[meteorite-list] NASA Receives Final NRC Report On Space Technology Roadmaps

[Ron Baalke]

Feb. 01, 2012

David E. Steitz 
Headquarters, Washington                                     
202-358-1730 
david.steitz at nasa.gov 

RELEASE: 12-039

NASA RECEIVES FINAL NRC REPORT ON SPACE TECHNOLOGY ROADMAPS

WASHINGTON -- NASA has received the National Research Council (NRC) 
report "NASA Space Technology Roadmaps and Priorities," which 
provides the agency with findings and recommendations on where best 
to invest in technologies needed to enable NASA's future missions in 
space. The NRC report will help define NASA's technology development 
priorities in the years to come. 

One year ago, NASA provided 14 draft space technology area roadmaps to 
the NRC and asked the council to examine and prioritize technologies 
for the agency. The technologies were prioritized in each of the 14 
areas and then across all categories. 

The report finalizes the NRC's review and identifies 16 top-priority 
technologies necessary for NASA's future missions, which also could 
benefit American aerospace industries and the nation. The 16 were 
chosen by the NRC from its own ranking of 83 high-priority 
technologies out of approximately 300 identified in the roadmaps. 

"The report strongly reaffirms the vital importance of technology 
development to enable the agency's future missions and grow the 
nation's new technology economy," said Mason Peck, chief technologist 
at NASA Headquarters in Washington. "The report confirms the value of 
our technology development strategy to date. NASA currently invests 
in all of the highest-priority technologies and will study the report 
and adjust its investment portfolio as needed." 

The technology priorities the report identifies are aligned with NASA 
missions to extend and sustain human activities beyond low Earth 
orbit, explore the evolution of the solar system and the potential 
for life elsewhere, and expand our un¬derstanding of Earth and the 
universe in which we live. 

The report observes that "technological breakthroughs have been the 
foundation of virtually every NASA success. In addition, 
technological advances have yielded benefits far beyond space itself 
in down-to-Earth applications." It also states "future U.S. 
leadership in space requires a foundation of sustained technology 
advances." 

During the coming months, NASA's Office of the Chief Technologist will 
lead an agency-wide analysis and coordination effort to update the 14 
technology area roadmaps with the NRC report's findings and 
recommendations. 

To review a copy of the report, visit: 

http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?topic=293 

For more information about NASA's Space Technology Program, visit: 

http://www.nasa.gov/oct 
	
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