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Space Studies Board Annual Report 2011 (2012)

Chapter: 2 Board and Standing Committees: Activities and Membership

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Suggested Citation:"2 Board and Standing Committees: Activities and Membership." National Research Council. 2012. Space Studies Board Annual Report 2011. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/13329.
×

2

Board and Standing Committees:
Activities and Membership

The Board and its standing committees provide strategic direction and oversee activities of ad hoc study committees (see Chapter 3), interact with sponsors, and serve as a communications conduit between the government and the scientific community. They do not provide formal advice and recommendations, and therefore are not subject to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, Section 15.

During 2011, the Space Studies Board (SSB) had five standing committees representing various disciplines: the Committee on Astronomy and Astrophysics (CAA; jointly with the Board on Physics and Astronomy, BPA), the Committee on Earth Studies (CES; renamed the Committee on Earth Science and Applications from Space [CESAS] in 2012), the Committee on the Origins and Evolution of Life (COEL; jointly with the Board on Life Sciences), the Committee on Planetary and Lunar Exploration (COMPLEX), and the Committee on Solar and Space Physics (CSSP). On September 18, 2011, COMPLEX and COEL were disestablished. The Committee on Astrobiology and Planetary Science (CAPS), to be established in 2012, will combine the responsibilities formerly exercised by COMPLEX and COEL. Pending NRC approval, the co-chairs and members of CAPS will be identified and appointed in the first quarter of 2012. It is anticipated that the committee’s first meeting will occur during the first or second quarter of 2012.

SPACE STUDIES BOARD

HIGHLIGHTS OF SPACE STUDIES BOARD ACTIVITIES

The Space Studies Board did not meet during the first quarter of 2011. The spring meeting of the board was held at the beginning of the second quarter on April 6-7 at the National Academies’ Keck Center in Washington, D.C. The first day of the meeting was a joint session of the Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board (ASEB) and the SSB at which the boards were updated by and had discussions with a number of NASA representatives, including NASA Administrator Bolden and NASA Chief Scientist Waleed Abdalati; congressional staff; and Executive Office of the President staff. The boards were also briefed by Wendy Kohrt, co-chair of the steering committee for Recapturing a Future for Space Exploration: Life and Physical Sciences Research for a New Era, which was publically released that day. The second day of the meeting included briefings on the programs and budgets for the National Science Foundation (NSF) Directorate for Geosciences, NOAA/NESDIS, and NASA’s Science Mission Directorate; an update from the European Space Sciences Committee; a briefing from the chair of the planetary science decadal survey (Steve Squyres) and the chair of the astronomy and astrophysics decadal survey (Roger Blandford); and an evaluation of the decadal survey cost appraisal and technical evaluation process by Steve Battel (a member of the astronomy and astrophysics decadal survey committee and the solar and space physics decadal survey committee).

Suggested Citation:"2 Board and Standing Committees: Activities and Membership." National Research Council. 2012. Space Studies Board Annual Report 2011. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/13329.
×

The SSB Executive Committee (XCOM) met on August 18-19 at the Birch Aquarium at the Scripps Oceanographic Institute in La Jolla, California, for its annual strategic planning session. The XCOM met with Carl Wieman (OSTP), Marc Allen (NASA), and Jeff Bingham (Senate staff) to get views from some of their stakeholders. This session included a discussion on the impacts of recent reports, future areas of study for the board, and the role of the board and standing committees. The members also discussed lessons learned and impacts from the decadal surveys, the midterm assessments of the decadal survey process, and the cost and technical risk assessments that have been done for the recent decadal surveys in the context of a workshop to be held in 2012. The XCOM was briefed by Wendy Kohrt, co-chair for the Decadal Survey on Biological and Physical Sciences in Space, on the impacts of the report Recapturing a Future for Space Exploration and by Ann Karagozian on the U.S. Air Force Scientific Advisory Board report The Future of Launch Vehicles for the U.S. Air Force. XCOM members were also briefed by SSB staff member Sandra Graham on the plans for a generational study on the human spaceflight program, which will be led by the ASEB in cooperation with the SSB and sister boards from the Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education.

The SSB met November 8-9, 2011, at the National Academies Arnold and Mabel Beckman Center in Irvine, California, to receive briefings from NASA, representatives of different scientific disciplines, and NRC staff and committee chairs to update them on the progress of current SSB studies. In addition, staff and board members welcomed four new members to the board.

Prior to SSB meeting, the SSB and the BPA held a joint session at the BPA’s board meeting on November 7, where they were briefed by representatives of NASA, NSF, the Department of Energy, and staffers from the relevant committees of the Senate and House of Representatives. Both boards were updated on the progress of the James Webb Space Telescope, which dominated much of the discussion of the two boards over the course of each board’s meeting.

Topics presented to the SSB on November 8 included NASA’s views on access to space for space science (presented by Mike Luther, NASA), hosted payloads (presented by Steven Volz, NASA), and the planning for the human spaceflight study requested in the 2010 NASA Authorization Act.

The final day of the November SSB meeting was dedicated to a session on life and physical sciences research in space, with a focus on research on the International Space Station (ISS). This session followed up on the 2011 release of the joint SSB-ASEB decadal survey on life and physical sciences in space, Recapturing a Future for Space Exploration: Life and Physical Sciences Research for a New Era (available at http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13048). With an eye toward stewardship of the decadal survey, the SSB received scientific presentations from David Weitz of Harvard University and Scott Trappe of Ball State University on soft matter research in microgravity and skeletal muscle health with spaceflight, respectively. The session and board meeting concluded with presentations on NASA’s plans for science and engineering on the ISS (presented by Gale Allen, NASA Office of the Chief Scientist) and an overview of the newly created Space Life and Physical Sciences Research and Applications Division by acting director Brad Carpenter.

SPACE STUDIES BOARD MEMBERSHIP

July 1, 2010–June 30, 2011

Charles F. Kennel, University of California, San Diego (chair)

John M. Klineberg,* Space Systems/Loral (retired) (vice chair)

Steven J. Battel, Battel Engineering

Yvonne C. Brill, Aerospace Consultant

Elizabeth R. Cantwell, Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Andrew B. Christensen, Dixie State College of Utah

Alan Dressler, Observatories of the Carnegie Institution

Jack D. Fellows, University Corporation for Atmospheric Research

July 1, 2011–June 30, 2012

Charles F. Kennel, University of California, San Diego (chair)

John M. Klineberg, Space Systems/Loral (retired) (vice chair)

Mark R. Abbott, Oregon State University

Steven J. Battel, Battel Engineering

Yvonne C. Brill, Aerospace Consultant

Elizabeth R. Cantwell, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

Andrew B. Christensen, Dixie State College of Utah

Alan Dressler, Observatories of the Carnegie Institution

Jack D. Fellows, University Corporation for Atmospheric Research

_______________

* Term began in February 2011.

Suggested Citation:"2 Board and Standing Committees: Activities and Membership." National Research Council. 2012. Space Studies Board Annual Report 2011. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/13329.
×

Heidi B. Hammel, Space Science Institute

Fiona A. Harrison, California Institute of Technology

Anthony C. Janetos, University of Maryland

Joan Johnson-Freese, Naval War College

Molly K. Macauley, Resources for the Future

John F. Mustard, Brown University

Robert T. Pappalardo, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology

James Pawelczyk, Pennsylvania State University

Soroosh Sorooshian, University of California, Irvine

David N. Spergel, Princeton University

Joan Vernikos, Thirdage LLC

Warren M. Washington, National Center for Atmospheric Research

Charles E. Woodward, University of Minnesota

Thomas H. Zurbuchen, University of Michigan

Heidi B. Hammel, AURA

Fiona A. Harrison, California Institute of Technology

Anthony C. Janetos, University of Maryland

Joan Johnson-Freese, Naval War College

Robert P. Lin, University of California, Berkeley*

Molly K. Macauley, Resources for the Future

John F. Mustard, Brown University

Robert T. Pappalardo, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology

James Pawelczyk, Pennsylvania State University

Marcia J. Rieke, University of Arizona

David N. Spergel, Princeton University

Warren M. Washington, National Center for Atmospheric Research

Clifford M. Will, Washington University

Thomas H. Zurbuchen, University of Michigan

Ex Officio and Liaison Participants

Raymond S. Colladay, Lockheed Martin Astronautics (retired) (ex-officio, chair, NRC Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board)

Jean-Pierre Swings, Université de Liège (liaison, chair of the European Space Science Committee)

Membership of the SSB Executive Committee

July 1, 2010–June 30, 2011

Charles F. Kennel, University of California, San Diego (chair)

John M. Klineberg, Space Systems/Loral (retired) (vice chair)

Elizabeth R. Cantwell, Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Fiona A. Harrison, California Institute of Technology

Molly K. Macauley, Resources for the Future, Inc.

Robert T. Pappalardo, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology

Joan Vernikos, Thirdage LLC

Thomas H. Zurbuchen, University of Michigan

July 1, 2011–June 30, 2012

Charles F. Kennel, University of California, San Diego (chair)

John M. Klineberg, Space Systems/Loral (retired) (vice chair)

Mark R. Abbott, Oregon State University

Elizabeth R. Cantwell, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

Fiona A. Harrison, California Institute of Technology

Molly K. Macauley, Resources for the Future, Inc.

Robert T. Pappalardo, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology

Thomas H. Zurbuchen, University of Michigan

Staff in 2011

Michael H. Moloney, Director

Joseph K. Alexander, Senior Program Officer

Arthur A. Charo, Senior Program Officer

Sandra J. Graham, Senior Program Officer

Ian W. Pryke, Senior Program Officer

David H. Smith, Senior Program Officer

Dwayne A. Day, Program Officer, SSB; then Senior Program Officer, ASEB (promoted in February)

David Lang, Program Officer, BPA

Abigail A. Sheffer, Associate Program Officer

_______________

* Dr. Lin is also the U.S. Representative to COSPAR.

Term began in February 2011.

Staff from other NRC Boards who are shared with the SSB.

Suggested Citation:"2 Board and Standing Committees: Activities and Membership." National Research Council. 2012. Space Studies Board Annual Report 2011. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/13329.
×

Lewis Groswald, Research Associate

Amanda Thibault,* Research Associate, ASEB

Celeste A. Naylor, Information Management Associate

Tanja E. Pilzak, Manager, Program Operations

Christina O. Shipman, Financial Officer

Sandra Wilson, Senior Financial Assistant

Catherine A. Gruber, Editor

Carmela J. Chamberlain, Administrative Coordinator

Dionna Williams, Program Associate

Terri Baker, Senior Program Assistant

Rodney N. Howard, Senior Program Assistant

Linda M. Walker, Senior Program Assistant

Space Policy Interns

Rachael Alexandroff, 2011 Summer Lloyd V. Berkner Space Policy Intern

Katie Daud, 2011 Summer Lloyd V. Berkner Space Policy Intern

Danielle Piskorz, 2011 Fall Lloyd V. Berkner Space Policy Intern

Christine Mirzayan Fellows

Heather Smith, Winter 2011 Christine Mirzayan Science and Technology Policy Graduate Fellow

Anna Williams, Fall 2011 Christine Mirzayan Science and Technology Policy Graduate Fellow

U.S. NATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR COSPAR

The Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) held its annual business meetings in Paris, France, on March 21-24. A major topic of discussion during the meetings of both the COSPAR Scientific Advisory Committee and the Bureau was the proposal raised during the Bremen Assembly of initiating a series of COSPAR Symposia to be held in non-assembly years. The basic motivation for these new events is that the biannual scientific assemblies have grown so big that only developed countries have facilities sufficiently large to host one. The off-year symposia would be formatted and scaled so that developing nations could readily host one. While many arguments were made both for and against the proposed new events, the Bureau decided that the concept had sufficient merit that one would be held as a test case. COSPAR provisionally accepted a proposal from Thailand to host the first COSPAR off-year symposium in 2013. The 39th COSPAR scientific assembly will be held in Mysore, India, on July 14-22, 2012. COSPAR’s 40th scientific assembly will be held in Moscow, Russia, on August 2-10, 2014.

U.S. Representative to COSPAR

Robert P. Lin, University of California, Berkeley

Staff

David H. Smith, Senior Program Officer, SSB (executive secretary for COSPAR)

Carmela J. Chamberlain, Administrative Coordinator, SSB

_______________

* Staff from other NRC Boards who are shared with the SSB.

Suggested Citation:"2 Board and Standing Committees: Activities and Membership." National Research Council. 2012. Space Studies Board Annual Report 2011. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/13329.
×

STANDING COMMITTEES

COMMITTEE ON ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS

The Committee on Astronomy and Astrophysics, which operates under the joint auspices of the SSB and the BPA, continued to be on hiatus through completion of the astronomy and astrophysics decadal survey. In the first quarter of 2012, CAA will be stood up and members will be appointed. The CAA is expected to meet in Spring 2012.

A historical summary of reports from CAA and related committees is presented in Figure 2.1.

Staff

David Lang, Program Officer, BPA

Lewis Groswald, Research Associate, SSB

Dionna Williams, Program Associate, SSB

COMMITTEE ON EARTH STUDIES

The Committee on Earth Studies did not meet during 2011. All membership terms ended on December 31, 2010, although several former members of CES are serving on the ad hoc Committee on the Assessment of NASA’s Earth Science Program (see Chapter 3). The Committee on Earth Studies will be renamed the Committee on Earth Sciences and Applications from Space, and the NRC will stand up this new committee in 2012. Appointments to the committee are expected to be completed by early Spring 2012.

A historical summary of reports from CES and related committees is presented in Figure 2.2.

Staff

Arthur A. Charo, Senior Program Officer, SSB

Lewis Groswald, Research Associate, SSB

Terri Baker, Senior Program Assistant, SSB

COMMITTEE ON THE ORIGINS AND EVOLUTION OF LIFE

The Committee on the Origins and Evolution of Life, which operates under the joint auspices of the SSB and the Board on Life Sciences, held its first meeting of 2011 at the National Academies’ Keck Center in Washington, D.C., on March 2-5. In addition to updates concerning NASA’s Planetary Science Division, Astrobiology Program, and the NASA Astrobiology Institute, the committee heard presentations on a variety of topics, including scientific activities in Antarctica, the latest theoretical studies on martian methane models, the rise of oxygen in Earth’s atmosphere, and the use of nucleic acids as bio-markers. In addition, the committee heard a series of different scientific and philosophical perspectives on the recent identification of arsenic-tolerant microbes in Mono Lake and their connection, if any, to the concepts of weird life and shadow biospheres. The committee also discussed NASA’s response to the Mono Lake result and its own future in light of the nascent plans to merge COEL and COMPLEX.

COEL held its 35th and final meeting at the National Academies’ J. Erik Jonsson Center in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, on June 7-8. The scope of the meeting was both retrospective and prospective in that the committee reviewed how exo/astrobiology had been represented in SSB activities over the past 50 years and how it might be handled in the future. Discussions concerning the latter focused on the merger of COEL and COMPLEX to create a new Committee on Astrobiology and Planetary Science (CAPS). The committee’s discussions were enlivened and enriched by the participation of several former chairs and co-chairs of both COMPLEX and COEL and stimulated by the inclusion of topical agenda items on creationism and the ORIRIS-Rex, SAGE, and EPOXI missions.

All NRC committees are ultimately ephemeral and are best remembered by their legacy of published reports. COEL was particularly active during its 11 years of existence. Its track record of nine full-length studies, including the study on icy bodies in progress (see Chapter 3) and one letter report, is as good as, if not better than, that of any comparable committee during the past decade.

Suggested Citation:"2 Board and Standing Committees: Activities and Membership." National Research Council. 2012. Space Studies Board Annual Report 2011. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/13329.
×
images/img-23-1.jpj

FIGURE 2.1 SSB-NRC advice on astronomy and astrophysics (1979-2011).

Suggested Citation:"2 Board and Standing Committees: Activities and Membership." National Research Council. 2012. Space Studies Board Annual Report 2011. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/13329.
×
images/img-24-1.jpg

FIGURE 2.2 SSB-NRC advice on Earth science and applications in space (1979-2011).

Suggested Citation:"2 Board and Standing Committees: Activities and Membership." National Research Council. 2012. Space Studies Board Annual Report 2011. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/13329.
×

COEL was disestablished on September 18, 2011. Responsibility for astrobiology will be transferred to the SSB’s proposed new CAPS.

A historical summary of reports from COEL and related committees is presented in Figure 2.3.

Membership*

J. Gregory Ferry, Pennsylvania State University (co-chair)

Robert T. Pappalardo, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology (co-chair)

Stanley M. Awramik, University of California, Santa Barbara

Katrina J. Edwards, University of Southern California

Margo G. Haygood, University of Colorado, Boulder

Dante Lauretta, University of Arizona

Antonio Lazcano, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico

Ralph D. Lorenz, Johns Hopkins University, Applied Physics Laboratory

Jeff Moersch, University of Tennessee, Knoxville

John C. Priscu, Montana State University

Gary Ruvkin, Masachusetts General Hospital

Barbara Sherwood Lollar, University of Toronto

Everett Shock, Arizona State University

Cristina Takacs-Vesbach, University of New Mexico

European Space Science Committee Liaison

Frances Westall, CNRS Centre de Biophysique Moleculaire, Orleans, France

Staff

David H. Smith, Senior Program Officer, SSB

Rodney N. Howard, Senior Program Assistant, SSB

COMMITTEE ON PLANETARY AND LUNAR EXPLORATION

The Committee on Planetary and Lunar Exploration (COMPLEX) stood down during the conduct of the planetary sciences decadal survey and disestablished on September 18, 2011. Responsibility for planetary science has been transferred to the SSB’s new Committee on Astrobiology and Planetary Science.

A historical summary of planetary science reports from COMPLEX and related committees is presented in Figure 2.4. Related reports in the area of astrobiology and planetary protection are presented in Figure 2.3.

Staff

Sandra J. Graham, Senior Program Officer, SSB

COMMITTEE ON SOLAR AND SPACE PHYSICS

The Committee on Solar and Space Physics was on hiatus until the completion of the solar and space physics (heliophysics) decadal survey. The committee will be stood up again in the late Spring or early Summer of 2012.

A historical summary of reports from CSSP and related committees is presented in Figure 2.5.

_______________

* All terms expired on June 30, 2011.

Suggested Citation:"2 Board and Standing Committees: Activities and Membership." National Research Council. 2012. Space Studies Board Annual Report 2011. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/13329.
×
images/img-26-1.jpg

FIGURE 2.3 SSB-NRC advice on astrobiology and planetary protection (1965-2011).

Suggested Citation:"2 Board and Standing Committees: Activities and Membership." National Research Council. 2012. Space Studies Board Annual Report 2011. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/13329.
×
images/img-27-1.jpg

FIGURE 2.4 SSB-NRC advice on solar system exploration (1969-2011). Origins of life topics are covered in Figure 2.3.

Suggested Citation:"2 Board and Standing Committees: Activities and Membership." National Research Council. 2012. Space Studies Board Annual Report 2011. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/13329.
×
images/img-28-1.jpg

FIGURE 2.5 SSB-NRC advice on solar and space physics (1980-2011).

Suggested Citation:"2 Board and Standing Committees: Activities and Membership." National Research Council. 2012. Space Studies Board Annual Report 2011. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/13329.
×

Staff

Arthur A. Charo, Senior Program Officer, SSB

Amanda Thibault,* Research Associate, ASEB

Linda M. Walker, Senior Program Assistant, SSB

SPACE RESEARCH DISCIPLINES WITHOUT STANDING
COMMITTEE REPRESENTATION

Although there are no longer standing committees representing microgravity research or space biology and medicine, a decadal survey on biological and physical sciences in space was conducted (see Chapter 3). A historical summary of NRC-SSB advice in space biology and medicine is presented in Figure 2.6, and a historical summary of NRC-SSB advice microgravity research is presented in Figure 2.7.

_______________

* Staff from other NRC Boards who are shared with the SSB.

Suggested Citation:"2 Board and Standing Committees: Activities and Membership." National Research Council. 2012. Space Studies Board Annual Report 2011. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/13329.
×
images/img-30-1.jpg

FIGURE 2.6 SSB-NRC advice on space biology and medicine (1960-2011).

Suggested Citation:"2 Board and Standing Committees: Activities and Membership." National Research Council. 2012. Space Studies Board Annual Report 2011. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/13329.
×
images/img-31-1.jpg

FIGURE 2.7 SSB-NRC advice on microgravity research (1978-2011).

Suggested Citation:"2 Board and Standing Committees: Activities and Membership." National Research Council. 2012. Space Studies Board Annual Report 2011. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/13329.
×
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Suggested Citation:"2 Board and Standing Committees: Activities and Membership." National Research Council. 2012. Space Studies Board Annual Report 2011. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/13329.
×
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Suggested Citation:"2 Board and Standing Committees: Activities and Membership." National Research Council. 2012. Space Studies Board Annual Report 2011. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/13329.
×
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Suggested Citation:"2 Board and Standing Committees: Activities and Membership." National Research Council. 2012. Space Studies Board Annual Report 2011. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/13329.
×
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Suggested Citation:"2 Board and Standing Committees: Activities and Membership." National Research Council. 2012. Space Studies Board Annual Report 2011. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/13329.
×
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Suggested Citation:"2 Board and Standing Committees: Activities and Membership." National Research Council. 2012. Space Studies Board Annual Report 2011. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/13329.
×
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Suggested Citation:"2 Board and Standing Committees: Activities and Membership." National Research Council. 2012. Space Studies Board Annual Report 2011. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/13329.
×
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Suggested Citation:"2 Board and Standing Committees: Activities and Membership." National Research Council. 2012. Space Studies Board Annual Report 2011. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/13329.
×
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Suggested Citation:"2 Board and Standing Committees: Activities and Membership." National Research Council. 2012. Space Studies Board Annual Report 2011. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/13329.
×
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Suggested Citation:"2 Board and Standing Committees: Activities and Membership." National Research Council. 2012. Space Studies Board Annual Report 2011. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/13329.
×
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Suggested Citation:"2 Board and Standing Committees: Activities and Membership." National Research Council. 2012. Space Studies Board Annual Report 2011. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/13329.
×
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Suggested Citation:"2 Board and Standing Committees: Activities and Membership." National Research Council. 2012. Space Studies Board Annual Report 2011. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/13329.
×
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Suggested Citation:"2 Board and Standing Committees: Activities and Membership." National Research Council. 2012. Space Studies Board Annual Report 2011. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/13329.
×
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Suggested Citation:"2 Board and Standing Committees: Activities and Membership." National Research Council. 2012. Space Studies Board Annual Report 2011. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/13329.
×
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The original charter of the Space Science Board was established in June 1958, 3 months before the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) opened its doors. The Space Science Board and its successor, the Space Studies Board (SSB), have provided expert external and independent scientific and programmatic advice to NASA on a continuous basis from NASA's inception until the present. The SSB has also provided such advice to other executive branch agencies, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the National Science Foundation (NSF), the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the Department of Defense, as well as to Congress.

Space Studies Board Annual Report 2011 covers a message from the chair of the SSB, Charles F. Kennel, where he expresses that 2011 was a challenging and uncertain year for NASA and the space science research communities. This report also explains the origins of the Space Science Board, how the Space Studies Board functions today, the SSB's collaboration with other National Research Council units, assures the quality of the SSB reports, acknowledges the audience and sponsors, and expresses the necessity to enhance the outreach and improve dissemination of SSB reports.

This report will be relevant to a full range of government audiences in civilian space research - including NASA, NSF, NOAA, USGS, and the Department of Energy, as well members of the SSB, policy makers, and researchers.

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