NASA authorization

Listening to the floor debate on NASA authorization (s. 3729), I cannot believe how polarizing this bill is, and really disappointed at some of the scare tactics that are being used by some representatives. S.3729 passed in the house Wednesday 9/29 late evening.  Up next appropriations after Nov 2nd elections.

14 Nobel Laureates Go to Bat against House NASA Funding Bill

14 Nobel Laureates, 14 former high-level NASA officials, astronauts and recognized educators such as Bill Nye, have sent a letter to Rep. Bart Gordon urging major changes in the House's NASA funding bill to align with the Obama Administration's proposed budget. The Obama proposed budget shifts spaceflight vehicle development to private industry, who in my opinion is ready to take on the challenge, and emphasis a shift to more research and technology initiatives within the agency. I would to thank Dr. Blumberg for his quick response to this letter.


See article and letter at http://www.parabolicarc.com/2010/09/01/30-nobel-laureates-bat-house-nasa-funding-bill/

Quick update to NASA 2010 authorization

We continue to monitor activities on the Hill regarding the house and senate versions of NASA authorization.  The senate passed their version of NASA authorization on August 5, 2010.  There is a companion NASA authorization bill that has been approved by the House science and technology committee, but it awaits floor vote after the house has returned from recess - September 2010. A conference committee is anticipated. We continue to ask for programmatic specificity for life and physical sciences research in the final NASA authorization bill. We continue to support activities (government and non-government) that will increase student and researcher participation and increase "capabilities" in space flight activities, including ISS, and unmanned platforms. 

Dr. Robert Braun, NASA Chief Technologist posts open letter to college students

Here is an excerpt from the open letter from Dr. Robert Braun, NASA Chief Technology to college students - “As our next generation of technologists, scientists and engineers, you are this country’s future.  I look forward to seeing the great things you will bring to NASA and the Nation as you embark on technology-oriented careers.  Join us in this new endeavor. We need your innovative ideas, your passions, your dedicated efforts and your technology solutions. What future will you create?”  Here is the link to the full open letter http://nasa.gov/offices/oct/college_letter_detail.html. 

At ASGSB, we have seen many RFIs come from this office in the last two months, so it is important to stay involved. As of this writing, the pending congressional approval of FY011 budget will determine the extent to which Dr. Braun can engage students.  

ASGSB Signs Joint Science Statement

Sorry it has been awhile since my last update, but there is lots of activity within NASA and Congress - which is what I will address, but remember this reflects my own personal view.

Last week, ASGSB was invited to participate in a meeting with several science and aerospace organizations, include AGU, AURA, AAAS,AIAA, AIA, STScI, WIA, Space Enterprise Council, NSS, Planetary Society, etc. There were about 20 organizations around the table, including ASGSB. The meeting included several informal presentations by NASA, including Lori Garver, NASA Deputy Administrator, Dr. Ed Weiler, director of the Science Mission Directorate, Bobby Braun, director of Office of Chief Technology, and Laurie Leshin, associate director of the Explorations Mission Directorate. The meeting gave me an opportunity to make the community aware of the demise of Life and Physical Sciences over the last six years. It also gave me an opportunity to voice our concerns about the lack of a fundamental life and physical sciences program within NASA, and gave a gentle reminder that science at NASA is not just within the science mission directorate. I must share with you, that several of the societies clapped when they were made aware that ASGSB was at the table with them. I am working with the ASGSB board of directors to to seek common ground with these organizations to develop joint statements.

As you know, the President’s budget request, together with the meeting recently held in Florida, has laid out a path for NASA that will have far reaching effects for the future of the space program. Central to this debate has been the identification of long range goals for the human space program, and a transition path for NASA’s space transportation system. ASGSB has remained neutral with regards to NASA space transportation solution, other than we state we require transportation that is inexpensive, is scientifically accommodative, and frequently provides access to space. Equally important is the well-being of NASA’s investment in science and technology.

It is crucial for the remainder of this year and in future years to ensure that there is a balance between NASA’s programs in both space exploration and sciences. Ideally, these should be mutually supportive and based on solid investments in intellectual advancement in science, enabling technology and developing future scientists and engineers. ASGSB is trying to take an active interest in making this point publicly with regards to investment in fundamental life and physical sciences. We continue to have several key discussions with policy makers with regards to this investment. I will share with you what I can, especially if anything decisive comes out of these meetings. Thanks for reading. Comments are welcome, but with this blog (free service) you must create a google account to do so..it costs nothing and you don't receive junk mail, etc.

Senate Reauthorization bill - is this the missing rudder on the NASA human space flight sailboat?

Take at look at the bill that Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson introduced yesterday to close the gap: http://commerce.senate.gov/public/?a=Files.Serve&File_id=1cacb498-64bb-4fa3-a42e-d861e87700d5. But not only does it close the gap, it creates an ISS management entity, sets aside near term money for ISS utilization (e.g., research hardware), and the words "fundamental research" (formerly known as non-exploration research) is used within the context of ISS -

"an opportunity for multiple United States government agencies, University-based researchers, commercial research organizations, and others to utilize the unique environment of microgravity for fundamental scientific research and potential commercial developments."

NASA Budget - Life Sciences

I just read over the detailed NASA budget, and after picking myself up off the floor, life sciences research has reappeared in the budget narrative after 5 long years of being called "non-exploration research." The words "basic research" also appeared in the same paragraph. The narrative appears in the International Space Station section under Space Operations. There is increased funding BUT I am unsure how the research opportunity funding will be allocated. I am sure this will be the subject of our discussions in the next few months. Here is the excerpt

"Having completed assembly, all of U.S. and International Partner elements and established six- person crew capability, the ISS Program focus will turn to utilization beginning in FY 2011. Current basic research on ISS has been augmented by providing funding within ISS for science and engineering research, including some funding to cover additional transportation costs for non-NASA users. Plans will be finalized to establish an independent organization with responsibility to further develop national uses of the ISS through partnerships with other U.S. government agencies, private firms and non-profit institutions. Research opportunities will then be expanded to conduct research in life sciences, material sciences, biotechnologies, condensed matter physics and thermal sciences (fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, heat transfer and combustion). FY 2011 budget provides $2.5 billion in additional funding over five years to extend ISS, likely through 2020 or beyond, to enable full utilization of ISS, and to initiate activities to increase ISS functionality and maximize operations. The budget also includes a $250 million increase over five years for science and engineering research, intended to augment current basic research on ISS and supports some transportation of these experiments. "

Upcoming ASGSB Board Meeting

The next face to face meeting of the ASGSB board is scheduled for March 23rd-March 24th, 2010 in Washington, D.C. If you have any issues or concerns you would like to be brought up to the board, please let me know.

Cancellation of Constellation - Good or Bad?

I am still sorting through the ramifications of the President's FY11 for our space biology community. I guess we don't care how we get into space, other than we have the necessary resources and capabilities to do so. Our science is not destination specific, but we do care what the destination is so we can do the research and engineering to enable exploration, especially in the area of life support. We want to reveal the understanding of gravity-dependent biological/chemical/physical (all intertwined) mechanisms using the environment of space. We want to develop closed loop life support systems. Do we need the moon to do this? I don't know, but we do need continual access to the space environment. As for the bigger picture for manned space flight, I look back to an exceprt of CAIB report (p.210).

"All members of the Board agree that Americaʼs future space efforts must include human presence in Earth orbit, and eventually beyond, as outlined in the current NASA vision. Recognizing the absence of an agreed national mandate cited above, the current NASA strategic plan stresses an approach of investing in “transformational technologies” that will enable the development of capabilities to serve as “stepping stones” for whatever path the nation may decide it wants to pursue in space. While the Board has not reviewed this plan in depth, this approach seems prudent. Absent any long-term statement of what the country wants to accomplish in space, it is difficult to state with any specificity the requirements that should guide major public investments in new capabilities. The Board does believe that NASA and the nation should give more attention to developing a new “concept of operations” for future activities – defining the range of activities the country intends to carry out in space – that could provide more specificity than currently exists. Such a concept does not necessarily require full agreement on a future vision, but it should help identify the capabilities required and prevent the debate from focusing solely on the design of the next vehicle."

I italicized the above words, in that lacking in specificity is where the problem may lie in the future for this nation's manned space flight activity. I don’t see any specificity in the Obama plan and I am beginning to think Obama’s plan has problems for manned space flight as a whole. Hopefully the details are there - maybe in the seven contracts announced, and I am just missing the details..

FY11 President's Submit - what does it mean for Space Biology?

The President's FY11 NASA overview budget can be found at

http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/420990main_FY_201_%20Budget_Overview_1_Feb_2010.pdf.

The budget is vague with regards to our participation in the space program, but there are some encouraging aspects:

• $1.2 billion for transformative research in exploration technology that will involve NASA, private industry, and academia, sparking spin-off technologies and potentially entire new industries
• Increase annually the percentage of NASA higher education program student participants employed by NASA, aerospace contractors, universities, and other educational institutions.
• $183 million to extend operations of the ISS past its previously planned retirement date of 2016. NASA will deploy new research facilities to conduct scientific research and test technologies in space. New capabilities could include a centrifuge to support research into human physiology, inflatable space habitats, and a program to continuously upgrade Space Station capabilities.

Our FY11 messaging will show how intrinsic we are to achieving these priorities. I will post more detailed budget information as I receive more facts. Now is a good time to talk to commercial space providers too, and not just NASA.

ASGSB 26th Annual Conference - Get your room now!

Information will be posted to the www.asgsb.org website regarding lodging and transportation for the November 4-7, 2010 conference to be held in Washington,D.C. BUT because you are reading this blog site, you get first dibs on hotel rooms because here is the information. Dr. Danny Riley is the conference chair, and he will post a draft program within the next week, followed by a call for abstracts.

LODGING:

The Gaylord National Hotel and Convention Center is located on the Potomac River in Maryland, just minutes from downtown Washington, D.C. http://www.gaylordhotels.com/gaylord-national/ . It is the crown jewel of the newly developed National Harbor, a dynamic, new waterfront community. A world-class resort hotel and convention center covering 41.7 acres, Gaylord National overlooks the monuments and skyline of our nation's capital. Ideally situated along the scenic shoreline of the historic Potomac River, Gaylord National is the largest combined hotel and convention center on the Eastern Seaboard. A block of rooms has been reserved for a rate of $159 per night (excluding taxes) and is available until October 15, 2010. The resort fee is also included in the rate and free internet access in your room. To make lodging reservations, go to

https://reservations.gaylordnational.gaylordhotels.com/cgi-bin/lansaweb?procfun+rn+resnet+NAT+funcparms+UP(A2560):;x-VIT10;?

The Next NASA - Rumors Fly - Does Constellation??

Postings I am sharing with you. These are rumors and may just be the white house using the media to test trial balloon statements to gauge public reactions. I find it interesting that one of the reports says the White House is ready for conflict with Congress if policies are extremely different. (paraphrasing). The only thing I can say is that Congress is indeed getting ready for a battle if the white house nixes major programs. The only thing that seems to be in agreement is ISS till 2020, and I have even seen budget exercises for the 2025 timeframe. Next week should reveal more with the release of the FY2011 budget.

The Houston Chronicle (1/27, Berger, Powell) reports analysts "say it's likely the space agency's budget will remain 'flat' for the coming year, potentially leaving humans stuck in near-Earth orbit for the foreseeable future." Citing supportive statements from several Texan Congressmen, the article notes "Congress has vowed to fight for the resources the Augustine Commission said NASA needed." However, according to the article, other than appointing Charles Bolden as NASA Administrator and setting up the Augustine Commission, "Obama has been mum, never articulating his vision for NASA."

According to the Orlando Sentinel (1/27, Block, Matthews), "NASA's plans to return astronauts to the moon are dead. So are the rockets being designed to take them there - that is, if President Barack Obama gets his way." Reportedly "according to White House insiders, agency officials, industry executives and congressional sources familiar with Obama's long-awaited plans," the entire Constellation program will be cut, with NASA directed to focus on "a new technology research and development program that will one day make human exploration of asteroids and the inner solar system possible." A conflict with Congress is seen as "looming," but reportedly the White House is "ready" for this.

In contrast, Space News (1/27, Klamper) reports, "A top White House budget official suggested to reporters Jan. 26 that NASA could still see a budget increase for 2011 despite U.S. President Barack Obama's proposed three-year freeze on most non-defense discretionary spending."

Next-Gen Suborbital Researchers Conference Feb 18-20, 2010 in Boulder, CO

NSRC Pre-Registration Deadline: 15 January

Pre-Register for NSRC Before Jan 15 to Guarantee Your Seat: The early registration deadline for the Next-Gen Suborbital Researchers Conference (Boulder, Colorado; 18-20 February) is right around the corner next week—on January 15^th.

We are encouraging those interested in attending to register early because attendance will be limited by the meeting facility size; early registration is also less expensive than full registration.

For more information on the meeting program, list of speakers, linked speaker abstracts, and how to register, go to: http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/nsrc2010/

About NSRC: The Next-Gen Suborbital Researchers Conference (NSRC) will bring together researchers from government, industry, and academia, NASA and FAA officials, and firms building next-gen suborbital vehicles. NSRC will provide a forum to learn about the experiment and EPO capabilities of these new suborbital systems and their revolutionary capabilities. NSRC will also provide an opportunity for attendees to make inputs on vehicle design requirements for science and education.

New ground based solicitation for space radiation program

NASA Releases Ground-Based Studies in Space Radiobiology NRA NNJ10ZSA001N, January 8, 2010

This NRA solicits ground-based proposals for the Space Radiation Program Element (SRPE) components of the Human Research Program (HRP). Proposals are solicited by the SRPE in the area of Space Radiation Biology utilizing beams of high energy heavy ions simulating space radiation at the NASA Space Radiation Laboratory, at Brookhaven National Laboratory in Upton, New York.

The full text of the solicitation is available on the NASA Research Opportunities homepage at http://nspires.nasaprs.com <http://nspires.nasaprs.com/> under menu listing "Open Solicitations." Potential applicants are urged to access this site well in advance of the proposal due date to familiarize themselves with its structure and to register in the system. Proposals solicited through this NRA will use a two-step proposal process. Only Step-1 proposers determined to be relevant with respect to the Research Emphases outlined in Section (I)(F) of this NRA will be invited to submit full Step-2 proposals. Step-2 proposals must be compliant with respect to all sections of this NRA or they will be declined without review. Proposals must be submitted electronically. Step-1 proposals are due February 16, 2010. Step-2 proposals are due April 20, 2010.

The venue and the date for the ASGSB 2010 annual meeting has been set. The meeting will be held Nov 4-7, 2010 at the Gaylord National Hotel and Convention Center near Washington, D.C. See sidebar on this blog for more information.

There was recently some concern regarding the definition of "microgravity research" within the FY10 federal budget. For the past few years, Congress has defined this research as life and physical science research and I am happy to report that the same definition is recognized by NASA as well. The $47M budget for microgravity research in FY10 should result in some new starts for both life and physical science research.