AgendaforTomorrow

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Administrator's Message

ASA has just entered its fourth decade.

Guided by their mandate, the National Aero-nautics and Space Act of 1958, the menand women of NASA have built an agencywhich is a precious national resource. NASA

has made unique contributions to America's scientificand technological leadership, economic strength and com-petitiveness, pride at home, and prestige abroad.

For three decades NASA's guiding principle has been, asit will be in the future, the expansion of human knowl-edge. With that principle at the core of its fundamentalphilosophy, NASA has redefined its goals through the yearswhenever necessary to meet the challenges at hand. As weprepare for the 21st century, those challenges are greaterand more exciting than ever, They include increasing ourunderstanding of Earth and the universe, establishing apermanent human presence in space, and human explora-tion of the solar system. If these ventures and others are tobe successful, we must proceed, in a logical and orderlyway, to chart our course.

This publication, Agenda For Tomorrow, outlines theessential framework for NASA's efforts through the end ofthis century and into the early years of the next century. Itdelineates clearly and concisely NASA's goals and objec-tives and the policies on which they rest. As such, it is asignificant guidepost to the future. And I urge every mem-ber of the NASA team to read it to gain a greater under-standing of NASA's purpose and direction.

Success in achieving our national goals in space andaeronautics will not come overnight. Nor will the tasks beeasy. But with vision, skill, and continued dedication andcommitment, NASA will continue to take the essential

steps that will lead to even greater achievements in theyears ahead.

December 1988

NASA's Mission

N ASA's mission is established by the National

Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 asamended. That mission is to advance science

and technology in the disciplines appropriateto aeronautics and space activities; to develop

applications of aerospace technology; to explore space; todevelop and operate those systems necessary to furtheringspace science, technology, applications, and exploration;to seek cooperation with other nations and groups ofnations in the peaceful application of space activities; andto develop the necessary human resources to supportthese efforts. NASA also provides aerospace research anddevelopment support to other agencies of the U.S. govern-ment as they discharge their respective responsibilitiesand seeks to encourage the fullest possible commercialuse of space.

National Space Goals

The overall goals of United States space activities are:

_ To obtain scientific, technological, and economic ben-efits for the general population and improve the qual-ity of life on Earth through space-related activities:

_i As a long-range goal, to expand human presence andactivity beyond Earth orbit into the solar system;

:, To encourage continuing United States private-sectorinvestment in space and space-related activities;

C) To promote international cooperative activities takinginto account United States national security, foreignpolicy, scientific, and economic interests:

_) To cooperate with other nations in maintaining thefreedom of space for all activities that enhance thesecurity and welfare of humankind: and

:::: To strengthen the security of the United States.

The Presidential Directive on National Space Policy,released on February 11, 1988, states that a fundamentaland continuing objective guiding United States spaceactivities is space leadership. Leadership in an increasinglycompetitive international environment requires UnitedStates preeminence in key areas of space activity criticalto achieving our national security, scientific, technical,economic, and foreign policy goals.

National Aeronautical Research and Development Goals

Advances resulting from aeronautics research and tech-nology development yield important national benefits thatmust be maximized by American enterprise. Toward thisend, both government and industry must combine theirefforts to achieve technological goals having potential forbroad future application. Major U.S. goals in aeronautical

researchanddevelopment,identifiedinthereport,"NationalAeronauticalR&DGoals:TechnologyforAmerica'sFuture,"Officeof ScienceandTechnologyPolicy,March1985,areasfollows:

_i_ Subsonics: To develop the technologies that will spawna new generation of fuel-efficient, affordable aircraft.

_'_ Supersonics: To develop the pacing technologies forsustained supersonic cruise capability.

C! Transatmospherics: To develop the enabling technol-ogies for routine cruise and maneuver capability inand out of the atmosphere using conventional runwaysfor take-off and landing.

Key to the support and ultimate realization of these criti-cal technology goals are the continued availability andproductivity of the nation's unique aeronautical R&Dfacilities.

NASA Values and Principles

How NASA conducts itself in striving for mission successand in implementing national policy is a key determinantto its success. The values and principles that guide andgovern NASA actions are as follows:

C_ Pursuit o/'Excellence--NASA is committed to excel-lence and quality in all endeavors, both technical andmanagerial. Excellence, which is the cornerstone of

world leadership, manifests itself in mission successand in innovation, which will be aggressively pursuedand encouraged.

C_ Safety and Reliability--NASA is fully committed toadvancing the safety of its people and the reliabilityof its equipment even as it recognizes the inherentrisks of its mission.

C_ Respect�or the Individual-- To foster a spirit of team-work, NASA encourages an environment of mutual

respect and open communications. NASA peopleare challenged in their work and recognized for theirachievements, for the success of the Agency dependsupon the success of its people.

,9, Integrity--NASA adheres to the highest levels of hon-esty and ethical standards, maintains consistency be-tween its words and deeds, and is fully accountable forits actions.

_ Public Trust-- Because public funding is essential tosuccess in accomplishing NASA_s governmentalmission, the American taxpayers are the ultimate"'customer" of NASA. Through its people and pro-grams, NASA is dedicated to adding value to thequality of American life and that of the entire world.

NASA Goals

To expand human knowledge of aeronautics and spaceinto the 21st century, NASA will pursue the following ma-jor goals:

',_ Advance scientific knowledge of the planet Earth, thesolar system, and the universe beyond.

(?, Expand human presence and activity beyond Earthorbit into the solar system,

,;5 Enhance aeronautics research and technology devel-opment to strengthen U.S. leadership in civil and mili-tary aviation.

Successful pursuit of these major goals requires commit-ment to the following supporting goals:

© Operate an effective and efficient space transportationsystem and develop advanced space transportationcapabilities.

© Establish the permanently occupied Space Station Free-dom in low-Earth orbit during the 1990s for research,technology development, and operations.

() Expand space research and technology developmentto enable future civil mission options, to serve allnational space sectors, and to promote civil spaceleadership.

As NASA pursues these goals, it will:

© Promote application of aerospace technologies to im-prove the quality of life on Earth and extend U.S.commercial enterprise beyond Earth.

Conduct cooperative activities with other countriesconsistent with our national space goals.

Develop and employ its human resources, physicalfacilities, and systems in space and on Earth for effec-tive pursuit of NASA goals.

Major Objectives and Programs

The major objectives set by NASA and examples of thespecific programs underway and planned that will achievethose objectives are summarized for the NASA goals inthe following:

Advance Scienttlf/c Knowledge of the Planet Earth. the

Solar System, and the Universe Beyond

..... Complete the group of astronomical facilities known asthe "Great Observatories" which will observe the

universe across the electromagnetic spectrum withunprecedented resolution and sensitivity. The/acili-ties in development or planned are the Hubble SpaceTelescope, Gamma Ray Observatoo; Advanced X-RayAstrophysics Facility, and Space Int?ared TelescopeFacih'ty

"_ Complete a detailed scientific characterization forvirtually all of the solar system. Programs of solars)'stem exploration include Magellan to Venus, Galileoto Jupiter; Mars Observer: attd the planned CometRendezvous-Asteroid FI),by, Cassini to Saturn attdTitan, attd Lunar Observer mt]ssions.

_" Quantitatively characterize the physical behaviorof the Sun, the origins of solar variability, the geo-space environment and the effects of solar processeson Earth. Ulysses and International Solar- TerrestrialPhysics missions are in development and missionssuch as the Orbiting Solar Laborato O, and Solar Probeare planned.

Develop and exploit the unique capabilities providedby, the Space Station Freedom, Spacelab, prospectivecommercially developed space platforms, and otherorbital and sub-orbital systems to conduct basic andapplied physics, chemistry, and biology research in amicrogravity environment. Key Spacelab missions indevelopment are the U,S. and Intetvtational Micro-gravity Laboratories attd the Space Ltje Sciences mis-sions. Data acquired on I(l'e scietlce Cosmos missionsof the USSR attd those fi'om the proposed NASALil_,sat program will contribute to biological research.

Establish a set of observing platforms to acquire datalo enable a better understanding of the Earth's envi-ronment as a global system and eventually, to predictoccurrence of long-term changes. Curretll programsinclude satellite and aircraft observations, attd obser-vations.D'om the Shuttle. such as the Shuttle ImagingRadar: _huler development ate the Upper AtmosphereResearch Satellite attd Topex/ Poseidon Ocean Experi-ments. Planned.for initiation shortly is the Earth Ob-.servink, Svstent on the Polar Pla(/orm o/ the SpaceStation I_)eedont.

f:'vpand Human Presence and Activity Beyond Earth Orbitinto the Solar Svstent

Develop, through an extensive adwmced study pro-gram, options for future initiatives in human explora-tion of the inner solar system to guide both technologydevelopment anti detailed exploration program

planning. Studies o/alternative exploration programshave been initi_ued.

Acquire the scientific and engineering data to supportthe planning of human exploration beyond near-Earthorbit. These data will come li'ont p_vgrams q/solarst',_ten_ e.vl_loration noted in the preceding sections.

supported by advanced technology development insanqde acquisition, attalysis, attd preservation: surfacepower: optical communications: and planetary rovertechnology.

Enhance life sciences knowledge and technology toenable humans to explore and work safely in space forlong durations. Current programs include the Con-trolled Ecological Ltfe Support System, Spacelab andSpace Station Freedom Life Science missions, analysiso[" USSR data, and research fboth on the ground andin space) into human performance under simulatedconditions of long-duration _pace flight such as stress,cot_/hwment, and exposure to the space environment.

Enhance Aeronautics Research attd TechnoloKv Develop-ment to Strengthen U.S. Leadership in Civil and MilitaryAviation

Build a technology base for ensuring world leadershipin civil and military aeronautics by emphasizing emerg-ing technologies, strengthening focused technologydevelopment in high pay-off areas, and ensuring thehealth and productivity of critical national facilities.Key technologies receiving increased emphasis areadvanced composite materials, advanced propulsionconcepts, and aviation s_fety and automation. Amajor program L__currently underway to revitalizethe complement of NASA wind tunnels.

Extend technology development for aircraft and air-

space advances to meet future needs in air transporta-tion, including integration into the transportationsystem of new vehicle concepts such as tiltrotors andhigh-speed transports for higher productivity andthroughput, highly automated aircraft systems forenhanced safety and capacity, and high-leverage tech-nologies for superior U.S. aircraft for global markets.

The/bcusof current planning is on research and tech-nology development jbr Subsonic Transport, CivilTiltrotor/ Commutet; and High Speed Civil TransportAircraft.

Develop the fundamental knowledge base and criticaltechnologies to provide effective options for next gen-eration military aircraft, including the capability forshort take-off and vertical landing, unprecedentedmaneuverability and agility, and sustained supersoniccruise. Plans/or augmented programs in high-angle-of-attack and supermaneu verability, advanced shorttakeq[f and vertical landing, and high speed technol-

ogies have been developed.

Demonstrate, by the mid-1990s, aerospace vehicletechnologies for: horizontal takeoff from, and landingon, conventional runways; sustained hypersonic cruiseand maneuver in the atmosphere; and acceleration toorbit and return. A major element toward this objec-tive is the National AeroSpace Plane program, con-ductedjointly with the United States Air Force.

Operate an Effective and Efficient Space TransportationSystem and Develop Advanced Space Transportation

Capabilities

_ Operate the Space Shuttle and maintain safe, sustain-able flight rates and capabilities that are compatiblewith payload requirements and program resources.Following implementation of the recommendations ofthe Presidential Commission, the flight program hasbeen reinitiated and capabih'ties are being upgradedto support the flight manifest of about 14 flights peryear by 1994. The replacement orbiter is under con-struction /br 1991 deliveo', and development of theAdvanced Solid Rocket Motor is planned to begin inthe near future.

',_: Establish and employ a Space Transportation System(STS) "mixed" fleet comprised of the Space Shuttleand expendable launch vehicles (ELVs). Flight mani/ests /br both Shuttle and ELV have been estabhi_hed.NASA's remaining inventory of ELVs will be employed.tot" assigned missions until it has been depleted. Launchvehicle services offered by private sector operatorswill be selected competitively thereafter.

,@, Assure availability of a variety of upper stages, carriersystems, and automated systems to provide simple,flexible, reliable transportation among STS, SpaceStation Freedom, and other payloads and systems inorbit and to support a permanent human presence inspace. Systems to be emplol,ed include the Spacelab,Orbital Maneuvering Vehicle, and Tethered Satellite

System. The potential/or ELV use to support spacestation operations is under study.

,'C:, Enhance current space transportation capability/

operations through advanced development and preparefor advanced missions by developing plans, con-cepts, and preliminary designs for advanced transpor-tation systems to enable human and robotic explorationbeyond Earth orbit into the Solar System. Study,development, and eventuallv./light demonstrations willbe employed for: next-generation launch systems eitherwith new vehicles or through using elements of the

Space Shuttle/Shuttle C)," orbit tran.sfer and satelh'teservicing ,2vstems: assured crew return capability: andadvanced operations support systems.

Establish the Permanently Occupied Space Station Freedom

in Low-Earth Orbit During the 199(is for Research. Tech-nology Development, and Operations

5:, Develop Space Station Freedom for permanent humanoccupancy during the 1990s. Present plans call./or:

Firwt element launch 1st Quarter 1995Polar Platform launch 4th Quarler 1995Human-tended capability 4th Quarter 1995Petwtanently occupied 4th Quarter 1990Assemb O, complete 1st Quarter 1998.

_' Design and employ Freedom to enhance capabilities', d

for space operations in science, applications, andtechnology development and to stimulate developmentof advanced technologies (e.g., automation androbotics).

C/ Provide growth capability to support future spaceendeavors including human presence and activitybeyond Earth orbit.

Expand Space Research and Technology Development toEnable Future Civil Mission options, to Serve All NationalSpace SectoJ:_, and to Promote Civil Space Leadership

_ Conduct a vigorous and productive research and tech-nology base program in a continuing effort to servethe long-term needs of civilian and military users ofspace. Programs are underway in a wide variety ofdt_ciplines, ineludhzg aerothermodynamics, space en-ergy' conversion, propulsion, information sciences, andmaterials attd structures.

C) Complete the Civil Space Technology Initiative to re-store and enhance the Agency's technical strengthsand to enable efficient, reliable access to and opera-tions in Earth orbit and to support science missions.This multi-vear program./bcuses on research in pro-pulsion, information systems, large structures and con-trol, power; and automation and robotics.

© Implement the Pathfinder program to develop theemerging, innovative technologies that will make pos-sible both new and enhanced missions, including re-newed exploration of the Moon, piloted missions toexplore Mars, and the continuing automated explora-tion of the solar system. Major Pathfinder thrustsinclude exploration, operations, and humans-in-spacetechnologies.

_) Extend ground-based technology development and vali-dation into space through a vigorous flight experimentsprogram on the Shuttle, Expendable Launch Vehicles,and the Space Station Freedom. A focused initiative,the In-Space Eng#teering Research and Technolol4vprogram, is planned to make space accessible to indus-try, and universities, as well as to NASA..[?_r technol-ogy development.

¢7"_ Broaden university involvement in space engineeringand stimulate technology innovations through expan-sion of the University Space Engineering ResearchProgram. Nine university research centers were estab-

i )

lished in 1_8 and the program is phmned to expand

to 90 centers" in the future.

Enable and enhance deep space and near-Earth sci-

ence, exploration, and space applications programs

through developments in telecommunications, radio

metrics, radio science, navigation, and real-time signal

and data processing. Plans hwlude emplqving a .74-

meter diameter K-band atttenna./or deep-,space

missions and millimeter waves and optics.for tele-

communications: using the Global Positioning System

to track Earth-orbiting missions with decimeter pre-

cision: and developing techniques to measure a_lgulardirections c)f deep-space mt's,s'ions with increased

accllracl'.

Promote Application _.f Aerospace Technologies toImprove the Quality of L_/e on Earth and to ExtendU.S. Commercial EnterprL_'e Beyond Earth

_i_ Develop and apply advances in communications andinformation systems technology to meet future needsof NASA, other government agencies, the satellitecommunications industry, and the general public. The

()

Satellite-Aided Search and Rescue program is opera-tional and is credited with contributing to saving over1000 lives. The Advanced Communications Technol-

ogy Satellite, under development, will demonstratenew technologies that will provide,/br h_qh data ratecommunications to dispe_wed small terrninals. Opticalcommunications attd comtnanications to mobile svs-

terns are currently under study.

Provide operational users of remotely sensed data withaccess to advances in remote-sensing technologies forimproved services; foster utilization of those technol-

©

ogies for national economic benefit', and stimulatetheir broader utilization by the private sector. Conductjoint research efforts between government and theU.S. private sector to provide observing and informa-tion systems that employ' the technologies to addressimportant near-term environmental problems. Thecurrent program includes development of remote sen-sors to provide data o[ operational utility and a dataatzd inlbrrnation system essential for use by operation-alh, ]housed federal agencies and the private sector Itrnm., be possible to transfer the National Oceanic andAtmospheJ:ic Admhffstration _s'polar-orbiting rneteoro-logical pavload to the planned Earth Observing S),s-tern polar pla(tbrrns to enhance the integration o["research and operational activities.

Expand U.S. private sector investment and involvementin civil space activities. Comme_vialprovZ_ion o/'launchvehicle services has begun. Agreements exist.[br acommercially supplied Transfer Orbit Stage, ?or twocommercially developed and operated microgravi(vfacilities" ¢Industt4al Space Facility and Spacehab ). andfor la un c h q/" c o m m erc ia lly de ve lop e d pav lo ads. A ddi-tional commercial endeavors in planning include theuse in orbit qf expended Space Shuttle External Tanksand logistk's resuppl),./or Space Station Freedom. Theprivate sector is"heavily invoh'ed ht the Center_" Cbr theComrnelvial Development qf Space.

Conduct Cooperative Activities with Other CountriesConsistent with our National Space Goals"

5 A principal cooperative activity is the participation o/other nations as partner_ in the Space Station Free-dorn program. Recenth' the European Space AgencyJapan, and Canada signed agreements with the UnitedStates covering their participation.

_', NASA cooperative programs with our,C)'iends attdalh'es extend across the lull range of'space science andapplications" disciplines, and invoh,e partners in ever 3,geographic region, including programs to investigatethe dynamic processes" in and on the Earth itself] thernechanLs'ms which drive our atmosphere and climate,the lran,_port qf ener_v and matter in near-Earth space,the origin q/" the solar s),stem, attd the p_vcesses of thestatw beyond.

Under a 1987 agreement and enhancements agreed atthe 1988 Moscow Summit, NASA and the USSR are

cooperating ht space sciences #_cluding solar systeme,t'ploration, astronomy attd astroph.l,sics, solar ter-restrial phvsics, life sciences, atzd Earth sciences.Activities range./?om exchange qf medical data./)'omlong-duration human spaceflight mt_sions to provisionqf flight opportunities.['or scient([t'c insttTtrnents oneach other_" spacecrc(ft and exchange qf results qfnational studies' qf.litture automated solar systemexploration m{_sions, with an eve to assessing thepossibilities /br cooperation on them.

"i);

Develop attd entplqv its human resources, physicalfacilities, and ,s3'sterns in space and ott Earth ./br e['lectivepursuit qf NASA goals.

_ Strengthen the institutional structure, maintain a highlyeffective workforce, "'world-class" facilities, "'stale-of-

the-art'"equipmentandsystems,andanenvironmentemphasizingexcellence.NASA has recently secured asignti[_cant increase in personnel, has proposed an al-ternative personnel.system, has underway a majorwind tunnel revitali=ation program, and plans a com-parable program ./or other critical NASA facilities.

Strengthen NASA's Affirmative Action Employmentprogram and continue outreach efforts to assure ahighly competent workforce that is integrated withminorities, women, and individuals with disabilities.

All NASA elements are continuhtg to work towardachieving _fft'tvnative action objectives. Special atten-tion i_ behtg dh'ected to increasing the /utare s_q_plv(_/'competent scientists and engineers /p'om the ranksof'minorities, women, and individuals with disabilitiesand enhancing NASAI_" ability to compete/or them.

Provide a quality worklife for NASA personnel thatincludes a challenging career, equal opportunity, andopen communications, and recognizes employeesbased on their contributions. A new emphasis has beenplaced on the envhwnment Q/the workplace, withspech_l attention to emplqvee in voh,ement, recogni-tion. attd career development.

Maintain safety, reliability, high quality, and productiv-ity as key elements of NASA activities. In respons_ tothe June 1980 recommendations of the Presidential('omnlission oct the Space Shuttle Challen_;er

Accident, the responsibilio,.lor oversight of sa)bty,reliabih'O" maintainability qualiO: assurance, and pro-ductivity was centralized in NASA. That o/'fice is cur-rently./ully invoh,ed in planning and implementing theprograms that contribute importantly to safe O, and re-liability in NASA's aerospace missions.

(.', Develop, operate, and maintain space and ground net-works for tracking and communications that respondto user needs and provide high quality user services ina timely fashion and at reasonable cost. Launch ofthe /burth Tracking and Data Relay Satellite in thecoming month_ will provide an operational Trackingand Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS). A secondTDRSS ground station is"soon to be built to reducethe potential.lbr a single-point failure q[ the systemand to allow up,erading of the original station. DeepSpace Network (DSN) capabilities have been extendedto meet current requirements, including those of theUSSR Phobos mission and the Voyager encounter ofNeptune. Further DSN improvements are planned tomeet requirements of missions o[ the 1990s, includingMars Observet: Magellan, and Galileo.

(;, Assure necessary and sufficient network capacity forcommunications and data systems to support futurespace and aeronautics mission operations. Studiesq/an Advanced Tracking and Data AcquisitionSystem and an Orbiting Deep Space Relay Stationare underway.

Illustrations by James Dean

This pamphlet, Agenda for Tomorrow, contains key ele-ments of national policy, NASA goals and objectives, andother materials that comprise the framework for NASAplanning. The contents are expressed as they existedthrough much of 1988; thus they describe the strategiccontext employed by NASA in planning both the FY 1989program just underway and the proposed FY 1990 program.

NASA planning will continue to evolve in response tonational policy requirements, a changing environment,

and new opportunities. Agenda for Tomorrow provides astatus report as of the time of its publication.

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