Space Studies Board Annual Report 1996 (1997) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:
4. Short Reports
4. Short Reports
Pages 47-65
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 47... ...
Although a number of important questions remain regarding variable sources that would be addressed most effectively by using all of the Great Observatories simultaneously, the greatest need is to ensure use of AXAF and HST to observe sources revealed by SIRTF's deep surveys. To the extent possible, the astronomical community will optimize the SIRTF surveys so that areas on the sky previously observed by AXAF and HST are reobserved in the infrared without the need for any special time overlap between the missions.
|
From page 48... ...
48 Space Studies Board Annual Report 1996 David N Schramm Chair, Board on Physics and Astronomy Marc Davis Co-Chair, Committee on Astronomy and Astrophysics Marcia J
|
From page 49... ...
Lawrence Dietlein, chair of the Johnson Space Center Institutional Review Board, to review them. Note that the Institute of Medicine has recently issued guidelines in the related area of handling of patient data (Health Data in the Information Age: Use, Disclosure, and Privacy, National Academy Press, Washington, D.C., 1994~.
|
From page 50... ...
COMPLEX finds the goals and objectives set forth in the Roadmap to be generally consistent with the recommendations and priorities contained in past NRC reports, including An Integrated Strategy for the Planetary Sciences: 1995-2010,2 The Search for Life's Origins: Progress and Future Directions in Planetary Biology and Chemical Evolution,3 and Origin and Evolution of Life Implications for the Planets: A Scientific Strategy for the 1980s.4 Moreover, the fact that the Roadmap was developed jointly by scientists and technologists is a strength consistent with recommendations in the 1995 NRC report Managing the Space Sciences.5 COMPLEX' s general assessment of the Roadmap is that it outlines a rich and ambitious program of planetary exploration through the year 2012. In particular, COMPLEX commends the Roadmap development team for adopting an approach to planetary exploration advocated by the Integrated Strategy, that is, systematically addressing key physical and chemical processes rather than taking the more traditional approach of cataloging and classifying planetary bodies.
|
From page 51... ...
Space Studies Board, National Research Council, An Integrated Strategy for the Planetary Sciences: 1995-2010, National Academy Press, Washington, D.C., 1994. 9Space Studies Board, National Research Council, The Search for Life's Origins: Progress and Future Directions in Planetary Biology and Chemical Evolution, National Academy Press, Washington, D.C., 1990.
|
From page 52... ...
As presented in the Roadmap, the human destiny quest does not appear to be geared primarily toward science, but rather toward the future of human space exploration. Yet, the related campaigns address scientific objectives.
|
From page 53... ...
respace Science Board, National Research Council, Space Science in the Twenty-first Century—Planetary and Lunar Exploration, National Academy Press, Washington, D.C., 1988. respace Studies Board, National Research Council, The Search for Life 's Origins: Progress and Future Directions in Planetary Biology and Chemical Evolution, National Academy Press, Washington, D.C., 1990, pp.
|
From page 54... ...
Study of prebiotic organic chemical evolution on these bodies is consistent with NRC recommendations.25 26 This campaign provides opportunities to study prebiotic organic chemical evolution on a planetary scale in order to develop models of active regions in which chemical evolution could have occurred. Although results from this campaign could have wide public appeal, caution is dictated in two areas.
|
From page 55... ...
Consequently, the campaign title is misleading. Of the portrait missions identified in the Roadmap, the outer planet missions are highly responsive to the priorities set by COMPLEX.34 The scientific objectives address key questions about atmospheric dynamics, chemical and isotopic composition, magnetospheric structure, and auroral phenomena, but the objectives neglect physical processes in the interiors of the giant planets.
|
From page 56... ...
The scientific objectives in the Roadmap need to be brought into sharper focus with some indication of priorities for study and critical measurements to be made. Although it recognizes that NASA committees will be charged with identifying priority mission sets, COMPLEX notes that the Roadmap, in its current form, provides no obvious framework within which such priorities can be set.
|
From page 57... ...
and on the role and character of the proposed institutes themselves (Institutes Letter August 11, 1995~. In a comprehensive analysis of NASA science management, Managing the Space Sciences, (National Academy Press, Washington, D.C., 1995)
|
From page 58... ...
These scientists must also interface with field center managers and external investigators to ensure science program integrity. In numerous conversations with NASA officials, the Board has received assurances that the agency is fully in accord with these recommendations on research policy formulation and science selection.
|
From page 59... ...
In addition to comments on the principal objectives of martian exploration, COMPLEX's assessment also offers observations and suggestions on implementation strategy, site selection, and sampling strategy, as well as technology requirements and related programmatic issues that the committee believes are essential for the success of any Mars sample-return program. The Space Studies Board and COMPLEX look forward to following the future development and implementation of NASA's plans for Mars exploration and, in particular, sample-return missions.
|
From page 60... ...
Understanding the evolution of the planet's surface and interior via studies of its chemistry, Ethology, and morphology on a range of scales from local to global; · Characterizing the dynamics and chemistry of the planet's atmosphere and the degree to which climatic conditions have evolved over time; iMars Expeditions Strategy Group, "The Search for Evidence of Life on Mars," Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California, September 26, 1996. 2 Space Studies Board, National Research Council, Review of NASA 's Planned Mars Program, National Academy Press, Washington, D.C., 1996, p.26.
|
From page 61... ...
924. 7Mars Expeditions Strategy Group, "The Search for Evidence of Life on Mars," Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California, September 26, 1996.
|
From page 62... ...
77. Mars Expeditions Strategy Group, "The Search for Evidence of Life on Mars," Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California, September 26, 1996,p.5.
|
From page 63... ...
These are sites associated with ancient ground water, ancient surface water, and modern ground water. Recognizing that current knowledge of martian geology and geochemistry derives primarily from Viking data, new information from near-term missions, such as Mars Global Surveyor, should have a significant impact on final site selection if adequate resources are provided for data analysis.
|
From page 64... ...
924. 44Space Studies Board, National Research Council, The Search for Life's Origins: Progress and Future Directions in Planetary Biology and Chemical Evolution, National Academy Press, Washington, D.C., 1990, p.
|
From page 65... ...
Moreover, the committee is guardedly optimistic that NASA's current planning for Mars sample-retum missions will be consistent with the priorities outlined in past NRC reports, provided that NASA takes into account the issues discussed above, as summarized here: 1. Formulate a program of Mars sample-retum missions in the context of recent developments in the planetary, life, and astronomical sciences and directed toward the comprehensive goal of understanding Mars as a possible abode of life.
|
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.