New Worlds, New Horizons A Midterm Assessment (2016) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:
5 The Next Decadal Survey of Astronomy and Astrophysics
5 The Next Decadal Survey of Astronomy and Astrophysics
Pages 93-100
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 93... ...
Astronomy was the first discipline to organize such a decadal survey. Other scientific disciplines have followed suit, and the Academies' decadal process is becoming established as a critical component of planning for several fields.1 However, the evolution of both the science and the budgetary landscape requires that the decadal process itself be reviewed periodically to derive lessons learned and best practices that are aimed at ensuring that future decadal-ranked missions and initiatives are aligned with realistic budgetary expectations, and to ensure that the advice given by the decadal process is informed and credible.
|
From page 94... ...
for all major projects being considered for prioritiza tion, both ground- and space-based. This development in the decadal process was implemented in response to the 2008 NASA Authorization Act, which directed that the decadal survey process "shall include independent estimates of the life cycle costs and technical readiness of missions assessed in the decadal surveys whenever possible."4 The CATE process was developed for the decadal surveys in order to provide an independent, standardized process to produce a figure-of-merit for technical and cost risk that aids in the decadal surveys' science prioritization.
|
From page 95... ...
Rather, it is an attempt to carry out an analysis of cost and technical risk for each major mission being considered for high-priority ranking -- an analysis that is on an equal footing on a mission-bymission basis so as to enable relative comparison within an approximate overall budget envelope. The committee supports the lessons learned and best practices provided in Space Science Decadal Surveys.5 In addition, this committee concurs there may be merit in introducing additional flexibility into the CATE process -- for instance, by allowing a larger subset of promising initiatives that emerge from it and the decadal survey, but are not top-ranked by virtue of cost and technical risk concerns, preliminary funding to retire some of the risk identified therein.
|
From page 96... ...
Future surveys could incorporate guidance to the government on how to reprioritize when budgets are significantly different from assumptions. Space Science Decadal Surveys provides useful lessons in this regard.6 NWNH recommended that an independent advisory committee be created to assist with federal planning in astronomy and astrophysics.
|
From page 97... ...
During the decade preceding a survey, there are multiple independent white papers and federal advisory committee reports that collectively, and in a comprehensive fashion, identify progress made to date, promising new science directions,
|
From page 98... ...
As a part of the next decadal process, the Academies can again assemble and summarize prior relevant advisory committee and Academies reports. This systematically assembled archive will help streamline the 2020 effort, obviate the need to perform redundant studies during the survey, and provide useful traceability.
|
From page 99... ...
Although NWNH ranked them both highly, there was not sufficient funding available for NASA to pursue these mission concepts in addition to higher-priority activities. What were previously strong ties between the United States and Europe weakened as a result, and Europe soon established its own efforts while preserving the possibility of a minority role for the United States.
|
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.