APPENDIX A
Letter of Request
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Headquarters
Washington, DC 20546-0001
SR
Reply to Attn of:
JUN 16 2000
Professor
Claude Canizares
Chair,
Space Studies Board
National Academy of Sciences 2101 Constitution Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20418
Dear Professor Canizares:
The Space Studies Board's (SSB's) report on “Supporting Research and Data Analysis (R&DA) in NASA'S science Programs” contained a thoughtful analysis of R&DA patterns, as well as a series of findings and specific recommendations.Although this report concerned all of NASA's science areas, I willconcentrate on space science issues in this letter.
Traditionally, most public attention was devoted to NASA's flight programs, consistent with the fact that NASA is charteredas a mission-oriented agency. Recently, the R&DA component has receivedincreasing attention as the contributions of the R&DA program tothe flight programs received more recognition. Finally, the SpaceScience Enterprise (SSE) has begun to revitalize R&DA programs andto more explicitly align them with the strategic pIan. A “White Paper,” which summarizes the Space Science Enterprise's actions and plans for R&DA, is nearing completion.
The findings and recommendations of the SSB's report on R&DA have therefore more significance than ever, and NASA's response to them deserves appropriate independent assessment. Suchan independent assessment is best done by the same organization whichgenerated the earlier recommendations on NASA's R&DA programs. I, therefore,request a brief, interim assessment on the progress NASA's SSE hasmade in responding to the recommendations in the SSB's report on“Supporting Research and Data Analysis in NASA's Science Programs.” Completion of this interim
assessment in the August-September 2000 timeframe would allow usto incorporate findings into our plans for R&DA proposal solicitationsand R&DA program-wide reviews in fiscal year 2001.
We look forward to receiving your reply and proposal, including assessmentcosts and estimated completion date. If you require further informationon our current R&DA actions and plans, please work with Dr. GuenterRiegler, Director, Research Division, Office of Space Science. Forcontractual matters, please contact Ms. Dolores Holland at (202)358-0834.
Sincerely,
Edward J. Weiler
Associate Administrator for Space Science