NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION 

CHARTER OF THE

ASTROPHYSICS ADVISORY COMMITTEE

1. Official Designation: Astrophysics Advisory Committee (APAC).

2. Authority: Having determined that it isin the public interest in connection with the

performance of Agency duties under the law, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration

(NASA) Administrator hereby renews the APAC, pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act

(FACA), as amended, 5 U.S.C. 10.

3. Objectives and Scope of Activities: The APAC shall draw on the expertise of its members to

provide advice and make recommendationsto the Director, Astrophysics Division, Science Mission

Directorate, NASA Headquarters (hereinafter, “Director, Astrophysics Division”) on astrophysics

programs, policies, plans, and priorities. The APAC’s recommendations and analysis can be used

to inform decisions on the programmatic scope and priorities, as well as the implementation of

astrophysics programs. In addition, the APAC will provide a regular forum for broad discussion of

astrophysics and the role of astrophysics within and outside of NASA.

4. Description of Duties: The APAC shall function solely as an advisory body and comply with

the provisions of the FACA. The APAC shall be supported by subcommittees/subordinate

groups, as needed, to cover the breadth and depth of scope as determined by the Director,

Astrophysics Division.

5. Official to Whom the Committee Reports: The APAC reports to the Director,

Astrophysics Division.

6. Support: The Astrophysics Division will provide staff support for the APAC.

7. Estimated Annual Operating Costs and Staff Years: The Science Mission Directorate will

provide the budget for operation of the APAC. The total estimated annual operating cost for

the APAC is approximately $250,000, including 1.0 full time equivalent for NASA staff

support.

8. Designated Federal Officer: The Executive Secretary of the APAC shall be appointed by the

Associate Administrator, Science Mission Directorate, and shall serve as the Designated Federal

Officer (DFO). The DFO will be either a full-time or a permanent part-time employee, who will:

call, attend, and adjourn committee and subcommittee/subordinate group meetings; approve

agendas; maintain required records on costs and membership; ensure efficient operations;

maintain records for availability to the public; and provide copies of the APAC reports to the

NASA Advisory Committee Management Officer for forwarding to the Library of Congress.

The DFO will also coordinate with the members and subordinate group members, if any, and

NASA’s Office of the General Counsel (OGC) to ensure that all legal/ethics requirements are met.
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With regard to Special Government Employees (SGEs) and Regular Government Employees 

(RGEs), these include, though are not limited to, timely filing of annual financial disclosure reports 

and annual ethics training by a representative of OGC and seeking advice from the NASA OGC 

Ethics Team for any questions concerning Government ethics requirements that may arise.

9. Estimated Number and Frequency of Meetings: The APAC shall meet two to four times a

year or as required by the Director, Astrophysics Division. Meetings shall be open to the public

unless it is determined in advance that the meeting, or a portion of the meeting, is not covered by

FACA or will be closed in accordance with the Government in the Sunshine Act.

10. Duration: The APAC is envisioned to be a continuing entity with charter renewals.

11. Termination: The APAC terminates two years from the date of the filing of this charter unless

renewed or terminated earlier by the NASA Administrator, after consultation with the Director,

Astrophysics Division, and the Associate Administrator, Science Mission Directorate.

12. Membership and Designation: The APAC shall consist of members without compensation to

be selected by the Director, Astrophysics Division, following the Associate Administrator, Science

Mission Directorate’s written consultation, per delegation of the NASA Administrator.

Appointment letter(s) and reappointment letter(s) will be signed by the Associate Administrator,

Science Mission Directorate, per delegation of the NASA Administrator. The Director,

Astrophysics Division, shall ensure a balanced representation in terms of the points of view

represented and the functions to be performed. Diversity shall be considered as well. The APAC

shall consist of 13-15 members for up to a three-year term, renewable at the discretion of the

Director, Astrophysics Division; members may be SGEs, RGEs, or Representatives. The Director,

Astrophysics Division, shall designate the Chair of the APAC after consultation with the Associate

Administrator, Science Mission Directorate, and NASA Administrator, and this will be

documented in the appointment letter or reappointment letter. The APAC Chair also will serve as a

member of the Science Committee, NASA Advisory Council, and will be formally appointed to

this position. The Director, Astrophysics Division, shall also select a Vice-Chair from among the

members, in consultation with the APAC Chair. All APAC members serve at the pleasure of the

Director, Astrophysics Division.

13. Subcommittees: APAC subcommittees, ad hoc task forces, and other subordinate groups as

needed may be established or discontinued at the discretion of the Director, Astrophysics

Division, following consultation with the Associate Administrator, Science Mission Directorate.

No formal amendment(s) to this charter will be required to effect such change(s). The terms of

reference for a subordinate group shall be subject to the approval of the Director, Astrophysics

Division. Subordinate group chairs and members shall be appointed by the Director, Astrophysics

Division, and members may be SGEs, RGEs, or Representatives. Any subordinate group will

report back to the APAC and will not provide advice or work products directly to NASA.

14. Recordkeeping: The records of the APAC, or other subordinate groups of the APAC, shall

be handled in accordance with the General Records Schedule 6.2, or other approved Agency

records disposition schedule. These records shall be available for public inspection and copying,

subject to the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. 552.
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15. Filing Date: This charter shall become effective upon the filing of this charter with

the appropriate U.S. Senate and House of Representatives oversight committees.

Filing Date: August 30, 2023

______________________________________ _________________________

Bill Nelson Signature Date

Administrator

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

August 30, 2023