Science at NASA

Dr Nicholas E. WhiteDirector, Sciences and Exploration Directorate

NASA GSFC

Presentation includes charts fromDr Waleed Abdalati

NASA Chief Scientist

Answering Questions Rooted at the Very Core of the Human Spirit

How and why are Earth’s climate and the environment changing?

How and why does the Sun vary and affect Earth and the rest of the solar system?

How do planets and life originate?

How does the universe work, and what are its origin and destiny?

Are we alone?

FY 12 NASA Programmatic Budget

Human Spaceflight

57%

Science35%

Aeronautics4%

Education1%

Space Technologies(non-human spaceflight portion)

3%

Peering at the Edges of the Universe and the beginning of time

Exploring Our Neighbors in the Solar System

Examining the Sun that Fuels Us

Understanding The Planet We Live on Today

Understandingthe Planet that our

Descendants will Live on Tomorrow

Investigating Biological and Physical Processes in the Space Environment

NASA Organizational Chart

Centers

SMD

S0MD

ARMD

ESMD

OCS

OCTOffice of the

Administrator

OCS Key Functions• Advise the NASA Administrator on Scientific Matters

– Independent voice

– Unburdened by direct implementation concerns

• Provide representation of NASA science interests to highest level of NASA management

• Serve as a key point of contact for scientific matters at NASA– In particular those that span directorates, centers, other

agencies, etc.

• Foster interaction across directorates and centers and with the external community

• Facilitate international and interagency collaborations

Overarching Goals

• Maximize the Science Return of this Agency on taxpayer investments– Merit– Value– Integrity of processes

• Achieve instant recognition of NASA as a science agency among public, sponsors, and stakeholders.

Agency Chief Scientist Thoughts1. The establishment of the Office of the Chief Scientist is a clear indication of the

Administrator’s interest in and commitment to science at NASA.

2. It is very easy to focus on what we can’t do in these times of challenging budgets, but it is important that we step back and consider the incredible things we can do and are doing.

3. With all the missions coming up this year, next, and beyond, this is a great time to be involved in science at NASA.

4. Partnerships will be an essential element of our success.

5. Productive interactions among the chief scientists office, SMD, the Office of the Chief Technologist and the Office of the Chief Engineer are critical to maximizing our technological and scientific success.

Challenges to the 3 Chiefs• Flat budget environment means we need to do more for less

– Can technology investments play a role?– Can we reduce the oversight burden?

• Launch costs are going up: reduces science content!– How do we reverse this?

• JWST and MSL budget overruns have made it challenging to make the case for new flagships– Can we change the paradigm?

• Failure to align international partnership process for larger science mission with ESA in Astrophysics and Planetary (Dark Energy, EJSM, IXO, LISA)– How do we jointly prioritize?

• The current uncertainties in the human space flight (HSF) program begs the question: – What future role can HSF play in enabling the science program?

Science to Inspire…

…Science To Serve

HST was a spectacular success in terms of human spaceflight enabling science

NASA Earth and Space Science from ISS finally starting to happen

For the future Mars is a common goal

What future role can HSF play in enabling the science program?