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Improving NASA's Technology for Space Science (1993) / Chapter Skim
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Improving NASA's Technology for Space Science (Executive Summary)
Pages 13-17

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From page 13...
... (See Statement of Task, Appendix A.) In the summer of 1992, when this study was conducted, most exploratory REPORT MENU space technology development activities in NASA were concentrated in the Office NOTICE of Aeronautics and Space Technology (OAST)
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From page 14...
... The Office of Space Science and Applications OSSA is responsible for directing the part of NASA that uses the unique characteristics of space to conduct scientific studies of the Earth, solar system, and universe; to study the effects of low gravity on sensitive systems; and for practical purposes. OSSA has six science divisions: Astrophysics, Space Physics, Earth Science and Applications, Solar System Exploration, Life Sciences, and Microgravity Science and Applications.
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From page 15...
... devoted to reducing technological risk in its major space science and applications programs is small, and does not appear adequate to reduce future risk appreciably or to make sufficient new technological advances available. In spite of its pervasiveness and importance to NASA, there is no organized central control, information center, or focal point for all of NASA's technology development efforts, which now are spread throughout the agency.
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From page 16...
... Program and project managers are understandably hesitant to accept responsibility for completing technology development projects begun by OAST and to apply unproven new technologies to multi-million dollar science programs on an ad hoc basis. Better mechanisms are needed to ensure that the users of space technology maintain an investment in the OAST technology development efforts established to respond to their needs.
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From page 17...
... In particular, it is not clear that the divisions have consistently requested technological assistance from OAST for their most basic technology problems. Finally, the overall fraction of OSSA resources devoted to promoting advanced technology development is too small ($48.8 million of $2.728 billion)
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Key Terms

  • base program
  • focused program
  • space technology
  • technology planning
  • space program

  • technology plan
  • ossa divisions
  • regarding technology
  • civil space
  • development projects

  • nasa mission
  • science programs
  • time constants
  • technology maintain
  • formal technology

  • oast technology
  • space engineering
  • commercial space
  • responsive technology
  • space studies

  • major space
  • future space
  • perform space
  • science technology
  • space industry

  • integrated technology
  • formalize technology
  • advance technology
  • completing technology
  • space flight


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