Evaluation of Radiation Shielding for Space Exploration
Based on mission requirements provided by NASA, the Committee on Evaluation of Radiation Shielding for Lunar Exploration is evaluating the radiation shielding requirements for lunar and Martian missions, and will recommend a strategic plan for developing the necessary radiation mitigation capabilities to enable the planned lunar architecture. This report can be found on the National Academies Press Web site.
An Independent Assessment of the Nation's Wake Turbulence Research and Development Program
In response to the 2005 NASA Authorization Act (P.L. 109-155), NASA asked the ASEB to assemble a committee to conduct an independent analysis of what should be the appropriate elements of a national approach to overcoming wake turbulence challenges. The committee was charged with identifying and prioritizing the most important challenges in wake turbulence, and assessing current federal and nonfederal research. The committee identified nine technical and two organizational challenges to overcoming wake turbulence. The report includes metrics and milestones for each technical challenge, as well as a program plan that prioritizes different tasks during different time periods. The report can be found on the National Academies Press Web site.
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Review of NASA’s Exploration Technology Development Program
An ad hoc committee will be formed to perform an independent assessment of NASA’s restructured Exploration Technology Development Program (ETDP) to determine how well the program is aligned with the stated objectives of the Vision for Space Exploration (VSE), identify any gaps, and assess the quality of the research.
Assessing the Research and Development Plan for the Next Generation Air Transportation System: A Workshop
An ad hoc committee under the auspices of the Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board (ASEB) will organize a public workshop to assess the research and development plan for the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) being prepared by the Federal Aviation Administration's interagency Joint Planning and Development Office (JDPO). The agenda for the workshop will be developed to highlight R&D areas that merit particular focus, including those that appear to be of high value and/or high risk with regard to accomplishing NextGen goals. The committee will review the JPDO Concept of Operations and other relevant publicly available documentation about the context within which the R&D plan has been generated and determine what presentations or introductory materials are required for the workshop.
Assessment of NASA’s Aeronautics Research Program
This study will assess NASA’s aeronautics research program and make recommendations to improve its ability to (1) meet the high-priority technology challenges that are identified in the recent ASEB report, Decadal Survey of Civil Aeronautics; (2) address NASA’s internal requirements for aeronautics research (e.g., to support robotic and human space exploration); and (3) satisfy non-civil aeronautics research requirements that NASA is addressing in agreement with other federal agencies and departments. The study will also identify critical improvements in workforce expertise and research facilities, if any, that NASA and the nation should make to achieve the goals of NASA’s Aeronautics research program.
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