Improving NASA's Technology for Space Science (1993) / Chapter Skim
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Improving NASA's Technology for Space Science (Chapter 2)
Improving NASA's Technology for Space Science (Chapter 2)
Pages 24-46
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From page 24... ...
: Astrophysics, Solar System Exploration, Space Physics, Earth Sciences and Applications, Life Sciences, and Microgravity Sciences and Applications. The Life Sciences Division contributes to both of the final two objectives.
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OSSA has applied the set of principles that are given in Table 2 to its pursuit of the above scientific objectives. Table 2 OSSA'S STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES q Constant emphasis on excellence as a measure of scientific leadership q Basic scientific goals and strategies defined by the scientific community Use of scientific peer review in all aspects of the program q Balance among the various scientific disciplines Close communication with external scientific and applications communities, particularly through the advisory process q Strong support for universities to provide essential long-term research talents q Effective use of the NASA centers in formulating and implementing the OSSA program q Choice of an appropriate mission approach determined by scientific and applications requirements q Attention to nurturing and enhancing educational opportunities, at all file:///C|/SSB_old_web/nasatechch2.htm (2 of 23)
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From page 26... ...
Reviewers are most often asked about the technical excellence of the proposal, the competence of the researchers, and the potential impact of the proposed project results on a scientific discipline or interdisciplinary research area. Peers may also be asked about the project's relevance to the objectives of the funding program.
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The theme of technology readiness is reinforced in the last of these decision rules, which calls for an investment to develop needed technologies. Table 4 OSSA DECISION RULES 1.
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Estimates by the divisions of their FY 1992 expenditures in support of technology development are provided later in this chapter and compiled in Appendix C In responding to OAST's request for information about OSSA technology needs as part of the ITP preparation process, OSSA consolidated the technology needs of its six science divisions into a single set.
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, and equal to about 40 percent of OAST's estimate of its expenditure relevant to OSSA's technology needs. NASA estimates the total OSSA technology budget and the portion of the OAST's budget relevant to space science to be as much as $177 million (see Appendix C)
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Astrophysics 683.7 35.5 11.3 Earth Science and 747.5 175.1 10 Applications Life Sciences 148.9 50.7 5 Microgravity Science and 120.8 16.6 ~8 Applications Solar System Exploration 534.5 90.7 5.5 Space Physics 275.6 35.0 3.5 Source: NASA THE ASTROPHYSICS AND SPACE PHYSICS DIVISIONS There is a strong interdependence between science and technology. Scientific advances frequently enable new technologies while new technology is often the basis for scientific discoveries.
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The Astrophysics Division has identified technology needs in five major areas: sensors, optics, interferometers, observatory systems, and information systems. The Astrophysics Division has an Advanced Programs Branch containing an Advanced Technology Program, and estimates its FY 1992 expenditures in support of technology development at $11.3 million.
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Some modifications have since been made, but without broad community concurrence or a rigorous review such as the Astrophysics Division's Astrotech 21 Program. The division's decision rules to develop its technology needs are: "Urgency -- Does project provide essential or significant benefits to a core science mission or experiment?
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The Committee could find few instances of transferring technology from other NASA developers or from the OAST Base Program to astrophysics or space physics programs. One of OAST's critical functions is to develop non mission-specific advanced space technology in its Base Program.
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The Committee also recommends technology development projects to foster a broad range of innovative capabilities for smaller missions. THE EARTH SCIENCE AND APPLICATIONS AND SOLAR SYSTEM EXPLORATION DIVISIONS Background: Earth Science and Applications Division The place of the Earth Science and Applications Division in OSSA is unique.
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The Earth Science and Applications Division does not have a specific advanced technology development branch or program; it has estimated $10.0 million as its FY 1992 spending on technology development. Background: Solar System Exploration Division The Solar System Exploration Division has stated that its goals and approaches are derived from and consistent with those recommended by the Committee on Planetary and Lunar Exploration of the National Academy of Sciences and the Solar System Exploration Committee of the NASA Advisory Council.5 They are: Solar System Origins Understand the process of solar system formation, in particular planetary formation, and the physical and chemical evolution of protoplanetary systems.
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The essential part of this exploration is a core science program of balanced missions and research that stresses continuity, commonality, cost-effectiveness, and the use of existing technology. Future programs envision completing the reconnaissance phase for all planets, completing the exploration phase of the inner solar system and small bodies, advancing the exploration phase of the outer planets, and conducting in depth studies of Mars and a comet or asteroid.6 Technology Need Compilation and Evaluation The Solar System Exploration Division's technology planning strategy is as follows: Step 1: Derive a set of technology themes consistent with the division's (and OSSA's)
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FINDINGS The technology needs submitted by the Earth Sciences and Applications Division and the Solar System Exploration Division for inclusion in the ITP do not reflect their respective communities' need for increased access to space through smaller, quicker, more flexible, and less expensive missions. For example, the Solar System Exploration Division has shifted its emphasis from a few big missions to more frequent access to space and more flexible missions.
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OSSA and OAST should act to improve communication between the Earth Sciences and Applications Division, the Solar System Exploration Division, both division's scientific communities, and those able to contribute to the development of their technology needs. OSSA and QAST should emphasize a team approach to problem solving both at NASA headquarters and where the work actually takes place, including NASA centers.
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The division's experiments are generally conducted using biomedical devices or animal, plant, or cell maintenance or growth facilities that are specially designed or specially modified for space flight and integrated into the Shuttle mid-deck or the Spacelab module. Devices used in space life sciences research require various levels of crew interaction.
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and flight programs and science branches at NASA headquarters identify and forward technology need requirements and candidates.8 Cost estimates for candidate technology needs are requested. Candidate technology needs are categorized and ranked by the Life Sciences Division Technology Coordinator, who puts each technology need into one of three priority levels based on the program or mission enabled, synergy with Life Sciences Division objectives, and cost.
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Formalize technology planning responsibilities to identify, coordinate, and report relevant work within the division. THE MICROGRAVITY SCIENCE AND APPLICATIONS DIVISION The low-gravity environments aboard orbiting spacecraft and on some extraterrestrial bodies offer unique conditions for scientific inquiry and also present challenging problems and opportunities for the development of mission enabling technologies.
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To date, most microgravity experiments have been focused on exploring the first two circumstances above. These experiments have included studies of crystal growth in fluids, fundamental phenomena in crystal growth, convection phenomena, measurement of the transport properties of fluids, combustion phenomena, fire safety aboard spacecraft, and immiscible alloys and multiphase solids.9 The goals of the Microgravity Sciences and Applications Division are to 1.
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The Life Sciences and Microgravity Sciences and Applications Divisions are expected to be NASA's primary scientific users of Space Station Freedom's pressurized volume. The Microgravity Science and Applications Division contributed 11 technology needs to the final OSSA technology matrix presented to OAST.
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In step five, the technology needs evaluation scores are compiled and given a final review by division personnel. After review, a summary technology needs matrix is submitted to OSSA for integration into the OSSA Technology Needs Matrix.11 FINDINGS The ITP process has fostered communication between OAST and the OSSA Microgravity Sciences and Applications Division.
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From page 45... ...
Liaison groups, including staff from NASA centers, should be encouraged to identify and focus on crucial, feasible joint projects. OAST and the Microgravity Sciences and Applications Division should establish a joint working group in microgravity (with membership drawn from NASA, universities, industry, and government laboratories)
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1992. White Paper on NASA-Wide Microgravity Research, p 14 Last update 7/10/00 at 12:36 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/nasatechch2.htm (23 of 23)
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