be expanded to include those frontier space plasma physics research subjects that cannot be accommodated by other spacecraft opportunities. The principal investigator (PI)
From page 92...
... Together, these forces have contributed to a changing environment for remote sensing and Earth science research. The Steering Committee on Space Applications and Commercialization convened a workshop in March 2001 to explore the implications of the changing environment and the new relationships among researchers, government, and private sector remote sensing data providers.
From page 93...
... The steering committee found that the Science Data Buy was, in fact, a "science data license." Rather than purchasing the data, the government obtained licenses or data property rights from those commercial companies that specified terms for use of the data. This raises intellectual property issues related to the subsequent redistribution and archiving of the data according to standard scientific practices.
From page 94...
... NASA should permit any academic scientist to compete for data under the Science Data Buy or successor programs. Data Continuity Finding.
From page 95...
... Many of these issues are referred to in the findings and recommendations outlined above (licensing, data continuity, performance measures, and realistic cost accounting) , while others such as the impact of government processes on public-private partnerships (e.g., contracting
From page 96...
... for public-private partnerships were deemed highly complex, owing to the difficulty in determining performance measures, but of lesser significance than other issues involved in establishing successful public-private partnerships for providing remote sensing data for scientific research. The steering committee considered realistic cost accounting critical for creating future, successful partnerships, but of lower significance and complexity than other issues it analyzes in the report.
From page 97...
... The report is directed to those in state, local, and regional governments who make crucial decisions about both the commitment of resources to developing remote sensing capabilities and the use of remote sensing information in the public sector. The steering committee envisions that the report will also be useful to geospatial professionals in state, local, and regional government who work with those managers and decision makers; to remote sensing data providers in the federal government and the private sector; and to federal officials who interact with the nonfederal public sector on issues that require geospatial data.
From page 98...
... FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Improving Management and Efficiency It is advantageous for public sector jurisdictions considering the use of new remote sensing technologies to learn from the organizational practices of governments that have already used remote sensing applications successfully. Geospatial Data Management Finding: Some state and local governments have taken an ad hoc, decentralized approach to using remote sensing data.
From page 99...
... State and local governments should explore the feasibility of establishing long-term purchase agreements with local institutions or vendors to give themselves flexibility in obtaining remote sensing data. Creating a More Effective Public Sector Market for Remote Sensing Data A large and active public sector market for remote sensing data and information will provide economies of scale for governments seeking cost-effective remote sensing applications and for the public, private, and international vendors that supply data and services to state and local governments (see "Working with the Private Sector," in Chapter 4~.
From page 100...
... Associations of state and local governments should establish national or statewide opportunities/forums for state, local, and regional governments to advertise their needs for remote sensing data. Cooperation Between the Federal and Nonfederal Public Sectors Finding: The steering committee found widespread cooperation between federal agencies and state, local, and regional governments in initiating remote sensing applications programs.


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