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We live in a time of extraordinary discovery and progress in
astronomy and astrophysics. The next decade will transform our
understanding of the universe and humanity's place in it. Every
decade the U.S. agencies that provide primary federal funding for
astronomy and astrophysics request a survey to assess the status
of, and opportunities for the Nation's efforts to forward our
understanding of the cosmos. Pathways to Discovery in Astronomy and
Astrophysics for the 2020s identifies the most compelling science
goals and presents an ambitious program of ground- and space-based
activities for future investment in the next decade and beyond. The
decadal survey identifies three important science themes for the
next decade aimed at investigating Earth-like extrasolar planets,
the most energetic processes in the universe, and the evolution of
galaxies. The Astro2020 report also recommends critical near-term
actions to support the foundations of the profession as well as the
technologies and tools needed to carry out the science. Table of
Contents Front Matter Summary 1 Pathways to Discovery: From
Foundations to Frontiers 2 A New Cosmic Perspective 3 The
Profession and Its Societal Impacts: Gateways to Science, Pathways
to Diversity, Equity, and Sustainability 4 Optimizing the Science:
Foundations 5 Evaluating and Balancing the Operational Portfolio 6
Technology Foundations and Small and Medium Scale Sustaining
Programs 7 Realizing the Opportunities: Medium- and Large-Scale
Programs Appendixes Appendix A: Statement of Task and Panel
Descriptions Appendix B: Report of the Panel on Compact Objects and
Energetic Phenomena Appendix C: Report of the Panel on Cosmology
Appendix D: Report of the Panel on Galaxies Appendix E: Report of
the Panel on Exoplanets, Astrobiology, and the Solar System
Appendix F: Report of the Panel on the Interstellar Medium and Star
and Planet Formation Appendix G: Report of the Panel on Stars, the
Sun, and Stellar Populations Appendix H: Report of the Panel on an
Enabling Foundation for Research Appendix I: Report of the Panel on
Electromagnetic Observations from Space 1 Appendix J: Report of the
Panel on Electromagnetic Observations from Space 2 Appendix K:
Report of the Panel on Optical and Infrared Observations from the
Ground Appendix L: Report of the Panel on Particle Astrophysics and
Gravitation Appendix M: Report of the Panel on Radio, Millimeter,
and Submillimeter Observations from the Ground Appendix N: Report
of the Panel on the State of the Profession and Societal Impacts
Appendix O: Independent Technical, Risk, and Cost Evaluation
Appendix P: Acronyms Appendix Q: Committee and Panel Biographical
Information
The next decade of planetary science and astrobiology holds
tremendous promise. New research will expand our understanding of
our solar system's origins, how planets form and evolve, under what
conditions life can survive, and where to find potentially
habitable environments in our solar system and beyond. Origins,
Worlds, and Life: A Decadal Strategy for Planetary Science and
Astrobiology 2023-2032 highlights key science questions, identifies
priority missions, and presents a comprehensive research strategy
that includes both planetary defense and human exploration. This
report also recommends ways to support the profession as well as
the technologies and infrastructure needed to carry out the
science. Table of Contents Front Matter Summary 1 Introduction to
Planetary Science, Astrobiology, and Planetary Defense 2 Tour of
the Solar System: A Transformative Decade of Exploration 3 Priority
Science Questions 4 Question 1: Evolution of the Protoplanetary
Disk 5 Question 2: Accretion in the Outer Solar System 6 Question
3: Origin of Earth and Inner Solar System Bodies 7 Question 4:
Impacts and Dynamics 8 Question 5: Solid Body Interiors and
Surfaces 9 Question 6: Solid Body Atmospheres, Exospheres,
Magnetospheres, and Climate Evolution 10 Question 7: Giant Planet
Structure and Evolution 11 Question 8: Circumplanetary Systems 12
Question 9: Insights from Terrestrial Life 13 Question 10: Dynamic
Habitability 14 Question 11: Search for Life Elsewhere 15 Question
12: Exoplanets 16 State of the Profession 17 Research and Analysis
18 Planetary Defense: Defending Earth through Applied Planetary
Science 19 Human Exploration 20 Infrastructure for Planetary
Science and Exploration 21 Technology 22 Recommended Program:
2023-2032 23 The Future Appendixes Appendix A: Letter of Request,
Statement of Task, and Other Guidance Appendix B: White Papers
Received Appendix C: Technical Risk and Cost Evaluation of Priority
Missions Appendix D: Missions Studied But Not Sent for TRACE
Appendix E: Panel Missions Not Selected for Additional Study
Appendix F: Glossary and Acronyms Appendix G: Biographies of
Committee Members and Staff
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New Worlds, New Horizons - A Midterm Assessment (Paperback)
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences, Board on Physics and Astronomy, Space Studies Board, Committee on the Review of Progress Toward the Decadal Survey Vision in New Worlds, New Horizons in Astronomy and Astrophysics
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New Worlds, New Horizons in Astronomy and Astrophysics (NWNH), the
report of the 2010 decadal survey of astronomy and astrophysics,
put forward a vision for a decade of transformative exploration at
the frontiers of astrophysics. This vision included mapping the
first stars and galaxies as they emerge from the collapse of dark
matter and cold clumps of hydrogen, finding new worlds in a
startlingly diverse population of extrasolar planets, and
exploiting the vastness and extreme conditions of the universe to
reveal new information about the fundamental laws of nature. NWNH
outlined a compelling program for understanding the cosmic order
and for opening new fields of inquiry through the discovery areas
of gravitational waves, time-domain astronomy, and habitable
planets. Many of these discoveries are likely to be enabled by
cyber-discovery and the power of mathematics, physics, and
imagination. To help realize this vision, NWNH recommended a suite
of innovative and powerful facilities, along with balanced, strong
support for the scientific community engaged in theory, data
analysis, technology development, and measurements with existing
and new instrumentation. Already in the first half of the decade,
scientists and teams of scientists working with these cutting-edge
instruments and with new capabilities in data collection and
analysis have made spectacular discoveries that advance the NWNH
vision. New Worlds, New Horizons: A Midterm Assessment reviews the
responses of NASA's Astrophysics program, NSF's Astronomy program,
and DOE's Cosmic Frontiers program to NWNH. This report describes
the most significant scientific discoveries, technical advances,
and relevant programmatic changes in astronomy and astrophysics
over the years since the publication of the decadal survey, and
assesses how well the Agencies' programs address the strategies,
goals, and priorities outlined in the 2010 decadal survey. Table of
Contents Front Matter Summary 1 Scientific Discoveries and
Technical Advances 2 Programmatic Context 3 Progress Toward NWNH
Goals - Ground-Based Program 4 Progress Toward NWNH Goals -
Space-Based Program 5 The Next Decadal Survey of Astronomy and
Astrophysics Appendixes Appendix A: Statement of Task Appendix B:
Letter of Request Appendix C: Acronyms Appendix D: Biographies of
Committee Members and Staff
The NASA Science Mission Directorate/Earth Science Division's
(SMD/ESD's) Earth Venture (EV) is a program element within the
Earth System Science Pathfinder Program. At the request of NASA,
this report examines the Earth Venture Instrument (EV-I) and Earth
Venture Mission (EV-M) elements of Earth Ventures and explores
lessons learned in the more than 10 years since selection of the
first EV mission, including a review of the foundational principles
and approaches underlying the program. Table of Contents Front
Matter Summary 1 Introduction 2 EV-I and EV-M Experiences to Date 3
Changing Program Emphasis for Earth Venture Missions 4 Meeting the
EV-I and EV-M Broader Objectives 5 Lessons Learned and
Recommendations Appendixes Appendix A: Statement of Task Appendix
B: Questions for Principal Investigators Appendix C: Committee
Member Biographies Appendix D: Acronyms and Abbreviations
Satellite Observations to Benefit Science and Society: Recommended
Missions for the Next Decade brings the next ten years into focus
for the Earth and environmental science community with a
prioritized agenda of space programs, missions, and supporting
activities that will best serve scientists in the next decade.
These missions will address a broad range of societal needs, such
as more reliable weather forecasts, early earthquake warnings, and
improved pollution management, benefiting both scientific discovery
and the health and well-being of society. Based on the 2007 book,
Earth Science and Applications from Space: National Imperatives for
the Next Decade and Beyond, this book explores each of the
seventeen recommended missions in detail, identifying launch dates,
responsible agencies, estimated cost, scientific and public
benefits, and more. Printed entirely in color, the book features
rich photographs and illustrations, tables, and graphs that will
keep the attention of scientists and non-scientists alike. Table of
Contents Front Matter An Integrated Strategy: Satellite
Observations to Benefit Science and Society Selecting and
Prioritizing the Missions Recommended Missions ACE,
Aerosol-Cloud-Ecosystems ASCENDS, Active Sensing of CO2 Emissions
over Nights, Days, and Seasons CLARREO, Climate Absolute Radiance
and Refractivity Observatory DESDynI, Deformation, Ecosystem
Structure, and Dynamics of Ice GACM, Global Atmospheric Composition
Mission GEO-CAPE, Geostationary Coastal and Air Pollution Events
GPSRO, Operational GPSRadio Occultation GRACE-II, Gravity Recovery
and Climate Experiment II HyspIRI, Hyperspectral Infrared Imager
ICESat-II, Ice, Cloud, and Land Elevation Satellite II LIST, Lidar
Surface Topography PATH, Precipitation and All-Weather Temperature
and Humidity SCLP, Snow and Cold Land Processes SMAP, Soil Moisture
Active-Passive SWOT, Surface Water and Ocean Topography 3D-Winds,
Three-Dimensional Tropospheric Winds XOVWM, Extended Ocean Vector
Winds Mission From Satellite Observations to Earth Information
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and other
U.S. science research agencies operate a fleet of research aircraft
and other airborne platforms that offer diverse capabilities. To
inform NASA's future investments in airborne platforms, this study
examines whether a large aircraft that would replace the current
NASA DC-8 is needed to address Earth system science questions, and
the role of other airborne platforms for achieving future Earth
system science research goals. Table of Contents Front Matter
Summary 1 Introduction 2 Setting the Stage: The Role of Airborne
Platforms in Earth System Science 3 The DC-8 Airborne Research
Platform 4 The Role of Airborne Platforms in Addressing Emerging
Science 5 Workforce Training and Development 6 Recommendations for
the Future Need of a Large Aircraft References Appendix A:
Committee Member Biographies Appendix B: Statement of Task Appendix
C: Acronyms Appendix D: 2017 Earth Science and Applications from
Space Decadal Survey Table 3.2 Appendix E: Atmospheric Chemistry
Detailed Measurements
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.
Table of Contents Front Matter Part I: Reports of the Astro2010
Science Frontiers Panels 1 Report of the Panel on Cosmology and
Fundamental Physics 2 Report of the Panel on the Galactic
Neighborhood 3 Report of the Panel on Galaxies Across Cosmic Time 4
Report of the Panel on Planetary Systems and Star Formation 5
Report of the Panel on Stars and Stellar Evolution Summary Findings
Part II: Reports of the Astro2010 Program Prioritization Panels 6
Report of the Panel on Electromagnetic Observations from Space 7
Report of the Panel on Optical and Infrared Astronomy from the
Ground 8 Report of the Panel on Particle Astrophysics and
Gravitation 9 Report of the Panel on Radio, Millimeter, and
Submillimeter Astronomy from the Ground Appendixes Appendix A:
Statements of Task for the Astro2010 Panels Appendix B: Glossary
Appendix C Acronyms
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Continuity of NASA Earth Observations from Space - A Value Framework (Paperback)
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences, Space Studies Board, Committee on a Framework for Analyzing the Needs for Continuity of NASA-Sustained Remote Sensing Observations of the Earth from Space
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NASA's Earth Science Division (ESD) conducts a wide range of
satellite and suborbital missions to observe Earth's land surface
and interior, biosphere, atmosphere, cryosphere, and oceans as part
of a program to improve understanding of Earth as an integrated
system. Earth observations provide the foundation for critical
scientific advances and environmental data products derived from
these observations are used in resource management and for an
extraordinary range of societal applications including weather
forecasts, climate projections, sea level change, water management,
disease early warning, agricultural production, and the response to
natural disasters. As the complexity of societal infrastructure and
its vulnerability to environmental disruption increases, the
demands for deeper scientific insights and more actionable
information continue to rise. To serve these demands, NASA's ESD is
challenged with optimizing the partitioning of its finite resources
among measurements intended for exploring new science frontiers,
carefully characterizing long-term changes in the Earth system, and
supporting ongoing societal applications. This challenge is most
acute in the decisions the Division makes between supporting
measurement continuity of data streams that are critical components
of Earth science research programs and the development of new
measurement capabilities. This report seeks to establish a more
quantitative understanding of the need for measurement continuity
and the consequences of measurement gaps. Continuity of NASA's
Earth's Observations presents a framework to assist NASA's ESD in
their determinations of when a measurement or dataset should be
collected for durations longer than the typical lifetimes of single
satellite missions. Table of Contents Front Matter Summary 1
Introduction 2 Measurement Continuity 3 A Decision Framework for
NASA Earth Science Continuity Measurements 4 Applying the Framework
to Continuity Measurements Appendixes Appendix A: Statement of Task
Appendix B: Quality Metric Examples Using Current Climate Data
Records Appendix C: Full Framework Example: Narrowing Uncertainty
in Climate Sensitivity Appendix D: Full Framework Example:
Determining Sea Level Rise and Its Acceleration Appendix E: Full
Framework Example: Determining the Change in Ocean Heat Storage
Appendix F: Full Framework Example: Determining Ice Sheet Mass
Balance Appendix G: Full Framework Example: Global Land Carbon
Sinks Appendix H: Committee and Staff Biographical Information
Appendix I: Acronyms and Abbreviations
The National Research Council (NRC) has been conducting decadal
surveys in the Earth and space sciences since 1964, and released
the latest five surveys in the past 5 years, four of which were
only completed in the past 3 years. Lessons Learned in Decadal
Planning in Space Science is the summary of a workshop held in
response to unforseen challenges that arose in the implementation
of the recommendations of the decadal surveys. This report takes a
closer look at the decadal survey process and how to improve this
essential tool for strategic planning in the Earth and space
sciences. Workshop moderators, panelists, and participants lifted
up the hood on the decadal survey process and scrutinized every
element of the decadal surveys to determine what lessons can be
gleaned from recent experiences and applied to the design and
execution of future decadal surveys. Table of Contents Front Matter
1 Summary of Keynote Speakers Remarks 2 Overview of the Decadal
Survey Process 3 Decadal Survey Chairs' Perspective 4 Sponsor
Agency Perspectives 5 Decadal Survey Program Formulation and
Opportunities for Improvement 6 The Role of Cost Estimates,
Technical Evaluations, and Budget Projections in Prioritizing
Missions 7 How to Plan for High-Profile Missions 8 Incorporating
International Perspectives in Future Decadal Planning 9 Decadal
Survey Stewardship: The Role of the Mid-Decade Reviews and Standing
Committees 10 Concluding Remarks Appendixes Appendix A: Workshop
Agenda Appendix B: Biographies of Planning Committee Members,
Moderators, Panelists, and Staff
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. Table of
Contents Front Matter Summary 1 Introduction 2 Review of NASA's
Program Evolution in the Life and Physical Sciences in Low-Gravity
and Microgravity Environments 3 Conducting Microgravity Research:
U.S. and International Facilities 4 Plant and Microbial Biology 5
Behavior and Mental Health 6 Animal and Human Biology 7
Crosscutting Issues for Humans in the Space Environment 8
Fundamental Physical Sciences in Space 9 Applied Physical Sciences
10 Translation to Space Exploration Systems 11 The Role of the
International Space Station 12 Establishing a Life and Physical
Sciences Research Program: Programmatic Issues 13 Establishing a
Life and Physical Sciences Research Program: An Integrated
Microgravity Research Portfolio Appendixes Appendix A: Statement of
Task Appendix B: Glossary and Selected Acronyms Appendix C:
Committee, Panel, and Staff Biographical Information
Great advances have been made in our understanding of the climate
system over the past few decades, and remotely sensed data have
played a key role in supporting many of these advances.
Improvements in satellites and in computational and data-handling
techniques have yielded high quality, readily accessible data.
However, rapid increases in data volume have also led to large and
complex datasets that pose significant challenges in data analysis.
Uncertainty characterization is needed for every satellite mission
and scientists continue to be challenged by the need to reduce the
uncertainty in remotely sensed climate records and projections. The
approaches currently used to quantify the uncertainty in remotely
sensed data lack an overall mathematically based framework. An
additional challenge is characterizing uncertainty in ways that are
useful to a broad spectrum of end-users. In December 2008, the
National Academies held a workshop, summarized in this volume, to
survey how statisticians, climate scientists, and remote sensing
experts might address the challenges of uncertainty management in
remote sensing of climate data. The workshop emphasized raising and
discussing issues that could be studied more intently by individual
researchers or teams of researchers, and setting the stage for
possible future collaborative activities. Table of Contents Front
Matter 1 Introduction 2 Cross-Cutting Issues 3 Concluding Thoughts
References Appendix A: Workshop Agenda Appendix B: Summaries of
Workshop Presentations Appendix C: Planning Committee andRapporteur
Biographies
Spacecraft require electrical energy. This energy must be available
in the outer reaches of the solar system where sunlight is very
faint. It must be available through lunar nights that last for 14
days, through long periods of dark and cold at the higher latitudes
on Mars, and in high-radiation fields such as those around Jupiter.
Radioisotope power systems (RPSs) are the only available power
source that can operate unconstrained in these environments for the
long periods of time needed to accomplish many missions, and
plutonium-238 (238Pu) is the only practical isotope for fueling
them.
Plutonium-238 does not occur in nature. The committee does not
believe that there is any additional 238Pu (or any operational
238Pu production facilities) available anywhere in the world.The
total amount of 238Pu available for NASA is fixed, and essentially
all of it is already dedicated to support several pending
missions--the Mars Science Laboratory, Discovery 12, the Outer
Planets Flagship 1 (OPF 1), and (perhaps) a small number of
additional missions with a very small demand for 238Pu. If the
status quo persists, the United States will not be able to provide
RPSs for any subsequent missions.
Because of the Moon's unique place in the evolution of rocky
worlds, it is a prime focus of NASA's space exploration vision.
Currently NASA is defining and implementing a series of robotic
orbital and landed missions to the Moon as the initial phase of
this vision. To realize the benefits of this activity, NASA needs a
comprehensive, well-validated, and prioritized set of scientific
research objectives. To help establish those objectives, NASA asked
the NRC to provide guidance on the scientific challenges and
opportunities enabled by sustained robotic and human exploration of
the Moon during the period 2008-2023 and beyond. This final report
presents a review of the current understanding of the early earth
and moon; the identification of key science concepts and goals for
moon exploration; an assessment of implementation options; and a
set of prioritized lunar science concepts, goals, and
recommendations. An interim report was released in September 2006.
Table of Contents Front Matter Executive Summary 1 Introduction 2
Current Understanding of Early Earth and the Moon 3 Science
Concepts and Goals 4 Implementation 5 Prioritized Lunar Science
Concepts, Goals, and Recommendations 6 Observations and Science
Potentially Enabled by the Vision for Space 7 Concepts Related to
the Implementation of Science 8 Concluding Remarks Bibliography
Appendix A Statement of Task Appendix B Glossary, Acronyms, and
Abbreviations Appendix C Public Agendas for Meetings Appendix D
Lunar Beijing Declaration Appendix E Committee Outreach Activities
Appendix F Biographies of Committee Members and Staff
The sun is the source of energy for life on earth and is the
strongest modulator of the human physical environment. In fact, the
Suna (TM)s influence extends throughout the solar system, both
through photons, which provide heat, light, and ionization, and
through the continuous outflow of a magnetized, supersonic ionized
gas known as the solar wind. While the accomplishments of the past
decade have answered important questions about the physics of the
Sun, the interplanetary medium, and the space environments of Earth
and other solar system bodies, they have also highlighted other
questions, some of which are long-standing and fundamental. The Sun
to the Eartha "and Beyond organizes these questions in terms of
five challenges that are expected to be the focus of scientific
investigations in solar and space physics during the coming decade
and beyond.
The United States has publicly funded its human spaceflight program
on a continuous basis for more than a half-century, through three
wars and a half-dozen recessions, from the early Mercury and Gemini
suborbital and Earth orbital missions, to the lunar landings, and
thence to the first reusable winged crewed spaceplane that the
United States operated for three decades. Today the United States
is the major partner in a massive orbital facility - the
International Space Station - that is becoming the focal point for
the first tentative steps in commercial cargo and crewed orbital
space flights. And yet, the long-term future of human spaceflight
beyond this project is unclear. Pronouncements by multiple
presidents of bold new ventures by Americans to the Moon, to Mars,
and to an asteroid in its native orbit, have not been matched by
the same commitment that accompanied President Kennedy\'s now
fabled 1961 speech-namely, the substantial increase in NASA funding
needed to make it happen. Are we still committed to advancing human
spaceflight? What should a long-term goal be, and what does the
United States need to do to achieve it? Pathways to Exploration
explores the case for advancing this endeavor, drawing on the
history of rationales for human spaceflight, examining the
attitudes of stakeholders and the public, and carefully assessing
the technical and fiscal realities. This report recommends
maintaining the long-term focus on Mars as the horizon goal for
human space exploration. With this goal in mind, the report
considers funding levels necessary to maintain a robust tempo of
execution, current research and exploration projects and the
time/resources needed to continue them, and international
cooperation that could contribute to the achievement of spaceflight
to Mars. According to Pathways to Exploration, a successful U.S.
program would require sustained national commitment and a budget
that increases by more than the rate of inflation. In reviving a
U.S. human exploration program capable of answering the enduring
questions about humanity's destiny beyond our tiny blue planet, the
nation will need to grapple with the attitudinal and fiscal
realities of the nation today while staying true to a small but
crucial set of fundamental principles for the conduct of
exploration of the endless frontier. The recommendations of
Pathways to Exploration provide a clear map toward a human
spaceflight program that inspires students and citizens by
furthering human exploration and discovery, while taking into
account the long-term commitment necessary to achieve this goal.
From the interior of the Sun, to the upper atmosphere and
near-space environment of Earth, and outward to a region far beyond
Pluto where the Sun's influence wanes, advances during the past
decade in space physics and solar physics--the disciplines NASA
refers to as heliophysics--have yielded spectacular insights into
the phenomena that affect our home in space. Solar and Space
Physics, from the National Research Council's (NRC's) Committee for
a Decadal Strategy in Solar and Space Physics, is the second NRC
decadal survey in heliophysics. Building on the research
accomplishments realized during the past decade, the report
presents a program of basic and applied research for the period
2013-2022 that will improve scientific understanding of the
mechanisms that drive the Sun's activity and the fundamental
physical processes underlying near-Earth plasma dynamics, determine
the physical interactions of Earth's atmospheric layers in the
context of the connected Sun-Earth system, and enhance greatly the
capability to provide realistic and specific forecasts of Earth's
space environment that will better serve the needs of society.
Although the recommended program is directed primarily at NASA and
the National Science Foundation for action, the report also
recommends actions by other federal agencies, especially the parts
of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration charged with
the day-to-day (operational) forecast of space weather. In addition
to the recommendations included in this summary, related
recommendations are presented in this report.
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Plasma Physics of the Local Cosmos (Paperback)
National Research Council, Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences, Space Studies Board, Committee on Solar and Space Physics
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Solar and space physics is the study of solar system phenomena that
occur in the plasma state. Examples include sunspots, the solar
wind, planetary magnetospheres, radiation belts, and the aurora.
While each is a distinct phenomenon, there are commonalities among
them. To help define and systematize these universal aspects of the
field of space physics, the National Research Council was asked by
NASA's Office of Space Science to provide a scientific assessment
and strategy for the study of magnetized plasmas in the solar
system. This report presents that assessment. It covers a number of
important research goals for solar and space physics. The report is
complementary to the NRC report, The Sun to the Earth?and Beyond: A
Decadal Research Strategy for Solar and Space Physics, which
presents priorities and strategies for future program activities.
Table of Contents Front Matter Executive Summary 1 Our Local Cosmic
Laboratory 2 Creation and Annihilation of Magnetic Fields 3
Formation of Structures and Transients 4 Plasma Interactions 5
Explosive Energy Conversion 6 Energetic Particle Acceleration 7
Concluding Thoughts Appendix A: Statement of Task Appendix B: Study
Groups Appendix C: Acronyms and Abbreviations
Both the President's commission on how to implement the President's
space exploration initiative and Congress asked the NRC undertake
an assessment and review of the science proposed to be carried out
under the initiative. An initial response to that request was the
NRC February 2005 report, Science in NASA's Vision for Space
Exploration. While that report's preparation, NASA created
capabilities and strategy roadmapping efforts which became the
object of the next phase of the NRC review. The new NASA
administrator modified that NASA activity resulting in changes in
the NRC review effort. This report provides a review of six science
strategy roadmaps: robotic and human exploration of Mars; solar
system exploration; universe exploration; search for earth-like
planets; earth science and applications from space; and sun-earth
system connection. In addition, an assessment of cross-cutting and
integration issues is presented. Table of Contents Front Matter
Executive Summary 1 Introduction and Background 2 Robotic and Human
Exploration oF Mars 3 Solar System Exploration 4 Universe
Exploration and the Search for Earth-Like Planets 5 Earth Science
and Applications from Space 6 Sun-Solar System Connection 7
Cross-Cutting and Integration Issues Appendix A Letters from NASA
Appendix B Acronyms and Abbreviations Appendix C Biographies of
Panel Members and Staff Appendix D Missions in NASA Strategic
Roadmaps
In 2000, the nation's next-generation National Polar-orbiting
Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) program
anticipated purchasing six satellites for $6.5 billion, with a
first launch in 2008. By November 2005, however, it became apparent
that NPOESS would overrun its cost estimates by at least 25
percent. In June 2006, the planned acquisition of six spacecraft
was reduced to four, the launch of the first spacecraft was delayed
until 2013, and several sensors were canceled or descoped in
capability. To examine the impacts of these changes, particularly
those associated with climate research, and ways to mitigate those
impacts, NASA and NOAA asked the NRC to add this task to its
ongoing "decadal survey," Earth Science and Applications from
Space. The sponsors and the NRC agreed to address this task
separately and to base its analysis on a major workshop. This book
presents summaries of discussions at the workshop, which included
sessions on the measurements and sensors originally planned for
NPOESS and GOES-R; generation of climate data records; mitigation
options, including the role of international partners; and
cross-cutting issues. Table of Contents Front Matter Summary 1
Implications of the NPOESS Nunn-McCurdy Certification and the
Descoping of GOES-R 2 Summary of the Workshop Sessions 3
Cross-Cutting Issues Appendix A: Statement of Task Appendix B:
Workshop Agenda Appendix C: Mitigation Approaches Presented by NASA
and NOAA at the Workshop Appendix D: Abbreviations and Acronyms
Appendix E: Biographical Sketches of Panel Members
Numerous countries and regions now have very active space programs,
and the number is increasing. These maturing capabilities around
the world create a plethora of potential partners for cooperative
space endeavors, while at the same time heightening competitiveness
in the international space arena. This book summarizes a public
workshop held in November 2008 for the purpose of reviewing past
and present cooperation, coordination, and competition mechanisms
for space and Earth science research and space exploration;
identifying significant lessons learned; and discussing how those
lessons could best be applied in the future, particularly in the
areas of cooperation and collaboration. Presentations and initial
discussion focused on past and present experiences in international
cooperation and competition to identify "lessons learned." Those
lessons learned were then used as the starting point for subsequent
discussions on the most effective ways for structuring future
cooperation or coordination in space and Earth science research and
space exploration. The goal of the workshop was not to develop a
specific model for future cooperation or coordination, but rather
to explore the advantages and disadvantages of various approaches
and stimulate further deliberation on this important topic.
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