OSS Science Needs Overview

1. OSS Science Needs Overview Robert M. Nelson Lead Scientist New Millennium Program Offcie California Institute of Technology, Jet Propulsion Laboratory Marriott Wardman Park Washington, DC February 5-6, 2003 M N EW MILLENNIUM PROGRA

2. Workshops involving scientists and technologists brings broad participation in understanding the capabilities needed for future science missions Science needs are derived from the consensus views of the community as derived from theme strategic planning documents

3. NASA Mission To understand and protect our home planet To explore the Universe and search for life To inspire the next generation of explorers . . . as only NASA can

4. Space Science Enterprise Questions How did the universe begin and evolve? How did we get here? Where are we going? Are we alone?

5. Space Science Enterprise Themes Origins Structure and Evolution of the Universe Sun Earth Connection Solar System Exploration The direction of NASA’s Space Science Enterprise is derived from strategic planning documents (decadal surveys and roadmaps) for each of these themes. Each theme has developed defining questions and goals for addressing those questions

6. Origins Defining Questions Where Do We Come From? Are We Alone?

7. Origins Goals To understand how galaxies formed in the early universe (gravity, nucleosynthesis) To understand how stars and planetary systems form and evolve (initial conditions of protoplanetary disk, young stars, mature planetary systems) To determine whether habitable or life-bearing planets exist around nearby stars (find stable planet orbits at proper location) To understand how life forms and evolves (formation of organic molecules)

8. Structure and Evolution of the Universe Defining Questions How did the Universe begin? Does time have a beginning and an end? Does space have edges?

9. Structure and Evolution of the Universe Goals Understanding black holes (gravitational redshift, star consumption, mergers) Gravity waves from polarization properties of cosmic microwave background Dark energy (cosmic composition)

10. Sun Earth Connection Defining Questions Why does the Sun vary? How do the planets respond to solar variations? How does solar variability affect life and society? How do the Sun and galaxy interact?

11. Sun Earth Connection Understand the Sun, heliosphere, and planetary environments as a single connected system. Goals Understand the structure and dynamics of the Sun’s interior, the variation of solar magnetic fields, the origins of the solar cycle, the causes of solar activity and the structure and dynamics of the corona. Understand heliospheric structure, the distribution of magnetic fields and matter throughout the solar system, and the interaction of the solar atmosphere with the local interstellar medium Understand the space environments of Earth and other solar system bodies and their dynamical response to external and internal influences Understand the basic physical principles manifest in processes observed in solar and space environments Develop a near-real-times predictive capability for understanding and quantifying the impact on human activities of dynamical processes at the Sun, in the interplanetary medium, and in Earth’s magnetosphere and ionosphere

12. Solar System Exploration Defining Questions Are we alone? Where did we come from? What is our destiny?

13. Solar System Exploration Goals • Determine how life developed in the solar system, where it may have existed, whether extant life forms exist beyond Earth, and in what ways life modifies planetary environments • Understand how physical and chemical processes determine the main characteristics of the planets, and their environments, thereby illuminating the workings of the Earth • Learn how the Sun’s retinue of planets originated and evolved • Explore the terrestrial space environment to discover whatpotential hazards to the Earth's biosphere may exist • Discover how the basic laws of physics and chemistry, acting over aeons, can lead to the diverse phenomena observed in complex systems, such as planets

14. Two end-member questions for discussion Is there one single scientific area from one single branch of NASA’s Space Science Enterprise that is so compelling that NASA’s entire SSE will gain if the ST-9 technology validation mission is directed to support that single endeavor? OR Is there an ST-9 candidate technology that, if appropriately developed, can support a broad segment of science endeavors of NASA’s entire SSE?

15. In Other Words Is there one single scientific area from one single branch of NASA’s Space Science Enterprise that is so compelling that NASA’s entire SSE will gain if the ST-9 technology validation mission is directed to support that single endeavor. ‘What’s good for General Motors is good for the Country’ OR Is there an ST-9 candidate technology that, if appropriately developed, can support a broad segment of science endeavors of NASA’s entire SSE ‘Ask not what your country can do for you but ask what you can do for your country’

16. Theme Technologist’s Recommendations • Solar-Sail Flight System Technology • Formation Flying System Technology • System Technology for Large, Space Telescopes • Descent and Terminal Guidance for PinpointLanding and Hazard Avoidance • Aerocapture System Technology for Planetary Missions