Aeronautical Facilities: Assessing the National Plan for Aeronautical Ground Test Facilities (1994)

The United States is increasingly challenged by advances in technologies that will affect its global competitiveness in virtually all economic sectors. Preeminent among these are advances in aerospace technology. These advances are paced by modern highly productive research, development and operational facilities. Recognizing this situation, on November 13, 1992, the NASA Administrator initiated the development of a comprehensive and integrated long-term plan for future aerospace facilities. This integrated plan would be accomplished in partnership with other Government agencies, industry, and academia to ensure that the facilities are world-class and to avoid duplication of effort. He contacted top officials in the Departments of Defense, Energy, Transportation, Commerce, and the National Science Foundation inviting them to participate in the development of the plan and the appropriate working groups. The Administrator proposed an Oversight Group chaired by John R. Dailey, NASA Associate Deputy Administrator, with representation from DoD, DOT, DOE, DOC and the NSF. Each of the agencies responded with nominations of individuals to serve on the Oversight Group and provide support on Task Groups to establish detailed plans. This Terms of Reference document provides the coordinated charter for development of the Aerospace Facilities Plan.

To formulate a coordinated National Plan for world-class aeronautical and space facilities that meets the current and projected needs for commercial and Government research and development, and for Government and commercial space operations.

The plan will include a catalogue of existing Government and industry facilities that support aeronautics and astronautics research, development, testing, and operations. International facilities will also be catalogued to determine capability relative to U.S. facilities and applicability to address U.S. facility shortfalls.

The plan will include a requirements analysis which will consider current and future Government and commercial industry needs as well as DoD and NASA mission requirements, through the year 2023, and specifically will address shortfalls in existing capabilities, new facility requirements, upgrades, consolidation, and phase out of existing facilities. All new facility requirements and upgrades will be prioritized and detailed schedules and total funding will be specified. Joint management schemes, life cycle costs, and siting requirements will be fully evaluated.

Joint funding between agencies and Government/industry will be considered. Shared usage policies will be developed where nonexistent.

Costing, definitions, evaluation methodology and dollar threshold for facility inclusion in review will be approved by the Oversight Group.