i t i · a presentation by thomas zurbuchen, associate administrator of the nasa science mission...

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Space Studies Board and Discipline Committees 4

SSB Membership 4

Discipline Committee Co‐Chairs 5

Study Committees 5

Other Activities 6

Report Releases 7

SSB Staff 7

SSB Calendar 8

Selected Reports Available from the SSB 9

From the SSB Chair 2

Early Career Activities at the SSB 7

Day 3 of the meeting fell on June 10, 2020, a day on which many scientists had decided to strike in support of the Black

Lives Matter movement. Scientists had been encouraged to suspend normal work and devote attention to “explicit, implicit, and systemic racism in science and engineering.” Some Board members joined the strike but most decided to move ahead with the meeting and

to devote the closed planning sessions to the issue of rac‐ism in the community of scientists.

‐ Margaret G. Kivelson, SSB Chair

Thank you to the SSB Administrative staff—Megan Chamberlain, Gaybrielle Holbert, Celeste Naylor, Tanja Pilzak, Andrea Rebholz, and Dionna Wise—for their contributions to this newsletter.

S P A C E S T U D I E S B O A R D N E W S

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The Space Studies Board (SSB) of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine held a virtual meeting on June 8‐11, in part jointly with the National Academies’ Aeronautics and Space Engi‐neering Board (ASEB). The presentations and discussions covered a wide range of topics of importance to the space community. Some past chairs have reported on the Board’s activities semiannually, but the practice has not been followed in recent years. This message is being distributed because it seems worth renewing the tradition of informing the community that we serve about the broad range of topics dis‐cussed by the board and updating our colleagues on issues of current importance.

The responsibilities of the SSB are described on the NASEM website as follows:

“The Space Studies Board (SSB) was established in 1958 to serve as the focus of the interests and responsibilities in space research for the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. The SSB provides an independent, authoritative forum for information and advice on all aspects of space science and applications, and it serves as the focal point within the Academies for activities on space research. It oversees advisory studies and program assessments, facilitates international re‐search coordination, and promotes communications on space science and science policy between the research community, the federal government, and the interested public. The SSB also serves as the U.S. National Committee for the Inter‐national Council for Science Committee on Space Research (COSPAR).”

The board is assisted by a number of discipline committees that serve under its direction. An important board activity is to organize and guide the committees that provide decadal surveys of the sub‐disciplines related to space. In its efforts, the board is supported by the following disci‐pline committees:

Committee on Astrobiology and Planetary Sciences (CAPS),

Committee on Astronomy and Astrophysics (CAA),

Committee on Biological and Physical Sciences in Space (CBPSS),

Committee on Earth Sciences and Applications from Space (CESAS),

Committee on Solar and Space Physics (CSSP), and

Committee on Planetary Protection (CoPP).

Typically, the board meets semi‐annually—in Washington, DC, in the spring and at the Beckman Center in Irvine, CA, in the fall. It hears reports from policy makers, such as representatives of the National Space Council and the Office of Science and Technology Policy, and representatives of agencies (such as NASA and NSF); tracks the activities of board committees;, learns about scientific developments (e.g., this spring’s panel on the 30th anniversary of the Hubble Space Telescope); and follows the progress of decadal surveys.

As a consequence of the COVID‐19 pandemic, this year’s spring SSB meeting was held by Zoom conferencing. Despite the unusual format, the meeting was extremely productive, and the committee members managed to communicate effectively. (Information about the membership of the SSB is provided at nationalacademies.org/ssb/about.)

On Day 1, the SSB was welcomed by the ASEB as guests at its meeting, chaired by Alan Epstein (information about the membership of ASEB is provided at nationalacademies.org/aseb/about).

The first speaker was Robert Pearce, associate administrator for NASA’s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD), who covered many topics of current interest, including air passenger health and safety, challenges associated with enabling overland commercial supersonic transport, and issues related to education and skill development of the workforce.

A presentation on Advanced Aerial Mobility (AAM) by Nicholas Lappos, chair of the AAM committee and ASEB member, was followed by an AAM ecosystem discussion panel.

Day 2 was a joint meeting with the ASEB. Introductory remarks, representing personal views of both chairs, acknowledged the multiple crises facing the nation, including “a global pandemic, a resultant economic catastrophe for many Americans, and, sadly, enduring racism and injustice.” As individuals, the board members called for working together “to address injustice, to find new avenues to effect lasting change, and so seek to create a fair and equitable society.”

The first speaker was Scott Pace, executive secretary of the National Space Council, who described new roles for the private sector in explora‐tion, noted the ever‐increasing problem of orbital debris, and commented on updated rules governing planetary protection. He was followed by Kenneth Bowersox, acting associate administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, who described the challenges in sustaining astronauts over time scales of years (at least 3) required for the simplest crewed mission to Mars, areas of incomplete knowledge related to effects of microgravity, and what we can learn about the challenges of Mars from preliminary missions to the Moon. Aaron Miles, prin‐cipal assistant director for national security and international affairs at the Office of Science and Technology Policy, focused on planetary de‐fense, describing efforts to forecast impacts with near Earth objects and possibly to deflect and disrupt such objects. He emphasized the strate‐

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gic importance of our ability to predict space weather. NASA’s response to the COVID‐19 pandemic was discussed by NASA associate administra‐tor Steve Jurczyk. Time‐critical activities, such as work related to Mars 2020, whose launch date is July 20 (and subsequently was slipped to July 30), are being fully supported, but other activities are slowed or on hold. He described guidelines for ramping up onsite work before it is possible to resume normal activity and discussed the anticipated costs of the slow‐down.

A panel of experts provided inspiring talks on the remarkable achievements of the Hubble Space Telescope in recognition of Hubble’s 30th anni‐versary. Readers will understand that the board members relished the opportunity to learn more about forefront science.

Day 3 of the meeting fell on June 10, a day on which many scientists had decided to strike in support of the Black Lives Matter move‐ment. Scientists had been encouraged to suspend normal work and devote attention to “explicit, implicit, and systemic racism in science and en‐gineering.” Some board members joined the strike, but most decided to move ahead with the meeting and to devote the closed planning sessions to the issue of racism in the community of scientists.

As chair, I opened the meeting with some remarks on the strike and its focus, noting that

“by the rules of the Academies, Academy boards do not issue findings or statements, so my introductory remarks represent my personal thoughts. We have been encouraged by a group identified as #shutdownstem to take time today, Wednesday, June 10, 2020, to think about how racism impacts STEM and society in general. This provides an opportunity to ask ourselves what actions we can take together and indi‐vidually to improve the participation of Blacks and other people of color in our STEM fields. The subject of racism in STEM fields was dis‐cussed at the annual meeting of the National Academy of Sciences by a diversity panel. Important points made in the discussion included the following:

Most diversity efforts are NOT effective.

Most diversity efforts actually backfire.

Diversity efforts are viewed very differently by minorities and whites, which makes it almost impossible to find programs embraced

by both.

With this sobering assessment in mind, it would be arrogant to expect that a spontaneous discussion of the subject at this meeting would be particularly helpful, so it is not explicitly on our agenda. However, the board will meet in closed session later today to contemplate ideas. I would also welcome suggestions, ideally in writing, of ways in which this board might consider actions designed to help topple the obstacles that have created a STEM workforce so far from representative of the talent available in this country. It’s a tall order, but it’s a most worth‐while goal.”

A presentation by Thomas Zurbuchen, associate administrator of the NASA Science Mission Directorate (SMD), covered many issues. NASA is working to provide support for those most affected by the “stay‐at‐home” restrictions, including soft money scientists and early career scientists, particularly those affected by university hiring freezes. He commented on the challenges faced in supporting Flagship missions, noting that they must be managed so that they can succeed without greatly increasing their anticipated costs.

A presentation on the Mars 2020 Perseverance Mission by Adam Steltzner, project chief engineer, NASA, followed. After launch in July, the spacecraft will reach Mars in 7 months. This ambitious project is on schedule and promises to provide a successful start for Mars Sample Return.

The second half of the day was dedicated to hearing updates from the committees on Astronomy and Astrophysics, on Solar and Space Physics, on Earth Sciences and Applications from Space, on Astrobiology and Planetary Science, and on Biological and Physical Sciences in Space. It was noted that NASA’s program in biological and physical sciences in space has recently moved into SMD.

Day 4 began with an update from the European Science Committee presented by the chair of the European Space Science Foundation, Athena Coustenis. She described an ambitious program of missions including a combination of crewed and robotic missions, and she noted con‐tributions to U.S.‐led missions.

Fleming Crim, chief operating officer of the National Science Foundation (NSF), described its broad award program, which has not been slowed by the pandemic. He commented on the value of international research collaboration and the related issue of research security. NSF has commis‐sioned and received a report on these issues from the science advisory group JASON. While continuing to support access to fundamental re‐search, it is particularly important for projects with international contributions to assure disclosure of conflicts of interest.

The rest of the day was devoted to presentations by a panel titled Consideration of Satellite Constellations. Astronomers are greatly concerned that reflection from large numbers of space objects will interfere with ground‐based telescopic observations, but organizations such as SpaceX are working with scientists to address this issue as best they can.

The summary above does not begin to cover the informative material presented as the participants sat for several days glued to their computer monitors. Fortunately, many of the presenters provided their slides to the Board and they can be accessed at nationalacademies.org/event/06‐08‐2020/space‐studies‐board‐and‐aeronautics‐and‐space‐engineering‐board‐joint‐spring‐meeting‐2020.

—Margaret Kivelson, Chair of the Space Studies Board of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

The views expressed here are the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the SSB or the Academies.

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The Space Studies Board (SSB) met June 9‐11. June 9 was a

joint session with the Aeronautics and Space Engineering

Board (ASEB). More information on the Board meeting can be

found in the Space Studies Board Chair column on page 2 of

this newsletter. The Board’s next meeting will be held virtually

November 4‐6. For additional information about the SSB, in‐

cluding links to presentations and agendas, please see

nas.edu/ssb.

The Committee on Astrobiology and Planetary Science

(CAPS) continued drafting its short report on a limited set of

options for the fifth New Frontiers announcement of oppor‐

tunity. Committee co‐chairs Chris House and Bill McKinnon

presented a status update to the SSB at its June 10 meeting.

The short report was briefed to NASA Science Mission Direc‐

torate (SMD) on July 20 and set for release on July 28. The

next meeting of CAPS is scheduled to be held virtually on Sep‐

tember 15‐17. For additional information about CAPS, includ‐

ing links to presentations and agendas, please see na‐

tionalacademies.org/our‐work/committee‐on‐astrobiology‐

and‐planetary‐sciences.

The Committee on Astronomy and Astrophysics (CAA) contin‐

ued to hold semi‐regular teleconferences but did not have a

full meeting this quarter. Co‐chair Thomas Greene presented

an update to the Board on Physics and Astronomy (BPA) on

April 24, and to the SSB on June 10. The next meeting of CAA

will be held virtually this fall. For additional information about

CAA, including links to presentations and agendas, please see

nationalacademies.org/our‐work/committee‐on‐astronomy‐

and‐astrophysics.

The Committee on Biological and Physical Sciences in Space

(CBPSS) did not meet in this quarter but continued to sup‐

port planning discussions for a decadal survey in biological and

physical sciences. Staff continued to have regular meetings

with NASA to discuss task language and related issues for the

planned decadal study. Committee co‐chairs Rob Ferl and Da‐

va Newman presented a status update to the SSB during its

June 10 meeting. Of particular note was the congressional ap‐

proval of the move of NASA’s biological and physical sciences

program from the Human Operations and Mission Directorate

to SMD, and that move’s impact on the expected charge, plan‐

ning, and schedule for the decadal survey. For additional infor‐

mation about CBPSS, including links to presentations and

agendas, please see nationalacademies.org/our‐work/

committee‐on‐biological‐and‐physical‐sciences‐in‐space.

The Committee on Earth Science and Applications from Space

(CESAS) did not have a full meeting during this quarter.

However, using teleconferences, the committee drafted a re‐

sponse to a draft request from NASA’s Earth Science Division

J 1, 2019—J 30, 2020

MARGARET KIVELSON, Chair

University of California, Los Angeles

JAMES H. CROCKER Vice Chair

Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company (retired)

GREGORY P. ASNER

Carnegie Institution for Science

JEFF M. BINGHAM

U.S. Senate (retired)

ADAM BURROWS

Princeton University

MARY LYNNE DITTMAR

Coalition for Deep Space Exploration

JEFF DOZIER

University of California, Santa Barbara

VICTORIA HAMILTON

Southwest Research Institute

CHRYSSA KOUVELIOTOU

The George Washington University

DENNIS P. LETTENMAIER


ROSALY M. LOPES

Jet Propulsion Laboratory

STEPHEN J. MACKWELL

American Institute of Physics

DAVID J. MCCOMAS


LARRY PAXTON, JR.

Johns Hopkins University, Applied Physics Laboratory

ELIOT QUATAERT

University of California, Berkeley

MARK P. SAUNDERS

Independent Consultant

BARBARA SHERWOOD LOLLAR

University of Toronto

HOWARD J. SINGER

National Oceanographic and Atmos‐pheric Administration

HARLAN E. SPENCE

University of New Hampshire

MARK H. THIEMENS

University of California, San Diego

ERIKA WAGNER

Blue Origin, LLC

PAUL WOOSTER

Space Explorations Technologies

EDWARD L. WRIGHT


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CHARLES KENNEL

U.S. Representative COSPAR

J 1, 2020—J 30, 2021

MARGARET KIVELSON, Chair


JAMES H. CROCKER Vice Chair

Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company (retired)

GREGORY P. ASNER

Carnegie Institution for Science

ADAM BURROWS


MARY LYNNE DITTMAR

Coalition for Deep Space Exploration MELINDA DARBY DYAR

Mount Holyoke College

ANTONIO L. ELIAS

Orbital ATK, Inc. (retired)

JEFF DOZIER

University of California, Santa Barbara

VICTORIA HAMILTON

Southwest Research Institute

CHRYSSA KOUVELIOTOU

The George Washington University

DENNIS P. LETTENMAIER


ROSALY M. LOPES

Jet Propulsion Laboratory

STEPHEN J. MACKWELL

American Institute of Physics

DAVID J. MCCOMAS


LARRY PAXTON, JR.

Johns Hopkins University, Applied Physics Laboratory

ELIOT QUATAERT

University of California, Berkeley

MARK P. SAUNDERS

Independent Consultant

BARBARA SHERWOOD LOLLAR

University of Toronto

HOWARD J. SINGER

National Oceanographic and Atmos‐pheric Administration

HARLAN E. SPENCE

University of New Hampshire

ERIKA WAGNER

Blue Origin, LLC

PAUL WOOSTER

Space Explorations Technologies

EDWARD L. WRIGHT


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CHARLES KENNEL

U.S. Representative COSPAR

SSB MEMBERSHIP Board Director: Colleen N. Hartman

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(ESD) to organize a workshop or an ad hoc study to examine experi‐

ences to date with two “flavors” of its Venture‐class line: Earth Ven‐

ture‐Instrument (EV‐I) and Earth Venture‐Mission (EV‐M). The Ven‐

ture class of Explorers was initiated by NASA ESD in response to a

recommendation in the National Academies 2007 decadal survey

Earth Science and Applications from Space: National Imperatives for

the Next Decade and Beyond. Members of the committee also partici‐

pated in various virtual events devoted to mitigating the effects of

COVID‐19 and studying the perturbative effects of COVID‐19 on the

Earth system. Co‐chairs Chelle Gentemann and Steve Running pre‐

sented an update to the SSB at its June 10 meeting. For additional

information about CESAS, including links to presentations and

agendas, please see nationalacademies.org/our‐work/committee‐

on‐earth‐sciences‐and‐applications‐from‐space.

The Committee on Planetary Protection (CoPP) is a new discipline

committee of the SSB. Its scope will include those aspects of plane‐

tary environments, life sciences, spacecraft engineering, technolo‐

gy, and science policy relevant to the control of biological cross‐

contamination arising from robotic missions and human exploration

and utilization of solar system bodies. CoPP will monitor the pro‐

gress of implementing the planetary protection guidelines associat‐

ed with priority programs and missions identified in the National

Academies planetary science decadal surveys. CoPP will serve as a

source of advice on measures undertaken to protect the biological

and environmental integrity of extraterrestrial bodies and to pre‐

serve the integrity of Earth’s biosphere. Funding for the new disci‐

pline committee was received in June, and committee membership

should be announced by the end of July. For additional information

about CoPP, please see nationalacademies.org/our‐work/

committee‐on‐planetary‐protection.

The Committee on Solar and Space Physics

(CSSP) released its short report Agile Re‐

sponses to Short‐Notice Rideshare Opportunities

on February 25. The committee met via tele‐

conferences during this quarter to discuss

preparations for the decadal survey, which will

be conducted with support from NASA, NSF,

and NOAA. Those discussions will continue

over the next quarter. Co‐chairs Sarah Gibson

and Maura Hagan presented a status update to the SSB at its June

10 meeting. CSSP’s fall meeting will be held virtually on October 19‐

21. For additional information about CSSP, including links to presen‐

tations, agendas, and the short report, please see nationalacade‐

mies.org/our‐work/committee‐on‐solar‐and‐space‐physics.

S C

The Decadal Survey on Astronomy and Astrophysics 2020

(Astro2020) has made significant progress. The

six program panels and the State of the Profession and Societal Im‐

pacts panel meetings are done. The panels have given presenta‐

tions to the steering committee, and are now finalizing deliverables

to the steering committee. The steering committee held its fourth,

fifth, and sixth meetings on May 4‐6, June 23‐26, and July 13‐15, as

closed, virtual meetings, and are holding weekly teleconferences. In

addition, a cross‐panel working group on optical and radio‐

frequency interference from satellite constellations held two virtual

meetings on April 27 and June 9. The working group heard briefings

from various stakeholders, including SpaceX officials, the Vera Ru‐

bin Observatory scientists, and officials from the National Radio

Astronomy Observatory, NSF, and the National Academies Com‐

mittee on Radio Frequencies. More information on Astro2020 is

available at nas.edu/astro2020.

The Planetary Science and Astrobiology Decadal Survey 2023‐ 2032

was initiated on March 20. The co‐chairs, Robin Canup and Phil

Christensen, were appointed in May. Steering committee and panel

chairs and members are expected to be appointed in August. In ear‐

ly June, the deadline for submitting white papers to the survey was

extended from July 4 to July 15 for science white papers, August 15

for mission concept white papers, and September 15 for all other

white papers (e.g., on the state of the profession, infrastructure,

interaction with human space exploration). The second and third

early career events were held in May and July, respectively: Writing

White Papers for the Planetary Science and Astrobiology Decadal

Committee on Astrobiology and Planetary Science (CAPS)

Christopher H. House, The Pennsylvania State University William B. McKinnon, Washington University, St. Louis

Committee on Astronomy and Astrophysics (CAA)

(joint with the Board on Physics and Astronomy)

Vassiliki (Vicky) Kalogera, Northwestern University Thomas Greene, NASA Ames Research Center

Committee on Biological and Physical Sciences in Space (CBPSS) (joint with the Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board)

Robert J. Ferl, University of Florida Dava J. Newman, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Committee on Earth Science and Applications from Space (CESAS)

Chelle L. Gentemann, Earth & Space Research (through June 30, 2020) Steven W. Running, University of Montana (emeritus)

Committee on Solar and Space Physics (CSSP)

Sarah Gibson, National Center for Atmospheric Research Maura E. Hagan, Utah State University

SSB DISCIPLINE COMMITTEE CO‐CHAIRS

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Survey and Perspectives & Lessons Learned from Past Decadal

Chairs. Information about the committee, as well as presentations,

webinars, white papers, and early career event recordings and

presentations, is available at nas.edu/planetarydecadal.

The Committee on Increasing Diversity in the Leadership of Com‐

peted Space Missions is tasked to recommend actions for NASA

SMD’s proposal process to increase diversity, inclusion, equity, and

accessibility in the leadership of its competed space mission pro‐

posals submitted to the NASA Science Mission Directorate compet‐

ed space mission programs. As part of its work, the committee will

examine the current space mission proposal system and identify

elements of the system that may present barriers or bottlenecks to

potential proposers. In particular, the committee will identify hu‐

manistic elements—ranging from discrimination to work/life bal‐

ance issues—that may present impediments to applicants, thus lim‐

iting the diversity of the competitive pool. Funding to initiate this

task arrived July 21.

At the end of the quarter, the Committee on

the Review of Progress Toward Implement‐

ing the Decadal Survey—Solar and Space

Physics: A Science for a Technological Socie‐

ty published its report, Progress Toward Im‐

plementation of the 2013 Decadal Survey for

Solar and Space Physics: A Midterm Assess‐

ment, which was released to the public in early

January 2020 in pre‐publication format. For

information about the committee and links to meeting presenta‐

tions, see nationalacademies.org/our‐work/review‐of‐progress‐

toward‐implementing‐the‐decadal‐survey‐solar‐and‐space‐physics‐

a‐science‐for‐a‐technological‐society.

The Committee on the Review of the Report of the NASA Planetary

Protection Independent Review Board released its report, As‐

sessment of the Report of NASA's Planetary Protection Independent

Review Board,

to the public on April 24. The final version is expected to be availa‐

ble in the late summer. For additional information about the com‐

mittee, see nationalacademies.org/our‐work/review‐of‐the‐report‐

of‐the‐nasa‐planetary‐protection‐independent‐review‐board.

The Committee for the Space Weather Operations and Research

Infrastructure Workshop is charged with holding a workshop to

identify gaps and future needs for space weather products and ser‐

vices, with particular attention to the Space Weather Follow‐On

(SWFO) program and options for future observing architectures. A

multiday in‐person workshop was originally planned; however,

COVID‐19 travel restrictions resulted in a new plan to hold the work‐

shop virtually in two parts. Part I of the workshop was held June 16‐

17. In addition to the organizing committee and speakers, some 150

individuals participated. Part II of the workshop is planned for Sep‐

tember 9‐11, with a proceedings of the entire workshop targeted for

the end of 2020. In the coming quarter, the committee will be re‐

viewing materials presented at the June part I workshop to inform

its preparations for the September part II workshop. A committee‐

authored workshop proceedings is expected to be released at the

end of 2020. The workshop agenda and speaker presentations are

available at nationalacademies.org/our‐work/space‐weather‐

operations‐and‐research‐infrastructure‐workshop.

O A

The Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) was not active during

this quarter. In March, COSPAR announced that it was postponing

the 43rd Scientific Assembly, originally scheduled for August 15‐23

in Sydney, Australia. It is now scheduled for January 28‐February 4,

2021. The next in the series of biennial thematic COSPAR symposia

will be held in Singapore in 2021 (date to be announced). The theme

is space science with small satellites. The 44th Scientific Assembly

will be held in Athens, Greece, on July 16‐24, 2022. Additional infor‐

mation about COSPAR is available at https://cosparhq.cnes.fr/.

The Forum for New Leaders in Space Science, a cooperative activity

between the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and

Medicine and the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), is designed

to provide opportunities for a highly select group of young space

scientists from China and the United States to discuss research in an

intimate and collegial environment. The SSB and CAS hopes to hold

the 11th and 12th forums in 2021 devoted to biological and physical

research in the microgravity environment. However, future meet‐

ings are dependent on a successful resolution of the current COVID‐

19 pandemic. Additional details about future forums will be an‐

nounced when concerns over the current global health emergency

have abated. Details about past forums are available at

sites.nationalacademies.org/SSB/SSB_086017.

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R R Copies of reports are available from the SSB office at 202‐334‐3477

or at https://www.nap.edu/author/SSB.

Report Series: Committee on Solar and Space Physics: Agile Re‐sponses to Short‐Notice Rideshare Opportunities for the NASA Heliophysics Division (2020)

Report Series: Committee on Solar and Space Physics: Agile Responses to Short‐Notice Rideshare Opportunities for the NASA Heliophysics Division explores the kinds of solar and space science that would be enabled by an agile response to rideshare opportunities. This report then explores the types of payloads that are suited to these opportunities and the development and implementation of a new

program that would allow agile responses to future short‐notice rideshare opportunities.

Progress Toward Implementation of the 2013 Decadal Survey for Solar and Space Physics: A Midterm Assessment (2020)

The 2013 report Solar and Space Physics: A Science for a Technological Socie‐ty outlined a program of basic and applied research for the period 2013‐2022. This publication describes the most significant scientific discoveries, technical advances, and relevant programmatic changes in solar and space physics since the publication of that decadal survey. Progress Toward Implementation of the 2013 Decadal Survey for Solar and Space Physics assesses the degree to which the

programs of NSF and NASA address the strategies, goals, and priorities outlined in the 2013 decadal survey, and the progress that has been made in meeting those goals. The report additionally consid‐ers steps to enhance career opportunities in solar and space physics and recommends actions that should be undertaken to prepare for the next decadal survey.

COLLEEN N. HARTMAN

Director

ALAN ANGLEMAN*

Senior Program Officer

ARTHUR A. CHARO


DWAYNE A. DAY*


SANDRA J. GRAHAM


GREGORY MACK*


ABIGAIL SHEFFER


DAVID H. SMITH


DANIEL NAGASAWA

Associate Program Officer

MIA BROWN

Research Associate

MEGAN CHAMBERLAIN

Senior Program Assistant

GAYBRIELLE HOLBERT

Program Assistant

ANDREA REBHOLZ*

Program Coordinator

DIONNA WISE

Program Coordinator

MEG KNEMEYER Senior Finance Business Partner

RADAKA LIGHTFOOT Senior Financial Associate

CELESTE A. NAYLOR

Information Management Associate

TANJA E. PILZAK

Manager, Program Operations

MARGUERITE SCHNEIDER

Administrative Coordinator

GENEVIEVE PAYNE

Lloyd V. Berkner Space Policy Intern

(beginning June 2020)

CINDY VO

Lloyd V. Berkner Space Policy Intern

(beginning June 2020)

* Staff of other Academies boards who are shared with the SSB.

SSB Staff E C A SSB

Participation by early career scientists and engineers ensures a robust future for space science, and

the SSB is dedicated to enhancing and encouraging the involvement of early career individuals. The

SSB Board Director and staff have tripled the frequency of early career activities, especially those

held in conjunction with decadal surveys. An in‐person Early Career 2‐day Focus Session was held in

Washington, DC, in October 2018, prior to the start of Astro2020. The decadal survey in planetary

science and astrobiology recently completed a series of webinars for early career professionals inter‐

ested in becoming more involved in the decadal survey process. At each early career event, the SSB

director provides an overview of the decadal survey process and the timeline for the survey. The first

webinar, Kick‐Off Event for Early Career Professionals, took place on March 27 in partnership with the

Lunar and Planetary Institute. Speakers from agencies and past decadal surveys provided a high‐level

discussion and answered questions from the audience on what a decadal survey is and about their

personal experiences with participating in surveys. The second early career webinar, Writing White

Papers for the Planetary Science and Astrobiology Decadal Survey, was held on May 7, 2020. This

workshop provided guidance to early career individuals from senior‐level scientists on how to ap‐

proach writing white papers for decadal surveys. The final webinar in this early career event series,

held July 2, 2020, included past and current decadal chairs discussing Perspectives and Lessons

Learned. All webinars have been recorded and can be viewed online. Staff will continue to integrate

early career events before and during future decadal surveys in space science. In addition, the board

director has undertaken a series of presentations to explain the decadal survey process to the broad‐

er scientific community.

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SSB Meetings Calendar

National Academy of Sciences Building

2101 Constitution Ave NW Washington, DC

Keck Center 500 Fifth St NW, Washington, DC

Arnold and Mabel Beckman Center

100 Academy Drive Irvine, CA

J. Erik Jonsson Conference Center 314 Quissett Ave Woods Hole, MA

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July 13‐15 Decadal Survey on Astronomy and Astrophysics 2020 (Astro2020) Steering Com‐mittee

Virtual

September 9‐11 Space Weather Operations and Research Infrastructure Workshop Virtual

September 15‐17 Committee on Astrobiology and Planetary Sciences (CAPS) Virtual

October 21‐23 Committee on Solar and Space Physics Virtual

July 9 Committee on Astrobiology and Planetary Sciences (CAPS) Virtual

July 1 Committee on Astrobiology and Planetary Sciences (CAPS) Virtual

July 2 Planetary Science Decadal Survey Early Career Webinar Virtual

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November 4‐6, 2020

Space Studies Board

Virtual

January 28‐February 4, 2021

43rd COSPAR Scientific Assembly Sydney, Australia

Upcoming Events

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SELECTED REPORTS AVAILABLE FROM THE SPACE STUDIES BOARD For a complete list of titles and free PDF versions of our reports visit https://www.nap.edu/author/SSB

Assessment of the Report of NASA’s Planetary Protection Independent Review Board (2020) Available online only

Report Series: Committee on Solar and Space Physics: Agile Responses to Short‐Notice Rideshare Opportunities for the NASA Heliophysics Division (2020) Available online only

Progress Toward Implementation of the 2013 Decadal Survey for Solar and Space Physics: A Midterm Assessment (2020)

Review of the Draft 2019 Science Mission Directorate Science Plan (2019)

Finding Hazardous Asteroids Using Infrared and Visible Wavelength Tele‐scopes (2019)

Continuous Improvement of NASA’s Innovation Ecosystem: Proceedings of a Workshop (2019)

Report Series: Committee on Astrobiology and Planetary Science: Review of the Planetary Science Aspects of NASA SMD’s Lunar Science and Exploration Initiative (2019) Available online only

Report Series: Committee on Astrobiology and Planetary Science: Review of the Commercial Aspects of NASA SMD’s Lunar Science and Exploration Initi‐ative (2019) Available online only

Planetary Protection Classification of Sample‐Return Missions from the Mar‐tian Moons (2019)

Strategic Investments in Instrumentation and Facilities for Extraterrestrial Sample Curation and Analysis (2019)

An Astrobiology Strategy for the Search for Life in the Universe (2019)

Open Source Software Policy Options for NASA Earth and Space Sciences (2018)

Exoplanet Science Strategy (2018)

Visions into Voyages for Planetary Sciences in the Decade 2013‐2022: A Mid‐term Review (2018)

Report Series: Committee on Astronomy and Astrophysics: Mission Concept Studies (2018) Available online only

Review and Assessment of Planetary Protection Policy Development Pro‐cesses (2018)

Thriving on Our Changing Planet: A Decadal Strategy for Earth Observation from Space (2018) Available online only

A Midterm Assessment of Implementation of the Decadal Survey on Life and Physical sciences Research at NASA (2017)

America’s Future in Civil Space: Proceedings of a Workshop‐in Brief (2017)

Searching for Life Across Space and Time: Proceedings of a Workshop (2017)

Powering Science: NASA’s Large Strategic Science Missions (2017)

Report Series: Committee on Astrobiology and Planetary Science: Getting Ready for the Next Planetary Sciences Decadal Survey (2017) Available online only

Report Series: Committee on Astronomy and Astrophysics: Small Explorer Missions (2017) Available online only

Report Series: Committee on Solar and Space Physics: Heliophysics Science Centers (2017) Available online only

Review of the Restructured Research and Analysis Programs a NASA’s Plane‐tary Science Division (2017)

Assessment of the National Science Foundation's 2015 Geospace Portfolio Review (2017)

Extending Science—NASA’s Space Science Mission Extensions and the Sen‐ior Review Process (2016)

New Worlds, New Horizons: A Midterm Assessment (2016)

Achieving Science with CubeSats: Thinking Inside the Box (2016)

Continuity of NASA Earth Observations from Space: A Value Framework (2015)

Review of the MEPAG Report on Mars Special Regions

The Space Science Decadal Surveys: Lessons Learned and Best Practices(2015)

Sharing the Adventure with the Student: Exploring the Intersections of

Hardcopy versions of SSB reports are available free of charge from the SSB while supplies last. To request a hardcopy of a report, send an email to [email protected] and include your name, affiliation, mailing address, and the name and

quantity of each report that you are requesting.

i t i · a presentation by thomas zurbuchen, associate administrator of the nasa science mission...

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