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Managing the Space Sciences (1995) / Chapter Skim
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3 The Changing Environment for Science at NASA
Pages 27-31

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From page 27...
... Today there is an increased interest in applications of scientific advancements for direct public and commercial benefit and in transfer to the larger technical communities of technological innovations stimulated by science missions. Ironically, when space applications programs were turned over to the mission agencies (e.g., NOAA)
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From page 28...
... One early response was the creation of the Planetary Observer concept for a series of somewhat smaller planetary exploration missions to be funded annually at about a constant level, analogous to the Earth-orbital Explorer family. (This concept for an annually funded series was never developed according to original precepts, and only the ill-fated Mars Observer mission was implemented.)
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From page 29...
... Upon his arrival at NASA in spring 1992, Administrator Daniel S Goldin accelerated the trend toward "smaller, faster, cheaper" missions employing advanced technologies, carefully focused mission objectives, lower-cost launch vehicles simpler m~nns,~.me.nt t~rhni~ and, where appropriate, reduced management oversight.
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From page 30...
... To achieve higher flight rates at lower costs, NASA proposes across-the-board efforts to incorporate new technologies in flight and ground hardware and in processes for managing flight projects. NASA management has gone so far as to reject proposed flight projects that would achieve their scientific goals but did not include proposals for significant new technologies.
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From page 31...
... This would be especially detrimental to the relationship between the space science enterprise and the human exploration and space transportation enterprises, both of which have direct connections to the space sciences but could evolve in directions less supportive of the conduct of science. The NASA strategic plan, which was updated in February 1995, provides important information on the agency's place in the nation's R&D environment and its planned contributions to national goals; it also explains the enterprise-based strategic planning framework that NASA has adopted.
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Key Terms

  • flight projects
  • space sciences
  • space technology
  • science missions
  • space applications

  • applications programs
  • space physics
  • lower costs
  • mars observer
  • technology planning

  • flight centers
  • scientific advancements
  • vehicle development
  • launch vehicle
  • enterprises increases

  • employing advanced
  • missions costing
  • jet propulsion
  • planetary observer
  • explorer program

  • rapidly evolved
  • nasa budget
  • astronomical missions
  • mission agencies
  • vigorous exploration

  • funded series
  • foregoing discussion
  • larger technical
  • exploration missions
  • industrial space


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