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Appendix A Statement of Task The Space Studies Board, in conjunction with the Aero- ⢠Importance to the national interest of maintaining and/ nautics and Space Engineering Board, will appoint a study or reestablishing needed infrastructure at field centers, committee to prepare a report that addresses the following laboratories, and the private sector R&D base, given the issues regarding the development and use of radioisotope recent curtailment of RPS program content and ambi- power systems (RPSs) for NASA space missions: tious national goals in space exploration; ⢠Strategies for reestablishment of 238Pu domestic pro- ⢠Technical readiness and programmatic balance of duction versus the likelihood of continued procurement NASAâs RPS technology portfolio to support NASA of Russian-produced material in view of potential com- near- and long-term mission plans; petition for 238Pu fuel from other space-faring nations ⢠Effectiveness and ability of U.S. Government agency and the critical shortage of U.S.-owned inventory; and management structures, including participating organi- ⢠Identification of any actions that could be taken in zations, roles, and responsibilities, to meet stated goals the context of the overall RPS program to meet stated and objectives of U.S. programs for RPS capabilities s  cience and exploration goals. within the current statutory and policy framework; 35