FY 2016 Report on NASA Large Conferences
 

NASA Sponsored and Non Sponsored Conferences with Agency Spend of $100,000 or More
 

October 1, 2015 – September 30, 2016 
 

 

 

FY 2016 Report on NASA Sponsored Large Conferences 

Overview: In accordance with Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Memorandum M-12-

12, Section 2 – Conferences, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is 

providing this report on conferences. This report provides a summary of conference activities by 

NASA in Fiscal Year (FY) 2016. It includes a brief overview of each conference’s purpose to 

highlight the valuable role that conferences play in NASA’s mission, such as in key 

dissemination and exchange of cutting edge scientific and technological knowledge. 

The Space Act of 1958 requires NASA to “provide for the widest practicable and appropriate 

dissemination of information concerning its activities and the results thereof.” Conferences 

provide an important vehicle for accomplishing this mandate. NASA scientists, engineers and 

leaders present scientific and technical papers and participate in interchanges on leading-edge 

research and technology with peers in the Federal Government, academia, the science 

community, the aeronautics and aerospace industries and international partners. NASA attended 

and sponsored conferences address a broad and diverse range of scientific and engineering 

challenges faced in carrying out its missions, including Earth science research, advanced 

aeronautics and the cutting-edge technologies needed for both current and planned robotic and 

human space flight programs. 

In addition to facilitating the dissemination and advancement of scientific research, conferences 

also serve as a cost-effective way for NASA to carry out other mission-related purposes, such as 

educational outreach and program development, planning and information gathering. For 

example, conferences on program management provide opportunities for examination of current 

trends in aerospace project and engineering management; offering forums for the exchange and 

dissemination of best practices, new ideas, and training for managers across NASA to help the 

Agency cost-effectively meet the toughest challenges in space exploration today. 

FY 2016 Conferences: NASA participated in 50 conferences in FY 2016 for which it spent 

more than $100,000 each. Net conference expenses for the 2016 fiscal year, for conferences 

costing the Agency more than $100,000, totaled just over $15.9 million. Detailed information on 

the events approved under the justification and approval process under OMB M-12-12 follows. 

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Conference Location Start Date End Date Total Cost NASA 

Paid 

Attendees 

Exploring the Universe 

with James Webb 

Space Telescope 

(JWST) 

Noordwijk, 

Netherlands 10/12/2015 10/16/2015 $132,051 46 

Web site Link: http://congrexprojects.com/2015-events/15a02/introduction 

Purpose: The JWST is a NASA-led partnership with the European Space Agency (ESA) and the 

Canadian Space Agency. This conference engages the scientific user community in planning for the 

JWST science objectives, provide details on the capabilities of the instruments, and enables teams to 

plan large, key projects. 

NASA attendance at this event serves two purposes for the NASA JWST project. First, it is an 

opportunity to communicate the capabilities of the observatory to the user community in Europe, and 

to those US scientists who attend the conference. Second, it is an opportunity for the NASA-funded 

scientists working on the program to learn about the ideas and plans that the user community has for 

the telescope. 

Conference Location Start 

Date 

End Date Total Cost NASA Paid 

Attendees 

66th International 

Astronautical Congress 

(IAC) 

Jerusalem, 

Israel 10/12/2015 10/16/2015 $325,000 50 

Web site Link: www.IAC2016.org 

Purpose: The IAC is the preeminent annual global space conference organized by the International 

Astronautical Federation (IAF), which has 246 members from 60 countries. IAC acts as both a forum 

for public space diplomacy and high level consultations, involving NASA’s most senior leaders and 

space agency leaders from around the world, as a substantive academic conference covering the full 

breadth and depth of NASA’s activities across all mission directorates and scientific disciplines. 

NASA also uses this conference to engage in significant outreach to students and young 

professionals. The IAC positively influences the community of space faring nations, projects NASA’s 

global reach and allows scientists and researchers to stay abreast of the latest in their respective 

scientific and technical fields. 

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Conference Location Start 

Date 

End Date Total Cost NASA 

Paid 

Attendees 

Research Earth Surface & 

Interior Workshop 

(RESIW) 

Arlington, 

VA 

11/1/2015 11/4/2015 $105,525 38 

Web site Link: https://science.nasa.gov/earth-science/focus-areas/surface-and-interior 

Purpose: The RESIW gathers input to advance the state of knowledge of key scientific questions that 

form the basis of the NASA’s Earth Surface and Interior focus areas. ESI’s strategy is currently 

underpinned by the findings of the Solid Earth Science Working Group (SESWG) report Living on a 

Restless Planet (2002). The conference revisits core challenges and opportunities for NASA solidEarth science in light of scientific progress and new capabilities realized over the past decade. This 

event supports NASA in fulfilling its mission to characterize the dynamics of Earth’s surface and 

interior, and improve the capability to assess and respond to natural hazards and extreme events. 

Conference Location Start 

Date 

End Date Total Cost NASA Paid 

Attendees 

Division Planetary 

Sciences Meeting 

(DPS) 2015 

National 

Harbor, MD 11/8/2015 11/13/2015 $325,033 138 

Web site Link: http://dps.aas.org/ 

Purpose: The DPS annual conference is a platform for dissemination of science results from Missions 

and Research and Analysis funded through the Planetary Science Division and the Astrophysics 

Division within the Science Mission Directorate. The conference addresses a broad spectrum of 

planetary and astrophysics research and mission results aligning with strategic goals of both 

Astrophysics and Planetary Science Division. 

Conference Location Start 

Date 

End Date Total Cost NASA Paid 

Attendees 

American Society for 

Gravitational Space 

Research (ASGSR) 

San 

Francisco, 

CA 11/11/2015 11/14/2015 $322,522 123 

Web site Link: https://www.asgsr.org 

Purpose: The ASGSR brings together a diverse group of scientists and engineers to encourage and 

exchange ideas bridging basic and applied biological and physical science research in space and 

gravitational sciences, which advances science and technology directly supporting science exploration 

and terrestrial life. 

The NASA Chief Scientist supports participation in this conference as it brings together two 

fundamental research communities that rely on the International Space Station (ISS) for the major 

conduct of their science projects. 

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Conference Location Start 

Date 

End Date Total Cost NASA Paid 

Attendees 

Supercomputing SC15 Austin, TX 11/15/2015 11/20/2015 $277,916 73 

Web site Link: http://sc15.supercomputing.org/ 

Purpose: The Supercomputing conference series is the largest supercomputing conference in the 

United States and is attended by approximately 10,000 people. SC15 is the largest event in the world 

devoted to this area. The conference and exhibit cover subjects that are vitally important to NASA’s 

missions, our core capabilities, such as tutorials on new programming models and user tools and 

NASA’s academic and commercial partners. 

Conference Location Start 

Date 

End Date Total Cost NASA Paid 

Attendees 

SpaceCom: Exploring 

the Business of Space Houston, TX 11/17/2015 11/19/2015 $229,034 203 

Web site Link: http://www.spacecomexpo.com/ 

Purpose: The SpaceCom event allows NASA to explore options for leveraging innovation and 

technology development capabilities with public and private organizations to enable future missions 

through collaborative development partnerships and technology infusion. The growth and fostering of 

such business networks is critical to cost efficient spacecraft development. Attendance at the 

conference fosters the economic development of space, the creation of new business models to 

support that development and the application of space technologies across important industry sectors 

of the global economy. 

Conference Location Start 

Date 

End Date Total 

Cost 

NASA Paid 

Attendees 

Solutions for EnterpriseWide Procurement 

(SEWP) Procurement 

Training Forum 

Baltimore, 

MD 12/7/2016 12/10/2016 $479,330 264 

Web site Link: https://www.sewp.nasa.gov/ 

Purpose: The NASA procurement workforce performs a vital mission throughout the Agency. 

Annually, over 80% of NASA’s budget is obligated by this segment of the workforce in support of 

Agency programs and projects. Warranted Contracting Officers (CO) are the only individuals 

authorized by the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to obligate the government and with such a 

weighty responsibility, training is a key component to ensuring that taxpayer funds are prudently 

spent. 

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Conference Location Start 

Date 

End Date Total Cost NASA Paid 

Attendees 

2015 Fall American 

Geophysical Union 

(AGU) 

San 

Francisco, 

CA 12/14/2015 12/18/2015 $2,610,055 1,309 

Web site Link: http://fallmeeting.agu.org/2015 

Purpose: AGU is the largest worldwide meeting in the geophysical sciences. AGU's activities 

focuses on the organization and dissemination of scientific information in the interdisciplinary and 

international field of geophysics. The geophysical sciences involve four fundamental areas: 

atmospheric and ocean sciences; solid-Earth sciences, hydrologic sciences and space sciences. 

Participation in the annual AGU meeting addresses NASA’s mission to “drive advances in science, 

technology and exploration to enhance knowledge, education innovation, economic vitality, and 

stewardship of Earth” and enables broad and deep interaction with the worldwide community of 

researchers in Earth and space science. 

Conference Location Start 

Date 

End 

Date 

Total Cost NASA Paid 

Attendees 

227th American 

Astronomical Society 

(AAS) 

Kissimmee, 

FL 1/3/2016 1/7/2016 $455,997 184 

Web site link: https://aas.org 

Purpose: The AAS meetings enable the achievement of NASA’s science mission through the 

participation of NASA scientists in the meetings. For Astrophysics, the AAS semi-annual meetings 

are the primary fora that bring together the science community and NASA scientists. Therefore, the 

AAS meetings are the most effective means of fostering understanding of NASA’s mission, and of the 

understanding of NASA’s scientists of the intellectual questions and national concerns that will be 

addressed by future missions. NASA’s scientists efficiently maintain relevance in their disciplines by 

presenting and by participating in the many scientific and programmatic sessions held during the 

meeting. NASA-funded scientists and other scientists present their latest results, often in advance of 

publication. Discussions at the meetings by NASA’s scientists are an effective means to maintain 

understanding of recent trends in astrophysics research. A significant level of meeting participation by 

NASA’s scientist is warranted in order to carry out their programmatic and professional 

responsibilities on behalf of NASA. 

6 
 

 

 

Conference Location Start 

Date 

End 

Date 

Total Cost NASA Paid 

Attendees 

American Institute of 

Aeronautics and 

Astronautics (AIAA) 

SciTech 2016 

San Diego, 

CA 1/4/2016 1/8/2016 $1,086,318 400 

Web site Link: https://www.aiaa-scitech.org/ 

Purpose: Sci-Tech is a co-located conference with a total of 12 conferences in one. SciTech brings 

together over 3,500 participants and more than 2,500 technical presentations from nearly 800 

institutions in 39 countries to offer the latest research results on 44 high-impact topics and scores of 

opportunities for networking. 

In order to share the latest technical information, current and emerging topics, and to advocate future 

conference session topics that are relevant to NASA, attendance at the conference is considered 

mission critical. This conference covers many areas that are vitally important to strengthen core 

capabilities that cut across missions and offers discipline integration expertise which can bring 

innovative and affordable solutions at the discipline and systems level to address NASA’s mission 

challenges. 

Conference Location Start 

Date 

End 

Date 

Total Cost NASA Paid 

Attendees 

Earth Science 

Information Partners 

(ESIP) Federation 

Winter Meeting 2016 

Washington, 

DC 1/6/2016 1/8/2016 $120,464 95 

Web site Link: http://www.esipfed.org/meetings 

Purpose: The ESIP Federation meetings align with and are crucial to the goals and activities of 

NASA’s Earth Science Data Systems (ESDS) Program at NASA HQ as well as the Earth Science 

Data and Information System (ESDIS) Project at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). The 

ESDIS Project is responsible for management, oversight, and technical direction of the Earth 

Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS), which includes, among other things, 12 

Distributed Active Archive Centers (DAACs). ESIP is the primary venue for bringing together Earth 

science data users and information technology experts. 

7 
 

 

 

Conference Location Start 

Date 

End 

Date 

Total Cost NASA Paid 

Attendees 

96th American 

Meteorological Society 

(AMS) 

New 

Orleans, LA 1/10/2016 1/14/2016 $341,510 138 

Web site Link: http://annual.ametsoc.org/2015/ 

Purpose: The AMS meetings attracts thousands of Earth and space scientists, policy makers, 

educators, students, and news media. Participation in the AMS meetings are critical to NASA’s 

mission to "drive advances in science, technology, and exploration to enhance knowledge, education, 

innovation, economic vitality, and stewardship of Earth" because it enables broad and deep interaction 

with the worldwide community of researchers in the Earth and space sciences. For scientists, the 

aforementioned interactions are integral to the process of science and often grow into proposals to 

NASA research announcements. 

Conference Location Start 

Date 

End 

Date 

Total Cost NASA Paid 

Attendees 

American Astronautical 

Society (AAS) Guidance, 

Navigation, and Control 

(GN&C) Conference 

Breckenridge, 

CO 2/5/2016 2/10/2016 $107,515 38 

Web site Link: http://aas-rocky-mountain-section.org/conference-info/ 

Purpose: The AAS GN&C event hosts topics covering the entire lifecycle of GN&C for spacecraft 

and sensors while reflecting some of the most relevant and current topics in the industry. This is the 

premier conference for the exchange of technical information, technology developments, and recent 

experience in the GN&C field. The conference presents an opportunity for NASA engineers to 

interact with their peers to develop new contacts and future collaborations. 

8 
 

 

 

 

 

Conference Location Start 

Date 

End Date Total Cost NASA Paid 

Attendees 

Human Research 

Program (HRP) 

Investigators 

Workshop 

Galveston, 

TX 

2/8/2016 2/1/2016 $202,495 74 

Web site Link: http://www.cvent.com/events/2016-human-research-program-investigatorsworkshop/custom-37-f91101be2110489384f5efbd33d2b5a7.aspx 

Purpose: The HRP Investigators Workshop (IWS) is the single opportunity for HRP management to 

review with customers and stakeholders the status and progress of grantees, contractors, and civil 

servant investigators in addressing human health & performance risks of space exploration 

missions. Since inception, HRP uses the annual Investigator’s Workshop to assess research progress, 

and facilitate communication between researchers, management, Headquarters, other programs that 

HRP supports and stakeholders in Medical Operations and the Astronaut Office. The HRP 

Investigator’s Workshop is the only venue where all of these groups and International partners can see 

the breadth of human life sciences research being conducted in support of exploration missions. 

Conference Location Start 

Date 

End Date Total Cost NASA Paid 

Attendees 

International Global 

Navigation Satellite 

System (GNSS) 

Service (IGS) 

Workshop 2016 Sydney, AU 2/8/2016 2/12/2016 $107,515 38 

Web site Link: http://igsworkshop2016.org/ 

Purpose: The IGS is a voluntary federation of over 200 self-funding agencies, universities, and 

research institutions from more than 100 countries. Its mission is to provide the highest quality GNSS 

data, products and services in support of the terrestrial reference frame; Earth observations and 

research; positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT); and other applications that benefit the scientific 

community and society. At a high level, the IGS solicits contributions related to multi-GNSS 

observations, processing strategies, the modelling of new GNSS satellites, as well as multi-GNSS 

products. Contributions building on data and products from the IGS MGEX project are specifically 

encouraged. 

9 
 

 

Conference Location Start 

Date 

End Date Total Cost NASA Paid 

Attendees 

2016 Ocean Sciences 

Meeting (OSM) 

New 

Orleans, LA 2/21/2016 2/26/2016 $105,424 44 

Web site Link: http://osm.agu.org/2016/ 

Purpose: The OSM focuses on all aspects of the Earth’s Oceans, including physics, chemistry and 

biology. NASA has a number of spaceborne assets constantly returning data regarding the Earth’s 

Oceans: Jasons-2 and the soon-to-be-launched Jason-3, GRACE and the future GRACE Follow-on, 

Rapidscat on the Space Station, MODIS (or Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectoradiometer) on Aqua 

and Terra. Results from all these missions are presented at the OSM conference, and results from insitu instrumentation relevant to these missions are also be presented. In addition, NASA 

oceanographers will learn the cutting edge science questions that can be addressed by these 

instruments. 

Conference Location Start 

Date 

End 

Date 

Total Cost NASA Paid 

Attendees 

2016 Institute of 

Electrical and 

Electronics Engineers 

(IEEE) Aerospace 

Conference Big Sky, MT 3/5/2016 3/12/2016 $576,812 148 

Web site Link: http://www.aeroconf.org/ 

Purpose: The IEEE Aerospace Conference is organized to promote interdisciplinary understanding 

of aerospace systems, their underlying science and technology, and their application to government 

and commercial endeavors, by providing a working environment that encourages collaboration and 

interaction. This conference has a long-standing reputation for identifying, promoting and facilitating 

collaborations across NASA, DOD and international communities and has enhanced value by broad 

participation across all NASA Centers. This multi-discipline conference is the forum for 

disseminating information on NASA’s missions and all of the disciplines associated with them 

through papers and 10 panels on Government plans, policies and education. 

10 
 

Conference Location Start 

Date 

End 

Date 

Total Cost NASA Paid 

Attendees 

47th Lunar and 

Planetary Science 

Conference (LPSC) 

The 

Woodlands, 

TX 3/21/2016 3/25/3016 $550,422 223 

Web site Link: http://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2016/ 

Purpose: The LPSC is one of the traditionally large conferences with wide attendance by academia, 

industry and international partners. It is the primary community-driven conference where researchers 

from around the world present results from a variety of topic areas of specific interest to NASA's 

Planetary Science Division within the Science Mission Directorate. This conference brings together 

international specialists in petrology, geochemistry, geophysics, geology, and astronomy to present 

the latest results of research in planetary science. 

Conference Location Start 

Date 

End Date Total Cost NASA Paid 

Attendees 

Green Aviation 

Technical Interchange 

Meeting (TIM) 

Hampton, 

VA 3/29/2016 3/31/2016 $140,098 76 

Web site Link: https://www.nasa.gov/subject/7564/green-aviation/ 

Purpose: The Green Aviation TIM advances the mission of the agency by enabling increased 

awareness of progress toward Ultra-efficient subsonic transport aircraft through achievement realized 

by NASA, industry, academia, and other Government agencies. This is accomplished by providing a 

forum for open discussion through presentations, panel discussion, and networking. Further, through 

awareness of Green Aviation developments, the event fosters collaboration amongst participants for 

technology advancement with benefits in air travel for the American public. 

11 
 

 

 

Conference Location Start 

Date 

End 

Date 

Total Cost NASA Paid 

Attendees 

SPIE Asia-Pacific 

Remote Sensing 

(APRS) 2016 

New Dehli, 

India 4/4/2016 4/7/2016 $179,469 33 

Web site Link: http://spie.org/asia-pacific-remote-sensing 

Purpose: The 2016 APRS Symposium focuses on the application of remote sensing technologies for 

disaster mitigation and to better monitor global climate change. Remote sensing data processing and 

characterization are an integral part of weather and climate predictions. Analysts use advanced remote 

sensing maps for the monitoring of hazardous phenomena, exploration of ocean resources, and tracking 

cryospheric changes that result from global warming. Advanced remote sensing and data processing is 

a crucial information resource for in-depth understanding of the interrelated processes of the 

atmosphere, ocean, geosphere, cryosphere and biosphere. The focus of this symposium aligns to the 

NASA vision for Earth Observations using remote sensing technologies and techniques for disaster 

management, weather and climate predictions and societal benefit. 

Conference Location Start 

Date 

End 

Date 

Total Cost NASA Paid 

Attendees 

32nd Space Symposium 

Colorado 

Springs, CO 4/11/2016 4/14/2016 $142,781 95 

Web site Link: http://www.spacesymposium.org/ 

Purpose: The Space Symposium has been firmly established as one of the single most important 

events for government organizations, and between government and industry focused on space research 

objectives and expectations. NASA plays a unique role in both national space and commercial 

space. This conference presents a distinct opportunity to identify potential government and industry 

partners in one setting to support a broad range of space R&T needs and opportunities for NASA to 

collaborate. Participants are there to help facilitate various meetings on partnerships as well as share 

information on NASA technology portfolio that align with current and future public and private space 

technology development opportunities. 

12 
 

 

 

Conference Location Start 

Date 

End 

Date 

Total Cost NASA Paid 

Attendees 

International Radiation 

Symposium (IRS) 

Auckland, 

Netherlands 4/16/2016 4/22/2016 $231,490 44 

Web site Link: http://irs2016.org/ 

Purpose: The IRS conference provides a forum for the presentation of the best and latest research in 

Atmospheric Radiation in its many forms. Radiation research is a major component of the NASA 

Global Energy and Water Exchanges (GEWEX) projects across NASA. The IRS provides a variety 

of topics in radiation research to assist with research, observation and science activities within the 

NASA GEWEX projects. A combination of plenary and parallel sessions will be held during the first 

five days. Based on the events overwhelming response, IRS hosts approximately 300 oral 

presentations as well as several poster sessions. Sessions include topics on but not limited to: Topical 

Union, Radiative Transfer Theory and Modeling, Particle Radiative Properties, General Remote 

Sensing, Radiation Budget and Forcing, etc. 

Conference Location Start 

Date 

End Date Total Cost NASA Paid 

Attendees 

European Geosciences 

Union General (EGU) 

Vienna, 

Austria 4/17/2016 4/22/2016 $260,996 65 

Web site Link: http://www.egu2016.eu/ 

Purpose: The EGU conference brings together NASA employees and contractors working on various 

Earth science missions and projects, such as the Earth Observing System (EOS) Mission, the Global 

Precipitation Mission (GPM), the Suomi-NPP (National Polar-orbiting Partnership), ICESAT-2, and 

SMAP among others, to interact with international colleagues from various space agencies such as 

European Space Agency (ESA) and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). This year focused 

on sharing the results of planetary projects, such as Rosetta and JUICE. 

13 
 

 

 

 

 

Conference Location Start 

Date 

End Date Total Cost NASA Paid 

Attendees 

NASA Imagery Experts 

Group (NIEG) 

Las Vegas, 

NV 4/18/2016 4/21/2016 $106,119 56 

Web site Link: https://sharepoint.msfc.nasa.gov/msfc/nieg 

Purpose: The NIEG chartered from HEOMD, includes three Working Groups and multiple 

Configuration Control Boards. These working groups and control boards manage the NASA TV 

system, the Agency’s core infrastructure for content creation, production and distribution, are 

responsible for all of NASA's web streamed video, and provide direct support to programs in all the 

Mission Directorates, the Office of the CIO, and the Office of Communications. 

Conference Location Start 

Date 

End Date Total Cost NASA Paid 

Attendees 

87th Aerospace 

Medical Association 

Conference (AsMA) 

Atlantic 

City, NJ 4/24/2016 4/28/2016 $171,411 69 

Web site Link: https://www.asma.org/annual-meetings/registration 

Purpose: The annual scientific meeting of the AsMA is the major domestic conference for exchange of 

space-related medical and scientific information between NASA, Department of Defense (DoD), 

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and other international aerospace medicine organizations. This 

exchange of medical and scientific data and opinion is vital for keeping NASA physicians and scientists 

abreast of the state of the art in aerospace medicine, and provides an opportunity for NASA personnel 

to submit their work to critique by their peers. Specialty sessions permit the engagement of NASA and 

ISS partners to exchange medical and scientific findings regarding long-duration space flight, and for 

NASA and FAA counterparts to participate in issues important to commercial space flight. 

Conference Location Start 

Date 

End Date Total Cost NASA Paid 

Attendees 

Living Planet 

Symposium 2016 Prague, CZ 5/9/2016 5/13/2016 $124,604 29 

Web site Link: http://lps16.esa.int/ 

Purpose: The Living Planet Symposium takes place every three years and is sponsored by the 

European Space Agency (ESA). The conference focuses on all aspects of Earth observations from 

space, both from ESA assets and ‘third party mission data’ which is dominated by NASA data. The 

data interpretation and analysis of NASA Earth science measurements is performed collaboratively by 

scientists across the world, who will continue to use NASA, ESA and other space borne and 

suborbital data. This event will report results from NASA spaceborne missions such as OCO-2, 

Rapidscat, Aura, Aquarius, SMAP and others, from NASA airborne missions such as HyTES or 

UAVSAR, as well as plans for future NASA missions such as OCO-3 and NISAR furthers NASA’s 

core mission. 

14 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conference Location Start 

Date 

End Date Total Cost NASA Paid 

Attendees 

NASA Office of the 

Inspector General 

(OIG) Office of Audits 

(OA) All-Hands 

Training 

Savannah, 

GA 5/16/2016 5/20/2016 $126,460 85 

Web site Link: No URL 

Purpose: The OIG All-Hands conference provides required training and coordination on a variety of 

different subject areas, including tools and resources that will enable the auditors to conduct objective 

oversight of NASA missions, programs, and operations in a more efficient manner. Training also 

enables the audit organization to obtain required certification. 

Conference Location Start 

Date 

End Date Total Cost NASA Paid 

Attendees 

14th International 

Conference Space 

Operation (SpaceOps) 

Daejon, 

South Korea 5/16/2016 5/20/2016 $217,384 46 

Web site Link: http://www.spaceops2016.org/Overview.php 

Purpose: SpaceOps promotes and fosters collaboration and cooperation between space 

agencies. AIAA coordinates the SpaceOps conference to exchange information about mission 

operations disciplines in order to leverage the world space operations community’s resources and 

increase the chances of mission success. Since its inception, all of NASA’s core missions have 

benefited from the lessons learned, technical information and best practices communicated and 

relationships incubated within the SpaceOps community. 

Conference Location Start 

Date 

End Date Total Cost NASA Paid 

Attendees 

2016 Facilities and 

Real Estate Conference 

Cleveland, 

OH 5/16/2016 5/20/2016 $354,096 225 

Web site Link: None 

Purpose: This event provides the opportunity for face-to-face meetings between the communities of 

practice comprising and the Facilities and Real Property Division. This brings together 

representatives from each of the NASA Centers to provide a unique capability to network, share best 

practices, explain policies and enhance mission support. This conference provides an in-depth 

discussion on program development and timely exchange of ideas on facility-related topics and issues. 

15 
 

 

Conference Location Start 

Date 

End Date Total Cost NASA Paid 

Attendees 

63rd Joint Army-NavyNASA-Air Force 

(JANNAF) Propulsion 

Meetings 

Newport 

News, VA 5/16/2016 5/20/2016 $224,007 102 

Web site Link: https://www.jannaf.org/mtgs/May2016/pages/index.html 

Purpose: The JANNAF Interagency Propulsion Committee focuses on the technology, development, 

and production capabilities for all types of propulsion systems and energetics for tactical, strategic and 

missile defense rockets and missiles, for space boost and orbit transfer, for in-space propulsion, and 

for gun systems. JANNAF provides a forum for discussion of propulsion issues, challenges, and 

opportunities across the Military Departments, Defense Agencies and NASA. This conference 

directly supports the Agency’s core mission and Strategic Goal 1, Expand the frontiers of knowledge, 

capability, and opportunity in space, and Strategic Goal 3, Serve the American public and accomplish 

our Mission by effectively managing our people, technical capabilities, and infrastructure. 

Conference Location Start 

Date 

End 

Date 

Total Cost NASA Paid 

Attendees 

47th Solar Physics 

Division (SPD) 

Meeting Boulder, CO 5/31/2016 6/3/2016 $148,417 79 

Web site Link: http://www.nso.edu/SPD2016 

Purpose: This event will bring together scientists from around the world who perform research 

relevant to all areas of solar physics, covering all NASA solar physics mission areas as well as many 

other NASA missions from Heliophysics, Planetary Sciences, Astrophysics, and Earth Sciences. The 

goal is to bring all of these scientists together to discuss new and collaborative findings that ensure the 

continued scientific success of the field. 

Conference Location Start 

Date 

End Date Total Cost NASA Paid 

Attendees 

228th American 

Astronomical Society 

(AAS) 

San Diego, 

CA 6/12/2016 6/16/2016 $249,015 88 

Web site Link: https://aas.org 

Purpose: The AAS meetings enable the achievement of NASA’s science mission through the 

participation of NASA scientists in the meetings. For Astrophysics, the AAS semi-annual meetings 

are the primary fora that bring together the science community and NASA scientists. Therefore, the 

AAS meetings are the most effective means of fostering understanding of NASA’s mission, and of the 

understanding of NASA’s scientists of the intellectual questions and national concerns that will be 

addressed by future missions. 

16 
 

 

 

 

 

Conference Location Start 

Date 

End 

Date 

Total Cost NASA Paid 

Attendees 

American Institute of 

Aeronautics and 

Astronautics (AIAA) 

Aviation and 

Aeronautics Forum 

Washington, 

DC 6/13/2016 6/17/2016 $916,852 291 

Web site Link: http://www.aiaa-aviation.org/ 

Purpose: The AIAA Aviation program covers many subjects that are vitally important to NASA’s 

missions, to our core capabilities, and to our academic and commercial partners. Aviation hosts 

discussions of a global aviation ecosystem and its economic value by building upon a foundation in 

engineering disciplines, such as, acoustics, applied aerodynamics, fluid mechanics and dynamics, aero 

measurement technology, flight and ground testing, atmospheric flight mechanics, thermophysics and 

heat transfer, in addition to broader topics of atmosphere and space environments, and aviation 

technology, integration and operations. The study of aviation as a changing ecosystem is the result of 

market success driven by the democratization of international travel making air travel more accessible 

to more people and the desire to sustain that access for future generations. 

Conference Location Start 

Date 

End Date Total Cost NASA Paid 

Attendees 

Coupling, Energetics 

and Dynamics of 

Atmospheric Regions 

(CEDAR) Workshop 

Santa Fe, 

NM 6/19/2016 6/24/2016 $102,169 48 

Web site Link: http://www.cvent.com/events/2016-cedar-workshop/custom-20-

a9c1f9d3db5e404bb3350dd04171394a.aspx 

Purpose: CEDAR focuses on Global Change program sponsored by the National Science Foundation 

(NSF) to enhance the capability of ground-based instruments to measure the upper atmosphere and to 

coordinate instrument and model data for the benefit of the scientific community. The CEDAR 

Workshops provide the preeminent national venue to present and discuss finding from NASA 

Geospace missions. 

Conference Location Start 

Date 

End 

Date 

Total Cost NASA Paid 

Attendees 

SPIE Astronomical 

Telescopes 

Edinburgh, 

UK 6/26/2016 7/1/2016 $396,887 76 

Web site Link: http://spie.org/conferences-and-exhibitions/astronomical-telescopes-andinstrumentation 

Purpose: The 2016 SPIE Astronomical Telescopes Instrumentation conference is the most 

prestigious event for designers and developers of space and ground base telescopes, supporting 

technologies and the latest advances in instrumentation. SPIE enables the exchanging of information 

on new technologies to further science and innovation -- to allow NASA to explore the universe. 

17 
 

Conference Location Start 

Date 

End 

Date 

Total Cost NASA Paid 

Attendees 

International 

Geoscience and 

Remote Sensing 

Symposium (IGARSS) 

2016 

Beijing, 

China 7/10/2016 7/15/2016 $215,634 39 

Web site Link: http://www.igarss2016.org/ 

Purpose: NASA’s Earth Science mission is to explore Earth to better understand the Earth as a 

system, and to benefit society. For NASA to fulfill its mission, it is essential to exchange ideas with 

others with a similar vision so NASA research can remain current and minimize redundancy with 

efforts by other researchers and space agencies. IGARRS, which was founded over 50 years ago, 

remains one of the principal remote sensing conferences in which to present remote sensing results, 

concepts, techniques, and technologies. IGARSS 2016 theme “Advancing the understanding of our 

living planet” emphasized the dynamic nature of our planet and addressing research in many Earth 

Science core missions. 

Conference Location Start 

Date 

End Date Total Cost NASA Paid 

Attendees 

5th Annual 

International Space 

Station (ISS) Research 

and Development 

(R&D) Conference 

San Diego, 

CA 7/12/2016 7/14/2016 $394,265 161 

Web site Link: https://www.issconference.org 

Purpose: The ISS R&D conference provides an opportunity to showcase the results and benefits of 

ISS R&D programs and promote future opportunities to the widest available audience of potential 

users of the ISS. It is the only U.S. conference dedicated to the full breadth of ISS science and 

technology utilization and directly supports NASA's Strategic Plan Goal 1 to fully utilize the ISS. At 

this event, potential non NASA users of the ISS, investigators and new sources of research funding, 

including industrialists, academics and other government agency researchers have an opportunity to 

learn about current research being conducted on the ISS and understand how the unique environment 

of the ISS could be used to conduct research to support their own unique science and technology 

objectives. 

18 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conference Location Start 

Date 

End 

Date 

Total Cost NASA Paid 

Attendees 

The 46th International 

Conference on 

Environmental Systems 

(ICES) 

Vienna, 

Austria 7/16/2016 7/20/2016 $367,515 81 

Web site Link: https://www.ices.space/ 

Purpose: ICES addresses the disciplines of Environmental Control and Life Support, Thermal 

Control, and Extra Vehicular Activity (ETE) which have all been identified as critical fields to address 

in developing future spacecraft and conducting exploration missions. The ICES provides a forum to 

tell colleagues from around the world about the progress being made in space and to hear about 

progress being made in other parts of the space ETE community. The ICES has and will continue to 

provide a way to exchange information with international space organizations and set the stage for 

future NASA and international projects. 

Conference Location Start 

Date 

End Date Total Cost NASA Paid 

Attendees 

Earth Science 

Information Partners 

(ESIP) Summer 

Meeting 

Chapel Hill, 

NC 7/19/2016 7/22/2016 $168,622 95 

Web site Link: http://nexsci.caltech.edu/workshop/2016/ 

Purpose: The ESIP Federation meetings align with and are crucial to the goals and activities of 

NASA’s Earth Science Data Systems (ESDS) Program at NASA HQ as well as the Earth Science 

Data and Information System (ESDIS) Project at NASA GSFC. The ESDIS Project is responsible for 

management, oversight, and technical direction of the Earth Observing System Data and Information 

System (EOSDIS), which includes, among other things, 12 Distributed Active Archive Centers 

(DAACs). ESIP is the primary venue for bringing together Earth science data users and information 

technology experts. 

Conference Location Start 

Date 

End Date Total Cost NASA Paid 

Attendees 

52nd Joint Propulsion 

Conference (JPC) 

Salt Lake 

City, UT 7/25/2016 7/27/2016 $310,484 136 

Web site Link: http://www.aiaa-propulsionenergy.org/JPC 

Purpose: The JPC conference directly addresses the need to drive advances in science, technology, 

and exploration to enhance knowledge, education, innovation, economic vitality, and stewardship of 

the Earth. The focus of this conference is on aerospace propulsion and energy conversion technology, 

advanced energy and power systems, devices for terrestrial energy systems and aerospace 

applications. The JPC focuses on identifying and highlighting how innovative aerospace propulsion 

technologies powering both new and evolving systems re being designed, tested and flown. 

19 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conference Location Start 

Date 

End 

Date 

Total Cost NASA Paid 

Attendees 

13th Annual Meeting of 

Asia Oceania 

Geosciences Society 

(AGOS) 

Beijing, 

China 7/31/2016 8/5/2016 $191,641 41 

Web site Link: http://www.asiaoceania.org/aogs2016/ 

Purpose: The AGOS meeting is one of the most important Asian meetings in heliophysics 

research. AOGS is focused on the geosciences with an emphasis on global issues. In addition, its 

location allows U.S. NASA researchers to interact with a population of researchers that are not 

otherwise readily available for scientific discussions. This conference allows NASA scientists to 

expose and disseminate the latest results from NASA missions and provide access to state-of-the-art 

simulations and correlative data sets from foreign space missions. 

Conference Location Start 

Date 

End 

Date 

Total Cost NASA Paid 

Attendees 

Thermal & Fluids 

Analysis Workshop 

(TFAWS) 2016 

Moffett 

Field, CA 8/1/2016 8/5/2016 $138,272 71 

Web site Link: https://tfaws.nasa.gov/ 

Purpose: The TFAWS conference advances the Agency’s core mission through the exchange of 

knowledge and information, and by enhancing collaboration between NASA Centers and the passive 

thermal, active thermal, fluids and aerothermal disciplines. The Agency’s core mission is directly 

supported through the offering of various courses on fundamental theory and hands-on training for the 

key analytical tools utilized by the agency for these disciplines. This sharing of expertise between 

centers and with other government agencies, industry, and academia invigorates the communication, 

teamwork, and excellence that are integral to NASA’s core values. 

20 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conference Location Start 

Date 

End Date Total Cost NASA Paid 

Attendees 

Small Satellite 

Conference Logan, Utah 8/6/2016 8/11/2016 $364,892 135 

Web site Link: http://www.smallsat.org/ 

Purpose: The Annual AIAA/USU Conference on Small Satellites is essential; this conference 

directly relates to creating innovative new space technologies for our exploration, science, and 

economic future. Attendees will participate in formal and informal knowledge and information 

sharing, and provide opportunities for NASA to interact with key Small Satellite developers and 

hardware providers, and other Small Satellites missions, to discuss fundamental technologies, and 

resolve issues essential to advancing NASA’s current and future Small Satellite missions. Attendance 

allows the NASA conference participants, to share NASA’s innovations and investments in Small 

spacecraft and Space Technology capabilities, systems, and data from current NASA Small Satellite 

missions and Space Technology development. 

Conference Location Start 

Date 

End Date Total Cost NASA Paid 

Attendees 

2016 NASA Cost 

Symposium 

Cleveland, 

OH 8/23/2016 8/25/2016 $147,994 77 

Web site Link: https://www.nasa.gov/offices/ocfo/cost_symposium/ 

Purpose: The NASA Cost Analysis Symposium is essential to maintaining and improving the 

estimating and analysis functions across the NASA community. The NASA cost analysis community 

includes most Centers as well as Headquarters and represents an essential function to the agency. The 

NASA Cost Symposium advances NASA’s core mission by providing a professional forum for 

agency analysts to present and learn results of cost research, and participate in training sessions on 

methods and tools to support important agency initiatives such as conducting Joint Confidence Level 

(JCL) analyses. 

Conference Location Start 

Date 

End 

Date 

Total Cost NASA Paid 

Attendees 

SPIE Optics + 

Photonics 2016 

San Diego, 

CA 8/28/2016 9/1/2016 $193,078 75 

Web site Link: http://spie.org/optics-photonics.xml 

Purpose: The SPIE Optics and Photonics Conference is held once every two years, and has been a 

key showplace conference for NASA to represent and present current technologies, current mission 

data, and interact with the international community in fields of Optics, Detectors, Systems 

Engineering, Contamination Engineering, Materials, Nanotechnology, and many other critical 

technical fields. NASA’s involvement in this conference allows participants to interact with peers in 

the community, and increase our knowledge in these technical areas, which aid in improving NASA’s 

technical abilities to meet goals of the Agency’s mission. 

21 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conference Location Start 

Date 

End 

Date 

Total Cost NASA Paid 

Attendees 

Aura Science Team 

Meeting 

Rotterdam, 

Netherlands 8/30/2016 9/1/2016 $114,350 42 

Web site Link: http://acdb-ext.gsfc.nasa.gov/People/Witte/ 

Purpose: NASA’s Aura Earth-observing satellite was launched into the “A-Train” constellation in 

2004. Three of Aura’s four instruments (MLS and TES, both managed by JPL, and OMI, managed by 

the Dutch with GSFC science involvement) continue to make routine observations of atmospheric 

composition. With Aura now in its 13th year of operation, community-wide “Aura Science Team 

Meetings” are only held every two years. These meetings are a critical and unique opportunity for the 

Aura project scientists and instrument teams to be made fully aware of the scientific advances being 

made with Aura observations, and thus to prepare for the biennial “Senior Review” activity, wherein 

the Aura team proposes for a further two years of operation, motivated in large part by the scientific 

successes highlighted during the meeting. 

Conference Location Start 

Date 

End 

Date 

Total Cost NASA Paid 

Attendees 

Quadrennial Ozone 

Symposium 2016 

Edinburgh, 

Scotland 9/4/2016 9/9/2016 $112,174 29 

Web site Link: http://www.ozone-symposium-2016.org/ 

Purpose: The Quadrennial Ozone Symposium 2016 provides an opportunity to present to the 

international community NASA research that addresses five major science questions of the NASA 

Atmospheric Composition Focus Area. It also addresses issues associated with the stratospheric 

ozone layer, which NASA is mandated to observe under the Clean Air Act. 

Conference Location Start 

Date 

End Date Total Cost NASA Paid 

Attendees 

AIAA Space and 

Astronautics Forum 

and Exposition (Space 

2016) 

Long Beach, 

CA 9/13/2016 9/16/2016 $419,537 202 

Web site Link: http://www.aiaa.org/EventDetail.aspx?id=27130 

Purpose: The AIAA SPACE 2016 is an essential forum for NASA's technical leaders in 

astrodynamics to present their work, network with potential new hires, and discuss crosscollaborations across NASA and other international space agencies. By virtue of having a strong 

NASA cadre at these meetings, it is possible for the outcome of these meetings to provide strong 

direction back to NASA. Finally, NASA also gains immediate and independent feedback on 

presented work as well as exposure to fruitful ideas from outside NASA. 

22 
 

 

 

Conference Location Start 

Date 

End 

Date 

Total Cost NASA Paid 

Attendees 

67th International 

Astronautical Congress 

(IAC) 

Guadalajara, 

MX 9/26/2016 9/30/2016 $249,207 68 

Web site Link: http://www.iac2016.org/ 

Purpose: The International Astronautical Congress (IAC) is the preeminent annual global space 

conference organized by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), which has 246 members 

from 60 countries. IAC acts as both as a forum for public space diplomacy and high level 

consultations, involving NASA's most senior leaders and space agency leaders from around the world, 

as a substantive academic conference covering the full breadth and depth of NASA's activities across 

all mission directorates and scientific disciplines. NASA also uses this conference to engage in 

significant outreach to students and young professionals. The IAC positively influences the 

community of space faring nations, projects NASA's global reach and allows scientists and 

researchers to stay abreast of the latest in their respective scientific and technical fields. 

23 
• 


Administrator Approval for Conferences Exceeding $500K 

Purpose 

The Science Mission Directorate (SMD) is requesting a waiver for 1,513 participants to attend the Fall American 

Geophysical Union (AGU) conference which is proposed to be held on December 14 -18, 2015, in San Francisco, CA. 

This conference is estimated to exceed $500,000 in net NASA expenses. The cumulative Agency participation is 

projected as 1,513 employees, at an estimated cost of approximately $3.9M. 

The following strategic goals will be addressed through NASA's attendance at the AGU: 

1. Expand the frontiers ofknowledge, capability, and opportunity in space. 

2. Advance understanding ofEarth and develop technologies to improve the quality of life on our home planet. 

Conference Background 

AGU is the largest worldwide meeting in the geophysical sciences. AGU's activities are focused on the organization and 

dissemination ofscientific information in the interdisciplinary and international field of geophysics. The geophysical 

sciences involve four fundamental areas: atmospheric and ocean sciences, solid-Earth sciences, hydrologic sciences and 

space sciences. 

Participation in the annual AGU meeting addresses NASA's mission to "drive advances in science, technology and 

exploration to enhance knowledge, education innovation, economic vitality, and stewardship of Earth" and enables broad 

and deep interaction with the worldwide community ofresearchers in Earth and space science. 

Conference Explanation 

The AGU Fall Meeting brings together the entire Earth and space sciences community for discussions ofemerging trends 

and the latest research. The technical program includes presentations on new and cutting- edge science, much of which 

has not yet been published. AGU is considered the best place to gain insights and updates on the latest scientific research 

and network with both luminaries and up-and-coming talent across disciplines. 

With more than 1,700 sessions, the AGU Fall Meeting's scientific program spans the Earth and space sciences, offering 

something for everyone no matter their scientific discipline. The meeting offers a unique mix of more than 23,000 oral 

and poster presentations, a broad range ofgeneral sessions, more than 50 formal and informal networking and career 

advancement opportunities, and an exhibit hall packed with nearly 300 exhibitors showcasing new and relevant research 

tools and services that could help scientists and researchers streamline their work. This event is a main venue for NASA's 

mission ofdisseminating information. 

Disapprove: ____________________________ 

DATE: 09/112015 
Administrator Approval for Conferences Exceeding $500K 

Purpose 

The Langley Research Center (LaRC) is requesting a waiver for 520 participants to attend the American Institute of 

Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) SciTech conference which is proposed to be held on January 4-8, 2016, in San 

Diego, CA. This conference is estimated to exceed $500,000 in net NASA expenses. The cumulative Agency 

participation is projected as 520 employees, at an estimated cost of approximately $1.6M. 

The following strategic goals will be addressed through NASA' s attendance at the AIAA SciTech: 

1. Expand the frontiers ofknowledge, capability, and opportunity in space. 

2. Advance understanding ofEarth and develop technologies to improve the quality of life on our home planet. 

Conference Background 

This is a co-located conference with a total of 12 conferences in one. SciTech brings together over 3,500 

participants and more than 2,500 technical presentations from nearly 800 institutions in 39 countries to offer the latest 

research results on 44 high-impact topics and scores of opportunities for networking. The following conferences will be 

held in conjunction with SciTech: 

24th AIAA/ AHS Adaptive Structures Conference 

54th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting 

AIAA Atmospheric Flight Mechanics Conference 

15th Dynamics Specialists Conference 

AIAA Information Systems-AIAA Infotech @ Aerospace 

AIAA Guidance, Navigation, and Control Conference 

AIAA Modeling and Simulation Technologies Conference 

18th AIAA Non-Deterministic Approaches Conference 

57th AIAA/ASCE/AHS /ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics, and Materials Conference 

9th Symposium on Space Resource Utilization 

3rd AIAA Spacecraft Structures Conference 

34th Wind E nergy Symposium 

Conference Explanation 

The significance ofthis conference to NASA' s missions necessitates considerable Agency participation. NASA ' s 

proposed participants will be an integral part ofthis conference, and their participation is essential to exchanging the 

knowledge and progress made on several technology endeavors in aeronautics, exploration, and space technologies. This 

event and other con solidated conferences also give NASA a great opportunity to strengthen the Agency connectivity with 

academia, both domestic and international, which is critical for benefiting from the global knowledge, as it occurs. 

Disapprove: ----------- -­

DATE: 11 /9/201 5 
• 


Administrator Approval for Conferences Exceeding $500K 

Purpose 

The Science Mission Directorate (SMD) is requesting a waiver for 400 participants to attend the 47t1t Lunar and 

Planetary Science Conference (LPSC) conference which is proposed to be held on March 2 I -25 , 20 I 6, in The 

Woodlands, TX. This conference is estimated to exceed $500,000 in net NASA expenses . The cumulative Agency 

participation is projected as 400 employees, at an estimated cost ofapproximately $780K. 

The following strategic goals will be addressed through NASA's attendance at the LPSC : 

I. 	 Expand the frontiers of knowledge, capability, and opportunity in space . 

2. 	 Advance understanding of Earth and develop technologies to improve the quality of life on our home planet. 

3 . 	 Serve the American public and accomplish our mission by effectively managing our people, technical capabilities, 

and infrastructure. 

Conference Background 

The LPSC is the primary community-driven conference where researchers from around the world present results from a 

variety of topic areas of specific interest to NASA's Planetary Science Division within the Science Mission Directorate. 

Special sessions are chosen each year to highlight current issues, such as results from new planetary missions or emerging 

new fields ofstudy, essential to timely expand the studies by students and professional scientists. This conference continues 

to serve as the forum where the scientific community presents results from most NASA and international planetary missions. 

Conference Explanation 

The LPSC is one ofthe traditionally large conferences with wide attendance by academia, industry, and international 

partners. It is the primary community-driven conference where researchers from around the world present results from a 

variety oftopic areas of specific interest to NASA's Planetary Science Division within the Science Mission 

Directorate. This conference brings together international specialists in petrology, geochemistry, geophysics, geology, 

and astronomy to present the latest results ofresearch in planetary science. 

LPSC ' s special sessions are chosen each year to highlight current issues, such as results from new planetary missions or 

emerging new fields of study, essential to timely expand the studies by students and professional scientists. This 

conference began as the forum where the scientific community presented results from the Apollo program and continues 

today as the major forum for primary results from most NASA and international planetary missions. 

DATE: 12118/2015 

Administrator Approval for Conferences Exceeding $500K 

Purpose 

The Glenn Research Center (GRC) is requesting a waiver for 385 participants to attend the American Institute of 

Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Aviation conference which is proposed to be held on June 13 -17, 2016, in 

Washington, DC. This conference is estimated to exceed $500,000 in net NASA expenses . The cumulative Agency 

participation is projected as 385 employees, at an estimated cost of approximately $1.2M. 

The following strategic goals will be addressed through NASA's attendance at the AIAA Aviation: 

1. 	 Expand the frontiers ofknowledge, capability, and opportunity in space. 

2. 	 Advance understanding ofEarth and develop technologies to improve the quality of life on our home planet. 

3. 	 Serve the American public and accomplish our mission by effectively managing our people, technical capabilities, 

and infrastructure. 

Conference Background 

The AIAA Aviation program covers many subjects that are vitally important to NASA's missions, to our core capabilities, 

and to our academic and commercial partners. Aviation 20 16 will drive discussions of a global aviation ecosystem and its 

economic value by building upon a foundation in engineering disciplines, such as, acoustics, applied aerodynamics, fluid 

mechanics and dynamics, aero measurement technology, flight and ground testing, atmospheric flight mechanics, 

thermophysics, and heat transfer, in addition to broader topics ofatmosphere and space environments and aviation 

technology, integration, and operations. 

Conference Explanation 

AIAA Aviation 2016 will bring together more than 3 5 countries of experts reporting on the latest advancements in applied 

science and aviation technologies. More than 1,500 papers will be presented at the 12 technical conferences (with ITAR-!TAR

compliant sessions). Seventy percent ofthe technical presentations will focus on the following 5 areas. 

• 	 Applied Aerodynamics. 

• 	 Atmospheric Space Environments. 

• 	 Computational Fluid Dynamics. 

• 	 Fluid Dynamics. 

• 	 Air Transportation Integration and Operations. 

NASA attendees will be chairing many ofthe sessions and leading the integration across the diverse conferences and 

topics. Attendees are representing the Agency as keynote speakers/panelists, presenting papers at technical sessions, and 

serving as session organizers ofthe conference. NASA ' s participation in this overall event is essential to maintaining key 

contacts and disseminating and sharing technic information. No alternative comparable forum currently exists. 

-

Disapprove: ______________ 

DATE: 04/ 07/2016 
• 


Administrator Approval for Conferences Exceeding $500K 

Purpose 

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) is requesting a waiver for 244 participants to attend the International Institute of 

Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) Aerospace conference which is proposed to be held on March 5-12, 2016, 

in Big Sky, MT . This conference is estimated to exceed $500,000 in net NASA expenses. The cumulative Agency 

participation is projected as 244 employees, at an estimated cost ofapproximately $980K. 

The following strategic goals will be addressed through NASA's attendance at the IEEE Aerospace: 

1. 	 Expand the frontiers of knowledge, capability, and opportunity in space. 

2. 	 Advance understanding ofEarth and develop technologies to improve the quality of life on our home planet. 

3. 	 Serve the American public and accomplish our mission by effectively managing our people, technical capabilities, 

and infrastructure. 

Conference Background 

The International IEEE Aerospace Conference is organized to promote interdisciplinary understanding of aerospace 

systems, their underlying science and technology, and their application to Government and commercial endeavors, by 

providing a working environment that encourages collaboration and interaction. This conference has a long-standing 

reputation for identifying, promoting, and facilitating collaborations across NASA, DOD, and international communities 

and has enhanced value by broad participation across all NASA Centers. This multi-discipline conference is the forum for 

disseminating information on NASA's missions and all ofthe disciplines associated with them through papers and ten 

panels on Government plans, policies, and education. 

Conference Explanation 

The IEEE Aerospace Conference gives NASA the opportunity to invite comments and advocacy from a large community 

focused on Aerospace endeavors and their support. The breakdown for papers submitted to the IEEE is as follows: 20 

percent NASA, 37 percent academic community, 21 percent international community, 2 percent Government defense 

work and 20 percent representing the aerospace business community. Proposed NASA participation levels are 

commensurate with presentation ofsubmitted technical papers and conference participation in planned technical activities 

such as panels, workshops, and technical exchange meetings. Requested NASA attendance is, in general, proportional to 

the NASA sourced papers and panels. At these participation levels, NASA can expect to capture significant value from 

the dissemination oftechnical information and establishing working intra-agency collaborations. 

'

­

Decision and Si 

~--~~~~~~~=-+-~~-----­ Disapprove: ------------------------

DATE : 02/3/2016