Exploration of the Outer Heliosphere and the Local Interstellar Medium: A Workshop Report (SSB)

A recent NRC report, The Sun to the Earth—and Beyond: A Decadal Research Strategy for Solar and Space Physics, and an internal NASA roadmap for its Sun-Earth Connection theme, left open a discussion of exploration of the outer heliosphere - the region near the boundary of the heliosphere and the local interstellar medium. To fill this gap, NASA asked the NRC to hold a workshop to investigate more completely the challenges and opportunities for space missions to explore this region. This report presents a review of that workshop. Four strategic directions were identified and are discussed - making use of existing assets, primarily Voyager and Ulysses; developing new outer heliosphere missions, using both in situ studies and remote observations; continuing support of theory and modeling; and preparing for Interstellar probe, including development of new propulsion technology.

Comments on the FCC Notice for Proposed Rulemaking on Unlicensed Operation in the TV Broadcast Bands (ET Docket No. 04-186) and Additional Spectrum for Unlicensed Devices Below 900 MHz and in the 3 GHz Band (ET Docket No. 02-380) (BPA)

Allocation of frequency spectrum for commercial use by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) can have a significant effect on scientific research such as radio astronomy. This report is one in a series from the NRC’s Committee on Radio Frequencies (CORF) that examines the needs for radio frequency requirements and interference protection for scientific and engineering research, coordinates the views of the U.S. scientists, and acts as a channel for representing the interests of U.S. scientists in the work of the inter-union commission on frequency allocations for radio astronomy and space science (IUCAF) of the International Council of Scientific Unions. This report presents CORF’s assessment of an FCC proposal to prohibit transmissions of unlicensed devices on TV Channels 37 and Channels 52-69.

Review of the Science Requirements for the Terrestrial Planet Finder-Letter Report (SSB)

The NRC, in its 2000 report, Astronomy and Astrophysics in the New Millennium, ranked the Terrestrial Planet Finder (TFP) project third among major NASA missions and sixth overall in its research priority recommendations to NASA for the coming decade. In January 2004, NASA asked the NRC for an updated assessment of the TPF mission. In April 2004, NASA also announced its intention to proceed with both coronagrahic and interferometric planet finder missions (TPF-C and TPC-I) on an accelerated schedule. This letter report presents the findings of that updated assessment in light of NASA’s announcement. In it, the NRC concludes that the mission's goals are consistent with the 2000 report, but raises two primary concerns. First, the current schedule for TPF-C does not leave enough time for vital precursor missions, and second, proceeding with the TPF-C now would disrupt the scientific balance of NASA’s space science portfolio.

Solar and Space Physics and Its Role in Space Exploration (SSB)

In February 2004, the President announced a new goal for NASA; to use humans and robots together to explore the Moon, Mars, and beyond. In response to this initiative, NASA has adopted new exploration goals that depend, in part, on solar physics research. These actions raised questions about how the research agenda recommended by the NRC in its 2002 report, The Sun to the Earth and Beyond, which did not reflect the new exploration goals, would be affected. As a result, NASA requested the NRC to review the role solar and space physics should play in support of the new goals. This report presents the results of that review. It considers solar and space physics both as aspects of scientific exploration and in support of enabling future exploration of the solar system. The report provides a series of recommendations about NASA’s Sun-Earth Connections program to enable it to meet both of those goals.

Setting Priorities for Large Research Facility Projects Supported by the National Science Foundation (COSEPUP, BPA)

In 1995, the National Science Foundation (NSF) created a special account to fund large (several tens of millions of dollars) research facilities. Over the years, these facilities have come to represent an increasingly prominent part of the nation’s R&D portfolio. Recently concern has intensified about the way NSF is selecting projects for this account. In 2003, six U.S. Senators including the chair and ranking member of the Senate Subcommittee on VA, HUD, and Independent Agencies Appropriations expressed these concerns in a letter to the NRC asking it to “review the current prioritization process and report to us on how it can be improved.” This report presents a series of recommendations on how NSF can improve its priority setting process for large research facilities. While noting that NSF has improved this process, the report states that further strengthening is needed if NSF is to meet future demands for such projects.

Opportunities in High Magnetic Field Science: Letter Report (BPA)

In recent years the field of high magnetic field science has become increasingly important to other disciplines, including biology. In 2002, the National Science Foundation concluded that there was a need for an assessment of the field in the US to set the stage for future planning. Accordingly, it requested that the NRC assess the current state and future prospects for high-magnetic-field science and instrumentation in the United States. This letter report provides a status report of that study. It notes that achieving higher field strengths will be difficult but important. The report offers a brief assessment of the current position of the United States in this field and lists a series of questions that will be addressed by the final report.

Comments on IB Docket No. 02-10: Procedures to Govern the Use of Satellite Earth Stations on Board Vessels in Bands Shared With Terrestrial Fixed Service (BPA)

Allocation of frequency spectrum for commercial use by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) can have a significant effect on scientific research such as radio astronomy. This report is one in a series from the NRC that examines the needs for radio frequency requirements and interference protection for scientific and engineering research, coordinates the views of the U.S. scientists, and acts as a channel for representing the interests of U.S. scientists in the work of the inter-union commission on frequency allocations for radio astronomy and space science (IUCAF) of the International Council of Scientific Unions. This report presents the response of the National Academies to the proposed rulemaking.

Letter Report of the Committee on Smaller Facilities (BPA)

The Committee on Smaller Facilities is review the current state of small and mid-sized facilities for materials research in the United States at the request of NSF and DOE. Such facilities play a major role in materials research, but they are widely considered to be less than optimally developed or used. To address this concern, the NRC was asked to assess these facilities to help determine ways to use them more effectively. This letter report presents key topics that the committee will explore in depth to carry out this assessment. In particular, the study will assess the characteristics of successful smaller facilities and challenges they face. Recommendations will be provided to enhance the effectiveness of such facilities in performing materials research.

Assessment of Options for Extending the Life of the Hubble Space Telescope-Interim Letter Report (SSB, ASEB)

Following the loss of the Space Shuttle Columbia and subsequent to the report of the board created to investigate the accident, NASA, citing safety reasons, decided to limit shuttle flights to International Space Station missions and to investigate other options for extending Hubble’s life. Congressional concern over this decision prompted it to ask for an independent assessment. In response the chair of the investigative board called for a study of the risks and benefits of using the shuttle for the servicing mission, and NASA subsequently asked the NRC for this study. This letter report presents preliminary findings and recommendations of that study. It urges NASA to commit to the servicing mission, notes that a proposed robotic mission would be quite complex and require significant development, and states that NASA should not preclude a shuttle servicing mission at this time. A final report will be released this fall.

Comments on the Matter of Establishment of an Interference Temperature Metric to Quantify and Manage Interference and to Expand Available Unlicensed Operation in Certain Fixed, Mobile and Satellite Frequency Bands (BPA)

Allocation of frequency spectrum for commercial use by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) can have a significant effect on scientific research such as radio astronomy. This report is one in a series from the NRC’s Committee on Radio Frequencies (CORF) that examines the needs for radio frequency requirements and interference protection for scientific and engineering research, coordinates the views of the U.S. scientists, and acts as a channel for representing the interests of U.S. scientists in the work of the inter-union commission on frequency allocations for radio astronomy and space science (IUCAF) of the International Council of Scientific Unions. This report presents CORF’s assessment of an FCC proposal to establish a metric to manage interference in a more precise manner.

Response to National Telecommunication and Information Administration Spectrum Policy Review (BPA-CORF)

Allocation of frequency spectrum for commercial use by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) can have a significant effect on scientific research such as radio astronomy. This report is one in a series from the NRC that examines the needs for radio frequency requirements and interference protection for scientific and engineering research, coordinates the views of the U.S. scientists, and acts as a channel for representing the interests of U.S. scientists in the work of the inter-union commission on frequency allocations for radio astronomy and space science (IUCAF) of the International Council of Scientific Unions. This report presents the response of the National Academies to a Notice of Inquiry of the National Telecommunication and Information Administration about a number of issues including passive scientific use of the spectrum.

Comments to the FCC on Broadband Over Powerline Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ET Docket No. 03-104) (BPA)

Comments to the FCC on Cognitive Radio Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ET Docket No. 03-108) (BPA)

Allocation of frequency spectrum for commercial use by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) can have a significant effect on scientific research such as radio astronomy. These reports are two in a series from the NRC Committee on Radio Frequencies (CORF) that examines the needs for radio frequency requirements and interference protection for scientific and engineering research, coordinates the views of the U.S. scientists, and acts as a channel for representing the interests of U.S. scientists in the work of the inter-union commission on frequency allocations for radio astronomy and space science (IUCAF) of the International Council of Scientific Unions. In the first report, CORF expresses its support of measures proposed by the FCC to protect existing users of the spectrum from emissions that might be present from broadband transmission over electric powerlines. In the second report, CORF argues that the basic vision behind cognitive radio—designed to seek unused portion of the spectrum for broadcasting—ignores the existence of passive spectrum users such as radio astronomy. Therefore, CORF argues that the FCC must retain measures to protect such users.

Plasma Physics of the Local Cosmos (SSB)

Solar and space physics is the study of solar system phenomena that occur in the plasma state. Examples include sunspots, the solar wind, planetary magnetospheres, radiation belts, and the aurora. While each is a distinct phenomenon, there are commonalities among them. To help define and systematize these universal aspects of the field of space physics, the National Research Council was asked by NASA’s Office of Space Science to provide a scientific assessment and strategy for the study of magnetized plasmas in the solar system. This report presents that assessment. It covers a number of important research goals for solar and space physics. The report is complementary to the NRC report, The Sun to the Earth—and Beyond: A Decadal Research Strategy for Solar and Space Physics, which presents priorities and strategies for future program activities.

Review of US Air Force-supported Astronomical Research—Letter Report (BPA)

The USAF operates a 3.67-meter optical/near-infrared telescope in Hawaii for observational purposes. It has many features that make it a desirable scientific instrument including being the largest optical telescope in the world equipped with adaptive optics. The Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) has made available a portion of the telescope’s viewing time for scientific observations funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). To evaluate the effectiveness of the AFOSR/NSF program to date, the AFOSR asked the NRC to assess the quality of that scientific research, the scientific productivity of the program, and how well the research is taking advantage of the unique features of the facility. This letter report presents the results of that evaluation. The study concluded that the program should be continued, and the report presents a number of recommendations to improve the quality of that research.

Assessment of Options for Extending the Life of the Hubble Space Telescope-Interim Letter Report (SSB, ASEB)

Following the loss of the Space Shuttle Columbia and subsequent to the report of the board created to investigate the accident, NASA, citing safety reasons, decided to limit shuttle flights to International Space Station missions and to investigate other options for extending Hubble’s life. Congressional concern over this decision prompted it to ask for an independent assessment. In response the chair of the investigative board called for a study of the risks and benefits of using the shuttle for the servicing mission, and NASA subsequently asked the NRC for this study. This letter report presents preliminary findings and recommendations of that study. It urges NASA to commit to the servicing mission, notes that a proposed robotic mission would be quite complex and require significant development, and states that NASA should not preclude a shuttle servicing mission at this time. A final report will be released this fall.