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NASA Aeronautics Research: An Assessment (2008)

Chapter: Appendix A: Statement of Task

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Suggested Citation:"Appendix A: Statement of Task." National Research Council. 2008. NASA Aeronautics Research: An Assessment. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/12182.
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Page 91
Suggested Citation:"Appendix A: Statement of Task." National Research Council. 2008. NASA Aeronautics Research: An Assessment. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/12182.
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Page 92
Suggested Citation:"Appendix A: Statement of Task." National Research Council. 2008. NASA Aeronautics Research: An Assessment. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/12182.
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Page 93
Suggested Citation:"Appendix A: Statement of Task." National Research Council. 2008. NASA Aeronautics Research: An Assessment. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/12182.
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Page 94

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Appendixes

Appendix A Statement of Task The Committee for the Assessment of NASA’s Aeronautics Research Program was tasked with executing the following statement of task. The National Research Council will assemble a committee of approximately 15 technical experts to conduct an independent assessment of NASA’s fundamental aeronautics research. This assessment will include a comparison of the current NASA Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD) research program with the future fundamental research needs identified in the recently completed Decadal Survey of Civil Aeronautics. ­Fundamental aeronautics research not addressed or highlighted by the Decadal Survey but considered part of the ARMD research mission will also be assessed. The scope of this assessment will include the fundamental research being conducted in the entire ARMD program portfolio, including the Fundamental Aeronautics Program, the Aviation Safety Program, and the Airspace Systems Program. For purposes of clarity, NASA uses the term “fundamental research” to include continued long-term, scientific study in areas such as physics, chemistry, materials, experimental techniques, and computational techniques that leads to a furthering of our understanding of the underly- ing principles that form the foundation of the core aeronautics disciplines, as well as that research that integrates the knowledge gained in these core areas to significantly enhance our capabilities, tools, and technologies at the disciplinary (e.g., aerodynamics, combustion, trajectory prediction uncertainty) and multidisciplinary (e.g., airframe design, engine design, airspace modeling and simulation) levels. The committee will focus its assessment around the following questions: 1. How well does NASA’s research portfolio implement appropriate recommendations and address relevant high-priority research and technology challenges identified in the Decadal Survey of Civil Aero- nautics? If gaps are found, what steps should be taken by the federal government to eliminate them? 2. How well does NASA’s aeronautics research portfolio address the aeronautics research require- ments of NASA, particularly for robotic and human space exploration? How well does NASA’s aero- nautics research portfolio address other federal government department/agency non-civil aeronautics research needs? If gaps are found, what steps should be taken by NASA and/or other parts of the federal 93

94 NASA AERONAUTICS RESEARCH—AN ASSESSMENT government to eliminate them? In order to answer this question the committee will identify and prioritize requirements for such research that fall within the scope of NASA’s Aeronautics Research Program. To assist in the identification of such research requirements, NASA will provide the NRC with a list of its current research activities that contribute to these areas no later than March 12, 2007. It is likely that much of this research will be “dual use” or even “triple use,” meaning that the research may provide benefit to the civil aeronautics community, and/or the space exploration community, and/or departments and agencies with non-civil aeronautics research needs. 3. Will the nation have a skilled research workforce and research facilities commensurate with the requirements in (1) and (2) above? What critical improvements in workforce expertise and research facili- ties, if any, should NASA and the nation make to achieve the goals of NASA’s research program?

Next: Appendix B: Biographies of Committee Members »
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In 2006, the NRC published a Decadal Survey of Civil Aeronautics: Foundation for the Future, which set out six strategic objectives for the next decade of civil aeronautics research and technology. To determine how NASA is implementing the decadal survey, Congress mandated in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Act of 2005 that the NRC carry out a review of those efforts. Among other things, this report presents an assessment of how well NASA's research portfolio is addressing the recommendations and high priority R&T challenges identified in the Decadal Survey; how well NASA's aeronautic research portfolio is addressing the aeronautics research requirements; and whether the nation will have the skilled workforce and research facilities to meet the first two items.

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