%0 Book %A National Research Council %T Vision and Voyages for Planetary Science in the Decade 2013-2022 %@ 978-0-309-22464-2 %D 2011 %U https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/13117/vision-and-voyages-for-planetary-science-in-the-decade-2013-2022 %> https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/13117/vision-and-voyages-for-planetary-science-in-the-decade-2013-2022 %I The National Academies Press %C Washington, DC %G English %K Space and Aeronautics %P 398 %X In recent years, planetary science has seen a tremendous growth in new knowledge. Deposits of water ice exist at the Moon's poles. Discoveries on the surface of Mars point to an early warm wet climate, and perhaps conditions under which life could have emerged. Liquid methane rain falls on Saturn's moon Titan, creating rivers, lakes, and geologic landscapes with uncanny resemblances to Earth's. Vision and Voyages for Planetary Science in the Decade 2013-2022 surveys the current state of knowledge of the solar system and recommends a suite of planetary science flagship missions for the decade 2013-2022 that could provide a steady stream of important new discoveries about the solar system. Research priorities defined in the report were selected through a rigorous review that included input from five expert panels. NASA's highest priority large mission should be the Mars Astrobiology Explorer Cacher (MAX-C), a mission to Mars that could help determine whether the planet ever supported life and could also help answer questions about its geologic and climatic history. Other projects should include a mission to Jupiter's icy moon Europa and its subsurface ocean, and the Uranus Orbiter and Probe mission to investigate that planet's interior structure, atmosphere, and composition. For medium-size missions, Vision and Voyages for Planetary Science in the Decade 2013-2022 recommends that NASA select two new missions to be included in its New Frontiers program, which explores the solar system with frequent, mid-size spacecraft missions. If NASA cannot stay within budget for any of these proposed flagship projects, it should focus on smaller, less expensive missions first. Vision and Voyages for Planetary Science in the Decade 2013-2022 suggests that the National Science Foundation expand its funding for existing laboratories and establish new facilities as needed. It also recommends that the program enlist the participation of international partners. This report is a vital resource for government agencies supporting space science, the planetary science community, and the public. %0 Book %A National Research Council %T Preparing for the High Frontier: The Role and Training of NASA Astronauts in the Post-Space Shuttle Era %@ 978-0-309-21869-6 %D 2011 %U https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/13227/preparing-for-the-high-frontier-the-role-and-training-of %> https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/13227/preparing-for-the-high-frontier-the-role-and-training-of %I The National Academies Press %C Washington, DC %G English %K Space and Aeronautics %P 114 %X As the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) retires the Space Shuttle and shifts involvement in International Space Station (ISS) operations, changes in the role and requirements of NASA's Astronaut Corps will take place. At the request of NASA, the National Research Council (NRC) addressed three main questions about these changes: what should be the role and size of Johnson Space Center's (JSC) Flight Crew Operations Directorate (FCOD); what will be the requirements of astronaut training facilities; and is the Astronaut Corps' fleet of training aircraft a cost-effective means of preparing astronauts for NASA's spaceflight program? This report presents an assessment of several issues driven by these questions. This report does not address explicitly the future of human spaceflight. %0 Book %A National Research Council %T Panel Reports—New Worlds, New Horizons in Astronomy and Astrophysics %@ 978-0-309-15962-3 %D 2011 %U https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/12982/panel-reports-new-worlds-new-horizons-in-astronomy-and-astrophysics %> https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/12982/panel-reports-new-worlds-new-horizons-in-astronomy-and-astrophysics %I The National Academies Press %C Washington, DC %G English %K Space and Aeronautics %P 578 %X Every 10 years the National Research Council releases a survey of astronomy and astrophysics outlining priorities for the coming decade. The most recent survey, titled New Worlds, New Horizons in Astronomy and Astrophysics, provides overall priorities and recommendations for the field as a whole based on a broad and comprehensive examination of scientific opportunities, infrastructure, and organization in a national and international context. Panel Reports—New Worlds, New Horizons in Astronomy and Astrophysics is a collection of reports, each of which addresses a key sub-area of the field, prepared by specialists in that subarea, and each of which played an important role in setting overall priorities for the field. The collection, published in a single volume, includes the reports of the following panels: Cosmology and Fundamental Physics Galaxies Across Cosmic Time The Galactic Neighborhood Stars and Stellar Evolution Planetary Systems and Star Formation Electromagnetic Observations from Space Optical and Infrared Astronomy from the Ground Particle Astrophysics and Gravitation Radio, Millimeter, and Submillimeter Astronomy from the Ground The Committee for a Decadal Survey of Astronomy and Astrophysics synthesized these reports in the preparation of its prioritized recommendations for the field as a whole. These reports provide additional depth and detail in each of their respective areas. Taken together, they form an essential companion volume to New Worlds, New Horizons: A Decadal Survey of Astronomy and Astrophysics. The book of panel reports will be useful to managers of programs of research in the field of astronomy and astrophysics, the Congressional committees with jurisdiction over the agencies supporting this research, the scientific community, and the public. %0 Book %A National Research Council %T Recapturing a Future for Space Exploration: Life and Physical Sciences Research for a New Era %@ 978-0-309-16384-2 %D 2011 %U https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/13048/recapturing-a-future-for-space-exploration-life-and-physical-sciences %> https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/13048/recapturing-a-future-for-space-exploration-life-and-physical-sciences %I The National Academies Press %C Washington, DC %G English %K Space and Aeronautics %P 464 %X More than four decades have passed since a human first set foot on the Moon. Great strides have been made in our understanding of what is required to support an enduring human presence in space, as evidenced by progressively more advanced orbiting human outposts, culminating in the current International Space Station (ISS). However, of the more than 500 humans who have so far ventured into space, most have gone only as far as near-Earth orbit, and none have traveled beyond the orbit of the Moon. Achieving humans' further progress into the solar system had proved far more difficult than imagined in the heady days of the Apollo missions, but the potential rewards remain substantial. During its more than 50-year history, NASA's success in human space exploration has depended on the agency's ability to effectively address a wide range of biomedical, engineering, physical science, and related obstacles—an achievement made possible by NASA's strong and productive commitments to life and physical sciences research for human space exploration, and by its use of human space exploration infrastructures for scientific discovery. The Committee for the Decadal Survey of Biological and Physical Sciences acknowledges the many achievements of NASA, which are all the more remarkable given budgetary challenges and changing directions within the agency. In the past decade, however, a consequence of those challenges has been a life and physical sciences research program that was dramatically reduced in both scale and scope, with the result that the agency is poorly positioned to take full advantage of the scientific opportunities offered by the now fully equipped and staffed ISS laboratory, or to effectively pursue the scientific research needed to support the development of advanced human exploration capabilities. Although its review has left it deeply concerned about the current state of NASA's life and physical sciences research, the Committee for the Decadal Survey on Biological and Physical Sciences in Space is nevertheless convinced that a focused science and engineering program can achieve successes that will bring the space community, the U.S. public, and policymakers to an understanding that we are ready for the next significant phase of human space exploration. The goal of this report is to lay out steps and develop a forward-looking portfolio of research that will provide the basis for recapturing the excitement and value of human spaceflight—thereby enabling the U.S. space program to deliver on new exploration initiatives that serve the nation, excite the public, and place the United States again at the forefront of space exploration for the global good. %0 Book %A National Research Council %T Limiting Future Collision Risk to Spacecraft: An Assessment of NASA's Meteoroid and Orbital Debris Programs %@ 978-0-309-21974-7 %D 2011 %U https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/13244/limiting-future-collision-risk-to-spacecraft-an-assessment-of-nasas %> https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/13244/limiting-future-collision-risk-to-spacecraft-an-assessment-of-nasas %I The National Academies Press %C Washington, DC %G English %K Space and Aeronautics %P 178 %X Derelict satellites, equipment and other debris orbiting Earth (aka space junk) have been accumulating for many decades and could damage or even possibly destroy satellites and human spacecraft if they collide. During the past 50 years, various National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) communities have contributed significantly to maturing meteoroid and orbital debris (MMOD) programs to their current state. Satellites have been redesigned to protect critical components from MMOD damage by moving critical components from exterior surfaces to deep inside a satellite's structure. Orbits are monitored and altered to minimize the risk of collision with tracked orbital debris. MMOD shielding added to the International Space Station (ISS) protects critical components and astronauts from potentially catastrophic damage that might result from smaller, untracked debris and meteoroid impacts. Limiting Future Collision Risk to Spacecraft: An Assessment of NASA's Meteoroid and Orbital Debris Program examines NASA's efforts to understand the meteoroid and orbital debris environment, identifies what NASA is and is not doing to mitigate the risks posed by this threat, and makes recommendations as to how they can improve their programs. While the report identified many positive aspects of NASA's MMOD programs and efforts including responsible use of resources, it recommends that the agency develop a formal strategic plan that provides the basis for prioritizing the allocation of funds and effort over various MMOD program needs. Other necessary steps include improvements in long-term modeling, better measurements, more regular updates of the debris environmental models, and other actions to better characterize the long-term evolution of the debris environment. %0 Book %A National Research Council %T An Interim Report on NASA's Draft Space Technology Roadmaps %@ 978-0-309-21875-7 %D 2011 %U https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/13228/an-interim-report-on-nasas-draft-space-technology-roadmaps %> https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/13228/an-interim-report-on-nasas-draft-space-technology-roadmaps %I The National Academies Press %C Washington, DC %G English %K Space and Aeronautics %P 64 %X For the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to achieve many of its space science and exploration goals over the next several decades, dramatic advances in space technology will be necessary. NASA has developed a set of 14 draft roadmaps to guide the development of such technologies under the leadership of the NASA Office of the Chief Technologist (OCT). Each roadmap focuses on a particular technology area. OCT requested that the National Research Council conduct a study to review the draft roadmaps, gather and assess relevant community input, and make recommendations and suggest priorities to inform NASA's decisions as it finalizes its roadmaps. The success of OCT's technology development program is essential, because technological breakthroughs have long been the foundation of NASA's successes, from its earliest days, to the Apollo program, to a vast array of space science missions and the International Space Station. An Interim Report of NASA's Technology Roadmap identifies some gaps in the technologies included in the individual roadmaps. The report suggests that the effectiveness of the NASA space technology program can be enhanced by employing proven management practices and principles including increasing program stability, addressing facility issues, and supporting adequate flight tests of new technologies. This interim report provides several additional observations that will be expanded on in the final report to be released in 2012. %0 Book %A National Research Council %T Summary of the Workshop to Identify Gaps and Possible Directions for NASA's Meteoroid and Orbital Debris Programs %@ 978-0-309-21515-2 %D 2011 %U https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/13176/summary-of-the-workshop-to-identify-gaps-and-possible-directions-for-nasas-meteoroid-and-orbital-debris-programs %> https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/13176/summary-of-the-workshop-to-identify-gaps-and-possible-directions-for-nasas-meteoroid-and-orbital-debris-programs %I The National Academies Press %C Washington, DC %G English %K Space and Aeronautics %P 40 %X A Summary of the Workshop to Identify the Gaps and Possible Directions for NASA's Meteoroid and Orbital Debris Programs summarizes the two-day workshop held on March 9-10, 2011, where various stakeholders presented diverse perspectives on matters concerning NASA Micrometeoroid and Orbital Debris (MMOD) programs, NASA mission operators, the role and relationships of NASA MMOD programs to other federal agencies, MMOD and the commercial industry, and orbital debris retrieval and removal. The report assesses NASA's existing efforts, policies, and organizations with regard to orbital debris and micrometeoroids by creating advisory dialogue on potential opportunities for program enhancement and maintenance practices. %0 Book %A National Research Council %E Smith, Marcia %T Sharing the Adventure with the Public: The Value and Excitement of 'Grand Questions' of Space Science and Exploration: Summary of a Workshop %@ 978-0-309-22159-7 %D 2011 %U https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/13276/sharing-the-adventure-with-the-public-the-value-and-excitement %> https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/13276/sharing-the-adventure-with-the-public-the-value-and-excitement %I The National Academies Press %C Washington, DC %G English %K Space and Aeronautics %P 92 %X On November 8-10, 2010, the National Research Council's Space Studies Board (SSB) held a public workshop on how NASA and its associated science and exploration communities communicate with the public about major NASA activities and programs. The concept and planning of the workshop developed over a period of two years. In conjunction with the SSB, the workshop planning committee identified five "Grand Questions" in space science and exploration around which the event was organized. As outlined in the summary, the workshop concluded with sessions on communicating space research and exploration to the public. %0 Book %A National Research Council %T Space Studies Board Annual Report 2010 %D 2011 %U https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/13214/space-studies-board-annual-report-2010 %> https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/13214/space-studies-board-annual-report-2010 %I The National Academies Press %C Washington, DC %G English %K Space and Aeronautics %P 130 %X The Space Studies Board (SSB) was established in 1958 to serve as the focus of the interests and responsibilities in space research for the National Academies. The SSB provides an independent, authoritative forum for information and advice on all aspects of space science and applications, and it serves as the focal point within the National Academies for activities on space research. It oversees advisory studies and program assessments, facilitates international research coordination, and promotes communications on space science and science policy between the research community, the federal government, and the interested public. The SSB also serves as the U.S. National Committee for the International Council for Science Committee on Space Research (COSPAR). This volume reviews the organization, activities, and reports of the SSB for the year 2010. %0 Book %A National Academy of Engineering %A National Academy of Engineering %T Frontiers of Engineering: Reports on Leading-Edge Engineering from the 2010 Symposium %@ 978-0-309-16362-0 %D 2011 %U https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/13043/frontiers-of-engineering-reports-on-leading-edge-engineering-from-the %> https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/13043/frontiers-of-engineering-reports-on-leading-edge-engineering-from-the %I The National Academies Press %C Washington, DC %G English %K Space and Aeronautics %K Engineering and Technology %P 190 %X This volume highlights the papers presented at the National Academy of Engineering's 2010 U.S. Frontiers of Engineering Symposium. Every year, the symposium brings together 100 outstanding young leaders in engineering to share their cutting-edge research and technical work. The 2010 symposium was held September 23 - 25, and hosted by IBM at the IBM Learning Center in Armonk, New York. Speakers were asked to prepare extended summaries of their presentations, which are reprinted here. The intent of this book is to convey the excitement of this unique meeting and to highlight cutting-edge developments in engineering research and technical work. %0 Book %A National Research Council %T Assessment of Impediments to Interagency Collaboration on Space and Earth Science Missions %@ 978-0-309-16350-7 %D 2011 %U https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/13042/assessment-of-impediments-to-interagency-collaboration-on-space-and-earth-science-missions %> https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/13042/assessment-of-impediments-to-interagency-collaboration-on-space-and-earth-science-missions %I The National Academies Press %C Washington, DC %G English %K Earth Sciences %K Space and Aeronautics %P 80 %X Through an examination of case studies, agency briefings, and existing reports, and drawing on personal knowledge and direct experience, the Committee on Assessment of Impediments to Interagency Cooperation on Space and Earth Science Missions found that candidate projects for multiagency collaboration in the development and implementation of Earth-observing or space science missions are often intrinsically complex and, therefore costly, and that a multiagency approach to developing these missions typically results in additional complexity and cost. Advocates of collaboration have sometimes underestimated the difficulties and associated costs and risks of dividing responsibility and accountability between two or more partners; they also discount the possibility that collaboration will increase the risk in meeting performance objectives. This committee's principal recommendation is that agencies should conduct Earth and space science projects independently unless: It is judged that cooperation will result in significant added scientific value to the project over what could be achieved by a single agency alone; or Unique capabilities reside within one agency that are necessary for the mission success of a project managed by another agency; or The project is intended to transfer from research to operations necessitating a change in responsibility from one agency to another during the project; or There are other compelling reasons to pursue collaboration, for example, a desire to build capacity at one of the cooperating agencies. Even when the total project cost may increase, parties may still find collaboration attractive if their share of a mission is more affordable than funding it alone. In these cases, alternatives to interdependent reliance on another government agency should be considered. For example, agencies may find that buying services from another agency or pursuing interagency coordination of spaceflight data collection is preferable to fully interdependent cooperation. %0 Book %A National Research Council %T Examination of the U.S. Air Force's Aircraft Sustainment Needs in the Future and Its Strategy to Meet Those Needs %@ 978-0-309-21520-6 %D 2011 %U https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/13177/examination-of-the-us-air-forces-aircraft-sustainment-needs-in-the-future-and-its-strategy-to-meet-those-needs %> https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/13177/examination-of-the-us-air-forces-aircraft-sustainment-needs-in-the-future-and-its-strategy-to-meet-those-needs %I The National Academies Press %C Washington, DC %G English %K Conflict and Security Issues %K Space and Aeronautics %P 254 %X The ability of the United States Air Force (USAF) to keep its aircraft operating at an acceptable operational tempo, in wartime and in peacetime, has been important to the Air Force since its inception. This is a much larger issue for the Air Force today, having effectively been at war for 20 years, with its aircraft becoming increasingly more expensive to operate and maintain and with military budgets certain to further decrease. The enormously complex Air Force weapon system sustainment enterprise is currently constrained on many sides by laws, policies, regulations and procedures, relationships, and organizational issues emanating from Congress, the Department of Defense (DoD), and the Air Force itself. Against the back-drop of these stark realities, the Air Force requested the National Research Council (NRC) of the National Academies, under the auspices of the Air Force Studies Board to conduct and in-depth assessment of current and future Air Force weapon system sustainment initiatives and recommended future courses of action for consideration by the Air Force. Examination of the U.S. Air Force's Aircraft Sustainment Needs in the Future and Its Strategy to Meet Those Needs addresses the following topics: Assess current sustainment investments, infrastructure, and processes for adequacy in sustaining aging legacy systems and their support equipment. Determine if any modifications in policy are required and, if so, identify them and make recommendations for changes in Air Force regulations, policies, and strategies to accomplish the sustainment goals of the Air Force. Determine if any modifications in technology efforts are required and, if so, identify them and make recommendations regarding the technology efforts that should be pursued because they could make positive impacts on the sustainment of the current and future systems and equipment of the Air Force. Determine if the Air Logistics Centers have the necessary resources (funding, manpower, skill sets, and technologies) and are equipped and organized to sustain legacy systems and equipment and the Air Force of tomorrow. Identify and make recommendations regarding incorporating sustainability into future aircraft designs. %0 Book %A National Research Council %T Materials Needs and R&D Strategy for Future Military Aerospace Propulsion Systems %@ 978-0-309-21211-3 %D 2011 %U https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/13144/materials-needs-and-rd-strategy-for-future-military-aerospace-propulsion-systems %> https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/13144/materials-needs-and-rd-strategy-for-future-military-aerospace-propulsion-systems %I The National Academies Press %C Washington, DC %G English %K Engineering and Technology %K Space and Aeronautics %P 214 %X The ongoing development of military aerospace platforms requires continuous technology advances in order to provide the nation's war fighters with the desired advantage. Significant advances in the performance and efficiency of jet and rocket propulsion systems are strongly dependent on the development of lighter more durable high-temperature materials. Materials development has been significantly reduced in the United States since the early 1990s, when the Department of Defense (DOD), the military services, and industry had very active materials development activities to underpin the development of new propulsion systems. This resulted in significant improvements in all engine characteristics and established the United States in global propulsion technology. Many of the significant advances in aircraft and rocket propulsion have been enabled by improved materials and, materials manufacturing processes. To improve efficiency further, engine weight must be reduced while preserving thrust. Materials Needs and Research and Development Strategy for Future Military Aerospace Propulsion Systems examines whether current and planned U.S. efforts are sufficient to meet U.S. military needs while keeping the U.S. on the leading edge of propulsion technology. This report considers mechanisms for the timely insertion of materials in propulsion systems and how these mechanisms might be improved, and describes the general elements of research and development strategies to develop materials for future military aerospace propulsion systems. The conclusions and recommendations asserted in this report will enhance the efficiency, level of effort, and impact of DOD materials development activities. %0 Book %A Transportation Research Board %A National Research Council %T Issues in Commuting and Pilot Fatigue: Interim Report %@ 978-0-309-18712-1 %D 2011 %U https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/13097/issues-in-commuting-and-pilot-fatigue-interim-report %> https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/13097/issues-in-commuting-and-pilot-fatigue-interim-report %I The National Academies Press %C Washington, DC %G English %K Space and Aeronautics %K Behavioral and Social Sciences %K Transportation and Infrastructure %P 40 %X The potential for fatigue to negatively affect human performance is well established. Concern about this potential in the aviation context extends back decades, with both airlines and pilots agreeing that fatigue is a safety concern. A more recent consideration is whether and how pilot commuting, conducted in a pilot's off-duty time, may affect fatigue. The National Academy of Sciences was asked to review available information related to the prevalence and characteristics of pilot commuting; sleep, fatigue, and circadian rhythms; airline and regulatory oversight policies; and pilot and airline practices. This interim report summarizes the committee's review to date of the available information. The final report will present a final review, along with the committee's conclusions and recommendations based on the information available during its deliberations.