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4.5—SUBCOMMITTEE ON SPACE AND AERONAUTICS
4.5(a)—Vision 2001: Future Space
April 3, 2001
Hearing Volume No. 107–1
Background
The hearing explored visionary concepts of America's future in space exploration, commercialization, and utilization.
Witnesses included: (1) Dr. Buzz Aldrin, President, Starcraft Enterprises; (2) Dr. Lawrence M. Krauss, Chairman of the Department of Physics, Case Western Reserve University; (3) Dr. Wesley T. Huntress, Director of the Carnegie Institution's Geophysical Laboratory; and (4) Mr. Allen Steele, Science Fiction Author.
Summary of Hearing
Dr. Aldrin discussed the risk and long-term vision and commitment necessary for space exploration, commercialization, and utilization to prosper. His five recommendations included developing lower cost launch systems, eliminating hampering regulations and procedures, charging NASA with investigating lower cost transportation systems, and focusing NASA and the private sector on the near-term objective of flying ''people'' in space. Dr. Aldrin provided a video that would, in his opinion, make the launching of boosters and replacement of orbiters viable.
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Dr. Krauss spoke of how to find a balance between far-term vision and near-term practicality in pursuing space exploration, human space exploration, and science.
Dr. Huntress outlined his vision for America's future space program in a systematic, logical, science-driven manner. He ultimately envisions a meshing of robotics and human space flight for a productive and cost effective mission from planet Earth, as well as the creation of a progressive infrastructure necessary for future missions.
Mr. Steele advocated the establishment of a permanent spacefaring civilization. He testified that private industry rather than NASA is best suited for the commercialization of space. He believes our space program should have an element of private purpose, as well as public, and should establish a Federal Space Agency that would focus entirely upon private space development. He proposed three major space objectives that can be accomplished by private industry: development of a second-generation space shuttle, construction of solar-powered satellites, and a return mission to the Moon to establish a permanent base.
4.5(b)—NASA Posture
May 2, 2001
Hearing Volume No. 107–15
Background
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The hearing addressed NASA's scientific priorities as reflected in the budget request, NASA's technology development and demonstration activities, and options NASA is evaluating for proceeding with the International Space Station. NASA Administrator Daniel S. Goldin was the only witness.
Summary of Hearing
Mr. Goldin provided testimony on NASA's FY02 budget request. He highlighted NASA's major accomplishments and technical successes over the past year and identified specific management challenges and new priorities for NASA. The biggest challenge that NASA must address was the significant cost overrun ($4 billion) with the Space Station program.
The President's FY02 budget request proposed to offset a large portion of the cost growth by redirecting funding for the Crew Return Vehicle (CRV), the Habitation Module, and the U.S. Propulsion Module. In addition, funding for U.S. research equipment and associated support will be aligned with the new assembly schedule that will result from NASA's ongoing bottoms-up analysis. NASA estimates that research funding will be reduced by 40 percent. The budget request also stated that U.S. development would be complete once the Space Station is ready to accept the hardware elements of the international partners. This milestone, referred to as ''U.S. Core Complete,'' will be reached following the successful integration of Node 2, currently planned for November 2003. The President's budget further committed that any additional cost growth would be offset by efficiencies found within the human space flight programs and would not affect NASA's other research programs. He stated that NASA would be examining privatization of the Space Shuttle in order to save funds to offset cost growth on the Space Station.
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Mr. Goldin also testified regarding the status and issues for each of NASA's enterprises: Human Exploration and Development of Space, Space Science, Earth Science, Biological and Physical Research, and Aerospace Technology.
4.5(c)—A Review of Vertical Takeoff and Landing Technology in the National Airspace System
May 9, 2001
Hearing Volume No. 107–9
Background
The hearing examined VTOL technology, how VTOL could mitigate airport congestion, and federal and industry efforts to more fully integrate VTOL into the National Airspace System. The hearing also focused on a developmental VTOL aircraft concept, known as the DP–2.
Witnesses were (1) Mr. Anthony A. duPont, founder and President of duPont Aerospace Company; (2) Mr. William H. Wallace, National Resource Specialist for Rotorcraft Operations, Federal Aviation Administration; (3) Dr. John Zuk, Chief of the Advanced Tiltrotor Technology Office, NASA Ames Research Center; and (4) Dr. Thomas D. Taylor, Chief Scientist and Program Manager of Naval Expeditionary Warfare Science and Technology, Office of Naval Research.
Summary of Hearing
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Mr. Wallace testified that use of helicopters and civil tiltrotor aircraft hold promise to add capacity to the Nation's commercial aviation system by providing new opportunities for moving passengers into—and out of—crowded airports. He cautioned, though, that new arrival and departure routes, and procedures to integrate vertical-flight aircraft into the traffic flows at busy airports have not yet been developed. He stated that FAA continues to investigate operational and regulatory standards for civil tiltrotor aircraft, including pilot certification issues.
Dr. Zuk provided testimony on research conducted by NASA on the traffic effects of substituting vertical-lift aircraft for short-haul commuter flights at congested airports. Research findings indicated that operational capacity increases of up ten-percent were possible. In addition, Dr. Zuk testified that the introduction of these aircraft into small communities and general aviation airports would greatly expand accessibility of the national airspace system to under-served communities. Dr. Zuk also outlined NASA-sponsored research designed to reduce the noise footprint of vertical-lift aircraft.
Mr. duPont spoke about predicted flying characteristics of the DP–2, a developmental vertical take-off and landing aircraft that relies on vectored thrust produced by turbojet engines. His company is attempting to build the first-ever vertical-takeoff jet designed for commercial and military markets. He stated that considerable research, design, and engineering work must be completed before it could be ready for its first flight.
Dr. Taylor gave a general assessment of the DP–2 aircraft. ONR is sponsoring the developmental work of the DP–2. He testified that no known obstacles were encountered for the DP–2, but that the thrust-vectoring design required intensive research, and captive flight tests would be required before the aircraft would be approved for manned flight.
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4.5(d)—The Aerospace Industrial Base
May 15, 2001
Hearing Volume No. 107–10
Background
The hearing focused on the ability of U.S. industry to maintain its leadership against primarily European competition.
Witnesses included: (1) Mr. John Douglass, President, Aerospace Industries Association; (2) Mr. Tom Moorman, Partner, Booz, Allen & Hamilton; (3) Mr. Gayle White, National Defense Industrial Association; and (4) Ms. Heidi Wood, Vice President, Morgan Stanley.
Summary of Hearing
Mr. Douglass testified on trends in aerospace trade and U.S. market share in relation to European competition and called for a 20 percent increase in NASA research and development funds for aerospace technology to compete against European R&D subsidies. He also testified about declines in U.S. commercial aviation sales and development of Boeing supercruiser to compete against the Airbus A380 superjumbo.
Mr. Moorman testified on trends in the space industrial base to support military, commercial, and civil space programs. The U.S. space industry has excess capacity for launch vehicles and satellite manufacturing. Even with numerous mergers of aerospace companies during the 1990s, adequate competition exists. However, the deteriorating financial health of these companies poses a threat, especially with the growing reluctance of companies to invest in restructuring and independent research and development.
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Mr. White addressed the shortage of aerospace workers skilled in math, sciences, and engineering to meet human capital needs in aerospace companies. A survey of the top 10 aerospace firms revealed that 64 percent of job openings for engineers were not filled, and retirements over the next five years will result in even more openings. Security clearances and pay comparisons with other information technology workers further drive workers to other industries.
Ms. Wood addressed how private investment has flowed out of the aerospace sector over the past decade and how investment trends relate to human capital trends. Wall Street analysts consider aerospace a ''basic industry'' rather than ''high technology'' due to this decline.
4.5(e)—Space Launch Initiative: A Program Review
June 20, 2001
Hearing Volume No. 107–11
Background
The hearing addressed NASA's procurement practices and investments in key technology areas and processes for the development of new launch vehicle architectures that will increase the national launch capability.
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Witnesses included: (1) Mr. Dennis Smith, Program Manager of the Space Launch Initiative (SLI)/2nd Generation RLV Program Office, NASA; (2) Mr. Allen Li, Director of the Acquisition and Sourcing Management at the U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO); (3) Mr. Steve Hoeser, a space launch analyst; and (4) Mr. Tom Rogers, Chief Scientist of the Space Transportation Association (STA).
Summary of Hearing
Mr. Smith testified that the SLI is a NASA program to investigate new space transportation architectures and to invest approximately $4.85 billion between FY 2001 and FY 2006 for risk reduction and technology development efforts supporting at least two competing industry solutions. He outlined the process for determining the top level requirements and program goals for NASA's SLI, as well as measures NASA plans to use to achieve a viable vehicle architecture in 2006.
Mr. Li provided an assessment of NASA's management structure and its contributions to past problems with X-vehicle programs. He testified that NASA needs to address critical areas, such as adequate project funding, cost risk provisions, effective and efficient coordination, communication within the agency, and periodic revalidation of underlying assumptions, in order to avoid problems in future programs.
Mr. Hoeser provided key observations related to NASA's SLI based upon his experience with the Strategic Defense Initiative Office's (SDIO) Delta Clipper Experimental Launch Vehicle Program. He concludes that the SLI Program will not result in a new launch vehicle within the scheduled time frame.
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Mr. Rogers summarized that NASA's SLI is representative of ''old fashioned'' Cold War thinking that promotes an entitlement program for NASA. He proposed that the government seek creative ways for financing development of near-Earth space and planetary exploration by supporting the private sector's efforts in realizing new space markets.
4.5(f)—Space Tourism
June 26, 2001
Hearing Volume No. 107–12
Background
The hearing reviewed the issues and opportunities for flying non-professional astronauts in space, the appropriate government role for supporting a space tourism industry, use of the Space Shuttle and Space Station for tourism, safety and training criteria for space tourists, and the potential commercial market for space tourism.
Witnesses included: (1) Mr. Dennis Tito, Space Tourist; (2) Mr. Mike Hawes, NASA; (3) Dr. Buzz Aldrin, Astronaut; and (4) Mr. Rick Tumlinson, Space Frontier Foundation.
Summary of Hearing
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Mr. Tito, the first person to pay to visit the International Space Station, provided his perspectives on his experience aboard the Space Station. He also testified on the potential benefit of human space travel and tourism to society, as well as his observations on the Russian space program.
Mr. Hawes, Deputy Associate Administrator for Space Station at NASA, testified on U.S. Government policies and NASA's role regarding space tourism. He also addressed the issues related to non-government travelers aboard the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station and the need for a set of agreed-upon criteria for selecting crew to fly to the Space Station.
Dr. Aldrin, provided testimony on what types of activities could be enabled or enhanced by space tourism and the major hurdles that must be overcome before the space tourism industry could be self-sustaining. Dr. Aldrin focused on the need for low cost, reliable launch systems as the key barrier to space tourism and a major issue for the entire space program.
Mr. Tumlinson, Space Frontier Foundation, provided testimony on his views regarding the appropriate role of the government in supporting the space tourism industry. Specifically, Mr. Tumlinson testified that the Space Station is a research laboratory and not an appropriate destination for tourists. Further, he testified that the government should pursue policies which promote space tourism, but should not compete for business with private sector enterprises.
During the question and answer period, Mr. Tito claimed that the Space Station's life support system is capable today of supporting a permanent six-person crew. Mr. Hawes testified that the station is not capable of supporting a six-person crew as currently configured. The conflict was not resolved in the hearing, but NASA's response to the question for the record indicates that the station has the capability to support a six-person crew for limited periods of time.
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4.5(g)—Life in the Universe
July 12, 2001
Hearing Volume No. 107–17
Background
The hearing reviewed ongoing efforts with NASA and the privately-funded SETI Institute's space science and astrobiology programs to search for life elsewhere in the universe.
Witnesses included: (1) Dr. Neil Tyson, Hayden Planetarium; (2) Dr. Jack Farmer, NASA Astrobiology Institute/Arizona State University; (3) Dr. Ed Weiler, NASA Space Science; and (4) Dr. Chris Chyba, SETI Institute.
Summary of Hearing
Dr. Tyson testified on the public's intense interest in the search for intelligent extraterrestrial life and how humans have depicted aliens in movies, magazines, and television. The actual discovery of extraterrestrial intelligence will result in a profound change in human self-perception.
Dr. Farmer explained NASA efforts to find microbial (as distinguished from intelligent) extraterrestrial life elsewhere in the solar system. The efforts are concentrated on Mars and Europa, one of Jupiter's moons, where liquid water possibly exists. Liquid water is one of the pre-conditions for life to form. Several satellite probes are planned during the next decade to search for life in the solar system.
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Dr. Weiler testified regarding NASA's Origins Program to find extrasolar planets through a series of planned space-based telescopes over the next 15 years. The Hubble Space Telescope and ground telescopes have found over 70 Jupiter-sized planets in other solar systems, and more precise telescopes are needed in order to find Earth-like planets in nearby star systems. Dr. Weiler characterized the search area and vast distances involved with a photograph of the Hubble Space Telescope Wide Field Camera. He expressed complete confidence that NASA's search will find extraterrestrial life with a 50 percent chance of finding intelligent extraterrestrial life.
Dr. Chyba explained the SETI Institute's Phoenix Program of ground-based radio observatories and distributed signal processing to search for radio signals from extraterrestrial intelligence. The SETI Institute's program is privately funded with several philanthropic efforts and has a highly successful public outreach program, SETI@Home. Dr. Chyba testified about the need for fairness in the competition for NASA research grants involving the SETI Institute.
4.5(h)—Developing the Next Generation Air Traffic Management System
July 19, 2001
Hearing Volume No. 107–6
Background
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The hearing examined industry and government efforts to develop the next generation Air Traffic Management (ATM) system. Many aviation experts believe the current ground-based system cannot be stretched much farther to achieve the capacity increases necessary to accommodate predicted growth. In early summer the Federal Aviation Administration announced a major initiative known as the Operational Evolution Plan (OEP) that proposed a number of improvements to increase capacity in the National Airspace System (NAS) by 2011. If successful, these enhancements are expected to add 30 percent capacity, but predicted growth in traffic will offset these gains. The hearing focused on government and industry efforts to develop ATM hardware and systems beyond the ten-year horizon.
Witnesses were: (1) Professor R. John Hansman, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; (2) Mr. Steve Zaidman, Associate Administrator for Research and Acquisitions, Federal Aviation Administration; (3) Mr. Sam Venneri, Associate Administrator, NASA; and (4) Mr. John Hayhurst, President, Air Traffic Management, The Boeing Company.
Summary of Hearing
Professor Hansman testified that the Nation's air traffic system is congested and the potential for developing new capacity is constrained by the operational concepts employed by FAA, as well as landside facilities such as the number of runways and gates.
Mr. Zaidman stated that FAA's Operational Evolution Plan will meet near term traffic predictions (for the next ten years) but will do so in a way that simply meets expected growth in demand. He also stated that FAA no longer does long-term research and development, relying instead on NASA to perform this role. He also cautioned that FAA is reliant on industry and academia to meet future challenges.
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Mr. Venneri offered several solutions NASA believes would produce new capacity, such as computer-based decision support tools for air traffic controllers, the Small Aircraft Transportation System, and the development of a global communications, navigation, surveillance ATM system. The latter initiative, however, would require many years to complete, and as a first step toward this goal, Mr. Venneri urged that NASA be permitted to pursue the Virtual Airspace Modeling project.
Mr. Hayhurst described Boeing's air traffic management proposal as a satellite-based, networked constellation of communications, navigation and surveillance satellites, capable of providing precise navigational data to pilots and air traffic controllers. It would permit aircraft to fly direct trajectories with minimal guidance from controllers. Boeing is in the process of developing a requirements document with input from all stake-holders and plans to release this document during the first half of 2002.
4.5(i)—Space Planes and X–Vehicles
October 11, 2001
Hearing Volume No. 107–22
Background
The hearing examined space plane technologies and the opportunities they would create for civil, military, and commercial space-based applications.
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Witnesses included: (1) Dr. Steve Lambakis, Analyst, national security and international affairs at the National Institute of Public Policy; (2) Mr. Peter Huessy, President, PRH & Company; (3) Mr. Mitch Clapp, CEO, Pioneer Rocket Company; and (4) Ambassador Henry Cooper, Chairman, High Frontier and Applied Research Associates.
Summary of Hearing
Dr. Lambakis explained how space plane capabilities would transform current commercial, civil, and military space activities and how such capabilities would fit into an overall U.S. aerospace architecture. He testified that the difficulty in determining how the U.S. should proceed in space results from an unsettled and fragmented policy concerning the use of space.
Mr. Huessy illustrated operational concepts for a military space plane. He summarized that the rapid deployment of a military space plane could serve to deny an adversary the ability to prosecute a conflict.
Mr. Clapp's testimony focused on commercial applications for space planes and what space plane flight demonstration should be pursued before proceeding to an operational system. He testified that the X–37 Program provides a significant benefit to future reusable space systems by demonstrating in-space transportation operations.
Ambassador Cooper addressed how past administrations supported DOD and NASA space plane programs and what level of U.S. investments is needed for space plane development in the future. He testified that since past administrations diverted the path of ''build, test, grow'' programs, close Congressional oversight is needed to encourage the bureaucracy to continue on a path towards an operational space plane.
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4.5(j)—A Review of Civil Aeronautics Research and Development
March 7, 2002
Hearing Volume No. 107–67
Background
The hearing was held on the Federal Government's proposed FY03 budget and investment strategy for civil aeronautics research funded by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). While budget submissions for both agencies suggested a vigorous, ongoing research and development program important to solving many of our country's aviation-related problems, the FY03 funding proposal would shrink NASA's Aeronautics budget by $58 million below FY02 levels. Likewise, FAA's Research, Engineering and Development program would be reduced by $23 million below FY02. Agency officials were invited to explain the rationale behind their budget submissions. Industry experts were asked to give their views about the budget proposals.
Witnesses were: (1) Mr. Sam Venneri, Associate Administrator, National Aeronautics and Space Administration; (2) Mr. Steve Zaidman, Associate Administrator, Federal Aviation Administration; (3) Mr. Rich Golaszewski, Executive Vice President, GRA Inc.; (4) Mr. David Swain, Chief Technology Officer, the Boeing Company; and (5) Dr. John Cassidy, Senior Vice President, United Technologies Corporation.
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Summary of Hearing
Mr. Venneri provided oral testimony of the major accomplishments in NASA's Aeronautics R&D program during FY 2001, singling out successes with the Helios high-altitude flying wing aircraft, demonstration of a synthetic-vision system for use on commercial aircraft, and prototyping decision support tools for use by the FAA air traffic control community. He also highlighted the release of NASA's new R&D investment roadmap, the ''Aeronautics Blueprint,'' that will be used to guide future agency spending decisions.
Mr. Zaidman discussed FAA's FY 2003 Research, Engineering and Development budget request and reviewed the current investment strategy. He pointed out that approximately 80 percent of the budget is spent on safety-related activities such as finding solutions related to aging aircraft, aging wiring, and composite materials; 10 percent spent on environmental research; and 10 percent on weather research. Mr. Zaidman emphasized FAA's close working relationship with NASA and the Transportation Security Administration on research.
Mr. Golaszewski testified about the continuing decline in spending for aeronautics-related research and development by both government and industry, and drew a corollary between this trend and our domestic industry's continuing decline in world market share for aerospace products. He noted that over the previous 15 years R&D investment by government and industry has been reduced by one-half. He concluded his oral statement by suggesting that the U.S./European Union agreement on government investment in large civil airframes be revisited in light of robust R&D funding programs put in place by the European Union.
Mr. Swain stated that the government must continue to underwrite high-risk, long-term research programs important to the aeronautics industry. Technology spin-offs from these programs have had a significant impact on industry and produced critical new capabilities for our nation's defense. He also spoke about the necessity of pushing forward with research and development on a new air traffic management system to replace the current system.
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Dr. Cassidy applauded NASA's ''Aviation Blueprint.'' He raised concerns, though, about declining investment in research and development spending by government and industry. He cited the 50 percent decline in NASA aeronautics R&D spending over the last five years as a cause for concern. He noted that reduced R&D investment ultimately results in fewer new technologies and loss of market share for domestic companies that rely on NASA to lead the way in high-risk, long-term research programs.
4.5(k)—Space Shuttle and Space Launch Initiative
April 18, 2002
Hearing Volume No. 107–79
Background
The hearing examined NASA's plans to operate and maintain the Space Shuttle and NASA's strategy for developing a second-generation Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) to replace the Space Shuttle. Specifically, the hearing reviewed NASA's plans for Shuttle safety and supportability upgrades, proposed reductions in Shuttle flight rate, the status of Shuttle launch infrastructure, plans for competitive sourcing of the Shuttle, ability of the workforce to support planned missions, and the status of studies to extend the operational life of the Space Shuttle beyond 2012. In addition, the hearing reviewed NASA's plans to develop and demonstrate technologies for a second-generation reusable launch vehicle to replace the Space Shuttle under the Space Launch Initiative. Taken together, NASA's space transportation programs may cost $50–$60 billion over the next ten years.
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Witnesses included: (1) Mr. Fred Gregory, Associate Administrator for the Office of Space Flight, NASA; (2) Mr. Richard Blomberg, Chair of NASA Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel; (3) Mr. Sam Venneri, Associate Administrator for Aerospace Technology, NASA; and (4) Mr. Gerard Elverum, Member of the NASA Space Transportation Subcommittee of the Aerospace Technology Advisory Committee.
Summary of Hearing
Mr. Gregory testified that the next decade poses new challenges for the Space Shuttle. Mr. Gregory testified that over the past ten years, the investment in Space Shuttle infrastructure was severely limited, due mainly to annual budgets that were unadjusted for inflation and other NASA priorities. NASA is investigating the cost and technical impacts that limiting the Shuttle flight rate to four flights per year will have to Agency programs. Mr. Gregory testified that NASA's plans to implement a prioritized list of Space Shuttle safety and supportability upgrades. This plan assumes that a new vehicle for human space flight transportation will be available by early next decade. Mr. Gregory also testified about the need and plans to revitalize Space Shuttle infrastructure and to retain a skilled workforce of both civil servants and contractors. NASA is investigating options of competitive sourcing for Space Shuttle operations, and using the Space Shuttle as a possible pathfinder to developing new technologies that could be used in a next generation RLV.
Mr. Blomberg testified that the Panel believes the repeated postponement of safety upgrades, the delay in restoring aging infrastructure, and NASA's failure to look far enough ahead to anticipate and correct shortfalls in critical skills and logistics availability inevitably increases the risk of operating the Space Shuttle. Mr. Blomberg said that the Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel believes it is realistic to adopt a Space Shuttle phase-out date in the 2022 to 2025 timeframe rather than NASA's current phase-out date of 2012. Mr. Blomberg observed that any plan to transition from the current operational posture to one involving significant privatization would inherently involve an upheaval with increased risk in its wake.
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Mr. Venneri testified about NASA's strategic goals for a next generation space transportation vehicle—to significantly reduce the risk of crew loss, reduce ground processing times in addition to other life cycle cost drivers, and thus reduce the overall costs of access to space. NASA's plan for achieving these goals is the Integrated Space Transportation Plan (ISTP). Mr. Venneri stated that NASA's current ISTP calls for a decision at mid-decade (2006), depending on progress in the Space Launch Initiative (SLI) program's technology risk reduction, on whether to undertake full-scale development of a new human space flight transportation system which would be available by early next. Mr. Venneri testified that SLI would enable NASA to transition to a buyer of human space flight and International Space Station cargo launch services rather than as an operator of launch infrastructure.
Mr. Elverum recommended that NASA define up-front the next generation space transportation vehicle system and operating requirements then control the design of a new reusable launch vehicle by conservatively matching the design to a viable funding profile. Mr. Elverum recommended that SLI should have a program orientation to produce a robust, low-cost second generation RLV by about 2015 and only fund major technologies defined by the outcome of detailed, conservative system engineering results for credible multi-stage RLV candidates.
4.5(l)—NASA's Science Priorities
May 9, 2002
Hearing Volume No. 107–64
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Background
The hearing examined NASA's programs in Space Science, Earth Science, and Biological and Physical Research. Also examined were strategies used to prioritize the missions and science goals within each of these enterprises.
Witnesses included: (1) Dr. Edward Weiler, NASA Associate Administrator for Space Science; (2) Dr. Ghassem Asrar, NASA Associate Administrator for Earth Science; and (3) Ms. Mary Kicza, NASA Associate Administrator for Biological and Physical Research.
Summary of Hearing
Dr. Weiler testified on current accomplishments of NASA's Office of Space Science, including the recent STS–109 Space Shuttle servicing mission to the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), the future transition from HST to the Next Generation Space Telescope, and observations from the Chandra X–Ray Observatory and the Mars Global Surveyor. Dr. Weiler strongly advocated the Nuclear Systems Initiative proposed in the FY 2003 budget. He testified that nuclear power and nuclear electric propulsion would dramatically increase the lifetime of spacecraft, enable faster spacecraft, and increase science return. He advocated the proposal ''New Frontiers'' program of competitive missions for solar system exploration, and he stated that a future mission to Pluto and the Kuiper Belt could possibly be funded under this program with newer, better technology than currently proposed for such a mission.
Dr. Asrar testified on current status of NASA's Earth Science Enterprise, including the deployment of the Earth Observing System (EOS) to provide data on the interaction of the Earth's atmosphere, oceans, and continents. Dr. Asrar also discussed NASA's participation in the U.S. Global Change Research Program and the Climate Change Research Initiative. Dr. Asrar testified that advice from the science community has led to a prioritized list of 23 specific research questions to be addressed by missions of the Earth Science Enterprise. Dr. Asrar testified that one of the primary aims of the Earth Science Applications Program is to ''expand and accelerate the realization of societal and economic benefits from Earth science, information, and technology.''
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Ms. Kicza discussed the status of NASA's Biological and Physical Research Enterprise. She testified that research on the International Space Station and on the upcoming STS–107 space shuttle mission will make significant contributions in a number of disciplines in both biological and physical sciences. Ms. Kicza also testified that, in addition to receiving research prioritization advice from the National Research Council, NASA has assembled a team of experts (Research Maximization and Prioritization (ReMaP) ) task force to help assess research priorities for biological and physical research. Ms. Kicza stated that NASA has elected to engage an internal NASA ISS Utilization Concept Development Team to examine options for the management of ISS utilization, including the possibility of management of the same station by a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO).
4.5(m)—How Space Technology and Data Can Help Meet State and Local Needs
May 20, 2002
Hearing Volume No. 107–69
Background
The hearing addressed how data from space-based and aircraft-based remote sensing systems can help with land use planning, severe weather and natural disaster management, and transportation planning for state and local needs.
Witnesses included: (1) Dr. Ray Williamson, Research Professor, George Washington University Space Policy Institute; (2) Dr. Edward Martinko, Director, Kansas Applied Remote Sensing Program; (3) Mr. Ron Birk, Director, Applications Division, Earth Science Enterprise, NASA; and (4) Dr. Kevin Price, Professor of Geography, University of Kansas.
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Summary of Hearing
Dr. Williamson testified that state and local communities have benefited substantially over the years from federal investments in space technologies, including remote sensing, global positioning, weather monitoring, and geospatial information services. Dr. Williamson showed that the cost and risks of natural disasters could be reduced by the predictive techniques made possible by investments in Earth science research. Dr. Williamson observed that data analysis for Earth science research is often under-funded compared to the satellite budget, that collected data from Earth science satellites is often unused, and that training is needed to encourage wider use of the data already available.
Dr. Martinko testified on how university-affiliated remote sensing organizations assist federal, state, and local agencies in overcoming the barriers of using satellite imagery. Dr. Martinko recommended an often-iterative process of extensive research, demonstration projects, pilot studies, and a continuing program of outreach with each agency. Dr. Martinko recommended funding for the development of decision support tools, the establishment of regional centers of expertise to provide agencies support with remote sensing applications, and data continuity with an open data policy of earth observations.
Mr. Birk testified on NASA's Earth Science Applications Program and the strategy for the program. The overarching goal for the Earth Science Applications Program is to bridge the gap between Earth science research results and the adoption of data and prediction capabilities for reliable and sustained use in decision support. Mr. Birk highlighted the program partnerships established to work with NASA to assimilate Earth science data into decision support systems, and then to implement them locally throughout the United States.
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Dr. Price testified on the unique application of remote sensing information to agriculture planning and monitoring. Dr. Price recommended that the key link to technology transfer of remote sensing is the establishment and continued support of applied research to bridge between fundamental research and commercial product development. Applied research in remote sensing increases the number of users, relevance to the taxpayer, return on investment, and commercial involvement.
4.5(n)—NASA Workforce and Management Challenges
July 18, 2002
Hearing Volume No. 107–85
Background
The hearing examined the Administration's goals for transforming the agency over the next five years, the top management challenges that must be overcome to realize these goals, the challenges NASA faces in reshaping and restructuring its workforce, the need for legislation to provide new and expanded authorities for recruiting and retaining a high-quality workforce, and how NASA's legislative proposals on human capital support the transformation of the agency and its workforce.
Witnesses included: (1) The Honorable David Walker, Comptroller General of the United States; (2) The Honorable Sean O'Keefe, Administrator, NASA; and (3) Mr. Mark Roth, General Counsel, American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE).
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Summary of Hearing
Mr. Walker testified on the General Accounting Office's perspective to NASA's top management challenges, focusing on its human capital challenges but also including it's financial and contract management. He observed that modern, effective, credible, and equitable human capital strategies are key to any successful transformation effort. He testified that such a transformation will take five to seven years, and while a vast majority of the transformation efforts can be done within the context of current law, that NASA needed additional authority to provide reasonable flexibility with appropriate safeguards to prevent abuse of employees.
Mr. O'Keefe testified that the President's Management Agenda identified human capital as one of the top five issues that need to be confronted. NASA has three times as many scientists and engineers over the age of 60 years old as under the age of 30 years old, and the human capital pipeline in science and engineering undergraduate and graduate schools is declining. NASA's strategy is fourfold: 1) to use existing authorities under Title 5 and the Space Act of 1958, as amended; 2) to develop an agency-wide human capital strategic plan to begin targeted hiring objectives, professional development strategies, and workforce shaping techniques that draw the best benchmarking from across federal agencies; 3) to refine NASA's mission and vision to include the inspiration of the next generation of explorers through education initiatives; and 4) to seek additional legislative authority based on the Managerial Flexibilities Act. The areas emphasized in NASA's request for additional legislative authorities emphasize the need to recruit experienced scientists and engineers for mid-level entry, to recruit to achieve diversity objectives, to retain high performers, to use innovative human capital techniques that have been pilot tested in other agencies previously.
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Mr. Roth testified on NASA's draft proposals for civil service exemptions. Mr. Roth testified that the human capital crisis is government-wide, but that it is unwise to make necessary civil service changes on an agency-by-agency basis. The AFGE opposes most of NASA's human resource proposals, and Mr. Roth noted that the primary jurisdiction for this legislation is with the Committee on Government Reform. Mr. Roth criticized NASA's program for downsizing and outsourcing efforts over the past decade and that NASA's human capital proposals are paradoxical by offering buyouts to certain employees while offering recruitment and retention bonuses to others. AFGE opposes an extension of the Interagency Personnel Act and NASA's request for direct hire authority. While the AFGE supports bonuses, studies have shown that less than one percent of eligible federal employees received recruitment and retention bonuses due to lack of funds. The AFGE does not oppose demonstration projects in general, but NASA's proposal needed to be re-drafted to answer certain concerns.
4.5(o)—The Threat of Near-Earth Asteroids
October 3, 2002
Hearing Volume No. 107–89
Background
The hearing examined the progress of NASA toward the current goal of identifying and tracking 90 percent of Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) larger than one kilometer in size by 2008. In addition, the hearing explored the question of next steps beyond this survey goal, including the costs, benefits, and technical challenges of extending the survey to include smaller, yet still potentially very hazardous, objects. Agency roles and interagency cooperation in the NEO survey effort were discussed. The role of amateur astronomers was also discussed, in light of the passage of H.R. 5303, the ''Charles 'Pete' Conrad Astronomy Awards Act,'' introduced by Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R–CA) to reward amateur astronomers who discover and track NEOs.
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Witnesses included: (1) Dr. Edward Weiler, NASA Associate Administrator for Space Science; (2) Dr. David Morrison, Senior Scientist, NASA Ames Research Center; (3) Brigadier General Simon ''Pete'' Worden, U.S. Air Force; (4) Dr. Brian Marsden, Director, Minor Planet Center, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory; and (5) Dr. Joseph Burns, Irving Porter Church Professor of Engineering and Astronomy, Cornell University.
Summary of Hearing
Major topics addressed included the risks posed by NEOs, the status of the current U.S. survey effort for NEOs, recommendations for extending current survey goals to include smaller, more numerous objects, and the challenges of data management. Dr. Morrison testified on the threat of collisions with asteroids and comets. He stated that the greatest risk today is not from objects large enough to cause global extinctions (such as is believed to have caused the extinction of the dinosaurs) but rather from objects large enough to perturb the Earth's climate on a global scale by injecting large quantities of dust into the stratosphere. Objects of about one kilometer in size pose such a threat and are thus the target of the current U.S. survey for NEOs. He stated that the next logical goal is to search for objects that could kill millions of people upon impact, and thus a target of objects 200–300 meters in diameter would make sense since these pose the greatest tsunami danger. Dr. Morrison emphasized that the goal of the current survey is not to find objects on their final plunge toward Earth, but rather to identify objects in nearby orbits for future monitoring. Thus a discovery of an object that has already passed the Earth in its orbit is still a ''success.''
Dr. Weiler testified on progress of NASA's current ground-based survey for NEOs, given the current goal of identifying 90 percent of Near-Earth Asteroids larger than one kilometer in size by 2008. Dr. Weiler stated that there are estimated to be about 1000 such asteroids, and that the six groups currently funded by NASA for such research have together discovered over 600 objects and are ahead of the predicted schedule; it is thus likely that the 2008 goal will be reached. As for extending the survey goal to comprehensively include objects smaller than one kilometer in size, Dr. Weiler felt that it was premature to decide what an extended goal should be. Dr. Weiler stated that if such an extended survey effort were conducted from the ground, then NASA should not play a part in the survey effort because NASA is primarily an agency for space-based missions. He stated that NASA's role is better suited for detailed study of particular asteroids and comets, such as the NEAR–Shoemaker mission and the upcoming DAWN, Deep Impact, and Stardust missions. He also stated that new technology from the Nuclear Systems Initiative and the In-Space Propulsion Initiative should benefit future missions for detailed studies of asteroids and comets.
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Dr. Burns testified on the recommendations regarding NEOs from the recent National Research Council report entitled ''New Frontiers in the Solar System,'' resulting from the Solar System Exploration (SSE) Survey conducted with scientists nationwide. One of the primary recommendations from the report is for NASA and the National Science Foundation to contribute equally to the construction and operation of a Large-aperture Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST), a 6.5-meter-effective-diameter, very wide field (3 deg) telescope that would produce a digital map of the visible sky every week, at a total cost of $125 million. Dr. Burns stated that the LSST could locate 90 percent of all NEOs down to 300 meters in size, enable computations of their orbits, and permit assessment of their threat to Earth. Dr. Burns testified that NASA should continue to be involved in ground-based NEO surveys even if the survey goals were extended, because of NASA's experience with ground-based telescopes and because NASA has always been charged with using ground-based telescopes if they aided space-based missions.
Dr. Marsden testified on the management of data reported daily to the Minor Planet Center of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory regarding the observations of asteroids and comets. NEOs comprise less that one percent of the observations of asteroids as a whole. Dr. Marsden testified that the Minor Planet Center collects reports from around the world of detections of NEOs and other asteroids and comets and publishes confirmed detections electronically in the Minor Planet Electronic Circular. Dr. Marsden stated that augmentation of the Minor Planet Center staff is essential if the number of asteroid discoveries continues to increase, as would be expected with an extension of the NEO survey goals to include objects of smaller sizes. Dr. Marsden testified that most follow-up tracking observations of NEOs are made by amateur astronomers and that the Pete Conrad award, introduced by Subcommittee Chairman Dana Rohrabacher and passed by the House of Representatives as H.R. 5303, would be an encouragement to them. He stated that amateurs also need ready access to electronic equipment to make their work possible. Dr. Marsden testified that attention should also be given to long-period comets, which could pose an even greater risk than asteroids because they are less predictable.
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General Worden testified that the U.S. military is developing sensitive surveillance technologies that could serve in a ''dual-use'' capacity by contributing to the detection of NEOs. Such technology would augment the current efforts of U.S. military telescopes used by NASA in NEO projects such as LINEAR Gen. Worden stated that while developing mitigation strategies for any threatening object discovered should be a high priority, the ''command and control'' structure is even more important, providing timely coordination of mitigation plans. Gen. Worden stated that the U.S. military could serve in such a coordination role. Gen. Worden testified that infalling asteroids explode in the atmosphere roughly once a month as detected by military surveillance equipment, and that such explosions could be mistaken for a nuclear detonation, sparking an unwarranted international response in times of international tension. He recommended a ''clearinghouse'' structure for quick worldwide notification when the U.S. military detects such an asteroid impact in the atmosphere.
Next Hearing Segment(9)