Vision and Voyages for Planetary Science in the Decade 2013-2022 (2011) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:
10 Planetary Science Research and Infrastructure
10 Planetary Science Research and Infrastructure
Pages 283-302
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 283... ...
And scientific results are conveyed to the most important stakeholders in planetary exploration -- the taxpayers who funded it and the students who will help assure its future -- via education and public outreach programs. The health of all these SRA programs is vital to planetary exploration.
|
From page 284... ...
Education and -- Strengthen efforts to -- -- -- public outreach archive the results of past education and public outreach efforts. Research and Analysis Programs The research related to planetary missions begins well before a mission is formulated and funded, and continues long after it is over.
|
From page 285... ...
Mission Flight Teams The science return from planetary missions, especially complex ones like flagship missions, is maximized by effective communication and data sharing among all the scientists involved in the mission. Science teams for large missions should be put together so that data sharing is built into the mission structure from the outset, and free access to data among all instrument teams on a mission should be strongly encouraged.
|
From page 286... ...
Theoretical development and numerical modeling are crucial for planning future planetary missions, as well as for maximizing the science return from past and ongoing missions. 3,4 For example, the stability of the jovian jet streams is a major topic of theoretical research, and it has recently been applied to predict the bulk rotation rate of Saturn.5 The theory and modeling of two-dimensional turbulence have advanced understanding of spatial scales of jets and vortices.6 The investigation of hydrogen's equation of state has a major theoretical component involving molecular dynamics modeling.7 Detailed modeling of planetary rings requires both analytical and numerical calculations.8 As scientists plan for new missions to these bodies -- such as the various missions evaluated for this decadal survey -- they incorporate this work into their plans and requirements.
|
From page 287... ...
Data Distribution and Archiving Data from space missions remain scientifically valuable long after the demise of the spacecraft that provided them, but only if they are archived appropriately in a form readily accessible to the community of users and if the archives are continually maintained for completeness and accuracy. Data curation is particularly critical for planetary missions, which are infrequent, costly, and often capture temporally unique planetary snapshots.
|
From page 288... ...
. And as planetary exploration continues to become a more international enterprise, it will be increasingly important for NASA to ensure interoperability of the PDS with other international repositories of planetary data.
|
From page 289... ...
NASA planetary science funding is used for education and public outreach activities based on the discoveries of planetary missions. Efforts to integrate effective outreach should be directly embedded within each planetary mission.
|
From page 290... ...
Chapter 11 contains an in-depth discussion of technology development for planetary missions, including new scientific instruments. In particular, that chapter advocates a dedicated technology funding line that, among other things, will fill the need to develop new flight instruments to a higher level of technological readiness than has been the norm in the past.
|
From page 291... ...
on Mauna Kea, Hawaii, for observational programs with an emphasis on support for planetary and astrophysics space missions. The planetary science community has special needs for access to ground-based telescope facilities that differ from the requirements for stellar and extragalactic astronomy.
|
From page 292... ...
Because of their modest costs and development times, they also provide training opportunities for would-be developers of future spacecraft instruments. 18 NASA's Science Mission Directorate regularly flies balloon missions into the stratosphere that carry payloads funded via research and analysis programs.
|
From page 293... ...
JWST will overlap with several planetary missions, offering unique complementary and supplementary observations, and can extend studies of Titan beyond the 2017 end of the Cassini mission. The ability to track moving targets -- a necessity for planetary observations -- is currently being implemented.
|
From page 294... ...
Nonetheless, the DSN continues to perform extraordinarily well, returning data with a very low drop-out rate and achieving command and telemetry availabilities of better than 95 percent to most operating missions. The DSN's current budget supports expansion of Ka-band downlink capability, and addition of two 34-meter beam wave guide antennas at Canberra and one at Madrid by 2018.
|
From page 295... ...
Recent sample return missions include Genesis, which collected samples of the solar wind, and Stardust, which collected cometary material as it flew through the coma of Comet Wild 2. These missions continue a legacy of sample return that includes the robotic Luna and the human Apollo missions to the Moon.
|
From page 296... ...
To derive the full science return from sample return missions, it is critical to maintain technical and instrumental capabilities for initial sample characterization, as well as foster expansion to encompass appropriate new analytical
|
From page 297... ...
The development of new laboratory instrumentation is just as important for sample return missions as is development of new spacecraft instruments for other planetary missions. Well before planetary missions return samples, NASA should establish a well-coordinated and integrated program for development of the next generation of laboratory instruments to be used in sample characterization and analysis.
|
From page 298... ...
. In the microwave and submillimeter wavelength regions, the two ground-based facilities ALMA and the Expanded VLA are of great importance to future planetary exploration.
|
From page 299... ...
The development of instrumentation that addresses the needs of the planetary community, such as low mass and power, high spatial resolution and sensitivity, and mid-infrared capability, are particularly encouraged. Conclusions The committee supports the National Observatories' ongoing efforts to provide public access to its system of observational facilities, and encourages the National Observatories to recognize the synergy between ground-based observations and in situ planetary measurements, perhaps through coordinated observing campaigns on mission targets.
|
From page 300... ...
NSF support for modest investments in small observing facilities, such as equipment or filter sets for modest telescopes operated on university campuses or by amateur astronomers, would enhance the current synergy with professionals. Laboratory Studies and Facilities for Planetary Science To maximize the science return from NSF-funded ground-based observations and NASA space missions alike, materials and processes must be studied in the laboratory.
|
From page 301... ...
Gathering Storm Energizing and Employing America for a Brighter Economic Future. The National Academies Press, Washington, D.C.
|
From page 302... ...
26 For additional details concerning Gemini and recommendations for its future, see, for example, National Research . Council, New Worlds, New Horizons in Astronomy and Astrophysics, The National Academies Press, Washington, D.C., 2010, pp.
|
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.