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NASA Space Technology Roadmaps and Priorities Revisited (2016) / Chapter Skim
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1 Introduction
Pages 8-11

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From page 8...
... , the fundamental technologies to accomplish many NASA missions are not keeping pace with the interest. Key technology challenges for a human mission to the Mars surface include mitigating the effects of space radiation; improving in-space propulsion and power systems; developing the ability to land heavy payloads on the surface of Mars; improving the reliability of environmental control and life support systems and closing the water, air, and food cycles; and providing the necessary spacesuits, rovers, human–machine interfaces, in situ resource utilization, and other engineering systems that can operate for an extended mission in the challenging environments in space and on the surface of Mars.
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From page 9...
... , which issued a report in 2012 entitled NASA Space Technology Roadmaps and Priorities: Restoring NASA's Technological Edge and Paving the Way for a New Era in Space.3 Among other things, that report succinctly identified a fundamental issue facing NASA today: The technologies needed for the Apollo program were generally self-evident and driven by a clear and well defined goal. In the modern era, the goals of the country's broad space mission include multiple objectives, extensive in volvement from both the public and private sectors, choices among multiple paths to different destinations, and very limited resources.
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From page 10...
... , which is the title of the roadmap: • TA 1, Launch Propulsion Systems • TA 2, In-Space Propulsion Technologies • TA 3, Space Power and Energy Storage • TA 4, Robotics and Autonomous Systems • TA 5, Communications, Navigation, and Orbital Debris Tracking and Characterization Systems • TA 6, Human Health, Life Support, and Habitation Systems • TA 7, Human Exploration Destination Systems • TA 8, Science Instruments, Observatories, and Sensor Systems • TA 9, Entry, Descent, and Landing Systems • TA 10, Nanotechnology • TA 11, Modeling, Simulation, Information Technology, and Processing • TA 12, Materials, Structures, Mechanical Systems, and Manufacturing • TA 13, Ground and Launch Systems • TA 14, Thermal Management Systems • TA 15, Aeronautics Each roadmap describes level 2 technology subareas, level 3 technologies, and level 4 research tasks. The 2012 NRC report focused its review on the level 3 technologies.
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From page 11...
... Chapter 4 describes a recommended methodology for conducting independent reviews of future updates to NASA's technology roadmaps. This methodology takes into account the improved process that NASA used to generate the 2015 roadmaps and the value that independent reviews can bring.
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Key Terms

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  • mission directorate
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  • independent reviews

  • commercial space
  • strategic space
  • space ventures
  • technology investment
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  • technology portfolio
  • space telescope
  • nasa missions
  • human mission
  • conducting independent

  • aerospace industry
  • aeronautics roadmap
  • future updates
  • roadmapping process
  • methodology takes

  • technological edge
  • investment plan
  • nasa technology
  • historic space
  • space mission

  • technology base
  • broad space
  • space science
  • technology mission
  • space technologies


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