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Space Studies Board Annual Report 2017 (2018) / Chapter Skim
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5.9 Review of the Restructured Research and Analysis Programs of NASA's Planetary Science Division
Pages 72-74

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From page 72...
... supports a broad range of planetary science activities, including the analysis of data from past and current spacecraft; laboratory research; theoretical, modeling, and computational studies; geological and astrobiological fieldwork in planetary analog environments on Earth; geological mapping of planetary bodies; analysis of data from Earth- and space-based telescopes; and development of flight instruments and technology needed for future planetary science missions. The primary role of the PSD R&A program is to address NASA's strategic objective for planetary science and PSD's science goals, which are derived in part from the 2011 National Research Council (NRC)
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From page 73...
... (Additional details may be found in the section "Proposal Decision Reconsideration" in Chapter 2.) With respect to how effectively the current R&A program elements align with PSD science goals, and whether specific research areas or subdisciplinary groups that are critical to NASA's mission are not supported appropriately in the current program, the committee makes the following recommendations: Recommendation: NASA needs to investigate appropriate mechanisms to ensure that high-risk/high payoff fundamental research and advanced technology-development activities receive appropriate consideration during the review process.
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From page 74...
... 74 Space Studies Board Annual Report -- 2017 Recommendation: In making funding decisions for the various research and analysis program ele ments, NASA should consider the need to sustain critical scientific and technical expertise and the i ­nstrumental and facility capabilities required for scientific return on future missions, as discussed in the 2011 planetary science decadal survey. (Additional details may be found in the section "Enable New Spaceflight Missions" in Chapter 4.)
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