National Academies Press: OpenBook
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Research Council. 1994. A Space Physics Paradox: Why Has Increased Funding Been Accompanied by Decreased Effectiveness in the Conduct of Space Physics Research?. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/4792.
×

A SPACE PHYSICS PARADOX

WHY HAS INCREASED FUNDING BEEN ACCOMPANIED BY DECREASED EFFECTIVENESS IN THE CONDUCT OF SPACE PHYSICS RESEARCH?

Committee on Solar-Terrestrial Research

Board on Atmospheric Sciences and Climate

Commission on Geosciences, Environment, and Resources and

Committee on Solar and Space Physics

Space Studies Board

Commission on Physical Sciences, Mathematics, and Applications

National Research Council


NATIONAL ACADEMY PRESS
Washington, D.C.
1994

Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Research Council. 1994. A Space Physics Paradox: Why Has Increased Funding Been Accompanied by Decreased Effectiveness in the Conduct of Space Physics Research?. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/4792.
×

NOTICE: The project that is the subject of this report was approved by the Governing Board of the National Research Council, whose members are drawn from the councils of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine.

This report has been reviewed by a group other than the authors according to procedures approved by a Report Review Committee consisting of members of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine.

The National Academy of Sciences is a private, nonprofit, self-perpetuating society of distinguished scholars engaged in scientific and engineering research, dedicated to the furtherance of science and technology and to their use for the general welfare. Upon the authority of the charter granted to it by the Congress in 1863, the Academy has a mandate that requires it to advise the federal government on scientific and technical matters. Dr. Bruce Alberts is president of the National Academy of Sciences.

The National Academy of Engineering was established in 1964, under the charter of the National Academy of Sciences, as a parallel organization of outstanding engineers. It is autonomous in its administration and in the selection of its members, sharing with the National Academy of Sciences the responsibility for advising the federal government. The National Academy of Engineering also sponsors engineering programs aimed at meeting national needs, encourages education and research, and recognizes the superior achievements of engineers. Dr. Robert M. White is president of the National Academy of Engineering.

The Institute of Medicine was established in 1970 by the National Academy of Sciences to secure the services of eminent members of appropriate professions in the examination of policy matters pertaining to the health of the public. The Institute acts under the responsibility given to the National Academy of Sciences by its congressional charter to be an adviser to the federal government and, upon its own initiative, to identify issues of medical care, research, and education. Dr. Kenneth I. Shine is president of the Institute of Medicine.

The National Research Council was organized by the National Academy of Sciences in 1916 to associate the broad community of science and technology with the Academy’s purposes of furthering knowledge and advising the federal government. Functioning in accordance with general policies determined by the Academy, the Council has become the principal operating agency of both the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering in providing services to the government, the public, and the scientific and engineering communities. The Council is administered jointly by both Academies and the Institute of Medicine. Dr. Bruce Alberts and Dr. Robert M. White are chairman and vice chairman, respectively, of the National Research Council.

This material is based on work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. ATM 9316824.

Copies of this report are available from the
National Academy Press,
2101 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Box 285, Washington, DC 20418. Call 800-624-6242 or 202-334-3313 (in the Washington Metropolitan Area).
International Standard Book Number 0-309-05177-0

Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 94-67475

Copyright © 1994 by the National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.

Cover art reproduced from a batik card titled Changes by Susan Wexler Schneider, a nationally recognized batik artist who has been working in this medium for 20 years. Now a Seattle, Washington, resident, Ms. Schneider learned the craft of batik in a southern Ontario town and has had many one-person and group shows. Susan considers batik a “truly magical medium.” It is singularly appropriate to have Susan’s art represented on the cover of this report since she is the daughter of the late Harry Wexler, whose contributions to atmospheric science and to our understanding of solar influences on the atmosphere are well known. Dr. Wexler was instrumental in establishing the geophysical observatory at Mauna Loa and in attracting scientists to study solar radiation and the atmosphere.

Printed in the United States of America

Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Research Council. 1994. A Space Physics Paradox: Why Has Increased Funding Been Accompanied by Decreased Effectiveness in the Conduct of Space Physics Research?. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/4792.
×

COMMITTEE ON SOLAR-TERRESTRIAL RESEARCH

Current Members

MARVIN A. GELLER,

State University of New York, Stony Brook,

Chair

CYNTHIA A. CATTELL,

University of California, Berkeley

JOHN V. EVANS,

COMSAT Laboratories, Clarksburg, Maryland

PAUL A. EVENSON,

University of Delaware, Newark

JOSEPH F. FENNELL,

Aerospace Corporation, Los Angeles, California

SHADIA R. HABBAL,

Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, Cambridge, Massachusetts

DAVID J. McCOMAS,

Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico

JAMES F. VICKREY,

SRI International, Menlo Park, California

Past Members Who Contributed to This Report

DONALD J. WILLIAMS,

Johns Hopkins University, Laurel, Maryland,

Chair

ALAN C. CUMMINGS,

California Institute of Technology, Pasadena

GORDON EMSLIE,

University of Alabama, Huntsville

DAVID C. FRITTS,

University of Colorado, Boulder

ROLANDO R. GARCIA,

National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, Colorado

MARGARET G. KIVELSON,

University of California, Los Angeles

MARCOS MACHADO,

University of Alabama, Huntsville

EUGENE N. PARKER,

University of Chicago, Illinois

Liaison Representative

JOE H. ALLEN,

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Staff

WILLIAM A. SPRIGG, Director

DAVID H. SLADE, Senior Program Officer

DORIS BOUADJEMI, Administrative Assistant

Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Research Council. 1994. A Space Physics Paradox: Why Has Increased Funding Been Accompanied by Decreased Effectiveness in the Conduct of Space Physics Research?. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/4792.
×

COMMITTEE ON SOLAR AND SPACE PHYSICS

Current Members

MARCIA NEUGEBAUER,

Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California,

Chair

JANET U. KOZYRA,

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

DONALD G. MITCHELL,

Johns Hopkins University, Laurel, Maryland

JONATHAN F. ORMES,

Goddard Space Flight Center, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Greenbelt, Maryland

GEORGE K. PARKS,

University of Washington, Seattle

DOUGLAS M. RABIN,

National Optical Astronomy Observatory, Tucson, Arizona

ART RICHMOND,

High-Altitude Observatory, National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, Colorado

ROGER K. ULRICH,

University of California, Los Angeles

RONALD D. ZWICKL,

Environmental Research Laboratories, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Boulder, Colorado

Past Members Who Contributed to This Report

THOMAS E. CRAVENS,

University of Kansas, Lawrence

DAVID M. RUST,

The Johns Hopkins University, Laurel, Maryland

RAYMOND J. WALKER,

University of California, Los Angeles, California

YUK L. YUNG,

California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California

Staff

RICHARD C. HART, Senior Program Officer

Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Research Council. 1994. A Space Physics Paradox: Why Has Increased Funding Been Accompanied by Decreased Effectiveness in the Conduct of Space Physics Research?. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/4792.
×

BOARD ON ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCES AND CLIMATE

JOHN A. DUTTON,

Pennsylvania State University, University Park,

Chair

E. ANN BERMAN,

International Technology Corporation, Edison, New Jersey

CRAIG E. DORMAN, Consultant,

Arlington, Virginia

MICHAEL FOX-RABINOVITZ,

National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland

THOMAS E. GRAEDEL,

AT&T Bell Laboratories, Murray Hill, New Jersey

ISAAC M. HELD,

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory, Princeton, New Jersey

WITOLD F. KRAJEWSKI,

University of Iowa, Iowa City

MARGARET A. LeMONE,

National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, Colorado

DOUGLAS K. LILLY,

University of Oklahoma, Norman

RICHARD S. LINDZEN,

Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge

GERALD R. NORTH,

Texas A&M University, College Station

EUGENE M. RASMUSSON,

University of Maryland, College Park

JOANNE SIMPSON,

National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland

GRAEME L. STEPHENS,

Colorado State University, Fort Collins

Ex Officio Members

ERIC J. BARRON,

Pennsylvania State University, University Park

WILLIAM L. CHAMEIDES,

Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta

MARVIN A. GELLER,

State University of New York, Stony Brook

PETER V. HOBBS,

University of Washington, Seattle

Staff

WILLIAM A. SPRIGG, Director

MARK HANDEL, Senior Program Officer

DAVID H. SLADE, Senior Program Officer

DORIS BOUADJEMI, Administrative Assistant

THERESA M. FISHER, Administrative Assistant

ELLEN F. RICE, Editor

Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Research Council. 1994. A Space Physics Paradox: Why Has Increased Funding Been Accompanied by Decreased Effectiveness in the Conduct of Space Physics Research?. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/4792.
×

SPACE STUDIES BOARD

LOUIS J. LANZEROTTI,

AT&T Bell Laboratories,

Chair

JOSEPH A. BURNS,

Cornell University

JOHN A. DUTTON,

Pennsylvania State University

ANTHONY W. ENGLAND,

University of Michigan

JAMES P. FERRIS,

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

HERBERT FRIEDMAN,

Naval Research Laboratory (retired)

HAROLD J. GUY,

University of California, San Diego

NOEL W. HINNERS,

Martin Marietta Civil Space and Communications Company

ROBERT A. LAUDISE,

AT&T Bell Laboratories

RICHARD S. LINDZEN,

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

JOHN H. McELROY,

University of Texas at Arlington

WILLIAM J. MERRELL, JR.,

Texas A&M University

NORMAN F. NESS,

University of Delaware

MARCIA NEUGEBAUER,

Jet Propulsion Laboratory

SIMON OSTRACH,

Case Western Reserve University

JEREMIAH P. OSTRIKER,

Princeton University Observatory

CARLE M. PIETERS,

Brown University

JUDITH PIPHER,

University of Rochester

WILLIAM A. SIRIGNANO,

University of California, Irvine

JOHN W. TOWNSEND,

Goddard Space Flight Center (retired)

FRED TUREK,

Northwestern University

ARTHUR B. C. WALKER,

Stanford University

Staff

MARC S. ALLEN, Director

RICHARD C. HART, Deputy Director

JOYCE M. PURCELL, Senior Program Officer

DAVID H. SMITH, Senior Program Officer

BETTY C. GUYOT, Administrative Officer

ANNE SIMMONS, Administrative Assistant

VICTORIA FRIEDENSEN, Administrative Assistant

ALTORIA BELL, Administrative Assistant

CARMELA J. CHAMBERLAIN, Administrative Assistant

Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Research Council. 1994. A Space Physics Paradox: Why Has Increased Funding Been Accompanied by Decreased Effectiveness in the Conduct of Space Physics Research?. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/4792.
×

COMMISSION ON GEOSCIENCES, ENVIRONMENT, AND RESOURCES

M. GORDON WOLMAN,

The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland,

Chair

PATRICK R. ATKINS,

Aluminum Company of America, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

EDITH BROWN WEISS,

Georgetown University Law Center, Washington, D.C.

PETER S. EAGLESON,

Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge

EDWARD A. FRIEMAN,

Scripps Institution of Oceanography, La Jolla, California

W. BARCLAY KAMB,

California Institute of Technology, Pasadena

JACK E. OLIVER,

Cornell University, Ithaca, New York

FRANK L. PARKER,

Vanderbilt/Clemson University, Nashville, Tennessee

RAYMOND A. PRICE,

Queen's University at Kingston, Ontario, Canada

THOMAS A. SCHELLING,

University of Maryland, College Park

LARRY L. SMARR,

University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

STEVEN M. STANLEY,

The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland

VICTORIA J. TSCHINKEL,

Landers and Parsons, Tallahassee, Florida

WARREN WASHINGTON,

National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, Colorado

Staff

STEPHEN RATTIEN, Executive Director

STEPHEN D. PARKER, Associate Executive Director

MORGAN GOPNIK, Assistant Executive Director

JEANETTE SPOON, Administrative Officer

SANDI FITZPATRICK, Administrative Associate

ROBIN ALLEN, Senior Project Assistant

Page viii Cite
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Research Council. 1994. A Space Physics Paradox: Why Has Increased Funding Been Accompanied by Decreased Effectiveness in the Conduct of Space Physics Research?. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/4792.
×

COMMISSION ON PHYSICAL SCIENCES, MATHEMATICS, AND APPLICATIONS

RICHARD N. ZARE,

Stanford University,

Chair

RICHARD S. NICHOLSON,

American Association for the Advancement of Science,

Vice Chair

STEPHEN L. ADLER,

Institute for Advanced Study

JOHN A. ARMSTRONG,

IBM Corporation (retired)

SYLVIA T. CEYER,

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

AVNER FRIEDMAN,

University of Minnesota

SUSAN L. GRAHAM,

University of California, Berkeley

ROBERT J. HERMANN,

United Technologies Corporation

HANS MARK,

University of Texas, Austin

CLAIRE E. MAX,

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

CHRISTOPHER F. McKEE,

University of California at Berkeley

JAMES W. MITCHELL,

AT&T Bell Laboratories

JEROME SACKS,

National Institute of Statistical Sciences

A. RICHARD SEEBASS III,

University of Colorado

CHARLES P. SLICHTER,

University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

ALVIN W. TRIVELPIECE,

Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Staff

NORMAN METZGER, Executive Director

Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Research Council. 1994. A Space Physics Paradox: Why Has Increased Funding Been Accompanied by Decreased Effectiveness in the Conduct of Space Physics Research?. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/4792.
×

Preface

Traditionally, the National Research Council's Board on Atmospheric Sciences and Climate (BASC) and Space Studies Board (SSB) examine research strategies within their areas of science. In that respect this report is unusual. It looks, instead, at the health of a scientific discipline as it is affected by administrative, managerial, and funding decisions. The study originated from a perception shared by many space scientists that, although overall funding was greater than in previous years, individual researchers seemed to be having greater difficulty in obtaining support for their work. This report is the result of an investigation into that perception and the program structures within which much of U.S. space physics research is conducted.

The authors of this report are listed in the preceding committee membership rosters. Their aspirations were to help federal science managers, and those within their own ranks who help make and implement science policy, by analyzing governmental support of space physics research. The conclusions and recommendations from this study are guideposts for identifying and solving significant problems that thwart cost efficiency in the management of one corner of science. However, as the committee members soon discovered, the subject and results of this study apply to many other areas of science as well. This report should be of interest to everyone engaged in research or in the funding and organizing of research.

The two authoring committees, the BASC Committee on Solar-Terrestrial Research (CSTR) and the SSB Committee on Solar and Space Physics, meet jointly as a federated committee representing the subdisciplines of solar physics, heliospheric physics, cosmic rays, magnetospheric physics, ionospheric physics,

Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Research Council. 1994. A Space Physics Paradox: Why Has Increased Funding Been Accompanied by Decreased Effectiveness in the Conduct of Space Physics Research?. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/4792.
×

upper-atmospheric physics, aeronomy, and solar-terrestrial physics to provide advice to government agencies. They are concerned with the experimental (both ground-and space-based), theoretical, and data analysis aspects of all these subdisciplines.

Development of research and policy guidance is undertaken with one committee taking a lead role, as appropriate. While the CSTR filled the lead role for this report, the results stem from a sustained effort by the entire federated committee.

A particular note of appreciation is extended to two people who helped bring this study to its most fruitful conclusion: Morgan Gopnik, who skillfully edited the report and made key recommendations in response to reviewer comments, and Ronald C. Wimberley of North Carolina State University, who contributed insightful suggestions for improving the manuscript. The committees also wish to thank Doris Bouadjemi for her able preparation of the many iterations of the manuscript.

John A. Dutton, Chairman

Board on Atmospheric Sciences and Climate

Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Research Council. 1994. A Space Physics Paradox: Why Has Increased Funding Been Accompanied by Decreased Effectiveness in the Conduct of Space Physics Research?. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/4792.
×
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Research Council. 1994. A Space Physics Paradox: Why Has Increased Funding Been Accompanied by Decreased Effectiveness in the Conduct of Space Physics Research?. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/4792.
×
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Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Research Council. 1994. A Space Physics Paradox: Why Has Increased Funding Been Accompanied by Decreased Effectiveness in the Conduct of Space Physics Research?. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/4792.
×
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Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Research Council. 1994. A Space Physics Paradox: Why Has Increased Funding Been Accompanied by Decreased Effectiveness in the Conduct of Space Physics Research?. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/4792.
×
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Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Research Council. 1994. A Space Physics Paradox: Why Has Increased Funding Been Accompanied by Decreased Effectiveness in the Conduct of Space Physics Research?. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/4792.
×
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Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Research Council. 1994. A Space Physics Paradox: Why Has Increased Funding Been Accompanied by Decreased Effectiveness in the Conduct of Space Physics Research?. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/4792.
×
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Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Research Council. 1994. A Space Physics Paradox: Why Has Increased Funding Been Accompanied by Decreased Effectiveness in the Conduct of Space Physics Research?. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/4792.
×
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Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Research Council. 1994. A Space Physics Paradox: Why Has Increased Funding Been Accompanied by Decreased Effectiveness in the Conduct of Space Physics Research?. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/4792.
×
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Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Research Council. 1994. A Space Physics Paradox: Why Has Increased Funding Been Accompanied by Decreased Effectiveness in the Conduct of Space Physics Research?. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/4792.
×
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Page viii Cite
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Research Council. 1994. A Space Physics Paradox: Why Has Increased Funding Been Accompanied by Decreased Effectiveness in the Conduct of Space Physics Research?. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/4792.
×
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Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Research Council. 1994. A Space Physics Paradox: Why Has Increased Funding Been Accompanied by Decreased Effectiveness in the Conduct of Space Physics Research?. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/4792.
×
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Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Research Council. 1994. A Space Physics Paradox: Why Has Increased Funding Been Accompanied by Decreased Effectiveness in the Conduct of Space Physics Research?. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/4792.
×
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Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Research Council. 1994. A Space Physics Paradox: Why Has Increased Funding Been Accompanied by Decreased Effectiveness in the Conduct of Space Physics Research?. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/4792.
×
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Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Research Council. 1994. A Space Physics Paradox: Why Has Increased Funding Been Accompanied by Decreased Effectiveness in the Conduct of Space Physics Research?. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/4792.
×
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A Space Physics Paradox: Why Has Increased Funding Been Accompanied by Decreased Effectiveness in the Conduct of Space Physics Research? Get This Book
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This book investigates and analyzes several disturbing trends in government support for space physics research over the past decade. The authors identify funding and management problems that thwart cost efficiency within this discipline, and suggest possible solutions. The volume also has broader implications for anyone engaged in research or in the funding and organizing of space physics research.

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