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Improving NASA's Technology for Space Science (Preface) Improving NASA's Technology for Space Science Preface In 1990, as an attempt to bring together the many research communities associated with space sciences and space engineering, the two boards of the National Research Council dedicated to recommending priorities and procedures for achieving the nation's civilian space program objectivesâthe Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board and the Space Studies Boardâinitiated a Joint Committee on Technology for Space Science and Applications. Late in 1991 and at the request of NASA, the Joint Committee agreed to review NASA's Integrated Technology Plan with an eye towards identifying means of optimizing the future development of technology for space science and applications. A new, larger committee was convened and a workshop was held in June 1992. This report contains the findings of that Committee, the Committee on Space Science Technology Planning. The Committee had a specific charge to accomplish, which I believe we have addressed as well as possible given the scope of the task. For five days, REPORT MENU representatives of the science and engineering communities, from NASA, NOTICE industry, and academe, had an opportunity to discuss, argue, agree and MEMBERSHIP disagree, and come to understand each other in ways never before possible. The PREFACE new interactions and the insights they fostered have led to what is, in my opinion, EXECUTIVE SUMMARY a unique study with valuable information for the future of NASA. It is the CHAPTER 1 Committee's belief that following the recommendations in this report can help CHAPTER 2 NASA do a more effective job and give the taxpayers more value for their money. CHAPTER 3 CHAPTER 4 Throughout history, new technology has gone hand in hand with scientific ACRONYMS BIOGRAPHIES discovery. Sometimes new technology based on established scientific principles BIBLIOGRAPHY has led to new scientific discoveries, sometimes new scientific discoveries have APPENDIX A brought forth new technologies and industries. No field of endeavor has been APPENDIX B more technology-dependent than space-based research. NASA has a special APPENDIX C responsibility to advance U.S. aerospace technology. Its science programs can APPENDIX D serve to focus a portion of the investment in technology, but the objective is not APPENDIX E simply to benefit science. The technologies themselves are vital NASA products and their development should involve all aspects of the nation with the ability to contribute. I hope that the intentions of the Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board and the Space Studies Board to make this interaction a continuing one will file:///C|/SSB_old_web/nasatechpreface.htm (1 of 2) [6/18/2004 11:38:09 AM]
Improving NASA's Technology for Space Science (Preface) be realized and such undertakings will continue into the future. On behalf of the committee members I thank those from NASA, NASA contractors, and academe, who provided the committee members with necessary information on key NASA programs and projects and enabled the committee to be sufficiently well-informed to deliver this wide-ranging report. John H. McElroy, Chair Committee on Space Science Technology Planning Last update 7/6/00 at 3:24 pm Site managed by Anne Simmons, Space Studies Board The National Academies Current Projects Publications Directories Search Site Map Feedback file:///C|/SSB_old_web/nasatechpreface.htm (2 of 2) [6/18/2004 11:38:09 AM]