Space Studies Board

On June 30, 2000, I completed my sixth and final year as Chair of SSB. In some ways it seems ages ago since Lou Lanzerotti handed me the gavel—when again it was only yesterday.

Six years ago there was an acute sense of urgency surrounding NASA, engendered by revolutionary changes sweeping through the agency. The launch of the initial ISS element was in the distant future, the concept of a broad program focusing on Origins was awaiting the galvanizing announcement of possible evidence for past life on Mars, and EOS, still envisioned as a long series of large platforms was slowly building steam.

It was only in 1996 (the year of Mars rock publicity) that I could perceive a diminution in the turmoil. In 1997 and 1998, events like the success of Mars Pathfinder, the Shuttle/MIR rendezvous and the inaugural ISS launch suggested that, though far from equilibrium, the space program was beginning to settle into a new epoch. The launch of the Chandra X-ray Observatory (my own pet project) and Terra were among the real successes of 1999, but the failure of two ambitious low-cost missions to Mars showed that NASA's transition to new ways of doing business still needed adjustment. NSF and NOAA, the other agencies we regularly advise, had their own sets of issues throughout this period, such as the balance of ground- and space-based research in astronomy and the integration of research and operational requirements for Earth observations.

I am proud of the role the Space Studies Board has played in this history. Altogether, the SSB, with its committees and task groups, issued 56 reports and 24 letter reports during this period. More important than the quantity is what I believe to be the very high quality and impact of our products. That positive view has been confirmed on several occasions in recent years by NRC reviews of our "customers" in the research community, the agencies and on Capitol Hill. Our reports are often cited in planning and policy documents and in congressional language.

For me it has been a great privilege to work with the many hundreds of dedicated volunteers and dozens of talented NRC staff who deserve the vast bulk of credit for the Board's accomplishments. I extend my heartfelt thanks to all of them. I never cease to marvel at the tremendous level of commitment that so many are willing to make in the public interest, and this holds for the civil servants who received the reports as well as those on our panels who wrote them. I must single out the two superb SSB Directors, first Marc Allen and more recently Joseph Alexander, both of whom brought extraordinary talents to this very demanding job. My concurrent ex officio service on the NASA Advisory Council was, itself, fascinating and rewarding.

My successor, Dr. John McElroy of the University of Texas, brings tremendous experience and ability to the Board and will lead it with distinction. With the increasing importance of space activities to more scientific disciplines, the private sector, and policy makers grappling with issues like global change, the diversity and significance of the Board's reports will also increase. Although the mood at the onset of the new millennium is decidedly more optimistic for space research than it was in 1994, exploration and discovery on the high frontier will always present great scientific, technical and management challenges. I am confident that the Board will continue to help the community meet those challenges.

The end of the second quarter of 2000 represents much more than any minor calendar milestone for the year. Indeed, it marks the conclusion of a remarkable period of service to space research by retiring SSB chair Claude Canizares. During the past six years Claude has provided extraordinary leadership for the Board during a time when NASA has been undergoing dramatic changes, the research community has been adjusting to new ways of doing business, and the science itself has experienced both breakthroughs and setbacks.

A look at the breadth and depth of SSB activities during Claude's tenure gives one measure of his impact. From July 1994 to June 2000, the Board published over 50 regular reports, covering the full range of scientific and programmatic issues in space science and technology, plus two dozen quick-response letter reports to provide guidance on specific questions from NASA, NSF, and NOAA. Included in these reports were five major science strategies—for space physics, space astronomy and astrophysics, space biology and medicine, microgravity for human space exploration technologies, and ground-based solar research.

One important highlight was the 1995 report Managing the Space Sciences, a major congressionally-mandated study of the roles and responsibilities of NASA headquarters and the field centers, alternative organizational structures, research prioritization, and technology development for the space sciences. Other highlights include Review of Gravity Probe-B, an in-depth scientific review of a controversial space mission conducted in record time, and Supporting Research and Data Analysis in NASA's Science Programs, a broad-ranging assessment of strategic and programmatic aspects of NASA research grant programs. His leadership also has had an impact on issues of international cooperation in space research through the publication of an in-depth assessment of U.S.-European cooperation in space science (U.S.-European Collaboration in Space Science, conducted jointly with the European Space Science Committee) and initiation of tri-lateral interactions between the SSB and counterparts in Europe and Japan.

Perhaps the most notable effort of the SSB during the Canizares years was the 1996 workshop on "Origins." Following the announcement of possible evidence of fossil microorganisms in the martian meteorite ALH84001, the Office of Science and Technology Policy and NASA asked the Board to help convene a diverse group of scholars to consider major questions and future directions for space science. Participants at that workshop converged on the theme of "origins" as an organizing conceptual framework for much of space science. The workshop findings were presented to Vice President Gore in a symposium at the White House, and he described the event as "exhilarating and thought-provoking."

In addition to possessing scientific and policy expertise, serving as SSB chair—or in any other role as a volunteer on NRC boards and committees for that matter—requires a major commitment of time and energy. Claude chaired all Board meetings during his 6-year tenure, participated actively as a liaison member of the NASA Advisory Council, testified several times at congressional hearings, and made countless trips to Washington to meet with agency, congressional, and NRC officials about SSB business.

I think I speak for all members of the SSB, its committees and staff, and colleagues across the space research community in saying that we owe Claude R. Canizares an enormous debt of gratitude for his solid leadership, expert judgment, and tireless service as chair of the SSB.

The Space Studies Board held its 131st meeting in Washington, DC, on June 16-18. One major focus of the meeting was on the recent Mars mission failure assessments and NASA's plans for the future. Mr. A. Thomas Young, chair of the Mars Program Independent Assessment Team, discussed his panel's report and Dr. Edward Weiler, Associate Administrator for Space Science, spoke about NASA's response.

A second major topic for the meeting involved the implementation of export control regulations, especially the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), and the impact of those regulations on international scientific cooperation. The Board heard from representatives of NASA (the Office of the Administrator and the Office of External Relations), the Department of State (the Bureau of Oceans, International Environment, and Scientific Affairs and the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs), and the Office of Science and Technology Policy (the Technology Directorate and the Science Directorate) on these subjects. During the discussions suggestions emerged regarding ways to reduce uncertainties and possibly even provide relief from some of what seem to be the most troubling impacts of the current situation. The government officials agreed to continue work with each other and with the university community to examine the issues.

Members of the Board and the NASA Administrator's Special Advisor Lt. Gen. Spence Armstrong discussed plans for the agency's new initiative for university partnerships. NASA Chief Scientist Dr. Kathie Olsen presented an overview of NASA activities and plans in the biological sciences. Dr. Sharon Hays of the House Science Committee staff shared her views about important issues and directions for space research as seen from Capitol Hill.

The Board heard from Mr. Dennis Smith of Marshall Space Flight Center about NASA's Integrated Space Transportation Plan. Dr. Yoram Kauffman of the Goddard Space Flight Center gave a science presentation on the Terra mission, its scientific objectives and its early results. Dr. Mihail C. Roco of the National Science Foundation briefed the Board on the National Nanotechnology Initiative, and Dr. Martha Haynes briefed the Board on the new report of the Astronomy and Astrophysics Survey Committee (see excerpt on pg. 17). The Board also reviewed ongoing work by its standing committees and task groups and approved a new project prospectus for the Committee on International Space Programs.

During the meeting, SSB chair Claude Canizares saluted eight retiring members of the Board. Individuals who completed terms at the end of June were Dan Baker, Marilyn Fogel, Roberta Balstad Miller, Mary Jane Osborn, Tom Prince, Pedro Rustan, George Siscoe, and Ray Viskanta.

The Board will meet next on November 13-15, at the Beckman Center in Irvine, CA. The Executive Committee and standing committee chairs will meet August 14-16 at the Jonsson Center in Woods Hole, MA.

A formal request from NASA to draft a letter report on issues and considerations relating to the disposal of the Galileo spacecraft was received on May 9 and work on this project began immediately following NRC approval. The letter report, "On Scientific Assessment of Options for the Disposal of the Galileo Spacecraft," was delivered to NASA on June 28.

The committee will meet next on July 17-21 in Washington, DC, to continue laying the ground work for the new study on organic environments in the solar system.

To acquire background information for its report, the committee formed study groups organized around 5 themes. These themes comprise a convenient, but not unique, scientific framework around which to structure an assessment of the key physical processes of interest. The themes are:

During the period April-June 2000 the committee sponsored 5 small meetings to acquire background information related to each of the themes. Each of the meetings included 2 or more committee members and several invited guests. Reports from each of the meetings were supplied to the full committee, which met June 25-26, at the Jonsson Center in Woods Hole, MA, to draft its report.

The Committee on Earth Studies was particularly busy completing several reports. The committee's report, The Role of Small Satellites in NASA and NOAA Earth Observation Programs, was published in April 2000. Two other reports have been approved and are being prepared for publication; they are (1) Issues in the Integration of Research and Operational Satellite Systems for Climate Research: I. Science and Design and (2) Issues in the Integration of Research and Operational Satellite Systems for Climate Research: II. Implementation. In addition, the committee completed a draft of its report, Climate Data Processing and Archive Strategies for NPP and NPOESS; the report is currently being revised in response to comments from external reviewers. Publication of the report is anticipated by July 31. Members of the committee were also involved in supporting the NRC review of the science implementation plan for NASA's Office of Earth Science.
The Committee on Microgravity Research completed editorial revisions on its report, Microgravity Research in Support of Technologies for the Human Exploration and Development of Space and Planetary Bodies, during this period. The final published report was delivered on June 30 and is currently being distributed. A number of dissemination activities for the report are planned or ongoing, including invited presentations at a recent NASA workshop and upcoming conferences on fluid physics and thermal systems. SSB member Dr. Peter Voorhees of Northwestern University will succeed Dr. Ray Viskanta as the committee's chair and will be involved in selecting the committee's next task. Potential new studies that focus on interfaces between microgravity and biology are currently being discussed.
The Committee on Space Biology and Medicine completed work during this period on its report, Review of NASA's Biomedical Research Program, a follow-up to the committee's 1998 strategy report. The report is currently in press with an anticipated publication date of late July. Committee chair Dr. Mary Osborn briefed NASA Chief Scientist Dr. Kathie Olsen and Life Sciences Director Joan Vernikos on the report findings on June 21. Discussions are under way with NASA on potential new projects, and these will be developed with the input of the incoming committee chair.
The Committee on the Origins and Evolution of Life conducted its Workshop on Life Detection at the Carnegie Institution of Washington's DC headquarters on April 25-26. In addition to committee members and invited presenters, 35 people registered to participate in the workshop, bringing the total attendance to approximately 70. Twenty-seven papers on topics as diverse as "Microscopic Techniques for Examining Fossils" and "Alternatives to Terrestrial Molecular Biochemistry" were presented in three sessions devoted to issues in sample return and the detection of extinct and extant life. In addition, committee members, invited presenters, and other attendees conducted extensive discussions of issues arising from the contributed papers. Following the workshop, the committee members met for a half-day to begin work on the report resulting from the workshop. The report is expected be published in the fourth quarter of this year. The committee's next meeting is scheduled to be held at the University of Colorado's Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics on August 21-23.
The Committee on International Space Programs (CISP) met on June 12-13 in Washington, DC. The main purpose of the meeting was to continue to explore the possibility of conducting a workshop involving U.S. and Chinese scientists on future, promising areas of U.S.-Chinese space cooperation. The workshop would be conducted with the Space Studies Board/CISP and like bodies in China. The committee heard about several ongoing activities between U.S. government agencies (NSF, NOAA and USGS) and Chinese institutions. In addition, the committee reviewed a draft statement of task for the activity to submit to the Space Studies Board for review and approval.

The committee also continued to track key topics related to international space programs. Representatives from NASA's Office of External Relations and Office of Space Flight provided a briefing on cooperation on the International Space Station, which represents the largest international collaborative space activity to date. The committee continues to monitor issues related to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and their implications for international cooperation in space research. On that subject, NRC staff from the Committee on International Security and Arms Control, Office of International Affairs, updated the committee on an NRC workshop on "Scientific Communication and National Security" to be held September 27-28 in Washington, DC. The workshop will explore how efforts to prevent proliferation, such as ITAR, potentially affect fundamental aspects of the international enterprise of science. In addition, the committee heard from representatives of NASA's Office of Space Science and Office of External Relations on an international programs initiative, which gathered officials from 20 space agencies to discuss strategic plans and common interests such as education and outreach. NASA also presented the preliminary results of a comprehensive review of international space science cooperation at headquarters and the field centers. Presentations by committee members included a summary of a report, "An Agenda for Future U.S.-Japan Scientific and Technical Cooperation," and an update on the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) and the World Space Congress 2002.

Members of the CISP and SSB discipline committees who are attending the COSPAR Science Assembly in July 2000 in Warsaw will hold an informal discussion with Chinese scientists to broach the idea of a joint activity. The CISP will meet next in Washington, DC on December 11-12.

The Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) did not meet during the last quarter. However, planning for the World Space Congress 2002, a joint activity of COSPAR and the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), continued. A National Organizing Committee (NOC) met June 1 at the headquarters of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). The NOC includes the COSPAR U.S. representative, the COSPAR scientific program chair for the WSC 2002, the U.S. executive secretary to COSPAR, the IAF program chair, and several representatives from the AIAA who are managing the logistics, fund-raising, and national organization for the event. The 33rd COSPAR Scientific Assembly will be held July 17-22 in Warsaw, Poland, where planning for the WSC 2002 will continue on an international level. The WSC 2002 will be held in Houston, TX in October 2002.
The Steering Committee on Space Applications and Commercialization, in cooperation with the Ocean Studies Board, held a workshop, "Moving Remote Sensing from Research to Applications: Case Studies of the Knowledge Transfer Process," on May 3-4 in the National Academies auditorium in Washington, DC. Approximately 75 people from government agencies, academia, private industry, state governments and other institutions attended. Plenary speakers gave presentations on the "Technology Transfer Process; Emerging Technologies for Remote Sensing and Geospatial Data," "Science and Policy Issues in the Coastal Zone;" and "Comparative Perspectives on Technology Transfer: GIS and GPS." Case studies used to illustrate the knowledge transfer process focused on topics relevant to the coastal zone. The cases presented were "EPA Advanced Monitoring Program: Applications of the SeaWIFS for Coastal Monitoring of Harmful Algal Blooms" by Eugene Meier, EPA; "US Army Corps of Engineers; SHOALS Airborne Lidar Bathymetry Program" by Jeff Lillycrop of US Army Corps of Engineers, and "Satellite and Aerial Remote Sensing for Coastal Sewage Discharge and Run-off Monitoring Project" by Jan Svejkovsky, Ocean Imaging Corp. In addition, the workshop included a panel discussion on Remote Sensing for Coastal Zone Science and Applications with individuals from federal and state agencies, industry, and academia. The workshop attendees participated in splinter sessions to discuss issues on technology transfer focusing on policy, technical matters, education and training, institutional issues, and user awareness. The steering committee met following the workshop on May 4 and 5 to discuss a preliminary outline for a workshop report. The committee will meet next on August 1-3 in Washington, DC to work on the report documenting the May workshop. The August meeting will also include a planning session with the committee, liaisons from sponsoring agencies, and guests for the second workshop, which will focus on basic research in a commercial remote sensing environment.
NASA's Earth Science Enterprise is developing a strategy for guiding future research and selecting space missions. The strategy document, "NASA Earth Science Enterprise Research Strategy for 2000-2010," is being reviewed by an ad-hoc Committee to Review NASA's ESE Science Plan under the joint auspices of the Space Studies Board, Board on Atmospheric Sciences and Climate, Board on Earth Sciences and Resources, Ocean Studies Board, and the Policy Division. The task group is charged to examine: (1) the characterization of the issues and primary questions the plan proposes to address; (2) the criteria and prioritization process described for both the science questions and the definition of mission concepts; and (3) the soundness of the selection of detailed questions to be pursued, particularly in light of existing NRC reports. The committee met on May 17-18, to discuss the history of the plan with NASA and OMB representatives, analyze background materials, including comments on the research strategy from nine NRC boards, and begin drafting its report. A small writing team met in Boulder, CO on June 12 to refine the report. The report was vetted by the SSB the following week, and is anticipated to go to NAS/NRC review at the beginning of July. The goal is to release the report to NASA by the end of July, in time to be useful for budget planning.

Arrangements have been made for rebroadcast distribution of videotapes of the 1999-2000 Distinguished Leaders in Science lectures via the Research Channel, a non-profit organization operated through the University of Washington. A schedule for broadcast dates and information about on-demand webcasts is due to be posted in July 2000 on the Research Channel web site. The series included lectures by Richard Canfield (Sun-Earth connections), Claude Canizares (X-ray astrophysics), Christopher Chyba (Europa and exobiology), Michael Turner (cosmology), and Maria Zuber (Mars).

Copies of reports are available from the SSB office at 202/334-3477 and are available online.

This study, by the Committee on Earth Studies, was staffed by Arthur A. Charo, Senior Program Officer, Ina B. Alterman, Senior Program Officer, Carmela J. Chamberlain, Senior Project Assistant (through March 1999) and Theresa M. Fisher, Senior Project Assistant (from April 1999).

MICROGRAVITY RESEARCH IN SUPPORT OF TECHNOLOGIES FOR THE HUMAN EXPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF SPACE AND PLANETARY BODIES

This study, by the Committee on Microgravity Research, was staffed by Sandra J. Graham, Study Director, Anne K. Simmons, Senior Project Assistant and Cathy Gruber, Senior Project Assistant (through May 1998).

This study, by the Task Group on the Forward Contamination of Europa, was staffed by David H. Smith, Study Director, Craig W. Herbold, Research Assistant, Achal Bhatt, Research Assistant, and Sharon S. Seaward, Senior Program Assistant.

This report was prepared by the Astronomy and Astrophysics Survey Committee, which was established under the Board on Physics and Astronomy with the assistance of the Space Studies Board. Staff officers for the study were Robert L. Riemer and Joel Parriott. The report has been released in prepublication format.

On May 26, 2000, Space Studies Board Chair Claude R. Canizares sent the following letter to Dr. Edward J. Weiler, NASA's Associate Administrator for Space Science. The study was staffed by Joseph K. Alexander, Study Director, and Barbara Wright, Senior Program Assistant.

On April 21, 2000, Space Studies Board Chair Claude R. Canizares and Committee Chair John A. Wood sent the following letter to Dr. Carl Pilcher, NASA's Science Program Director for Solar System Exploration Division. The study was staffed by David H. Smith, Study Director, and Sharon S. Seaward, Senior Program Assistant.

ON SCIENTIFIC ASSESSMENT OF OPTIONS FOR THE DISPOSAL OF THE GALILEO SPACECRAFT

On June 28, 2000, Space Studies Board Chair Claude R. Canizares and Committee Chair John A. Wood sent the following letter to Dr. John D. Rummel, NASA planetary protection officer. The study was staffed by David H. Smith, Study Director, and Sharon S. Seaward, Senior Program Assistant.

Robert L. "Roc" Riemer, Senior Program Officer at the Board on Physics and Astronomy, left the NRC in Washington at the end of May to move to Las Vegas, where his wife is working. Roc was program officer for the 1991 Bahcall report, The Decade of Discovery in Astronomy and Astrophysics, and served as the first program officer for the joint SSB-BPA Committee on Astronomy and Astrophysics. He also served as Associate Director of the Board on Physics and Astronomy and worked on many BPA committees over the past 15 years. He will be working off-site for a while on the completion of the new decadal survey committee report, Astronomy and Astrophysics in the New Millennium, which passed NRC review this May.

Craig Cornelius has joined the SSB staff as our summer intern. Craig is in the Class of 2001 at Princeton University, where he is studying the pre-Shuttle era of the U.S. space program. Under the auspices of a major in History of Science, past research projects have been advised by Dr. Angela Creager (History), Dr. Edgar Choueiri (EPPDyL) and Dr. Jeremy Kasdin (MAE). Those include: a study of solar power satellite concepts in their legal context; an examination of orbital operations concepts and mission objectives in the Gemini Program; an assessment of developing microthruster designs based on electrical propulsion; and, the design of a 3-D stereoscopic imaging satellite for agricultural applications. Prior to his arrival at the SSB, Craig worked on science and technology policy in the office of Rep. Richard Gephardt, before spending last summer at The Wexler Group representing the interests of companies including Venturestar and Spacehab in matters ranging from export controls to loan guarantees. Part of Craig's time here in Washington will also be spent at the NASA archives, where he will be doing primary research for a senior thesis that will examine NASA's strategic planning at the end of the Apollo era.