www.nasa.gov 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

FY 2017 PRESIDENT’S BUDGET REQUEST SUMMARY

 

Fiscal Year 

Budget Authority ($ in millions)

Operating 

Plan 

2015

Enacted

2016

PBR

2017

Mandatory

2017

Notional

2018 2019 2020 2021

NASA Total 18,010.2 19,285.0 19,025.1 763.0 18,826.6 19,399.9 19,879.9 20,367.5

Science 5,243.0 5,589.4 5,600.5 298.0 5,408.5 5,516.7 5,627.0 5,739.6

Earth Science 1,784.1 -- 2,032.2 60.0 1,989.5 2,001.3 2,020.9 2,047.7

Planetary Science 1,446.7 -- 1,518.7 128.0 1,439.7 1,520.1 1,575.5 1,625.7

Astrophysics 730.7 -- 781.5 85.0 761.6 992.4 1,118.6 1,192.5

James Webb Space

Telescope 645.4 620.0 569.4 -- 533.7 304.6 197.2 149.8

Heliophysics 636.1 -- 698.7 25.0 684.0 698.3 714.8 723.9

Aeronautics 642.0 640.0 790.4 155.9 846.4 1,060.1 1,173.3 1,286.9

Space Technology 600.3 686.5 826.7 136.1 704.4 718.5 732.9 747.5

Exploration 3,542.7 4,030.0 3,336.9 173.0 3,529.7 4,081.7 4,243.6 4,261.7

Exploration Systems

Development 3,211.5 3,680.0 2,859.6 173.0 2,922.5 3,061.6 3,092.2 3,142.3

Exploration Research

and Development 331.2 350.0 477.3 -- 607.2 1,020.1 1,151.4 1,119.5

Space Operations 4,625.5 5,029.2 5,075.8 -- 4,912.8 4,529.7 4,540.1 4,697.6

Space Shuttle 7.7 -- 0.0 -- 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

International Space

Station 1,524.8 -- 1,430.7 -- 1,554.7 1,536.8 1,539.3 1,585.2

Space Transportation 2,254.0 -- 2,757.7 -- 2,475.0 2,118.7 2,144.4 2,213.9

Space and Flight

Support (SFS) 839.0 -- 887.4 -- 883.2 874.1 856.4 898.6

Education 119.0 115.0 100.1 -- 102.1 104.1 106.2 108.3

Safety, Security, and Mission

Services 2,754.6 2,768.6 2,836.8 -- 2,893.6 2,951.5 3,010.4 3,070.6

Center Management

and Operations 2,023.7 -- 2,017.7 -- 2,058.1 2,113.5 2,155.6 2,198.8

Agency Management

and Operations 730.9 -- 819.1 -- 835.5 838.0 854.8 871.8

Construction and 

Environmental Compliance

and Restoration 

446.1 388.9 419.8 -- 390.2 398.0 406.0 414.1

Construction of 

Facilities 374.4 -- 328.0 -- 297.9 303.8 310.1 317.9

Environmental 

Compliance and

Restoration 

71.7 -- 91.8 -- 92.3 94.2 95.9 96.2

Inspector General 37.0 37.4 38.1 -- 38.9 39.6 40.4 41.2

NASA Total 18,010.2 19,285.0 19,025.1 763.0 18,826.6 19,399.9 19,879.9 20,367.5

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235. 

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. For 

projects in development, NASA’s tentatively planned FY 2016 funding level is shown. FY 2016 funding levels are subject 

to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan. 

FY 2017 reflects discretionary and mandatory funding. Additional details on the mandatory funding can be found in the 

Explanation of Changes section. 

BUD-1 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

FY 2017 PRESIDENT’S BUDGET REQUEST SUMMARY

Fiscal Year

Budget Authority ($ in millions)

Operating

Plan

2015

Enacted

2016

PBR 

2017

Mandatory

2017

Notional

2018 2019 2020 2021

NASA Total 18,010.2 19,285.0 19,025.1 763.0 18,826.6 19,399.9 19,879.9 20,367.5

Science 5,243.0 5,589.4 5,600.5 298.0 5,408.5 5,516.7 5,627.0 5,739.6

Earth Science 1,784.1 -- 2,032.2 60.0 1,989.5 2,001.3 2,020.9 2,047.7

Earth Science Research 453.2 -- 501.7 30.0 472.9 461.3 475.9 484.2

Earth Science Research and 

Analysis 331.6 -- 360.7 30.0 322.6 312.4 322.4 326.7

Computing and Management 121.7 -- 141.0 -- 150.3 148.8 153.5 157.5

Earth Systematic Missions 827.3 -- 933.0 -- -- 1,021.3 1,005.0 1,000.1

Surface Water and Ocean 

Topography (SWOT) 83.8 -- 83.7 -- 105.9 126.3 81.0 42.0

NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture

Radar (NISAR) 50.6 -- 68.5 -- 85.0 150.0 145.0 100.0

Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation

Satellite-2 (ICESat-2) 126.5 117.4 112.4 -- 66.6 14.2 14.2 14.4

GRACE Follow-On (GRACE-FO) 84.7 59.9 33.7 -- 20.5 11.3 12.3 12.2

Other Missions and Data Analysis 481.8 -- 634.7 -- 687.5 719.5 752.6 831.6

Earth System Science Pathfinder 223.8 -- 296.0 30.0 248.6 216.7 227.8 245.1

Venture Class Missions 169.1 -- 194.3 -- 199.6 174.7 184.3 199.9

Other Missions and Data Analysis 54.6 -- 101.7 30.0 49.0 42.0 43.5 45.2

Earth Science Multi-Mission 

Operations 179.7 -- 191.8 -- 194.3 193.6 197.9 202.6

Earth Science Technology 59.7 -- 61.4 -- 60.4 59.7 62.7 63.7

Applied Sciences 40.4 -- 48.2 -- 47.9 48.7 51.5 52.0

Planetary Science 1,446.7 -- 1,518.7 128.0 1,439.7 1,520.1 1,575.5 1,625.7

Planetary Science Research 252.8 -- 284.7 16.0 271.6 285.7 281.6 287.3

Planetary Science Research and 

Analysis 162.4 -- 178.1 16.0 164.3 168.5 168.0 172.4

Directorate Management 4.0 -- 4.1 -- 4.1 4.1 4.1 4.1

Near Earth Object Observations 40.0 -- 50.0 -- 50.0 50.0 50.0 50.0

Other Missions and Data Analysis 46.4 -- 52.5 -- 53.2 63.2 59.5 60.8

Discovery 259.7 -- 202.5 -- -- 337.4 345.0 405.3

InSight 170.0 92.1 13.3 -- 8.7 9.0 9.0 --

Other Missions and Data Analysis 89.7 -- 189.2 -- 268.6 328.4 336.0 405.3

New Frontiers 286.0 -- 144.0 40.0 81.6 90.7 142.8 234.0

Origins Spectral Interpretation 

Resource 209.8 189.7 44.0 -- 38.1 43.1 27.7 16.5

Other Missions and Data Analysis 76.2 -- 100.0 40.0 43.5 47.6 115.1 217.5

Mars Exploration 305.0 -- 584.8 29.0 588.8 565.0 498.4 279.9

Mars Rover 2020 103.6 -- 377.5 409.0 381.0 322.0 140.0

Other Missions and Data Analysis 201.4 -- 207.3 29.0 179.8 184.0 176.4 139.9

Outer Planets & Ocean Worlds 184.0 -- 137.3 33.0 56.0 77.8 128.0 247.3

Jupiter Europa 100.0 175.0 49.6 33.0 24.2 65.2 117.5 236.5

Technology 159.2 -- 165.5 10.0 164.4 163.5 179.7 172.0

BUD-2 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

FY 2017 PRESIDENT’S BUDGET REQUEST SUMMARY

Fiscal Year

Operating 

Plan 

2015

Enacted 

2016

PBR 

2017

Mandatory 

2017

Notional

2018 2019 2020 2021

Astrophysics 730.7 -- 781.5 85.0 761.6 992.4 1,118.6 1,192.5

Astrophysics Research 201.7 -- 226.1 3.0 236.3 235.7 248.5 252.0

STEM Education 42.0 -- 25.0 -- 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0

Astrophysics Research and 

Analysis 71.1 -- 72.7 3.0 73.0 73.0 73.0 73.0

Balloon Project 38.0 -- 37.0 -- 37.3 37.4 38.9 40.4

Other Missions and Data Analysis 50.6 -- 91.4 -- 101.0 100.3 111.6 113.6

Cosmic Origins 201.0 -- 198.5 -- 198.4 197.3 195.5 209.5

Hubble Space Telescope 

Operations 98.6 -- 97.3 -- 98.3 98.3 98.3 98.3

Stratospheric Observatory for 

Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) 70.0 -- 83.8 -- 84.8 84.8 84.8 84.8

Other Missions and Data Analysis 32.4 -- 17.4 -- 15.3 14.2 12.4 26.4

Physics of the Cosmos 104.1 -- 94.1 6.0 88.0 94.1 97.7 94.0

Exoplanet Exploration 100.6 -- 133.8 76.0 148.0 309.3 373.3 450.8

Astrophysics Explorer 123.3 -- 129.0 -- 91.0 156.0 203.5 186.2

Transiting Exoplanet Survey 

Satellite (TESS) 80.1 73.5 87.0 -- 27.9 9.1 2.5 --

Other Missions and Data Analysis 43.2 -- 42.0 -- 63.1 146.9 201.1 186.2

James Webb Space Telescope 645.4 620.0 569.4 -- 533.7 304.6 197.2 149.8

Heliophysics 636.1 -- 698.7 25.0 684.0 698.3 714.8 723.9

Heliophysics Research 192.0 -- 180.1 15.0 192.0 210.0 215.9 214.2

Heliophysics Research and 

Analysis 34.1 -- 38.9 5.0 48.9 53.9 53.9 53.9

Sounding Rockets 66.2 -- 53.3 -- 59.0 61.1 63.1 63.1

Research Range 21.3 -- 21.7 -- 21.7 25.1 25.1 25.2

Other Missions and Data Analysis 70.4 -- 66.2 10.0 62.4 70.0 73.7 71.9

Living with a Star 263.5 -- 374.2 10.0 398.7 244.6 135.8 127.3

Solar Probe Plus (SPP) 193.7 238.6 232.5 -- 289.7 100.4 30.6 22.1

Solar Orbiter Collaboration (SOC) 20.5 49.8 80.7 -- 51.4 66.3 2.3 2.4

Other Missions and Data Analysis 49.4 -- 61.0 10.0 57.7 77.9 103.0 102.8

Solar Terrestrial Probes 70.6 -- 39.8 -- 38.8 127.3 179.4 198.4

Heliophysics Explorer Program 110.0 -- 104.6 -- 54.5 116.3 183.8 184.0

Ionospheric Connection 

Explorer (ICON) 61.0 48.4 49.4 -- 9.0 4.5 1.3 --

Other Missions and Data Analysis 48.9 -- 55.2 -- 45.6 111.8 182.5 184.0

BUD-3 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

FY 2017 PRESIDENT’S BUDGET REQUEST SUMMARY

Fiscal Year

Operating

Plan 

2015

Enacted 

2016

PBR

2017

Mandatory 

2017

Notional

2018 2019 2020 2021

Aeronautics 642.0 640.0 790.4 155.9 846.4 1,060.1 1,173.3 1,286.9

Aeronautics 642.0 640.0 790.4 155.9 846.4 1,060.1 1,173.3 1,286.9

Airspace Operations and Safety 

Program 154.0 -- 159.4 18.0 159.2 176.2 189.1 221.5

Advanced Air Vehicles Program 240.6 -- 298.6 30.0 277.4 308.8 311.6 312.6

Integrated Aviation Systems 

Program 150.0 -- 210.0 92.9 255.4 381.4 493.0 556.7

Transformative Aero Concepts 

Program 97.4 -- 122.3 15.0 154.4 193.8 179.7 196.2

Space Technology 600.3 686.5 826.7 136.1 704.4 718.5 732.9 747.5

Space Technology 600.3 -- 826.7 136.1 704.4 718.5 732.9 747.5

Agency Technology and Innovation 31.3 -- 34.3 -- 35.0 35.7 36.4 37.1

SBIR and STTR 190.7 -- 213.0 -- 213.2 213.5 213.8 213.8

Space Technology Research and 

Development 378.3 -- 579.4 136.1 456.2 469.3 482.7 496.6

TDM 

RESTORE-L -- 133.0 130.0 65.0 66.3 67.6 69.0 70.4

Exploration 3,542.7 4,030.0 3,336.9 173.0 3,529.7 4,081.7 4,243.6 4,261.7

Exploration Systems Development 3,211.5 3,680.0 2,859.5 173.0 2,922.5 3,061.6 3,092.2 3,142.3

Orion Program 1,190.2 1,270.0 1,119.8 66.4 1,119.9 1,123.9 1,135.1 1,153.3

Crew Vehicle Development 1,179.7 1,251.5 1,109.3 66.4 1,109.4 1,113.4 1,124.6 1,142.7

Orion Program Integration and 

Support 10.5 -- 10.5 -- 10.5 10.5 10.5 10.7

Space Launch System (SLS) 1,678.6 2,000.0 1,310.3 80.4 1,361.4 1,484.7 1,499.6 1,524.2

Launch Vehicle Development 1,646.6 1,950.0 1,262.8 80.4 1,295.0 1,419.7 1,431.5 1,454.6

SLS Program Integration and 

Support 32.0 -- 47.5 -- 66.5 65.0 68.1 69.6

Exploration Ground Systems (EGS) 342.8 410.0 429.4 26.2 441.2 453.0 457.5 464.7

EGS Development 305.9 390.9 414.1 26.2 425.9 437.7 442.1 449.1

EGS Program Integration and 

Support 36.9 -- 15.3 -- 15.3 15.3 15.4 15.7

Exploration Research and 

Development 331.2 350.0 477.3 -- 607.2 1,020.1 1,151.4 1,119.5

Human Research Program 142.0 -- 153.3 -- 178.2 178.2 180.0 182.8

Advanced Exploration Systems 189.2 -- 324.1 -- 429.0 842.0 971.4 936.6

Space Operations 4,625.5 5,029.2 5,075.8 -- 4,912.8 4,529.7 4,540.1 4,697.6

Space Shuttle 7.7 -- -- -- -- -- -- --

International Space Station 1,524.8 -- 1,430.7 -- 1,554.7 1,536.8 1,539.3 1,585.2

International Space Station 

Program 1,524.8 -- 1,430.7 -- 1,554.7 1,536.8 1,539.3 1,585.2

ISS Systems Operations and 

Maintenance 1,113.0 -- 1,108.9 -- 1,245.6 1,196.3 1,192.6 1,232.5

ISS Research 411.8 -- 321.9 -- 309.1 340.5 346.7 352.6

BUD-4 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

FY 2017 PRESIDENT’S BUDGET REQUEST SUMMARY

Fiscal Year

Operating 

Plan 

2015

Enacted

2016

PBR 

2017

Mandatory 

2017

Notional

2018 2019 2020 2021

Space Transportation 2,254.0 -- 2,757.7 -- 2,475.0 2,118.7 2,144.4 2,213.9

Commercial Crew 805.0 -- 1,184.8 -- 731.9 173.1 35.8 36.3

Crew and Cargo 1,449.0 -- 1,572.8 -- 1,743.0 1,945.6 2,108.6 2,177.6

Space and Flight Support (SFS) 839.0 -- 887.4 -- 883.2 874.1 856.4 898.6

21st Century Space Launch 

Complex 35.2 -- 12.0 -- -- -- -- --

Space Communications and 

Navigation 579.1 -- 612.4 -- 616.1 597.6 576.4 614.6

Space Communications Networks 516.3 -- 526.0 -- 532.1 476.3 421.9 465.0

Space Communications Support 62.8 -- 86.3 -- 84.0 121.3 154.5 149.6

Human Space Flight Operations 99.7 -- 128.3 -- 130.4 139.9 142.0 143.8

Launch Services 80.6 -- 87.2 -- 89.1 89.1 90.0 91.4

Rocket Propulsion Test 44.4 -- 47.6 -- 47.6 47.6 48.0 48.8

Education 119.0 115.0 100.1 -- 102.1 104.1 106.2 108.3

Education 119.0 115.0 100.1 -- 102.1 104.1 106.2 108.3

Aerospace Research and Career 

Development 58.0 -- 33.0 -- 33.0 33.0 33.0 33.0

National Space Grant College and 

Fellowship Program (Space Grant) 40.0 40.0 24.0 -- 24.0 24.0 24.0 24.0

Experimental Program to 

Stimulate Competitive Research 

(EPSCoR) 

18.0 18.0 9.0 -- 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0

STEM Education and 

Accountability 61.0 -- 67.1 -- 69.1 71.1 73.2 75.3

Minority University Research 

Education Project 32.0 -- 30.0 -- 30.0 30.0 30.0 30.0

STEM Education and 

Accountability Projects 29.0 -- 37.1 -- 39.1 41.1 43.2 45.3

Safety, Security, and Mission Services 2,754.6 2,768.6 2,836.8 -- 2,893.6 2,951.5 3,010.4 3,070.6

Center Management and Operations 2,023.7 -- 2,017.7 -- 2,058.1 2,113.5 2,155.6 2,198.8

Center Institutional Capabilities 1,574.8 -- 1,563.8 -- 1,596.7 1,636.9 1,665.1 1,696.1

Center Programmatic Capabilities 448.9 -- 453.8 -- 461.4 476.6 490.5 502.7

BUD-5 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

FY 2017 PRESIDENT’S BUDGET REQUEST SUMMARY

Fiscal Year

Operating 

Plan 

2015

Enacted 

2016

PBR 

2017

Mandatory 

2017

Notional

2018 2019 2020 2021

Agency Management and Operations 730.9 -- 819.2 -- 835.5 838.0 854.8 871.8

Agency Management 363.6 -- 377.5 -- 385.1 395.6 403.5 411.6

Safety and Mission Success 164.9 -- 170.4 -- 173.8 178.5 182.1 185.7

Safety and Mission Assurance 48.7 -- 51.2 -- 52.2 53.6 54.7 55.8

Chief Engineer 82.6 -- 86.1 -- 87.8 90.2 92.0 93.8

Chief Health and Medical Officer 4.2 -- 4.1 -- 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5

Independent Verification and 

Validation 29.4 -- 29.0 -- 29.6 30.4 31.0 31.6

Agency IT Services (AITS) 175.5 -- 244.3 -- 249.1 235.6 240.3 245.0

IT Management 14.6 -- -- -- 17.4 18.8 20.4 25.2

Applications 62.8 -- 58.0 -- 59.6 61.2 62.6 63.7

Infrastructure 98.0 -- 166.3 -- 172.1 155.6 157.3 156.1

Strategic Capabilities Asset 

Program 26.9 -- 27.0 -- 27.5 28.3 28.9 29.5

Construction and Environmental 

Compliance and Restoration 446.1 388.9 419.8 -- 390.2 398.0 406.0 414.1

Construction of Facilities (CoF) 374.4 -- 328.0 -- 297.9 303.8 310.1 317.9

Institutional CoF 276.5 -- 290.7 -- 297.9 303.8 310.1 317.9

Exploration CoF 67.9 -- 8.8 -- -- -- -- --

Space Operations CoF 19.3 -- 28.5 -- -- -- -- --

Aeronautics CoF 9.0 -- -- -- -- -- -- --

Science CoF 1.7 -- -- -- -- -- -- --

Environmental Compliance and 

Restoration 71.7 -- 91.8 -- 92.3 94.2 95.9 96.2

Inspector General 37.0 37.4 38.1 -- 38.9 39.6 40.4 41.2

NASA Total 18,010.2 19,285.0 19,025.1 763.0 18,826.6 19,399.9 19,879.9 20,367.5

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235. 

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. For projects in 

development, NASA’s tentatively planned FY 2016 funding level is shown. FY 2016 funding levels are subject to change pending 

finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan. 

FY 2017 reflects discretionary and mandatory funding. Additional details on the mandatory funding can be found in the Explanation 

of Changes section. 

BUD-6 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Overview

Agency Summary 

MESSAGE FROM THE ADMINISTRATOR ............................................................ SUM-2 

BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS .......................................................................................... SUM-3 

NOTES ON THE BUDGET ................................................................................... SUM-10

EXPLANATION OF BUDGET TABLES AND SCHEDULES .................................. SUM-11

Science ............................................................................. SCMD-4

Earth Science 

EARTH SCIENCE RESEARCH .................................................................................ES-2 

EARTH SYSTEMATIC MISSIONS ...........................................................................ES-13

Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite (ICESat-2) [Development] ..................................ES-15

GRACE-FO [Development] ...............................................................................................ES-20

Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) [Formulation] ........................................ES-26

NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) [Formulation] .........................................ES-31

Other Missions and Data Analysis ....................................................................................ES-35

EARTH SYSTEM SCIENCE PATHFINDER .............................................................ES-52

Venture Class Missions .....................................................................................................ES-54

Other Missions and Data Analysis ....................................................................................ES-63

EARTH SCIENCE MULTI-MISSION OPERATIONS ................................................ES-68

EARTH SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY ..........................................................................ES-73

APPLIED SCIENCES ..............................................................................................ES-78

TOC-1 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Planetary Science 

PLANETARY SCIENCE RESEARCH ........................................................................PS-2 

Other Missions and Data Analysis ...................................................................................... PS-8 

DISCOVERY ...........................................................................................................PS-12

InSight [Development] .......................................................................................................PS-16

Other Missions and Data Analysis ....................................................................................PS-22

NEW FRONTIERS...................................................................................................PS-26

Origins-Spectral Interpretation-Resource Identification-Security-Regolith Explorer (OSIRISREx) [Development] ..........................................................................................................PS-28

Other Missions and Data Analysis ....................................................................................PS-35

MARS EXPLORATION ............................................................................................PS-38

Mars Rover 2020 [Formulation] .........................................................................................PS-42

Other Missions and Data Analysis ....................................................................................PS-48

OUTER PLANETS AND OCEAN WORLDS .............................................................PS-55

TECHNOLOGY .......................................................................................................PS-61

Astrophysics 

ASTROPHYSICS RESEARCH.......................................................................... ASTRO-2 

Other Missions and Data Analysis .............................................................................. ASTRO-8 

COSMIC ORIGINS .......................................................................................... ASTRO-11

Hubble Space Telescope Operations [Operations] ................................................... ASTRO-12

Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) [Operations] ................. ASTRO-15

Other Missions and Data Analysis ............................................................................ ASTRO-19

PHYSICS OF THE COSMOS .......................................................................... ASTRO-22

Other Missions and Data Analysis ............................................................................ ASTRO-24

EXOPLANET EXPLORATION ......................................................................... ASTRO-29

Other Missions and Data Analysis ............................................................................ ASTRO-31

ASTROPHYSICS EXPLORER ........................................................................ ASTRO-35

Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) [Development] .................................. ASTRO-38

Other Missions and Data Analysis ............................................................................ ASTRO-43

James Webb Space Telescope 

James Webb Space Telescope [Development] ............................................................. Webb-2 

TOC-2 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Heliophysics 

HELIOPHYSICS RESEARCH ............................................................................. HELIO-2 

Other Missions and Data Analysis ................................................................................ HELIO-9 

LIVING WITH A STAR ....................................................................................... HELIO-15

Solar Probe Plus (SPP) [Development] ....................................................................... HELIO-17

Solar Orbiter Collaboration (SOC) [Development] ...................................................... HELIO-23

Other Missions and Data Analysis .............................................................................. HELIO-29

SOLAR TERRESTRIAL PROBES ..................................................................... HELIO-34

Other Missions and Data Analysis .............................................................................. HELIO-36

HELIOPHYSICS EXPLORER PROGRAM ......................................................... HELIO-40

Ionospheric Connection Explorer (ICON) [Development] ........................................... HELIO-43

Other Missions and Data Analysis .............................................................................. HELIO-49

Aeronautics ......................................................................AERO-2

AIRSPACE OPERATIONS AND SAFETY PROGRAM ......................................... ART-14

ADVANCED AIR VEHICLES PROGRAM ............................................................. ART-23

INTEGRATED AVIATION SYSTEMS PROGRAM ................................................ ART-35

TRANSFORMATIVE AERO CONCEPTS PROGRAM .......................................... ART-44

Space Technology ........................................................... TECH-2

AGENCY TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION.........................................................SPT-8 

SBIR AND STTR ...................................................................................................SPT-12

SPACE TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ................................SPT-19

TOC-3 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Human Exploration and Operations ................................. HEO-2 

Exploration ..........................................................................EXP-2

Exploration Systems Development 

ORION PROGRAM ................................................................................................ EXP-7 

Crew Vehicle Development [Development] ....................................................................... EXP-9 

SPACE LAUNCH SYSTEM .................................................................................. EXP-19

Launch Vehicle Development [Development] ................................................................. EXP-21

EXPLORATION GROUND SYSTEMS .................................................................. EXP-30

Exploration Ground Systems Development [Development] ............................................ EXP-32

Exploration Research and Development 

HUMAN RESEARCH PROGRAM ......................................................................... EXP-40

ADVANCED EXPLORATION SYSTEMS .............................................................. EXP-46 

Asteroid Redirect Robotic Mission [Formulation] ............................................................ EXP-57 

Space Operations ..................................................................SO-2

International Space Station 

INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION PROGRAM ..................................................... SO-7 

ISS Systems Operations and Maintenance .........................................................................SO-9 

ISS Research.....................................................................................................................SO-14

Space Transportation ......................................................................................SO-27

CREW AND CARGO .............................................................................................. SO-29

COMMERCIAL CREW ........................................................................................... SO-35

Space and Flight Support (SFS) 

21ST CENTURY SPACE LAUNCH COMPLEX....................................................... SO-41

SPACE COMMUNICATIONS AND NAVIGATION .................................................. SO-47

Space Communications Networks ....................................................................................SO-49

Space Communications Support .......................................................................................SO-56

HUMAN SPACE FLIGHT OPERATIONS ................................................................ SO-62

LAUNCH SERVICES .............................................................................................. SO-68

ROCKET PROPULSION TEST .............................................................................. SO-75

TOC-4 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Education .......................................................................... EDUC-2

AEROSPACE RESEARCH AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT ....................................ED-8 

National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program (Space Grant) .............................ED-9 

Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) ............................ED-16

STEM EDUCATION AND ACCOUNTABILITY .........................................................ED-21

Minority University Research Education Project ...............................................................ED-22

STEM Education and Accountability Projects ...................................................................ED-30

Safety, Security, and Mission Services ..........................SSMS-2

Center Management and Operations .......................................................... SSMS-6 

Agency Management and Operations ....................................................... SSMS-11

AGENCY MANAGEMENT ..................................................................................SSMS-15

SAFETY AND MISSION SUCCESS ...................................................................SSMS-19

AGENCY IT SERVICES (AITS) ..........................................................................SSMS-25

STRATEGIC CAPABILITIES ASSET PROGRAM ...............................................SSMS-33

HEADQUARTERS BUDGET BY OFFICE ...........................................................SSMS-37

HEADQUARTERS TRAVEL BUDGET BY OFFICE ............................................SSMS-39

HEADQUARTERS WORKFORCE BY OFFICE ..................................................SSMS-41

Construction and Environmental Compliance and 

Restoration ....................................................................... CECR-2

Construction of Facilities ............................................................................. CECR-6 

INSTITUTIONAL COF ......................................................................................... CECR-8 

EXPLORATION COF ..........................................................................................CECR-21

SPACE OPERATIONS COF ...............................................................................CECR-24

Environmental Compliance and Restoration............................................ CECR-27

Inspector General ................................................................... IG-2 

TOC-5 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Supporting Data

Funds Distribution by Installation ....................................................................SD-2 

Civil Service Full Time Equivalent Distribution ...............................................SD-5 

Working Capital Fund ........................................................................................SD-7 

Budget by Object Class ................................................................................... SD-10

Status of Unobligated Funds .......................................................................... SD-12

Reimbursable Estimates ................................................................................. SD-13

Enhanced Use Leasing .................................................................................... SD-14

National Historic Preservation Act ................................................................. SD-16

Budget for Microgravity Science .................................................................... SD-18

Budget for Safety Oversight ........................................................................... SD-20

Physicians’ Comparability Allowance............................................................ SD-22

Budget for Public Relations ............................................................................ SD-26

Consulting Services ........................................................................................ SD-27

E-Gov Initiatives and Benefits ........................................................................ SD-28

Comparability Adjustment Tables .................................................................. SD-37

Cost and Schedule Performance Summary .....................CSP-1

Basic Research .....................................................................BR-1 

Proposed Appropriations Language ................................. PAL-1 

Reference ............................................................................. REF-1 

TOC-6 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

FY 2017 BUDGET REQUEST EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Overview

Agency Summary 

MESSAGE FROM THE ADMINISTRATOR ............................................................ SUM-2 

BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS .......................................................................................... SUM-3 

NOTES ON THE BUDGET ................................................................................... SUM-10

EXPLANATION OF BUDGET TABLES AND SCHEDULES .................................. SUM-11

SUM-1 
FY 2017 Budget Request Executive Summary 

MESSAGE FROM THE ADMINISTRATOR

It is my privilege to present President Obama’s FY 2017 $19 billion budget request for NASA.

NASA innovation drives our journey to Mars, and breakthroughs in aviation and space technologies are 

improving life on Earth, making it possible to better understand our home planet even as we look out to 

the stars. Our Nation’s space program is well positioned to continue the United States’ world leadership 

in innovation and exploration. 

President Obama’s strong investment in NASA throughout his administration has brought us closer to the 

Red Planet than ever before, helped bring to maturity a new commercial sector devoted to bringing cargo 

and crew to low Earth orbit, and advanced our scientific inquiry and technological capabilities on many 

fronts. Space is good for the economy and the human spirit. It’s uniting our world and inspiring the next 

generation of leaders who will craft a future that builds on the work we do today. 

This year we unveiled the previously mysterious Pluto while making progress on the James Webb Space 

Telescope, the next great observatory that will peer into other galaxies and help us understand the 

foundations of our universe. Astronauts marked an incredible 15 years of continuous habitation aboard 

the International Space Station and achieved milestones in research and human health that will help to 

extend human presence farther into the solar system. New technologies leapt from drawing board to 

development, and our aeronautics research transferred technologies to broader use and brought us closer 

to the Next Generation of safer and more efficient air traffic management. 

At the core of everything we do, is a vision for the future where we are engaged in a mission of 

exploration that improves lives and increases knowledge while achieving previously impossible goals for 

humanity. The President’s Budget keeps us on a strong and strategic course of achievable goals that will 

enable us to maximize what we have learned in low Earth orbit as we move toward increasingly 

challenging missions in cis-lunar space and eventually to Mars where explorers will be virtually 

independent of Earth. 

The FY 2017 Budget gives NASA the flexibility and ability to pursue bold new missions to places like 

the outer planets and to invest even more strongly in aeronautics technologies that will make our air 

traffic system safer, cleaner, and more efficient for millions of travelers worldwide. It enables NASA to 

continue the momentum building around the Space Launch System rocket and the Orion spacecraft, 

which will carry humans to deep space in the coming years, as well as the cutting edge technologies in 

life support, habitation systems, propulsion, and other areas that will help make this goal achievable. It 

enables industry to continue building the space transportation systems of tomorrow for cargo and crew 

and restore our capability to launch astronauts from American soil. 

Our work is part of a vital strategy to equip our Nation with the technologies for the future and inspire a 

new generation of explorers to make the next giant leaps in human experience. This budget represents an 

investment in America’s future and positions our country to reach new heights in discovery, job creation, 

and economic growth. 

Charles F. Bolden, Jr. 

NASA Administrator 

SUM-2 
FY 2017 Budget Request Executive Summary 

BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS

The National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 challenged our Nation to grow our technical and 

scientific abilities in air and space. NASA-funded R&D helps stimulate our long-term capacity for 

innovation and economic growth within the government, at universities, and at industrial companies. The 

disciplines NASA advances are many – including materials, computing and electronics, fuels, radio 

communications, safety, and even human health. Most importantly, NASA has driven forward the state of 

the art in the air and in space, making air travel safer, less expensive, and less polluting, and opening the 

space frontier for the Nation and all mankind through robotic and human space missions and the 

development of new technology. 

The FY 2017 President’s Budget advances the Nation’s space exploration, technology development, and 

scientific research plans and maintains the U.S. status as a world leader in space through the development 

of a next-generation deep space transportation system. It fosters the development of a commercial space 

industry that will, among other things, make space transportation safer and more affordable, and expand 

the utility of the International Space Station (ISS) as a research laboratory. The budget ensures we 

continue to learn about and protect life on our home planet, Earth. It invests in research, technology 

development, and a scientific infrastructure that enables exploration today, tomorrow, and generations 

from now. Moreover, the FY 2017 Budget aims to create jobs and support the growing U.S. economy. 

In FY 2017, NASA continues to plan for our first steps beyond low Earth orbit since the Apollo era. 

NASA will continue to refine the requirements for its first-of-a-kind mission to capture and redirect a 

near-Earth asteroid into a stable orbit around the Moon, where astronauts will explore the asteroid. This 

activity draws on the expertise of scientists, mission managers, technologists, and operations specialists 

from across the agency as we learn to operate and live safely beyond the Earth for extended periods of 

time and drive towards future human missions to Mars. The Agency will continue to strive to understand 

and mitigate the effects of long-term human exposure to space and develop the technologies and mature 

the systems required for deep-space missions. In FY 2017, NASA will also continue work through publicprivate partnerships on the next element of the agency’s capability-driven architecture: the development 

of habitation systems that will enable astronauts to live for extended periods beyond low Earth orbit –

initially in cis-lunar space. 

The FY 2017 budget request fully supports the plan for crewed exploration of deep space. The Orion 

Program, Space Launch System (SLS) Program, and Exploration Ground System Program completed 

their Critical Design Reviews demonstrating the Programs are appropriately mature to continue with the 

final design and fabrication phases. NASA is on track for a launch capability readiness date of November 

2018 for Exploration Mission 1 (EM-1), which will be an uncrewed test of the SLS rocket carrying an 

Orion capsule. 

NASA continues to reduce the barriers to human and robotic space activities by identifying and working 

solutions for both near and long-term needs. The Agency’s investments in Space Technology in FY 2017 

include demonstrations of maturing technologies, and novel “game-changing” research and experimental 

developments that are the most likely to improve our capabilities in space. Focus areas in 2017 include 

solar electric propulsion, which enable a variety of deep space missions, including the asteroid mission; 

laser communications; and human-robotic interfaces. NASA’s Space Technology program also supports 

Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. 

Through these competitive opportunities, NASA is able to draw on the innovation of small local 

engineering and technology companies. These programs are a win-win as NASA benefits from the 

creativity and flexibility of small teams, and the companies grow and may be able to spin off NASAinspired technologies to new commercial markets. 

SUM-3 
FY 2017 Budget Request Executive Summary 

BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS

In January 2014, the President’s Science Advisor announced plans to extend ISS operations to at least 

2024. Doing so increases the Nation’s ability to conduct fundamental and applied research necessary to 

developing spacecraft and human life support systems for deep space exploration. The ISS extension is 

made possible in large part because of the success of our commercial space partners in developing lowcost and reliable systems for delivering supplies and equipment to the ISS. The burgeoning U.S. 

commercial space marketplace is already providing mission support, which lessens American reliance on 

foreign services, and creates high-skilled jobs across the Nation. 

This budget request strongly supports ISS research. Scientists and engineers will develop and execute 

experiments and technology demonstrations in diverse disciplines including physics, biology, materials 

science, robotics, communications, and human physiology. Insights gained from these studies will be 

essential for planning future deep space missions, including to Mars. The Center for the Advancement of 

Science in Space (CASIS), the research management organization for the ISS National Laboratory, will 

continue to enable federal, academic, and commercial research activities. Exciting research will include 

potential medicines and interventions that will improve human health both in space and here on Earth. 

The FY 2017 budget request for Aeronautics research includes significant new investment in the flight 

demonstration of advanced technologies, reflecting its focus on six strategic areas: safe, efficient growth 

in global operations; innovation in commercial supersonic aircraft; ultra-efficient commercial vehicles; 

transition to low-carbon propulsion; real-time, system-wide safety assurance; and assured autonomy for 

aviation transformation. Across its portfolio of aeronautics investments, NASA continues to develop and 

test solutions that strengthen the air travel and transportation industry while minimizing environmental 

impact. In particular, the new investments in technologies that will make air travel cleaner and more 

efficient are a key part of the Administration’s 21st Century Clean Transportation Plan. 

This budget request continues to fund a strategic suite of missions to study the Earth, Sun, solar system, 

and deep space. Earth observations continue to allow unprecedented study of climate change, weather, 

and natural hazards. NASA investments in improved IT systems capable of managing “big data” will 

provide researchers with unparalleled access to data about the Earth. By fostering collective and 

collaborative research, the scientific insights gained from NASA missions will increase profoundly. 

NASA will also support the Administration’s Space Weather Action Plan and Space Weather Strategy, 

designed to reduce threats to the nation from space weather. 

The James Webb Space Telescope (Webb) remains on track for launch in 2018. Once operational, 

scientists will be able to look farther out into space than ever before, gaining new insights to the 

formation and evolution of stars and galaxies. A robust planetary science program includes data analysis 

of ongoing missions, and development of the next Mars rover. NASA will also continue formulating a 

mission to Europa, Jupiter’s icy moon that, data suggests, may have organic material on its surface. 

NASA supports efforts to improve the quality and delivery of science, technology, engineering, and 

mathematics (STEM) education programs. The Office of Education will continue to coordinate with the 

Department of Education, the National Science Foundation, and the Smithsonian Institution on STEM 

issues in order to maximize NASA’s unique resources that support the Federal STEM Education FiveYear Strategic Plan. Using competitive processes, NASA will continue to identify and support the most 

effective STEM education activities across the agency. 

The President joined other world leaders at the recent Paris climate negotiations to launch Mission 

Innovation, a landmark commitment to dramatically accelerate public and private global clean energy 

SUM-4 
FY 2017 Budget Request Executive Summary 

BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS

innovation, by investing in new technologies that will define a clean, affordable, and reliable global 

power mix. Through this initiative, the U.S. and 19 other countries have committed to doubling their 

governmental clean energy research and development investment over five years. Successful innovation 

in clean energy requires broad participation, including nontraditional approaches and innovators close to 

stakeholders that will benefit from clean energy solutions. Mission Innovation provides a robust 

framework to expand and better integrate clean energy research across agencies. The Budget for NASA 

includes over $400 million for Aeronautics investments ($321.1 million discretionary and $100.0 million 

mandatory) that will focus on exploration of new ideas and concepts that will revolutionize the aviation 

industry with the potential of reducing aviation's impact on the environment, as well as $34 million 

(discretionary) in Space Technology investments in technologies for advanced power generation and 

storage (such as green propellant, fuel cells and batteries), Earth environment sensing technologies, and 

technologies to obtain oxygen from carbon dioxide. 

The FY 2017 budget makes efficient use of NASA’s assets, including its workforce, equipment, and oneof-a-kind facilities. The budget also includes reinvigorated efforts to protect these assets, particularly 

from cyber threats. NASA continues to evaluate its current and future needs for existing facilities and 

invests in preventative repairs that will reduce future costs of refurbishment or replacement. The Agency 

is also proactively seeking means to reduce its operating costs. NASA is reducing its energy footprint, 

working with other agencies to share and leverage facilities usage, and using reimbursable agreements to 

support external customers who seek NASA’s unique capabilities.

In its more than 50 years, NASA has advanced our technical knowledge and human abilities. Our 

engineers are now building spacecraft capable of launching humans to another planet or moving an 

asteroid. What we now know about the stars and planets would astound the earliest scientists who 

documented the seasonality of constellations, or those who later studied the heavens through simple 

lenses and prisms. In many respects, NASA has made science fiction a reality by investing in disciplines 

that may have seemed like fantasy in 1958: robotics, space habitats, analyzing the surface of Mars, and 

healing the sick through telemedicine. But in one important respect, NASA continues to do what it has 

always done. It serves as a stimulus to U.S. creativity and innovation, our competitiveness on the global 

stage, and economic growth that benefits all Americans. 

SCIENCE IS ANSWERING ENDURING QUESTIONS IN, FROM, AND ABOUT SPACE

NASA’s Science account funds exploration of our planet, other planets and planetary bodies, our star 

system in its entirety, and funds observations out into our galaxy and beyond. Through the development 

of space observatories and probes that enable exploration and discovery, NASA will continue to inspire 

the next generation of scientists, engineers, and explorers. The FY 2017 budget request for Science is 

$5,600.5 million. 

Webb, a successor to the Hubble telescope, is on schedule for a 2018 launch. Webb will be 100 times 

more capable than Hubble, becoming the premier astronomical observatory of the next decade. The 

request also funds ongoing study of a possible Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope / Astrophysics 

Focused Telescope Assets (WFIRST/AFTA) mission, the next major observatory beyond James Webb 

and the highest-priority large mission in the Decadal Survey. Astrophysics Explorer missions in 

formulation and development include the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), and the Neutron 

star Interior Composition ExploreR (NICER) mission. TESS will identify planets around bright stars, 

surveying 400 times as much sky as any previous exoplanet mission. NICER will study the extraordinary 

gravitational, electromagnetic, and nuclear-physics environments of neutron stars. The request also 

SUM-5 
FY 2017 Budget Request Executive Summary 

BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS

includes full funding for the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), which will be 

subject to the 2018 Senior Review for Astrophysics. 

NASA continues to learn more about Earth. The Sustainable Land Imaging program will provide U.S. 

users with high-quality, global, land imaging measurements that are compatible with the existing 43-year 

Landsat record; that will address near- and longer-term issues of continuity risk; and that will evolve 

flexibly and responsibly through investment in, and introduction of, new sensor and system technologies. 

This budget supports launch of Landsat 9 as early as 2021. The request fully funds Ice, Cloud, and land 

Elevation Satellite (ICESat-II); Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE-FO); and many other 

future Earth Science missions. 

The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft will launch in fall of 2016, travel to a near-Earth asteroid in 2018 and be the 

first U.S. mission to carry samples from an asteroid back to Earth. The request supports the Mars 2020 

lander and a potential future mission to Jupiter’s moon Europa. Due to cancellation of the March 2016 

launch opportunity, plans for the InSight mission to study the deep interior of Mars are currently under 

review. 

The request fully funds several major missions to advance our understanding of the Sun and its impact on 

the Earth, including Solar Probe Plus (SPP) and Solar Orbiter Collaboration (SOC). The request also 

funds the Ionospheric Connection Explorer (ICON) and Global-scale Observations of the Limb and Disk 

(GOLD) Explorer missions. ICON’s goal is to understand the tug-of-war between Earth’s atmosphere and 

the space environment, in the "no man’s land" of the ionosphere, while GOLD will measure densities and 

temperatures in Earth's thermosphere and ionosphere. The request includes NASA work in support of the 

Administration’s Space Weather Action Plan and Space Weather Strategy, and also increases investments 

in cubesats and small spacecraft technology development, including studies of constellations of small 

spacecraft, with the aim of reducing the costs of future missions. 

AERONAUTICS RESEARCH TO ADDRESS AVIATION’S CHALLENGES

The air transportation system of today is a vital part of the U.S. and Global economies. It is the primary 

mechanism for connecting major population centers in the U.S. and countries across the world for people 

and cargo. NASA conducts aeronautics research to bring transformational advances in the safety, 

capacity, and efficiency of the air transportation system while minimizing negative impacts on the 

environment. The FY 2017 budget request for the Aeronautics account is $790.4 million. 

The FY 2017 budget request for NASA Aeronautics will demonstrate and validate concepts that enable 

breakthroughs in speed and efficiency of aircraft, simultaneously opening new markets for U.S. industry 

while minimizing environmental impact. The multi-year investment will test cutting-edge technologies in 

realistic environments and enable their widespread adoption through: demonstrating and validating new 

configurations and technologies to achieve a 50 percent reduction in fuel consumption while also 

dramatically reducing noise; developing a series of transformative hybrid electric propulsion 

demonstrators focused on propulsion innovation for subsonic transport class aircraft; and developing a 

supersonic low boom flight demonstrator to validate technologies for quiet supersonic flight and utilize 

bio-fuels.

SUM-6 
FY 2017 Budget Request Executive Summary 

BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS

SPACE TECHNOLOGY GROWS CAPABILITIES, REDUCES COSTS, AND DRIVES 

EXPLORATION

Space Technology conducts rapid development and incorporation of transformative space technologies 

that enable and reduce the cost of NASA’s missions and increase the capabilities of other U.S. agencies 

and the U.S. space industry. Technology drives exploration by improving our ability to access and travel 

through space; land more massive systems more accurately in more locations throughout the solar system; 

live and work in deep space and on planetary bodies; transform the ability to observe the universe to 

answer profound questions in earth and space sciences; and improve the U.S. aerospace industry 

technological capability to continue the Nation’s economic leadership. The FY 2017 budget request for 

Space Technology is $826.7 million 

The FY 2017 budget support formulation of Restore-L, which will build on the Robotic Refueling 

Mission technology demonstrations on ISS in advancing servicing technologies and transferring the 

technologies for commercialization. Space Technology continues development of high-powered solar 

electric propulsion (SEP) technologies that will enable extremely efficient orbit transfer and 

accommodate increasing power demands for satellites. The Agency plans to incorporate high power SEP 

technology in the robotic segment of the asteroid redirect mission. In addition, over the next year, Space 

Technology will execute several in-space demonstrations including a deep space atomic clock for 

advanced navigation and four small spacecraft demonstrations of pioneering new technologies. Space 

Technology will continue maturation of enabling technologies for future human and robotic exploration 

missions including deep space optical communications to return more data and improve operations; 

improved carbon dioxide removal and oxygen recovery systems for more efficient life support and 

environmental control capabilities; robotics and autonomy to reduce mission cost and risk; and 

advancements in remote sensing instruments and spacecraft subsystems to reduce size, weight and power 

requirements enabling lower cost missions utilizing small spacecraft. Space Technology will also 

continue development of foundational technologies to support future outer planets icy moons missions 

with emphasis on landing and mobility, navigation and communications, radiation protection and 

accommodating power requirements. 

In addition, Space Technology has developed a diverse portfolio of early-stage research and technology 

creating a technology pipeline to solve the Agency and Nation’s most difficult exploration challenges. 

Space Technology will continue to prioritize “tipping point” technologies and early-stage innovation with 

over 600 awards to small businesses, private innovators, and academia to spark new ideas for the benefit 

of U.S. aerospace and high tech industries. As efforts complete, appropriate technologies will be 

transferred and commercialized to benefit a wide range of users to ensure the full economic value and 

societal benefit of these innovations is realized. 

EXTENDING HUMAN PRESENCE INTO THE SOLAR SYSTEM: ENABLING MULTIPLE 

DESTINATIONS ON THE JOURNEY TO MARS

NASA is developing the capability for people to live and work safely beyond the Earth for extended 

periods in increasingly distant locations. In this new era, NASA is implementing a multiple destination 

exploration strategy, using a capability driven approach. This strategy leverages compelling near-term 

mission opportunities that enable incremental buildup of capabilities for more complex missions in the 

future, such as exploring Mars and its moons. 

SUM-7 
FY 2017 Budget Request Executive Summary 

BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS

The Exploration account develops systems and capabilities required for deep-space exploration. The 

FY 2017 budget request for Exploration is $3,336.9 million. 

As NASA works to expand human exploration deeper into space, cis-lunar space will provide a location 

from which we can mount missions to the more distant reaches of space, including expeditions to Mars. 

The distance and duration of these future missions requires that crew and transportation systems be 

completely independent of Earth. Logistics, power and propulsion systems, human factors, habitat, and 

operations, all these factors must be capable of supporting the autonomous operations necessary to travel 

millions of miles and spend many months in space. Our strategy is to move from Earth-reliant systems 

and achieve Earth-independent exploration capability for human mission durations that enable us to reach 

Mars and other destinations in the solar system. 

LIVING AND WORKING IN SPACE

The Space Operations Account funds critical NASA capabilities that create pathways for discovery and 

human exploration of space. These capabilities include research on and operation of ISS, affordable and 

reliable launches of NASA science missions, and critical communication links to crewed and robotic 

spacecraft. In addition to supporting NASA’s activities, Space Operations also provides a platform for 

research and space transportation for non-NASA users. The FY 2017 budget request for Space Operations 

is $5,075.8 million. 

The ISS offers a unique platform for NASA and its international partners to learn how to live and work in 

space. Research, technology demonstrations, tests, and experiments on the ISS continue to advance the 

capabilities required for future long-duration missions. NASA is making technological advances aboard 

ISS in autonomous rendezvous and docking, advanced communications systems, human health and 

behavior in space, habitat, and space suit systems, as well as in basic research in biological and physical 

sciences. For example, NASA is capitalizing on the extraordinary opportunity to study identical twins 

during Scott Kelly’s year-long stay aboard ISS. Scott Kelly and Mark Kelly are genetically almost the 

same; studying one astronaut on the Earth, while one remains in space provides an unprecedented 

comparison of the impact spaceflight has on humans. 

NASA and the U.S. space transportation industry are well on the way to developing an affordable 

capability to carry crew to ISS by the end of 2017, bolstering American leadership while eliminating 

reliance on the Russian Soyuz to transport American astronauts. This competitive commercial approach, 

versus a traditional NASA-owned and operated system, allows the Agency to reduce costs, improve 

affordability and sustainability, and stimulate the private sector space industry. 

NASA’S UNIQUE ASSETS MADE AVAILABLE TO SUPPORT THE NATION’S STEM

EFFORTS

NASA’s education programs continue to share the excitement of the Agency’s science and engineering 

missions with learners, educators, and the public. Investments in the NASA education programmatic 

accounts maintain the advancement of high-quality STEM education using NASA’s unique capabilities 

and resources. NASA’s unique capabilities, resources, and expertise continue to play a crucial role in 

advancing the STEM goals in the Administration’s Five-Year Federal Strategic Plan on STEM Education. 

SUM-8 
FY 2017 Budget Request Executive Summary 

BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS

NASA education continues to refine its programmatic activities to fuel increased interest, participation, 

and learning in STEM. Hands-on challenges with NASA experts generate interest in high school and 

undergraduate STEM study, fostering student participation in aerospace or related STEM fields. NASA's 

STEM education programs provide opportunities for educators and learners of all ages. A variety of 

carefully developed activities serve middle school audiences; offer pre- and in-service educator 

professional development; and provide experiential opportunities for high school and undergraduate 

students. 

NASA’s education programs have the potential to inspire learners to pursue STEM study and careers by 

engaging them in the Agency’s missions, fostering collaborative relationships between learners and the 

current NASA workforce, and offering experiential learning opportunities at Agency facilities. NASA 

education will continue to coordinate closely with other Federal agencies in pursuit of the 

Administration’s STEM education goals. The FY 2017 budget request for Education is $100.1 million. 

MANAGING NASA’S PEOPLE AND CAPABILITIES TO SAFELY ACCOMPLISH OUR 

MISSION

NASA’s Safety, Security, and Mission Services account funds the essential day-to-day technical and 

business operations required to conduct NASA’s aeronautics and space activities. These mission support 

activities provide the proper services, tools, and equipment to complete essential tasks, protect and 

maintain the security and integrity of information and assets, and ensure that personnel work under safe 

and healthy conditions. Planning, operating, and sustaining this infrastructure and our essential services 

requires a number of critical institutional capabilities including management of: human capital; finance; 

information technology; infrastructure; acquisitions; security; real and personnel property; occupational 

health and safety; equal employment opportunity and diversity; small business programs; external 

relations; strategic internal and external communications; stakeholder engagement; and other essential 

corporate functions. In FY 2017, NASA will continue to provide strategic and operational planning and 

management over a wide range of functions and services to help NASA operate in a more efficient and 

sustainable manner. The FY 2017 budget request for Safety, Security, and Mission Services is $2,836.8 

million. 

The Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration account enables NASA to manage the 

Agency’s facilities with a focus on reducing infrastructure, implementing efficiency and high 

performance upgrades, and prioritizing repairs to achieve the greatest return on investment. In FY 2017, 

NASA continues to consolidate facilities to achieve greater operational efficiency, replacing old, obsolete, 

costly facilities with fewer, high performance facilities. Institutional construction projects replace 

deficient and obsolete facilities and correct deficiencies to support core capabilities within a smaller, more 

efficient footprint. Programmatic construction of facilities projects provide the specialized technical 

facilities required by the missions. NASA will decommission and continue preparations to dispose of 

property and equipment no longer needed for missions. To protect human health and the environment, 

and to preserve natural resources for future missions, environmental compliance and restoration projects 

will clean up pollutants released into the environment during past NASA activities. The FY 2017 request 

for Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration is $419.8 million. 

SUM-9 
FY 2017 Budget Request Executive Summary 

NOTES ON THE BUDGET

MANDATORY FUNDING

The President believes that arbitrary funding caps are harmful to the economy and the Nation. Although 

the recent Bipartisan Budget Act provided important relief from sequester cuts, the constrained top line 

for discretionary funding, especially in FY 2017, has made it difficult to appropriately fund important 

national priorities, including research and development. In the FY 2017 Budget, the President proposes 

fully-paid-for one-year mandatory funding to accelerate progress in Science, Aeronautics, Space 

Technology, and Exploration, as well as additional multi-year mandatory funding for Aeronautics to 

support research and development for low carbon emission aircraft, including associated transportation 

systems, as part of a multi-agency effort to enable a 21st century clean transportation system. 

NASA’S WORKFORCE

NASA’s workforce continues to be one of its greatest assets for enabling missions in space and on Earth. 

The Agency remains committed to applying this asset to benefit society, address contemporary 

environmental and social issues, lead or participate in emerging technology opportunities, collaborate and 

strengthen the capabilities of commercial partners, and communicate the challenges and results of Agency 

programs and activities. The civil service staffing levels proposed in the FY 2017 budget support NASA’s 

scientists, engineers, researchers, managers, technicians, and business operations workforce. It includes 

civil service personnel at NASA Centers, Headquarters, and NASA-operated facilities. The mix of skills 

and distribution of workforce across the Agency is, however, necessarily changing. 

NASA will continue to explore opportunities across the Agency to insource work and find efficiencies in 

workforce productivity, especially in mission support functional areas. The Agency will apply the valued 

civil service workforce to priority mission work, adjusting the mix of skills where appropriate. Centers 

will explore cross-mission retraining opportunities for employees whenever possible, offer targeted 

buyouts in selected surplus skill areas, and continue to identify, recruit, and retain a multi-generational 

workforce of employees who possess skills critical to the Agency. 

AGENCY DIGITAL SERVICE TEAMS

The success rate of government digital services is improved when agencies have digital service experts on 

staff with modern design, software engineering, and product management skills. To ensure the agency can 

effectively build and deliver important digital services, the FY 2017 Budget includes funding for staffing 

costs for a Digital Service team. This team focuses on transforming the agency’s digital services with the 

greatest impact to citizens and businesses so they are easier to use and more cost-effective to build and 

maintain. 

These digital service experts bring private sector best practices in the disciplines of design, software 

engineering, and product management to bear on the agency’s most important services. The positions are 

term-limited, to encourage a continuous influx of up-to-date design and technology skills into the agency. 

The digital service experts are recruited from among America’s leading technology enterprises and 

startups, and join with the agency’s top technical and policy leaders to deliver meaningful and lasting 

improvements to the services the agency provides to citizens and businesses. This small team of tech 

experts has worked to establish best practices and to recruit more highly skilled digital service experts and 

engineers into government.

SUM-10 
FY 2017 Budget Request Executive Summary 

EXPLANATION OF BUDGET TABLES AND SCHEDULES

NASA presents the FY 2017 budget request in full-cost, where all project costs are allocated to the 

project, including labor funding for the Agency’s civil service workforce. Note that budget figures in 

tables may not add because of rounding. 

OUTYEAR FUNDING ASSUMPTIONS

At this time, funding lines beyond FY 2017 should be considered notional. 

EXPLANATION OF FY 2015 AND FY 2016 BUDGET COLUMNS

FY 2015 Column 

The FY 2015 Actual column in budget tables is consistent with the approved Agency spending plan (i.e. 

operating plan) control figures at the time of the budget release. Budget structure and figures are adjusted 

for comparability to the FY 2017 request. See note below. 

All FY 2015 budget figures represent appropriations reflect funding amounts specified in the September 

2015 Operating Plan per P.L. 113-235. 

FY 2016 Column 

The FY 2016 Enacted column in budget tables displays appropriations enacted in the Consolidated 

Appropriations Act, 2016 (P.L. 114-113). As of budget release, an initial FY 2016 operating plan has not 

been adopted by Congress. As a result, budget tables show only accounts, themes, or programs where 

appropriations are called out in P.L. 114-113. Tables also show tentatively planned FY 2016 funding for 

projects in development (subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 initial operating plan). 

Budget structures and figures are adjusted for comparability to the FY 2017 budget structure. See note 

below. 

SUM-11 
FY 2017 Budget Request Executive Summary 

EXPLANATION OF BUDGET TABLES AND SCHEDULES

EXPLANATION OF PROJECT SCHEDULE COMMITMENTS AND KEY MILESTONES

Programs and projects follow their appropriate life cycle. The life cycle is divided into phases. Transition 

from one phase to another requires management approval at Key Decision Points (KDPs). The phases in 

program and project life cycles include one or more life-cycle reviews, which are considered major 

milestone events. 

Formulation

• Phase A: concept and technology development; and 

• Phase B: preliminary design and technology completion.

Implementation

• Phase C: final design and fabrication; 

Phase D: system assembly, integration, test, launch and checkout; 

Phase E: operations and sustainment; and 

Phase F: closeout. 

•

•

•

A life-cycle review is designed to provide the program or project with an opportunity to ensure that it has 

completed the work of that phase and an independent assessment of a program’s or project’s technical and 

programmatic status and health. The final life-cycle review in a given life-cycle phase provides essential 

information for the KDP that marks the end of that life-cycle phase and transition to the next phase if 

successfully passed. As such, KDPs serve as gates through which programs and projects must pass to 

continue. 

The KDP decision to authorize a program or project’s transition to the next life-cycle phase is based on a 

number of factors, including technical maturity; continued relevance to Agency strategic goals; adequacy 

of cost and schedule estimates; associated probabilities of meeting those estimates (confidence levels); 

continued affordability with respect to the Agency’s resources; maturity and the readiness to proceed to 

the next phase; and remaining program or project risk (safety, cost, schedule, technical, management, and 

programmatic). At the KDP, the key program or project cost, schedule, and content parameters that 

govern the remaining life-cycle activities are established. 

For reference, a description of schedule commitments and milestones is listed below for projects in 

Formulation and Implementation. A list of common terms used in mission planning is also included. 

SUM-12 
FY 2017 Budget Request Executive Summary 

EXPLANATION OF BUDGET TABLES AND SCHEDULES

Formulation 

NASA places significant emphasis on project Formulation to ensure adequate preparation of project 

concepts and plans and mitigation of high-risk aspects of the project essential to position the project for 

the highest probability of mission success. During Formulation, the project explores the full range of 

implementation options, defines an affordable project concept to meet requirements, and develops needed 

technologies. The activities in these phases include developing the system architecture; completing 

mission and preliminary system designs; acquisition planning; conducting safety, technical, cost, and 

schedule risk trades; developing time-phased cost and schedule estimates and documenting the basis of 

these estimates; and preparing the Project Plan for Implementation. 

Formulation 

Milestone Explanation 

The lifecycle gate at which the decision authority determines the readiness of a program or 

project to transition into Phase A and authorizes Formulation of the project. Phase A is the 

first phase of Formulation and means that: 

 The project addresses a critical NASA need;

 The proposed mission concept(s) is feasible;

 The associated planning is sufficiently mature to begin activities defined for 

formulation; and

 The mission can likely be achieved as conceived.

KDP-A

System 

Requirements 

Review (SRR)

The lifecycle review in which the decision authority evaluates whether the functional and 

performance requirements defined for the system are responsive to the program’s 

requirements on the project and represent achievable capabilities

System Definition 

Review or 

Mission 

Definition 

Review 

The lifecycle review in which the decision authority evaluates the credibility and 

responsiveness of the proposed mission/system architecture to the program requirements 

and constraints on the project, including available resources, and determines whether the 

maturity of the project’s mission/system definition and associated plans are sufficient to 

begin the next phase, Phase B.

The lifecycle gate at which the decision authority determines the readiness of a program or 

project to transition from Phase A to Phase B. Phase B is the second phase of Formulation 

and means that:

 The proposed mission/system architecture is credible and responsive to program 

requirements and constraints, including resources;

 The maturity of the project’s mission/system definition and associated plans is 

sufficient to begin Phase B; and 

 The mission can likely be achieved within available resources with acceptable risk.

KDP-B

Preliminary 

Design Review 

(PDR)

The lifecycle review in which the decision authority evaluates the completeness/consistency 

of the planning, technical, cost, and schedule baselines developed during Formulation. This 

review also assesses compliance of the preliminary design with applicable requirements and 

determines if the project is sufficiently mature to begin Phase C.

SUM-13 
FY 2017 Budget Request Executive Summary 

EXPLANATION OF BUDGET TABLES AND SCHEDULES

Implementation 

Implementation occurs when Agency management establishes baseline cost and schedule commitments 

for projects at KDP-C. The projects maintain the baseline commitment through the end of the mission. 

Projects are baselined for cost, schedule, and programmatic and technical parameters. Under 

Implementation, projects are able to execute approved plans development and operations. 

Implementation 

Milestone Explanation

The lifecycle gate at which the decision authority determines the readiness of a program or 

project to begin the first stage of development and transition to Phase C and authorizes the 

Implementation of the project. Phase C is first stage of development and means that:

 The project’s planning, technical, cost, and schedule baselines developed during 

Formulation are complete and consistent;

 The preliminary design complies with mission requirements;

 The project is sufficiently mature to begin Phase C; and 

 The cost and schedule are adequate to enable mission success with acceptable risk.

KDP-C

Critical Design 

Review (CDR)

The lifecycle review in which the decision authority evaluates the integrity of the project 

design and its ability to meet mission requirements with appropriate margins and acceptable 

risk within defined project constraints, including available resources. This review also 

determines if the design is appropriately mature to continue with the final design and 

fabrication phase.

System 

Integration 

Review (SIR)

The lifecycle review in which the decision authority evaluates the readiness of the project 

and associated supporting infrastructure to begin system assembly, integration, and test. The 

lifecycle review also evaluates whether the remaining project development can be 

completed within available resources, and determine if the project is sufficiently mature to 

begin Phase D.

KDP-D

The lifecycle gate at which the decision authority determines the readiness of a project to 

continue in Implementation and transition from Phase C to Phase D. Phase D is a second 

phase in Implementation; the project continues in development and means that:

 The project is still on plan;

 The risk is commensurate with the project’s payload classification; and 

 The project is ready for assembly, integration and test with acceptable risk within 

its Agency baseline commitment. 

Launch Readiness 

Date (LRD)

The date at which the project and its ground, hardware, and software systems are ready for 

launch.

SUM-14 
FY 2017 Budget Request Executive Summary 

EXPLANATION OF BUDGET TABLES AND SCHEDULES

Other Common Terms for Mission Planning 

Term Definition

Decision Authority The individual authorized by the Agency to make important decisions on programs and 

projects under their authority.

Formulation 

Authorization 

Document

The document that authorizes the formulation of a program whose goals will fulfill part of 

the Agency’s Strategic Plan and Mission Directorate strategies. This document establishes 

the expectations and constraints for activity in the Formulation phase. 

Key Decision Point 

(KDP)

The lifecycle gate at which the decision authority determines the readiness of a program or 

project to progress to the next phase of the life cycle. The KDP also establishes the 

content, cost, and schedule commitments for the ensuing phase(s). 

Launch Manifest

This list that NASA publishes (the “NASA Flight Planning Board launch manifest”) 

periodically, which includes the expected launch dates for NASA missions. The launch 

dates in the manifest are the desired launch dates approved by the NASA Flight Planning 

Board, and are not typically the same as the Agency Baseline Commitment schedule dates. 

A launch manifest is a dynamic schedule that is affected by real world operational 

activities conducted by NASA and multiple other entities. It reflects the results of a 

complex process that requires the coordination and cooperation by multiple users for the 

use of launch range and launch contractor assets. Moreover, the launch dates are a mixture 

of “confirmed” range dates for missions launching within approximately six months, and 

contractual/planning dates for the missions beyond six months from launch. The NASA 

Flight Planning Board launch manifest date is typically earlier than the Agency Baseline 

Commitment schedule date to allow for the operationally driven delays to the launch 

schedule that may be outside of the project’s control. 

Operational 

Readiness Review 

The lifecycle review in which the decision authority evaluates the readiness of the project, 

including its ground systems, personnel, procedures, and user documentation, to operate 

the flight system and associated ground system(s), in compliance with defined project 

requirements and constraints during the operations phase.

Mission Readiness 

Review or Flight 

Readiness Review 

(FRR)

The lifecycle review in which the decision authority evaluates the readiness of the project, 

ground systems, personnel and procedures for a safe and successful launch and 

flight/mission.

KDP-E

The lifecycle gate at which the decision authority determines the readiness of a project to 

continue in Implementation and transition from Phase D to Phase E. Phase E is a third 

phase in Implementation and means that the project and all supporting systems are ready 

for safe, successful launch and early operations with acceptable risk.

Decommissioning 

Review 

The lifecycle review in which the decision authority evaluates the readiness of the project 

to conduct closeout activities. The review includes final delivery of all remaining project 

deliverables and safe decommissioning of space flight systems and other project assets. 

KDP-F

The lifecycle gate at which the decision authority determines the readiness of the project’s 

decommissioning. Passage through this gate means the project has met its program 

objectives and is ready for safe decommissioning of its assets and closeout of activities. 

Scientific data analysis may continue after this period.

SUM-15 
FY 2017 Budget Request Executive Summary 

EXPLANATION OF BUDGET TABLES AND SCHEDULES

For further details, go to: 

 NASA Procedural Requirement 7102.5E NASA Space Flight Program and Project Management 

Requirements: http://nodis3.gsfc.nasa.gov/displayDir.cfm?t=NPR&c=7120&s=5E. 

NASA Procedural Requirement NPR 7123.1B - NASA Systems Engineering Processes and 

Requirements: 

http://nodis3.gsfc.nasa.gov/npg_img/N_PR_7123_001B_/N_PR_7123_001B_.pdf.

NASA Launch Services Web site: 

http://www.nasa.gov/directorates/heo/launch_services/index.html. 





SUM-16 
 

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Budget Authority (in $ millions) 

Actual 

FY 2015 

Enacted 

FY 2016 

Request

FY 2017 

Notional 

FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Earth Science 1784.1 -- 2032.2 1989.5 2001.3 2020.9 2047.7 

Planetary Science 1446.7 -- 1518.7 1439.7 1520.1 1575.5 1625.7 

Astrophysics 730.7 -- 781.5 761.6 992.4 1118.6 1192.5 

James Webb Space Telescope 645.4 620.0 569.4 533.7 304.6 197.2 149.8 

Heliophysics 636.1 -- 698.7 684.0 698.3 714.8 723.9 

Total Budget 5243.0 5589.5 5600.5 5408.5 5516.7 5627.0 5739.6 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. 

FY 2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

FY 2017 reflects discretionary and mandatory funding. Additional details on the mandatory funding can be found in 

the Explanation of Changes section.

Science ............................................................................. SCMD-4

Earth Science 

EARTH SCIENCE RESEARCH .................................................................................ES-2 

EARTH SYSTEMATIC MISSIONS ...........................................................................ES-13

Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite (ICESat-2) [Development] ..................................ES-15

GRACE-FO [Development] ...............................................................................................ES-20

Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) [Formulation] ........................................ES-26

NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) [Formulation] .........................................ES-31

Other Missions and Data Analysis ....................................................................................ES-35

EARTH SYSTEM SCIENCE PATHFINDER .............................................................ES-52

Venture Class Missions .....................................................................................................ES-54

Other Missions and Data Analysis ....................................................................................ES-63

EARTH SCIENCE MULTI-MISSION OPERATIONS ................................................ES-68

EARTH SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY ..........................................................................ES-73

APPLIED SCIENCES ..............................................................................................ES-78
 

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Planetary Science 

PLANETARY SCIENCE RESEARCH ........................................................................PS-2 

Other Missions and Data Analysis ...................................................................................... PS-8 

DISCOVERY ...........................................................................................................PS-12

InSight [Development] .......................................................................................................PS-16

Other Missions and Data Analysis ....................................................................................PS-22

NEW FRONTIERS...................................................................................................PS-26

Origins-Spectral Interpretation-Resource Identification-Security-Regolith Explorer (OSIRISREx) [Development] ..........................................................................................................PS-28

Other Missions and Data Analysis ....................................................................................PS-35

MARS EXPLORATION ............................................................................................PS-38

Mars Rover 2020 [Formulation] .........................................................................................PS-42

Other Missions and Data Analysis ....................................................................................PS-48

OUTER PLANETS AND OCEAN WORLDS .............................................................PS-55

TECHNOLOGY .......................................................................................................PS-61

Astrophysics 

ASTROPHYSICS RESEARCH.......................................................................... ASTRO-2 

Other Missions and Data Analysis .............................................................................. ASTRO-8 

COSMIC ORIGINS .......................................................................................... ASTRO-11

Hubble Space Telescope Operations [Operations] ................................................... ASTRO-12

Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) [Operations] ................. ASTRO-15

Other Missions and Data Analysis ............................................................................ ASTRO-19

PHYSICS OF THE COSMOS .......................................................................... ASTRO-22

Other Missions and Data Analysis ............................................................................ ASTRO-24

EXOPLANET EXPLORATION ......................................................................... ASTRO-29

Other Missions and Data Analysis ............................................................................ ASTRO-31

ASTROPHYSICS EXPLORER ........................................................................ ASTRO-35

Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) [Development] .................................. ASTRO-38

Other Missions and Data Analysis ............................................................................ ASTRO-43

James Webb Space Telescope 

James Webb Space Telescope [Development] ............................................................. Webb-2 
 

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Heliophysics 

HELIOPHYSICS RESEARCH ............................................................................. HELIO-2 

Other Missions and Data Analysis ................................................................................ HELIO-9 

LIVING WITH A STAR ....................................................................................... HELIO-15

Solar Probe Plus (SPP) [Development] ....................................................................... HELIO-17

Solar Orbiter Collaboration (SOC) [Development] ...................................................... HELIO-23

Other Missions and Data Analysis .............................................................................. HELIO-29

SOLAR TERRESTRIAL PROBES ..................................................................... HELIO-34

Other Missions and Data Analysis .............................................................................. HELIO-36

HELIOPHYSICS EXPLORER PROGRAM ......................................................... HELIO-40

Ionospheric Connection Explorer (ICON) [Development] ........................................... HELIO-43

Other Missions and Data Analysis .............................................................................. HELIO-49
 

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FY 2017 Budget 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) 

Actual 

FY 2015 

Enacted 

FY 2016 

Request

FY 2017 

Notional 

FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Earth Science 1784.1 -- 2032.2 1989.5 2001.3 2020.9 2047.7 

Planetary Science 

Astrophysics 

James Webb Space Telescope 

Heliophysics 

1446.7 

730.7 

645.4 

636.1 

--

--

620.0 

--

1518.7 

781.5 

569.4 

698.7 

1439.7 

761.6 

533.7 

684.0 

1520.1 

992.4 

304.6 

698.3 

1575.5 

1118.6 

197.2 

714.8 

1625.7 

1192.5 

149.8 

723.9 

Total Budget 5243.0 5589.5 5600.5 5408.5 5516.7 5627.0 5739.6 

Change from FY 2016 

Percentage change from FY 2016 

11.0 

0.2% 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. 

FY 2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

FY 2017 reflects discretionary and mandatory funding. Additional details on the mandatory funding can be found in 

the Explanation of Changes section.

From the vantage point of space, NASA captures breathtaking images of our world and the universe. These images 

advance our scientific understanding in a multitude of 

disciplines. They also have the power to inform policy, 

influence action, and inspire learning. 

NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD) 

conducts scientific exploration enabled by 

observatories and probes that view Earth from 

space, observe and visit other bodies in the solar 

system, and gaze out into the galaxy and 

beyond. NASA’s science programs deliver 

answers to profound questions, such as: 

 How and why are Earth’s climate and 

the environment changing? 

 How does the Sun vary; and how does it 

affect Earth and the rest of the solar system? 

 How do planets and life originate? 

 How does the universe work, and what 

are its origin and destiny? 

 Are we alone? 

NASA science programs address the need to 

understand our place in the universe, and 

provide information to policy makers who 

address issues affecting all life on the planet. 

NASA is also working to improve its operations and is increasingly launching its science missions on 

schedule and on budget. Our discoveries continue to rewrite textbooks; inspire children to pursue careers 

in science, technology, education, and mathematics (STEM); and demonstrate U.S. leadership worldwide. 
 

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NASA uses the recommendations of the National Academies’ decadal surveys as an important input in 

planning the future of its science programs. For over 30 years, decadal surveys have proven vital in 

establishing a broad consensus within the national science community on the state of science, the highest 

priority science questions we can address, and actions we can take to address those priority science 

questions. NASA uses these recommendations to prioritize future flight missions, including space 

observatories and probes, as well as technology development and proposals for theoretical and suborbital 

supporting research. In that process, NASA must also adapt the science-based decadal survey 

recommendations to actual budgets, existing technological capabilities, national policy, partnership 

opportunities, and other programmatic factors. Assessments of how this budget request supports the 

recommendations of the most recent decadal surveys are included below. 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017 

 

Mandatory Funding (in $ millions) 

Actual 

FY 2015 

Enacted 

FY 2016 

Request 

FY 2017 

Notional 

FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Astrophysics Decadal Strategic Mission 

(WFIRST) -- -- 76.0 -- -- -- --

New Frontiers 40.0 

Jupiter Europa 33.0 

Small Satellite Constellation Initiative 30.0 

Mars Exploration 29.0 

Planetary Science Advanced Technology 10.0 

CubeSats 10.0 

Heliophysics Support for Space Weather 

Action Plan 10.0 

Earth Science Research 30.0 

Planetary Science Research 16.0 

Astrophysics Research 9.0 

Heliophysics Research 5.0 
 

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Science is supported with $298 million of mandatory funding, as indicated in the summary table above. 

This mandatory funding will allow NASA to: 

 Sustain support for the Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope (WFIRST), which formally enters 

formulation in FY 2016; 

Move out aggressively with the next New Frontiers mission selection, and continue operating the 

Juno and New Horizons missions; 

Continue formulation of the Jupiter Europa mission; 

Increase the capabilities and uses of multi-spacecraft constellations of small scientific satellites; 

Continue operations of the Mars Opportunity, Mars Odyssey, and Mars Express missions; 

Accelerate technology development of future power systems and other areas important for future 

planetary exploration; 

Triple funding for the CubeSat project to enable highly ranked small satellite proposals 

addressing all SMD science disciplines; 

Increase Heliophysics research and planning in support of the Administration’s Space Weather 

Strategy and Action Plan; and 

Augment Earth science and space science research programs to increase the science return from 

spaceflight missions. 

















Within discretionary funding levels, the budget request for Earth Science includes no funding for a 

Thermal Infrared Free Flyer (TIRFF), but supports launch of Landsat 9 as early as 2021, as well as 

technology investments and detailed system engineering to support future land-imaging satellites. 

The budget request for Planetary Science supports the new Agency Aeroscience Ground Test Capabilities 

project. This project, carried within the Mars Exploration Program, will sustain our Mars atmospheric 

entry, descent, and landing design capabilities for Mars 2020 and any subsequent landed missions. 

ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2015

SCIENCE RESULTS

A steady pace of important science results continued in FY 2015. In Earth Science, a study reported that 

emissions of hydrofluorocarbons from developed countries are consistent with atmospheric 

measurements, and almost half of global emissions now originate from non-reporting countries. 

Meanwhile, NASA’s Short-term Prediction Research and Transition (SPoRT) program continued to make 

significant progress in transitioning weather research products to the operational community. SPoRT 

collaborated with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to assess a snowfall rate 

product that uses microwave data from the Suomi-National Polar-orbiting Partnership (Suomi-NPP) 

mission to estimate liquid-equivalent snowfall rates. Forecasters can then identify the areas of the heaviest 

snowfall during winter weather events, like the historic January 2015 Northeast blizzard. 

In Planetary Science, the New Horizons probe, launched on January 19, 2006, lifted the veil on Pluto. In 

early 2015, the instruments began taking measurements and making the first maps of Pluto and its moons. 

On July 14, New Horizons performed the first-ever flyby of Pluto, zooming within 7,800 miles (12,500 

kilometers) of its frigid surface. It made numerous observations, including close-up images in visible and 

near-infrared wavelengths depicting surface features as small as 200 feet across, and bringing a plethora 
 

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of new discoveries. The spacecraft also completed the maneuvers required to fly by Kuiper Belt Object 

2014MU69 in January 2019. 

In Astrophysics, scientists using NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope produced new global maps of Jupiter. 

These maps are first in a series of annual portraits of the solar system’s outer planets from the Outer 

Planet Atmospheres Legacy program (OPAL). The Hubble observations confirm that the Great Red Spot, 

the weather system on planet Jupiter continues to shrink and become more circular. The collection of 

maps NASA will obtain over time will not only help scientists understand the atmospheres of our giant 

planets, but also the atmospheres of planets around other stars. 

Heliophysics missions provided evidence for two physical mechanisms that could explain why the Sun’s 

corona is over a thousand times hotter than its surface. Scientists combined data from NASA’s Interface 

Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS) and the joint Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)–

NASA Hinode satellite to show how magnetic waves carry energy from the surface to filaments in the 

corona. In a separate study of hotter regions on the Sun, scientists used data from IRIS and NASA’s Solar 

Dynamics Observatory (SDO) to reveal evidence for an alternative heating mechanism in which small 

events called nanoflares release magnetic energy. These new results show that coronal heating is more 

complex than originally thought, with the dominant mechanisms likely dependent on local conditions. 

NASA highlights these and many other scientific results in the pages that follow. 

COST AND SCHEDULE PERFORMANCE

The majority of Science missions continue to demonstrate very good cost and schedule performance. The 

Soil Moisture Active/Passive (SMAP) launched on January 31, 2015, two months ahead of schedule and 

four percent under its development cost commitment. The Magnetospheric MultiScale (MMS) mission, 

launched on April 1, 2015, overran its development costs by about two percent, slightly better than 

estimated in last year’s request. 

Eight Science missions under development are holding to their original cost and schedule baseline 

estimates: ASTRO-H, Origins-Spectral Interpretation-Resource Identification-Security-Regolith Explorer 

(OSIRIS-REx), Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System (CYGNSS), Ionospheric Connection 

Explorer (ICON), Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow-On (GRACE-FO), Transiting 

Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), Solar Probe Plus (SPP), and Solar Orbiter Collaboration (SOC). 

Two small Science projects experienced minor cost and schedule overruns in 2015. The Stratospheric 

Aerosol and Gas Experiment III (SAGE-III) will be a few months late and a few percent over budget 

when launched to the International Space Station (ISS) in 2016. NASA’s contribution to the European 

Space Agency (ESA)’s Euclid mission will also exceed its cost and schedule commitments. 

On December 22, 2015, NASA announced the suspension of the planned March 2016 launch of the 

Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations Geodesy and Heat Transport (InSight) mission to Mars. 

NASA will announce a decision on the future of the mission in the next few months. If NASA launches 

InSight at its next opportunity in 2018, it will exceed its original cost and schedule commitments. 

The James Webb Space Telescope (Webb) and the Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite (ICESat)-2 

experienced past cost and schedule growth, but experienced no growth in 2015. 
 

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WORK IN PROGRESS IN FY 2016 

NASA is operating over 55 Science missions with over 70 spacecraft, most of which involve 

collaboration with international partners or other U.S. agencies. Work on over 35 missions in formulation 

and development continues. Suborbital flights using aircraft, sounding rockets, and balloons are ongoing, 

as are more than 3,000 competitively selected research awards to scientists located at universities, NASA 

field Centers, and other government agencies. 

Several major mission events are upcoming in 2016. JAXA plans to launch the ASTRO-H x-ray 

astronomy mission (with major NASA-provided components) in late January. NASA plans to deliver 

SAGE-III to the ISS in June. In July, five years after its launch, Juno will arrive at Jupiter and begin 

science observations. In September, the Cassini mission will begin to orbit between Saturn and its rings. 

OSIRIS-REx will launch in September or October, to begin its journey to the asteroid Bennu. 

In September 2015, NASA selected five Discovery mission proposals for further study; in October 2016, 

NASA will select one or two of those missions for development. NASA will release several 

Announcements of Opportunity (AOs) for new missions later this fiscal year, including Heliophysics 

Explorers, Astrophysics Explorers, and Earth Venture (EV) Instruments. 

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS PLANNED FOR FY 2017 

NASA plans to launch CYGNSS in FY 2017, with the goal of making a fundamental improvement in 

hurricane forecasting. Two payloads will launch to the ISS: the Orbiting Carbon Observatory 3 (OCO-3) 

mission to measure atmospheric carbon dioxide, and the Neutron star Interior Composition ExploreR 

(NICER), dedicated to the study of the extraordinary gravitational, electromagnetic, and nuclear physics 

properties of neutron stars. 

NASA will release AOs for the fifth Heliophysics Solar Terrestrial Probes mission, for the next New 

Frontiers mission, and for the third set of EV Suborbital instruments. 

Themes 

EARTH SCIENCE

From space, NASA satellites can view Earth as a planet and enable the study of it as a complex, dynamic 

system of diverse components: the oceans, atmosphere, continents, ice sheets, and life. The Nation’s 

scientific community can thereby observe and track global-scale changes, connecting causes to effects. 

Scientists can study regional changes in their global context, as well as observe the role that human 

civilization plays as a force of change. Through partnerships with agencies that maintain forecasting and 

decision support systems, NASA improves national capabilities to predict climate, weather, and natural 

hazards; manage resources; and support the development of environmental policy. 

The primary recommendations of the National Academies’ 2007 Decadal Survey for Earth Science and 

Applications from Space (ESAS), which informed the 2010 Climate-Centric Architecture plan, were: 

 Complete the ongoing program. All legacy Earth Science missions identified in the 2007 ESAS 

Decadal [Jason-2 (2008), OCO (2009, 2014), Glory (2011), Aquarius (2011), Suomi-NPP (2011), 
 

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Landsat 8 (2013)] have been developed and launched. OCO-1 and Glory suffered launch vehicle 

failures. OCO-2 was then developed and successfully launched. The FY 2017 budget fully funds 

operations and science exploitation of these on-orbit missions. 

Continue the balance between flight and non-flight activities. The FY 2017 request fully supports 

this recommendation. 

Increase the scope and fraction of the Earth Science Technology program. The FY 2017 request 

fully supports this recommendation, in part through funding for the In-Space Validation of Earth 

Science Technologies (InVEST) CubeSat-based program. 

Establish a robust program of competed Venture-class missions. The FY 2017 budget request 

fully supports this recommendation. It funds all EV missions selected under previous 

solicitations. It also fully funds the planned future solicitations in all three strands on schedule (4-

year cadence for EV-Suborbital and EV-Mission, 18-month cadence for EV-Instrument). 

Aggressively develop a number of future strategic missions. The 2007 ESAS Decadal identified 

four systematic Tier-1 missions [Soil Moisture Active Passive, ICESat-2, Deformation, 

Ecosystem Structure, and Dynamics of Ice (DESDynI), Climate Absolute Radiance and 

Refractivity Observatory (CLARREO)] for launch by 2013. The Decadal also identified five 

Tier-2 missions [Hyperspectral Infrared Image (HyspIRI), Surface Water Ocean Topography 

(SWOT), GEOstationary Coastal and Air Pollution Events (GEO-CAPE), Active Sensing of CO2 

Emissions over Nights, Days, and Seasons (ASCENDS), and Aerosol-Cloud-Ecosystem (ACE)] 

by 2016. Those Decadal recommendations assumed unrealistically low mission costs and overly 

optimistic budgets, rendering the target launch dates unachievable. NASA launched the Soil 

Moisture Active Passive mission in January 2015. The FY 2017 budget request fully funds 

ICESat-2 (2018), the radar portion of DESDynI (NISAR, 2022), a Pre-Aerosol, Clouds, and 

ocean Ecosystem (PACE) mission (PACE, 2022) and technology demonstration instruments for 

risk reduction for CLARREO (for launch to the ISS in 2019). The request also funds completion 

of high-priority, Decadal-identified, continuity missions: Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas 

Experiment (SAGE)-III (2016), Landsat-9 (2021), GRACE-FO (2018, deferred to Tier-3 in the 

Decadal), and Surface Water Ocean Topography (2020). These dates are consistent with the latest 

Key Decision Point decisions and Agency commitments. 

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NASA asks the Earth Science Subcommittee of the NASA Advisory Committee for input regarding 

budget priorities, to ensure that our proposed programs maximize scientific productivity, within the 

general framework established by the National Academies. 

PLANETARY SCIENCE

To answer questions about the solar system and the origins of life, NASA sends robotic space probes to 

the Moon, other planets and their moons, asteroids and comets, and the icy bodies beyond Neptune. 

NASA is in the midst of a sustained investigation of Mars, launching a series of orbiters, landers, and 

rovers, with the long-term goal of eventual human exploration. NASA is planning the next Mars rover, 

which will launch in 2020 and address key questions about the potential for life on Mars. NASA is 

completing humankind’s first reconnaissance of the solar system following the recent fly-by of Pluto, 

operating spacecraft at Saturn and the largest asteroid Ceres, returning to Jupiter, and preparing a mission 

that will return to Earth samples from a near-Earth asteroid. 
 

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SCMD-10 

The primary recommendations of the National Academies’ 2012 Decadal Survey for Planetary Science 

were: 

1. Continue Discovery solicitations, with the cost cap adjusted for inflation and a 24-month 

cadence. NASA adjusted the cost cap of the latest AO per the Decadal recommendation. The 

out-year budget supports an approximate 24-to-36-month cadence for new mission competitions. 

2. Continue New Frontiers with a $1 billion cost cap, and select two new missions by 2022. This 

budget supports a new AO in 2017 with selection by the end of 2018. 

3. Begin the two highest priority flagships: a Mars Astrobiology Explorer-Cacher and a Europa 

mission. This budget supports a Mars 2020 rover mission that will address the highest priority 

Mars science objectives recommended by the Planetary Decadal Survey and continues 

formulation of a Europa mission project, for launch in the late 2020s. 

4. Continue missions in development and flight, subject to senior review. This budget fully 

supports all missions selected for development, all missions in prime operations, and all 

extended missions ranked highly in the latest senior review. 

5. Increase research and analysis (R&A) spending by 5 percent above the FY 2011 budget level, 

and then 1.5 percent above inflation thereafter. The total R&A budget in FY 2011 was $208 

million. This budget funds R&A programs at $223 million in FY 2017. 

6. Increase Planetary Technology spending to six to eight percent of the total division budget, 

including completion of the advanced Stirling radioisotope generators. This budget funds 

technology at roughly four percent, less than the Decadal Survey recommendation due to the 

competing funding needs of spaceflight missions, including two flagship missions. NASA is 

investigating the state of Stirling technologies across industry and defining requirements for 

future Stirling development projects. 

The proposed budget deviates from Decadal Survey recommendations due to overly optimistic Decadal 

assumptions regarding future budgets. NASA has made adjustments across the portfolio to ensure balance 

accordingly. 

NASA asks the Planetary Science Subcommittee of the NASA Advisory Committee for input regarding 

budget priorities, to ensure that our proposed programs maximize scientific productivity, within the 

general framework established by the National Academies. 

ASTROPHYSICS

The theories of the past century about the physical universe related to the Big Bang, black holes, and dark 

matter and dark energy challenge scientists and NASA to use observations from space to test 

conventional understanding of fundamental physics. Having measured the age of the universe, the 

scientific community now seeks to explore further extremes: its birth, the edges of space and time near 

black holes, and the mysterious dark energy filling the entire universe. Scientists have recently developed 

astronomical instrumentation sensitive enough to detect planets around other stars. With hundreds of 

extrasolar planets now known, scientists are using current NASA missions in conjunction with groundbased telescopes to seek Earth-like planets in other solar systems. 

The 2010 Decadal Survey in Astronomy and Astrophysics, New Worlds, New Horizons (Astro2010) in 

Astronomy and Astrophysics, recommended a coordinated program of research, technology development, 

ground-based facilities, and space-based missions for implementation during 2012–2021. The primary 

recommendations were: 
 

SCIENCE

SCMD-11 

 Complete the ongoing program. The Astro2010 Decadal Survey assumed launch of Webb in 

2014; full operations of the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) airborne 

observatory in 2012; and completion of three Explorer missions: the Nuclear Spectroscopic 

Telescope Array (NuSTAR) in 2012, the Gravity and Extreme Magnetism (GEMS) Explorer in 

2014, and the U.S. contribution to the Japanese ASTRO-H mission in 2014. This budget fully 

supports launch of Webb in 2018, delivery of the ASTRO-H instrument to Japan for launch in 

2016, and continued operations by SOFIA (fully operational in 2014) and NuSTAR (launched in 

2012). NASA halted development of GEMS in 2012 due to cost overruns. 

Support the ongoing core research program to ensure a balanced program that optimizes overall 

scientific return. This budget fully supports the ongoing core research program and maintains a 

balanced program of large missions, small missions, research and analysis, suborbital projects, 

and technology development addressing the highest priorities in cosmic origins, exoplanet 

exploration, and physics of the cosmos. 

Launch WFIRST by 2020. This budget supports formulation of a 2.4-meter version of WFIRST, 

incorporating the Astrophysics Focused Telescope Assets (AFTA) and potentially a coronagraph. 

This request supports the start of Phase A formulation activities, and launch as early as 2025. 

Augment the Astrophysics Explorers Program to support the selection of four missions and four 

smaller missions of opportunity each decade. This budget fully supports the recommended 

cadence of new Astrophysics Explorers missions, with AOs in 2014, 2016/2017, and 2019. 

Launch the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) by 2025. This budget supports studies 

leading toward a potential contribution to an ESA-led gravitational wave observatory for launch 

in 2034. 

Invest in Technology leading toward an international X-ray observatory in the 2020s. This budget 

supports a U.S. contribution to the ESA-led Athena advanced X-ray observatory for launch in 

2028. 

Invest in a New Worlds technology development and precursor science program for a 2020s 

mission to image habitable rocky planets. This budget supports the development of technology 

and conduct of precursor science required for a potential future mission to directly image and 

characterize habitable rocky exoplanets. 

Invest in technology development and precursor science for a 2020s mission to probe the epoch 

of inflation. This budget supports the development of technology and conduct of precursor 

science required for a potential future mission to probe the epoch of inflation. 

Increase funding for several targeted areas of supporting research and technology. This budget 

supports increased funding for research and analysis including recommended investments in 

intermediate technology development, theoretical and computational networks, suborbital 

programs, laboratory astrophysics, and technology for future ultraviolet/visible space telescopes. 

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NASA has and is continuing to address many of the Decadal Survey recommendations, though in some 

cases at a slower pace. Adjustments to the Decadal Survey recommendations are primarily due to overly 

optimistic Decadal assumptions regarding future budgets and challenges and delays to programs such as 

Webb. Other factors that could not be anticipated by the Decadal Survey include the availability of the 

AFTA, changing international partnership opportunities, emerging technologies that have changed what 

can be accomplished, and advances in our scientific understanding of the universe. 
 

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SCMD-12 

NASA asks the Astrophysics Subcommittee of the NASA Advisory Council for input regarding budget 

priorities, to ensure that our proposed programs maximize scientific productivity, within the general 

framework established by the National Academies. 

JAMES WEBB SPACE TELESCOPE (WEBB) 

Webb is a large, space-based astronomical observatory. The mission is a successor to the Hubble Space 

Telescope, extending beyond Hubble’s discoveries by looking into the infrared spectrum, where the 

highly red-shifted early universe is observable, where relatively cool objects like protostars and 

protoplanetary disks strongly emit infrared light, and where dust obscures shorter wavelengths. Webb is 

progressing well towards its scheduled launch in October 2018, within the cost and schedule baseline 

NASA established in 2011. 

HELIOPHYSICS 

The Sun, a typical small star midway through its life, governs the solar system. The Sun wields its 

influence through its gravity, radiation, solar wind, and magnetic fields, all of which interact with the 

gravity, fields, and atmospheres of Earth to produce space weather, which can affect human technological 

infrastructure and activities. Using a fleet of sensors on various spacecraft in Earth orbit and throughout 

the solar system, NASA seeks to understand how and why the Sun varies, how Earth responds to the Sun, 

and how human activities are affected. The science of heliophysics enables the predictions necessary to 

safeguard life and society on Earth and the outward journeys of human and robotic explorers. 

The primary recommendations of the National Academies’ 2013 Decadal Survey for Heliophysics were:

 Maintain and complete the current program. The Decadal assumed launch of Van Allen Probes 

by 2012, IRIS by 2013, MMS by 2014, SOC by 2017, SPP by 2018, and continued current 

funding of the Research program. Van Allen, IRIS, and MMS have launched, and SOC and SPP 

are currently on schedule. This budget fully supports those missions. 

Implement the DRIVE (Diversify, Realize, Integrate, Venture, Educate) initiative, resulting in an 

increase of the competed research program from 10 percent to about 15 percent of the budget 

request. This budget supports a gradual increase with a goal of fully implementing DRIVE by the 

end of the decade. 

Accelerate and expand the Heliophysics Explorer Program, resulting in an increase to the cadence 

of competed missions to one launch every 2-3 years, starting in roughly 2018. This budget 

supports the launch of ICON and GOLD in 2017/2018 respectively, six years after the previous 

Explorer launch. The notional out-year budgets, if realized, would support the next launch around 

2022. 

Restructure Solar Terrestrial Probes (STP) as a moderate scale principal investigator-led flight 

program, and implement three mid-scale missions with an eventual recommended 4-year 

cadence. This budget assumes an AO no earlier than 2017 for a launch in about 2023. The 

procurement strategy (principle investigator-led versus Center led) for future STP strategic 

missions is not budget dependent. 

Implement a large Living with a Star (LWS) mission to study Global Dynamic Coupling with a 

launch in 2024. This budget does not support this mission as described in the Decadal Survey. 

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SCMD-13 

The FY 2017 budget deviations from Decadal Survey recommendations are due to overly optimistic 

Decadal assumptions regarding future budgets. The Heliophysics Decadal Survey provided specific 

decision rules for prioritizing the recommendations if the enacted budgets did not meet assumptions. The 

projects supported within this budget request follow those decision rules. NASA asks the Heliophysics 

Subcommittee of the NASA Advisory Committee for input regarding budget priorities to ensure that our 

proposed programs maximize scientific productivity within the general framework established by the 

National Academies. 

The decadal survey went beyond its Heliophysics science recommendations and made recommendations 

related to space weather applications, addressed collectively to the relevant government agencies. NASA 

will continue collaborating with other agencies to improve space weather observation and forecasting 

capabilities. 
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Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Earth Science Research 453.2 -- 501.7 472.9 461.3 475.9 484.2 

Earth Systematic Missions 827.3 -- 933.0 965.5 1021.3 1005.0 1000.1 

Earth System Science Pathfinder 223.8 -- 296.0 248.6 216.7 227.8 245.1 

Earth Science Multi-Mission Operations 179.7 -- 191.8 194.3 193.6 197.9 202.6 

Earth Science Technology 59.7 -- 61.4 60.4 59.7 62.7 63.7 

Applied Sciences 40.4 -- 48.2 47.9 48.7 51.5 52.0 

Total Budget 1784.1 -- 2032.2 1989.5 2001.3 2020.9 2047.7 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. 

FY 2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

FY 2017 reflects discretionary and mandatory funding. Additional details on the mandatory funding can be found in 

the Explanation of Changes section.

Earth Science 

EARTH SCIENCE RESEARCH .................................................................................. ES-2 

EARTH SYSTEMATIC MISSIONS ............................................................................ ES-13 

Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite (ICESat-2) [Development] .................................. ES-15 

GRACE-FO [Development] ............................................................................................... ES-20 

Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) [Formulation] ........................................ ES-26 

NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) [Formulation] ......................................... ES-31 

Other Missions and Data Analysis .................................................................................... ES-35 

EARTH SYSTEM SCIENCE PATHFINDER .............................................................. ES-52 

Venture Class Missions ..................................................................................................... ES-54 

Other Missions and Data Analysis .................................................................................... ES-63 

EARTH SCIENCE MULTI-MISSION OPERATIONS ................................................. ES-68 

EARTH SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY ........................................................................... ES-73 

APPLIED SCIENCES ................................................................................................ ES-78 
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FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Earth Science Research and Analysis 331.6 -- 360.7 322.6 312.4 322.4 326.7 

Computing and Management 121.7 -- 141.0 150.3 148.8 153.5 157.5 

Total Budget 453.2 -- 501.7 472.9 461.3 475.9 484.2 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. 

FY 2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

FY 2017 reflects discretionary and mandatory funding. Additional details on the mandatory funding can be found in 

the Explanation of Changes section.

NASA scientists used modern satellite and reanalysis data 

to reassess certain aspects of the precipitation climate in 

California from the past three decades. California has a 

well-pronounced rain season that peaks in DecemberFebruary. However, the 95percent confidence interval 

around the climatological precipitation during these 

months imply that deviations on the order of 60 percent of 

the expected amounts are very likely during the most 

important period of the rain season. While these positive 

and negative anomalies alternate almost every year and 

tend to cancel each other, severe multi-year declines of 

precipitation in California seem to appear on decadal 

scales. The 1986-1994 decline of precipitation was similar 

to the current one that started in 2011, and is apparent in 

the reanalysis data. In terms of accumulated deficits of 

precipitation, that episode was no less severe than the 

current one. 

NASA’s Earth Science Research program 

develops a scientific understanding of Earth and 

its response to natural or human-induced 

changes. Earth is a system, like the human body, 

comprised of diverse components interacting in 

complex ways. Understanding Earth’s 

atmosphere, crust, water, ice, and life as a single, 

connected system is necessary in order to 

improve our predictions of climate, weather, and 

natural hazards. 

The Earth Science Research program addresses 

complex, interdisciplinary Earth science 

problems in pursuit of a comprehensive 

understanding of the Earth system. This strategy 

involves six interdisciplinary and interrelated 

science focus areas, including: 

 Climate Variability and Change: 

understanding the roles of ocean, atmosphere, 

land, and ice in the climate system and 

improving our ability to predict future changes; 

 Atmospheric Composition: 

understanding and improving predictive 

capability for changes in the ozone layer, Earth’s 

radiation budget, and air quality associated with 

changes in atmospheric composition; 

 Carbon Cycle and Ecosystems: 

quantifying, understanding, and predicting 

changes in Earth’s ecosystems and 

biogeochemical cycles, including the global 

carbon cycle, land cover, and biodiversity; 
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 Water and Energy Cycle: quantifying the key reservoirs and fluxes in the global water cycle, 

assessing water cycle change, and water quality; 

Weather: enabling improved predictive capability for weather and extreme weather events; and 

Earth Surface and Interior: characterizing the dynamics of the Earth’s surface and interior and 

forming the scientific basis for the assessment and mitigation of natural hazards and response to 

rare and extreme events. 

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NASA’s Earth Science Research program pioneers the use of both space-borne and aircraft measurements 

in all of these areas. NASA’s Earth Science Research program is critical to the advancement of the 

interagency U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP). NASA’s Earth Science Research 

program also makes extensive contributions to international science programs, such as the World Climate 

Research Programme. 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017 

 Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Mandatory Budget Authority -- -- 30.0 -- -- -- -- 

Earth Science Research and Analysis is supported with $30 million of mandatory funding, which will 

enhance the scientific return from on-going and completed satellite missions. 

ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2015 

The Earth Science Subcommittee of the NASA Advisory Council Science Committee determined in 

August 2015 that NASA remained on track towards the achievement of its annual research goals, relevant 

to the six science focus areas described in the previous section. Examples of the scientific progress 

reported in FY 2015 follow. 

A study reported that global emissions of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are roughly twice that reported to 

the United Nations (UN) by developed countries, with the rest most likely originating from non-reporting 

developing countries. HFCs are powerful greenhouse gases, and many countries report HFC emissions to 

the UN through the Montreal Protocol, which does not yet require reporting or regulate HFCs because 

they are not ozone depleting substances. Many countries, led by the U.S., have been pushing to have them 

included and regulated through the Montreal Protocol for some time now, but the UN has not finalized 

agreements. 

A recent study made use of combined ground-based, in-situ, and satellite observations to find that, from 

1990 to 2007, there has been an increase in tropospheric ozone over southern Africa. Another study 

reported a decrease in the spatial distribution of tropospheric carbon monoxide, using observations from 

the Measurements Of Pollution In The Troposphere (MOPITT) instrument and in-situ measurements 

from 2002 to 2011. 

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NASA’s Short-term Prediction Research and Transition (SPoRT) program continued to make significant 

progress in transitioning weather research products to the operational community. SPoRT collaborated 

with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to assess a snowfall rate product 

that includes data from the Suomi National Polar-Orbiting Partnership (Suomi NPP) Advanced 

Technology Microwave Sounder instrument. The product uses information in microwave channels to 

estimate liquid-equivalent snowfall rates, which forecasters can use to identify the areas of the heaviest 

snowfall during winter weather events, such as the historic January 2015 U.S. Northeast blizzard. 

A recent study developed a prototype online extreme-precipitation monitoring system, using data from the 

Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Multi-satellite Precipitation Analysis (TMPA) near-realtime precipitation product. The system provides additional information for ongoing precipitation events 

based on local climatology, which the general public and decision makers can use for various hazardmanagement applications. 

Researchers have already used the first year of Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission data to 

classify the global behavior of precipitation features. The study asserted that while extreme precipitation 

systems are rare, they contribute significantly to the global precipitation and their impacts should be 

included in global climate models to describe the global water cycle correctly. 

Using satellite-remote sensing products, researchers found that vegetation cover was more important than 

weather in controlling the severity of fires in central Idaho and western Montana forests. In addition, a 

study showed that between 1991 and 2010, harvests, fires, pests, and pathogens disturbed 13 percent of 

the forests in western Oregon. Scientists also found that, because of differences in forest type and plant 

community structure, boreal forests in North America were more vulnerable to high intensity crown fires 

than those in Eurasia. 

Investigators analyzed the relationship between the progress of accumulated springtime temperatures and 

satellite observations of landscape greenness across the U.S. Great Plains during 2002–2012. Results 

revealed that urban intensity, as measured by the proportion of impervious surface area, influences the 

seasonal progression of landscape greenness differently, depending on regional climate. Also in the area 

of urban growth, the Po Plain Experiment is a research project on mega-urban changes and associated 

impacts on the local environment. Innovative data processing and use of Quick Scatterometer 

(QuikSCAT) satellite data allowed scientists to successfully develop a spatially and temporally consistent 

dataset delineating urban extension. 

A daylong symposium providing decision makers with insight into state and regional terrestrial biomass 

estimates, as well as Indonesian, Mexican, and African carbon dynamics, preceded the Carbon 

Monitoring System science team meeting. Accomplishments include globally gridded land use and land 

cover projections to 2100, using remote sensing alongside land use allocations from a socio-economic 

model. 

NASA’s Land Data Assimilation System (LDAS) and Land Information System (LIS) tools continue to 

improve; NASA upgraded LIS to assimilate remotely sensed soil moisture from the Soil Moisture Active 

Passive (SMAP) mission and terrestrial water storage from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment 

(GRACE). Upgrades also enabled improved model forcing with increased spatial resolution, the 

expansion of the LDAS domain to all of North America, and the reduction of data lag to near zero. The 

team held tutorials on the software to transition it into National Centers for Environmental Prediction 
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operations. Scientists created a National Climate Assessment version of LDAS as an end-to-end enabling 

tool for sustained evaluation and dissemination of terrestrial hydrologic variables. 

A study examined the creation of a North American river width database that contains over 240,000 

kilometers of rivers wider than 30 meters. Investigators argue that North American river surface area is 

underestimated by 20 percent, which could greatly affect estimates of river discharge and carbon fluxes 

from rivers to the atmosphere. The team is working on a similar global river width database for use by 

Surface Water Ocean Topography (SWOT) algorithm developers. Another study detailed a method to 

estimate water depth in flooded forests and applied it to the Congo Basin. This new approach offers a 

method to calibrate and validate multiple aspects of two-dimensional hydrodynamic modeling. 

Investigators can apply this approach to other regions and it should serve as a useful pre-launch virtual 

mission study for SWOT. 

A study of sea level rise using Jason-2 altimetry, GRACE, and the Argo array of more than 3,000 freedrifting floats concluded that the deep ocean has not warmed enough to account for the hiatus in air 

temperature increase over the past decade. Thus, researchers conclude that the added heat is stored in the 

upper layers of the ocean. Another study found that the partitioning of northern and southern hemispheric 

simulated sea surface height changes from climate models are consistent with precise altimeter 

observations, but inconsistent with in-situ estimates of ocean heat content between 1970 and 2004. 

The picture of the Greenland Ice Sheet continued to develop, with more information than ever about its 

surface and the bedrock beneath it. Researchers compiled aircraft and satellite laser altimetry 

measurements from 1993 to 2012 to reconstruct records of ice thickness change at 100,000 sites in 

Greenland. They also constructed a comprehensive deep stratigraphy of the Greenland Ice Sheet from 

airborne ice-penetrating radar data collected between 1993 and 2013. 

NASA investigators used data from the GRACE satellite mission to measure and model the large gravity 

changes after the 2012 Indian Ocean earthquake sequence, showing that GRACE data are suitable for 

analyzing some earthquakes as small as magnitude 8.2. Researchers also used numerical simulations of 

earthquake fault systems and the Virtual California model to estimate gravity changes. 

The National Science Foundation (NSF) and NASA-funded Plains Elevated Convection at Night field 

campaign was staged in the central U.S. from June 1 to July 15, 2015. In addition to airborne instruments, 

three ground instruments from NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) participated in the 

experiment: X-badger radar, GLOW direct detection wind lidar, and the ALVICE Raman lidar. The 

campaign focused on initiation mechanisms for nighttime convection. 

Uninhabited Aerial Vehicle Synthetic Aperture Radar (UAVSAR) is an L-band repeat-pass 

interferometric synthetic aperture radar that serves as a technology test bed for the NASA-ISRO Synthetic 

Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission and provision of science data. UAVSAR continued twice-annual 

coverage of much of the San Andreas Fault, continued monitoring of levees in the Sacramento Delta in 

collaboration with the California Department of Water Resources, and continued studies of landslides in 

Colorado and Alaska and deformation in the Mississippi Delta. A major campaign to South and Central 

America in March and April 2015 continued studies of volcanic processes and provided 

calibration/validation support to the SMAP mission with sites in Argentina. A campaign in May and June 

2015 studied short-term variations in glacial velocity fields in Iceland and participated in a joint study 

with Norway to characterize oil spills. In addition, UAVSAR began support of permafrost studies in 
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Alaska in conjunction with the P-band Airborne Microwave Observatory of Subcanopy and Subsurface 

(AirMOSS) instrument. 

WORK IN PROGRESS IN FY 2016 

Operation IceBridge continues as the largest airborne survey of the Earth’s polar ice ever flown to provide 

data continuity between the loss of the Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite (ICESat)-1 satellite and the 

launch of ICESat-2. It is yielding a three-dimensional view of the Arctic and Antarctic ice sheets, ice 

shelves, and sea ice. These flights provide a yearly, multi-instrument look at the behavior of the polar ice 

sheets to determine their contributions to current and future global sea level rise, and help us understand 

the changes in sea ice cover and the Earth system. 

NASA and the National Institute of Environmental Research of Korea are preparing for the Korea-United 

States Air Quality Field Study in May and June of 2016. The study will integrate ground, airborne, and 

satellite observations with modeling tools in preparation for future geostationary missions by each 

country. The study will involve at least four research aircraft, two research vessels, and more than ten 

ground sites, measuring and monitoring trace gases and aerosols both upwind of the Asian continent and 

downwind of the Korean peninsula. The outcomes of this field study will improve our ability to measure 

atmospheric composition from space and develop a better understanding of the changes in pollution 

emissions from Asia. 

NASA will begin fieldwork and related research for the Arctic – Boreal Vulnerability Experiment 

(ABoVE) in Alaska and northwestern Canada to examine the vulnerability and resilience of northern 

ecosystems to a changing environment. ABoVE will address the dynamics of fauna, vegetation structure 

and function, fire dynamics, carbon dynamics, permafrost and hydrology, and predictive model 

development and testing. Two hundred and thirty-two investigators will participate. 

Scientists will conduct a joint ESA-NASA airborne campaign (AfriSAR) in Gabon, Africa during winter 

2016 to assess the use of P-band, L-band radar and lidar remote sensing to optimize algorithms used to 

help estimate biomass and related quantities for this major tropical forest region. This work is pertinent to 

the development of future spaceborne sensors planned by NASA and ESA. 

During FY 2016, NASA will initiate research on the formation of tornadoes. The research was selected 

after Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) 2015 competition, the first ever 

solicitation on tornado genesis research. 

In collaboration with ESA, NASA will plan the development and implementation of the follow on 

assessment to the Ice sheet Mass Balance Inter-comparison Exercise (IMBIE). NASA and ESA 

established the first IMBIE with the aim of providing reconciled estimates of ice sheet mass balance. In 

2012, IMBIE achieved this aim and reconciled measurements of ice sheet mass balance using satellite 

altimetry, gravimetry, and the input-output method. The IMBIE 2 effort aims to get a broader range of 

international scientists involved in the next mass balance assessment. One of the new key areas is the 

inclusion of precipitation patterns. 
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KEY ACHIEVEMENTS PLANNED FOR FY 2017 

NASA will continue collaboration with ESA on joint satellite calibration and validation activities for the 

Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) and NISAR missions and the ESA BIOMASS mission 

with a focus on terrestrial carbon storage and ecosystem dynamics. NASA is planning to participate 

jointly with ESA in the AfriSAR campaign in Gabon during FY 2017 to include flights of UAVSAR and 

Land, Vegetation, and Ice Sensor (LVIS). 

The NASA interdisciplinary Sea Level Change Science team (established in 2014) will deliver integrative 

studies of sea level. This project will produce integrative assessments of sea level rise research focused on 

NASA’s broad range of relevant missions and research. The principal objectives of the science team are 

to 1) improve our understanding of current and future sea level rise and its regional variation, 2) improve 

our understanding of changes in ice mass, both from the polar ice sheets and mountain glaciers, 3) 

produce new datasets useful to the sea level science research community and stakeholders, and 4) 

disseminate sea level research results from NASA’s research programs. 

In FY 2017 NASA will initiate research activities based on new competitions in ROSES 2016. These will 

be solicitations for interdisciplinary research with several crosscutting science foci. In addition, a new 

round of the Airborne Instrument Technology Transition (AITT) program competition will initiate 

research on technologies for integration and testing on board various NASA airplanes and UAVs. The 

intent of the research activities is to transition the instruments into suborbital tools that can participate in 

field experiments, evaluate new satellite instrument concepts, and/or provide calibration and validation of 

satellite instruments. 

Program Elements 

CARBON CYCLE SCIENCE TEAM

Carbon Cycle Science Team funds research on the distribution and cycling of carbon among Earth’s 

active land, ocean, and atmospheric reservoirs. 

GLOBAL MODELING AND ASSIMILATION OFFICE

The Global Modeling and Assimilation Office create global climate and Earth system component models 

using data from Earth science satellites and aircraft. Investigators can then use these products worldwide 

to further their research. 

AIRBORNE SCIENCE

The Airborne Science project is responsible for providing manned and unmanned aircraft systems that 

further science and advance the use of satellite data. NASA uses these assets worldwide in campaigns to 

investigate extreme weather events, observe Earth system processes, obtain data for earth science 

modeling activities, and calibrate instruments flying aboard earth science spacecraft. NASA Airborne 

Science platforms support mission definition and development activities. For example, these activities 

include: 
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 Conducting instrument development flights; 

Gathering ice sheet observations as gap fillers between missions (e.g., Operation IceBridge); 

Serving as technology test beds for Instrument Incubator Program missions; 

Serving as the observation platforms for research campaigns, such as those competitively selected 

under the suborbital portion of Earth Venture; and 

Calibrating and validating space-based measurements and retrieval algorithms. 

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OZONE TRENDS SCIENCE

The Ozone Trends Science project produces a consistent, calibrated ozone record used for trend analyses 

and other studies. 

INTERDISCIPLINARY SCIENCE

Interdisciplinary Science includes science investigations, as well as calibration and validation activities, 

that ensure the utility of space-based measurements. In addition, it supports focused fieldwork (e.g., 

airborne campaigns) and specific facility instruments upon which fieldwork depends. 

EARTH SCIENCE RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS

Earth Science Research and Analysis is the core of the research program and funds the analysis and 

interpretation of data from NASA’s satellites. This project funds the scientific activity needed to establish 

a rigorous base for the satellites’ data and their use in computational models. 

FELLOWSHIPS AND NEW INVESTIGATORS

The Fellowships and New Investigators project supports graduate and early career research in the areas of 

Earth system research and applied science. 

SPACE GEODESY

The Space Geodesy Project (SGP) provides global geodetic positioning and support for geodetic 

reference frames necessary for climate change and geohazards research. Geodesy is the science of 

measuring Earth’s shape, gravity, and rotation and how these properties change over time. The SGP 

manages the operations and development of NASA’s Space Geodetic Network that is comprised of the 

following major space geodetic observing systems: Very Long Baseline Interferometry, Satellite Laser 

Ranging, and Global Navigation Satellite System. It currently develops the next generation Space 

Geodetic Stations. The Space Geodesy project began in 2011. It is a GSFC and Jet Propulsion Laboratory 

(JPL) partnership, with participation from the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory and the University 

of Maryland. 
Science: Earth Science 

EARTH SCIENCE RESEARCH

ES-9 

CARBON MONITORING SYSTEM

Carbon Monitoring System complements NASA’s overall program in carbon cycle science and 

observations by producing and distributing products to the community regarding the flux of carbon 

between the surface and atmosphere, as well as the stores of carbon on the surface. 

EARTH SCIENCE DIRECTED RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY

Earth Science Directed Research and Technology funds the civil service staff who work on emerging 

Earth Science flight projects, instruments, and research. 

GLOBAL LEARNING AND OBSERVATIONS TO BENEFIT THE ENVIRONMENT

Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE), previously funded under the 

former Earth Science Education and Outreach project, is a worldwide hands-on primary and secondary 

school-based science and education program that promotes collaboration among students, teachers, and 

scientists to conduct inquiry-based investigations about our environment. NASA works in close 

partnership with NOAA and NSF Earth System Science Projects to study the dynamics of Earth’s 

environment, focused on atmosphere, hydrology, soil, and land cover. Students take measurements, 

analyze data, and participate in research in collaboration with scientists. 

SCIENTIFIC COMPUTING

The Scientific Computing project funds NASA’s Earth Science Discover computing system, software 

engineering, and user interface projects at GSFC, including climate assessment modeling. Scientific 

Computing supports Earth system science modeling activities based on data collected by earth science 

spacecraft. The system is separate from the High End Computing Capability (HECC), so it can be close to 

the satellite data archives at GSFC. The proximity to the data and the focus on satellite data assimilation 

makes the Discover cluster unique in the ability to analyze large volumes of satellite data quickly. The 

system currently has approximately 79,000 computer processor cores. 

HIGH END COMPUTING CAPABILITY (HECC) 

HECC focuses on the Endeavour, Merope, and Pleiades supercomputer systems and the associated 

network connectivity, data storage, data analysis, visualization, and application software support. It serves 

the supercomputing needs of all NASA mission directorates and NASA-supported principal investigators 

at universities. The Science funding supports the operation, maintenance, and upgrade of NASA’s 

supercomputing capability, while the Strategic Capabilities Assets Program provides oversight. These 

three supercomputer systems, with approximately 211,000 computer processor cores, support NASA’s 

aeronautics, human exploration, and science missions. For example, the systems are used to model the 

aerodynamic characteristics of the Space Launch System (SLS) at different attach angles and different air 

speeds. The systems also analyze the Kepler mission observation data to search for habitable exoplanets. 
Science: Earth Science 

EARTH SCIENCE RESEARCH

ES-10 

DIRECTORATE SUPPORT

The Directorate Support project funds the Science Mission Directorate’s (SMD) institutional and 

crosscutting activities including: National Academies studies, proposal peer review processes, printing 

and graphics, information technology, the NASA Postdoctoral Fellowship program, working group 

support, independent assessment studies, procurement support for the award and administration of all 

grants, and other administrative tasks. 

Program Schedule 

Date Significant Event 

Q2 FY 2016 ROSES-2016 solicitation 

Q1 FY 2017 ROSES-2016 selection within six to nine months of receipt of proposals 

Q2 FY 2017 ROSES-2017 solicitation 

Q1 FY 2018 ROSES-2017 selection within six to nine months of receipt of proposals 

Program Management & Commitments 

Program Element Provider 

Carbon Cycle Science Team 

Provider: Various and defined in the acquisition strategy 

Lead Center: Headquarters (HQ) 

Performing Center(s): HQ, JPL, GSFC 

Cost Share Partner(s): USGCRP and Subcommittee on Ocean Science and 

Technology (SOST) agencies 

Global Modeling and 

Assimilation Office 

Provider: Various 

Lead Center: HQ 

Performing Center(s): GSFC 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

Airborne Science 

Provider: Various 

Lead Center: HQ 

Performing Center(s): Armstrong Flight Research Center (AFRC), Ames 

Research Center (ARC), GSFC Wallops Flight Facility (WFF), Glenn 

Research Center (GRC), Johnson Space Center (JSC), Langley Research 

Center (LaRC) 

Cost Share Partner(s): Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department 

of Defense (DoD), Department of Energy (DOE), NOAA, NSF 
Science: Earth Science 

EARTH SCIENCE RESEARCH

ES-11 

Program Element Provider 

Scientific Computing 

Provider: GSFC 

Lead Center: HQ 

Performing Center(s): GSFC 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

Ozone Trends Science 

Provider: Various and defined in the acquisition strategy 

Lead Center: HQ 

Performing Center(s): LaRC, GSFC 

Cost Share Partner(s): USGCRP and SOST agencies 

Interdisciplinary Science 

Provider: Various 

Lead Center: HQ 

Performing Center(s): HQ, JPL, GSFC, ARC, AFRC, GRC, LaRC, MSFC, 

JSC 

Cost Share Partner(s): USGCRP and SOST agencies 

Earth Science Research and 

Analysis 

Provider: Various and defined in the acquisition strategy 

Lead Center: HQ 

Performing Center(s): All NASA Centers 

Cost Share Partner(s): USGCRP and SOST agencies 

High-End Computing Capability 

Provider: ARC 

Lead Center: HQ 

Performing Center(s): ARC 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

Directorate Support 

Provider: HQ 

Lead Center: HQ 

Performing Center(s): 

Cost Share Partner(s); None 

Fellowships and New 

Investigators 

Provider: Various 

Lead Center: HQ 

Performing Center(s): All NASA Centers 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

Space Geodesy 

Provider: Various 

Lead Center: GSFC 

Performing Centers: GSFC, JPL 

Cost Share Partners: None 

Carbon Monitoring System 

Provider: Various and defined in the acquisition strategy 

Lead Center: HQ 

Performing Center(s): JPL, GSFC, ARC 

Cost Share Partner(s): U.S. Forest Service, DOE, NOAA 
Science: Earth Science 

EARTH SCIENCE RESEARCH

ES-12 

Program Element Provider 

Global Learning and 

Observations to Benefit the 

Environment 

Provider: University Corporation for Atmospheric Research 

Lead Center: HQ 

Performing Center(s): HQ, GSFC 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

Acquisition Strategy 

NASA implements the Earth Science Research program via competitively selected research awards. 

NASA releases research solicitations each year in the ROSES NASA Research Announcements. All 

proposals in response to NASA ROSES are peer reviewed and selected based on defined criteria. The 

program competitively awards at least 90 percent of its research program funds to investigators from 

academia, the private sector, and NASA Centers. 

INDEPENDENT REVIEWS

Review 

Type Performer Date of Review Purpose Outcome Next Review 

Relevance 

NASA Advisory 

Council Earth 

Science 

Subcommittee 

2015 

To review progress 

towards Earth 

Science objectives in 

the NASA Strategic 

Plan 

All six science focus 

areas were rated 

green as documented 

in the FY 2015 

Performance and 

Accountability 

Report 

2016; 

annually 

thereafter 
Science: Earth Science 

EARTH SYSTEMATIC MISSIONS 

ES-13 

FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite 

(ICESat-2) 126.5 117.4 112.4 66.6 14.2 14.2 14.4 

GRACE-FO 84.7 59.9 33.7 20.5 11.3 12.3 12.2 

Surface Water and Ocean Topography 

(SWOT) 83.8 -- 83.7 105.9 126.3 81.0 42.0 

NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar 

(NISAR) 50.6 -- 68.5 85.0 150.0 145.0 100.0 

Other Missions and Data Analysis 481.8 -- 634.7 687.5 719.5 752.6 831.6 

Total Budget 827.3 -- 933.0 965.5 1021.3 1005.0 1000.1 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. 

For projects in development, NASA's tentatively planned FY 2016 funding level is shown. FY 2016 funding levels 

are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

On November 5, 2015, two dams collapsed in southeastern 

Brazil, sending a torrent of mining sludge through the 

village of Bento Rodrigues. The Operational Land Imager 

(OLI) on Landsat 8 captured this natural-color view of the 

village and the surrounding region after the catastrophe. 

As part of the joint NASA-USGS Sustainable Land 

Imaging program, NASA has begun work on Landsat-9, 

which will extend the U.S. record of land images to half a 

century. 

Earth Systematic Missions (ESM) includes a 

broad range of multi-disciplinary science 

investigations aimed at understanding the Earth 

system and its response to natural and humaninduced forces and changes. Understanding 

these forces will help determine how to predict 

future changes and mitigate or adapt to these 

changes. 

The ESM program develops Earth-observing 

satellite missions, manages the operation of 

these missions once on orbit, and produces 

mission data products in support of the research, 

applications, and policy communities. 

Interagency and international partnerships are a 

central element throughout the ESM program. 

Several on-orbit missions provide data products 

in near-real time for use by U.S. and 

international meteorological agencies and 

disaster responders. Five missions involve 

significant international or interagency 

collaboration in development. The Landsat Data 

Continuity Mission (LDCM), now operating on orbit as Landsat 8, involves collaboration with the U.S 

Geological Survey (USGS). The GPM mission, now operating on orbit, is a partnership with the Japanese 

Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), and the GRACE Follow-On (GRACE-FO) mission is a 

partnership between NASA and the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ). The SWOT mission 

includes significant collaborations with the Centre National d’Etudes’ Spatiales (CNES), the Canadian 
Science: Earth Science 

EARTH SYSTEMATIC MISSIONS 

ES-14 

Space Agency (CSA), and the United Kingdom Space Agency (UKSA). The NISAR mission is a major 

collaboration between NASA and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017 

Landsat 9 entered the formulation phase, with an anticipated launch of 2021. This budget does not include 

the Thermal Infrared Free Flyer project. NASA has increased the Radiation Budget Instrument (RBI) 

project estimated cost due to technical and programmatic challenges. The Altimetry Follow-On (AFO) 

mission, renamed Sentinel-6, will support NASA’s contributions to both ESA Sentinel-6A and -6B. 

NASA created a new Ocean Salinity Science Team project to consolidate research investments in ocean 

salinity science, due to the termination of the Aquarius mission. SMAP transitioned to operations after a 

successful launch. NASA decommissioned QuikSCAT and TRMM and the missions are completing their 

final data processing. 
Science: Earth Science: Earth Systematic Missions 

ICE, CLOUD, AND LAND ELEVATION SATELLITE (ICESAT-2)

Formulation Development Operations 

ES-15 

FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional

Budget Authority (in $ millions) Prior FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 BTC Total 

Formulation 249.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 249.1 

Development/Implementation 353.8 126.5 117.4 110.8 55.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 763.7 

Operations/Close-out 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.6 11.4 14.2 14.2 9.4 0.0 50.8 

2016 MPAR LCC Estimate 602.9 126.5 117.4 112.4 66.6 14.2 14.2 9.4 0.0 1063.6 

Total Budget 603.0 126.5 117.4 112.4 66.6 14.2 14.2 14.4 1.9 1070.5 

Change from FY 2016 -5.0 

Percentage change from FY 2016 -4.3% 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. 

For projects in development, NASA's tentatively planned FY 2016 funding level is shown. FY 2016 funding levels 

are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

ICESat-2 will use a multi-beam micropulse laser altimeter 

to measure the topography of the Greenland and Antarctic 

ice sheets as well as the thickness of Arctic and Antarctic 

sea ice. The satellite LIDAR also will measure vegetation 

canopy heights and support other NASA environmental 

monitoring missions. By discovering the anatomy of ice 

loss, researchers may be able to forecast how the ice sheets 

will melt in the future and what impact this will have on 

sea-levels. 

PROJECT PURPOSE

The ICESat-2 mission will serve as an ICESat 

follow-on satellite to continue the assessment of 

polar ice changes. ICESat-2 will also measure 

vegetation canopy heights, allowing estimates of 

biomass and carbon in above ground vegetation 

in conjunction with related missions, and allow 

measurements of solid earth properties. 

ICESat-2 will continue to provide an important 

record of multi-year elevation data needed to 

determine ice sheet mass balance and cloud 

property information. It will also provide 

topography and vegetation data around the globe 

in addition to the polar-specific coverage over 

the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets. 

The ICESat-2 mission is a Tier 1 mission, 

recommended by the National Academies. It 

entered formulation in FY 2010 and entered 

implementation in FY 2013. 

For more information, go to http://icesat.gsfc.nasa.gov/icesat2. 
Science: Earth Science: Earth Systematic Missions 

ICE, CLOUD, AND LAND ELEVATION SATELLITE (ICESAT-2)

Formulation Development Operations 

ES-16 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017 

None. 

PROJECT PARAMETERS

The ICESat-2 observatory employs a dedicated spacecraft with a multi-beam photon-counting surface 

elevation lidar, which measures distance by illuminating the Earth’s surface with a laser and analyzing the 

reflected light. ICESat-2 will continue the measurements begun with the first ICESat mission, which 

launched in 2003, and will improve upon ICESat by incorporating a micro-pulse multi-beam laser to 

provide dense cross-track sampling, improving elevation estimates over inclined surfaces and very rough 

(e.g., crevassed) areas and improving lead detection for above-water sea ice estimates. 

ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2015 

The project completed the spacecraft and began testing activities. Almost all Advanced Topographic 

Laser Altimeter System (ATLAS) instrument subsystems were completed, delivered, and integrated and 

overall instrument testing also began. 

WORK IN PROGRESS IN FY 2016 

The final ATLAS subsystems will be completed, delivered, and integrated during early FY 2016. The 

project will complete final ATLAS instrument testing with corresponding instrument delivery during late 

FY 2016 and hold the Mission Operations Review. 

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS PLANNED FOR FY 2017 

The project team will integrate the instrument with the spacecraft and test the resultant observatory. 

Associated reviews scheduled in FY 2017 include the System Integration Review (SIR) and the Key 

Decision Point (KDP)-D. 

SCHEDULE COMMITMENTS/KEY MILESTONES

NASA plans to launch ICESat-2 in June 2018 to begin a three-year prime mission. The following timeline 

shows the development agreement schedule per the rebaseline plan from May 2014. 

Milestone Confirmation Baseline Date FY 2017 PB Request 

KDP-C Dec 2012 Dec 2012 

Critical Design Review (CDR) Feb 2014 Feb 2014 

New Baseline Feb 2015 Feb 2015 
Science: Earth Science: Earth Systematic Missions 

ICE, CLOUD, AND LAND ELEVATION SATELLITE (ICESAT-2)

Formulation Development Operations 

ES-17 

Milestone Confirmation Baseline Date FY 2017 PB Request 

Launch Jun 2018 Jun 2018 

End of Prime Mission Sep 2021 Sep 2021 

Development Cost and Schedule 

Base 

Year 

Base 

Year 

Development 

Cost 

Estimate 

($M) 

JCL 

(%) 

Current 

Year 

Current 

Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate 

($M) 

Cost 

Change 

(%) 

Key 

Milestone 

Base 

Year 

Milestone 

Data 

Current 

Year 

Milestone 

Data 

Milestone 

Change 

(mths) 

2015 763.7 >70 2016 763.7 0 Launch Jun 2018 Jun 2018 0 

Note: The confidence level estimates reported reflect an evolving process as NASA improves its probabilistic 

estimation techniques and processes. Estimate reflects the practices and policies at the time it was developed. 

Estimates that include combined cost and schedule risks are denoted as JCL (joint confidence level); all other CLs 

(confidence levels) reflect cost confidence without necessarily factoring the potential impacts of schedule changes 

on cost. 

Development Cost Details 

Element 

Base Year Development 

Cost Estimate ($M) 

Current Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate ($M) 

Change from Base Year 

Estimate ($M) 

TOTAL: 763.8 763.7 -0.1

Aircraft/Spacecraft 106.0 107.6 1.6

Payloads 239.1 289.1 50.0 

Systems Integration and 

Test (I&T) 21.6 12.5 -9.1 

Launch Vehicle 118.8 118.8 0.0 

Ground Systems 55.4 57.5 2.1 

Science/Technology 31.0 32.7 1.7 

Other Direct Project 

Costs 191.9 145.5 -46.4 
Science: Earth Science: Earth Systematic Missions 

ICE, CLOUD, AND LAND ELEVATION SATELLITE (ICESAT-2)

Formulation Development Operations 

ES-18 

Project Management & Commitments 

GSFC has project management responsibility for ICESat-2. 

Element Description Provider Details Change from 

Baseline 

ATLAS 

Instrument 

Advanced Topographic Laser 

Altimeter System 

Provider: GSFC 

Lead Center: GSFC 

Performing Center(s): GSFC 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

N/A 

Launch Vehicle Provides launch service and 

entry into proper Earth orbit 

Provider: United Launch Alliance 

(ULA) 

Lead Center: GSFC 

Performing Center(s): KSC 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

N/A 

Ground System 

Provides control of 

observatory operations, 

science data processing and 

distribution 

Provider: Orbital ATK 

Lead Center: GSFC 

Performing Center(s): GSFC 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

N/A 

Spacecraft 

Platform provides thermal 

and attitude control, power, 

and communications with the 

instrument 

Provider: Orbital ATK 

Lead Center: GSFC 

Performing Center(s): GSFC 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

N/A 

Project Risks 

Risk Statement Mitigation 

If: The instrument hardware experiences 

development problems during testing, 

Then: The delay of instrument completion 

increases the overall mission cost. 

During the re-baseline exercise, NASA added 18 months of 

funded schedule reserves to the schedule to accommodate 

problem resolution during fabrication, integration, and testing. 

Acquisition Strategy 

GSFC is responsible for the design and testing of the ATLAS instrument. NASA competitively selected 

the spacecraft vendor, Orbital ATK, which will provide the ground system element through a contract 

option. NASA competitively selected ULA as the launch services vendor. 
Science: Earth Science: Earth Systematic Missions 

ICE, CLOUD, AND LAND ELEVATION SATELLITE (ICESAT-2)

Formulation Development Operations 

ES-19 

MAJOR CONTRACTS/AWARDS

Element Vendor Location (of work performance) 

Ground System Orbital ATK Dulles, VA 

Spacecraft Orbital ATK Gilbert, AZ 

Launch Service ULA Decatur, AL 

INDEPENDENT REVIEWS

Review 

Type Performer Date of Review Purpose Outcome Next Review 

Performance Standing Review 

Board (SRB) Dec 2012 KDP-C 

Mission was 

approved to enter 

development 

Feb 2014 

Performance SRB Feb 2014 Mission CDR Mission CDR was 

successfully 

completed 

Oct 2016 

Performance 

SRB Oct 2016 KDP-D TBD Jul 2017 

Performance SRB Jul 2017 Operational 

Readiness Review 

(ORR) 

TBD N/A 
Science: Earth Science: Earth Systematic Missions 

GRACE-FO

ES-20 

FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional

Budget Authority (in $ millions) Prior FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 BTC Total 

Formulation 107.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 107.4 

Development/Implementation 75.6 84.7 59.9 33.7 9.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 263.4 

Operations/Close-out 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 11.0 11.3 12.3 12.2 14.4 61.2 

2016 MPAR LCC Estimate 183.0 84.7 59.9 33.7 20.5 11.3 12.3 12.2 14.4 432.0 

Total Budget 183.0 84.7 59.9 33.7 20.5 11.3 12.3 12.2 14.4 431.9 

Change from FY 2016 -26.2 

Percentage change from FY 2016 -43.7% 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. 

For projects in development, NASA's tentatively planned FY 2016 funding level is shown. FY 2016 funding levels 

are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

P

GRACE-FO is a successor to the original GRACE mission, 

which began orbiting Earth in 2002. The two GRACE-FO 

satellites will use the same kind of microwave ranging 

system as GRACE, and so can expect to achieve a similar 

level of precision. But they will also test an experimental 

instrument using lasers instead of microwaves, which 

promises to make the measurement of their separation 

distance at least 20 times more precise. 

ROJECT PURPOSE

The GRACE-FO mission will allow scientists to 

gain new insights into the dynamic processes in 

Earth’s interior, currents in the oceans, and 

variations in the extent of ice coverage. Data 

from the mission, combined with other existing 

sources of data, will greatly improve scientific 

understanding of glaciers and hydrology. 

GRACE-FO will obtain the same extremely 

high-resolution global models of Earth’s gravity 

field, including how it varies over time, as in the 

original GRACE mission (launched in 2002). 

GRACE-FO data is vital to ensuring there is a 

minimal gap in gravitational field measurements 

following the decommissioning of the currently 

operating GRACE mission. GRACE-FO 

includes a partnership with the German 

Research Centre for Geosciences. 
Science: Earth Science: Earth Systematic Missions 

GRACE-FO

ES-21 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017 

NASA has agreed to change the launch site for the GRACE-FO mission from Baikonur, Kazakhstan to 

Yasny, Russia at the request of the International Space Company Kosmotras, the launch service provider 

under contract to GFZ. 

PROJECT PARAMETERS

The GRACE-FO observatory employs two dedicated spacecraft, launched into a near-circular polar orbit. 

As the two spacecraft orbit Earth, slight variations in gravity will alter the spacecraft speed and distance 

relative to each other. Scientists use the speed and distance changes to extrapolate and map Earth’s 

gravitational field. 

The GRACE-FO instrument suite includes the Microwave Instrument, which accurately measures 

changes in the speed and distance between the two spacecraft. The accelerometer instrument measures all 

non-gravitational accelerations (e.g., atmospheric drag, solar radiation pressure, attitude control, and 

thruster operation) on each GRACE-FO satellite. The Laser Ranging Interferometer is a technology 

demonstration and is a partnership between the United States and Germany. NASA will use the science 

data from the GRACE-FO mission to generate an updated model of Earth’s gravitational field 

approximately every 30 days for the 5-year lifetime of the prime mission. 

ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2015 

The GRACE-FO project successfully completed its critical design review in February 2015 and its system 

integration review in July 2015. The project proceeded to its I&T phase in August 2015. 

WORK IN PROGRESS IN FY 2016 

The deliveries of the accelerometers, the microwave instruments, and the laser ranging interferometers for 

observatory integration will occur in FY 2016. The project plans to complete observatory integration in 

FY 2016. 

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS PLANNED FOR FY 2017 

Observatory environmental testing, shipment to the launch site, and launch processing are planned for FY 

2017, in order to launch by May 2018. 

SCHEDULE COMMITMENTS/KEY MILESTONES

Milestone Confirmation Baseline Date FY 2017 PB Request 

KDP-C Feb 2014 Feb 2014 

CDR Feb 2015 Feb 2015 

KDP-D Aug 2015 Aug 2015 
Science: Earth Science: Earth Systematic Missions 

GRACE-FO

ES-22 

Milestone Confirmation Baseline Date FY 2017 PB Request 

Launch (or equivalent) Feb 2018 Feb 2018 

Start Phase E May 2018 May 2018 

End of Prime Mission Feb 2023 Feb 2023 

Development Cost and Schedule 

Base 

Year 

Base 

Year 

Development 

Cost 

Estimate 

($M) 

JCL 

(%) 

Current 

Year 

Current 

Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate 

($M) 

Cost 

Change 

(%) 

Key 

Milestone 

Base 

Year 

Milestone 

Data 

Current 

Year 

Milestone 

Data 

Milestone 

Change 

(mths) 

2015 264 70 2016 263.4 0 Launch Feb 2018 Feb 2018 0 

Note: The confidence level estimates reported reflect an evolving process as NASA improves its probabilistic 

estimation techniques and processes. Estimate reflects the practices and policies at the time it was developed. 

Estimates that include combined cost and schedule risks are denoted as JCL (joint confidence level); all other CLs 

(confidence levels) reflect cost confidence without necessarily factoring the potential impacts of schedule changes 

on cost. 

Development Cost Details 

NASA approved GRACE-FO to proceed into integration and test in August 2015. 

Element 

Base Year Development 

Cost Estimate ($M) 

Current Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate ($M) 

Change from Base Year 

Estimate ($M) 

TOTAL: 264.0 263.4 -0.6 

Aircraft/Spacecraft 118.7 124.1 5.4 

Payloads 32.1 37.3 5.2 

Systems I&T 0 0 0 

Launch Vehicle 0 0 0 

Ground Systems 0 0 0 

Science/Technology 12.3 15.0 2.7 

Other Direct Project 

Costs 100.9 87.0 -13.9 
Science: Earth Science: Earth Systematic Missions 

GRACE-FO

ES-23 

Project Management & Commitments 

The Earth Systematic Missions Program at GSFC manages GRACE-FO. NASA has assigned 

responsibility for implementation to JPL. 

Element Description Provider Details Change from 

Baseline 

Spacecraft Provides platform for the 

instruments 

Provider: Airbus Defence & Space 

(Germany) 

Lead Center: N/A 

Performing Center(s): JPL 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

N/A 

Microwave 

Instrument 

Measures the distance 

between the spacecraft as a 

function of time 

Provider: JPL 

Lead Center: JPL 

Performing Center(s): JPL 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

N/A 

Accelerometers 

Measures all nongravitational accelerations of 

the satellite(s) 

Provider: French Office National 

d’Etudes et Recherches Aérospatiales 

(ONERA) 

Lead Center: JPL 

Performing Center(s): JPL 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

N/A 

Laser Ranging 

Interferometer 

Heterodyne interferometric 

laser will measure the 

distance between the two 

spacecraft as a function of 

time 

Provider: JPL and GFZ 

Lead Center: JPL 

Performing Center(s): JPL 

Cost Share Partner(s): GFZ 

N/A 

Launch Vehicle Delivers observatory into 

Earth orbit 

Provider: JSC Kosmotras (Russia) 

Lead Center: N/A 

Performing Center(s): N/A 

Cost Share Partner(s): GFZ 

N/A 
Science: Earth Science: Earth Systematic Missions 

GRACE-FO

ES-24 

Project Risks 

Risk Statement Mitigation 

If: The contributions from the international 

partner for the GRACE-FO mission are 

delayed or cannot be provided as planned, 

Then: There could be a delay to the GRACEFO mission as well. 

NASA and JPL will work diligently with its international 

partners to assess the status of their deliverables on a routine 

basis and assist them with mitigating any technical or 

programmatic issues if they arise, as International Traffic in 

Arms Regulations (ITAR) and other international regulations 

allow. NASA will determine the best course of action for the 

project, based on the given circumstances at that time. 

Acquisition Strategy 

The acquisition strategy for GRACE-FO leveraged GRACE heritage by using sole source procurement to 

the same vendors for major components. NASA has completed all major acquisitions. 

MAJOR CONTRACTS/AWARDS

None. 

Element Vendor Location (of work performance) 

Spacecraft Airbus Defence & Space Germany 

Microwave Instrument Ultra Stable 

Oscillator 

Applied Physics Laboratory-Johns 

Hopkins University Laurel, MD 

Microwave Assemblies Space Systems/Loral Palo Alto, CA 

Accelerometers ONERA France 
Science: Earth Science: Earth Systematic Missions 

GRACE-FO

ES-25 

INDEPENDENT REVIEWS

Review 

Type Performer Date of Review Purpose Outcome Next Review 

Performance 

SRB Feb 2014 KDP-C Milestone 

Review 

Project approved to 

proceed into 

development 

Aug 2015 

Performance SRB Aug 2015 KDP-D Milestone 

Review 

Project approved to 

enter the integration 

and test phase 

Jul 2017 

Performance 

SRB Jul 2017 Flight Readiness 

Review (FRR) TBD N/A 
Science: Earth Science: Earth Systematic Missions 

SURFACE WATER AND OCEAN TOPOGRAPHY (SWOT) 

Formulation Development Operations 

ES-26 

FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Total Budget 83.8 -- 83.7 105.9 126.3 81.0 42.0 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. FY 

2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

An artist’s conception shows the Surface Water Ocean 

Topography (SWOT) satellite, which entered the 

formulation phase in November 2012. SWOT will make 

high-resolution, wide-swath altimetric measurements of 

the world's oceans and fresh water bodies to understand 

their circulation, surface topography, and storage. This 

multi-disciplinary, cooperative international mission will 

produce science and data products that will allow for 

fundamental advances in the understanding of the global 

water cycle. 

PROJECT PURPOSE

The SWOT mission will improve our 

understanding of the world’s oceans and 

terrestrial surface waters. The mission, through 

broad swath altimetry, will make highresolution measurements of ocean circulation, 

its kinetic energy, and its dissipation. These 

measurements will improve ocean circulation 

models, leading to better prediction of weather 

and climate. The mission will also revolutionize 

knowledge of the surface water inventory on the 

continents by precise measurement of water 

levels in millions of lakes and water bodies and 

the discharge of all major rivers. This will allow 

for deeper understanding of the natural water 

cycle and the informed control of this resource. 

The 2007 National Academies decadal survey of 

Earth Science and the NASA’s 2010 Climate 

Plan endorsed SWOT. The mission will 

complement the Jason oceanography missions, 

as well as other NASA missions currently in 

operation and development to measure the 

global water cycle (GPM, SMAP, and GRACEFO). NASA will collaborate with CNES, CSA, 

and UKSA to accomplish this mission. 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES 

IN FY 2017 

None. 
Science: Earth Science: Earth Systematic Missions 

SURFACE WATER AND OCEAN TOPOGRAPHY (SWOT) 

Formulation Development Operations 

ES-27 

PROJECT PRELIMINARY PARAMETERS

SWOT will provide broad-swath sea surface heights and terrestrial water heights for at least 90 percent of 

the globe using a dual-antenna Ka-band Radar Interferometer (KaRIn). The SWOT payload will also 

include a precision orbit determination system consisting of Global Positioning System-Payload (GPSP), 

Doppler Orbitography and Radiopositioning Integrated by Satellite (DORIS) receivers, and a Laser Retroreflector Assembly (LRA). In addition, SWOT carries a Nadir Altimeter, and a radiometer for 

tropospheric path delay corrections. The mission will operate for three years. 

ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2015 

The SWOT project successfully completed the KaRIn Antenna and Mechanical/Thermal Payload 

Structure Preliminary Design Review (PDR), the flight system interface and KaRIn radio frequency unit 

peer reviews, and all technology development for the KaRIn instrument. 

WORK IN PROGRESS IN FY 2016 

The SWOT project will complete the mission PDR, and will undergo a confirmation review in FY 2016. 

NASA will also select the launch vehicle. 

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS PLANNED FOR FY 2017 

The project will complete the KaRIn CDR and the mission CDR. 

ESTIMATED PROJECT SCHEDULE

Milestone Formulation Authorization 

Document FY 2017 PB Request 

Formulation Authorization Nov 2012 Nov 2012 

KDP-B Jun 2014 Jun 2014 

PDR Jan 2016 Apr 2016 

KDP-C Mar 2016 May 2016 

CDR Jun 2017 Jun 2017 

KDP-D Aug 2019 Aug 2019 

Launch Oct 2020 Oct 2020 
Science: Earth Science: Earth Systematic Missions 

SURFACE WATER AND OCEAN TOPOGRAPHY (SWOT) 

Formulation Development Operations 

ES-28 

Formulation Estimated Life Cycle Cost Range and Schedule 

Range Summary 

Life cycle cost estimates are preliminary. A baseline cost commitment does not occur until the project 

receives approval for implementation (KDP-C), which follows a non-advocate review and/or preliminary 

design review. 

KDP-B Date Estimated Life Cycle 

Cost Range ($M) Key Milestone Key Milestone Estimated Date Range 

Jun 2014 647–757 Launch Oct 2020 

Project Management & Commitments 

Element Description Provider Details 

Change from 

Formulation 

Agreement 

KaRIn 

Makes swath measurements 

of sea surface topography and 

lake and river heights 

Provider: NASA, CNES, CSA, UKSA 

Lead Center: JPL 

Performing Center(s): JPL 

Cost Share Partner(s): CNES (RFU), 

CSA (EIK), UKSA (Duplexer) 

N/A 

Advanced 

Microwave 

Radiometer 

(AMR) 

Provides wet tropospheric 

delay correction of KaRIn 

Provider: NASA 

Lead Center: JPL 

Performing Center(s): JPL 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

N/A 

GPSP Provides orbit determination 

Provider: NASA 

Lead Center: JPL 

Performing Center(s): JPL 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

N/A 

LRA Provides orbit determination 

Provider: NASA 

Lead Center: JPL 

Performing Center(s): JPL 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

N/A 

X-band Telecom Provides downlink of science 

data 

Provider: NASA 

Lead Center: JPL 

Performing Center(s): JPL 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

N/A 
Science: Earth Science: Earth Systematic Missions 

SURFACE WATER AND OCEAN TOPOGRAPHY (SWOT) 

Formulation Development Operations 

ES-29 

Element Description Provider Details 

Change from 

Formulation 

Agreement 

Nadir Altimeter 

Measures Jason-heritage 

ocean surface topography at 

nadir 

Provider: CNES 

Lead Center: N/A 

Performing Center(s): N/A 

Cost Share Partner(s): CNES 

N/A 

DORIS Provides orbit determination 

Provider: CNES 

Lead Center: N/A 

Performing Center(s): N/A 

Cost Share Partner(s): CNES 

N/A 

Spacecraft Bus Provides instrument platform 

Provider: CNES 

Lead Center: N/A 

Performing Center(s): N/A 

Cost Share Partner(s): CNES 

N/A 

Launch Vehicle Delivers spacecraft to orbit 

Provider: NASA 

Lead Center: JPL 

Performing Center(s): KSC 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

N/A 

Project Risks 

Risk Statement Mitigation 

If: KaRIn critical path contributions from the 

multiple partners are not timely, 

Then: It will delay delivery of the KaRIn 

instrument. 

Project worked with CNES to define interfaces, requirements, 

test plans, and hardware exchanges early. NASA, CSA, and 

CNES synchronized the development schedules for KaRIn and 

Radio Frequency Unit (RFU). KaRIn radio frequency unit peer 

review and KaRIn PDR were successfully completed. 

Acquisition Strategy 

The acquisition strategy for SWOT leveraged Jason heritage by using JPL legacy instrument designs 

(AMR , GPSP, and LRA) and in-house build with a combination of sole source and competitive 

procurements. The KaRIn leverages Earth Science Technology Office investments and is an in-house 

development. The X-band Telecom will be a competitive procurement. 
Science: Earth Science: Earth Systematic Missions 

SURFACE WATER AND OCEAN TOPOGRAPHY (SWOT) 

Formulation Development Operations 

ES-30 

MAJOR CONTRACTS/AWARDS

Element Vendor Location (of work performance) 

X-band Telecom L3 for modulator, Tesat for 

traveling wave tube amplifiers 

San Diego, CA, Backnang, 

Germany 

INDEPENDENT REVIEWS

Review 

Type Performer Date of Review Purpose Outcome Next Review 

Performance 

SRB May 2014 

SRR/Mission 

Definition Review 

(MDR) 

Project met all 

review success 

criteria 

Apr 2016 

Performance 

SRB Apr 2016 PDR TBD Jun 2017 

Performance 

SRB Jun 2017 CDR TBD Jan 2019 

Performance 

SRB Jan 2019 SIR TBD Aug 2020 

Performance 

SRB Aug 2020 ORR TBD N/A 
Science: Earth Science: Earth Systematic Missions 

NASA-ISRO SYNTHETIC APERTURE RADAR (NISAR) 

Formulation Development Operations 

ES-31 

FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Total Budget 50.6 -- 68.5 85.0 150.0 145.0 100.0 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. FY 

2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

The NISAR satellite, a joint mission between NASA and 

the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), will be 

the first radar imaging satellite to use dual frequencies. 

NISAR will observe and take measurements of some of the 

planet's most complex processes, including ecosystem 

disturbances, ice-sheet collapse, and natural hazards. 

PROJECT PURPOSE

The NISAR mission will provide an 

unprecedented, detailed view of the Earth using 

advanced radar imaging. The NISAR satellite 

will observe and take measurements of some of 

the planet’s most complex processes, including 

ecosystem disturbances; ice sheet collapse; and 

natural hazards, such as earthquakes, tsunamis, 

volcanoes, and landslides. NISAR is a dual 

frequency (L- and S-band) Synthetic Aperture 

Radar (SAR) mission and data collected by the 

NISAR satellite will reveal information about 

the evolution and state of Earth’s crust, help 

scientists understand more about our planet is 

changing processes and its effect in changing 

climate, and aid future resource and hazard 

management. The mission is currently in 

formulation in partnership with ISRO. 

Scientists have proposed L-band SAR missions 

in various forms for over a decade. Scientists 

derived the L‐band SAR science of the NISAR 

mission from Deformation, Ecosystem 

Structure, and Dynamics of Ice (DESDynI) (a 2007 Decadal Survey Tier 1 mission recommended by the 

National Academies). 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017 

None. 
Science: Earth Science: Earth Systematic Missions 

NASA-ISRO SYNTHETIC APERTURE RADAR (NISAR) 

Formulation Development Operations 

ES-32 

PROJECT PRELIMINARY PARAMETERS

NASA will provide the L-band SAR. ISRO will provide the S-band SAR, the spacecraft bus, the launch 

vehicle, observatory integration and testing, and spacecraft operations. NASA/JPL will be providing the 

L-band SAR instrument and associated payload elements, including L-band electronics, radar feed, 

reflector and boom assembly, solid state recorder, GPS receiver, high-rate telecom system, and payload 

data subsystem. 

ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2015 

The NISAR mission completed its System Requirement Review (SRR) and MDR in December 2014. 

NASA approved the project to enter formulation Phase B in February 2015. 

WORK IN PROGRESS IN FY 2016 

In FY 2016, NASA will complete the preliminary design for NISAR. The NISAR project is in the process 

of defining and documenting the interface requirements between the major payload subsystems and the 

spacecraft. NASA will hold the PDR in June 2016, followed by the KDP-C review in September 2016. 

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS PLANNED FOR FY 2017 

NASA will complete the design of the NISAR mission, finalize all interface requirements, and will 

prepare for the CDR in early FY 2018. 

ESTIMATED PROJECT SCHEDULE

Milestone Formulation Authorization 

Document FY 2017 PB Request 

Formulation Authorization May 2014 May 2014 

KDP-B Feb 2015 Feb 2015 

PDR Aug 2016 Aug 2016 

KDP-C Sep 2016 Sep 2016 

CDR N/A Jan 2018 

KDP-D N/A Mar 2019 

Launch Dec 2020 Dec 2020–Jun 2022 
Science: Earth Science: Earth Systematic Missions 

NASA-ISRO SYNTHETIC APERTURE RADAR (NISAR) 

Formulation Development Operations 

ES-33 

Formulation Estimated Life Cycle Cost Range and Schedule 

Range Summary 

Life cycle cost estimates are preliminary. A baseline cost commitment does not occur until the project 

receives approval for implementation (KDP-C), which follows a non-advocate review and/or PDR. 

KDP-B Date Estimated Life Cycle 

Cost Range ($M) Key Milestone Key Milestone Estimated Date Range 

Feb 2015 718–808 Launch Dec 2020–Jun 2022 

Project Management & Commitments 

JPL has project management responsibility for NISAR. 

Element Description Provider Details 

Change from 

Formulation 

Agreement 

L-band SAR Radar imaging payload 

Provider: NASA 

Lead Center: JPL 

Performing Center(s): JPL 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

N/A 

S-band SAR Radar imaging payload 

Provider: ISRO 

Lead Center: N/A 

Performing Center(s): N/A 

Cost Share Partner(s): ISRO 

N/A 

Spacecraft Provides platform for the 

payload 

Provider: ISRO 

Lead Center: N/A 

Performing Center(s): N/A 

Cost Share Partner(s): ISRO 

N/A 

Launch Vehicle Delivers observatory to orbit 

Provider: ISRO 

Lead Center: N/A 

Performing Center(s): N/A 

Cost Share Partner(s): ISRO 

N/A 
Science: Earth Science: Earth Systematic Missions 

NASA-ISRO SYNTHETIC APERTURE RADAR (NISAR) 

Formulation Development Operations 

ES-34 

Project Risks 

Risk Statement Mitigation 

If: The ISRO-provided Geosynchronous 

Satellite Launch Vehicle GSLV Mark II 

launch vehicle reliability does not meet the 

NASA-ISRO joint requirements, 

Then: There may be a significant delay in the 

launch date. 

NASA and ISRO jointly defined five success criteria for the 

NISAR launch to proceed and both NASA and ISRO have 

documented and agreed to these criteria. On August 27, 2015, 

ISRO completed a successful GSLV launch and met one of the 

five criteria. 

Acquisition Strategy 

The design and build of the L-band SAR radar will be an in-house build at JPL, with subcontracts 

competed as appropriate. 

MAJOR CONTRACTS/AWARDS

Element Vendor Location (of work performance) 

Reflector Antenna Astro Aerospace California 

INDEPENDENT REVIEWS

Review 

Type Performer Date of Review Purpose Outcome Next Review 

Performance 

SRB Dec 2014 SRR/MDR 

Project met all 

review success 

criteria 

Aug 2016 

Performance 

SRB Aug 2016 PDR TBD Jan 2018 

Performance 

SRB Jan 2018 CDR TBD Feb 2019 

Performance 

SRB Feb 2019 SIR TBD Oct 2020 

Performance 

SRB Oct 2020 ORR TBD N/A 
Science: Earth Science: Earth Systematic Missions 

OTHER MISSIONS AND DATA ANALYSIS

ES-35 

FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Earth Systematic Missions (ESM) Research 12.8 -- 18.6 18.6 23.8 26.2 26.5 

Ocean Surface Topography Science Team 6.1 -- 5.7 5.7 5.7 5.9 5.9 

Earth Observations Systems (EOS) 

Research 23.1 -- 22.7 20.7 17.7 18.8 19.0 

Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment 

III (Sage III) 24.3 -- 4.6 4.8 4.6 4.6 4.6 

Sustainable Land Imaging 3.8 -- 5.8 11.0 11.1 36.0 64.9 

Radiation Budget Instrument (RBI) 44.7 -- 54.3 46.0 17.2 9.4 6.8 

Earth from ISS 3.8 -- 3.5 2.8 2.6 2.6 2.6 

Total Solar Irradiance Sensor-2 (TSIS-2) 0.0 -- 9.6 23.9 36.9 26.5 17.0 

Earth Radiation Budget Science 11.8 -- 14.0 13.7 13.6 13.8 14.0 

Ozone Mapping and Profiler Suite Limb 

Sounder (OMPS-L) 4.3 -- 2.2 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 

Total Solar Irradiance Sensor-1 (TSIS-1) 1.0 -- 19.6 4.2 3.4 3.4 3.5 

Sentinel-6 0.0 -- 42.5 56.4 71.3 66.5 37.2 

Pre-Aerosol, Clouds, and Ocean Ecosystem 20.0 -- 88.8 78.8 144.4 196.0 137.1 

CLARREO Pathfinder 0.0 -- 19.3 27.9 15.4 2.1 0.2 

Landsat 9 60.3 -- 130.8 179.3 166.4 128.3 109.0 

Decadal Survey Missions 25.8 -- 15.4 14.4 15.5 38.8 204.2 

Earth Science Program Management 29.5 -- 34.0 34.6 32.6 34.3 35.5 

Precipitation Science Team 7.3 -- 6.9 6.9 6.9 7.1 7.2 

Ocean Winds Science Team 4.5 -- 4.2 4.2 4.2 4.3 4.4 

Land Cover Science Project Office 1.5 -- 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.6 1.6 

Ocean Salinity Science Team 0.0 -- 3.9 7.8 7.8 8.0 8.1 

Soil Moisture Active and Passive (SMAP) 63.1 -- 8.4 11.3 11.3 11.5 11.7 

Quick Scatterometer 2.1 -- 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 

Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission 10.1 -- 3.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 

Deep Space Climate Observatory 2.9 -- 1.7 1.2 1.2 0.8 0.0 

Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) 21.2 -- 21.1 20.0 20.0 20.1 20.0 

Landsat 8 2.2 -- 2.4 2.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 

Ocean Surface Topography Science Team 

(OSTST) 2.2 -- 1.5 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.4 

Suomi National Polar-Orbiting Partnership 

(NPP) 4.0 -- 3.4 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 

Terra 26.2 -- 26.1 25.3 25.3 25.9 26.3 

Aqua 27.8 -- 28.1 27.3 27.3 27.8 28.3 

Aura 26.8 -- 23.9 25.9 25.9 26.4 29.8 

Solar Radiation and Climate Experiment 

(SORCE) 5.4 -- 5.4 4.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 

Earth Observing-1 2.6 -- 1.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 

Active Cavity Radiometer Irradiance 

Monitor Satellite (ACRIMSat) 0.6 -- 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
Science: Earth Science: Earth Systematic Missions 

OTHER MISSIONS AND DATA ANALYSIS

ES-36 

Total Budget 481.8 -- 634.7 687.5 719.5 752.6 831.6 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. FY 

2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

Earth Systematic Missions Other Missions and Data Analysis includes operating missions and their 

science teams and competed research projects. Mission science teams define the scientific requirements 

for their missions and generate algorithms used to process the data into useful data products. The research 

projects execute competitively selected investigations related to specific mission measurements. 

Also included here are missions in pre-formulation, such as PACE and Sentinel-6; missions in 

formulation, such as Landsat 9 and Radiation Budget Instrument (RBI); and smaller missions in 

formulation and development, such as TSIS (Total Solar Irradiance Sensor)-1 and TSIS-2. 

Mission Planning and Other Projects 

EARTH SYSTEMATIC MISSIONS (ESM) RESEARCH 

Earth Systematic Missions (ESM) Research funds various science teams for the Earth Systematic 

missions. These science teams are composed of competitively selected individual investigators who 

analyze data from the missions to address the related science questions. 

Recent Achievements 

NASA initiated two new science teams in FY 2015 via a competitive solicitation: the multi-sensor land 

imaging science team and the solar irradiance science team. Other activities included 

calibration/validation for the SMAP mission. 

The NASA Ocean Biology Processing Group developed two independent calibrations of the Suomi NPP 

Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) moderate resolution reflective solar bands using solar 

diffuser measurements and lunar observations, and implemented a combined solar- and lunar-based 

calibration to track temporal changes in radiometric response of the instrument. The team has achieved a 

radiometric stability for the VIIRS on-orbit calibration that is commensurate with those achieved for Seaviewing Wide Field-of-View Sensor (SeaWiFS) and Aqua Moderate Resolution Imaging 

Spectroradiometer (MODIS), supporting the incorporation of VIIRS data into the long-term NASA ocean 

color data record. Case studies have begun to examine the use of multiple satellite sensors in water quality 

and clarity retrievals using collocated matchups between SeaWiFS, MODIS, and Suomi NPP VIIRS in 

the Gulf of Mexico. 

OCEAN SURFACE TOPOGRAPHY SCIENCE TEAM (OSTST)

Ocean Surface Topography Science Team (OSTST) uses scientific data from the Ocean Surface 

Topography Mission (OSTM) and Jason satellites to measure global sea surface height. 
Science: Earth Science: Earth Systematic Missions 

OTHER MISSIONS AND DATA ANALYSIS

ES-37 

Recent Achievements 

The OSTST has made considerable progress in re-processing the joint agency NASA/CNES 

TOPEX/Poseidon spacecraft and Jason-1 mission data to refine the climate record. Scientists have 

produced a number of reconstructions of the last century of sea level data using tide gauge records and 

statistically derived patterns of sea level variability from altimetry. The reconstructions are robust in 

showing an increase in the rate of sea level rise during the latter half of the 20th century and continuing to 

the present day. 

EARTH OBSERVATION SYSTEMS (EOS) RESEARCH 

Earth Observation Systems (EOS) Research funds science for the EOS missions, currently Terra, Aqua, 

Aura, Landsat, and ICESat missions. The project competitively selects individual investigators to 

undertake research projects that analyze data from specific missions. Whereas, overall, the selected 

activities focus on science data analyses and the development of Earth system data records, including 

climate data records relevant to NASA’s research program, some funded activities continue algorithm 

improvement and validation for the EOS instrument data products. 

Recent Achievements 

Research utilizing the long-term data sets from the EOS missions resulted in many publications and new 

data products. Several important 2015 publications examined linkages of land cover/land use change 

practices, the urban environment, and climate change. Research shows that urban areas are becoming 

more densely populated, and thus the impacts and feedbacks of population increases and land cover/land 

use change practices in cities require further study. Investigators analyzed the relationship between the 

progress of accumulated springtime temperatures and satellite observations of landscape greenness in and 

around 51 cities across the U.S. Great Plains during 2002–2012. Results revealed that urban intensity, as 

measured by the proportion of impervious to pervious surface area, influences the seasonal progression of 

landscape greenness differently depending regional climate. 

Other studies utilizing data from the Aura instruments showed that the influence of India and southeastern 

Asia emissions on ozone pollution export to the northwestern Pacific is sizeable, comparable with 

Chinese emissions in winter, about 50 percent of Chinese emissions in spring and fall, and approximately 

20 percent of the emissions in the summer. 

STRATOSPHERIC AEROSOL AND GAS EXPERIMENT III (SAGE-III)

The Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment III (SAGE-III) will provide global, long-term 

measurements of key components of Earth’s atmosphere. The most important of these are the vertical 

distribution of aerosols and ozone from the upper troposphere through the stratosphere. In addition, 

SAGE-III provides unique measurements of temperature in the stratosphere and mesosphere and profiles 

of trace gases, such as water vapor and nitrogen dioxide, which play significant roles in atmospheric 

radiative and chemical processes. These measurements are vital inputs to the global scientific community 

for improved understanding of climate, climate change, and human-induced ozone trends. 

To take these measurements, SAGE-III relies upon the flight-proven designs used in the Stratospheric 

Aerosol Measurement (SAM I) and SAGE-I and -II instruments. NASA will deliver SAGE-III to the ISS 

aboard a commercial SpaceX flight in 2016. 
Science: Earth Science: Earth Systematic Missions 

OTHER MISSIONS AND DATA ANALYSIS

ES-38 

Recent Achievements 

ESA and Thales Alenia Space, headquartered in France, delivered the Hexapod in February 2015, and the 

ESA team members supported its integration and test activities. In addition, the project successfully 

completed the thermal-vacuum testing of the instrument payload. The project has completed nearly all 

assembly, integration, and test activities, and is preparing the SAGE-III hardware for shipment to the 

launch site. NASA moved the SpaceX-10 launch date from February 2016 to June 2016 due to the 

SpaceX-7 launch failure. 

SUSTAINABLE LAND IMAGING 

The Sustainable Land Imaging (SLI) program enables the development of a multi-decade, spaceborne 

system that will provide U.S. users with high quality, global, land-imaging measurements. These 

measurements will be compatible with the existing 43-year Landsat record and will address near- and 

longer-term issues of continuity risk. They will also evolve flexibly and responsibly through investment 

in, and introduction of, new sensor and system technologies. Under the SLI framework, NASA will 

maintain responsibility for developing, launching, and initial checkout of space systems. The United 

States Geological Survey (USGS) will be responsible for collecting and documenting user requirements, 

developing the associated ground systems, operating the on-orbit spacecraft, and collecting, calibrating, 

archiving, processing, and distributing SLI system data to users. 

Through the implementation of SLI technology activities, NASA will enable new SLI measurement 

technologies, capabilities and architectures. SLI technology activities will also reduce the risk, cost, size, 

volume, mass, and development time for next generation SLI instruments, while still meeting the SLI 

program requirements. NASA will solicit (through ROSES) instrument and subsystem developments 

coordinated with the Landsat science community. NASA anticipates the first awards will start in late FY 

2016 or early FY 2017. NASA intends that approximately 80 percent of the awards will focus on systems 

level developments (instruments), leading to engineering models appropriate for the next Landsat (10) or 

a future Earth Venture Mission, Instrument, or Suborbital. The remaining approximately 20 percent of the 

awards will be for subsystems (components) for Landsat 11 and beyond. 

To minimize the risk of gaps while taking advantage of cost savings and capability enhancements owing 

to the technology development activity outlined above, the Administration will make key strategic 

decisions on Landsat 10 payload/instrument approaches by the end of the decade, with the goal of 

beginning development of the Landsat 10 mission prior to the launch of Landsat 9. 

Additional SLI activities support efforts to minimize costs and maximize the overall utility for U.S. users 

by engaging responsibly with international partners to ensure access to high-quality data and fusion of 

those measurements with those from the U.S. Landsat missions. In particular, NASA and USGS 

conducted pre-launch cross-calibration investigations with the European developers of the Sentinel 2A/B 

land imaging system, ensuring uniform calibration of both Landsat 8 and Sentinel 2A/B instruments to 

the same standards. The USGS, supported by NASA and other agencies, is serving as the primary U.S. 

Government point of contact to ensure access to, and archiving of, Sentinel 2 data products for U.S. 

research and operational users. 
Science: Earth Science: Earth Systematic Missions 

OTHER MISSIONS AND DATA ANALYSIS

ES-39 

Recent Achievements 

In FY 2015, NASA selected several research investigations aimed at developing and testing merged 

products derived from multiple land imaging systems (such as Landsat 8 and Sentinel 2A). USGS 

continued the development of new science products derived from Landsat data. These products remove 

the burden of processing from the end user, support modeling and decision support for land management, 

enable scientific assessments of land surface change, and enable future projections of landscape state and 

condition. 

RADIATION BUDGET INSTRUMENT (RBI) 

RBI will fly on the Joint Polar Satellite System 2 (JPSS-2) mission planned for launch in November 2021, 

and will extend the unique global climate measurements of the Earth’s radiation budget provided by the 

Clouds and the Earth’s Radiant Energy Systems (CERES) instruments since 1998. Observations from 

RBI will help measure the effect of clouds on the Earth’s energy balance, which strongly influences both 

weather and climate. Long-term satellite data from RBI will help scientists and researchers understand the 

links between the Earth’s incoming and outgoing energy, and properties of the atmosphere that affect it. 

The data from RBI will provide fundamental inputs to extended range (10-day or longer) weather 

forecasting, and will be used to develop a quantitative understanding of the links between Earth’s 

radiation budget and the properties of the atmosphere and surface that define that budget. 

Recent Achievements 

The RBI completed its SRR and its Integrated Baseline Review (IBR). 

EARTH FROM ISS

NASA’s ISS program sponsored the development of several earth science instruments for the ISS. The 

Earth from ISS project will ensure the appropriate processing of data and its availability to the earth 

science research community from the data collected by these instruments. This project will invest in 

algorithm development, data production, and distribution, as well as data analysis and modeling for the 

currently planned ISS earth science payloads. 

ISS-RapidScat, installed on ISS in October 2014, is a space-based scatterometer that replaces the 

inoperable SeaWinds payload aboard the QuikSCAT satellite. Scatterometers are radar instruments that 

measure wind speed and direction over the ocean, and are useful for weather forecasting, hurricane 

monitoring, and observations of large-scale climate phenomena, such as El Niño. The ISS RapidScat 

instrument enhances measurements from other international scatterometers by crosschecking their data, 

and demonstrates a unique way to replace an instrument aboard an aging satellite. The RapidScat 

instrument used spare parts from QuikSCAT to provide a demonstration of the earth observing 

capabilities of the ISS as a platform for Earth observations. 

The ISS Cloud Aerosol Transport System (CATS) instrument launched on January 10, 2015 aboard a 

SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, and astronauts installed it on ISS on January 23, 2015. CATS is generating 

data useful for improving our understanding of aerosol and cloud properties and interactions. In addition, 

the project will use data from CATS to advance operational aerosol forecast models to improve air quality 

prediction and monitoring and to improve hazard-warning capabilities for natural events (e.g., dust storms 

and volcanic eruptions). 
Science: Earth Science: Earth Systematic Missions 

OTHER MISSIONS AND DATA ANALYSIS

ES-40 

The ISS Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS) will make space-based lightning observations, and will provide 

important continuity in the lightning data record obtained by the TRMM spacecraft (1997–2015). LIS 

observations continue to support and used by the global scientific research community across a wide 

range of disciplines that include weather and extreme storms, climate studies, atmospheric chemistry, and 

lightning physics. NASA plans to launch ISS-LIS in February 2016. 

Recent Achievements 

Scientists successfully calibrated ISS-RapidScat against QuikSCAT, and it is successfully fulfilling its 

role as a primary cross-calibration instrument across the international constellation of scatterometers. 

RapidScat data are used in near-real time by operational agencies in the U.S. and Europe to monitor high 

winds at sea (e.g. hurricanes), allowing them to provide life-saving warnings to mariners. RapidScat data 

are also fulfilling the scientific challenge of describing for the first time the diurnal (daily) variation of 

winds at sea. This is a consequence of the unique orbit of this scatterometer, enabled by its installation on 

ISS. 

TOTAL SOLAR IRRADIANCE SENSOR-2 (TSIS-2) 

TSIS-2 will be the follow-on instrument to the TSIS-1 instrument. The TSIS-2 instrument will maintain 

and extend the measurements of total solar irradiance and spectral solar irradiance provided by TSIS-1. 

TSIS-2 is a mission of opportunity, to be ready for integration onto a host spacecraft by January 2020. 

The TSIS-2 project will begin formulation in FY 2017. 

EARTH RADIATION BUDGET SCIENCE

The goal of the Earth Radiation Budget Science (ERBS) Project is to produce climate data records of 

Earth’s radiation budget and the associated cloud, aerosol, and surface properties. The project utilizes data 

from the multiple radiation budget instruments in orbit as well as ancillary measurements to produce data 

products, which are integrated and self-consistent over the entire suite of radiation budget instruments. In 

addition to the five currently operating CERES instruments measuring broadband radiative fluxes from 

the Terra, Aqua, and Suomi NPP platforms, the data products utilize coincident imager measurements 

from Terra, Aqua, Suomi NPP, and operational geostationary satellite observations. In total, 13 

instruments on eight spacecraft produce an accurate and temporally consistent description of the radiation 

budget, not only at the top of the atmosphere but also at the surface and within the atmosphere. 

Recent Achievements 

The ERBS team continues to produce the most accurate, continuous, long-term Earth Radiation Budget 

climate data record, and is preparing to incorporate data from instruments planned to launch in the near 

future, such as the CERES flight model 6 scheduled for launch on NOAA’s JPSS-1 in early 2017. 

OZONE MAPPING AND PROFILER SUITE LIMB SOUNDER (OMPS-L) 

The advanced Ozone Mapping and Profiler Suite (OMPS) tracks the health of the ozone layer and 

measures the concentration of ozone in the Earth’s atmosphere. OMPS consists of three spectrometers: a 

downward-looking nadir mapper, nadir profiler, and limb profiler. The entire OMPS suite currently 

operates on the Suomi NPP spacecraft, and to ensure data continuity, a copy of this suite will fly on 
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NOAA’s JPSS-2 mission, planned for launch in 2021. NASA is responsible for providing the OMPSLimb profiler for integration on the OMPS instrument. 

Recent Achievements 

The project completed the design for the OMPS-Limb subassembly sensor, and completed the alignment 

of the flight camera and telescope housings. 

TOTAL SOLAR IRRADIANCE SENSOR-1 (TSIS-1) 

The TSIS-1 mission will provide absolute measurements of the total solar irradiance (TSI) and spectral 

solar irradiance (SSI), important for accurate scientific models of climate change and solar variability. 

TSIS is comprised of two instruments, the Total Irradiance Monitor (TIM), and the Spectral Irradiance 

Monitor (SIM). Both instruments are in storage at the University of Colorado’s Laboratory for 

Atmospheric and Space Physics awaiting flight. Currently, the data from an earlier NASA-managed TIM 

instrument, flying on the aging SORCE spacecraft, launched in 2003, provides the TSI data record as part 

of an unbroken 35-year long data record. The Total Solar Irradiance Calibration Transfer Experiment 

(TCTE) instrument, a joint mission with NOAA and the U.S. Air Force, launched in 2013 and currently 

augments the data record. The TSIS-1 project transferred fully to NASA in FY 2016 and it is on the 

manifest for installation on the ISS in FY 2017 in time to overlap with the TCTE mission in order to 

maintain continuity of the solar irradiance measurement. 

SENTINEL-6

The Sentinel-6 missions are part of the ESA Copernicus Earth observation program. Two spacecraft, 

Sentinel-6A and -6B, will continue ocean altimetry measurements beyond the Jason-3 mission that 

NOAA is pursuing in partnership with the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological 

Satellites (EUMETSAT) and ESA. NASA will contribute the Advanced Microwave Radiometer, the 

Global Positioning System (GPS) Radio Occultation, the LRA, and the launch vehicle for both spacecraft. 

NASA’s Sentinel-6 project will begin formulation in FY 2016. 

Recent Achievements 

NASA assigned implementation of this project to JPL and the project-initiated discussions with 

EUMETSAT and ESA on a partnership agreement. 

PRE-AEROSOL, CLOUDS, AND OCEAN ECOSYSTEM (PACE)

The Pre-Aerosol, Clouds, and ocean Ecosystem (PACE) mission will make global ocean color 

measurements essential for understanding the carbon cycle and how it both affects and is affected by 

climate change, along with polarimetry measurements to provide extended data records on clouds and 

aerosols. New and continuing global observations of ocean ecology, biology, and chemistry are required 

to quantify aquatic carbon storage and ecosystem function in response to human activities and natural 

events. The PACE mission will serve to make these measurements until the more advanced Aerosol, 

Cloud, and Ecosystems (ACE) mission (recommended by the National Academies Decadal Survey for its 

Tier 2 mission set) is ready. 
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Recent Achievements 

PACE is in the pre-formulation phase, and has conducted multiple architecture and trade studies. During 

FY 2015, the project examined alternatives for its primary instrument (an ocean color spectrometer) and 

for the highly desired secondary instrument (a polarimeter). Alternatives for the spacecraft bus 

architecture, and for the launch vehicle were (and continue to be) studied. The project is using a designto-cost approach for evaluating architectures and designs for all the major subsystems and keeping the 

overall mission within a defined cost cap. The mission will enter the formulation phase in FY 2016. 

CLARREO PATHFINDER

The 2007 National Academies Earth Science decadal survey recommended the Climate Absolute 

Radiance and Refractivity Observatory (CLARREO) mission as a Tier 1 mission that would be a key 

component of the future climate observing system. The CLARREO Pathfinder mission will demonstrate 

essential measurement technologies of the full CLARREO mission; validate the high accuracy radiometry 

required for long-term climate studies in support of other decadal survey and land imaging missions; and 

initiate measurements that will benchmark the shortwave reflectance and infrared climate record. NASA 

plans to host the two CLARREO Pathfinder instruments, Reflected Solar (RS), and Infrared (IR) 

spectrometers, on the ISS in late FY 2019. 

Recent Achievements 

The project began formulation activities in FY 2016 in preparation for the Mission Design Review. 

LANDSAT 9 

Landsat 9 is the first flight mission established under the SLI program. The Landsat 9 project is the 

successor mission to Landsat 8. Landsat satellites have continuously acquired multispectral images of the 

global land surface since the launch of Landsat 1 in 1972. The Landsat data archive constitutes the longest 

continuous moderate-resolution record of the global land surface as viewed from space. The Landsat 9 

mission objective is to extend the ability to detect and quantitatively characterize changes on the global 

land surface, at a scale where scientists can differentiate natural and human-induced causes of change. 

Landsat 9 will fly near-identical copies of the OLI and Thermal Infrared Sensor (TIRS) instruments on 

Landsat 8. The project will upgrade the TIRS instrument to a risk class B implementation to increase its 

design life from 3 years to 5 years and to fix small design flaws in the Landsat 8 TIRS design. The project 

plans no changes to OLI. Landsat 8 designs and subsystems will be used to the extent possible to 

minimize cost, schedule, and risk. Landsat 9 data will be fully compatible with Landsat 8 processing 

systems and standard measurement products. 

Recent Achievements 

NASA and USGS established their Landsat 9 project activities in 2015. GSFC established the Landsat 9 

Project Office in March 2015. During FY 2015, the project began procurement activities for OLI-2 and 

provided a justification for a sole source contract with Ball Aerospace & Technologies, Inc. (BATC) to 

provide a copy of the original OLI design that BATC provided for Landsat 8. The TIRS-2 instrument 

project, an in-house development at GSFC, began trade studies to upgrade reliability and to fix the small 

on-orbit issues with the Landsat 8 TIRS design. The TIRS-2 instrument team also initiated procurement 

activities for long-lead parts. The Landsat 9 project office reviewed and incorporated lessons learned from 
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Landsat 8 at the project, instrument, spacecraft system and subsystems, and ground system levels. USGS 

established its Landsat 9 ground system project at the USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science 

(EROS) Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota in March 2015. 

DECADAL SURVEY MISSIONS

The Decadal Survey project contains missions recommended by the National Academies Earth Science 

decadal survey, as well as a variety of climate change missions. All the missions within this project are in 

a pre-formulation phase conducting mission concept studies. The current portfolio of missions under 

study includes: 

 CLARREO; 

Active Sensing of CO2 Emissions over Nights, Days, and Seasons (ASCENDS); 

GEOstationary Coastal and Air Pollution Events (GEO-CAPE); 

ACE; and 

Hyperspectral Infrared Imager (HyspIRI). 

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Recent Achievements 

Mission teams continue to make progress in requirements refinement and modeling, instrument concept 

and technology maturation, and algorithm development. ACE, CLARREO, GEO-CAPE, and HyspIRI 

participated in airborne campaigns in 2015 to demonstrate measurement techniques and make further 

progress in algorithm development. 

EARTH SCIENCE PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

The Earth Science Program Management budget supports critical flight project management functions 

executed by the ESM Program Office at GSFC, the Earth System Science Pathfinder Program Office at 

LaRC and the Earth Science Flight Project Office at JPL. This budget also supports: 

 The GSFC conjunction assessment risk analysis function, which determines maneuvers required 

to avoid potential collisions between spacecraft and to avoid debris; 

The technical and management support for the international Committee on Earth Observation 

Satellites, which coordinates civil space-borne observations of Earth. Participating agencies strive 

to enhance international coordination and data exchange and to optimize societal benefit; 

Senior Review Board teams, who conduct independent reviews of the various flight projects in 

Earth Science; 

Earth Science division communications and public engagement activities. 

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PRECIPITATION SCIENCE TEAM 

The Precipitation Science Team carries out investigations of precipitation using measurements from, but 

not limited to, TRMM launched in November 1997 and nearing its end of life, the GPM Core 

Observatory launched February 2014, and GPM mission constellation partner spacecraft (partners include 

NOAA, DoD, CNES, JAXA, and EUMETSAT). This program supports scientific investigations in three 

research categories: 
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 Development, evaluation, and validation of TRMM and GPM retrieval algorithms; 

Development of methodologies for improved application of satellite measurements; and 

Use of satellite and ground measurements for physical process studies to gain a better 

understanding of the global water cycle, climate, and weather and concomitant improvements in 

numerical models on cloud resolving to climate scales. 

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Recent Achievements 

Throughout the TRMM era, and now extending into the GPM era, space agencies around the world have 

launched an increasingly rich collection of passive microwave sensors in low Earth orbits that provide 

additional sources of satellite precipitation estimates. NASA-supported scientists have introduced the key 

concept of a consistently calibrated multi-satellite product that makes it possible for a wide range of users 

to take advantage of these data without needing expert knowledge of all the sensors, algorithms, and 

viewing geometries. The NASA-supported work includes the TMPA and the Integrated Multi-satellite 

Retrievals for GPM (IMERG). In each case, the precipitation estimates that are considered the most 

trustworthy among those currently available are used to calibrate estimates made from other satellite 

platforms, and information from rain gauge analyses are combined into a single surface rainfall estimate 

over most of the globe. TMPA and IMERG are the most requested and downloaded products from the 

NASA Precipitation Processing System (PPS) website and are freely available to researchers from around 

the world. Scientists use this data extensively for weather and climate studies and many applications 

including the study of floods, droughts, and landslides. 

OCEAN WINDS SCIENCE TEAM 

Ocean Winds Science Team (OWST) uses scientific data received from the QuikSCAT satellite, 

RapidScat instrument, and other international missions, which measure ocean surface winds by sensing 

ripples caused by winds at the ocean’s surface. From this data, scientists can compute wind speed and 

direction thus acquiring global observations of surface wind velocity each day. The sparse wind data from 

ships and buoys serve to calibrate the satellite data. 

Recent Achievements 

A climate record task team is providing NASA with ways and means to integrate the various data streams 

into a continuing wind record with documented characteristics (e.g., averages, trends, noise levels, and 

uncertainties). This ongoing process will guide the team through the process of calibration and validation 

of data sets and their incorporation into the wind climate record. 

LAND COVER PROJECT SCIENCE OFFICE 

The Land Cover Project Science Office (LCPSO) maintains over 40 years of calibration records for the 

Landsat 1 through Landsat 8 series of satellites. The office also provides community software tools to 

make it easier for users to work with this data. In collaboration with USGS, LCPSO supports 

improvements in the Landsat 7 long-term acquisition plan and provision of preprocessed data sets for 

land-cover change analysis, and facilitates use of international data sets for improved land cover 

monitoring. 
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Recent Achievements 

A recent focus of the LCPSO has been to prepare the U.S. land cover research community for the 

integration of European Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 datasets into land monitoring activities. The LCPSO 

has developed algorithms and software to generate consistent reflectance measurements from the 

combined Sentinel-2/Landsat satellite series. The LCPSO has also continued to maintain the website 

(http://cad4nasa.gsfc.nasa.gov/) that allows NASA-funded investigators convenient access to commercial 

imagery procured by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. 

OCEAN SALINITY SCIENCE TEAM 

The NASA OSST supports the development and construction of surface salinity products from L-Band 

microwave radiometers such as Aquarius, SMAP, and data sets of opportunity such as the ESA Soil 

Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) mission. The team also seeks to understand upper-ocean processes 

that impact variability of surface salinity in order to improve interpretation of the space-based salinity 

products. The team plans to produce a SMAP salinity product that is consistent with the Aquarius salinity 

product, which ended in June 2015. 

Recent Achievements 

The OSST is overseeing the production of the final Aquarius salinity product that will include the best 

available corrections and ancillary fields. This will stand as the most precise space-based salinity product, 

extending from September 2011 to June 2015. The team will extend this record by using data from the 

SMAP mission. The OSST is engaged in a yearlong field observation project in 2016-2017. Scientists 

expect that the results from this project, when combined with previous field campaign observations, will 

improve modeling of the ocean branch of the global water cycle. 

Operating Missions 

SOIL MOISTURE ACTIVE AND PASSIVE (SMAP) 

The SMAP mission will provide a capability for global mapping of soil moisture with unprecedented 

accuracy, resolution, and coverage. The SMAP measurement system consists of a radiometer (passive) 

instrument and a synthetic aperture radar (active) instrument operating with multiple polarizations in the 

L-band range. The radar and radiometer share a single feed and deployable six-meter reflector antenna 

system. 

Scientific understanding of how climate change may affect water supply and food production is crucial 

for policy makers. Uncertainty in current climate models result in disagreement on whether there will be 

more or less water regionally compared to today. SMAP data will help bring climate models into 

agreement on future trends in water resource availability. 

For more information, go to http://smap.jpl.nasa.gov.
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Recent Achievements 

SMAP launched January 31, 2015 and successfully completed on-orbit checkout May 6, 2015, following 

the nominal deployment and spin-up of its six-meter mesh antenna. Unfortunately, the radar instrument, 

which began regular operations on April 13, stopped transmitting July 7 due to an anomaly that is 

currently under investigation. NASA has formed a Mishap Investigation Board, which will issue its report 

in the first half of 2016. Since the loss of the radar will reduce the spatial resolution the mission intended 

to achieve, the mission science team is working to recover some of the resolution by enhancing the 

radiometer data with available coincident radar data from other missions such as ESA’s Sentinel 1. Even 

without the radar, the SMAP data have already been useful in applications that support events such as the 

October 2015 flooding in South Carolina. 

TROPICAL RAINFALL MEASURING MISSION (TRMM) 

The TRMM mission measured precipitation, clouds, and lightning over tropical and subtropical regions 

and extended our knowledge about how the energy associated with rainfall interacts with other aspects of 

the global climate. The TRMM sensor suite provided a three-dimensional map of storm structure, yielding 

information on rain intensity and distribution. TRMM launched in 1997 as a joint mission with Japan. 

TRMM exhausted its orbit maintenance fuel in July 2014. The project passivated the spacecraft in April 

2015 and it re-entered the Earth’s atmosphere on June 17, 2015. Any remnants that did not dissipate in the 

atmosphere fell harmlessly to Earth in the southern Indian Ocean. The joint team continued to collect 

science data through most of TRMM’s orbital descent. 

Recent Achievements 

The project completed and delivered the final TRMM mission report, and dismantled the mission 

operations center. The TRMM precipitation dataset will receive its final re-processing following an 

algorithm update coordinated with the follow-on GPM. This will enable a smooth transition of the 

precipitation climate record to GPM, and will create a multi-decadal data record. The final TRMM dataset 

will be available to the science community in mid-2017. 

DEEP SPACE CLIMATE OBSERVATORY

The Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR) mission is a multi-agency (NOAA, U.S. Air Force 

[USAF], and NASA) mission with the primary goal of making unique space weather measurements from 

the Lagrange point L1. Lagrange point L1 is on the direct line between Earth and the Sun and provides 

about a 45-minute early warning for adverse space weather events. NASA provided the two Earthobserving instruments, the Earth Poly-Chromatic Imaging Camera (EPIC) and the National Institute of 

Standards and Technology (NIST) Advanced Radiometer (NISTAR), to the DSCOVR satellite. The 

agencies launched the satellite on February 11, 2015 aboard a USAF-provided SpaceX Falcon 9 launch 

vehicle out of Cape Canaveral, FL. NASA is collecting the data from EPIC and NISTAR, and has 

developed and implemented the necessary algorithms to enable the “Earth at noon” images from the 

satellite. NASA will archive and publicly disseminate the data following calibration and validation 

activities. 
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Recent Achievements 

The project completed preliminary EPIC and NISTAR instrument calibrations, demonstrating that these 

instruments will meet their Level 1 science requirements. NASA successfully transitioned the operations 

of the DSCOVR spacecraft and all of its instruments to NOAA. NASA released a web site publicly 

distributing all the color images of Earth collected by the EPIC on October 19, 2015. For more 

information, go to http://epic.gsfc.nasa.gov. 

GLOBAL PRECIPITATION MEASUREMENT (GPM) 

The GPM mission will advance the measurement of global precipitation. A joint mission with JAXA, 

GPM will provide the first opportunity to calibrate measurements of global precipitation (including the 

distribution, amount, rate, and associated heat release) across tropical, mid-latitude, and polar regions. 

The GPM mission has several scientific objectives: 

 Advance precipitation measurement capability from space through combined use of active and 

passive remote-sensing techniques; 

Advance understanding of global water/energy cycle variability and fresh water availability; 

Improve climate prediction by providing the foundation for better understanding of surface water 

fluxes, soil moisture storage, cloud/precipitation microphysics, and latent heat release in Earth’s 

atmosphere; 

Advance numerical weather prediction skills through more accurate and frequent measurements 

of instantaneous rain rates; and 

Improve high-impact natural hazard event (flood and drought, landslide, and hurricanes) and 

fresh water-resource prediction capabilities through better temporal sampling and wider spatial 

coverage of high-resolution precipitation measurements. 

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Recent Achievements 

Well into its second year of operations, GPM continues to perform exceptionally well. The GPM 

Microwave Imager (GMI) is the best-calibrated conically scanning microwave precipitation radiometer 

among approximately 10 precipitation radiometers currently in orbit. GPM continues to observe 

hurricanes, cyclones, and typhoons all over the world and scientists use GMI images to fix eye wall 

locations by operational agencies (with over 100,000 hits per month on the NRL Tropical Cyclone 

webpage). During the winter season, GPM observed many snowfall events, although much work remains 

to validate the data. With the recent launch of SMAP, scientists have begun to investigate the links 

between precipitation and soil moisture with an initial focus on the heavy rains and flooding in South 

Carolina during the storms of September 26-October 5, 2015. 

LANDSAT 8 

Landsat 8 is the most recent in the Landsat series of satellites that have been continuously observing 

Earth’s land surfaces by recording data since 1972. This data is a key tool for assessing climate change 

impacts. The data has contributed to the improvement of human and biodiversity health, energy and water 

management, urban planning, disaster recovery, and agriculture monitoring. USGS performs mission 
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operations for Landsat 8, but NASA will provide science activities in support of the USGS and the 

Landsat Science Team for the period of prime mission operations. 

Recent Achievements 

NASA continues to manage the ongoing technical issues with the TIRS, one of two sensors flown aboard 

the spacecraft. One issue results from stray light in the TIRS telescope, which causes uncertainty up to 

several degrees in certain situations. NASA implemented a bias correction for data processing, and 

continues to investigate more sophisticated methods of reducing uncertainty. TIRS also suffered an 

anomaly in the electronics controlling a mirror that transitions the sensor view from the Earth to deep 

space for calibration. The instrument is now operating using redundant electronics (Side B). NASA 

continues to monitor the performance on Side B, and to develop alternative modes of operating TIRS in 

the event of a reoccurring anomaly. 

OCEAN SURFACE TOPOGRAPHY MISSION (OSTM) 

OSTM, or Jason-2, measures sea surface height and enables scientists to assess climate variability and 

change, and water and energy cycles. This mission is the third in a series of ocean surface topography 

missions (following Jason-1 and TOPEX/Poseidon) and is the only one currently operating. OSTM is a 

joint mission with NOAA, CNES, and the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological 

Satellites. OSTM will provide cross-calibration with Jason-3 (launching in 2016). It will also serve to 

increase the spatial and temporal resolution of altimetry measurements in 2017 when OSTM is 

maneuvered into the interweaved five-day repeat orbit that was previously occupied by Jason-1. The 2015 

Earth Science senior review endorsed the OSTM mission for continued operations through 2017 and 

preliminarily through 2019. The next senior review will occur in 2017, and will re-evaluate the OSTM 

mission extension in terms of scientific value, national interest, technical performance, and proposed cost 

in relation to NASA Earth Science strategic plans. 

Recent Achievements 

The results from OSTM and its predecessor missions continue to flood professional journals and the 

general media at the rate of about 200 publications per year. These illustrate the continuous use of OSTM 

data among the Earth science community. With the 23-year record of continuous altimetry data, the 

mission’s science team has made extensive progress in the study of decades-long changes in the 

circulation of the South Pacific as well as the North Atlantic. OSTM is now monitoring the El Nino that is 

developing this year. 

SUOMI NATIONAL POLAR-ORBITING PARTNERSHIP (SUOMI NPP) 

Suomi NPP successfully launched in 2011, and transitioned to routine operations under NOAA 

management in 2013. The five instruments on Suomi NPP provide visible and infrared multi-spectral 

global imagery, atmospheric temperature and moisture profiles, total ozone and stratospheric ozone 

profiles, and measurements of Earth’s radiation balance. In addition to a wide range of applications 

studies, the NASA science focus areas served by Suomi NPP include atmospheric composition, climate 

variability and change, carbon cycle, ecosystems, water and energy cycles, and weather. NASA and 

NOAA continue to collaborate during the mission’s five-year prime operations phase to ensure meeting 

the shared objectives of both agencies. 
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Recent Achievements 

The Suomi NPP mission has met its minimum success criteria, and is on track to achieve full mission 

success at the end of its prime operations phase in late 2016. Suomi NPP data is publicly available from 

NOAA, and the National Weather Service uses it in support of the operational weather forecast system. 

Research data products produced by NASA’s Suomi NPP science team are also publicly available, and 

support NASA’s continuity objectives for the mission. 

TERRA

Terra is one of the EOS flagship missions. It enables a wide range of interdisciplinary studies of 

atmospheric composition, carbon cycle, ecosystems, biogeochemistry, climate variability and change, 

water and energy cycles, and weather. Terra, launched in 1999, is a joint mission with Japan and Canada. 

The 2015 Earth Science senior review endorsed the Terra mission for continued operations through 2017 

and preliminarily through 2019. The next senior review will occur in 2017, and will re-evaluate the Terra 

mission extension in terms of scientific value, national interest, technical performance, and proposed cost 

in relation to NASA Earth Science strategic plans. 

Recent Achievements 

The Terra mission has now provided more than 15 years of continuous data collection, providing 

fundamental observations of the Earth’s climate system, high-impact events, and adding value to other 

satellite missions and field campaigns. The spacecraft platform and five sensors are all fully functional 

(with the exception of the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) 

Shortwave Infrared (SWIR) bands), and the mission is expected to continue operations for the near future. 

Recent data product accomplishments include the ASTER-based high-resolution global topographic 

dataset, near-real-time aerosol products, a large statistical database of wildfire smoke and volcanic aerosol 

plumes from the Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MISR), and several major calibration updates 

to the MODIS dataset that improves ocean color, land vegetation, aerosol, and cloud science. The number 

of peer-reviewed papers from the Terra mission exceeds 11,000. 

AQUA

Aqua, another of the Earth Observing System flagship missions, also operates in the afternoon 

constellation of satellites, known as the A-Train. Aqua improves our understanding of Earth’s water cycle 

and the intricacies of the climate system by monitoring atmospheric, land, ocean, and ice variables. Aqua, 

launched in 2002, is a joint mission with Brazil and Japan. Four of its Earth observing instruments – the 

Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS), the Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit (AMSU), CERES, and 

MODIS – continue to collect valuable data about the atmosphere, oceans, land, and ice, and these data are 

widely used by the science and applications communities. The 2015 Earth Science senior review endorsed 

the Aqua mission for continued operations through 2017 and preliminarily through 2019. The next senior 

review will occur in 2017, and will re-evaluate the Aqua mission extension in terms of scientific value, 

national interest, technical performance, and proposed cost in relation to NASA Earth Science strategic 

plans. 
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Recent Achievements 

The Aqua spacecraft is still going strong, well past its six-year design lifetime. AIRS data recently 

quantified marked decreases in Northern Hemisphere atmospheric carbon monoxide. Advanced 

Microwave Scanning Radiometer - Earth Observing System (AMSIR-E) data showed a 20 to 30-day 

periodicity in the atmospheric general circulation of the Southern Hemisphere. Aqua data identified 

shortcomings in the representation of cloud radiative effects in a major climate model through 

comparisons with CERES radiative fluxes; and MODIS data mapped extremely large interannual 

variability in melt over the Greenland ice sheet. The rate of science publications incorporating Aqua data 

is now over 1,000 per year. 

AURA

The Aura mission enables study of atmospheric composition, climate variability, and weather by 

measuring atmospheric chemical composition, tropospheric/stratospheric exchange of energy and 

chemicals, chemistry-climate interactions, and air quality. Launched in 2004, Aura is also part of the ATrain. It is a joint mission with the Netherlands, Finland, and the United Kingdom. Three of Aura’s four 

instruments are operational: the Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS), the Ozone Monitoring Instrument 

(OMI), and the Tropospheric Emission Spectrometer (TES). Additional measurements include clouds, 

aerosols, solar spectral irradiance, and water vapor. The 2015 Earth Science senior review endorsed the 

Aura mission for continued operations through 2017 and preliminarily through 2019. The next senior 

review will occur in 2017, and will re-evaluate the Aura mission extension in terms of scientific value, 

national interest, technical performance, and proposed cost in relation to NASA Earth Science strategic 

plans. 

Recent Achievements 

The broad user community continues to draw on the rich Aura data record to develop and expand 

understanding of the Earth system, as reflected in the strong publication record (459 out of 1589 Aurarelated journal articles have been published during the past two years) and the increasing number of 

downloads from the data centers. The Aura spacecraft is operating very well, with primary subsystems 

still in use where redundancy is available. MLS is performing very well; scientists observe all products 

daily, with the exception of the hydroxyl radical (OH) and upper stratospheric hydrochloric acid (HCl). 

Since the loss of the ESA Envisat in 2012, most Aura MLS measurements are unique. OMI provides high 

quality column measurements of ozone and tropospheric pollutants, obtaining full global coverage within 

two days despite limitation to its wide swath. The TES observing strategy focuses on special observations 

to obtain maximum science benefit in light of signs of aging. 

SOLAR RADIATION AND CLIMATE EXPERIMENT (SORCE) 

The SORCE mission measures the total and spectral solar irradiance incident at the top of Earth’s 

atmosphere. SORCE measurements of incoming X-ray, ultraviolet, visible, near infrared, and total solar 

radiation help researchers to address long-term climate change, natural variability and enhanced climate 

prediction, and atmospheric ozone and ultraviolet-B radiation. These measurements are critical to studies 

of the Sun, its effect on the Earth system, and its influence on humankind. SORCE, launched in 2003, is 

in extended operations. The 2015 Earth Science senior review endorsed the SORCE mission for 

continued operations through 2017 and preliminarily through 2019, but it recognized that the satellite’s 
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aging batteries were highly degraded and that it might not survive past 2017. The next senior review will 

occur in 2017, and will re-evaluate the SORCE mission extension in terms of scientific value, national 

interest, technical performance, and proposed cost in relation to NASA Earth Science strategic plans. 

Recent Achievements 

SORCE has played a key role in maintaining the continuity of the long-term solar irradiance time series, 

and NASA expects to transfer the total solar irradiance calibration to the follow-on TSIS mission when it 

becomes operational. Recent mission highlights are the critical review of the solar spectral irradiance 

measurements and solar cycle variability results by an independent panel in September 2014, and 

determination that solar cycle 24 variability is about half as much as the variability during the past few 

11-year solar cycles. 

EARTH OBSERVING-1 (EO-1) 

The Earth Observing-1 (EO-1) satellite is an advanced land-imaging mission with relevance to various 

areas of earth science, including carbon cycle, ecosystems, biogeochemistry, and Earth surface and 

interior. EO-1, launched in 2000, is in extended operations. EO-1 simultaneously acquires 30-meter 

spatial resolution data from two instruments: Advanced Land Imager (ALI) and Hyperion. EO-1 is a 

targeting system that is capable of imaging any particular Earth location each day, up to five times every 

16 days. This capability has proven to be useful for rapid response monitoring of disasters and specific 

events. The 2015 Earth Science senior review endorsed the EO-1 mission for continued operations 

through 2016 only. Based on orbit predictions (the EO-1 satellite has been out of fuel for orbit 

maintenance since 2011), NASA has determined that operations beyond 2016 would not be of sufficient 

quality for Earth imaging due to low sun angle. NASA plans to decommission the EO-1 mission on 

September 30, 2016. Mission closeout, final reporting, and final processing and documentation of the 

archival science dataset will occur in FY 2017. 

Recent Achievements 

At this time last year, NASA planned to decommission the mission in October 2015, but new studies on 

the orbit degradation demonstrated that it was not as fast as projected, enabling one final mission 

extension to September 2016. Accordingly, the mission continued to support disaster response, as well as 

algorithm development for future hyperspectral imaging missions. 
Science: Earth Science 

EARTH SYSTEM SCIENCE PATHFINDER 

ES-52 

FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Venture Class Missions 169.1 -- 194.3 199.6 174.7 184.3 199.9 

Other Missions and Data Analysis 54.6 -- 101.7 49.0 42.0 43.5 45.2 

Total Budget 223.8 -- 296.0 248.6 216.7 227.8 245.1 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. 

FY 2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

FY 2017 reflects discretionary and mandatory funding. Additional details on the mandatory funding can be found in 

the Explanation of Changes section.

Actual Enacted Request Notional

(in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021

Mandatory Budget Authority -- -- 30.0 -- -- -- --

CYGNSS consists of a constellation of eight microsatellites, each carrying a four-channel radar receiver that 

measures GPS navigation signals scattered by the ocean 

surface. The radars will measure hurricane inner core 

surface winds with high temporal resolution, under all 

precipitating conditions, and over the full dynamic range 

of wind speeds. 

The Earth System Science Pathfinder (ESSP) 

program provides frequent, regular, 

competitively selected Earth science research 

opportunities that accommodate new and 

emerging scientific priorities and measurement 

capabilities. This results in a series of relatively 

low-cost, small-sized investigations and 

missions. Principal investigators whose 

scientific objectives support a variety of studies 

lead these missions, including studies of the 

atmosphere, oceans, land surface, polar ice 

regions, or solid Earth. 

ESSP projects include space missions and 

remote sensing instruments for space-based 

missions of opportunity or extended duration 

airborne science missions. The ESSP program 

also supports the conduct of science research 

utilizing data from these missions. ESSP 

projects often involve partnerships with other U.S. agencies and/or international organizations. This 

portfolio of missions and investigations provides opportunity for investment in innovative earth science 

that enhances NASA’s capability for better understanding the current state of the Earth system. 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017 
Science: Earth Science 

EARTH SYSTEM SCIENCE PATHFINDER 

ES-53 

ESSP supported in part with mandatory funding. The mandatory investment includes $30 million for a 

Small Satellite Constellation Initiative. 
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FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Total Budget 169.1 -- 194.3 199.6 174.7 184.3 199.9 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. FY 

2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.







NAAMES (EVS-2) will collect data during ship and 

aircraft measurement campaigns and combine that data 

with continuous satellite and ocean sensor readings. 

Shown here, NASA’s C-130H Hercules airborne 

laboratory begins research flights over the North Atlantic 

from St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada on Nov. 12, 2015. 

NASA’s Earth Venture Class project provides 

frequent flight opportunities for high-quality 

earth science investigations that are low cost and 

that can be developed and flown in five years or 

less. NASA will select the investigations 

through open competitions to ensure broad 

community involvement and encourage 

innovative approaches. Successful investigations 

will enhance our capability to understand the 

current state of the Earth system and to enable 

continual improvement in the prediction of 

future changes. Solicitations will alternate 

between space-borne and airborne/suborbital 

opportunities. 

NASA established the Venture Class project in 

response to recommendations in the National 

Academies’ report, “Earth Science and 

Applications from Space: National Imperatives 

for the Next Decade and Beyond.” 

The Earth Venture Class project consists of three different types of activities: 

Earth Venture Suborbital (EVS) are sustained suborbital science investigations. NASA caps each 

solicitation at $150 million in FY 2014 dollars, and selects multiple investigations within each 

call, individually capped at $30 million. The EVS solicitations will be made at four-year 

intervals; 

Earth Venture small Missions (EVM) are small space-based missions. Each solicitation is cost 

capped at $166 million in FY 2018 dollars. The EVM solicitations will be made at four-year 

intervals; and 

Earth Venture Instruments (EVI) will fly on space-borne platforms, which NASA will select. 

Each solicitation is cost capped at $97 million in FY 2018 dollars. NASA will release EVI 

solicitations at no more than 18-month intervals. 
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VENTURE CLASS MISSIONS

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EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017 

NASA approved the Tropospheric Emissions: Monitoring of Pollution (TEMPO) Instrument to proceed 

into development. However, there is a delay in TEMPO accommodations activity to allow time to find a 

suitable host spacecraft. This delay resulted in TEMPO budget changes across almost all years. NASA 

approved ECOSTRESS to enter the development phase, and the budget now matches project 

requirements. 

ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2015 

The Airborne Tropical TRopopause EXperiment (ATTREX) and AirMOSS missions completed data 

collection and transitioned to scientific analysis; reporting and mission close out activities in FY 2015. 

NASA selected a sixth Earth Venture Suborbital mission (from the EVI-2 Announcement of Opportunity 

[AO]), COral Reef Airborne Laboratory (CORAL), to investigate coral reefs. 

CYGNSS successfully completed its system integration review and KDP-D. GEDI held a successful 

system requirements review/mission design review and KDP-B. ECOSTRESS successfully completed its 

PDR and KDP-B for the Instrument. 

The TEMPO instrument converted its development contract with Ball Aerospace and Technologies 

Corporation from Cost-Plus-Incentive-Fee to Firm-Fixed-Price to reduce the risk of cost growth on the 

instrument and the impact to the cost cap of the overall mission. In April 2015, NASA confirmed the 

TEMPO instrument to proceed into development, and the instrument successfully conducted their CDR in 

July 2015. 

NASA released the EVM-2 AO in September 2015 and the EVI-3 solicitation, as the Program Element 

Appendix (PEA-P), to the Second Stand Alone Missions of Opportunity Notice (SALMON-2) in March 

2015. 

WORK IN PROGRESS IN FY 2016 

The final competitively selected EVS-1 mission, Carbon in Arctic Reservoirs Vulnerability Experiment 

(CARVE), finished data collection, and will transition to scientific analysis, reporting, and mission close 

out activities. The six selected EVS-2 began data collection. 

CYGNSS plans to hold an operations readiness review. GEDI will conduct a PDR in Q2 of FY 2016. 

NASA confirmed the ECOSTRESS Instrument to enter the development phase. The instrument will 

continue toward the CDR. 

TEMPO will conduct the ground system CDR, and plans to complete instrument subsystem development, 

including critical elements such as the focal plane assembly, spectrometer, and telescope. Integration and 

test of the instrument will begin in FY 2016. 

NASA will announce selections for EVI-3 and EVM-2, and release the EVI-4 AO in FY 2016. 
Science: Earth Science: Earth System Science Pathfinder 

VENTURE CLASS MISSIONS

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KEY ACHIEVEMENTS PLANNED FOR FY 2017 

NASA will continue data collection for the six EVS-2 missions. NASA plans to launch the CYGNSS 

mission, deliver ECOSTRESS and GEDI to the ISS, and announce the selection of the EVI-4 instrument. 

TEMPO will complete integration and test of the instrument. The release of the request for proposal 

(RFP) for hosting the TEMPO instrument will follow instrument delivery. 

Program Elements 

CYGNSS (EVM-1, SELECTED IN 2012) 

CYGNSS will make accurate measurements of ocean surface winds throughout the life cycle of tropical 

storms and hurricanes, leading to better weather forecasting. CYGNSS data will enable scientists to probe 

from space key air-sea interaction processes that take place near the inner core of the storms, which are 

rapidly changing, and play large roles in the genesis and intensification of hurricanes. The CYGNSS 

measurements will also provide information to the hurricane forecast community, potentially enabling 

better modeling to predict the strength of hurricanes as they develop. 

CYGNSS’s eight micro-satellite observatories will receive both direct and reflected signals from GPS 

satellites. The direct GPS signals pinpoint CYGNSS observatory positions, while the reflected signals are 

indicative of ocean surface roughness. Scientists will use both measurements to derive the critical 

measurement of wind speed. CYGNSS is currently in development and will launch in FY 2017. 

TEMPO (EVI-1, SELECTED IN 2012) 

The TEMPO instrument will measure atmospheric pollution covering most of North America. A 

commercial communications satellite will host the instrument and launch no later than 2021. On an hourly 

basis, TEMPO will measure atmospheric pollution from Mexico City to the Canadian tar/oil sands and 

from the Atlantic to the Pacific. TEMPO will provide measurements that include the key elements of air 

pollution chemistry, such as ozone and nitrogen dioxide in the lowest part of the atmosphere. 

Measurements from geostationary orbit will capture the inherent high variability in the daily cycle of 

emissions and chemistry. Measuring across both time and space will create a revolutionary dataset that 

provides understanding and improves prediction of air quality and climate forcing. 

The project will procure the commercial host spacecraft service through the USAF Space and Missile 

Systems Center Hosted Payload Solutions contract. In discussions with potential hosts, all identified 

concerns about the cost impact a late delivery by NASA would have on their spacecraft. In order to avoid 

the adverse pricing such risk would entail, the TEMPO project will delay the release of the RFP for 

hosting until after the completion of the instrument, with a projected launch date of 2021. 

ECOSYSTEM SPACEBORNE THERMAL RADIOMETER EXPERIMENT ON SPACE 

STATION (ECOSTRESS) (EVI-2, SELECTED IN 2014) 

ECOSTRESS will observe changes in global vegetation from the ISS. The sensors will give scientists 

new ways to see how changes in climate or land use change affect forests and ecosystems. ECOSTRESS 

will use a high-resolution thermal infrared radiometer to measure plant evapotranspiration, the loss of 
Science: Earth Science: Earth System Science Pathfinder 

VENTURE CLASS MISSIONS

ES-57 

water from growing leaves and evaporation from the soil. These data will reveal how ecosystems change 

with climate, and provide a critical link between the water cycle and effectiveness of plant growth, both 

natural and agricultural. 

ECOSTRESS will fill a key gap in our observing capability, advance core NASA and societal objectives, 

and allow NASA to address the following science objectives: 

 Identify critical thresholds of water use and water stress in key climate sensitive biomes; 

Detect the timing, location, and predictive factors leading to plant water uptake decline and/or 

cessation over the daily cycle; and 

Measure agricultural water consumption over the contiguous United States to improve drought 

estimation accuracy. 





GLOBAL ECOSYSTEM DYNAMICS INVESTIGATION (GEDI) LIDAR (EVI-2,

SELECTED IN 2014) 

GEDI will use a laser-based system to study a range of climates, including the observation of the forest 

canopy structure over the tropics, and the tundra in high northern latitudes. This data will help scientists 

better understand the changes in natural carbon storage within the carbon cycle from both humaninfluenced activities and natural climate variations. The instrument will be the first to systematically 

probe the depths of the forests from space by using a lidar instrument from the ISS and will provide a 

unique 3D view of Earth’s forests and provide information about their role in the carbon cycle. The GSFC 

will build and manage the instrument. 

EARTH VENTURE MANAGEMENT

The Earth Venture Management project provides for the development of AO solicitations and the 

Technical, Management, and Cost (TMC) evaluations of proposals received in response to the AO 

solicitations. Additionally, this project supports Common Instrument Interface activities to identify a 

common set of earth science instrument-to-spacecraft interface guidelines that will improve the likelihood 

that these instruments can take advantage of future hosted payload opportunities. 

In addition, as funding and opportunities permit, NASA supports a small number of technology studies, in 

an effort to prepare these technologies to compete in future Earth Venture solicitation. In 2015, NASA 

selected two technology demonstration efforts from EVI-2: 

 Green OAWL (GrOAWL): The GrOAWL Demonstrator effort will reduce risk for a potential 

future ATHENA‐OAWL Doppler Wind Lidar mission by providing validated airborne wind 

profiles measured with a 532-nanometer version of the Optical Autocovariance Wind Lidar 

instrument. The University of Colorado will manage this work, and Ball Aerospace Corporation 

will build the GrOAWL instrument. 

Temporal Experiment for Storms and Tropical Systems-Demonstrator (TEMPEST-D): As a 

technology demonstration effort, a TEMPEST-Demonstrator will reduce the risk for a potential 

future TEMPEST mission that will provide the first global observations of the time evolution of 

precipitation. TEMPEST-D provides for a single CubeSat with the required set of five millimeterwave frequencies from 91 to 183 GHz. TEMPEST-D will validate existing airborne and satellitebased millimeter-wave radiometer data through geolocation, calibration, and intercalibration of 


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ES-58 

brightness temperatures with the GMI and other available satellite radiometers. The TEMPEST-D 

team will design, build, qualify, test, and launch a single CubeSat built to meet the TEMPEST 

mission’s radiometer instrument and satellite bus specifications proposed to EVI-2. Colorado 

State University will lead this work, and JPL will build the 5-frequency radiometer instrument. 

VENTURE CLASS FUTURE MISSIONS

Earth Venture Class Future Mission funding supports future Earth Venture Suborbital, Earth Venture 

small Missions, and Earth Venture Instruments through AO solicitations. 

EARTH VENTURE SUBORBITAL-1 (EVS-1; SELECTED IN 2010) INVESTIGATIONS 

INCLUDE: 

 AirMOSS addresses the uncertainties in existing estimates by measuring soil moisture in the root 

zone of representative regions of major North American ecosystems; 

ATTREX studies chemical and physical processes at different times of year from bases in 

California and Guam; 

CARVE collects an integrated set of data that will provide experimental insights into Arctic 

carbon cycling, especially the release of the important greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide 

and methane; 

Deriving Information on Surface Conditions from COlumn and VERtically Resolved 

Observations Relevant to Air Quality (DISCOVER-AQ) improves the interpretation of satellite 

observations to diagnose near-surface conditions relating to air quality; and 

HS3 studies hurricanes in the Atlantic Ocean basin using two NASA Global Hawks flying high 

above the storms for up to 24 hours. 









EARTH VENTURE SUBORBITAL-2 (EVS-2; SELECTED IN 2014) INVESTIGATIONS 

INCLUDE: 

 Atmospheric Tomography explores the impact of human-produced air pollution on certain 

greenhouse gases. Airborne instruments will look at how various air pollutants affect atmospheric 

chemistry (including methane and ozone). 

North Atlantic Aerosols and Marine Ecosystems Study seeks to improve predictions of how 

ocean ecosystems would change with ocean warming. The mission will study the annual life 

cycle of phytoplankton, and the impact small airborne particles (composed of material derived 

from marine organisms) have on climate in the North Atlantic. 

Atmospheric Carbon and Transport-America quantifies the sources of regional carbon dioxide, 

methane and other gases, and documents how weather systems transport these gases in the 

atmosphere. 

Observations of Aerosols above Clouds and their Interactions investigates how smoke particles 

from massive biomass burning in Africa influences cloud cover over the Atlantic. Particles from 

this seasonal burning interact with permanent stratocumulus “climate radiators,” which are 

critical to the regional and global climate system. 






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ES-59 

 Oceans Melting Greenland project studies the role of warmer, saltier Atlantic Ocean subsurface 

waters in Greenland glacier melting. The study will help pave the way for improved estimates of 

future sea level rise by observing changes in glacier melting where ice contacts seawater. 

The CORAL (selected in FY 2015) investigation will analyze the status of coral reefs and predict 

their future. It will provide the most extensive picture to date of the condition of a large portion of 

the world’s coral reefs. 



 Program Schedule 

Date Significant Event 

2016 EVI-4 (instrument) solicitation released 

FY 2016 Q2 GEDI Confirmation Review 

May 2017 CYGNSS launch readiness 

2017 EVS-3 (suborbital) solicitation released 

2017 ECOSTRESS Instrument Delivery to ISS 

2018 GEDI Instrument Delivery to ISS 

2018 EVI-5 (instrument) solicitation released 

2019 EVM-3 (mission) solicitation released 

2019 GEDI launch readiness 

2019 ECOSTRESS launch readiness 

2020 EVI-6 (instrument) solicitation released 

2021 TEMPO launch readiness 

Program Management & Commitments 

Program Element Provider 

EVS-2: Atmospheric 

Tomography Experiment 

Provider: Harvard College 

Lead Center: ARC 

Performing Center(s): LaRC, ARC, GSFC, AFRC 

Cost Share Partner(s): NOAA 

EVS-2: North Atlantic Aerosols 

and Marine Ecosystems Study 

Provider: Oregon State University 

Lead Center: LaRC 

Performing Center(s): LaRC, GSFC, ARC 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 
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Program Element Provider 

EVS-2: Atmospheric Carbon and 

Transport-America 

Provider: Pennsylvania State University 

Lead Center: LaRC 

Performing Center(s): LaRC, GSFC, JPL 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

EVS-2: Observations of 

Aerosols above Clouds and their 

Interactions 

Provider: ARC 

Lead Center: ARC 

Performing Center(s): ARC, LaRC, GSFC, AFRC, JPL 

Cost Share Partner(s): University of Namibia 

EVS-2: Oceans Melting 

Greenland 

Provider: JPL 

Lead Center: JPL 

Performing Center(s): JPL, GSFC, AFRC 

Cost Share Partner(s): Danish National Space Institute, Stockholm University 

EVS-2: Coral Reef Airborne 

Laboratory 

Provider: Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences 

Lead Center: JPL 

Performing Center(s): JPL, AFRC 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

EVM-1: CYGNSS 

Provider: University of Michigan 

Lead Center: LaRC 

Performing Center(s): N/A 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

EVI-1: TEMPO 

Provider: Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory 

Lead Center: LaRC 

Performing Center(s): LaRC, GSFC 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

EVI-2: ECOSTRESS 

Provider: JPL 

Lead Center: JPL 

Performing Center(s): JPL 

Cost Share Partner(s): USDA 

EVI-2: GEDI 

Provider: University of Maryland 

Lead Center: GSFC 

Performing Center(s): GSFC 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

Acquisition Strategy 

NASA anticipates issuing a solicitation for a Venture Class element at least once a year. NASA will 

award all Venture Class funds through full and open competition. 
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ES-61 

MAJOR CONTRACTS/AWARDS

Element Vendor Location (of work performance) 

CYGNSS: project management, 

development, integration and 

mission operations 

Southwest Research Institute San Antonio, TX 

TEMPO: development of 

instrument (ultraviolet-visible 

spectrometer) 

Ball Aerospace & Technologies 

Corp. Boulder, CO 

INDEPENDENT REVIEWS

Review 

Type Performer Date of Review Purpose Outcome Next Review 

Performance 

SRB Apr 2015 

TEMPO Instrument 

KDP-C Milestone 

Review to determine 

readiness to enter 

development 

TEMPO 

Instrument 

approved to enter 

development 

Jun 2015 

Performance 

SRB Jun 2015 TEMPO Instrument 

CDR Successful FY 2018 Q2 

Performance 

SRB Jun 2015 

GEDI System 

Requirement 

Review/Mission 

Design Review 

Successful Jan 2016 

Performance 

SRB Jul 2015 ECOSTRESS PDR Successful Oct 2015 

Performance 

SRB Aug 2015 CYGNSS KDP-D 

Milestone Review Successful Aug 2016 

Performance 

SRB Oct 2015 

ECOSTRESS 

Instrument KDP-C 

Milestone Review to 

determine readiness 

to enter 

development 

ECOSTRESS 

Instrument 

approved to enter 

development 

Dec 2015 

Performance 

SRB Dec 2015 

ECOSTRESS full 

project KDP-C 

confirmation review 

Successful FY 2016 Q2 

Performance 

SRB FY 2016 Q2 ECOSTRESS CDR TBD FY 2019 Q4 
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Review 

Type Performer Date of Review Purpose Outcome Next Review 

Performance 

SRB FY 2016 Q2 

GEDI KDP-C 

Milestone Review to 

determine readiness 

to enter 

development 

TBD FY 2017 Q1 

Performance 

SRB Jan 2016 GEDI PDR TBD FY 2016 Q2 

Performance 

SRB Aug 2016 CYGNSS ORR TBD N/A 

Performance 

SRB FY 2017 Q1 GEDI CDR TBD FY 2019 Q2 

Performance 

SRB FY 2018 Q2 

TEMPO KDP-C 

Milestone Review to 

establish hosting 

costs 

TBD FY 2021 Q3 

Performance 

SRB FY 2019 Q2 GEDI ORR TBD N/A 

Performance 

SRB FY 2019 Q4 ECOSTRESS ORR TBD N/A 

Performance 

SRB FY 2021 Q3 TEMPO ORR TBD N/A 
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ES-63 

FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

ESSP Missions Research 13.4 -- 13.2 15.9 17.0 19.7 21.0 

Orbiting Carbon Observatory-3 1.5 -- 26.3 9.5 4.2 6.6 6.8 

Small Satellite Constellation Initiative 0.0 -- 30.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 

OCO-2 17.5 -- 10.2 10.1 10.4 10.0 10.2 

Aquarius 3.4 -- 3.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 

GRACE 5.0 -- 5.4 2.3 1.3 0.0 0.0 

Cloudsat 7.5 -- 8.5 4.1 2.0 0.0 0.0 

Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared 

Pathfinder Satellite Observations 

(CALIPSO) 

6.4 -- 5.1 7.1 7.1 7.2 7.3 

Total Budget 54.6 -- 101.7 49.0 42.0 43.5 45.2 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. FY 

2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

ESSP Other Missions and Data Analysis projects include operating missions and mission-specific 

research. These innovative missions will enhance understanding of the current state of the Earth system 

and enable continual improvement in the prediction of future changes. 

Mission Planning and Other Projects 

ESSP MISSIONS RESEARCH 

ESSP Missions Research provides funds for the science teams supporting ESSP operating missions. The 

science teams are comprised of competitively selected individual investigators who analyze data from the 

missions to address relevant science questions. 

Recent Achievements 

A study presented the first measurements of Lower North Atlantic Deep Water transport changes using 

only time-variable gravity observations from GRACE satellites from 2003 until now. The study 

demonstrated the efficacy of space observations of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation 

(AMOC) variations. The AMOC plays a key role in the poleward transport of heat. Changes in this 

transport can influence climate at higher latitudes significantly, with potentially significant impacts for the 

Northern Hemisphere, in particular northwest Europe’s climate. 

A study demonstrated the impact of combined Aquarius and in-situ sea surface salinity measurements on 

El Nino forecasts, using a coupled ocean-atmosphere model for August 2011 until February 2014. 

Scientists used these observations to initialize coupled El Nino forecast experiments. Assimilating 

Aquarius SSS gave significant improvement over the baseline for all forecast lead times after five months. 
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A recent study describes a climatology of vertical distributions of cloud water content, ice water content, 

and cloud fraction associated with eight different cloud types, by utilizing the combined CloudSat radar 

and Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations (CALIPSO) lidar measurements. 

The team also analyzed the geographical and seasonal variations of these cloud properties for each cloud 

type. Results show that different cloud types have different altitudes of cloud water content and cloud 

fraction peaks, and the altitude of the cloud fraction peak does not always overlap with that of cloud water 

content peak. This study provides an important baseline for comparing observations with global General 

Circulation Models. 

ORBITING CARBON OBSERVATORY (OCO)-3

The Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO)-3 is a space instrument that will investigate important questions 

about the distribution of carbon dioxide on Earth as it relates to growing urban populations and changing 

patterns of fossil fuel combustion. OCO-3 will explore, for the first time, daily variations in the release 

and uptake of carbon dioxide by plants and trees in the major tropical rainforests of South America, 

Africa, and South-East Asia, which are the largest stores of aboveground carbon on our planet. Measuring 

the daily variations in these major carbon systems addresses an important missing component in our 

knowledge, and is crucial for explaining global variations in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. NASA 

will develop and assemble the instrument using spare materials from OCO-2 and host the instrument on 

the ISS. 

Recent Achievements 

The project restarted in FY 2016 and now works towards a confirmation review. 

SMALL SATELLITE CONSTELLATIONS INITIATIVE 

This is a new effort proposed for FY 2017 and supported by mandatory funding. Potential small satellite 

constellation activities include on-orbit technology validation and risk reduction for small instruments; 

fostering commercial launch services dedicated to transporting small payloads into orbit; funding 

competitive grants for small satellite proposals; and exploring governance models to incentivize Center 

involvement in small satellite constellation proposals. 

Operating Missions 

OCO-2 

Since the beginning of the industrial age, the concentration of carbon dioxide in the Earth’s atmosphere 

increased more than 38 percent. Scientific studies indicate that carbon dioxide is one of several 

greenhouse gases that trap heat near the Earth’s surface. Most scientists have concluded that substantial 

increases in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will increase the Earth’s surface temperature, referred to as 

global warming. 

From its vantage point in low Earth orbit, OCO-2 collects hundreds of thousands of precise carbon 

dioxide measurements across the globe each day. With these data, scientists are gaining greater insight 

into how much of carbon dioxide the Earth emits by natural sources and human activities, and into the 
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natural processes removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This information may help decisionmakers to manage carbon dioxide emissions and reduce the human impact on the environment. 

Recent Achievements 

OCO-2 officially entered its prime operations phase in October 2014 and has routinely delivered science 

data products for distribution to the science community since the second quarter of FY 2015. These 

products include calibrated spectra of reflected sunlight as well as the carbon dioxide and solar-induced 

chlorophyll florescence estimates derived from these spectra. Measurements collected during its first year 

of operations clearly reveal well-known features of the carbon dioxide distribution, including the strong 

spring “drawdown” that occurs in the northern hemisphere spring, as plants on land pull carbon dioxide 

from the air to produce new leaves, stems, and roots. Emissions associated with intense fossil fuel 

combustion and biomass burning are clearly shown by the satellite data. 

GRAVITY RECOVERY AND CLIMATE EXPERIMENT (GRACE) 

Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) measures minute changes in Earth’s gravity field by 

measuring micron-scale variations in the separation between the two spacecraft that fly in formation 220 

kilometers apart in low Earth orbit. Local changes in Earth’s mass cause the variations in gravitational 

pull. GRACE demonstrated a new paradigm of observations that utilizes ultra-small variations of Earth’s 

gravity field, as small as one-billionth the surface force of gravity. With this capability, GRACE was the 

first mission to provide a comprehensive measurement of the monthly change in the ice sheets and major 

glaciers. GRACE provided significant new information on changes in water resources within river basins 

and aquifers worldwide, and measured the effects of major earthquakes around the world. NASA 

developed the twin GRACE satellites in collaboration with German Aerospace Center (DLR). 

Launched in 2002, the mission lifetime now exceeds 13 years. The 2015 Earth Science senior review 

endorsed the GRACE mission for continued operations through 2017 and preliminarily through 2019, or 

until re-entry, currently projected to occur in 2018. The next senior review will occur in 2017, and will reevaluate the GRACE mission extension in terms of scientific value, national interest, technical 

performance, orbit status, and proposed cost in relation to NASA Earth Science strategic plans. 

Recent Achievements 

The GRACE data set significantly improved the capability for measuring seasonal and decadal mass 

variations associated with: terrestrial water storage, continental aquifers, deep ocean currents, water 

storage in the major river basins, polar ice mass, and the mass redistribution signals associated with large 

earthquakes and post-glacial rebound. Research using GRACE data has shown that a third of the world’s 

biggest groundwater basins are in distress. Near real-time data products from GRACE, support 

applications to analyze flooding, drought, and earthquake events. 

CLOUDSAT

CloudSat measures cloud characteristics to increase understanding of the role of clouds in Earth’s 

radiation budget. This mission specifically provides estimates of the percentage of Earth’s clouds that 

produce rain, provides vertically-resolved estimates of how much water and ice are in Earth’s clouds, and 

estimates how efficiently the atmosphere produces rain from condensates. CloudSat collects information 

about the vertical structure of clouds and aerosols that other Earth-observing satellites do not collect. This 
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data improves models and provides a better understanding of the human impact on the atmosphere. 

CloudSat launched in 2006, and is currently in extended operations. 

The 2015 Earth Science senior review endorsed the CloudSat mission for continued operations through 

2017 and preliminarily through 2019. The next senior review will occur in 2017, and will re-evaluate the 

CloudSat mission extension in terms of scientific value, national interest, technical performance, and 

proposed cost in relation to NASA Earth Science strategic plans. 

Recent Achievements 

CloudSat continues to provide unique, vertically resolved global observations of clouds and precipitation 

that lead to a clearer understanding of how clouds influence Earth’s climate. The observations are widely 

used in model evaluation and in development of new moist physical processes in weather and climate 

prediction models. With last year’s entry of the OCO-2 mission into the A-Train constellation (a satellite 

constellation of six Earth observation satellites of varied nationality in sun-synchronous orbit at an 

altitude of 705 kilometers above the Earth), CloudSat began development of new cloud products that use 

data from both missions. The effort focuses initially on low, stratiform clouds (low-level, stable, nonprecipitating cloud layer), builds upon existing A-Train related cloud products, and exploits A-Train 

observations to help constrain the retrievals and to test product information. The project performs 

development of the product with close coordination with the OCO-2 algorithm team. 

CLOUD-AEROSOL LIDAR AND INFRARED PATHFINDER SATELLITE OBSERVATION 

(CALIPSO) 

CALIPSO provides data on the vertical structure of clouds, the geographic and vertical distribution of 

aerosols, and detects sub-visible clouds in the upper troposphere. CALIPSO also provides an indirect 

estimate of the contribution of clouds and aerosols to atmospheric warming. Since its launch in 2006, 

CALIPSO has been part of the A-Train constellation (with CloudSat, Aura, Aqua, CNES’s Polarization 

and Anisotropy of Reflectances for Atmospheric Sciences coupled with Observations from a Lidar 

[PARASOL], JAXA’s Global Change Observation Mission 1st - Water [GCOM-W1], and now OCO-2). 

It is in extended operations. 

Atmospheric aerosols can affect Earth’s radiation balance, the formation of clouds and precipitation, the 

chemical composition of the atmosphere, and pose a health risk when pollution levels rise. CALIPSO 

provides the first comprehensive three-dimensional measurement record of aerosols, helping to better 

understand how aerosols form, evolve, and are transported over the globe. The 2015 Earth Science senior 

review endorsed the CALIPSO mission for continued operations through 2017 and preliminarily through 

2019. The next senior review will occur in 2017, and will re-evaluate the CALIPSO mission extension in 

terms of scientific value, national interest, technical performance, and proposed cost in relation to NASA 

Earth Science strategic plans. 

Recent Achievements 

CALIPSO measurements helped advance our understanding of the geographical and vertical distribution 

of clouds over the globe and of how much water and ice they hold. The use of active sensor on CALIPSO 

improved the understanding of cloud effects in the Polar Regions, showing that radiative forcing of 

wintertime clouds can influence summer time sea ice loss in the Arctic, and improving models of 

poleward energy transport from the Southern Ocean. Combining five years of A-Train data from 
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CALIPSO, CloudSat, and Aqua enabled researchers to quantify the effects of aerosols and clouds, 

improving weather and climate models. 
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FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Total Budget 179.7 -- 191.8 194.3 193.6 197.9 202.6 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. FY 

2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

Full resolution imagery from the NASA SMAP Mission is 

now available through the Global Image Browse System 

and is visible in Worldview. New additions include the 

SMAP Level 1 global radiometer products. 

The Earth Science Multi-Mission Operations 

(MMO) program acquires, processes, preserves, 

and distributes observational data from 

operating spacecraft to support Earth Science 

research focus areas. The MMO program 

primarily accomplishes this via the Earth 

Observing System Data and Information System 

(EOSDIS), which has been in operations since 

1994. The EOSDIS team creates earth science 

data products from satellite data that arrives at 

the rate of more than four terabytes per day. 

The archiving of NASA Earth Science 

information happens at Distributed Active 

Archive Centers (DAACs) located across the 

United States. The DAACs specialize by science 

discipline, and make their data available to 

researchers around the world. 

The MMO program supports the science data 

segment for Suomi NPP, as well as the data archive and distribution for the recently launched SMAP, 

GPM, and OCO-2 missions and upcoming Earth Science missions. EOSDIS data centers also support 

Earth Ventures Suborbital campaigns. A system plan for 2016 and beyond will take into account 

evolutionary needs for new missions in development, in response to the National Academies decadal 

survey. These investments will enable the system to keep technologically current, and incorporate new 

research data and services. 

For more information, go to http://science.nasa.gov/earth-science/earth-science-data. 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017 

The MMO budget supports upcoming requirements for ICESat-2, TEMPO, OCO-3, SAGE-III, and TSIS1 on ISS, which will provide a range of data sets over the budget horizon for land, ocean, and atmospheric 

monitoring. In addition, the MMO budget increase will support new efforts associated with citizen 

science and developing improved capabilities for the discovery and usage of global change information. 
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ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2015 

EOSDIS expanded its capabilities to accommodate data from SMAP, OCO-2, AMSR2, GPM, RapidScat, 

and airborne missions, including IceBridge and EV-1. The five EOSDIS Science Investigator-led 

Processing Systems (SIPS) initiated production of NASA science data products from Suomi NPP in FY 

2015. 

New technologies were developed and implemented to make earth science data more broadly available. 

EOSDIS began consolidation of multiple metadata systems into a single Common Metadata Repository 

that supports sub second search of over 250 million records. Common Application Programing Interfaces, 

such as Open Source Project for a Network Data Access Protocol (OPeNDAP), were deployed increasing 

efficient access to petabytes of data from EOSDIS. The Global Imagery Browse Services added 51 new 

imagery products from five instruments allowing comparison of data from multiple instruments. In 

addition to these new products, the project generated ongoing imagery for 93 imagery products. The team 

performed these activities as part of the Big Earth Data Initiative. 

The European Commission and ESA reached agreement to acquire, archive, and distribute data from the 

Copernicus Program’s Sentinel Missions. NASA established a Sentinel Gateway and began acquiring 

strategic aperture radar data from the Sentinel 1-A mission, which will be freely and readily available to 

the science community and other users. 

Principal Investigators from the 2013 Advancing Collaborative Connections for Earth System Science 

(ACCESS) selection entered their second year of funding, with annual reports submitted in preparation 

for reviews of their first year’s activities. 

As the technical lead for the implementation of the White House Climate Data Initiative, NASA worked 

with other Federal agencies to identify and catalog federally held data and information. The project has 

made over one thousand curated data sets from multiple federal agencies available in the following 

thematic areas: coastal flooding, food resilience, water resources, ecosystems, human health, energy 

infrastructure and transportation systems, as well as natural, economic, and cultural resources in the 

Arctic. For more information, go to http://climate.data.gov. 

WORK IN PROGRESS IN FY 2016 

Standard production of Suomi NPP data sets will ramp up to provide continuity with Earth Science Data 

Records from the EOS missions. Data products from Suomi NPP will be available to the science and 

application communities as standard products available within days of observation and near-real time 

products available within three hours of observation. The project will acquire and archive data from the 

Copernicus Program’s Sentinel-3 mission at DAACs with related data sets. The EOSDIS will continue to 

provide leadership and participation in inter-agency and international efforts on science data 

interoperability, access, standards, and stewardship. EOSDIS will chair the Committee on Earth 

Observing Satellites Working Group on Information Systems and Services, will co-chair the U.S. Group 

on Earth Observations Data Management Working Group, and will support the Administration’s Big 

Earth Data Initiative and Climate Data Initiative. EOSDIS will begin releasing data from several new 

missions. Finally, the EOSDIS will embark on several prototypes to evaluate the technical feasibility and 

cost effectiveness of cloud computing technology. 
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KEY ACHIEVEMENTS PLANNED FOR FY 2017 

NASA will continue to operate and maintain the EOSDIS, and all accompanying infrastructure and 

functions. NASA also anticipates providing data systems support for several new missions aboard the ISS 

(e.g., TEMPO, LIS, SAGE-III, TSIS) and airborne mission from EVS-2 as well as preparations for the 

ICESat-2 and GRACE-FO missions. Scientists will use results of cloud prototyping to evolve the data 

system. The team will deploy new services to improve data utilization. NASA will release the 2017 

ACCESS solicitation. 

Program Elements 

EARTH SCIENCE MULTI-MISSION OPERATIONS

This project funds the evolution of EOSDIS elements, aimed at improving the efficiency and 

effectiveness of EOSDIS while reducing the cost. It also supports the twelve nationwide DAAC 

installations that collect, disseminate, and archive earth science data. Each DAAC focuses on a specific 

Earth system science discipline and provides users with data products, services, and data-handling tools 

unique to that specialty. 

 The Alaska Synthetic Aperture Radar Facility, which collects data and information on sea ice, 

polar processes, and geophysics; 

The GSFC Earth Sciences Data and Information Services Center, which collects information on 

atmospheric composition, atmospheric dynamics, global precipitation, ocean biology, ocean 

dynamics, and solar irradiance; 

The LaRC DAAC collects data on Earth’s radiation budget, clouds, aerosols, and tropospheric 

chemistry; 

The Land Processes DAAC collects land processes data; 

The National Snow and Ice Data Center collects snow and ice data, as well as information about 

the cryosphere and climate; 

The Oak Ridge National Laboratory DAAC collects data on biogeochemical dynamics and 

ecological data for studying environmental processes; 

The Physical Oceanography DAAC collects information on oceanic processes and air-sea 

interactions; 

The Socioeconomic Data and Applications Center collects information on population, 

sustainability, multilateral environmental agreements, natural hazards, and poverty; 

The Crustal Dynamics Data Center collects information focused on solid earth data; 

The Ocean Biology Progressing Group produces and distributes ocean biology and 

biogeochemistry products; 

The Global Hydrology Research Center provides hydrological cycle and severe weather research 

data and information; and 

The Land and Atmosphere Data Center provides a large suite of MODIS atmospheric products. 

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EARTH OBSERVING SYSTEM DATA AND INFORMATION SYSTEM (EOSDIS) 

The EOSDIS project provides science data to a wide community of users, including NASA, Federal 

agencies, international partners, academia, and the public. EOSDIS provides users with the services and 

tools they need in order to use NASA’s earth science data in research and creation of models. EOSDIS 

archives and distributes data through standardized science data products, using algorithms and software 

developed by Earth Science investigators. 

The EOSDIS project also funds research opportunities related to EOSDIS. Current programs include 

ACCESS and Making Earth System data records for Use in Research Environments (MEaSUREs). 

ACCESS projects increase the interconnectedness and reuse of key information-technology software and 

services in use across the spectrum of earth science investigations. ACCESS also supports the deployment 

of data and information systems and services that enable the freer movement of data and information. 

ACCESS researchers develop needed tools and services to aid in measurable improvements to earth 

science data access and usability. 

Through the MEaSUREs activity, researchers investigate new types of sensors to provide threedimensional profiles of Earth’s atmosphere and surface. There is an emphasis on linking data from 

multiple satellites, and then facilitating the use of this data in the development of comprehensive Earth 

system models. 

Program Schedule 

MMO solicits research opportunities every two years for ACCESS and every five years for MEaSUREs. 

Date Significant Event 

Q2 FY 2017 ROSES MEaSUREs Solicitation Released 

Q2 FY 2017 ROSES ACCESS Solicitation Released 

Program Management & Commitments 

Program Element Provider 

EOSDIS core system, and 

Evolution of EOSDIS upgrades 

Provider: GSFC 

Lead Center: GSFC 

Performing Center(s): GSFC 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 
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Program Element Provider 

DAACs 

Provider: Various 

Lead Center: GSFC 

Performing Center(s): GSFC, LaRC, Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), 

JPL 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

Acquisition Strategy 

Research opportunities related to EOSDIS are available through NASA’s ROSES announcements. 

MAJOR CONTRACTS/AWARDS

Element Vendor Location (of work performance) 

EOSDIS Evolution & Development Raytheon Riverdale, MD 

INDEPENDENT REVIEWS

Review 

Type Performer Date of Review Purpose Outcome Next Review 

Quality American Customer 

Satisfaction Index 2015 

Survey current 

EOSDIS users to 

assess current status 

and improve future 

services 

EOSDIS scored 89 

out of 100, a strong 

score and above the 

Federal government 

average. EOSDIS 

improved in several 

areas including 

“likelihood to 

recommend” and 

“likelihood to use 

services in the 

future.” 

2016 

annually 

thereafter 
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FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Total Budget 59.7 -- 61.4 60.4 59.7 62.7 63.7 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. FY 

2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

Developed at JPL, this prototype of a geostationary 

microwave sounder, the Geostationary Thinned Aperture 

Radiometer (GeoSTAR) is part of the Instrument 

Incubator Program (IIP). It completed a first-light 

demonstration in September 2015. Using a geostationary 

orbit, this atmospheric research and weather forecasting 

instrument will improve upon existing measurements by 

providing continuous coverage in all weather conditions, 

have rapid data refresh rates for monitoring severe 

weather, and improve hurricane tracking capability. 

Advanced technology plays a major role in 

enabling Earth research and applications. The 

Earth Science Technology Program (ESTP) 

enables previously infeasible science 

investigations; improves existing measurement 

capabilities; and reduces the cost, risk, and/or 

development times for earth science instruments 

and information systems. 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES 

IN FY 2017 

None. 

ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2015 

Principal investigators made satisfactory 

progress on all awards in the IIP, Advanced 

Information Systems Technology, and 

Advanced Components Technology programs. 

NASA launched the GEO-CAPE Read-Out 

Integrated Circuit (ROIC) In-Flight Performance 

Experiment (GRIFEX) CubeSat with the SMAP 

mission in January 2015 and successfully 

completed its technology validation activities 

including engineering assessments of a digital in-pixel high frame rate ROIC. 

NASA selected four new selections for the In-Space Validation of Earth Science Technology (InVEST)-

15. The space environment imposes stringent conditions on components and systems, some of which are 

not possible to test on the ground or in airborne systems. Because of the harsh conditions, there has been, 

and continues to be, a need for new technologies to be validated in space prior to use in a science mission. 

The InVEST program element will fill that gap. NASA targeted the InVEST call to small instruments and 

instrument subsystems that can advance technology to enable relevant earth science measurements. The 

call was limited to in-space validation only, and targeted to the CubeSat platform. 
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During FY 2015, 40 percent of active technology projects advanced at least one technology readiness 

level, and several projects factored into science measurements, system demonstrations, or other 

applications. 

WORK IN PROGRESS IN FY 2016 

In FY 2016, ESTP will develop new remote sensing and information systems technologies for infusion 

into future science missions and airborne campaigns. These technologies will enable or enhance 

measurements and data systems capabilities. Instrument, component, and information systems technology 

activities awarded in prior solicitations will advance toward incorporation into decadal survey and 

Venture-class missions, and NASA Earth Science deployments. The five in-space technology flight 

validation awards made in FY 2013 will be in their last year of development and will be targeting 

launches in the FY 2016 to early FY 2017 period. ESTP will initiate work in the four new InVEST tasks 

made in FY 2015. The 11 most recent Advanced Components Technology awards are underway this year 

and will complete first year activities. The Advanced Information Systems Technology program made 24 

awards in FY 2015 and all of these awards are underway in their first year of activities. Work continues 

on advancing technology developments in all of the 17 awards made in the IIP-13 solicitation. 

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS PLANNED FOR FY 2017 

NASA anticipates making new awards in Q2 FY 2017 from the Instrument Incubator Program and 

Advanced Information Systems Technology program from the ROSES FY 2016 solicitation. 

Program Elements 

ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY INITIATIVES (ATI) 

This project enables development of critical component and subsystem technologies for instruments and 

platforms, mostly in support of the Earth Science decadal survey. Current awards focus on areas such as 

space-qualified laser transmitters, passive optical technologies, and microwave and calibration 

technologies. Other awards support measurements of solar radiance, ozone, aerosols, and atmospheric gas 

columns for air quality and ocean color for coastal ecosystem health and climate emissions. 

The InVEST program element selects new technologies to validate in space prior to use in a science 

mission. This is necessary because the space environment imposes stringent conditions on components 

and systems, some of which we cannot test on the ground or in airborne systems. Validation of earth 

science technologies in space will help reduce the risk of new technologies in future Earth Science 

missions. 

INSTRUMENT INCUBATOR

This project develops instrument and measurement techniques at the system level, including laboratory 

breadboards and operational prototypes for airborne validation. NASA currently funds 17 Instrument 

Incubator efforts. These instrument prototypes support several measurements such as carbon dioxide, 

carbon monoxide, ocean color, and solar spectrum from ultraviolet to infrared for climate science. 
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Instrument Incubator supports the development of instrument design, prototype through laboratory and/or 

airborne demonstrations for innovative measurement techniques that have the highest potential to meet 

the measurement capability requirements of the NASA earth science community in both the optical and 

the microwave spectrum. 

ADVANCED INFORMATION SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGY (AIST) 

This project develops end-to-end information technologies that enable new Earth observation 

measurements and information products. The technologies help process, archive, and access, visualize, 

communicate, and understand science data. Currently, Advanced Information Systems Technology 

(AIST) activities focus on four areas needed to support future earth science measurements: 

 Concept Development of Improved Sensor Measurements, which includes tools to help assess 

various types of measurements and how to make them, including technologies that aid in the 

design and analysis of quantitative observations; 

Data Acquisition and Management, which refers to the collection and management of highvolume and/or high-rate data and supports the building and operation of infrastructures that are 

necessary for sensor data acquisition; 

Data Product Generation, which is the creation of interdisciplinary products that aggregate 

observational data, thus improving the scientific value of the data at reduced costs; and 

Exploitation of Data for Earth Science and Applications, which focuses on the transformation of 

data products into actionable information and includes modeling and visualization tools, as well 

as collaborative environments. In general, projects aim to advance the discovery, access, and use 

of sensor data within the Earth Science community. 

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Program Schedule 

Date Significant Event 

Q2 FY 2016 ROSES-2016 solicitation 

Q1 FY 2017 ROSES-2016 selection no earlier than 6 months of receipt of proposals 

Q2 FY 2017 ROSES-2017 solicitation 

Q1 FY 2018 ROSES-2017 selection no earlier than 6 months of receipt of proposals 

Q2 FY 2018 ROSES-2018 solicitation 

Q1 FY 2019 ROSES-2018 selection no earlier than 6 months of receipt of proposals 

Q2 FY 2019 ROSES-2019 solicitation 

Q1 FY 2020 ROSES-2019 selection no earlier than 6 months of receipt of proposals 

Q2 FY 2020 ROSES-2020 solicitation 
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Program Management & Commitments 

Program Element Provider 

Instrument Incubator 

Provider: Various 

Lead Center: HQ 

Performing Center(s): GSFC, JPL, LaRC, ARC, AFRC 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

Advanced Information Systems 

Provider: Various 

Lead Center: HQ 

Performing Center(s): GSFC, JPL, LaRC, MSFC, ARC, GRC 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

Advanced Technology 

Initiatives 

Provider: Various 

Lead Center: HQ 

Performing Center(s): GSFC, JPL, LaRC 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

Acquisition Strategy 

NASA primarily procures tasks through full and open competition, such as through the ROSES 

announcements. The solicitation of technology investments is competitive and selected from NASA 

Centers, industry, and academia. 

MAJOR CONTRACTS/AWARDS

None. 
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INDEPENDENT REVIEWS

Review 

Type Performer Date of Review Purpose Outcome Next Review 

Performance 

NASA Advisory 

Council Earth 

Science 

Subcommittee 

2012 

Review for success 

in infusion of new 

technologies and 

participation of 

universities in 

developing the new 

generation of 

technologists. 

The committee was 

pleased with the 

technology program; 

it recommended 

focusing on reducing 

cost in missions and 

enabling specific 

measurements. 

Reports are available 

at 

https://esto.nasa.gov. 

2016, 2018 
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FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Total Budget 40.4 -- 48.2 47.9 48.7 51.5 52.0 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. FY 

2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

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The Global Agricultural Monitoring initiative 

(GEOGLAM) strengthens the international 

community’s capacity to produce and disseminate 

timely forecasts of agricultural production at 

multiple scales through the use of Earth 

observations. On a monthly basis, the GEOGLAM 

Crop Monitor provides transparent, in-season 

assessments of crop growing conditions and 

outputs, which helps stabilize markets and reduce 

price volatility. This image for November 2015 

shows the crop conditions over the main growing 

areas for wheat, maize, rice, and soybeans. 

The NASA Applied Sciences program leverages 

NASA Earth Science satellite measurements and 

new scientific knowledge to provide innovative 

and practical uses for public and private sector 

organizations. It also enables near-term uses of 

earth science knowledge, discovers and 

demonstrates new applications, and facilitates 

adoption of applications by public and private 

sector stakeholder organizations. 

Applied Sciences projects improve decisionmaking activities to help the Nation better 

manage its resources, improve quality of life, 

and strengthen the economy. NASA develops 

earth science applications in collaboration with 

end-users in public, private, and academic 

organizations. 

Examples of these applications include: 

 Development of drought indicators with 

the National Drought Mitigation Center to 

support end users’ conservation and agriculture 

decisions; 

Application of land cover information by the Nature Conservancy to conduct a reverse auction, 

pay landowners, and increase prime habitat for migrating wild birds; 

Use of higher-resolution wildfire detection data by the U.S. Forest Service to improve 

determination of fire boundaries and expedite restoration of key ecosystems; 

Advances in fishery stock assessments with NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service for 

sustainable management of important commercial species; 

Support early warnings and risk maps of infectious diseases to help health officials anticipate 

outbreaks and take timely actions for disease control and prevention; 

Use of satellite observations of volcanic ash to inform air traffic controllers and aviation industry 

for hazards along major airplane routes; and 

Improved forecasts of crop water needs in California’s Central Valley to account for optimal 

irrigation rates when scheduling irrigation. 
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The program supports the sustained use of these products in the decision-making process of user 

organizations. The program also encourages potential users to envision and anticipate possible 

applications from upcoming satellite missions and to provide input to mission development teams to 

increase the societal benefits of NASA missions. 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017 

The FY 2017 budget restores funding for a follow-on Applied Sciences Team for the SERVIR project, to 

improve regional hubs and national stakeholders and users’ abilities to apply Earth observations. This 

second three-year SERVIR Applied Sciences Team will provide geographic and thematic applied science 

expertise and applications projects to four hubs, focusing on food security, land use and ecosystems, 

climate, and water and water-related disasters. NASA manages SERVIR jointly with the United States 

Agency for International Development. 

The FY 2017 budget allows for NASA’s scientific support to an expanded SERVIR global network 

encompassing six regional hubs planned after 2017. The budget allows an expanded third SERVIR 

Applied Sciences Team to provide scientific expertise and applications projects across the six hubs. 

The FY 2017 budget completes and closes-out the crosscutting Wildfires applications theme for Applied 

Sciences. 

ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2015 

The California Department of Water Resources and other state and Federal agencies applied Landsat, 

Terra, and Aqua satellite observations to create monthly fallowed-area maps of the Central Valley, 

allowing them to gauge idle agricultural land and support state allocation of drought emergency funds. 

The Nature Conservancy applied NASA MODIS and ASTER land cover data to identify wetlands as part 

of a reverse auction with landowners to increase habitat along the Pacific flyway for migrating wild birds. 

NASA used the vantage point of space to support the response to numerous national and international 

disasters. For example, NASA supported the response to flooding in Texas and surrounding areas, 

including information from GPM satellite and flood models to characterize extent of the event and to aid 

decisions on closures of navigational rivers in Oklahoma and Arkansas. NASA supported the 

international response to the Gorkha earthquake in Nepal, providing information products on damage 

proxy maps, landslides, deformation models, and vulnerability maps derived from satellite data. 

NASA continued its phased approach to conduct applications projects – initially supporting a set of 

feasibility studies and then selecting a subset to pursue as in-depth projects. In 2015, the ecological 

forecasting applications area selected ten feasibility studies to continue as in-depth applications projects. 

The Water Resources applications area initiated nine projects addressing seasonal outlooks of water 

supply conditions. The Health & Air Quality applications area began nine new projects addressing 

applications of Earth observations environmental health risks and infectious diseases, such as cholera, 

west Nile virus, and heat stress. 

The DEVELOP program, an endeavor for young professionals to apply earth science data, included over 

400 people in 91 projects. Applied Sciences’ training endeavor on remote sensing for professionals 
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conducted a dozen virtual and in-person training programs, reaching over two thousand people for the 

first time across the United States and globally. The SERVIR program (managed jointly with the U.S. 

Agency for International Development) officially launched its new regional hub in Southeast Asia to 

enhance decision-making using satellite observations in the Lower Mekong River basin. 

Applied Sciences engaged the applications community to expand knowledge about NASA’s Earth 

Science missions and in planning for upcoming satellites. The NISAR, SWOT, and CYGNSS missions 

held their first applications workshops, PACE held an applications town hall forum, GPM held its first 

applications workshop since launch, the GRACE mission delivered an applications plan, and the SMAP 

and ICESat-2 missions expanded their numbers of early adopters to apply the data and information. 

WORK IN PROGRESS IN FY 2016 

NASA will begin implementing a new strategic plan for the Applied Sciences Program that covers the 

2016-2020 timeframe. As part of this, NASA will commence initiatives on freshwater availability with 

the Western states and food security, supporting the nation’s use of Earth observations to address these 

challenges. The year will be the first full year under NASA’s new preparatory-based approach to disaster 

response, working with more disaster groups that can carry forward NASA-developed information and 

tools to support the responders they serve. 

Projects from the first NASA Air Quality Applied Sciences Team will complete, providing new tools to 

air quality managers to improve forecasting and planning decisions. NASA will solicit and select 

members of a follow-on team, which will focus more on engaging state air quality and public managers to 

identify and conduct targeted, near-term projects. The water resources area will deliver results in projects 

focused on use of Earth observations to improve drought forecasts and land management practices, and 

the ecological forecasting area will deliver results from projects addressing climate effects in ecosystem 

management strategies. 

The first SERVIR Applied Sciences Team will complete their core projects, delivering results on uses of 

Earth observations to advance water management, agriculture, health, and disaster preparedness in Africa, 

Himalayas, and Central America. Results from the new SERVIR-Mekong hub will begin, and NASA and 

United States Agency for International Development (USAID) will likely identify a new hub in West 

Africa to increase use of Earth observations and geospatial information in that region. The Applied 

Remote Sensing Training (ARSET) project will conduct its first wildfires training course and pursue one 

on public health as part of its plans to broaden and reach users. 

Applied Sciences will continue its engagement with the applications community as part of current and 

future NASA earth science missions, such as an applications workshop for the NISAR mission and 

expansion of Early Adopter programs to more missions. The program will sponsor a symposium on the 

socioeconomic benefits of Earth observations, and it will solicit and select projects to advance impact 

assessment methodologies. 

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS PLANNED FOR FY 2017 

The program will deliver results in projects focused on use of Earth observations in wildfires management 

activities, including projects that address the pre-, active, and post-fire phases. The program will deliver 

results from disaster management applications on topics involving flooding, storm damage assessments, 
Science: Earth Science 

APPLIED SCIENCES

ES-81 

and volcanic ash alerts. The water resources area and disasters area will select and start new portfolios of 

projects. 

The SERVIR project will initiate its second applied sciences team to improve regional hubs and national 

stakeholders and users’ abilities to apply Earth observations. This team will provide geographic and 

thematic applied science expertise and applications projects to four hubs, focusing on food security, land 

use and ecosystems, climate, and water and water-related disasters. 

Program Elements 

CAPACITY BUILDING

The Capacity Building project enhances U.S. and developing countries’ capacity, including human, 

scientific, technological, institutional, and resource capabilities, to make decisions informed by earth 

science data and models. Capacity Building builds skills in current and future workforce, and it creates 

opportunities in under-served areas to broaden the benefits of Earth observations. This project supports 

training, information product development, internships, data access tools, short-term application test 

projects, user engagement, and partnership development. This project has three primary elements: 

SERVIR for supporting developing countries, ARSET for professional-level training on Earth 

observations, and DEVELOP for workshop development through hands-on internships with state and 

local governments. 

MISSION AND APPLIED RESEARCH

The Mission and Applied Research project enables involvement by applications-oriented users in the 

planning, development, and other activities of Earth Science satellite missions. The Mission and Applied 

Research project enables end user engagement to identify applications early and throughout mission life 

cycle, integrate end-user needs in design and development, enable user feedback, and broaden advocacy. 

Mission and Applied Research organizes community workshops to identify priority needs as well as 

studies to inform design trade-offs and identify ways to increase the applications value of missions. In this 

project, Applied Sciences advises flight projects on activities to develop the applications dimension of the 

mission to help broaden benefits and maximize the return from the investment in the mission. 

DISASTER SUPPORT

The Disaster Support project enables development of innovative applications using NASA satellite 

mission data to ensure timely, valuable support to responders when disasters occur. The Disaster Support 

project sponsors the use and integration of Earth observations in disaster-related organizations’ decisions 

and actions, including use of feasibility studies, in-depth projects, workshops, and needs assessments. The 

project also sponsors activities to improve a preparatory-based approach to enhance value and usability of 

NASA Earth Science products in support of disaster response and recovery. This project pursues 

partnerships with disaster groups that can carry forward NASA-developed information and tools to 

support the responders they serve. 
Science: Earth Science 

APPLIED SCIENCES

ES-82 

APPLICATIONS

The Applications project organizes its development activities on priority themes related to societal and 

economic topics important to end user communities and their management, policy, and business activities. 

The Applications project sponsors the integration of Earth observations in community organizations’ 

decisions and actions. Specific topics within an area evolve to reflect new priorities and opportunities. 

There are four formal applications areas in Ecosystems, Health, and Water and Wildfires. The project will 

conduct ad hoc activities on other themes and formalize areas when warranted or additional resources are 

available. Each applications area supports feasibility studies, in-depth projects, applied science teams, 

consortia, workshops, and needs assessments. Each applications area participates in major conferences 

and events that their partners attend in order to meet and engage managers and users. 

Program Schedule 

Date Significant Event 

2016 Q1 ROSES-2015 solicitation 

FY 2016 Q2 ROSES-2016 selection no earlier than 6 months of receipt of proposals 

FY 2017 Q2 ROSES-2017 selection no earlier than 6 months of receipt of proposals 

FY 2018 Q2 ROSES-2018 selection no earlier than 6 months of receipt of proposals 

FY 2019 Q2 ROSES-2019 selection no earlier than 6 months of receipt of proposals 

FY 2020 Q2 ROSES-2020 selection no earlier than 6 months of receipt of proposals 

FY 2021 Q2 ROSES-2021 selection no earlier than 6 months of receipt of proposals 

Program Management & Commitments 

Program Element Provider 

Applications 

Provider: Various 

Lead Center: HQ 

Performing Center(s): ARC, GSFC, JPL, LaRC, MSFC 

Cost Share Partner(s): U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, U.S. Fish 

and Wildlife Service, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. 

Department of Agriculture, NOAA, USGS, Bureau of Land Management, 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

Capacity Building 

Provider: Various 

Lead Center: HQ 

Performing Center(s): ARC, GSFC, JPL, LaRC, MSFC, Stennis Space Center 

(SSC) 

Cost Share Partner(s): USAID 
Science: Earth Science 

APPLIED SCIENCES

ES-83 

Program Element Provider 

Disaster Support 

Provider: Various 

Lead Center: HQ 

Performing Center(s): GSFC, JPL, LaRC, MSFC, SSC 

Cost Share Partner(s): Department of Homeland Security (DHS), NOAA, 

USDA, USGS, USAID 

Mission and Applied Research 

Provider: Various 

Lead Center: HQ 

Performing Center(s): ARC, GSFC, JPL, LaRC, MSFC, SSC 

Cost Share Partner(s): USDA, CNES, ISRO, Joint Research Centre (JRC) 

Acquisition Strategy 

NASA bases the Earth Science Applied Science acquisitions on full and open competition. Grants are 

peer reviewed and selected based on NASA research announcements and other related announcements. 

INDEPENDENT REVIEWS

None. 

Review 

Type Performer Date of Review Purpose Outcome Next Review 

Relevance 

Applied Sciences 

Analysis 

Committee 

Dec 2014 

and Mar 

2015 

Review strategy and 

implementation. 

Annual reports to 

NASA SMD/Earth 

Science Division 

Director. 

Meeting report 

released Jun 2015 

Feb 2016; 

semiannual 

thereafter 
Science 

PLANETARY SCIENCE

Budget Authority (in $ millions)

Actual 

FY 2015

Enacted 

FY 2016 

Request

FY 2017 

Notional 

FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021

Planetary Science Research 252.8 -- 284.7 271.6 285.7 281.6 287.3

Discovery 259.7 -- 202.5 277.3 337.4 345.0 405.3

New Frontiers 286.0 -- 144.0 81.6 90.7 142.8 234.0

Mars Exploration 305.0 -- 584.8 588.8 565.0 498.4 279.9

Outer Planets and Ocean Worlds 184.0 -- 137.3 56.0 77.8 128.0 247.3

Technology 159.2 -- 165.5 164.4 163.5 179.7 172.0

Total Budget 1446.7 -- 1518.7 1439.7 1520.1 1575.5 1625.7

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. 

FY 2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

FY 2017 reflects discretionary and mandatory funding. Additional details on the mandatory funding can be found in 

the Explanation of Changes section.

Planetary Science 

PLANETARY SCIENCE RESEARCH ........................................................................PS-2 

Other Missions and Data Analysis ...................................................................................... PS-8 

DISCOVERY ...........................................................................................................PS-12

InSight [Development] .......................................................................................................PS-16

Other Missions and Data Analysis ....................................................................................PS-22

NEW FRONTIERS...................................................................................................PS-26

Origins-Spectral Interpretation-Resource Identification-Security-Regolith Explorer (OSIRISREx) [Development] ..........................................................................................................PS-28

Other Missions and Data Analysis ....................................................................................PS-35

MARS EXPLORATION ............................................................................................PS-38

Mars Rover 2020 [Formulation] .........................................................................................PS-42

Other Missions and Data Analysis ....................................................................................PS-48

OUTER PLANETS AND OCEAN WORLDS .............................................................PS-55

TECHNOLOGY .......................................................................................................PS-61

PS-1 
Science: Planetary Science 

PLANETARY SCIENCE RESEARCH

FY 2017 Budget 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) 

Actual 

FY 2015 

Enacted 

FY 2016 

Request

FY 2017 

Notional 

FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Planetary Science Research and Analysis 162.4 -- 178.1 164.3 168.5 168.0 172.4 

Directorate Management 4.0 -- 4.1 4.1 4.1 4.1 4.1 

Near Earth Object Observations 40.0 -- 50.0 50.0 50.0 50.0 50.0 

Other Missions and Data Analysis 46.4 -- 52.5 53.2 63.2 59.5 60.8 

Total Budget 252.8 -- 284.7 271.6 285.7 281.6 287.3 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. 

FY 2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

FY 2017 reflects discretionary and mandatory funding. Additional details on the mandatory funding can be found in 

the Explanation of Changes section.











This high-resolution radar image of asteroid 2015 TB145 on a 

safe flyby of Earth on October 31, 2015, at about 1.3 lunar 

distances (300,000 miles, or 480,000 kilometers) was obtained by 

NASA scientists using the 230-foot (70-meter) Deep Space 

Network antenna at Goldstone, California, to transmit highpower microwaves toward the asteroid, from which the signal 

bounced back to Earth and its radar echoes were received by 

the National Radio Astronomy Observatory's 100-meter (330-

foot) Green Bank Telescope in West Virginia. 

The Planetary Science Research program 

provides the scientific foundation for data 

sets returned from NASA missions 

exploring the solar system. It is also 

NASA’s primary interface with university 

faculty and graduate students in this field 

and the research community in general. 

The program develops analytical and 

theoretical tools, as well as laboratory data, 

to support analysis of flight mission data. 

These capabilities allow Planetary Science 

to answer specific questions about, and 

increase the understanding of, the origin 

and evolution of the solar system. The 

research program achieves this by 

supporting research grants solicited 

annually and subjected to a competitive 

peer review before selection and award. 

The Planetary Science Research program 

focuses on five key research goals: 

Explore and observe the objects in the solar system to understand how they formed and evolved; 

Advance the understanding of how the chemical and physical processes in our solar system 

operate, interact, and evolve; 

Explore and find locations where life could have existed or could exist today; 

Improve our understanding of the origin and evolution of life on Earth to guide our search for life 

elsewhere; and 

Identify and characterize objects in the solar system that pose threats to Earth or offer resources 

for human exploration. 

PS-2 
Science: Planetary Science 

PLANETARY SCIENCE RESEARCH

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017 

(in $ millions) 

Actual 

FY 2015 

Enacted 

FY 2016 

Request 

FY 2017 

Notional 

FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Mandatory Budget Authority -- -- 16.0 -- -- -- --

Planetary Science Research is supported in part with mandatory funding (see table, above). The 

mandatory investment includes $16 million for Planetary Research and Analysis to enhance the scientific 

return from on-going and completed spaceflight missions. 

ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2015 

NASA’s Astrobiology Program produced a number of exciting results in FY 2015:

A study showed that glycerol might form when ionizing radiation interacts with interstellar ices. 

Astrobiologists have shown that programmable DNA, used to assemble complex nanometer-scale 

structures can do so in a mixture of solvents that contains no water. 

NASA scientists studying the origin of life have reproduced uracil, cytosine, and thymine, three key 

components of hereditary material, in the laboratory. 

In the muddy sediments beneath the deep sea, NASA Astrobiology Institute-funded astrobiologists have 

found ancient communities of microbes that have remained virtually unchanged for 2.3 billion years. 

Researchers using lunar regolith simulants discovered that the Moon might preserve organic matter 

suggesting that ices in permanently shadowed regions potentially hold the key to understanding the 

organic flux to the Earth-Moon system more than 3.8 billion years ago. 

Asteroid search teams funded by NASA’s Near-Earth Object (NEO) Observations Program found another 

14 asteroids larger than one km in size with orbits that come close to Earth’s vicinity. Asteroid search 

teams also found 1267 asteroids less than one km in size, along with four additional near-Earth comets. 

This brings the total known population of NEOs to 12,928 (as of 27 July 2015). The high-precision orbit 

predictions computed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) show that none of these objects is 

likely to strike the Earth in the next century. However, 1,604 NEOs (of which 154 are larger than one km 

in diameter), with 94 just found this year, are in orbits that could become a hazard in the more distant 

future and warrant continued monitoring. 

The NEO Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (NEOWISE) restart mission observed preliminary 

diameters and albedos for 9,309 asteroids in its first year. Of these, 203 are near-Earth asteroids, and 

9,106 are Main Belt or Mars-crossing asteroids. Diameters can typically be derived to an accuracy of 

~20% with the 3.4 and 4.6 micron data available from the NEOWISE mission; when visible light 

observations are also in hand, albedos can be computed with ~40-50% accuracy. NASA’s Infrared 

Science Archive (IRSA) is the designated repository for infrared observations. IRSA has received all 

NEOWISE Year 1 observations. By virtue of the wavelengths it employs, as well as its survey cadence 

and viewing geometry, NEOWISE near-Earth object discoveries tend to be large and dark, 

complementing ground-based visible surveys. NEOWISE continues to operate with nearly identical 

PS-3 
Science: Planetary Science 

PLANETARY SCIENCE RESEARCH

PS-4 

performance in its 3.4 and 4.6-micron channels to that demonstrated during the Wide-field Infrared 

Survey Explorer (WISE) prime mission. Over 200 refereed publications have used NEOWISE data. 

WORK IN PROGRESS IN FY 2016 

In pursuit of fundamental science that guides planetary exploration, the Planetary Science Research 

program continues to select highly rated R&A proposals that support planetary missions and goals. 

Planetary science is also archiving and distributing relevant mission data to the science community and 

the public in a timely manner. 

The NEOO project supports a network of search and characterization observatories and the data 

processing and analysis required to understand the near-Earth population of small bodies. In accordance 

with the findings and recommendations of the January 2010 National Academies study on the NEO 

hazard, NASA continues to: 

 Analyze the small body data collected by the newly reactivated WISE mission, and support 

increased follow-up and analysis of this data; 

Increase collection of NEO detection and characterization data by the United States Air Force’s 

(USAF) Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Reporting System (Pan-STARRS) and the 

newly commissioned Space Surveillance Telescope; 

Complete the prototype of a wider field survey telescope system called ATLAS, the Asteroid 

Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System, designed to detect smaller asteroids as they approach the 

Earth; 

Support the continued and enhanced operation of planetary radar capabilities at the National 

Science Foundation’s Arecibo and NASA’s Goldstone facilities; and 

Investigate both ground and space-based concepts for increasing capacity to detect, track, and 

characterize NEOs of all sizes. 









The European Space Agency’s (ESA) Rosetta mission, with NASA participation, is orbiting the Comet 

Churyumov-Gerasimenko. The Philae lander separated from the Rosetta orbiter and landed on the comet 

on November 12. 

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS PLANNED FOR FY 2017 

In FY 2017 NASA is aggressively continuing an expanded NEO observation effort that will increase the 

detection of NEOs of all sizes by increasing the observing time on ground-based telescopes such as PanSTARRs and the Space Surveillance Telescope, and improve their characterization using assets such as 

the Infra-Red Telescope Facility. The program is also supporting the study of the composition of NEOs 

through the collection and analyses of meteorites, as well as the analyses of samples returned by 

spacecraft missions. 
Science: Planetary Science 

PLANETARY SCIENCE RESEARCH

PS-5 

Program Elements 

PLANETARY SCIENCE RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS (R&A) 

Planetary Science R&A enhances the scientific return from on-going and completed spaceflight missions 

and provides the foundation for the formulation of new scientific questions and strategies for answering 

those questions. R&A develops new theories and instrumentation concepts that enable the next generation 

of spaceflight missions. R&A funds research tasks in areas such as astrobiology and cosmo chemistry; the 

origins and evolution of planetary systems; the observation and characterization of extra-solar planets (i.e. 

exoplanets) and the atmospheres, geology, and chemistry of the solar system’s bodies other than the Earth 

or the sun. 

Recent Achievements 

Over the last year, Planetary Science Research and Analysis has supported numerous efforts to retrieve, 

restore, calibrate, and archive valuable datasets from past missions and research projects. One archiving 

effort is adding 25-years-worth of ground-based telescopic data on comets, Kuiper belt objects, and other 

small solar system bodies to the Planetary Data System (PDS). Another is adding 15-years-worth of 

ground-based spectroscopic data on asteroids and other small bodies to the PDS. NASA is funding the 

effort to restore, calibrate, and archive data from Soviet-led VEGA balloon missions to Venus, which had 

significant inputs from France and the U.S., in order to make in-situ Venus atmospheric measurements 

available to the science community. NASA is calibrating and archiving a 27-year-old radar dataset of 

Venus from the Arecibo telescope to allow a comparison with more recent datasets to search for signs of 

recent volcanism or other surface changes on that planet. Through a combination of improved calibration 

of data from the MESSENGER spacecraft and the use of ground-based observational data, researchers are 

improving the global crater database and more accurately mapping the compositional and morphological 

variations across the surface of Mercury, and gaining a better understanding of the elemental composition 

of the planet. Using data from the EPOXI and Stardust-NExT flyby missions, efforts are progressing to 

understand the hydrogen and water production rates of their target comets, and to link geologic features of 

cometary nuclei to the primary forms of cometary activity. Examination of images from the WISE space 

telescope is allowing the extraction of orbital data for Jupiter Family Comets. Several additional PMDAP 

investigations are improving our knowledge of asteroids using recalibrated data from the Dawn, 

Hayabusa and NEAR missions that orbited their target asteroids, and from the Galileo spacecraft during 

its asteroid flybys. While using Magellan imagery to map the geological planet, NASA is also using the 

analysis of tracking data from the Magellan and Venus Express orbiters to derive a high-resolution 

gravity field for Venus. 

NEAR EARTH OBJECT OBSERVATIONS (NEOO) 

NASA formally established a NEOO Research Program with a goal to detect and track at least 90 percent 

of the asteroids and comets greater than 140 meters in diameter that come within 1.3 astronomical units of 

the Sun (within about 30 million miles of Earth’s orbit). The NEOO Program, using ground and spacebased assets, looks for NEOs that have any potential to collide with Earth and do significant damage to 

the planet. Since NASA’s search started in 1998, the program has found over 90 percent of these objects 

that are 1 kilometer and larger, and about 24 percent of all those larger than 140 meters in size. The 

program will also discover and characterize NEOs that could be viable targets for robotic and crewed 

exploration. This is part of NASA’s response to the Asteroid Grand Challenge: to find all asteroid threats 

to human population and know what to do about them. 
Science: Planetary Science 

PLANETARY SCIENCE RESEARCH

PS-6 

The FY 2017 request includes $6.1 million for Asteroid Impact and Deflection Assessment (AIDA), all of 

which is for a Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART). DART is the kinetic impactor component of 

this collaborative asteroid deflection demonstration with the European Space Agency. This would be the 

first mission to demonstrate asteroid deflection using a kinetic impactor. 

For more information on the search for NEOs, go to http://neo.jpl.nasa.gov. 

DIRECTORATE MANAGEMENT

Directorate Management supports the Robotics Alliance project, which increases interest in science, 

technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines among youth in the United States. Annual activities 

and events expose students to challenging applications of engineering and science. The Robotics Alliance 

project supports national robotic competitions in which high school students’ work with engineering and 

technical professionals from government, industry, and universities to gain hands-on experience and 

mentoring. 

Program Schedule 

The Planetary Science Research Program will conduct its next call for research proposals as part of the 

Science Mission Directorate’s annual Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) 

research calls in 2016. 

Program Management & Commitments 

Program Element Provider 

Provider: NASA 

Lead Center: Headquarters (HQ) 

Performing Center(s): Ames Research Center (ARC), Glenn Research Center 

(GRC), Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), Jet Propulsion Laboratory 

(JPL), Johnson Space Center (JSC), Langley Research Center (LaRC), 

Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), HQ 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

R&A 

Provider: NASA 

Lead Center: HQ 

Performing Center(s): HQ, GSFC, JPL, ARC 

Cost Share Partner(s): National Science Foundation (NSF), USAF, 

Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) 

NEOO 
Science: Planetary Science 

PLANETARY SCIENCE RESEARCH

PS-7 

Acquisition Strategy 

The R&A budget will fund competitively selected activities from the ROSES omnibus research 

announcement. 

INDEPENDENT REVIEWS

Review 

Type Performer Date of 

Review Purpose Outcome Next 

Review 

Recommendation 

was to maintain a 

strong program 

consistent with the 

decadal survey. 

Review to assess 

goals and objectives 

of program. 

Planetary Science 

Subcommittee Quality 2015 2016 
Science: Planetary Science: Planetary Science Research 

OTHER ISSIONS AND ATA NALYSIS M D A 

PS-8 

FY 2017 Budget 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) 

Actual 

FY 2015 

Enacted 

FY 2016 

Request

FY 2017 

Notional 

FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Joint Robotics Program for Exploration 10.0 -- 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 

Planetary Science Directed R&T 0.0 -- 2.7 4.9 19.8 15.8 16.7 

Science Innovation Fund 0.0 -- 5.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 

Planetary Data System 13.7 -- 14.5 14.6 14.7 14.8 14.9 

Astromaterial Curation 6.4 -- 9.1 9.8 10.0 10.2 10.4 

Science Data & Computing 2.0 -- 2.4 2.5 2.7 2.7 2.8 

Rosetta 14.3 -- 8.8 5.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 

Total Budget 46.4 -- 52.5 53.2 63.2 59.5 60.8 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. FY 

2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

Other Missions and Data Analysis includes supporting 

mission functions such as Planetary Data Systems, Science 

Data and Computing, and Astromaterial Curation, as well as 

the NASA portion of the ESA Rosetta mission. 

Image of comet 67P/ChuryumovGerasimenko taken on 31 January 2015 by 

Rosetta’s on-board navigation camera. 

Credit: ESA/Rosetta/NAVCAM 

Mission Planning and Other 

Projects 

JOINT ROBOTICS PROGRAM FOR

EXPLORATION

This activity funds research and analysis in support of 

human spaceflight planning and robotic systems 

development. These activities will characterize exploration 

environments, identify hazards, and assess resources, which 

will inform the selection of future destinations, support the 

development of exploration systems, and reduce the risk associated with human exploration. NASA’s 

SMD will jointly conduct many of these research and analysis activities with the Human Exploration and 

Operations Mission Directorate (HEOMD) to maximize the benefit to both science and exploration 

objectives, as was done successfully with the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) mission. 

Recent Achievements 

The Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute (SSERVI), funded through the Joint Robotics 

Program for Exploration, had a highly productive second year of operations, producing over 160 peerreviewed publications by its nine domestic teams, hosting numerous in-person and virtual scientific 

events and conducting a wide range of research projects at the intersection of human space exploration 
Science: Planetary Science: Planetary Science Research 

OTHER MISSIONS AND DATA ANALYSIS

and planetary science. The SSERVI dust accelerator, housed at the University of Colorado, which studies 

important impact phenomena relevant to both human exploration and space weathering (damage that 

occurs to any object exposed to the harsh environment of outer space), set a new speed record of 117 

km/sec. To allow for highly integrated scientific measurements on Earth in preparation for human and 

robotic missions, NASA established three field sites at various places in both the U.S. and Canada. A 

SSERVI scientist conducted the first field training for the new class of NASA astronauts, akin to the field 

training that made a big impact in the scientific results gained from Apollo. Another SSERVI scientist 

developed a new understanding of the electrical charging that occurs in deep space operations particularly 

near asteroids, which will result in safer space suits for future exploration. SSERVI increased its 

international presence through new partnerships with both Italy and Australia in FY 2015. 

PLANETARY SCIENCE DIRECTED RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY 

This project funds the civil service staff that will work on emerging Planetary Science flight projects, 

instruments, and research. The workforce and funding will transfer to projects by the beginning of 

FY 2017. 

SCIENCE INNOVATION FUND

The Science Innovation Fund provides funding to NASA Centers to invest in scientific research that will 

enhance scientific innovation, NASA’s ability to meet future missions, NASA’s ability to forge new 

collaborations, and recruitment and retention of scientists. The purpose of the Science Innovation Fund is 

twofold: 1) Promote the conduct of highly innovative, exploratory, and high-risk/high return scientific 

research in support of the strategic direction of the Agency; and 2) Promote the vitality of the NASA 

Centers through strategic investments in scientific research, capabilities, and people. While this project is 

in the Science account, it is for use by the entire NASA science workforce, including SMD and HEOMD. 

Recent Achievements 

Searching for Organics on Mars: GSFC scientists demonstrated that cosmic rays can effectively degrade 

amino and carbolic acids in the top 1 meter of Martian rocks or regolith within 100 million years. This 

result will affect where we can search for past life on Mars, as cosmic rays will degrade exposed surfaces. 

Formation of ancient continental crusts: JSC scientists developed a new method for measuring the 

fraction of the radioactive isotope potassium 40K (the ratio of 40K/41K) which is almost 100 times more 

precise than previous techniques. This new high-precision technique will improve our geochronology 

studies of the early Earth. 

Citizen Science: SIF funded a citizen science project called Disk Detective that crowdsources analysis of 

images from the WISE mission to efficiently search for debris disks and young stellar objects. NASA will 

use these results to guide future searches for exoplanets. So far, citizen scientists have logged over 1.5 

million classifications with a goal of completing their first stage of analysis by the fall of 2018. 

In total, SIF work has resulted in approximately 30 scientific peer-reviewed publications. 

PLANETARY DATA SYSTEM 

PS-9 
Science: Planetary Science: Planetary Science Research 

OTHER MISSIONS AND DATA ANALYSIS

The PDS is an online data archive. Scientists with expertise in planetary science disciplines designed the 

PDS, and they curate its data. The PDS furthers NASA’s Planetary Science goals by efficiently collecting, 

archiving, and making accessible digital data produced by, or relevant to, NASA’s planetary missions, 

research programs, and data analysis. The archives include imaging experiments, magnetic and gravity 

field measurements, orbit data, and various spectroscopic observations. All space-borne data from over 50 

years of NASA-funded exploration of comets, asteroids, moons, and planets is publically available 

through the PDS archive. 

Recent Achievements 

NASA completed a re-competition of the PDS archives, and established cooperative agreements for 

management of the various archives for the next five years. 

ASTROMATERIAL CURATION 

The Astromaterials Acquisition and Curation Office at JSC curates all extraterrestrial material and spaceexposed flight hardware under NASA control. Curation is an integral part of all sample return missions. 

Activities conducted by the Curation Office range from research into advanced curation techniques in 

support of future missions, sample-return-mission planning, archiving of engineering and reference 

materials, recovery and transport of returned materials, initial characterization of new samples, 

preparation and allocation of samples for research, and providing clean and secure storage for the benefit 

of current and future generations. Samples currently include Antarctic meteorites, cosmic dust, and 

returned samples from the Moon (Apollo and Luna), the Sun (solar wind captured by Genesis), a comet 

(Stardust), an asteroid (Hayabusa), and interplanetary dust (on space-exposed hardware). Planning and 

research are currently underway for future curation of samples from asteroids (OSIRIS-REx, Hayabusa2, 

and ARM), Mars, and comets. 

SCIENCE DATA AND COMPUTING 

This project, through the National Space Science Data Center (NSSDC), preserves NASA’s science data 

collected since the first robotic missions in the 1960s. The NSSDC also serves as the back-up archive for 

the PDS. In addition to being a depository that makes unique data and metadata available, the NSSDC 

provides the space science community with stewardship, guidance, and support so that data made 

available to the research community is well documented to provide independent usability. 

Recent Achievements 

The NSSDC is currently working to convert many of the original data sets, which exist in analog form in 

their original media, to digital data sets accessible on-line by researchers. 

Operating Missions 

PS-10 
Science: Planetary Science: Planetary Science Research 

OTHER MISSIONS AND DATA ANALYSIS

PS-11 

ROSETTA

Rosetta is an ESA-led comet rendezvous mission, with NASA participation, in its operations phase. It 

launched in March 2004, and is enabling scientists to look at some of the most primitive material from the 

formation of the solar system 4,600 million years ago. Rosetta is studying the nature and origin of comets, 

the relationship between cometary and interstellar material, and the implications of comets with regard to 

the origin of the solar system. The Rosetta spacecraft is the first to undertake long-term exploration of a 

comet at close quarters. It comprises a large orbiter designed to operate for a decade at large distances 

from the sun, and a small lander. Each of these elements carries a large number of scientific experiments 

and examinations designed to complete the most detailed study of a comet ever attempted. Rosetta arrived 

at Comet C-S in FY 2014. 

Recent Achievements 

Science observation and operations are underway after Rosetta’s Comet C-S orbit insertion and mapping 

with the lander touching down on Comet C-S in November 2014. Rosetta will orbit and study the comet 

until the end of FY 2016. 
Science: Planetary Science 

DISCOVERY

PS-12 

FY 2017 Budget 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) 

Actual 

FY 2015 

Enacted 

FY 2016 

Request

FY 2017 

Notional 

FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

InSight 170.0 92.1 13.3 8.7 9.0 9.0 0.0 

Other Missions and Data Analysis 89.7 -- 189.2 268.6 328.4 336.0 405.3 

Total Budget 259.7 -- 202.5 277.3 337.4 345.0 405.3 

All completed Discovery missions have achieved groundbreaking science, each taking a unique approach to space 

exploration, doing what’s never been done before, and 

driving new technology innovations. 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. 

For projects in development, NASA's tentatively planned FY 2016 funding level is shown. FY 2016 funding levels 

are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

NASA’s Discovery program supports 

innovative, relatively low-cost, competitively 

selected Planetary Science missions. Discovery 

provides scientists the opportunity to identify 

innovative ways to unlock the mysteries of the 

solar system through missions to explore the 

planets, their moons, and small bodies such as 

comets and asteroids. 

The Discovery program currently has two 

operational spacecraft: LRO and Dawn; and one 

flight mission in development: the Interior 

Exploration using Seismic Investigations, 

Geodesy and Heat Transport (InSight). The 

program has also developed and delivered the 

Strofio instrument as a part of ESA’s 

BepiColombo mission to Mercury. 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES 

IN FY 2017 

In FY 2017, one or two new flight missions will be selected to enter Phase B, as a result of the Step 2 

Concept Study Reports due to be completed in FY 2016. Dawn will be completing data analysis and 

archiving data after the completion of its mission. PSD has extended the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter 

mission through FY 2017, based upon its successful review during the last Planetary Science Senior 

Review. Plans for InSight are currently under development, following the delay of mission launch. 

ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2015 

MESSENGER completed its second and final extended mission, and met all mission success criteria. The 

spacecraft impacted the Mercury surface as planned, on April 30, 2015, more than ten years after launch. 
Science: Planetary Science 

DISCOVERY

PS-13 

Dawn arrived at Ceres in March 2015, and conducted its Survey and High Altitude Mapping Orbits 

around the largest main belt asteroid. Dawn completed all mission success requirements applicable for 

these phases of the mission. 

NASA approved the InSight mission to enter Phase D. InSight completed much of its integration and 

environmental testing. 

Data from LRO have shown that the Moon is far more dynamic than previously known and is a critical 

target for understanding fundamental processes that shape all solar system bodies. During FY 2015, LRO 

decreased its periapsis altitude over the South Pole to within ~20 km, enabling improved measurements 

by the Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter (LOLA) of the reflectance of areas near the pole that may contain 

surface frost. LRO has advanced the lunar geodetic grid down to meter scale accuracy (from km scale 

accuracy on the lunar far side prior to the mission) and has enabled the production of highly accurate 

maps using LRO data, such as the global set released by the USGS in FY 2015. 

NASA announced five Discovery awards resulting from the 2014 Discovery Announcement of 

Opportunity. The missions selected for Phase A study are: 

Deep Atmosphere Venus Investigation of Noble gases, Chemistry, and Imaging (DAVINCI), which 

would study the chemical composition of Venus’ atmosphere during a 63-minute descent to understand 

the origin of the Venus atmosphere, its evolution, and why it is different from Earth and Mars. 

Lucy, which would perform the first reconnaissance of the Jupiter Trojan asteroids, objects thought to 

hold vital clues to deciphering the history of the solar system, to determine the surface composition, 

physical properties, and geology of a diverse set of Trojans. 

Near Earth Object Camera (NEOCam), which would survey and catalog the objects in the inner solar 

system to determine the origin of present-day near Earth objects and main belt asteroids. It would also 

determine the present distribution of organic material and volatiles, as well as discover ten times more 

near-Earth objects than all NEOs discovered to date. 

Psyche, which would explore the origin of planetary cores by studying the metallic asteroid Psyche, 

directly examining the interior of a differentiated body to understand the interior of the terrestrial planets, 

including Earth. 

Venus Emissivity, Radio Science, InSAR, Topography, and Spectroscopy mission (VERITAS), which 

would determine what geological processes are currently operating on Venus, produce global, highresolution topography and imaging of Venus’ surface and produce the first maps of deformation and 

global surface composition. 

WORK IN PROGRESS IN FY 2016 

The program office will establish contracts for the five Phase A studies selected in 2015, and each of the 

five teams will prepare and submit their Concept Study Reports for down selection to a flight mission. 

The InSight mission launch in March 2016 from Vandenberg Air Force Base was cancelled due to 

problems with the primary instrument. Plans for the remainder of FY 2016 are currently under 

development. 
Science: Planetary Science 

DISCOVERY

PS-14 

Dawn is spiraling down to its final Low Altitude Mapping Orbit, where it will arrive by December 2015. 

The mission will conclude in July 2016. 

LRO will continue work understanding the transport of volatiles, examining recent and ongoing surface 

changes and observing how the regolith (the loose material on the surface of the Moon) evolves over 

time. Its observations improve what we know about the interior of the Moon based on surface 

observations, by examining the interactions between the Moon and the space environment, the solar wind 

and galactic cosmic radiation. The LRO team is organizing a two volume special LRO issue in the journal 

Icarus, where over 50 publications are in peer review. 

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS PLANNED FOR FY 2017 

NASA will select one or two new flight missions to enter Phase B. 

Program Schedule 

Date Significant Event 

Aug 2016 Receive Phase A Concept Study Reports for five potential flight missions 

Jan 2017 Down selection of Investigation(s) for Flight (target) 

Program Management & Commitments 

The Planetary Missions Program Office at MSFC provides program management. 

Program Element Provider 

InSight 

Provider: Lockheed Martin 

Lead Center: JPL 

Performing Center(s):NA 

Cost Share Partner(s): Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales (CNES), German 

Aerospace Center (DLR) 

Dawn 

Provider: NA 

Lead Center: JPL 

Performing Center(s): NA 

Cost Share Partner(s): DLR, Agenzia Spaziale Italiana (ASI) 

LRO 

Provider: N/A 

Lead Center: GSFC 

Performing Center(s): GSFC,JPL 

Cost Share Partner(s): NA 
Science: Planetary Science 

DISCOVERY

PS-15 

Program Element Provider 

International Missions 

Contributions 

Provider: NA 

Lead Center: HQ 

Performing Center(s): JPL 

Cost Share Partner(s): JAXA 

Strofio 

Provider: Southwest Research Institute 

Lead Center: MSFC 

Performing Center(s): NA 

Cost Share Partner(s): ESA 

Acquisition Strategy 

Contracts for the newly selected Phase A awards are under development. 

INDEPENDENT REVIEWS

The Discovery Program’s next review will be a Program Integration Review in 2016.

Review 

Type Performer Date of 

Review Purpose Outcome Next 

Review 

Program 

Implementation 

Review 

(PIR) 

Standing Review 

Board (SRB) 2010

Review 

implementation of 

Program 

Passed May 2016 
Science: Planetary Science: Discovery 

INSIGHT 

Formulation Development Operations

PS-16 

FY 2017 Budget 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) Prior 

Actual 

FY 2015 

Enacted

FY 2016 

Request

FY 2017 

Notional

FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 BTC Total 

Formulation 98.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 98.9 

Development/Implementation 292.2 170.0 79.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 541.8 

Operations/Close-out 0.0 0.0 12.5 13.3 8.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 34.5 

2016 MPAR LCC Estimate 391.1 170.0 92.1 13.3 8.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 675.2 

Total Budget 391.1 170.0 92.1 13.3 8.7 9.0 9.0 0.0 0.0 693.1 

Change from FY 2016 -78.8 

Percentage change from FY 2016 -85.6% 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. 

For projects in development, NASA's tentatively planned FY 2016 funding level is shown. FY 2016 funding levels 

are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

Scientists have determined the deep structure of only one 

planet: Earth. To obtain vital clues to how Mars formed, 

InSight will deploy a German-built drill nicknamed “The 

Mole” to pound 16 feet into the Martian crust for thermal 

measurements, and a sensitive French-built seismometer 

to detect “Marsquakes.” Through these and other 

instruments, scientists will be able to deduce the deep 

structure of Mars, which currently is a mystery.)

PROJECT PURPOSE

InSight is a Mars lander mission to investigate 

fundamental issues of terrestrial planet 

formation and evolution with a study of the deep 

interior of Mars. This mission will seek to 

understand the evolutionary formation of rocky 

planets, including Earth, by investigating the 

crust and core of Mars. InSight will also 

investigate the dynamics of any Martian tectonic 

activity and meteorite impacts and compare this 

with like phenomena on Earth. 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES 

IN FY 2017 

Due to cancellation of the March 2016 launch 

opportunity, plans for InSight are currently 

under development. Potential budget impacts are 

not well understood at this time and therefore 

are not reflected in the table above. 
Science: Planetary Science: Discovery 

INSIGHT 

Formulation Development Operations

PS-17 

PROJECT PARAMETERS

NASA planned to launch InSight in March 2016, landing on Mars in September 2016. The InSight lander 

will be equipped with two science instruments that will conduct the first “check-up” of Mars in its more 

than 4.5 billion years, measuring its “pulse,” or internal activity; its temperature; and its “reflexes” (the 

way the planet wobbles when it is pulled by the Sun and its moons). The science payload comprises two 

major instruments: the Seismic Experiment for Interior Structure (SEIS) and the Heat Flow and Physical 

Properties Package (HP3). SEIS will take precise measurements of quakes and other internal activity on 

Mars to help understand the planet’s history and structure. HP3 is a self-penetrating heat flow probe that 

burrows up to five meters below the surface to measure how much heat is coming from Mars’ core. In 

addition, the Rotation and Interior Structure Experiment will use the spacecraft communication system to 

provide precise measurements of planetary rotation. InSight will spend roughly two years (720 Earth days 

or 700 “sols” Martian days) investigating the deep interior of Mars. The prime mission will last two Earth 

years. 

ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2015 

Following a successful Systems Integration Review (SIR) in February 2015 and KDP-D Review in March 

2015 with approval to enter Phase D, InSight completed spacecraft environmental testing and integration, 

and began payload integration and testing. 

WORK IN PROGRESS IN FY 2016 

Due to problems with the primary instrument, NAS had to cancel InSight’s March 2016 launch 

opportunity. Assessment is under way to determine whether the instrument problems can be resolved for a 

possible launch in 2018. 

SCHEDULE COMMITMENTS/KEY MILESTONES

Milestone Confirmation Baseline Date FY 2017 PB Request 

Launch Mar 2016 TBD 

KDP-E Apr 2016 TBD 

Mars Landing Sep 2016 TBD 

End of Prime Mission Sep 2018 TBD 
Science: Planetary Science: Discovery 

INSIGHT 

Formulation Development Operations 

PS-18 

Development Cost and Schedule 

Base 

Year 

Base 

Year 

Development 

Cost 

Estimate 

($M) 

JCL 

(%) 

Current 

Year 

Current 

Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate 

($M) 

Cost 

Change 

(%) 

Key 

Milestone 

Base 

Year 

Milestone 

Data 

Current 

Year 

Milestone 

Data 

Milestone 

Change 

(mths) 

2014 541.8 70 2016 541.8 0% LRD Mar 2016 TBD 0 

Note: The confidence level estimates reported reflect an evolving process as NASA improves its probabilistic 

estimation techniques and processes. Estimate reflects the practices and policies at the time it was developed. 

Estimates that include combined cost and schedule risks are denoted as JCL (joint confidence level); all other CLs 

(confidence levels) reflect cost confidence without necessarily factoring the potential impacts of schedule changes 

on cost. 

Development Cost Details 

Due to cancellation of the March 2016 launch opportunity, plans for InSight are currently under 

development. The development cost details in the table below were based on the March 2016 launch date. 

Element 

Base Year Development 

Cost Estimate ($M) 

Current Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate ($M) 

Change from Base Year 

Estimate ($M) 

TOTAL: 541.8 541.8 0 

Aircraft/Spacecraft 196.9 216.1 19.2 

Payloads 18.1 55.1 37.0 

Systems I&T 0.0 1.5 1.5 

Launch Vehicle 159.9 159.9 0 

Ground Systems 7.4 10.8 3.4 

Science/Technology 7.1 11.2 4.1 

Other Direct Project 

Costs 152.4 87.2 -65.2 
Science: Planetary Science: Discovery 

INSIGHT 

Formulation Development Operations 

PS-19 

Project Management & Commitments 

NASA selected the InSight project through the competitive Discovery 2010 Announcement of 

Opportunity (AO). The principal investigator for InSight is from JPL. JPL will manage the InSight 

mission and will provide systems engineering, safety and mission assurance, project scientists, flight 

dynamics, payload management, and mission system management. 

Element Description Provider Details Change from 

Baseline 

Spacecraft 

Similar in design to the Mars 

lander that the Phoenix 

mission used successfully in 

2007

Provider: Lockheed Martin 

Lead Center: JPL 

Performing Center(s): N/A 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

N/A 

SEIS 

Will take precise 

measurements of quakes and 

other internal activity on Mars 

Provider: CNES 

Lead Center: JPL 

Performing Center(s): N/A 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

N/A 

HP3 

A heat flow probe that will 

hammer 5 meters into the 

Martian subsurface (deeper 

than all previous arms, 

scoops, drills and probes) to 

measure heat emanating from 

the core 

Provider: DLR 

Lead Center: JPL 

Performing Center(s): N/A 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

N/A 

Rotation and 

Interior 

Structure 

Experiment 

(RISE) 

Uses the spacecraft’s 

communication system to 

provide precise measurements 

of planetary rotation 

Provider: JPL 

Lead Center: JPL 

Performing Center(s): N/A 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

N/A 

Launch Vehicle Atlas V launch vehicle and 

related launch services 

Provider: United Launch Alliance 

(ULA) 

Lead Center: KSC 

Performing Center(s): KSC 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

N/A 
Science: Planetary Science: Discovery 

INSIGHT 

Formulation Development Operations 

PS-20 

Project Risks 

Risk Statement Mitigation 

If: If Mars environment, entry conditions, or 

spacecraft behavior is not as anticipated, 

Then: Landing may not be successful. 

Project will build comprehensive simulations of landing 

scenarios and test entry descent and landing systems, including 

independent verification of analysis. The project employs 

personnel who conducted previous successful Mars landings. The 

project will certify potential landing ellipses for elevation, slopes, 

and rock abundance. The project will use validated 

environmental models informed by atmospheric measurements 

from the previous three decades of observations at Mars. 

If: Deployment of SEIS is not successful, 

Then: The science objectives will be 

compromised. 

The project will conduct extensive testing of deployments in test 

beds, including fault scenarios. Test beds will also be available 

during mission operations to verify actual deployment moves, 

with ground verification deployed at each step during operations. 

The project will certify potential landing ellipses for elevation, 

slopes, and rock abundance. 

Acquisition Strategy 

NASA selected the InSight mission through a competitive Discovery Program 2010 AO and a down 

selection in September 2012. All major acquisitions are in place. 

MAJOR CONTRACTS/AWARDS

A contract with Lockheed Martin is in place for the flight system. 

Element Vendor Location (of work performance) 

Spacecraft Lockheed Martin Denver, CO 
Science: Planetary Science: Discovery 

INSIGHT 

Formulation Development Operations 

PS-21 

INDEPENDENT REVIEWS

Review 

Type Performer Date of 

Review Purpose Outcome Next 

Review 

Performance 

SRB Feb 2015 SIR 

InSight successfully 

met the criteria for 

SIR and the PMC 

decision authority 

approved the project 

to continue to the 

next phase at KDPD.

N/A 

Performance 

SRB Dec 2015 ORR TBD Feb 2016 

Performance 

JPL System Review 

Team and SRB Feb 2016 FRR TBD N/A 
Science: Planetary Science: Discovery 

OTHER MISSIONS AND DATA ANALYSIS

PS-22 

FY 2017 Budget 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) 

Actual 

FY 2015 

Enacted 

FY 2016 

Request

FY 2017 

Notional 

FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Strofio 0.3 -- 0.6 0.7 0.7 0.6 0.6 

International Mission Contributions (IMC) 1.9 -- 1.8 2.3 3.3 2.4 1.9 

Planetary Missions Program Office 0.0 -- 16.4 16.7 17.9 17.2 17.0 

Discovery Future 25.0 -- 136.1 212.1 289.9 300.9 371.4 

Discovery Management 7.6 -- 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 

Discovery Research 9.5 -- 13.3 16.8 16.6 14.9 14.4 

Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter 19.8 -- 20.0 20.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 

Dawn 17.2 -- 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 

MESSENGER 6.0 -- 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 

Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory 2.4 -- 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 

Total Budget 89.7 -- 189.2 268.6 328.4 336.0 405.3 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. FY 

2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

Enigmatic bright spots in Occator crater on the 

dwarf planet Ceres as seen by the Dawn 

spacecraft from its high-altitude mapping orbit 

of 915 miles (1470 kilometers). Based on the 

absence of other craters within it, Occator is a 

very recent 56-mile (90-kilometer) wide impact 

crater. The intense brightness of the persistent 

spots is due to the presence of a highly reflective 

material on the surface, possibly a mineral salt 

or pure water ice. The smooth crater floor 

indicates possible flowing material – either 

impact debris or post-impact melting or 

volcanism. 

Other Missions and Data Analysis funds research and 

analysis, management activities, operations of active 

missions, small projects, and international collaborations. 

It includes missions of opportunity (e.g., the instrument 

Strofio; operating missions (Dawn, LRO); missions 

whose operations have ceased but data analysis continues 

(Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory and 

MESSENGER); competed research; funding for future 

mission selections; and program management activities. 

Mission Planning and Other 

Projects 

STROFIO 

Strofio is a unique mass spectrometer, part of the 

SERENA suite of instruments that will fly onboard the 

ESA BepiColombo spacecraft, scheduled for launch in 

2016. Strofio will determine the chemical composition of 

Mercury’s surface, providing a powerful tool to study the 

planet’s geologic history. 
Science: Planetary Science: Discovery 

OTHER MISSIONS AND DATA ANALYSIS

PS-23 

Recent Achievements 

Project support to ESA’s spacecraft level testing continues in 2016 to prepare the spacecraft for launch by 

February 2017. 

INTERNATIONAL MISSION CONTRIBUTIONS (IMC) 

There are more scientifically interesting destinations across the solar system than any one country’s 

program can quickly undertake. NASA works closely with the planetary science programs of other space 

agencies to find opportunities to participate in each other’s missions. Under the International Mission 

Contributions, NASA funds instruments and scientific investigators, and will provide navigation and data 

relay services, in exchange for participation. International missions in FY 2017 include the Japanese 

Space Agency’s Hayabusa-2 and Akatsuki (Venus Climate Orbiter) missions. The Akatsuki mission will 

attempt orbit insertion at the beginning of FY 2016 and study Venus for two years. Hayabusa-2, which 

launched in 2016, will arrive at asteroid Ryugu in 2020 and capture and return a sample. 

PLANETARY MISSIONS PROGRAM OFFICE 

Discovery Management fully funds the Planetary Missions Program Office at the MSFC, which manages 

all of the Planetary Science flight projects that are not part of the Mars Exploration Program. This 

currently includes the Discovery and New Frontiers programs, and the JUICE and Europa projects. 

Discovery Management includes support for the day-to-day efforts of the Mission Managers and business 

office, as well as standing review boards and external technical support as needed for the projects. It also 

funds work at the LaRC's office for Mission Assessments to support the mission selection process 

including the development of AO and the formation and operations of independent panel reviews to 

evaluate mission proposals. The project supports the standing review boards that ensure that all missions 

in development undergo rigorous Life Cycle Reviews. 

DISCOVERY FUTURE 

Discovery Future funds new missions selected through the Announcement of Opportunity process, 

specific technology investments to enable future missions, and small missions of opportunity. The 

Discovery AO released in November 2014, will result in a mission selected to launch no later than 

December 2021, and possibly a second mission to launch approximately 2 years later. Technology 

development includes NASA’S Evolutionary Xenon Thrusters and Power Processing Units. Future 

competitive opportunities are under evaluation for both planetary cubesats and the next planetary balloon 

mission of opportunity planned for FY 2017. 

Recent Achievements 

NASA selected five mission proposals for Phase A studies. 

DISCOVERY RESEARCH 

Discovery Research funds analysis of archived data from Discovery missions, and supports participating 

scientists for the MESSENGER, Dawn, InSight and GRAIL missions. Discovery Research gives the 

research community access to samples and data and allows research to continue for many years after 
Science: Planetary Science: Discovery 

OTHER MISSIONS AND DATA ANALYSIS

PS-24 

mission completion. Scientists in the U.S. planetary science community submit research proposals that 

NASA selects through competitive peer review. 

Discovery Research also funds the analysis of samples returned to the Earth by the Stardust and Genesis 

missions as well as the development of new analysis techniques for samples returned by future missions. 

Recent Achievements 

Analytical and scientific advances continue to be made that enhance the value of past sample-return 

missions such as Stardust, Genesis, and Hayabusa and will enable advanced research on future returned 

samples anticipated from OSIRIS-REx and Hayabusa2. We continue to learn about the origin of comets, 

such as the one visited by Stardust, which in turn tells us about the origin of the entire solar system. 

Multiple studies have now shown a close relationship between materials formed in the inner solar system 

and those found in comets, which come from the outer solar system. Transport of material throughout the 

early solar system seems to have been a widespread process. Careful searches of Stardust collectors are 

discovering an increasing number of interstellar grains among the more common solar system materials, 

telling about the solar system’s environment in the galaxy. New methods of cleaning Genesis samples are 

opening up the possibility of analyzing more elements and isotopes in the solar wind, furthering our 

understanding of the Sun and the origin of the solar system. Analytical advances in mass spectrometry, 

spectroscopy, and synchrotron x-ray microscopy are opening new areas of research into studies of 

returned samples, and continue to improve our abilities to analyze small precious samples of all kinds. 

Operating Missions 

LUNAR RECONNAISSANCE ORBITER (LRO) 

Pending a successful outcome from the next senior review, LRO will acquire new data from the full LRO 

instrument suite to address compelling science questions to advance our evolving understanding of the 

dynamic nature of the Moon. The LRO project is exploring orbit options that will maximize the science 

return from all instruments for these observations. 

Recent Achievements 

LRO results have shown that the Moon is far more dynamic than previously thought, and is a critical 

target for understanding fundamental processes that shape all solar system bodies. Prior to LRO, we 

thought that lunar volcanism ended billions of years ago, but LRO results show small volcanic areas that 

are 50 to 100 million years old, perhaps even younger. LRO measurements of polar temperatures, surface 

frost in permanently shadowed craters, and hydrogen in the upper few feet of the lunar surface show 

unexpected distributions of lunar volatiles, suggesting that water ice and other volatiles migrate in 

dynamic ways or that other factors control their distribution, raising questions for further investigation. 

LRO data also shows the effects of new impact craters on the Moon's surface, constraining the size and 

flux of objects in near-Earth space. 
Science: Planetary Science: Discovery 

OTHER MISSIONS AND DATA ANALYSIS

PS-25 

DAWN 

Dawn is completing its journey to the two oldest and most massive bodies in the main asteroid belt 

between Mars and Jupiter. By closely orbiting asteroid Vesta and the dwarf planet Ceres with the same set 

of instruments, Dawn has the unique capability to compare and contrast these bodies, enabling scientists 

to answer questions about the formation and evolution of the solar system. Their surfaces preserve clues 

to the solar system’s first 10 million years, along with alterations since that time, allowing Dawn to 

investigate both the origin and the current state of the main asteroid belt. Launched in September 2007, 

Dawn reached Vesta in July 2011, left in August 2012, and arrived at Ceres in March 2015. 

Dawn mission data revealed the rugged topography and complex textures of the asteroid Vesta’s surface. 

Soon other pieces of data, such as the chemical composition, interior structure, and geologic age, will help 

scientists understand the history of this remnant protoplanet and its place in the early solar system. 

Recent Achievements 

The Dawn spacecraft gently settled into orbit at the dwarf planet Ceres in early March 2015 to begin its 

16-month study of this largest object in the main asteroid belt. Early images revealed a heavily cratered 

surface and enigmatic bright spots. The mission has shown that the surface is dominated by clay-like 

minerals with little or no obvious ice, which has scientists rethinking the formation and evolution history 

and the internal structure of this small world. The intense brightness of the persistent spots is due to the 

presence of a highly reflective material on the surface, possibly a mineral salt or pure water ice. To 

enhance the science return from the mission, the project added nine new Guest Investigators to the Dawn 

science team. This 3-year program allows investigators from outside the spacecraft team to participate in 

science operations through the end of the mission, to conduct studies of the interior of Ceres based on 

crater morphology and other surface features, its volatile content and surface mineralogy, and mapping of 

geologic features. 
Science: Planetary Science 

NEW FRONTIERS 

PS-26 

FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Origins-Spectral Interpretation-Resource 

Identification-Security-Regolith Explorer 209.8 189.7 44.0 38.1 43.1 27.7 16.5 

(OSIRIS-REx) 

Other Missions and Data Analysis 76.2 -- 100.0 43.5 47.6 115.1 217.5 

Total Budget 286.0 -- 144.0 81.6 90.7 142.8 234.0 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. 

For projects in development, NASA's tentatively planned FY 2016 funding level is shown. FY 2016 funding levels 

are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

FY 2017 reflects discretionary and mandatory funding. Additional details on the mandatory funding can be found in 

the Explanation of Changes section.

The New Frontiers Program seeks to contain total mission 

cost and development time and improve performance with 

validated new technologies, efficient management, and 

control of design, development, and operations costs while 

maintaining a strong commitment to flight safety. The 

program objective is to launch high-science-return 

planetary science investigations twice per decade. 

The New Frontiers program explores our solar 

system with medium-class spacecraft missions. 

Within the New Frontiers program, possible 

mission destinations and the science goals for 

each competitive opportunity are limited to 

specific science targets announced for the 

competition. 

The program is currently comprised of three 

missions: two operating missions (New 

Horizons and Juno), and one under 

development, the Origins Spectral Interpretation 

Resource Identification and Security-Regolith 

Explorer (OSIRIS-REx). 

The New Horizons mission will help us 

understand worlds at the edge of the solar 

system having completed the first-ever 

reconnaissance of Pluto and Charon, and with a 

potential new mission to one of the Kuiper Belt 

Objects. 

Juno is a mission to Jupiter that will significantly improve our understanding of the origin and evolution 

of the gas giant planet. Juno will help us better understand the formation of planets and the origins of our 

solar system. 

OSIRIS-REx will bring pristine samples from a carbon-rich asteroid to study and analyze on Earth. This 

will increase our understanding of planet formation and the origin of life. In addition to its science 

objectives, OSIRIS-REx will improve our knowledge of how to operate human and robotic missions 
Science: Planetary Science 

NEW FRONTIERS 

PS-27 

safely, in close proximity to a large NEO. This knowledge will provide significant insight for both the 

future human mission to an asteroid, and for potential planetary defense strategies. 

Potential future missions identified by the National Academies include Venus in Situ Explorer, Saturn 

Probe, Trojan Tour and Rendezvous, the Comet Surface Sample Return, Lunar South Pole-Aitken Basin 

Sample Return, Io Observer, and Lunar Geophysical Network. 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017 

 Actual Enacted Request Notional 

(in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Mandatory Budget Authority -- -- 40.0 -- -- -- --

In January 2017, NASA will release the announcement of opportunity for the next New Frontiers mission. 

The announcement adds a new target for Ocean Worlds, specifically soliciting missions focused on the 

search for signs of extant life and/or characterizing the potential habitability of Titan or Enceladus. 

New Frontiers is supported in part with mandatory funding (see table, above). The mandatory investment 

includes $40 million for the New Frontiers Future Mission project, in support of the restoration of the 

schedule for the next New Frontiers announcement of opportunity and to extend the New Horizons and 

Juno missions, contingent on the outcome of the next Senior review. 
Science: Planetary Science: New Frontiers 

ORIGINS-SPECTRAL INTERPRETATION-RESOURCE 

IDENTIFICATION-SECURITY-REGOLITH EXPLORER (OSIRISREX)

Formulation Development Operations 

PS-28 

FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional

Budget Authority (in $ millions) Prior FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 BTC Total 

Formulation 144.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 144.3 

Development/Implementation 296.6 209.8 180.7 13.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 700.4 

Operations/Close-out 0.0 0.0 9.0 30.7 38.1 43.1 27.7 16.5 47.5 212.6 

2016 MPAR LCC Estimate 440.9 209.8 189.7 44.0 38.1 43.1 27.7 16.5 47.5 1057.3 

Total Budget 440.9 209.8 189.7 44.0 38.1 43.1 27.7 16.5 47.5 1057.2 

Change from FY 2016 -145.7 

Percentage change from FY 2016 -76.8% 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. 

For projects in development, NASA's tentatively planned FY 2016 funding level is shown. FY 2016 funding levels 

are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

Asteroids are leftovers formed from the cloud of gas and 

dust -- the solar nebula -- that collapsed to form our sun 

and the planets about 4.5 billion years ago. As such, they 

contain the original material from the solar nebula, which 

can tell us about the conditions of our solar system's birth. 

In sampling the near Earth asteroid Bennu in 2019, 

OSIRIS-REx will be opening a time capsule from the birth 

of our solar system. 

PROJECT PURPOSE

The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft will travel to 

(101955) Bennu, a near-Earth carbonaceous 

asteroid formerly designated 1999 RQ36, study 

the asteroid in detail, and bring back a sample 

(at least 60 grams or 2.1 ounces) to Earth. This 

sample will yield insight into planet formation 

and the origin of life, and the data collected at 

the asteroid will aid in understanding asteroids 

that can collide with Earth. This mission will 

also measure the Yarkovsky effect on a 

potentially hazardous asteroid and measure the 

asteroid properties that contribute to this effect. 

By describing the integrated global properties of 

a primitive carbonaceous asteroid, this mission 

will allow for direct comparison with groundbased telescopic data of the entire asteroid 

population. 
Science: Planetary Science: New Frontiers 

ORIGINS-SPECTRAL INTERPRETATION-RESOURCE 

IDENTIFICATION-SECURITY-REGOLITH EXPLORER (OSIRISREX)

Formulation Development Operations 

PS-29 

The Yarkovsky effect is a small force caused by the Sun on an asteroid, as it absorbs sunlight and re-emits 

that energy as heat. The small force adds up over time, but it is uneven due to an asteroid’s shape, wobble, 

surface composition, and rotation. For scientists to predict an Earth-approaching asteroid’s path, they 

must understand how the effect will change its orbit. 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017 

None. 

PROJECT PARAMETERS

OSIRIS-REx will launch by October 2016, encountering the primitive, near-Earth asteroid Bennu in 

2018. The mission will study the asteroid for about one year, globally mapping the surface from distances 

of about three miles to less than half a mile, before acquiring the sample. The spacecraft cameras and 

instruments will photograph the asteroid and measure its surface topography, composition, and thermal 

emissions. Radio science will provide mass and gravity field maps. This information will help the mission 

team select the most promising sample site, from which it will collect and return to Earth at least 60 

grams of pristine material from the target asteroid. The spacecraft will remain near the asteroid for almost 

another two years before beginning its return to Earth. The sample return will use a capsule similar to the 

one that returned the sample of Comet 81P/Wilt on the Stardust spacecraft. This will allow the sample to 

return and land at the Utah Test and Training Range in September 2023. NASA will transport the capsule 

to JSC for processing, analysis, and curation at a dedicated research facility. JSC will make subsamples 

available for research to the worldwide science community. 

ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2015 

On April 15, 2015, OSIRIS-REx successfully completed its KDP-D. The science instrument teams for 

OCAMS, OTES, and OVIRS have delivered the instruments, and spacecraft assembly began. 

WORK IN PROGRESS IN FY 2016 

OSIRIS-REx will complete integration and testing in FY 2016. September of 2016 is the scheduled 

launch, with a launch window that extends into early October 2016. 

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS PLANNED FOR FY 2017 

In FY 2017, the project will enter into Phase E. OSIRIS-REx will be in the early stages of its outbound 

cruise to the asteroid Bennu. In September of 2017, OSIRIS-REx will fly by the Earth, using the Earth's 

gravity to adjust its path to Bennu. OSIRIS-REx will take advantage of this flyby to obtain calibration 

observations of the Earth and Moon. 
Science: Planetary Science: New Frontiers 

ORIGINS-SPECTRAL INTERPRETATION-RESOURCE 

IDENTIFICATION-SECURITY-REGOLITH EXPLORER (OSIRISREX)

Formulation Development Operations

PS-30 

SCHEDULE COMMITMENTS/KEY MILESTONES

Milestone Confirmation Baseline Date FY 2017 PB Request 

KDP-D Mar 2015 Mar 2015 

Launch Oct 2016 Oct 2016 

KPD-E Oct 2016 Oct 2016 

Earth flyby Sep 2017 Sep 2017 

Sample Return to Earth Sep 2023 Sep 2023 

KDP-F Oct 2023 Oct 2023 

End of Prime Mission (Completion Sep 2025 Sep 2025 of Project Sample Analysis) 

Development Cost and Schedule 

Base 

Year 

Base 

Year 

Development 

Cost 

Estimate 

($M) 

JCL 

(%) 

Current 

Year 

Current 

Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate 

($M) 

Cost 

Change 

(%) 

Key 

Milestone 

Base 

Year 

Milestone 

Data 

Current 

Year 

Milestone 

Data 

Milestone 

Change 

(mths) 

2014 778.6 70 2016 700.4 -10% LRD Oct 2016 Oct 2016 0 

Note: The confidence level estimates reported reflect an evolving process as NASA improves its probabilistic 

estimation techniques and processes. Estimate reflects the practices and policies at the time it was developed. 

Estimates that include combined cost and schedule risks are denoted as JCL (joint confidence level); all other CLs 

(confidence levels) reflect cost confidence without necessarily factoring the potential impacts of schedule changes 

on cost. 
Science: Planetary Science: New Frontiers 

ORIGINS-SPECTRAL INTERPRETATION-RESOURCE 

IDENTIFICATION-SECURITY-REGOLITH EXPLORER (OSIRISREX)

Formulation Development Operations

PS-31 

Development Cost Details 

Element 

Base Year Development 

Cost Estimate ($M) 

Current Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate ($M) 

Change from Base Year 

Estimate ($M) 

TOTAL: 778.6 700.4 -78.2 

Aircraft/Spacecraft 220.2 265.8 45.6 

Payloads 32.2 46.8 14.6 

Systems I&T 24.9 24.2 -0.7 

Launch Vehicle 234 183.5 -50.4 

Ground Systems 34.3 42.8 8.5 

Science/Technology 17.8 18.6 -0.8 

Other Direct Project 

Costs 215.3 118.7 -96.6 

Project Management & Commitments 

NASA selected the OSIRIS-REx project through the New Frontiers 2009 AO. The principal investigator 

is from the University of Arizona and delegated day-to-day management of the project to NASA’s GSFC.

Element Description Provider Details Change from 

Baseline 

Spacecraft 

MAVEN heritage spacecraft 

bus, Stardust heritage Sample 

Return Capsule (SRC), and 

innovative Touch and Go 

Sample Acquisition 

Mechanism (TAGSAM) 

Provider: Lockheed Martin 

Lead Center: GSFC 

Performing Center(s): GSFC 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

N/A 

Launch Vehicle Atlas V launch vehicle and 

related launch services 

Provider: United Launch Alliance 

(ULA) 

Lead Center: KSC 

Performing Center(s): KSC 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

N/A 
Science: Planetary Science: New Frontiers 

ORIGINS-SPECTRAL INTERPRETATION-RESOURCE 

IDENTIFICATION-SECURITY-REGOLITH EXPLORER (OSIRISREX)

Formulation Development Operations

PS-32 

Element Description Provider Details Change from 

Baseline 

OSIRIS-REx 

Camera Suite 

(OCAMS) 

OCAMS is comprised of 

multiple cameras (PolyCam, 

MapCam, SamCam) with a 

common Camera Control 

Module (CCM) 

Provider: University of Arizona 

Lead Center: N/A 

Performing Center(s): N/A 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

N/A 

OSIRIS-REx 

Thermal 

Emission 

Spectrometer 

(OTES) 

Thermal Emission 

Spectrometer with significant 

flight heritage from Mars 

Exploration Rover Mini-TES 

and MO/MGS TES 

instruments 

Provider: Arizona State University 

Lead Center: GSFC 

Performing Center(s): GSFC 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

N/A 

OSIRIS-REx 

Visible and 

Infrared 

Spectrometer 

(OVIRS) 

Visible and Infrared 

Spectrometer with flight 

heritage from Landsat TIRS 

(focal plane electronics), Juno 

(electronics box), OCO 

(detectors), and New 

Horizons LEISA (Linear 

Variable Filter) Instruments 

Provider: GSFC 

Lead Center: GSFC 

Performing Center(s): GSFC 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

N/A 

OSIRIS-REx 

Laser Altimeter 

(OLA) 

Dual laser altimeter with 

heritage from XSS-11 and 

Phoenix Mars Lander lidars 

Provider: MacDonald, Dettwiler and 

Associates Ltd. (MDA) 

Lead Center: Canadian Space Agency 

(CSA) 

Performing Center(s): CSA 

Cost Share Partner(s): CSA 

N/A 

Regolith X-ray 

Imaging 

Spectrometer 

(REXIS) 

Instrument to observe x-ray 

fluorescence induced by solar 

x-rays using a coded aperture 

for imaging with a 

spectrometer to determine 

elemental composition 

Provider: Massachusetts Institute of 

Technology (MIT) 

Lead Center: GSFC 

Performing Center(s): GSFC 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

N/A 
Science: Planetary Science: New Frontiers 

ORIGINS-SPECTRAL INTERPRETATION-RESOURCE 

IDENTIFICATION-SECURITY-REGOLITH EXPLORER (OSIRISREX)

Formulation Development Operations 

PS-33 

Project Risks 

Risk Statement Mitigation 

If: The Guidance, Navigation, and 

Control (GNC) Lidar is not ready for 

integration onto the spacecraft by March 

2016, 

Then: The spacecraft costs will 

substantially increase in order to 

accommodate a late delivery, and 

ultimately the launch readiness could be 

missed 

Careful management and monitoring of progress of GNC 

Lidar supplier. A near-flight quality ATLO Test Unit 

installed on the spacecraft allows environmental testing to 

continue. The project has updated the ATLO budget and 

schedule to accommodate integration of the flight units in 

March 2016. 

If: Baseline GNC Lidar altimetry method 

does not work at the asteroid, 

Then: We do not get sample to meet 

mission success 

Development of back-up capability using Natural Feature 

Tracking 

Acquisition Strategy 

All major acquisitions are in place. NASA competitively selected OSIRIS-REx on May 25, 2011 under 

the third New Frontiers Program AO. 

MAJOR CONTRACTS/AWARDS

Element Vendor Location (of work performance) 

Spacecraft, Integration and Test Lockheed Martin Space Systems 

Company (LMSSC) Denver, CO 

Payload – OCAMS Instrument University of Arizona Tucson, AZ 

Payload – OTES Instrument Arizona State University Tempe, AZ 

Ground System – Science 

Processing and Operations 

Center (SPOC) 

University of Arizona Tucson, AZ 
Science: Planetary Science: New Frontiers 

ORIGINS-SPECTRAL INTERPRETATION-RESOURCE 

IDENTIFICATION-SECURITY-REGOLITH EXPLORER (OSIRISREX)

Formulation Development Operations 

PS-34 

Element Vendor Location (of work performance) 

Launch Vehicle and Services ULA Cape Canaveral, FL 

INDEPENDENT REVIEWS

Review 

Type Performer Date of Review Purpose Outcome Next Review 

Performance 

SRB Feb 2015 SIR 

OSIRIS-REx 

successfully met the 

requirements for SIR. 

Jun 2016 

Performance 

SRB Jun 2016 ORR Aug 2016 

Performance 

GSFC System 

Review Team 

(GSRT) 

Aug 2016 FRR N/A 
Science: Planetary Science: New Frontiers 

OTHER MISSIONS AND DATA ANALYSIS

PS-35 

FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

New Frontiers Future Missions 12.0 -- 42.6 12.0 28.1 90.2 203.5 

New Frontiers Research 0.0 -- 4.3 5.0 7.5 12.9 14.0 

New Horizons 28.8 -- 14.0 12.0 12.0 12.0 0.0 

Juno 35.4 -- 39.1 14.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 

Total Budget 76.2 -- 100.0 43.5 47.6 115.1 217.5 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. FY 

2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

Just 15 minutes after its closest approach to Pluto on July 14, 2015, 

NASA's New Horizons spacecraft looked back toward the sun and 

captured a near-sunset view of the rugged, icy mountains and flat 

ice plains extending to Pluto's horizon. The mountains of Pluto are 

thought to be made of water ice, which is one of the few materials 

on Pluto that is strong enough at the extremely low temperatures 

to form the steep slopes of the huge mountains. The smooth 

expanse of the informally named Sputnik Planum (right) is flanked 

to the west (left) by rugged mountains up to 11,000 feet (3,500 

meters) high, including the informally named Norgay Montes in 

the foreground and Hillary Montes on the skyline. 

New Frontiers Other Missions and Data 

Analysis supports operating New 

Frontiers missions (New Horizons, 

Juno), analysis of data from those 

missions, as well as preparation for 

future missions. 

Mission Planning and 

Other Projects 

NEW FRONTIERS FUTURE 

MISSIONS

New Frontiers Future supports 

technology development for future 

missions, and provides the funding 

required for the next Announcement of 

Opportunity (AO). NASA plans to 

release the fourth New Frontiers AO in 

early FY 2017. Mission selection will 

occur approximately 2 years after the 

release of the AO. 

NEW FRONTIERS RESEARCH

New Frontiers Research funds analysis of archived data from New Frontiers missions. New Frontiers 

Research gives the research community access to samples and data and allows research to continue for 

many years after mission completion. This allows the maximum science return from each of the missions. 

Scientists in the U.S. planetary science community submit research proposals that NASA selects through 
Science: Planetary Science: New Frontiers 

OTHER MISSIONS AND DATA ANALYSIS

PS-36 

competitive peer review. NASA will select new research in 2017, using the New Horizons mission data 

returned from Pluto. 

Operating Missions 

NEW HORIZONS

New Horizons is the first scientific investigation to obtain a close look at Pluto and its moons Charon, 

Nix, Hydra, Kerberos, and Styx (scientists discovered the last four moons after the spacecraft's launch in 

2006). Scientists aim to find answers to basic questions about the surface properties, geology, interior 

makeup, and atmospheres on these bodies, the last in the solar system visited by a spacecraft. 

New Horizons launched on January 19, 2006. It successfully encountered Pluto in July 2015. The 

spacecraft will next venture deeper into the Kuiper Belt, and as part of a potential extended mission, study 

one of the icy mini-worlds in this region approximately two billion miles beyond Pluto’s orbit. The 

project has completed the maneuvers required to flyby Kuiper Belt Object 2014MU69 in January 2019. 

To get to Pluto, which is three billion miles from Earth, in just 9.5 years, the spacecraft flew by the dwarf 

planet and its five moons in 2015 at a velocity of about 27,000 miles per hour. The instruments on New 

Horizons started taking data on Pluto and Charon six months before arrival. About three months from the 

closest approach, when Pluto and its moons were about 65 million miles away, the instruments began 

taking measurements and began to make the first maps of these bodies. 

When the New Horizons spacecraft was closest to Pluto, it took a variety of scientific observations, 

including close-up pictures in both visible and near-infrared wavelengths. These first images should 

depict surface features as small as 200 feet across and bring a plethora of new discoveries. It will take 

over a year to downlink all of the data gathered during the flyby of Pluto. 

Recent Achievements 

The New Horizons probe has lifted the veil on Pluto. On July 14, New Horizons performed the first-ever 

flyby of the faraway dwarf planet, zooming within 7,800 miles (12,500 kilometers) of its frigid surface. 

The close encounter is giving researchers their first up-close looks at Pluto, which has remained 

mysterious since its 1930 discovery. 

JUNO

Juno will conduct an in-depth study of Jupiter, the most massive planet in the solar system. Juno’s 

instruments will seek information from deep in Jupiter’s atmosphere, enabling scientists to understand the 

fundamental processes of the formation and early evolution of the solar system. Juno successfully 

launched on August 5, 2011 as scheduled and within the budget allocated for development of this 

mission. Juno will be the first solar-panel powered spacecraft to orbit the giant planet beginning in July 

2016.
Science: Planetary Science: New Frontiers 

OTHER MISSIONS AND DATA ANALYSIS

PS-37 

During its sixteen month science operations mission, Juno, with the first-ever polar orbit of Jupiter, will 

complete 33 fourteen-day-long orbits and will sample Jupiter’s full range of latitudes and longitudes. 

From its polar perspective, Juno combines remote sensing observations to explore the polar 

magnetosphere and determine what drives Jupiter’s remarkable auroras. Juno has an onboard camera to 

produce images and it will provide unique opportunities to engage the next generation of scientists. 

Recent Achievements 

Juno continues towards its planned encounter with Jupiter on July 4, 2016. 
Science: Planetary Science 

MARS EXPLORATION 

PS-38 

FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Mars Rover 2020 103.6 -- 377.5 409.0 381.0 322.0 140.0 

Other Missions and Data Analysis 201.4 -- 207.3 179.8 184.0 176.4 139.9 

Total Budget 305.0 -- 584.8 588.8 565.0 498.4 279.9 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. 

FY 2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

FY 2017 reflects discretionary and mandatory funding. Additional details on the mandatory funding can be found in 

the Explanation of Changes section.

Every time we feel close to understanding Mars, new 

discoveries send us straight back to the drawing board to 

revise existing theories. We've discovered that today's 

Martian wasteland hints at a formerly volatile world 

where volcanoes once raged, meteors plowed deep craters, 

and flash floods rushed over the land. Mars continues to 

throw out new enticements with each landing or orbital 

pass made by our spacecraft. 

The Mars Exploration Program seeks to 

understand when Mars was habitable, is Mars 

habitable today, or can it be a habitable world in 

the future, and whether it ever supported life. As 

the most Earth-like planet in the solar system, 

Mars has a landmass approximately equivalent 

to the Earth’s as well as many of the same 

geological features, such as riverbeds, past river 

deltas, and volcanoes. Mars also has many of the 

same “systems” that characterize Earth, such as 

air, water, ice, and geology that all interact to 

produce the Martian environment. 

The four broad, overarching goals for Mars 

Exploration are to: 

 Determine if life ever arose on Mars; 

 Characterize the climate of Mars; 

 Characterize the geology of Mars; and 

 Prepare for human exploration. 

Today, our robotic scientific explorers are 

paving the way. Together, humans and robots will pioneer Mars and the solar system. 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017 

 Actual Enacted Request Notional 

(in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Mandatory Budget Authority -- -- 29.0 -- -- -- --
Science: Planetary Science 

MARS EXPLORATION 

PS-39 

Given the sustained good health of our oldest orbital and surface assets (Odyssey, Mars Express, and 

Opportunity), NASA plans to submit to Senior Review extended science operations proposals for 

consideration. The FY 2017 budget supports continued operations of these missions at their current 

levels. 

Mars Exploration is supported in part with mandatory funding (see table, above). The mandatory 

investment includes $13.7 million for Mars Exploration Rover 2003/ Opportunity, $12.7 million for Mars 

Odyssey 2001, and $2.6 million for Mars Express, in support of continued extended operations. 

ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2015

On October 19, 2014, the Comet Siding Spring made its closest approach to Mars. The suite of Mars 

missions were able to take advantage of a unique and unexpected science opportunity for close study of a 

visitor from the edge of the solar system, along with its possible effects on Mars’ atmosphere. Dust 

detected from the comet vaporized high in the atmosphere; the electron density of the ionosphere on the 

planet's night side was five to 10 times higher than usual; and the comet itself was 1.2 miles across and 

had a rotation period of eight hours. 

Curiosity determined that river and lake deposits form the base of Mt. Sharp and are a result of an 

environment enabling substantial bodies of water to persist on the surface of Mars. 

The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter detected hydrated perchlorates in association with dark streaks that 

seasonally form on steep slopes of Mars. These salts significantly lower the freezing point of water and 

help explain these recurring flow features, leaving open the question of whether the water is absorbed 

from the atmosphere or from a subsurface source. 

The Mars 2020 mission completed mission definition and accommodation activities and formally entered 

Phase B of Formulation in May 2015. 

WORK IN PROGRESS IN FY 2016 

All operating Mars missions will undergo a Senior Review to determine the scientific benefit of extending 

their operations. Senior Review permitting, Curiosity will continue its exploration of Mars’ transition to a 

drier planet as the rover examines younger sedimentary layers heading up Mt. Sharp and the orbital 

missions, MRO and Odyssey will extend their investigations of inter-annual variability. 

MAVEN will complete its prime mission early in FY 2106 and extend its measurements to a full Mars 

year, gaining broad seasonal coverage of the processes affecting the upper atmosphere. 

The Mars 2020 rover mission will undergo PDR and the confirmation review process. 

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS PLANNED FOR FY 2017 

MOMA will be completed and shipped for integration into the 2018 ExoMars mission. 

Mars 2020 will be in Phase C/D on implementation. 
Science: Planetary Science 

MARS EXPLORATION 

PS-40 

Program Management & Commitments 

Program Element Provider 

Mars Rover 2020 

Provider: JPL 

Lead Center: JPL 

Performing Center(s): JPL, GSFC 

Cost Share Partner(s): CNES; Norwegian Forsvarets Forskning Institute 

(FFI); Center for the Development of Industrial Technology (CDTI) and the 

National Institute of Aerospace Technology (INTA) of Spain 

MOMA-MS

Provider: GSFC 

Lead Center: GSFC 

Performing Center(s): GSFC 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

MSL 

Provider: JPL 

Lead Center: JPL 

Performing Center(s): JPL, GSFC 

Cost Share Partner(s): Canadian Space Agency, Centro de Astrobiología, 

Federal Space Agency of Russia 

MAVEN 

Provider: GSFC 

Lead Center: GSFC 

Performing Center(s): JPL, GSFC 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter 

(MRO) 

Provider: JPL 

Lead Center: JPL 

Performing Center(s): JPL 

Cost Share Partner(s): Agenzia Spaziale Italiana 

Mars Exploration Rover 

(MER)/Opportunity 

Provider: JPL 

Lead Center: JPL 

Performing Center(s): JPL 

Cost Share Partner(s): Canadian Space Agency 

Odyssey 

Provider: JPL 

Lead Center: JPL 

Performing Center(s): JPL 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

Acquisition Strategy 

NASA is acquiring the spacecraft and flight systems for the Mars 2020 mission through JPL and the 

radioisotope power system through the Department of Energy (DOE), taking advantage of the previous 
Science: Planetary Science 

MARS EXPLORATION 

PS-41 

investment in the MSL project to maximize heritage. By using contracts existing from the MSL project to 

procure new versions of the as-flown hardware, JPL plans to achieve the lowest possible costs. NASA 

competitively selected the Mars 2020 investigations payload. 

Major Contracts/Awards 

NASA released an NRA for approximately 25 participating scientists to conduct investigations on the 

Curiosity rover mission and participate in the tactical and strategic planning of rover science operations. 

NASA will announce selections in February 2016. 
Science: Planetary Science: Mars Exploration 

MARS ROVER 2020

Formulation Development Operations 

PS-42 

FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Total Budget 103.6 -- 377.5 409.0 381.0 322.0 140.0 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. FY 

2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

Mars 2020 will re-use the basic engineering of NASA's 

Mars Science Laboratory to send a different rover to 

Mars, with new objectives and instruments, launching in 

2020. The rover will carry seven instruments to conduct 

its science and exploration technology investigations 

including two contributed by international partners and 

one to demonstrate a critical technology for future human 

exploration. 

PROJECT PURPOSE

The Mars 2020 science rover is a mission, 

currently in formulation, that will advance the 

scientific priorities detailed in the National 

Research Council’s Planetary Science Decadal 

Survey, entitled “Vision and Voyages for 

Planetary Science in the Decade 2013-2022.” In 

addition, the mission provides an opportunity for 

payload elements provided by the HEOMD and 

the Space Technology Mission Directorate 

(STMD) that align with their priorities and 

compatible with SMD priorities. The Mars 2020 

mission is the essential next step in an evolving 

program of Mars exploration that will ultimately 

involve human exploration. 

NASA’s Mars 2020 mission will build upon 

many discoveries from the Mars Curiosity rover 

and the two Mars Exploration Rovers, Spirit and 

Opportunity, by taking the next key steps in our 

understanding of Mars’ potential as a habitat for 

past or present life. The Mars 2020 rover will 

seek signs of past life on Mars, collect and store a set of samples for potential return to Earth in the future, 

and test new technology to benefit future robotic and human exploration of Mars 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017 

NASA increased the Mars 2020 budget to ensure coverage of the KDP-B cost range. 
Science: Planetary Science: Mars Exploration 

MARS ROVER 2020

Formulation Development Operations 

PS-43 

PROJECT PRELIMINARY PARAMETERS

The Mars 2020 mission is planned to launch in July 2020, landing on Mars in February 2021, and 

spending at least one Mars year (two Earth years) exploring the landing site region. The mission uses 

much of the design of the highly successful MSL/Curiosity rover, which has been exploring Mars since 

2012. The Mars 2020 rover body and other major hardware (such as the cruise stage, aeroshell, and heat 

shield) would be near-duplicates of the systems of MSL and will take maximum advantage of engineering 

heritage. The new rover will carry more sophisticated, upgraded hardware and new instruments to 

conduct geological assessments of the rover's landing site, determine the potential habitability of the 

environment, and directly search for signs of ancient Martian life. To minimize costs and risks, NASA 

will use a proven landing system and rover chassis design as much as possible, while still delivering a 

highly capable rover. 

The Mars 2020 rover is carrying a competitively selected science and technology instrument payload of 

seven instruments. NASA chose five of those instruments to provide the clearest possible measurements 

for seeking possible signs of ancient life (potential “biosignatures”) on Mars over its long, 4.6 billion-year 

history. NASA chose the remaining two instruments to assess environmental hazards and resources for 

future human exploration. The rover also will collect and store samples of rocks and soils in sealed tubes, 

which will be stored on the surface of Mars for possible return to Earth by a subsequent mission. 

The rover’s baseline power source is a Multi-Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (MMRTG) 

provided by the U.S. Department of Energy. It uses the heat from the natural decay of plutonium-238 to 

generate electricity. NASA and ESA telecommunications relay assets in Mars orbit will support the 

mission. 

ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2015 

The Mars 2020 mission formally entered Phase B of formulation in May 2015. 

WORK IN PROGRESS IN FY 2016 

The Mars 2020 mission will complete Phase B/formulation with the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) 

and confirmation review process and begin Phase C/implementation. 

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS PLANNED FOR FY 2017 

The Mars 2020 mission will complete the Critical Design Review (CDR) in preparation to begin Phase D 

of Implementation. 
Science: Planetary Science: Mars Exploration 

MARS ROVER 2020

Formulation Development Operations 

PS-44 

ESTIMATED PROJECT SCHEDULE

Milestone Formulation Authorization 

Document FY 2017 PB Request 

Formulation Authorization Oct 23, 2013 N/A 

KDP-A Nov 12, 2013 N/A 

KDP-B May 20, 2015 N/A 

KDP-C Mar 2016 Mar 2016 

KDP-D Dec 2017 Dec 2017

Launch Jul/Aug 2020 Jul/Aug 2020

Formulation Estimated Life Cycle Cost Range and Schedule 

Range Summary 

Life cycle cost estimates are preliminary. A baseline cost commitment does not occur until the project 

receives approval for implementation (KDP-C), which follows a non-advocate review and/or preliminary 

design review. 

KDP-B Date Estimated Life Cycle 

Cost Range ($M) Key Milestone Key Milestone Estimated Date Range 

May 20, 2015 2,186-2,351 Launch July 2020 

Project Management & Commitments 

JPL will manage Mars 2020 and will provide systems engineering, safety and mission assurance, project 

scientists, flight dynamics, payload management, and mission system management. 

Element Description Provider Details 

Change from 

Formulation 

Agreement 

Spacecraft 

Similar in design to the MSL 

flown and landed successfully 

in 2012 

Provider: JPL 

Lead Center: JPL 

Performing Center(s): JPL 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

N/A 
Science: Planetary Science: Mars Exploration 

MARS ROVER 2020

Formulation Development Operations 

PS-45 

Element Description Provider Details 

Change from 

Formulation 

Agreement 

Mastcam-Z 

Advanced camera system 

with panoramic and 

stereoscopic imaging 

capability with the ability to 

zoom 

Provider: Arizona State University 

Lead Center: JPL 

Performing Center(s): N/A 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

Competitive 

selection on Jul 

31, 2014 

SuperCam 

Instrument that can provide 

imaging, chemical 

composition analysis, and 

mineralogy 

Provider: Los Alamos National 

Laboratory 

Lead Center: JPL 

Performing Center(s): N/A 

Cost Share Partner(s): Centre National 

d'Etudes Spatiales 

Competitive 

selection on Jul 

31, 2014 

PIXL 

An X-ray fluorescence 

spectrometer that will also 

contain an imager with high 

resolution to determine the 

fine scale elemental 

composition of Martian 

surface materials

Provider: JPL 

Lead Center: JPL 

Performing Center(s): N/A 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

Competitive 

selection on Jul 

31, 2014 

SHERLOC 

A spectrometer that will 

provide fine-scale imaging 

and uses an ultraviolet (UV) 

laser to determine fine-scale 

mineralogy and detect organic 

compounds. 

Provider: JPL 

Lead Center: JPL 

Performing Center(s): N/A 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

Competitive 

selection on Jul 

31, 2014 

RIMFAX 

A ground-penetrating radar 

that will provide centimeterscale resolution of the 

geologic structure of the 

subsurface 

Provider: Norwegian Defence Research 

Establishment, Norway 

Lead Center: JPL 

Performing Center(s): N/A 

Cost Share Partner(s): NASA SMD 

Competitive 

selection on Jul 

31, 2014 

MEDA 

A set of sensors that will 

provide measurements of 

temperature, wind speed and 

direction, pressure, relative 

humidity and dust size and 

shape 

Provider: Centro de Astrobiologia, 

Instituto Nacional de Tecnica 

Aeroespacial, Spain 

Lead Center: JPL 

Performing Center(s): N/A 

Cost Share Partner(s): NASA 

HEOMD/STMD

Competitive 

selection on Jul 

31, 2014 
Science: Planetary Science: Mars Exploration 

MARS ROVER 2020

Formulation Development Operations

Element Description Provider Details 

Change from 

Formulation 

Agreement 

MOXIE 

An exploration technology 

investigation that will 

produce oxygen from Martian 

atmospheric carbon dioxide 

Provider: Massachusetts Institute of 

Technology 

Lead Center: JPL 

Performing Center(s): JPL 

Cost Share Partner(s): HEOMD/STMD 

Competitive 

selection on Jul 

31, 2014 

PS-46 

Project Risks 

Risk Statement Mitigation 

If: Planetary Protection/Contamination 

Control (PP/CC) requirements or risk 

reduction measures result in modifications to 

the PP/CC architecture and design approach, 

Then: Cost growth and schedule delays could 

be incurred, as well as impacts to the design 

of other parts of the Rover. 

Held JPL institutional and Mars Program sponsored reviews in 

September and October 2015, respectively, to vet PP/CC 

approach with other stakeholders. Actively reviewing draft 

Planetary Protection Plan with stakeholders to ensure timely 

feedback prior to PDR. 

If: Landing site requirements and/or surface 

operability considerations for Mars 2020 

result in the need to add Terrain Relative 

Navigation (TRN) to ensure sufficiently high 

probability of a successful landing near 

science targets, 

Then: Lander vision system and associated 

cost will be baselined, which may require 

that other elements of the mission be 

descoped. 

Project is holding technical resources to support TRN and is 

coordinating with ongoing technology development task. 

Project is executing risk reduction activities to ensure they can 

execute TRN with acceptable technical and implementation risk 

should it be baselined. The project has also assessed the benefit 

of TRN for the top landing site candidates 

The Project has developed implementation and accommodation 

plans, and reviewed them at the TRN PDR in November 2015. 

If: One or several of the aggregated EDL 

residual risks or unknown-unknowns that are 

inherited from MSL is realized (such as 

single point failures, environmental factors), 

Then: Could cause loss of mission. 

Risk updated to remove risks retired by MSL's flight itself and 

Mars 2020 plans that will correct some testing shortfalls. 

Previously 43 identified risks; reduced to 27. 

Reexamine aggregated risks to understand if any baseline 

changes affect them. It is very likely that the Mars 2020 mission 

will need to accept most, if not all, of the aggregated residual 

risks. 

As part of flight software scrub, identify any other residual 

accepted risks from MSL than can be mitigated. 
Science: Planetary Science: Mars Exploration 

MARS ROVER 2020

Formulation Development Operations

PS-47 

Acquisition Strategy 

NASA is acquiring the spacecraft and flight systems for the Mars 2020 mission through JPL and the 

radioisotope power system through the Department of Energy, taking advantage of the previous 

investment in the MSL project to maximize heritage. By using contracts existing from the MSL project to 

procure new versions of the as-flown hardware, JPL plans to maintain the lowest possible costs. NASA 

competitively selected the Mars 2020 investigations payload. 

MAJOR CONTRACTS/AWARDS

NASA released an announcement of opportunity for the Mars 2020 rover instruments on September 24, 

2013, with selections announced on July 31, 2014. NASA selected seven science instruments and 

exploration technology investigations for the Mars Rover 2020 payload. 

Element Vendor Location (of work performance) 

Aeroshell Lockheed Martin Denver, CO 

Actuators Cobham Hauppauge, NY 

Robotic arm Motiv Pasadena, CA 

INDEPENDENT REVIEWS

Review 

Type Performer Date of Review Purpose Outcome Next Review 

Life Cycle SRB Mar 12, 

2015

System 

Requirements 

Review (SRR)/ 

Mission Definition 

Review (MDR) 

Completed PDR 

Life Cycle SRB Feb 2016 PDR TBD CDR 

Life Cycle SRB Nov 2016 CDR TBD SIR 

Life Cycle SRB Nov 2017 System Integration 

Review (SIR) TBD ORR 

Life Cycle SRB May 2020 Operations Readiness 

Review (ORR) TBD N/A 
Science: Planetary Science: Mars Exploration 

OTHER MISSIONS AND DATA ANALYSIS

PS-48 

FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Mars Organic Molecule Analyzer (MOMA) 24.5 -- 6.8 5.2 4.6 3.0 1.5 

Aeroscience Ground Test Capabilities 0.0 -- 14.6 15.5 21.5 22.2 22.2 

ExoMars 1.5 -- 1.4 1.4 1.5 1.5 1.5 

Mars Program Management 23.5 -- 19.9 19.7 19.8 18.9 10.8 

Mars Future Missions 0.0 -- 10.0 12.0 12.0 12.0 12.0 

Mars Mission Operations 1.5 -- 1.9 1.9 1.9 1.9 1.9 

Mars Research and Analysis 10.0 -- 9.3 9.6 9.7 9.7 9.7 

Mars Technology 7.0 -- 0.5 2.6 17.1 61.3 34.4 

2011 Mars Science Lab 63.5 -- 58.0 58.0 48.0 0.0 0.0 

Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter 2005 (MRO) 27.9 -- 27.9 27.9 27.9 27.9 27.9 

Mars Exploration Rover 2003 13.7 -- 13.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 

Mars Odyssey 2001 12.0 -- 12.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 

Mars Express 2.5 -- 2.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 

Mars Atmosphere & Volatile EvolutioN 13.8 -- 28.0 26.0 20.0 18.0 18.0 

Total Budget 201.4 -- 207.3 179.8 184.0 176.4 139.9 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. FY 

2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.
Science: Planetary Science: Mars Exploration 

OTHER MISSIONS AND DATA ANALYSIS

PS-49 

All of our future missions will be driven by rigorous 

scientific questions that will continuously evolve as 

we make new discoveries. Brand new technologies 

will enable us to explore Mars in ways we never have 

before, resulting in higher-resolution images, 

precision landings, and longer-ranging surface 

mobility. 

Other Missions and Data Analysis includes the 

NASA contribution to the European Space Agency 

ExoMars 2018 rover, the operating Mars missions, 

Mars Research and Analysis, Mars Technology, and 

Mars Program Management. Also included are the 

NASA-contributed Electra communications radios 

that NASA delivered to the European Space Agency 

to fly on their 2016 ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter. 

Mission Planning and Other 

Projects 

MARS ORGANIC MOLECULE ANALYZER 

(MOMA)

MOMA is the core astrobiology instrument on the 

ESA ExoMars 2018 rover, and it addresses the top 

ExoMars science goal of seeking signs of past or 

present life on Mars. The MOMA-MS is the NASAprovided subsystem of MOMA, which is in 

development. It is composed of a dual-source mass 

spectrometer, including laser desorption capability, to detect a wide range of organic molecules in 

Martian samples. Organic structure and distribution can be indicators of past or present life. 

AEROSCIENCE GROUND TEST CAPABILITIES

NASA has established a new Aeroscience Ground Test Capabilities project to sustain Mars entry, descent, 

and landing test capabilities. This project provides the base funding to maintain capabilities, to ensure 

they are available when needed for specific missions. 

EXOMARS

The ESA Exobiology on Mars (ExoMars) program is a series of missions designed to understand if life 

ever existed on Mars. The first mission in the ExoMars program is the 2016 Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO). 

For this mission, NASA contributed two Electra telecommunication radios, identical to those used 

successfully on NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter and MAVEN. Electra acts as a communications 

relay and navigation aid for Mars spacecraft. Electra's ultra-high frequency (UHF) radios support 

navigation, command, and data-return needs. 

MARS PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

Mars Program Management provides for the broad-based implementation and programmatic management 

of the Mars Exploration program. Mars Program Management also supports independent panel reviews, 
Science: Planetary Science: Mars Exploration 

OTHER MISSIONS AND DATA ANALYSIS

PS-50 

studies regarding planetary protection, advanced mission studies and program architecture, program 

science, and telecommunications coordination and integration. 

MARS MISSION OPERATIONS

Mars Mission Operations provides management and leadership for the development and operation of 

Mars multi-mission systems for operations. Mars Mission Operations supports and provides common 

operational systems and capabilities at a lower cost and risk than having each Mars project produce 

systems individually. 

MARS RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS

Mars R&A provides funding for research and analysis of Mars mission data in order to understand how 

geologic, climatic, and other processes have worked to shape Mars and its environment over time, as well 

as how they interact today. Specific investments include: 

Mars Data Analysis, which analyzes archived data collected on Mars missions; and 

Critical Data Products, which provides data for the safe arrival, aero-maneuver, entry, descent, and 

landing at Mars. 

Data analysis through Mars R&A allows a much broader and objective analysis of the data and samples. 

It also allows research to continue for many years after the mission completion. These research projects 

increase our scientific understanding of Mars’ geology and environment, disseminating the results 

through the scientific publications. Works in Critical Data Products identified potential hazards and 

landing sites for future missions, and provided an opportunity to analyze data from Comet Siding Spring, 

which passed close to Mars in October of 2014. Researchers make fundamental measurements and 

discoveries and testable hypotheses about the Martian environment through these programs. 

Recent Achievements 

The finding that a primitive ocean on Mars held more water than Earth’s Arctic Ocean, was deduced from 

the data collected from ground-based observatories (the Very Large Telescope, Keck, and InfraRed 

Telescope Facility) to measure the heavy and light isotopes of water in the Red Planet’s atmosphere.

MARS TECHNOLOGY

Mars Technology focuses on technological investments that lay the groundwork for successful future 

Mars missions, such as sample handling and processing technologies; entry, descent, and landing 

capabilities; Mars ascent vehicle component technology, and surface-to-orbit communications 

improvements. 

Recent Achievements 

In FY 2015, the Mars Technology Development program matured technologies to enable and improve 

future landed missions on Mars. The Safe and Precise EDL task was completed and prepared for infusion 

into the Mars 2020 project. The Safe Rover Mobility task concluded with a successful demonstration of 
Science: Planetary Science: Mars Exploration 

OTHER MISSIONS AND DATA ANALYSIS

PS-51 

advanced mobility capabilities in the Mars Yard, and the technology is available for transfer to the Mars 

2020 project. The MAV and Containment Assurance Fundamental Focused Technology tasks are 

continuing, with a planned conclusion in early FY 2016. 

Operating Missions 

2011 MARS SCIENCE LAB

MSL and its Curiosity rover, which successfully landed in August 2012, has completed its prime mission 

exploration activities. The Curiosity rover is exploring and quantitatively assessing regions on Mars as 

potential past habitats for life, and has determined that Mars, at least at one point in time, was once able to 

support microbial life. Curiosity is twice as long and three times as heavy as the Mars Exploration Rover 

Opportunity. The Curiosity rover is collecting Martian soil and rock samples and analyzing them for 

organic compounds and environmental conditions that could have supported microbial life, and making 

measurements of the Martian atmosphere, the radiation environment, and the weather. MSL is the first 

planetary mission to use precision landing techniques, steering itself toward the Martian surface. This 

landing method enabled the rover to land in an area less than 12 miles in diameter, about one-sixth the 

size of previous landing zones on Mars, and this successful system is the basis of the system architecture 

of the Mars 2020 mission. In addition, Curiosity is the first planetary rover to make use of a nuclear 

power source, which gave the rover the ability to travel up to 12 miles during the two-year primary 

mission. This international partnership mission uses components provided by the space agencies of 

Russia, Spain, and Canada. 

Recent Achievements 

Curiosity has traveled over 7 miles and has been exploring the lower reaches of Mt. Sharp – the prime 

science target of the mission. It is during the trek to Mt. Sharp that the on-board laboratory measured 

plumes of methane ten times above the background level – this presents a challenge in our understanding 

of the Martian atmosphere because scientists cannot adequately explain the source or the sink for the 

methane. In addition, Curiosity has measured the fixed nitrogen, permitting a primitive nitrogen cycle and 

making nitrogen biologically accessible, critical for potential Martian life. At the base of Mt. Sharp, the 

rover has been able to sample several sediment types as it moves from the plains of Gale Crater to up the 

initial slope of Mt. Sharp. One derived conclusion is that a combination of lake and river deposits formed 

the base of Mt. Sharp and indicates that early Mars had an environment with an active hydrologic cycle 

that could support a substantial body of water for extended periods. Mineral-filled veins in the studied 

lake-deposits can be attributed to multiple generations of water at the surface, again indicative of an 

environment more conducive to life. 

MARS RECONNAISSANCE ORBITER 2005 (MRO) 

MRO, currently in its third extended operations phase, carries HiRISE, the most powerful camera ever 

flown on a planetary exploration mission. This capability provides a more detailed view of the geology 

and structure of Mars, and helps identify obstacles that could jeopardize the safety of future landers and 

rovers. MRO also carries a sounder to find subsurface water, an important consideration in selecting 

scientifically worthy landing sites for future exploration. Other science instruments on this spacecraft 

identify surface minerals and study how the Martian atmosphere transports dust and water. A second 
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OTHER MISSIONS AND DATA ANALYSIS

PS-52 

camera acquires medium-resolution images that provide a broader geological and meteorological context 

for more detailed observations from higher-resolution instruments. In addition, MRO carries a high 

resolution imaging spectrometer, CRISM, which can map minerals at unprecedented spatial resolution. 

MRO will follow up on recent discoveries to determine the extent of ancient aqueous environments, 

reveal the three dimensional structure and content of the polar ice deposits, characterize the episodic 

nature of great dust storms, and detect seasonal flows of liquid water on Mars today. 

MRO is capturing unique views of Mars, including continuing discoveries of warm-season flows of salty 

water. The camera also identified and characterized the landing site for the Curiosity rover. MRO will 

also identify landing sites for future landers in 2018, 2020, and potential human missions. MRO also 

serves as a major installment of an “interplanetary Internet,” a crucial service for future spacecraft to 

communicate back to Earth. 

Recent Achievements 

MRO has been key in identifying mineral and morphological features from orbit that guide the robotic 

missions – flagging the large clay deposits in Marathon Valley for Opportunity to explore. HiRISE has 

guided the Curiosity rover by highlighting terrain that could be a hazard to the rover wheels and has 

connected a major geological unit to the base of Mt. Sharp. MRO has helped landed missions to the 

extent of finding the Beagle 2 Mars Lander, which has been thought lost since 2003, showing it survived 

the landing sufficiently to partially deploy the solar arrays. 

The Orbiter witnessed the Comet Siding Spring fly-by and detected dust from the comet that impacted 

Mars and vaporized high in the atmosphere, producing debris, which resulted in significant temporary 

changes to the planet's upper atmosphere. The Shallow Subsurface Radar (SHARAD) also detected the 

enhanced ionosphere and scientists determined that the electron density of the ionosphere on the planet's 

night side was five to 10 times higher than usual. Studies of the comet itself, made with MRO's HiRISE, 

revealed the nucleus is smaller than the expected 1.2 miles and a rotation period for the nucleus of eight 

hours. 

Recurring Slope Lineae (RSL) are seasonal dark streaks that scientists have described as possibly related 

to liquid water. The new findings based on CRISM measurements, show hydrated salts (perchlorates) on 

the slopes, which would lower the freezing point of a liquid brine to enable a flow at sub-freezing 

temperatures. These observations provide a mechanism for flow features on the slopes of Mars and have 

now doubled the number of proven sites where perchlorates exist on the Martian surface. 

MARS EXPLORATION ROVER 2003

For over 11 years, the Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity has explored geological settings on the 

surface of Mars. It has expanded understanding of the history and the geological processes that shaped 

Mars, particularly those involving water. Opportunity has trekked for 25 miles across the Martian surface, 

(recently breaking the distance record for traverse on a planetary body beyond Earth), conducting field 

geology, making atmospheric observations, finding evidence of ancient Martian environments where 

intermittently wet and habitable conditions existed, and sending back to Earth well over 200,000 

spectacular, high-resolution images. The budget includes mandatory funding to continue Opportunity 

operations in FY 2017. 
Science: Planetary Science: Mars Exploration 

OTHER MISSIONS AND DATA ANALYSIS

PS-53 

Recent Achievements 

In March of 2015, the Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity completed its first Red Planet marathon --

26.219 miles (42.195 kilometers) - with a finish time of roughly 11 years and two months. 

Opportunity has entered Marathon Valley has begun an extensive campaign exploring the clays identified 

by MRO’s CRISM in orbit. The rover will concentrate on the south facing slopes of the valley to 

maximize the solar panel exposure to boost power and survive its seventh Martian winter. 

MARS ODYSSEY 2001

Mars Odyssey, currently in its sixth extended mission operations phase, is still in orbit around Mars. It 

continues to send information to Earth about Martian geology, climate, and mineralogy. Measurements by 

Odyssey enabled scientists to create maps of minerals and chemical elements and identify regions with 

buried water ice. Images that measure the surface temperature provided spectacular views of Martian 

topography. Mars Odyssey will continue critical long-term longitudinal studies of the Martian climate. 

Odyssey has served as the primary means of communications for NASA Mars surface explorers over the 

past decade, and continues that role for the Opportunity and Curiosity rovers. The budget includes 

mandatory funding to continue Mars Odyssey operations in FY 2017. 

Recent Achievements 

A new analysis by Odyssey’s Thermal Emission Spectrometer, along with MRO’s CRISM, of the largest 

known deposit of carbonate minerals on Mars suggests that the original Martian atmosphere may have 

already lost most of its carbon dioxide by the era of valley network formation. Carbonate forms from 

carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, but it seems there is not nearly enough carbonate to account for the lost 

atmosphere. 

In November 2015, NASA's Mars Odyssey spacecraft initiated a change in its orbit to early morning to 

enable the first systematic observations of how morning fogs, clouds, and surface frost develop in 

different seasons on the Red Planet. 

MARS EXPRESS

Mars Express, currently in its third extended mission operations phase, is an ESA mission that provides 

an understanding of Mars as a “coupled” system: from the ionosphere and atmosphere down to the 

surface and sub-surface. This mission addresses the climatic and geological evolution of Mars as well as 

the potential for life on the planet. NASA contributed components for the Mars Advanced Radar for 

Subsurface and Ionospheric Sounding (MARSIS) and Analyzer of Space Plasmas and Energetic Atoms 

(ASPERA) instruments aboard Mars Express, and participates in the scientific analysis of mission data. 

The budget includes mandatory funding to continue the U.S. contribution to Mars Express in FY 2017. 

MARS ATMOSPHERE AND VOLATILE EVOLUTION (MAVEN) 

MAVEN, successfully launched in 2013, will provide a comprehensive picture of the Mars upper 

atmosphere, ionosphere, solar energetic drivers, and atmospheric losses, to determine how the Mars 

atmosphere evolved through time. The mission will help answer long-standing questions regarding the 
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OTHER MISSIONS AND DATA ANALYSIS

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loss of the Mars atmosphere, climate history, liquid water, and habitability. MAVEN will provide the first 

direct measurements ever taken to address key scientific questions about Mars’ evolution. The MAVEN 

mission is the second mission of NASA’s Mars Scout program. It will explore the upper atmosphere, 

ionosphere, and interactions with the Sun and solar wind. Scientists will use MAVEN data to determine 

the role that loss of volatile compounds (such as carbon dioxide and water) from the Mars atmosphere to 

space has played through time, giving insight into the history of Mars’ atmosphere and climate, liquid 

water, and planetary habitability. As with all Mars Exploration Program orbiters, MAVEN also carries an 

Electra radio for communications with rovers and landers on the Mars surface. MAVEN will provide 

contingency relay support during its primary science mission and eventually evolve into a more regular 

communications role. 

Recent Achievements 

MAVEN spacecraft has detected metal ions near the ionospheric peak at 130km. This is the first actual 

detection of a long-lived layer of metal ions at Mars. The metallic layer is likely due to the ablation of 

incoming micrometeoroids into the atmosphere. MAVEN obtained an ultraviolet image of the hydrogen 

surrounding Comet Siding Spring and the results probe the size and properties of the comet’s nucleus and 

the properties of dust and gas in the comet’s coma. Comet material blanketed most of the northern 

hemisphere of Mars, scattering sunlight by atomic hydrogen. 

MAVEN observed an unexplained high-altitude dust cloud around Mars from about 93 miles to 190 miles 

above the surface. Possible sources for the observed dust include dust wafted up from the atmosphere; 

dust coming from Phobos and Deimos, the two moons of Mars; dust moving in the solar wind away from 

the Sun; or debris from comets and asteroids. However, no known process on Mars can explain the 

appearance of this dust in the observed locations from any of these sources. 

For five days just before Christmas 2014, MAVEN’s Imaging Ultraviolet Spectrograph (IUVS) saw a 

bright ultraviolet auroral glow spanning Mars’ northern hemisphere. The source of the energetic particles 

appears to be the Sun. MAVEN’s Solar Energetic Particle instrument detected a huge surge in energetic 

electrons just before the onset of the aurora. In retrospect, it is not surprising that Mars would have a 

diffuse aurora, similar to Earth’s, except not confined to polar regions by a global magnetic field because 

Mars lost its magnetic field billions of years ago. 
Science: Planetary Science 

OUTER PLANETS AND OCEAN WORLDS

PS-55 

FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

JUICE - Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer 7.4 -- 20.5 17.4 4.1 2.0 2.3 

Jupiter Europa 100.0 175.0 49.6 24.2 65.2 117.5 236.5 

Outer Planets Research 8.5 -- 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 

Cassini 68.1 -- 58.7 5.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 

Total Budget 184.0 -- 137.3 56.0 77.8 128.0 247.3 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. 

FY 2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

FY 2017 reflects discretionary and mandatory funding. Additional details on the mandatory funding can be found in 

the Explanation of Changes section.

Europa, with its probable vast subsurface ocean 

sandwiched between a potentially active silicate interior 

and a highly dynamic surface ice shell, offers one of the 

most promising extraterrestrial habitable environments, 

and a plausible model for habitable environments beyond 

our solar system - Vision and Voyages for Planetary 

Science in the Decade 2013-2022 

The Outer Planets and Ocean Worlds program 

enables science investigations of the outer solar 

system with a special emphasis on the 

exploration of worlds in our solar system 

possessing vast expanses of liquids, just as Earth 

does. These liquid reservoirs, most notably those 

composed of liquid water, provide insight into 

some of the most fundamental questions about 

life and the evolution of the solar system. The 

exploration of ocean worlds has the highest 

relevance and potential in the search for extant 

life and its habitable environments beyond 

Earth, one of NASA’s strategic objectives.

NASA missions have revealed an increasing 

number of ocean worlds in our solar system 

while at the same time providing enticing though 

limited details about these unexpected oceans. 

Not far underneath its icy crust, Europa contains 

a global liquid water ocean twice as large as Earth’s oceans. Recently, scientists detected a similar though 

smaller global ocean on Enceladus, a small moon orbiting Saturn. Other moons (such as Ganymede, 

Callisto, and Titan) have been shown to possess perched oceans deep beneath their surfaces, and Titan has 

also been shown to possess huge lakes of liquid methane on its surface – the only place beyond Earth with 

lakes exposed to an atmosphere. 

Simultaneously with these discoveries, astrobiology research along with the exploration of Earth’s oceans 

have demonstrated the pervasiveness of life given the proper conditions and environment. Research has 

increasingly indicated that ocean worlds possess at least some of the conditions necessary for extant life: 

long-lived oceans providing liquid water and a stable habitat, hydrothermal activity providing energy, and 

organics providing the necessary materials, among others. Thus, ocean worlds are the most likely places 
Science: Planetary Science 

OUTER PLANETS AND OCEAN WORLDS

PS-56 

to search for currently habitable environments in the solar system and the life forms that could exist in 

those environments. The Outer Planets and Ocean Worlds program enables science investigations 

spanning the diversity of worlds hosting large liquid bodies in the outer solar system. 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017 

 Actual Enacted Request Notional 

(in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Mandatory Budget Authority -- -- 33 -- -- -- --

In FY 2017 the Outer Planets and Ocean Worlds program will develop a technology roadmap and initiate 

a strategic set of investments. 

Outer Planets and Ocean Worlds is supported in part with mandatory funding (see table, above). The 

mandatory investment includes $33 million for the Jupiter Europa mission. 

ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2015 

During FY 2015, NASA selected the science payload for the Europa multiple flyby mission. This 

significant milestone provided nine instruments and associated science teams that will lead the 

exploration of one of the most promising ocean worlds for the possible detection of life beyond Earth. 

The Europa mission expects to provide more than 90% of the science return of the original Europa 

Orbiter mission concept endorsed by the Planetary Decadal Survey, but at half the cost of that earlier 

mission concept with this scientific payload. 

The Cassini mission completed a set of orbits at high inclination around Saturn that allowed the spacecraft 

to observe the rings and poles of the planet from an improved vantage point. The spacecraft returned to a 

more equatorial orbit that allowed flybys of Saturn’s moons to resume. The spacecraft completed an 

additional eight flybys of Titan, bringing the total to 113, as well as the final two flybys of the small icy 

satellite Dione. During FY 2015 the Cassini science team made three significant discoveries about 

Enceladus, the tiny icy moon ejecting plumes of water into space from its ocean below its surface: the 

team confirmed the presence of a global liquid water ocean, detected signs of methane (an organic 

molecule with potential biological importance) in the plume, and derived evidence suggesting 

hydrothermal activity in the ocean. These discoveries confirmed Enceladus’ place as an ocean world in 

our solar system that may harbor life today. 

WORK IN PROGRESS IN FY 2016 

The Europa mission will continue to integrate and accommodate the selected science instruments into the 

spacecraft design in FY 2016. This task is proceeding on schedule without any significant issues. Phase A 

concept development activities will conclude in late FY 2016. The Cassini mission will conduct an 

additional ten flybys of Titan and the final three flybys of Enceladus, and will complete final preparations 

for the last proximal orbits near Saturn prior to impact with the planet in FY 2017. 
Science: Planetary Science 

OUTER PLANETS AND OCEAN WORLDS

PS-57 

The Outer Planets and Ocean Worlds program will begin detailed definition of the technologies needed 

for ocean world exploration, and construct an acquisition strategy for implementation in FY 2017. 

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS PLANNED FOR FY 2017 

In FY 2017, the Outer Planets and Ocean Worlds program will identify a strategic set of investments with 

three goals: safely landing on hazardous icy surfaces, directly accessing oceans, and accurately detecting 

biosignatures and extant life. Development of these technologies will enable missions to ocean worlds of 

any size and class that are able to address the two key scientific questions of the habitability of the oceans 

and the presence of life. By collaborating with the Astrobiology program, existing programs investing in 

relevant instrument development and studies of analog environments on Earth (such as buried subglacial 

lakes in Antarctica) will be targeted to advance similar goals shared by both the Outer Planets and Ocean 

Worlds and Astrobiology programs. External partnerships with NOAA and the NSF will bring the 

expertise of the Earth oceanography community to bear on the challenges facing NASA and allow NASA 

to field test the resulting technologies on Earth, helping to advance terrestrial studies on the home planet 

before exploring the ocean worlds beyond. 

The Europa multiple flyby mission will advance from Phase A (concept development) to Phase B 

(preliminary design) during early FY 2017. This flagship-class mission will be the first NASA mission 

explicitly designed to explore an ocean world. 

At the end of FY 2017, the Cassini spacecraft with its nearly depleted fuel tanks will intentionally impact 

Saturn, concluding 13 years of exploration of the Saturn system. Already one of NASA’s most successful 

and productive missions, during its final year Cassini will conduct a series of daring orbits, skimming 

Saturn’s clouds as it dives between Saturn and the inner edge of its rings. The scientific return of this 

grand finale will be unique and answer questions about Saturn’s internal structure and the dynamics and 

mass of the rings. Until then Cassini will conduct additional flybys of the ocean world Titan, investigating 

its methane lakes and methane-based “water” cycle.

Mission Planning and Other Projects 

JUPITER ICY MOONS EXPLORER (JUICE) 

NASA is collaborating with ESA on this ESA-led mission to Ganymede and the Jupiter system. The 

JUICE mission provides an opportunity for comparative investigation of three of the ocean worlds in the 

Jupiter system: Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto. Researchers believe Ganymede and Callisto possess 

liquid water oceans sandwiched between ice layers deep beneath their surfaces. ESA plans to launch the 

mission in 2022 for arrival at Jupiter in 2030. It has a tentative model payload of 11 scientific 

instruments. The NASA contribution consists of three separate projects: one full instrument, Ultra Violet 

Spectrometer; two sensors for the Particle Environment Package suite of instruments; and the transmitter 

and receiver hardware for the Radar for Icy Moon Exploration instrument. 
Science: Planetary Science 

OUTER PLANETS AND OCEAN WORLDS

PS-58 

JUPITER EUROPA

Jupiter’s moon Europa has the largest known ocean in the solar system, and is one of the most likely 

places to find current life beyond our Earth. For over 15 years NASA has developed concepts to explore 

Europa and determine if it is habitable based on characteristics of its vast oceans (twice the size of all of 

Earth’s oceans combined), the ice surface – ocean interface, the chemical composition of the intriguing, 

irregular brown surface areas, and the current geologic activity providing energy to the system. After 

thorough investigation of concept options, NASA has initiated the Phase A study of a multiple flyby 

mission that delivers the most science for the least cost and risk of all the concepts studied. The flyby 

concept can take advantage of solar power and requires no new technology development, despite the 

harsh radiation environment that the spacecraft will encounter during the flybys. 

NASA established a Europa project in FY 2015, initiating the formulation phase, and competitively 

selected nine instruments for development. In FY 2016, the project is formulating requirements, 

architecture, planetary protection requirements, risk identification and mitigation plans, cost and schedule 

range estimates, and payload accommodation for a mission to Europa. In FY 2017, the project will be 

ready to enter its preliminary design phase. 

Costs and schedule for the current Europa mission design are not firm, as the mission is still in 

formulation and NASA does not commit to costs and schedules until KDP-C. The notional outyear 

profile in the Budget may support a launch as early as the late 2020s, assuming the mission concept and 

scope remain stable. 

Per Public Law 114-113, Division B, Title III, the following table provides rough estimates for the current 

mission design, assuming launch in 2022. Acceleration of the launch to 2022 is not recommended, given 

potential impacts to the rest of the Science portfolio. The Administration continues to support a balanced 

science program, as recommended in the Decadal Survey. 

 FY17 FY18 FY19 FY20 FY21 

Europa 2022 ($M) 194.0 272.0 456.0 678.0 482.0

Note: The Europa profile above assumes an Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle, as the cost of an SLS 

flight is not yet known. 

In FY 2016, NASA will assess the potential for secondary payloads that may enhance science return from 

the mission. Given the potential for a secondary payload to add cost and complexity to the mission, 

NASA would have to determine whether such an addition would be feasible from both a technical and 

budget standpoint. In particular, the limited current knowledge about the Europa surface conditions adds 

tremendous complexity and technical challenge to successfully landing on the surface. 

OUTER PLANETS RESEARCH

Outer Planets Research increases the scientific return of current and past NASA outer planets missions, 

guides current mission operations (e.g., selecting Cassini imaging targets), and paves the way for future 

missions (e.g., refining landing sites on Titan, reconsidering the ice shell thickness on Europa). 
Science: Planetary Science 

OUTER PLANETS AND OCEAN WORLDS

PS-59 

Operating Missions 

CASSINI

Cassini, in its extended operations phase, is a flagship mission in orbit around Saturn that altered our 

understanding of the planet, its famous rings, magnetosphere, icy satellites, and particularly the moons 

Titan and Enceladus. Cassini completed its prime mission in July 2008, completed its Equinox extended 

mission in July 2010, and began the Solstice extended mission in October 2010. It is exploring the Saturn 

system in detail, including its rings and moons. A major focus is on the ocean worlds in the Saturn 

system, Titan (Saturn’s largest moon), with its dense atmosphere, methane-based meteorology, and 

geologically active surface; and Enceladus, a tiny icy body with its unexpected global ocean and steady 

plumes ejecting water from the South Pole. The Solstice mission is observing seasonal and temporal 

change in the Saturn system, especially at Titan, to understand underlying processes and prepare for 

future missions. In FY 2017, an encounter with Titan will change its orbit in such a way that, at closest 

approach to Saturn, it will be only about 1,800 miles above the planet’s cloud tops, and below the inner 

edge of the D ring. This sequence of approximately 22 “proximal orbits” will provide an opportunity for 

an entirely different mission for the Cassini spacecraft, investigating science questions never anticipated 

at the time Cassini launched. The Cassini mission will end after the proximal orbits when a final 

encounter with Titan will send the Cassini probe into Saturn’s atmosphere.

Program Management & Commitments 

Management responsibility for Cassini resides at JPL. Scientific mission priorities for the program and 

the research efforts reside within SMD's Planetary Science Division. 

The Cassini mission is a cooperative project of NASA, the ESA, and the Italian Space Agency. 

Cassini is committed to continue delivery of science data until 2018, contingent upon health and status of 

the spacecraft. 

Responsibility for the Europa project resides at JPL, with program management authority assigned to 

MSFC. Scientific mission priorities for the project and the research efforts reside within SMD's Planetary 

Science Division. 

Program Element Provider 

Outer Planets Research 

Provider: HQ 

Lead Center: 

Performing Center(s): Multiple 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

Cassini 

Provider: JPL 

Lead Center: JPL 

Performing Center(s): JPL 

Cost Share Partner(s): The Italian Space Agency provided Cassini’s high-gain 

communication antenna, and ESA built the Huygens probe. 
Science: Planetary Science 

OUTER PLANETS AND OCEAN WORLDS

PS-60 

Program Element Provider 

Europa 

Provider: JPL 

Lead Center: JPL 

Performing Center(s): APL, GSFC, MSFC, JSC, KSC 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

JUICE 

Provider: JPL (RIME), APL (PEP), SWRI (UVS) 

Lead Center: MSFC 

Performing Center(s): 

Cost Share Partner(s): ESA 

Acquisition Strategy 

Outer Planets Research is included in the annual ROSES NASA Research Announcement. All major 

acquisitions and contracts for Cassini are in place. NASA has selected the Europa instruments; JPL will 

determine major system procurements using JPL’s internal make/buy decision process. 

INDEPENDENT REVIEWS

Review 

Type Performer Date of Review Purpose Outcome Next Review 

Europa 

Systems 

Requirement 

Review & 

Mission 

Definition 

Review 

SRB 

No earlier 

than Jun 

2016

Ensure that 

requirements and 

concept defined for 

the project will 

satisfy mission goals 

and the concept is 

complete, feasible, 

and consistent with 

available resources. 

TBD 

No earlier 

than Mar 

2018
Science: Planetary Science 

TECHNOLOGY

PS-61 

FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Total Budget 159.2 -- 165.5 164.4 163.5 179.7 172.0 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. 

FY 2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

FY 2017 reflects discretionary and mandatory funding. Additional details on the mandatory funding can be found in 

the Explanation of Changes section.

Planetary Science missions demand advances in 

both power and propulsion systems to enable 

successful trips to harsh environments, trips far 

from the Sun where the spacecraft cannot be easily 

solar powered, and missions with highly 

challenging trajectories and operations. To meet 

these needs, Planetary Science supports multimission capabilities and technology developments 

in key spacecraft systems, and mission operations. 

The Planetary Science Technology program 

includes the Radioisotope Power System (RPS) 

Program managed by Glenn Research Center, DOEmanaged Plutonium production and Production 

Operations infrastructure, Advanced Technology 

and Advanced Multi-Mission Operations System 

(AMMOS) projects. 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017 

(in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Mandatory Budget Authority -- -- 10.0 -- -- -- --

Technology is supported in part with mandatory funding (see table, above). The mandatory investment 

includes $10 million for Advanced Technology, to accelerate technology development related to future 

power systems and any other areas that are important to future planetary exploration. 

Earth-sized Sub-ice Ocean explorer and sampler. The 

Technology Program is working to miniaturize this 

technology for Planetary Ocean Worlds exploration. 
Science: Planetary Science 

TECHNOLOGY

PS-62 

ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2015 

The RPS Program continued to advance the state of technologies for more advanced, higher efficiency 

power systems to enhance future exploration of deep space. Testing continued on a Stirling engineering 

unit, providing engineers with a greater understanding of system reliability and lifetime limiting issues. 

This work will inform technology investment decisions in the future, and retire risk for the development 

of a future generation of Stirling power systems. The Thermoelectric Technology Development effort is 

working in partnership with industry to transfer mature Skutterudite thermoelectric technology into a 

production facility for the potential enhancement of the Multi-Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric 

Generator (MMRTG). 

WORK IN PROGRESS IN FY 2016 

The RPS Program is investigating the state of Stirling technologies across industry and defining goals and 

requirements for future Stirling development projects. The RPS Program will complete a Gate Review of 

the Skutterudite thermoelectric technology transfer effort and develop the plan for the next phase. The 

Department of Energy (DOE) will complete the first plutonium-238 production demonstration in 

FY 2016, with the initial production of new Plutonium from the irradiation of Neptunium-237 for 

shipment to Los Alamos National Laboratory for quality analysis. 

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS PLANNED FOR FY 2017 

The RPS Program supports Mars 2020 by providing a MMRTG flight unit, and will deliver the MMRTG 

Qualification Unit in FY 2017 for assembly, test and launch operations. Additionally, RPS will be 

supporting the New Frontiers Announcement of Opportunity, allowing for a potential mission 

requirement for MMRTGs or Radioisotope Heater Units. DOE will be performing its second plutonium 

production demonstration as part of its efforts to restart Plutonium production. LANL will be installing 

the new plutonium hot press, provided by NASA funding, which will reduce the schedule risk for 

producing plutonium fuel clad assemblies to future NASA missions. 

Program Elements 

PLUTONIUM

NASA and DOE are implementing a Pu-238 Supply Project to restart domestic production of Plutonium238 for the first time since the 1980’s. NASA funds the effort, which takes place at the DOE’s Oak Ridge 

National Laboratory. An initial production of multiple grams is expected in FY 2016, and as the process 

is refined and automated over the next several years, it is expected to ramp up to a full operational 

capability of 1.5 kilograms per year. 

DOE RADIOISOTOPE POWER SYSTEM INFRASTRUCTURE

NASA funds the DOE personnel and infrastructure required to maintain the capability to develop and fuel 

radioisotope power systems for deep space spacecraft missions. DOE performs the work required for 

NASA missions at Oak Ridge, Los Alamos, Sandia, and Idaho National Laboratories. 
Science: Planetary Science 

TECHNOLOGY

PS-63 

ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY

NASA continues to study future planetary mission requirements to identify needs for technology 

investment. NASA also engages with stakeholders to ensure the relevance and priorities for existing 

investments, consistent with the NASA Strategic Technology Investment Plan. NASA will continue 

investments in advanced energy production and conversion technologies and spacecraft technologies that 

can uniquely enable future planetary missions, including a future potential enhancement of the MultiMission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator. 

NUCLEAR RADIOISOTOPE POWER SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT

The RPS Program is continuing technology development for power conversion for future RPS systems, 

supporting development and certification of the Multi-Mission RTG for Mars 2020, and overseeing the 

Plutonium and RPS Infrastructure work done for NASA by the DOE. 

Operating Missions 

ADVANCED MULTI-MISSION OPERATION SYSTEM (AMMOS) 

AMMOS provides multi-mission operations, navigation, design, and training tools and services for 

Planetary Science flight missions, as well as other Science Mission Directorate missions, and invests in 

improved communications and navigation technologies. The AMMOS project will continue to provide 

and develop multi-mission software tools for spacecraft navigation, command, control, assessment, and 

mission planning. In addition, AMMOS will pursue complementary collaborations with the Agency’s 

crosscutting Space Technology program. Utilizing the AMMOS common tools and services lowers 

individual mission cost and risk by providing a mature base for mission operations systems at 

significantly reduced development time. 

AMMOS also provides support to our international space agency partners, on an as-needed basis. This 

support typically pertains to navigation assistance and scheduling of NASA’s Deep Space Network 

(DSN) assets. 

Program Management & Commitments 

Program Element Provider 

RPS Program 

Provider: GRC 

Lead Center: GRC 

Performing Center(s): GRC, JPL, GSFC, KSC, DOE 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 
Science: Planetary Science 

TECHNOLOGY

PS-64 

Program Element Provider 

Plutonium 

Provider: DOE 

Lead Center: HQ 

Performing Center(s): GRC, DOE 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

DOE Production Operations 

Infrastructure 

Provider: DOE 

Lead Center: HQ 

Performing Center(s): GRC, DOE 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

AMMOS 

Provider: JPL 

Lead Center: JPL 

Performing Center(s): JPL, GSFC, JSC, ARC, MSFC, APL 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

Acquisition Strategy 

DOE provides radioisotope power systems, production operations, and the Plutonium production projects 

on a reimbursable basis. 
Science 

ASTROPHYSICS

Budget Authority (in $ millions) 

Actual 

FY 2015 

Enacted 

FY 2016 

Request

FY 2017 

Notional 

FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Astrophysics Research 

Cosmic Origins 

Physics of the Cosmos 

Exoplanet Exploration 

Astrophysics Explorer 

201.7 

201.0 

104.1 

100.6 

123.3 

--

--

--

--

--

226.1 

198.5 

94.1 

133.8 

129.0 

236.3 

198.4 

88.0 

148.0 

91.0 

235.7 

197.3 

94.1 

309.3 

156.0 

248.5 

195.5 

97.7 

373.3 

203.5 

252.0 

209.5 

94.0 

450.8 

186.2 

Total Budget 730.7 -- 781.5 761.6 992.4 1118.6 1192.5 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. 

FY 2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

FY 2017 reflects discretionary and mandatory funding. Additional details on the mandatory funding can be found in 

the Explanation of Changes section.

Astrophysics 

ASTROPHYSICS RESEARCH.......................................................................... ASTRO-2 

Other Missions and Data Analysis .............................................................................. ASTRO-8 

COSMIC ORIGINS .......................................................................................... ASTRO-11

Hubble Space Telescope Operations [Operations] ................................................... ASTRO-12

Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) [Operations] ................. ASTRO-15

Other Missions and Data Analysis ............................................................................ ASTRO-19

PHYSICS OF THE COSMOS .......................................................................... ASTRO-22

Other Missions and Data Analysis ............................................................................ ASTRO-24

EXOPLANET EXPLORATION ......................................................................... ASTRO-29

Other Missions and Data Analysis ............................................................................ ASTRO-31

ASTROPHYSICS EXPLORER ........................................................................ ASTRO-35

Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) [Development] .................................. ASTRO-38

Other Missions and Data Analysis ............................................................................ ASTRO-43

ASTRO-1 
Science: Astrophysics 

ASTROPHYSICS RESEARCH

ASTRO-2 

FY 2017 Budget 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) 

Actual 

FY 2015 

Enacted 

FY 2016 

Request

FY 2017 

Notional 

FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Astrophysics Research and Analysis 71.1 -- 72.7 73.0 73.0 73.0 73.0 

Balloon Project 38.0 -- 37.0 37.3 37.4 38.9 40.4 

STEM Education 42.0 -- 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 

Other Missions and Data Analysis 50.6 -- 91.4 101.0 100.3 111.6 113.6 

Total Budget 201.7 -- 226.1 236.3 235.7 248.5 252.0 

)

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. 

FY 2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

FY 2017 reflects discretionary and mandatory funding. Additional details on the mandatory funding can be found in 

the Explanation of Changes section.

Map of the 32-day and night path of the test 

flight of a super pressure balloon, launched 

from Wanaka, NZ on March 26, 2015. It 

maintained a nearly constant altitude of 

109,000-110,000 ft. 

The Astrophysics Research program develops innovative 

technologies for future missions to explore and 

understand the cosmos, from the nature of planets 

circling other stars to the birth of distant galaxies and the 

earliest cosmic history. High-altitude balloon and 

sounding rocket flights test new types of instruments. 

These flights also allow a quick response to unexpected 

events, such as the appearance of a new comet. 

The program provides basic research awards for 

scientists to test their theories, and to understand how 

they can best use data from NASA missions to gain new 

knowledge from the cosmos. Awardees analyze the data 

from Astrophysics missions to understand astronomical 

events, such as the explosion of a star or the fingerprints 

of early cosmic history in the microwave background. 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY

2017

 

(in $ millions) 

Actual 

FY 2015 

Enacted 

FY 2016 

Request 

FY 2017 

Notional 

FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Mandatory Budget Authority -- -- 3.0 -- -- -- --
Science: Astrophysics 

ASTROPHYSICS RESEARCH

Astrophysics Research is supported in part with $3 million of mandatory funding for Research and 

Analysis. 

Compared to the FY 2016 Request, this budget request reflects an increase to Science Mission Directorate 

(SMD) Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) activities. 

ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2015

NASA launched an Astrophysics experiment on a sounding rocket in 2015 to test new X-ray spectroscopy 

technology. The Off-plane Grating Rocket for Extended Source Spectroscopy (OGRESS) payload 

examined the X-rays streaming from the Cygnus Loop, a supernova remnant, to assess the debris from 

this 20,000-year-old explosion. Flying such technology opens the door to probe the deep universe for 

missing matter believed, but not proven, to exist. 

The Balloon project supported the annual Antarctic long-duration balloon flights, a campaign to New 

Zealand, and a campaign of conventional flights from Fort Sumner, NM. 

The balloon payload Suborbital Polarimeter for Inflation Dust and the Epoch of Reionization (SPIDER), 

launched from Antarctica, measured the radiation that fills the Milky Way and mapped the tiny 

fluctuations in the cosmic microwave background that are the seeds of the largest cosmic structures. This 

payload flew for 15 days. Another payload, one of the largest balloon payloads ever flown, was to detect 

radio signals from ultra-high energy neutrino interactions in the deep Antarctic ice and extremely highenergy cosmic rays when they penetrate the Earth’s atmosphere. NASA successfully flew this payload in 

excess of 22 days in Antarctica. 

NASA completed reconfiguration of the successful balloon-borne Cosmic Ray Energetics and Mass 

(CREAM) payload to fly on the International Space Station (ISS). After completing its thermal vacuum 

tests at the Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) in August 2015, NASA shipped the ISS-CREAM 

payload to the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) to await its planned launch. 

Research on exoplanets confirmed the nature of exoplanet candidates identified by the Kepler project, and 

explored the nature of planets circling other stars. 

WORK IN PROGRESS IN FY 2016 

Five research groups plan to launch Astrophysics experiments on sounding rockets in 2016. One 

experiment is to image the debris disk around the star Epsilon Eridani. Another is dedicated to the study 

of low energy X-ray emission produced by solar wind charge exchange by measuring the spatial signature 

of its emission. The third investigation is to determine the fraction of Lyman-alpha emission that escapes 

from nearby star-forming galaxies and to quantify its relationship with galactic environment. The fourth 

experiment will measure the ultraviolet light from young stars. The fifth experiment will provide a 

uniform brightness calibration for stars from infrared to ultraviolet wavelengths, which is required to link 

data from different space telescopes accurately. 

The Balloon project plans to support the annual Antarctic long-duration balloon flights, a campaign to 

New Zealand, as well as campaign with conventional flights from Palestine, TX and Fort Sumner, NM. 

NASA will launch two payloads in Antarctica in FY 2016. One will study particle acceleration and 

ASTRO-3 
Science: Astrophysics 

ASTROPHYSICS RESEARCH

ASTRO-4 

energy release in solar flares using a combination of high-resolution imaging, spectroscopy, and 

polarimetry of solar flare gamma ray and hard X-ray emissions. The other will perform large-scale, highresolution spectroscopic galactic surveys, which will cover a portion of the galactic plane, as well as a 

deeper survey of galactic arm and inter-arm regions. NASA plans to launch the Compton Spectrometer 

and Imager (COSI) payload on the 18.8 million-cubic-foot super-pressure balloon from New Zealand in 

April 2016. 

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS PLANNED FOR FY 2017 

NASA will continue a competed Astrophysics Research program with emphasis on suborbital payloads 

and on development of key technologies for use in future missions. Theoretical work will provide the 

foundation to develop science requirements for new missions. 

Three research groups plan to launch Astrophysics experiments on sounding rockets in 2017. One of the 

experiments will measure the light of the infrared cosmic background that lurks between galaxies. The 

second will fly an advanced X-ray microcalorimeter detector to obtain high-resolution spectral data from 

the Puppis A supernova remnant. Another experiment will focus on the extreme-ultraviolet 

spectrophotometry of nearby B-stars to provide powerful constraints on stellar atmosphere models, and 

provide key insights towards understanding the reionization of the early universe. 

The Balloon project plans to support three campaigns outside the continental U.S., including the annual 

Antarctic long-duration balloon flights, a launch from Hawaii, and a super-pressure balloon launch from 

New Zealand, plus one or two domestic campaigns with conventional flights from Palestine, TX and Fort 

Sumner, NM. 

The Antarctic campaign plans to launch three payloads for science investigations. The Hawaii campaign 

will again support flights for the Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) to evaluate new 

technologies for landing heavy payloads on Mars. One of the planned balloon flights from Fort Sumner 

will map the cosmic microwave background, and the other will test a new technology for direct imaging 

of exoplanets. 

Program Elements 

RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS

This project supports basic research, solicited through NASA’s annual Research Opportunities in Space 

and Earth Sciences (ROSES) announcements. NASA solicits investigations relevant to Astrophysics over 

the entire range of photon energies, gravitational waves, and particles of cosmic origin. Scientists and 

technologists from a mix of disciplines review proposals and provide findings that underlie NASA’s 

merit-based selections. 

Astrophysics Research and Analysis solicits technology development for detectors and instruments for 

potential use on future space flight missions and science and technology investigations using sounding 

rockets, high-altitude balloons, and similar platforms. A new type of scientific instrument often flies first 

on a stratospheric balloon mission or on a sounding rocket flight, which takes it briefly outside Earth’s 

atmosphere. Instruments for balloons and sounding rockets are less expensive than orbital missions, and 
Science: Astrophysics 

ASTROPHYSICS RESEARCH

ASTRO-5 

experimenters can build them quickly to respond to unexpected opportunities, such as a newly discovered 

comet. The experimenter usually retrieves the equipment after the flight so that novel instruments can be 

tested, improved, and flown again. Suborbital flights are important for training the next generation of 

scientists and engineers to maintain U.S. leadership in STEM. The project also supports small 

experiments to be flown on the ISS, laboratory astrophysics, and limited ground-based observations. 

The Astrophysics Theory program element solicits basic theory investigations needed to interpret data 

from NASA’s space astrophysics missions and to develop the scientific basis for future missions. 

Astrophysics Theory topics include the formation of stars and planets, supernova explosions and gammaray bursts, the birth of galaxies, dark matter, dark energy, and the cosmic microwave background. 

The Exoplanet Research program element solicits observations to detect and characterize planets around 

other stars, and their origins. 

The Nancy Grace Roman Technology Fellowship develops early career researchers, who could lead 

future flight instruments and missions. Initially, NASA selects fellows for one year, during which they 

conduct preliminary work and develop a detailed plan. NASA then selects a subset of fellows for a fouryear award to complete the investigation. 

The NASA CREAM experiment is a former balloon payload that is operating on the ISS for a mission 

duration of up to three years. The science goal of the CREAM payload is to extend the energy reach of 

direct measurements of cosmic rays to the highest energy possible to probe their origin, acceleration, and 

propagation. The long exposure provided by the ISS above the atmosphere offers more than an order of 

magnitude improvement in data, yielding much greater statistical accuracy and lower background noise. 

The University of Maryland in College Park leads the CREAM mission with international collaboration 

teams from the United States, South Korea, Mexico, and France. 

SMD STEM ACTIVITIES

The FY 2017 budget supports the restructured science education effort resulting from last year’s 

competition, which transitioned from a mission-based education focus to a science discipline focus, 

consistent with what schools across the Nation teach. During FY 2017, new cooperative agreement 

awardees will enable scientists and engineers to engage with learners of all ages, supporting the goals of 

the Federal STEM Education 5-Year Strategic Plan. This restructured education program will reduce 

fragmentation and will be evaluated to allow for a more streamlined and effective implementation of 

SMD education efforts. It also will provide a return on the U.S. taxpayer’s investment in NASA’s 

scientific research, effectively and efficiently linking NASA science exploration of our home planet, the 

solar system, and the universe beyond with educational environments. 

BALLOON PROJECT

The Balloon project offers inexpensive, high-altitude flight opportunities for scientists to conduct research 

and test new technologies before space flight application. Balloon experiments cover a wide range of 

disciplines in astrophysics, solar physics, heliospheric physics, and Earth upper-atmosphere chemistry as 

well as selected planetary science, such as comet observations. Observations from balloons have even 

detected echoes of the Big Bang and probed the earliest galaxies. The Balloon project continues to 

increase balloon size and enhance capabilities, including an accurate pointing system to allow high-
Science: Astrophysics 

ASTROPHYSICS RESEARCH

ASTRO-6 

quality astronomical imaging and a SPB that maintains the balloon’s integrity at a high altitude to allow 

much longer flights at mid-latitudes that include nighttime viewing of astronomical objects. 

Program Schedule 

The program issues solicitations every year. A Senior Review process assesses all missions in the 

extended operations phase every two years, and all data archives every three or four years. 

Date Significant Event 

Feb 2015 NASA Research Announcement (NRA) Solicitation 

Apr 2015 Senior Review Data Archives 

Feb 2016 NRA Solicitation 

Mar 2016 Senior Review Operating Missions 

Feb 2017 NRA Solicitation 

Feb 2018 NRA Solicitation 

Mar 2018 Senior Review Operating Missions 

Apr 2019 Senior Review Data Archives 

Mar 2020 Senior Review Operating Missions 

Program Management & Commitments 

Program Element Provider 

Research and Analysis Project 

Provider: All NASA Centers 

Lead Center: Headquarters (HQ) 

Performing Center(s): All 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

Balloon Project 

Provider: Wallops Flight Facility (WFF) 

Lead Center: WFF 

Performing Center(s): WFF, HQ 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 
Science: Astrophysics 

ASTROPHYSICS RESEARCH

ASTRO-7 

Acquisition Strategy 

NASA issues solicitations for competed research awards each February through ROSES. Panels of 

scientists conduct peer reviews on all proposals. A Senior Review process reviews all missions in 

extended operations phase every two years, and all data archives every three or four years. 

MAJOR CONTRACTS/AWARDS

Element Vendor Location (of work performance) 

Balloon Management 

Operation of the Columbia 

Scientific Balloon Facility (CSBF) 

in Palestine, TX 

Orbital-ATK 

Palestine, TX and other balloon 

launch sites 

INDEPENDENT REVIEWS

Review 

Type Performer Date of 

Review Purpose Outcome Next 

Review 

Quality Archives Senior 

Review Panel 2015 

A comparative 

evaluation of 

Astrophysics data 

archives 

Recommended 

improvements in 

archives 

2019

Quality 

Astrophysics 

Research Program 

Review Panel 

2011 Review of competed 

research projects 

Panel praised scope 

and impact of 

programs 

TBD 

Quality Mission Senior 

Review Panel 2014 

A comparative 

evaluation of 

Astrophysics 

operating missions 

Ranking of missions, 

citing strengths and 

weaknesses 

2016, 2018, 

2020
Science: Astrophysics: Astrophysics Research 

OTHER MISSIONS AND DATA ANALYSIS

ASTRO-8 

FY 2017 Budget 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) 

Actual 

FY 2015 

Enacted 

FY 2016 

Request

FY 2017 

Notional 

FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Astrophysics Directed R&T 0.0 -- 3.7 0.2 8.4 26.4 28.1 

Contract Administration, Audit & Quality 

Assurance Services 15.0 -- 14.9 15.0 15.0 15.1 15.1 

Astrophysics Senior Review 0.0 -- 37.4 49.3 40.5 33.6 34.0 

Astrophysics Data Program 17.0 -- 17.6 17.6 17.6 17.6 17.6 

Astrophysics Data Curation and Archival 

Research 18.6 -- 17.8 18.8 18.9 18.9 18.9 

Total Budget 50.6 -- 91.4 101.0 100.3 111.6 113.6 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. FY 

2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

 

Launch of the Cosmic Infrared Background ExpeRiment 

(CIBER) sounding rocket mission from WFF in June 2013 

to measure the light of the earliest stars and galaxies. 

Recently, CIBER detected a surprising surplus of infrared 

light in the dark space between galaxies, a diffuse cosmic 

glow as bright as all known galaxies combined.. 

The Astrophysics Research program prepares for 

the next generation of missions through both 

theoretical research and applied technology 

investigations. This program uses data from 

current missions and suborbital science 

investigations to advance NASA’s science goals. 

One of these goals is to create new knowledge as 

explorers of the universe, and to use that 

knowledge for the benefit of all humankind. 

Mission Planning and Other 

Projects 

DIRECTED RESEARCH AND 

TECHNOLOGY 

This project funds the civil service staff that will 

work on emerging Astrophysics projects, instruments, and research. 

CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION, AUDIT, AND QUALITY ASSURANCE SERVICES

This project provides critical safety and mission product inspections and contract audit services from the 

Defense Contract Management Agency and Defense Contract Audit Agency, respectively. It also 

provides for contract assurance audits, assessments, and surveillance by the NASA Contract Assurance 

Services Program. 
Science: Astrophysics: Astrophysics Research 

OTHER MISSIONS AND DATA ANALYSIS

ASTRO-9 

ASTROPHYSICS SENIOR REVIEW 

The Astrophysics Senior Review project enables extension of the life of current operating missions. Every 

other year, the Astrophysics division conducts a senior review to do comparative evaluations of all 

operating missions that have successfully completed or are about to complete their prime mission 

operation phase. The senior review ratings help NASA determine which missions will receive funding for 

extended operations. The next senior review will take place in spring 2016. 

ASTROPHYSICS DATA ANALYSIS PROGRAM (ADAP)

The Astrophysics Data Analysis Program (ADAP) solicits research that emphasizes the analysis of NASA 

space astrophysics data archived in the public domain at one of NASA’s Astrophysics Data Centers. The 

size and scope of the archival astronomical data available to ADAP researchers grew dramatically. This 

increase included data obtained from such major strategic missions as Spitzer and Kepler. In the coming 

years, the budget will ensure continued, effective use of this scientific resource as data holdings continue 

to grow from current operating missions, such as Kepler, Fermi, Hubble, Chandra, and the Stratospheric 

Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA). 

Recent Achievements 

The number of proposals submitted to ADAP has tripled over the last several years, reflecting a dramatic 

increase in demand for data from NASA’s space astrophysics missions. The research programs supported 

under the ADAP typically combine data from multiple NASA space astrophysics missions and span a 

broad range of wavelengths. The multi-mission, multi-wavelength nature of these investigations enables 

unique science and plays a crucial role in realizing the full scientific potential of NASA’s missions. In 

2015, the program received 249 compliant proposals in response to its annual solicitation. Of those, 

NASA selected 51 proposals, spanning the field of astrophysics and exploiting the full range of NASA’s 

archival data holdings for funding. 

ASTROPHYSICS DATA CURATION AND ARCHIVAL RESEARCH (ADCAR) 

The Astrophysics Data Centers constitute an ensemble of archives that receives processed data from 

individual missions and makes them accessible to the scientific community. After the completion of a 

mission, the relevant, active, multi-mission archive takes over all data archiving activities. Astrophysics 

Data Curation and Archival Research (ADCAR) covers the activities of the Astrophysics Data Centers 

and NASA’s participation in the Virtual Astronomical Observatory. 

Recent Achievements 

The Astrophysics Data Centers are tackling challenges and opportunities presented by a tremendous 

growth of content. In addition, all the Data Centers are collaborating effectively to establish and operate 

an integrated infrastructure leading to a NASA Astronomical Virtual Observatory (NAVO). In FY 2015, 

the Astrophysics Data System Project has expanded its full-text coverage to over 4 million scholarly 

papers and 80 million citations. The Space Telescope archive had nearly 60 million database searches and 

delivered nearly 247 terabytes of data to the astronomical community and the public; more than 2,300 

scientific publications used the data. New products included the release of the gPhoton interface for 

Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX) data, Version 1.0 of the Hubble Source Catalog, and community 

contributed high-level science products. The High Energy Astrophysics Science Archive Center has 
Science: Astrophysics: Astrophysics Research 

OTHER MISSIONS AND DATA ANALYSIS

ASTRO-10 

released a major new version of its mission-independent data analysis tool, HEASoft. This version adds 

extensive scripting support to its cloud-based data analysis environment, enabling astronomers to 

undertake sophisticated automated analyses of large datasets, even full mission archives. The Infrared 

Science Archive (IRSA) responded to over 13 million user queries in FY 2015, the most in its history. In 

FY 2015, IRSA upgraded the service to support the powerful Virtual Observatory Table Access Protocol. 

IRSA data releases included the first year of data from the Near Earth Object Wide-field Infrared Survey 

Explorer (NEOWISE) reactivation; the second all-sky Planck public release; and newly processed largeformat mosaics of Two Micron All Sky Survey (2MASS) images. This year the NASA Extragalactic 

Database (NED) project gathered and joined key information from about 4,000 new catalogs and journal 

articles. In FY 2015, NED responded to 59 million web queries, and more than 700 peerreviewed publications acknowledged use of NED, raising the total to 11,900 such citations to date 
Science: Astrophysics 

COSMIC ORIGINS 

ASTRO-11 

FY 2017 Budget 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) 

Actual 

FY 2015 

Enacted 

FY 2016 

Request

FY 2017 

Notional 

FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Hubble Space Telescope Operations 98.6 -- 97.3 98.3 98.3 98.3 98.3 

Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared 

Astronomy (SOFIA) 70.0 -- 83.8 84.8 84.8 84.8 84.8 

Other Missions and Data Analysis 32.4 -- 17.4 15.3 14.2 12.4 26.4 

Total Budget 201.0 -- 198.5 198.4 197.3 195.5 209.5 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. FY 

2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

Hubble images of a vast debris disk encircling the nearby 

star Fomalhaut, and of a mysterious planet circling it, may 

provide forensic evidence of a titanic planetary disruption 

in the system. The latest Hubble images have allowed a 

team of astronomers to calculate that the planet follows an 

unusual elliptical orbit that carries it on a potentially 

destructive path through the vast dust ring. 

"How did we get here?” This simple but 

fundamental question drives the broad science 

objectives of NASA’s Cosmic Origins program. 

Our search for an answer raises underlying 

questions and topic areas, such as, how and 

when did the first stars and galaxies form? 

When did the universe first create the elements 

critical for life? How did galaxies evolve from 

the very first systems to the types we observe 

“in the here and now,” such as the Milky Way in 

which we live? How do stars and planetary 

systems form and change over time? 

No individual space observatory or airborne 

observatory can completely address all of these 

questions, but in partnership, they can begin to 

unravel the answers. Currently operating 

facilities in the Cosmic Origins program are the 

Hubble Space Telescope, Spitzer Space 

Telescope, and SOFIA. Working collectively 

across a wide swath of wavelengths, from the 

far-ultraviolet through the far-infrared and submillimeter, these observatories create a 

comprehensive web of information and data that 

spans both the electromagnetic spectrum and time itself. 

For more information, see: http://cor.gsfc.nasa.gov/. 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017

The budget reflects ongoing support for the Hubble Space telescope and the SOFIA project. 
Science: Astrophysics: Cosmic Origins 

HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE OPERATIONS 

Formulation Development Operations 

ASTRO-12 

FY 2017 Budget 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) 

Actual 

FY 2015 

Enacted 

FY 2016 

Request

FY 2017 

Notional 

FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Total Budget 98.6 -- 97.3 98.3 98.3 98.3 98.3 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. FY 

2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

When galaxies group together in massive clusters, some of 

them can be ripped apart by the gravitational tug of other 

galaxies. Astronomers using the Hubble Space Telescope 

to probe the massive galaxy cluster Abell 2744, nicknamed 

Pandora’s Cluster, have found forensic evidence of 

galaxies torn apart long ago in the form of a phantom-like 

faint glow, filling the space between the galaxies. This glow 

comes from stars scattered into intergalactic space because 

of a galaxy’s disintegration.

One of NASA’s most successful and longlasting science missions, the Hubble Space 

Telescope, has beamed hundreds of thousands of 

images back to Earth, helping resolve many of 

the great mysteries of astronomy. The telescope 

helped scientists determine the age of the 

universe, the identity of quasars, and the 

existence of dark energy. Hubble launched in 

1990 and is currently in an extended operations 

phase. The fourth servicing mission by a Space 

Shuttle crew, completed in 2009, added new 

batteries, gyroscopes, and instruments to extend 

Hubble’s life even further into the future. 

April 24, 2015, marked the start of Hubble’s 

25th year in orbit. The observatory is currently 

in its most scientifically productive period. 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES 

IN FY 2017 

None. 

ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2015

Scientists using Hubble have produced new 

global maps of Jupiter. These maps are the first 

in a series of annual portraits of the solar 

system’s outer planets from the Outer Planet Atmospheres Legacy program. Hubble observations 

confirmed that Jupiter’s Great Red Spot weather system continues to shrink and become more circular. 

The collection of maps to be obtained over time will not only help scientists understand the atmospheres 

of giant planets in our solar system but also the atmospheres of planets orbiting other stars. 
Science: Astrophysics: Cosmic Origins 

HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE OPERATIONS 

Formulation Development Operations 

ASTRO-13 

WORK IN PROGRESS IN FY 2016 

In FY 2016 and beyond, NASA will support mission operations, systems engineering, software 

maintenance, ground systems support, and guest-observer science grants. Work continues on mission life 

extension initiatives, such as optimizing the use of Hubble’s gyroscopes. Hubble will participate in the 

Astrophysics Senior Review of Operating Missions in spring 2016. 

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS PLANNED FOR FY 2017 

The Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI), which manages Hubble’s science program, will select 

Cycle 25 science observations. Similar to other recent competitions for Hubble observing time, NASA 

expects requested observational orbits to outnumber the available orbits by a factor of six to one, 

indicating that Hubble remains one of the world’s preeminent astronomical observatories. 

Project Schedule 

Date Significant Event 

Jun 2016 Announcement of Selected Cycle 24 Investigations 

Dec 2016 Release of Cycle 25 Call for Proposals 

Project Management & Commitments 

Element Description Provider Details 

Change from 

Formulation 

Agreement 

Observatory 

Operation 

Provides safe and efficient 

control and utilization of 

Hubble, maintenance and 

operation of its facilities and 

equipment, as well as 

creation, maintenance, and 

utilization of Hubble 

operations processes and 

procedures 

Provider: Lockheed Martin 

Lead Center: GSFC 

Performing Center(s): GSFC 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

N/A 
Science: Astrophysics: Cosmic Origins 

HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE OPERATIONS 

Formulation Development Operations 

ASTRO-14 

Element Description Provider Details 

Change from 

Formulation 

Agreement 

Science 

Management 

Evaluates proposals for 

telescope time and manages 

the science program 

Provider: STScI/Association of 

Universities for Research in Astronomy 

(AURA) 

Lead Center: GSFC 

Performing Center(s): GSFC 

Cost Share Partner(s): European Space 

Agency (ESA) 

N/A 

Acquisition Strategy 

NASA competes all new Hubble research opportunities.

MAJOR CONTRACTS/AWARDS

Element Vendor Location (of work performance) 

Observatory Operation Lockheed Martin Littleton, CO 

Science Management STScI/AURA Baltimore, MD 

INDEPENDENT REVIEWS

Review 

Type Performer Date of 

Review Purpose Outcome Next 

Review 

Performance 

Senior Review 2016 

Evaluate efficiency 

and productivity of 

Hubble operations 

Maximize Hubble 

science return and 

reliability within 

available resources 

2018, 2020, 

2022 
Science: Astrophysics: Cosmic Origins 

STRATOSPHERIC OBSERVATORY FOR INFRARED ASTRONOMY 

(SOFIA)

Formulation Development Operations 

ASTRO-15 

FY 2017 Budget 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) 

Actual 

FY 2015 

Enacted 

FY 2016 

Request

FY 2017 

Notional 

FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Total Budget 70.0 -- 83.8 84.8 84.8 84.8 84.8 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. FY 

2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

Dust plays a surprisingly important role in the universe by 

providing meeting places for atoms to form key molecules 

and by radiating heat from collapsing clouds to aid in star 

formation. SOFIA’s detection of dust (white lines) having 

survived the reverse-shock in a supernova remnant 

affirmatively answered the question regarding whether 

supernovas are the factories of the very first dust grains in 

the universe. 

SOFIA is an airborne astronomical observatory 

that provides the international research 

community with access to infrared data 

unattainable from both ground-based and space 

telescopes. The images, spectra and polarimetry 

have significant scientific value due to their 

coverage of mid- to far-infrared wavelengths. 

SOFIA investigates the cycle of material in the 

universe by peering through veils of dust to 

reveal physical phenomena hidden at other 

wavelengths. These wavelengths are key to 

unlocking questions regarding: 

 the earliest phases of star birth; 

 the formation of new planetary systems 

and implications for life-supporting conditions; 

 dust grain production; 

 space chemistries of life-sustaining 

molecules like water; 

 the composition of comets and asteroids, 

which are ancient relics from our own solar 

system and provide clues to its beginnings; and 

 physical properties of planets both near 

and far (exoplanets), which provide context in 

understanding the habitability of our own Earth. 

SOFIA officially entered the operations phase in May 2014. 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017

NASA intends for SOFIA to participate in the 2018 Astrophysics Senior Review. 
Science: Astrophysics: Cosmic Origins 

STRATOSPHERIC OBSERVATORY FOR INFRARED ASTRONOMY 

(SOFIA)

Formulation Development Operations 

ASTRO-16 

ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2015

Researchers used SOFIA to solve a long-standing question regarding the origin of dust in the early 

universe, by detecting dust that survived a reverse-shock in a supernova remnant. This detection 

demonstrated that supernovas indeed produce more dust than they destroy, and are therefore the first dust 

factories. In another investigation, SOFIA observations of newly formed Sun-like stars indicated that their 

formation had taken a much longer time than expected, suggesting factors that inhibit star formation were 

at play. Another study performed a highly coordinated observation of a Pluto occultation, providing 

nearly simultaneous and synergetic data with the New Horizons flyby of Pluto. 

Germany completed the heavy maintenance of the SOFIA aircraft in November 2014. SOFIA completed 

Cycle 2 observations in FY 2015. In mid-June through July 2015, NASA conducted a six-week 

deployment to the Southern Hemisphere to observe astronomical objects that are not visible in the skies 

from SOFIA’s home base in California. Three new science instruments completed commissioning flights 

and began providing data to investigators: Echelon-Cross-Echelle Spectrograph, Far Infrared FieldImaging Line Spectrometer, and Upgraded German REceiver for Astronomy at Terahertz Frequencies 

(upGREAT). 

WORK IN PROGRESS IN FY 2016 

SOFIA is nearing the completion of Cycle 3 observations in FY 2016, with the start of Cycle 4 

observations planned for March 2016. The project will commission a second new observing mode of 

upGREAT, a second-generation science instrument, in December 2015. NASA plans interim baseline 

commissioning and science observations using the High-resolution Airborne Wideband Camera 

(HAWC+), the remaining second-generation instrument, in mid-FY 2016. The procurement of a thirdgeneration science instrument is underway, with the selection of a proposed, competed instrument 

concept, planned for FY 2016. The SOFIA Science Operations contract will be re-competed this year. A 

request for proposal is under preparation now and NASA will release it in FY 2016. 

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS PLANNED FOR FY 2017 

SOFIA will begin to conduct Cycle 5 observations in FY 2017, following a competed selection process. 

Cycle 5 will include a Southern Hemisphere deployment involving a suite of science instruments that 

optimizes science demand. The development phase for the selected third-generation science instrument 

will begin in FY 2017. SOFIA will award a new primary contract for its Science Mission Operations in 

FY 2017. 
Science: Astrophysics: Cosmic Origins 

STRATOSPHERIC OBSERVATORY FOR INFRARED ASTRONOMY 

(SOFIA)

Formulation Development Operations 

ASTRO-17 

Project Schedule 

Date Significant Event 

Apr 2016 Release of Cycle 5 Call for Proposals 

Oct 2016 Announcement of Selected Cycle 5 Investigations 

Project Management & Commitments 

The Ames Research Center (ARC) manages SOFIA. 

Element Description Provider Details 

Change from 

Formulation 

Agreement 

Science 

Operations 

Center 

Science Operations Center 

will solicit and select new 

investigations, schedule 

observations, and manage 

data acquisition and 

processing 

Provider: ARC/Universities Space 

Research Association (USRA) 

Lead Center: ARC 

Performing Center(s): ARC 

Cost Share Partner(s): German 

Aerospace Center (DLR)/Deutsches 

SOFIA Institute (DSI) 

N/A 

Flight 

Operations 

Flight crew, maintenance, and 

fuel 

Provider: Armstrong Flight Research 

Center (AFRC)/Computer Sciences 

Corporation (CSC) DynCorp 

Lead Center: AFRC 

Performing Center(s): AFRC 

Cost Share Partner(s): DLR/DSI 

N/A 

Upgraded 

HAWC+ 

HAWC+ far-infrared camera 

to be upgraded with the 

addition of polarimetry 

capability and new state of the 

art detectors 

Provider: Jet Propulsion Laboratory 

(JPL), GSFC 

Lead Center: ARC 

Performing Center(s): JPL, GSFC 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

N/A 

SOFIA Program 

Management 

Program management 

functions transferred ARC as lead Center Yes
Science: Astrophysics: Cosmic Origins 

STRATOSPHERIC OBSERVATORY FOR INFRARED ASTRONOMY 

(SOFIA)

Formulation Development Operations 

ASTRO-18 

Acquisition Strategy 

The project has awarded all major contracts. 

MAJOR CONTRACTS/AWARDS

Element Vendor Location (of work performance) 

Platform L3 Communications Palmdale, CA 

Cavity Door Drive System Woodward MPC Skokie, IL 

Aircraft Maintenance Support L3 Vertex Aerospace (under AFRC 

shared service contract) Palmdale, CA 

Review 

Type Performer Date of 

Review Purpose Outcome Next 

Review 

Program 

Transition 

Readiness 

Review 

(PTRR) 

Standing Review 

Board (SRB) Jul 2015 

Assess the readiness 

of the program to 

transition the 

management from 

AFRC to ARC 

Transition completed 

on Oct 1, 2015 N/A 

Quality Mission Senior 

Review N/A 

Evaluate operations 

efficiency, merit of 

science case, and 

scientific 

productivity 

Ranking of SOFIA 

science return and 

reliability within 

available resources 

2018 

INDEPENDENT REVIEWS
Science: Astrophysics: Cosmic Origins 

OTHER MISSIONS AND DATA ANALYSIS

ASTRO-19 

FY 2017 Budget 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) 

Actual 

FY 2015 

Enacted 

FY 2016 

Request

FY 2017 

Notional 

FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Cosmic Origins Program Management 2.6 -- 2.5 2.9 2.9 2.9 2.9 

Cosmic Origins SR&T 8.8 -- 9.3 10.9 9.8 8.0 22.0 

Cosmic Origins Future Missions 1.2 -- 1.1 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 

SIRTF/Spitzer 14.6 -- 3.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 

Herschel 5.1 -- 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 

Total Budget 32.4 -- 17.4 15.3 14.2 12.4 26.4 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. FY 

2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

 

New images of huge filamentary structures of gas and 

dust from the Herschel space observatory reveal the 

distribution of matter across our Milky Way galaxy. Long 

and flimsy threads emerge from a twisted mix of material, 

taking on complex shapes. This image shows a filament 

called G49, which contains 80,000 Suns’ worth of mass. 

This huge but slender structure of gas and dust extends 

about 280 light years in length, while its diameter is only 

about five light years across. In the densest and coolest 

clumps, which appear red, the seeds of new generations of 

stars are taking shape.

Other Missions and Data Analysis supports the 

Spitzer Space Telescope, the scientific 

applications of which continue to expand, as well 

as NASA’s partnership with ESA on the 

Herschel mission. Spitzer determined the mass 

and age of the youngest known galaxies, seen as 

they were when the universe was one-tenth or 

less of its current size and age. Herschel has 

shown that our galaxy contains abundant 

filamentary structures on length scales from a 

few light years to many hundreds. The science 

team expects many more discoveries over the 

next several years as they analyze data from both 

observatories. 

Mission Planning and Other 

Projects 

COSMIC ORIGINS PROGRAM 

MANAGEMENT

Cosmic Origins (COR) program management 

provides programmatic, technical, and business 

management, as well as program science 

leadership. 
Science: Astrophysics: Cosmic Origins 

OTHER MISSIONS AND DATA ANALYSIS

ASTRO-20 

Recent Achievements 

The COR program office conducted an updated analysis of Hubble disposal timing and requirements. The 

program office verified a drift rate analysis of the telescope at lower altitudes and monitored relevant 

technologies. Under the current solar cycle conditions, the study concluded that the worst-case scenario 

for Hubble re-entry into the atmosphere is no earlier than FY 2027, and is most likely to occur around FY 

2036. 

COSMIC ORIGINS STRATEGIC RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY (SR&T) 

COR Strategic Research and Technology (SR&T) supports program-specific research and advanced 

technology development efforts, such as the Strategic Astrophysics Technology solicitation issued in FY 

2014. In addition, funding supports the study of a future ultraviolet/optical space capability. 

Recent Achievements 

The COR program released its updated Program Annual Technology Report. This report summarizes the 

status of technology development funded by the program in prior years and in FY 2015. This report 

describes the prioritization of future technology needs. 

A copy of the report is available at http://cor.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/2015CORPATRRev1.pdf.

COSMIC ORIGINS FUTURE MISSIONS

COR Future Missions funding supports studies of future mission concepts. 

Recent Achievements 

The program is engaging with the scientific community to lay the groundwork to mature mission concept 

studies and technology development that will eventually provide inputs to the 2020 Astronomy and 

Astrophysics Decadal Survey. 

Operating Missions 

SPITZER

The Spitzer Space Telescope, launched in 2003 as the final element of NASA’s series of Great 

Observatories, is now in extended operations. Spitzer is an infrared telescope that uses two channels of 

the Infrared Array Camera instrument to study exoplanet atmospheres, early clusters of galaxies, nearEarth asteroids, and a broad range of other phenomena. Spitzer completed its cryogenic mission in FY 

2009, and extended warm operations through FY 2014. NASA accepted the 2014 Senior Review of 

Operating Missions recommendation to continue Spitzer operations through FY 2016. 

Recent Achievements 

Astronomers using Spitzer observed a wide range of objects from within the solar system to the distant 

regions of the universe. Spitzer detected the transit of the innermost of four planets that orbit the nearby 
Science: Astrophysics: Cosmic Origins 

OTHER MISSIONS AND DATA ANALYSIS

ASTRO-21 

star HD 219134. Scientists estimate the planet’s mass and radius to be about 4.5 times the mass of Earth 

and 1.6 times the radius of Earth. HD 219134b is the nearest known rocky exoplanet. The Spitzer mission 

and the ground-based Optical Gravitational Lensing Experiment (OGLE) both observed a microlensing 

event involving two stars, with the more distant, lensed star having a planetary companion. Because of the 

large spatial separation between Spitzer and Earth, Spitzer saw the event 20 days earlier than OGLE. The 

time delay led to an estimated distance of 13,000 light years to the lensed star-planet system, making the 

planet one of the most distant exoplanets known. Based on the results of this pilot project, all of June 

2015 was dedicated to microlensing observations, coordinated with ground-based surveys. Spitzer 

discovered a giant galaxy at the heart of a massive galaxy cluster, named SpARCS 1049+56 that is 

forming new stars at an incredible rate: about 800 new stars per year. This is surprising because usually 

galaxies at the centers of clusters are made of stellar fossils, which are old, red, or dead stars. Scientists 

believe the increased activity is from a recently swallowed gas-rich galaxy, a first observation of such a 

merger at the center of a galaxy cluster. Spitzer observations combined with data from Hubble and the 

Keck telescope have precisely measured the distance of the furthest galaxy discovered to date. The age of 

galaxy EGS-zs8-1 is only 670 million years after the Big Bang and it is already very massive for its age, 

containing as much as 15 percent of the mass of Milky Way galaxy. 

HERSCHEL

The Herschel Space Observatory is a collaborative mission with ESA that launched on May 14, 2009. 

Herschel can detect the coldest and dustiest objects in space, such as cool cocoons where stars form and 

dusty galaxies bulk up with new stars. Herschel has the largest single mirror ever built for a space 

telescope and collects long wavelength radiation from some of the coldest and most distant objects in the 

universe. NASA contributed key technologies to two instruments onboard Herschel, and hosts U.S. 

astronomer access to data through the NASA Herschel Science Center. Herschel’s onboard supply of 

helium expired in the middle of FY 2013, and the focus of the mission turned to analysis of the vast stores 

of data already obtained. 

Recent Achievements 

Although the Herschel Space Observatory ended astronomical observations upon cryogen exhaustion on 

April 29, 2013, the NASA Herschel Science Center continues development of data analysis software in 

collaboration with the ESA Herschel Science Center. The NASA Herschel Science Center continues to 

host activities that inform the Herschel Space Observatory user community on data analysis techniques 

and the use of the science mission archives. Herschel data uncovered extreme star formation rates in the 

core of distant galaxy clusters, previously thought to have been otherwise devoid of new stars. Another 

recent result from Herschel data analysis has provided proof that the strong winds blown by a 

supermassive black hole at the center of a galaxy can quench its star formation. In FY 2015, Herschel and 

Planck received the Space Systems Award from the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics 

for “outstanding scientific achievements recognized by the worldwide scientific community and for 

outstanding technical performances of the two satellites.”
Science: Astrophysics 

PHYSICS OF THE COSMOS 

ASTRO-22 

FY 2017 Budget 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) 

Actual 

FY 2015 

Enacted 

FY 2016 

Request

FY 2017 

Notional 

FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Other Missions and Data Analysis 104.1 -- 94.1 88.0 94.1 97.7 94.0 

Total Budget 104.1 -- 94.1 88.0 94.1 97.7 94.0 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. 

FY 2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

FY 2017 reflects discretionary and mandatory funding. Additional details on the mandatory funding can be found in 

the Explanation of Changes section.

Images of the galaxy Cygnus A shows the dramatic impact 

of a supermassive black hole on its surroundings. 

Relativistic jets of particles accelerate from the vicinity of 

black hole, and punch giant holes in hot gas, detected with 

NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory (blue). Radio data 

from the Very Large Array (red) reveal “hot spots” of 

light hundreds of thousands light years away from the 

center of the galaxy. Visible light data (yellow) from 

Hubble and Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) complete 

this view. Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/SAO; Optical: 

NASA/STScI; Radio: NSF/NRAO/AUI/VLA. 

The universe can be viewed as a laboratory that 

enables scientists to study some of the most 

profound questions at the intersection of physics 

and astronomy. How do matter, energy, space, 

and time behave under extreme gravity? What is 

the nature of dark energy and dark matter? How 

did the universe grow from the Big Bang to its 

present size? The Physics of the Cosmos 

(PCOS) program incorporates cosmology, highenergy astrophysics, and fundamental physics 

projects that address central questions about the 

nature of complex astrophysical phenomena, 

such as black holes, neutron stars, dark matter 

and dark energy, cosmic microwave 

background, and gravitational waves. 

The operating missions within the PCOS 

program continue to provide answers to these

fundamental questions and more. Scientists 

using data from the Fermi mission are trying to 

determine what comprises dark matter and how 

black holes accelerate immense jets of material 

to nearly the speed of light. The Planck mission 

observed the earliest moments of the universe 

and provided a high-resolution map of the 

cosmic microwave background. The X-ray 

Multi-Mirror Mission (XMM-Newton) is 

helping scientists solve cosmic mysteries, including enigmatic massive black holes. The Chandra X-Ray 

Observatory mission continues to reveal new details of celestial X-ray phenomena, such as the collisions 

of clusters of galaxies that directly detect the presence of dark matter. It unveiled a population of faint, 

obscured, massive black holes that may provide the early seeds for galaxy formation and growth since the 

birth of the universe nearly 14 billion years ago. 
Science: Astrophysics 

PHYSICS OF THE COSMOS 

ASTRO-23 

PCOS includes a vigorous program to develop the technologies necessary for the next generation of space 

missions to address the science questions of this program. 

For more information, see: http://nasascience.nasa.gov/about-us/smd-programs/physics-of-the-cosmos. 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017

Mandatory Budget Authority -- -- 6.0 -- -- -- --

Notional 

FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Request 

FY 2017 

Enacted 

FY 2016 

Actual 

FY 2015 

 

(in $ millions) 

Physics of the Cosmos is supported in part with mandatory funding. The mandatory investment includes 

$6 million for PCOS SR&T. The PCOS SR&T increase is to prepare for the next generation of PCOS 

space missions and continue discussions with ESA on a partnership on their Large 2 (Athena) and Large 3 

(Gravitational Waves) missions. 

The budget for Euclid increased due to a delay in the ESA schedule and an increase in the cost of the 

U.S.-provided detectors. 
Science: Astrophysics: Physics of the Cosmos 

OTHER MISSIONS AND DATA ANALYSIS

ASTRO-24 

FY 2017 Budget 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) 

Actual 

FY 2015 

Enacted 

FY 2016 

Request

FY 2017 

Notional 

FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Physics of the Cosmos SR&T 12.0 -- 25.4 18.5 23.7 23.8 23.9 

Euclid 7.5 -- 12.9 7.5 7.7 9.9 6.1 

Physics of the Cosmos Program 

Management 3.0 -- 2.9 3.2 3.2 3.2 3.2 

Physics of the Cosmos Future Missions 0.1 -- 0.5 2.1 2.1 2.5 2.5 

Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope 16.9 -- 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 

Chandra X-Ray Observatory 55.6 -- 52.4 56.7 57.4 58.4 58.4 

XMM 2.9 -- 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 

Planck 6.0 -- 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 

Total Budget 104.1 -- 94.1 88.0 94.1 97.7 94.0 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. FY 

2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

The Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) 

Pathfinder mission undergoes preparations ahead of its 

launch from Kourou, French Guiana. NASA is 

contributing the Space Technology (ST) 7, which will use 

precision microthrusters to demonstrate that a solid body 

can float freely in space completely undisturbed. Credit: 

ESA-CNES-Arianespace/Optique. 

Other Missions and Data Analysis supports 

PCOS SR&T, PCOS Program Management, 

PCOS Future Missions, Euclid, Fermi, Chandra, 

XMM-Newton, and Planck. 

Mission Planning and Other 

Projects 

PCOS SUPPORTING RESEARCH AND 

TECHNOLOGY

PCOS Supporting Research and Technology 

includes Einstein Fellowships and strategic 

technology development efforts, to prepare for 

the next generation of PCOS space missions and 

continue discussions with ESA on a partnership 

on their Large 2 (Athena) and Large 3 

(Gravitational Waves) missions with a goal to 

define the partnerships. The Space Technology 

(ST) 7 project launched on the ESA LISA Pathfinder mission in December 2015. NASA contributed 

enhanced thrusters that will apply thrust equivalent to the weight of a single grain of sand, and are a key 

component of the LISA Pathfinder gravitational technology demonstration experiment. 
Science: Astrophysics: Physics of the Cosmos 

OTHER MISSIONS AND DATA ANALYSIS

ASTRO-25 

Recent Achievements 

The PCOS program released its updated Program Annual Technology Report. This report summarizes the 

status of technology development funded by the program in FY 2015 and describes the prioritization of 

future technology needs. 

A copy of the report is at: http://pcos.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/2015PCOSPATRRev1.pdf. 

EUCLID

NASA is collaborating on Euclid, an ESA mission, selected as part of ESA’s Cosmic Visions program in 

June 2012 and scheduled for launch in 2020. Euclid seeks to investigate the accelerated expansion of the 

universe, the so-called “dark energy,” using a Visible Instrument and a Near Infrared Spectrometer and 

Photometer instrument, as well as ground-based data. The Euclid Consortium, comprised of over 1,200 

scientists and engineers from over 50 institutes in Europe, the United States, and Canada, is responsible 

for development of the two instruments and the Science Data Centers. NASA contributes flight detector 

subsystems for the Near Infrared Spectrometer and Photometer instrument, and a NASA Euclid Science 

Center that forms part of the Euclid Science Ground System. In exchange, NASA receives membership in 

the Euclid Science Team and Consortium, and competed science opportunities for U.S. investigators. 

Recent Achievements 

NASA signed a contract with Teledyne in January 2015 to provide flight detectors for the Euclid mission. 

PCOS PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

PCOS program management provides programmatic, technical, and business management, as well as 

program science leadership. 

Recent Achievements 

The NASA Astrophysics Division (APD) is pursuing a partnership with ESA on their Large 2 mission, 

Athena, an X-ray observatory dedicated to high-resolution spectroscopy. The details of the contribution 

are still under discussion. PCOS is leading the management of this contribution. 

APD is also pursuing a partnership with ESA on their Large 3 mission concept, a Gravitational Wave 

observatory, by assembling a Community Science Team to define options for NASA contributions. 

NASA will solicit membership for the Community Science Team in an open call in 2016. 

PCOS FUTURE MISSIONS

PCOS Future Missions funding supports concept studies of future missions. 

Recent Achievements 

The PCOS program is engaging with the scientific community to lay the groundwork for design studies 

and technology development that will eventually provide inputs to the 2020 Astronomy and Astrophysics 

Decadal Survey. 
Science: Astrophysics: Physics of the Cosmos 

OTHER MISSIONS AND DATA ANALYSIS

ASTRO-26 

Operating Missions 

FERMI

The Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope explores extreme environments in the universe, from black holes 

to gamma ray bursts, to expand knowledge of their high-energy properties. Fermi data are answering 

long-standing questions across a broad range of topics, including solar flares, the origin of cosmic rays, 

and the nature of dark matter. Fermi, a NASA mission with strong international and Department of 

Energy involvement, launched in June 2008. Fermi entered extended mission operations in August 2013. 

Recent Achievements

Recent notable accomplishments by Fermi include the identification of classical novae as gamma-ray 

sources, the detection of a record-setting gamma-ray flare and rapid flare variability in the blazar 3C 279 

(a galaxy whose high-energy activity is powered by a central supermassive black hole), and the discovery 

of the first extragalactic gamma-ray pulsar. The project released the third Fermi Large Area Telescope 

source catalog in 2015, containing 3,033 sources, as well as the Pass 8 version of the Fermi Large Area 

Telescope data, embodying many improvements that will significantly enhance Fermi science. 

CHANDRA

Launched in 1999, Chandra is transforming our view of the universe with its high quality X-ray images, 

providing unique insights into violent events and extreme conditions such as explosions of stars, 

collisions of galaxies, and matter around black holes. Chandra enables observations of clusters of galaxies 

that provide direct evidence of the existence of dark matter, and greatly strengthens the case for the 

existence of dark energy. Chandra observations of the remains of exploded stars, or supernovas, have 

advanced our understanding of the behavior of matter and energy under extreme conditions. Chandra also 

discovered and studied hundreds of supermassive black holes in the centers of distant galaxies. Chandra 

will be included in the Astrophysics Senior Review of Operating Missions in spring 2016. 

Recent Achievements 

With its unique vision of some of the hottest and most energetic phenomena in the cosmos, Chandra 

delivered several outstanding results over the past year. In combination with NASA’s Swift Gamma-ray 

Burst Explorer and ESA/NASA’s XMM-Newton, Chandra collected different pieces of an astronomical 

puzzle when a black hole in the galaxy PGC 043234 tore apart and destroyed a star as it came too close to 

the black hole. The close encounter produced copious amounts of X-rays, which advanced our 

understanding of the structure and evolution of tidal disruption events and the effects of extreme gravity. 

Chandra made an unexpected discovery of the largest X-ray flare ever detected from the supermassive 

black hole at the center of the Milky Way galaxy, called Sagittarius A*. This “megaflare” was nearly 200

times brighter than the previous brightest X-ray flare from Sagittarius A*, and the brightest outburst 

observed over the last 15 years. Chandra has also helped identified the smallest supermassive black hole 

ever detected in the center of a galaxy. The black hole at the center of the galaxy RGG 118 is less than 

half the mass of the previous smallest black hole at the center of a galaxy, and about 100 times less 

massive than the supermassive black hole found in the center of the Milky Way. 

Observations with Chandra also showed that a fast-moving pulsar appears to have punched a hole in a 

disk of gas around its companion star and launched a fragment of the disk outward at a speed of about 40 
Science: Astrophysics: Physics of the Cosmos 

OTHER MISSIONS AND DATA ANALYSIS

ASTRO-27 

million miles per hour. The double star system B1259 contains a star about 30 times as massive as the 

Sun and a pulsar, an ultra-dense neutron star left behind when an even more massive star underwent a 

supernova explosion. As the pulsar makes its closest approach to the star every 41 months, it passes 

through this disk, knocking out parts of the disk. 

A study using Chandra also showed that the growth of galaxies containing supermassive black holes 

could slow due to a phenomenon referred to as cosmic precipitation. The study looked at some of the 

largest known galaxies lying in the middle of galaxy clusters. These galaxies exist within enormous 

atmospheres of hot gas. This hot gas should cool and many stars should then form. However, observations 

show that some of the gas is raining onto the supermassive black hole, triggering jets of energetic 

particles that push against the falling gas and reheat it, preventing more stars from forming. This cycle of 

cooling and heating creates a feedback loop that regulates the growth of the galaxies. 

X-RAY MULTI-MIRROR MISSION (XMM-NEWTON) 

XMM-Newton, an ESA-led mission with substantial NASA contributions, launched in December 1999. 

XMM-Newton provides unique data for studies of the fundamental processes of black holes and neutron 

stars. It studies the evolution of chemical elements in galaxy clusters and the distribution of dark matter in 

galaxy clusters and elliptical galaxies. 

Recent Achievements 

During the past year, XMM-Newton observations yielded a number of important new science results. In 

concert with Chandra, XMM-Newton has detected the last “cry” from a star that passed too close to the 

central black hole of its host galaxy and was being destroyed and ‘swallowed,’ a phenomenon known as a 

tidal disruption event. The study, based on the observations of X-rays emitted by leftover material from 

the star in the vicinity of the black hole, allowed astronomers to measure, for the first time, the physical 

properties of a newly formed accretion disc, enabling them to investigate the initial phases of such a 

powerful event. Recent observations of the galaxy cluster RXCJ2359.5-6042 with the XMM-Newton 

reveal evidence for an ongoing merger that strips the smaller system of much of its gas. A new mosaic 

image by XMM-Newton confirms powerful remnants of dead stars and their immense effect on the 

surrounding gas reveals some of the most intense processes taking place at the center of the Milky Way. 

Using data from XMM-Newton and Chandra, astronomers have discovered a bright X-ray light echo in 

the form of four well-defined rings around the neutron star. These rings are about 30,700 light years from 

Earth. XMM-Newton and the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) observations have 

revealed that the winds from supermassive black holes at the center of galaxies blast out in all directions, 

supporting the picture of black holes having a significant impact on star formation of their host galaxy. 

PLANCK

Planck’s objective is to analyze, with the highest accuracy ever achieved, the remnants of radiation that 

filled the universe immediately after the Big Bang. Planck enables scientists to address fundamental 

questions, such as the initial conditions for the evolution of the universe, the overall geometry of space, 

the rate at which the universe is expanding, and the nature and amount of the constituents of the universe. 

Planck, launched in May 2009, is an ESA-led telescope with substantial NASA contributions. In October 

2013, having already placed the spacecraft in its final heliocentric orbit, ESA ended mission operations. 
Science: Astrophysics: Physics of the Cosmos 

OTHER MISSIONS AND DATA ANALYSIS

ASTRO-28 

NASA accepted the 2014 Senior Review of Operating Missions recommendation to continue Planck data 

analysis and archival activities through FY 2016. 

Recent Achievements 

In FY 2015, the Planck team released its second catalog of compact sources, including polarization data 

for most of them, completing the 2015 archival data delivery. The team continues to submit scientific 

papers for publication in peer-reviewed journals. In September 2015, the team received the American 

Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Space Systems Award. 
Science: Astrophysics 

EXOPLANET EXPLORATION 

ASTRO-29 

FY 2017 Budget 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) 

Actual 

FY 2015 

Enacted 

FY 2016 

Request

FY 2017 

Notional 

FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Other Missions and Data Analysis 100.6 -- 133.8 148.0 309.3 373.3 450.8 

Total Budget 100.6 -- 133.8 148.0 309.3 373.3 450.8 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. FY 

2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

Two new exoplanets, Kepler 20e and 20f, are part of a 

five-planet system orbiting a sun-like star, similar to the 

artist’s rendering above. 

Humankind stands on the threshold of a voyage 

of unprecedented scope and ambition, promising 

insight into timeless questions: Are we alone? Is 

Earth unique, or are planets like ours common? 

One of the most exciting new fields of research 

within the NASA Astrophysics portfolio is the 

search for planets, particularly Earth-like 

planets, around other stars. 

Since the discovery of the first exoplanets in the 

mid-1990s, astronomers have discovered over 

1,900 planets orbiting stars of all shapes and 

sizes in our galaxy. At first, most of the planets 

discovered were so-called “Hot Jupiters”—gas 

giants similar in size to the planet Jupiter, but 

orbiting much closer to their parent stars. 

However, analysis of the complete Kepler data 

set suggests that smaller planets—with sizes in 

the Earth-to-Neptune range—are actually more common. Rocky planets in the habitable zone of their 

parent stars appear to be common. NASA’s Exoplanet Exploration program is advancing along a path of 

discovery leading to a point where scientists can directly study the atmospheres and surface features of 

habitable, rocky planets, like Earth, around other stars in the solar neighborhood. 

In the future, NASA aims to develop systems that will allow scientists to take the pivotal step from 

identifying an exoplanet as Earth-sized to determining whether it is truly Earth-like, and possibly even 

detecting if it bears the fingerprints of life. Such an ambitious goal includes significant technological 

challenges. An important component of the Exoplanet Exploration effort is a robust technology 

development program with the goal of enabling a future direct detection mission. 

For more information, go to http://exep.jpl.nasa.gov/.
Science: Astrophysics 

EXOPLANET EXPLORATION 

ASTRO-30 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017

 

(in $ millions) 

Actual 

FY 2015 

Enacted 

FY 2016 

Request 

FY 2017 

Notional 

FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Mandatory Budget Authority -- -- 76.0 -- -- -- --

Exoplanet exploration is supported in part with mandatory funding. The mandatory investment includes 

$76 million for the Astrophysics Decadal Strategic Mission. 

The FY 2017 request supports mission formulation for the Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope 

(WFIRST), the highest-priority large mission from the NRC 2010 Astronomy and Astrophysics Decadal 

Survey. The budget request also reflects a new partnership between NASA and the National Science 

Foundation to detect and measure the mass of exoplanets via precision radial velocity measurements 

using the Wisconsin–Madison, Indiana University, Yale University, and National Optical Astronomy 

Observatory (WIYN) telescope. 
Science: Astrophysics: Exoplanet Exploration 

OTHER MISSIONS AND DATA ANALYSIS

ASTRO-31 

FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Astrophysics Decadal Strategic Mission 50.0 -- 90.0 108.2 267.7 331.8 409.9 

Exoplanet Exploration SR&T 19.4 -- 28.0 26.5 27.6 26.9 26.2 

Exoplanet Exploration Program 

Management 5.1 -- 5.1 6.0 5.9 6.3 6.4 

Exoplanet Exploration Future Missions 0.9 -- 0.5 1.1 8.2 8.3 8.3 

Keck Operations 6.0 -- 6.1 6.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 

Large Binocular Telescope Interferometer 2.0 -- 1.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 

Kepler 17.2 -- 2.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 

Total Budget 100.6 -- 133.8 148.0 309.3 373.3 450.8 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. FY 

2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

Relative sizes of habitable-zone planets discovered by the 

Kepler spacecraft, shown alongside Earth. NASA-Ames / 

JPL-Caltech. . 

Mission Planning and Other 

Projects 

ASTROPHYSICS DECADAL STRATEGIC 

MISSION (ADSM) 

NASA spent the first half of the current decade 

studying ways to address the NRC 2010 

Astronomy and Astrophysics Decadal Survey’s 

highest-ranked science recommendations in the 

large and medium categories: the science of 

WFIRST and the maturation of technology for a 

potential exoplanet characterization mission. 

NASA’s current concept for the WFIRST 

mission addresses both of these 

recommendations. WFIRST formally enters 

formulation in FY 2016. 

Recent Achievements 

NASA has continued to develop the conceptual design for the WFIRST mission, which utilizes the 

Astrophysics Focused Telescope Assets (AFTA) transferred to NASA. The design leverages these 

telescope assets while fully meeting the WFIRST requirements articulated in the decadal survey and 

potentially enabling additional science opportunities in exoplanet coronagraphy and guest investigator 

science. NASA has made significant progress in maturing the technology for the exoplanet high-contrast 

imaging instrument, along with the infrared detector technology required for the wide-field infrared 

survey. 
Science: Astrophysics: Exoplanet Exploration 

OTHER MISSIONS AND DATA ANALYSIS

ASTRO-32 

EXOPLANET EXPLORATION STRATEGIC RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY

Exoplanet Exploration Strategic Research and Technology supports the Sagan Postdoctoral Fellowships, 

program-specific scientific research, and technology development activities that support and enable future 

Exoplanet Exploration missions. 

In FY 2016, NASA supported approximately 13 competitively selected technology development projects 

involving 49 different investigators and 22 Sagan Fellows. The selected technology development projects 

all focus on advancing technologies for separating the feeble reflected light of an exoplanet from the 

overwhelming glare of its parent star, revealing clues to the planet’s nature. Those technologies will one 

day enable the ultimate goal of NASA’s Exoplanet Exploration Program: a future mission capable of 

imaging and measuring the spectra of habitable, Earth-like exoplanets in the solar neighborhood. 

Precision radial velocity technologies will enable better measurements of exoplanet masses. These 

precision radial velocity measurements, in conjunction with the transit photometric information that can 

provide the exoplanet radii, will result in the determination of exoplanet densities and structures before 

possible follow-ups in the search of chemical biomarkers of life. 

Recent Achievements 

New coronagraph techniques have demonstrated suppression of starlight glare to a few parts per billion 

and only a few image diameters away from the bright parent star. Coronagraphs and starshades are 

enabling technologies for the direct detection of exoplanets around stars. They block the light from the 

stars and, thus, make possible the detection of planets orbiting the parent star. NASA could use this 

technology in possible future missions, enabling direct imagining of exoplanets and the search for spectral 

biosignatures. In addition, starshades that are many tens of meters in diameter, an alternative to 

coronagraphs, require precision dimensional control after a stowed launch. A recent deployment test has 

shown that the required control and repeatability is achievable. 

NASA and the National Science Foundation formalized a new partnership to develop a new precision 

radial velocity instrument for the WIYN telescope, enabling better measurements of exoplanet masses. 

Two university-based teams are performing formulation studies of their proposed instrument concepts. 

EXOPLANET EXPLORATION PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

Exoplanet Exploration program management provides programmatic, technical, and business 

management, as well as program science leadership. Program management coordinates, supports, tracks 

the progress of the program’s numerous technology development tasks, and oversees the program’s 

portfolio of projects. 

Recent Achievements 

Scientists have confirmed more than 1,900 exoplanets, with more than 3,700 additional candidates 

discovered for continuing investigation. Current estimates indicate that perhaps one in ten stars host rocky 

planets that exist in orbits where water may flow freely upon their surface. The program is managing 

design studies of mission opportunities and providing oversight of the WFIRST-AFTA concept study. 

The program is also engaging with the scientific community to lay the groundwork for design studies and 

technology development that will eventually provide inputs to the 2020 Astronomy and Astrophysics 

Decadal Survey. 
Science: Astrophysics: Exoplanet Exploration 

OTHER MISSIONS AND DATA ANALYSIS

ASTRO-33 

EXOPLANET EXPLORATION FUTURE MISSIONS

Exoplanet Exploration Future Missions funding supports the execution of the exoplanet mission science 

and technology definition teams, and ultimately the formulation, development, and implementation of a 

future Exoplanet Exploration flight mission. 

Recent Achievements 

Community-based Science and Technology Definition Teams delivered their final reports on studies of 

two probe-scale (medium size) exoplanet mission concepts. One concept was a coronagraphic telescope 

approach and the second was a starshade, flying in long-range formation with a separate free-flying 

telescope. An associated technical/engineering study group supported each Science and Technology 

Definition Team. NASA has initiated follow-on tasks to build upon the work of these teams. 

Operating Missions 

KECK OPERATIONS

Keck Operations is the NASA portion of the Keck Observatory partnership. NASA uses its share of 

observing time in support of Astrophysics and Planetary Science programs. The project allocates 

observing time for Exoplanet Exploration, Cosmic Origins, and PCOS science goals, as well as solar 

system objects and direct space missions support. Observation time is competed, selected, and managed 

by the NASA Exoplanet Science Institute. The Institute recently has awarded a significant portion of the 

observing time to studies of potential planets identified by Kepler. 

Recent Achievements 

NASA is partner for 1/6th of the observing nights with the W.M. Keck Observatory for both 10-meter 

telescopes. Similarly, the Keck Observatory Archive (KOA), in partnership with the NASA Exoplanet 

Science Institute, ingests and curates existing and new data from the Keck Observatory. In the past year, 

the KOA completed the ingestion for all 10 Keck active and decommissioned instruments and made these 

data available to the community. This archive covers more than 14,000 nights of observations and 

occupies more than 15 terabytes of astronomical data. More than 15 percent of the scientific papers 

produced by Keck Observatory rely on archival data retrieved from KOA. In the first semester of 2015, 

the project received 101 proposals, requesting over 160 nights to use either of the two Keck telescopes in 

the Single Aperture Mode. This represents an oversubscription of five to one for both Keck telescopes. In 

the past 7 years, the combined oversubscription has varied from 5.7 to 2.5. In addition, for the first 

observing semester in 2016 (February 1 to July 31, 2016), NASA solicited Key Strategic Mission Support 

proposals, and three proposals (representing the disciplines of Exoplanets, Extragalactic and Solar 

System) have been recommended for selection, which will be allocated a total of 15 nights per semester 

for the next four semesters. 

LARGE BINOCULAR TELESCOPE INTERFEROMETER

The Large Binocular Telescope Interferometer (LBTI) is the NASA portion of the Large Binocular 

Telescope partnership. Engineers designed the LBTI to allow high contrast, high spatial resolution 

infrared imaging of dust clouds around 50 nearby stars. The system surveys nearby stars for dust and 
Science: Astrophysics: Exoplanet Exploration 

OTHER MISSIONS AND DATA ANALYSIS

ASTRO-34 

debris disks that may hamper the detection of planets around those stars. This information will be crucial 

for designing future space observatories capable of detecting and characterizing those planets by direct 

imaging. 

Recent Achievements 

LBTI conducted a successful Operations Readiness Review (ORR) in April 2015 and proceeded with the 

Science Validation Phase. The ORR results demonstrated that operational system performance was likely 

to be sufficient to meet science objectives. 

KEPLER

Kepler, launched in March 2009, surveys stars in the local region of the Milky Way galaxy to detect and 

characterize rocky planets in or near the habitable zone of their host star. The habitable zone encompasses 

the distances from a star where liquid water can exist on a planet’s surface. As time progresses, smaller 

planets with longer orbital periods emerge from the data. 

In June 2014, NASA approved Kepler to enter a new phase of operations in which the spacecraft observes 

along the ecliptic plane, opening up new possibilities for discovery. The 2014 Senior Review of 

Operating Missions favorably evaluated this new operating mode, which compensates for the loss of an 

attitude control actuator. 

Recent Achievements 

In July 2015, the Kepler science team announced the discovery of Kepler-452b, an exoplanet with many 

similarities to Earth. Its host star is just 10 percent larger than our Sun, the planet is 1.6 times the size of 

Earth, and the period of its orbit is only 5 percent longer than that of Earth. In addition, using the K2 

observation technique, Kepler has uncovered strong evidence of a tiny, rocky object breaking apart as it 

spirals around a white dwarf star. This discovery validates a long-held theory that white dwarfs are 

capable of cannibalizing possible remnant planets that have survived within its solar system. 
Science: Astrophysics 

ASTROPHYSICS EXPLORER

ASTRO-35 

FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite 

(TESS) 80.1 73.5 87.0 27.9 9.1 2.5 0.0 

Other Missions and Data Analysis 43.2 -- 42.0 63.1 146.9 201.1 186.2 

Total Budget 123.3 -- 129.0 91.0 156.0 203.5 186.2 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. 

For projects in development, NASA's tentatively planned FY 2016 funding level is shown. FY 2016 funding levels 

are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

A titanic burst of energy from a dying star 13 billion light 

years away has been spotted (center) from Earth. 

The Astrophysics Explorer program provides 

frequent flight opportunities for world-class 

astrophysics investigations using innovative and 

streamlined management approaches for 

spacecraft development and operations. The 

program is highly responsive to new knowledge, 

new technology, and updated scientific priorities 

by launching smaller missions that can be 

conceived and executed in a relatively short 

development cycle. NASA selects new missions 

based on an open competition of concepts 

solicited from the scientific community. The 

program emphasizes the accomplishments of 

missions under the control of the scientific 

research community within constrained mission 

life-cycle costs. 

Medium-Class Explorers (MIDEX) missions 

cost up to $250 million in total, excluding 

launch services. Small Explorers (SMEX) may 

cost about half that total, excluding launch 

services. Explorer missions of opportunity (MO) 

have a total NASA cost of under $75 million and may be of several types. The most common type of 

MOs are those that will fly on a non-NASA space mission. NASA conducts these missions on a noexchange-of-funds basis with the organization sponsoring the mission. Other possible types are new 

science missions using existing spacecraft and small complete missions. NASA intends to solicit 

proposals for MOs associated with each announcement of opportunity issued for MIDEX and SMEX 

investigations. 

For more information on Explorer missions, see: http://explorers.gsfc.nasa.gov/missions.html. 
Science: Astrophysics

ASTROPHYSICS EXPLORER

ASTRO-36

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017

The budget for future Astrophysics Explorer missions has been further refined from the FY 2016 request

and still allows the program to meet the decadal survey-recommended cadence.

ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2015

Japan installed the ASTRO-H project hardware on the spacecraft and completed integration and testing. 

The Neutron-star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER) project is nearing completion of the fabrication 

and integration of the instrument. The Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) mission started 

Critical Design Review. In July 2015, NASA selected three SMEX proposals and two MO proposals for 

Phase A concept studies.

WORK IN PROGRESS IN FY 2016

The ASTRO-H project is preparing for launch in February 2016. The NICER mission will complete 

instrument fabrication, integration, and test and prepare for launch. The TESS mission will continue its 

development of the instrument and spacecraft bus elements leading to its System Integration Review 

(SIR) in October 2016. The teams selected for the next SMEX and MO will begin their concept studies.

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS PLANNED FOR FY 2017

ASTRO-H and NICER will have completed in-orbit checkout and will start the operational phase of data 

collection. TESS will begin phase D in November 2016. The selected SMEX and MO teams will 

complete their Phase A studies. NASA will begin the down selection process.
Science: Astrophysics 

ASTROPHYSICS EXPLORER

ASTRO-37 

Program Schedule 

Date Significant Event 

Aug 2015 SMEX and Explorer MO KDP-A 

Sep 2016 AO announcement for MIDEX and MO opportunity to propose 

Feb 2017 Down select one SMEX and one MO mission for implementation 

Aug 2017 MIDEX and Explorer MO KDP-A 

Feb 2019 Down select one MIDEX and one MO mission for implementation 

Sep 2019 AO announcement of SMEX and MO opportunity to propose 

Aug 2020 SMEX and Explorer MO KDP-A 

Sep 2021 AO announcement for MIDEX and MO opportunity to propose 

Feb 2022 Down select one SMEX and one MO mission for implementation 

Aug 2022 MIDEX and Explorer MO KDP-A 

Acquisition Strategy 

NASA selects all Explorer missions through a competitive AO. 

INDEPENDENT REVIEWS

Performer Date of 

Review Purpose Outcome Next Review 

Program 

Independent 

Review 

SRB Oct 2014 Assess performance 

of program Successful Sep 2019 

Review 

Type 
Science: Astrophysics: Astrophysics Explorer 

TRANSITING EXOPLANET SURVEY SATELLITE (TESS)

Formulation Development Operations 

ASTRO-38 

FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional

Budget Authority (in $ millions) Prior FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 BTC Total 

Formulation 27.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 27.1 

Development/Implementation 44.5 80.1 73.5 83.2 15.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 296.4 

Operations/Close-out 0.0 0.0 0.0 3.8 12.8 9.1 2.5 0.0 0.0 28.2 

2016 MPAR LCC Estimate 71.6 80.1 73.5 87.0 27.9 9.1 2.5 0.0 0.0 351.7 

Total Budget 71.6 80.1 73.5 87.0 27.9 9.1 2.5 0.0 0.0 351.7 

Change from FY 2016 13.5 

Percentage change from FY 2016 18.4% 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. 

For projects in development, NASA's tentatively planned FY 2016 funding level is shown. FY 2016 funding levels 

are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

The TESS mission will detect small planets with bright 

host stars in the solar neighborhood, so that other 

telescopes can perform detailed characterizations of the 

planets and their atmospheres. 

PROJECT PURPOSE

The TESS mission objective is to survey bright 

nearby stars for transiting exoplanets over a 

three-year period, including two years of TESS 

observations, and an additional third year of 

follow-up ground-based observations. The TESS 

mission will use an array of wide-field cameras 

to perform an all-sky survey. 

TESS will carry out the first space-borne all-sky 

exoplanet transit survey, covering 400 times as 

much sky as any previous mission, including 

Kepler. It may discover approximately 30 Earth 

sized planets, 200 Super-Earth sized planets, and 

400 sub-Neptune sized planets around other 

stars in the solar neighborhood. 

With TESS, it will be possible to study the 

masses, sizes, densities, and orbits of small 

exoplanets, including a sample of rocky worlds 

in the habitable zones of their host stars. TESS 

will provide prime targets for further characterization by the James Webb Space Telescope (Webb), as 

well as other future large ground-based and space-based telescopes. 
Science: Astrophysics: Astrophysics Explorer 

TRANSITING EXOPLANET SURVEY SATELLITE (TESS)

Formulation Development Operations 

ASTRO-39 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017

None. 

PROJECT PARAMETERS

NASA will launch TESS into a high Earth elliptical orbit. TESS will make observations in the visible and 

infrared spectrum, utilizing four telescopic charge-coupled device (CCD) cameras. TESS will obtain 

imagery from both northern and southern hemispheres of the sky. TESS will orbit the Earth every 

13.7 days, and will downlink, via KA-band, the data it has collected over a period of approximately 

five hours each orbit. TESS will be a three axis-stabilized spacecraft using both momentum wheels and 

hydrazine thrusters. 

ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2015

TESS will start the Critical Design Review (CDR), which will continue into FY 2016. 

WORK IN PROGRESS IN FY 2016 

TESS will continue its development of the instrument and spacecraft bus elements leading to its SIR in 

October 2016. 

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS PLANNED FOR FY 2017 

TESS will begin Phase D after KDP-D planned in November 2016. 

SCHEDULE COMMITMENTS/KEY MILESTONES

NASA plans to launch TESS in June 2018 to begin a three-year prime mission. 

Milestone Confirmation Baseline Date FY 2017 PB Request 

CDR Apr 2015 Dec 2015 

SIR Oct 2016 Oct 2016 

Start Phase D Nov 2016 Nov 2016 

ORR/FRR Dec 2017 Dec 2017 

LRD/IOC/IC Jun 2018 Jun 2018 

Start Phase E/FC/IC Aug 2018 Aug 2018 

End Prime Mission Aug 2021 Aug 2021 
Science: Astrophysics: Astrophysics Explorer 

TRANSITING EXOPLANET SURVEY SATELLITE (TESS)

Formulation Development Operations 

ASTRO-40 

Development Cost and Schedule 

Base 

Year 

Base 

Year 

Development 

Cost 

Estimate 

($M) 

JCL 

(%) 

Current 

Year 

Current 

Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate 

($M) 

Cost 

Change 

(%) 

Key 

Milestone 

Base 

Year 

Milestone 

Data 

Current 

Year 

Milestone 

Data 

Milestone 

Change 

(mths) 

2015 323.2 >70 2015 296.4 -8 LRD Jun 2018 Jun 2018 0 

Note: The confidence level estimates reported reflect an evolving process as NASA improves its probabilistic 

estimation techniques and processes. Estimate reflects the practices and policies at the time it was developed. 

Estimates that include combined cost and schedule risks are denoted as JCL (joint confidence level); all other CLs 

(confidence levels) reflect cost confidence without necessarily factoring the potential impacts of schedule changes 

on cost. 

Development Cost Details 

This is the first report of development costs for this mission. The current year development cost estimate 

reflects savings from the award of the launch vehicle contract in December 2014. 

Element 

Base Year Development 

Cost Estimate ($M) 

Current Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate ($M) 

Change from Base Year 

Estimate ($M) 

TOTAL: 323.2 296.4 -26.8 

Aircraft/Spacecraft 43.0 50.6 7.6 

Payloads 23.2 29.1 5.9 

Systems I&T 3.7 3.7 0.0 

Launch Vehicle 114.1 87.4 -26.7 

Ground Systems 16.7 12.9 -3.8 

Science/Technology 7.5 6.8 -0.7 

Other Direct Project 

Costs 115.0 105.9 -9.1 
Science: Astrophysics: Astrophysics Explorer 

TRANSITING EXOPLANET SURVEY SATELLITE (TESS)

Formulation Development Operations 

ASTRO-41 

Project Management & Commitments 

GSFC is responsible for Project Management. 

Element Description Provider Details Change from 

Baseline 

Instrument Visible-IR telescopic CCDs 

detectors 

Provider: Massachusetts Institute of 

Technology (MIT) 

Lead Center: Lincoln Laboratories 

Performing Center(s): N/A 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

None 

Spacecraft Bus LEO Star three-axis stabilized 

spacecraft bus 

Provider: Orbital ATK 

Lead Center: N/A 

Performing Center(s): N/A 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

None 

Launch Vehicle Launch Vehicle 

Provider: Space Exploration 

Technologies Corporation (SpaceX) 

Lead Center: KSC 

Performing Center(s): N/A 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

None 

Project Risks 

Risk Statement Mitigation 

If: Schedule reserves, as identified at the 

September 2014 Preliminary Design Review 

(PDR) remain tight, 

Then: Instrument and spacecraft 

development may not be ready for 

subsequent observatory integration. 

At the TESS KDP-C (October 2014), the TESS project 

announced the release of additional schedule reserves to selected 

aspects of both the TESS instrument and spacecraft in order to 

mitigate schedule concerns. Adequacy of schedule reserves will 

be reviewed after completion of CDR. 

Acquisition Strategy 

NASA selected the mission through a competitive Announcement of Opportunity. 
Science: Astrophysics: Astrophysics Explorer 

TRANSITING EXOPLANET SURVEY SATELLITE (TESS)

Formulation Development Operations 

ASTRO-42 

MAJOR CONTRACTS/AWARDS

None 

Element Vendor Location (of work performance) 

Spacecraft Bus Orbital ATK Dulles, VA 

INDEPENDENT REVIEWS

Review 

Type Performer Date of Review Purpose Outcome Next Review 

Performance 

SRB Feb 2014 

System 

Requirements 

Review (SRR) 

Successful 

Preliminary 

Design 

Review 

(PDR) 

Performance 

SRB Sep 2014 PDR Successful CDR 

Performance 

SRB Start Aug 

2015 CDR On going SIR 

Performance 

SRB Oct 2016 SIR TBD 

Launch 

Readiness 

Review 

(LRR) 

Performance 

SRB 2018 LRR TBD N/A 

Performance 

SRB 2018 LRR TBD N/A 
Science: Astrophysics: Astrophysics Explorer 

OTHER MISSIONS AND DATA ANALYSIS

ASTRO-43 

FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

ASTRO-H (SXS) 11.3 -- 12.0 11.4 9.5 0.0 0.0 

Astrophysics Explorer Future Missions 1.1 -- 16.8 42.7 132.2 192.6 178.5 

Astrophysics Explorer Program 

Management 6.2 -- 9.8 7.7 5.1 8.5 7.7 

Neutron Star Interior Composition Explorer 

(NICER) 11.7 -- 3.5 1.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 

SWIFT 4.9 -- 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 

Suzaku (ASTRO-E II) 0.6 -- 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 

Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array 

(NuSTAR) 7.4 -- 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 

Total Budget 43.2 -- 42.0 63.1 146.9 201.1 186.2 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. FY 

2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

The NuSTAR took this X-ray image of two black holes in 

the Circinus Galaxy, which is 13 million light-years away. 

The two black holes, shown as magenta-colored objects 

superimposed on the optical galaxy image, consist of a 

supermassive black hole at the galaxy center and a 

smaller black hole on the galaxy edge.. 

Astrophysics Explorer Other Missions and Data 

Analysis includes funding for small missions in 

formulation and development (ASTRO-H SXS, 

NICER), operating missions (NuSTAR, Swift, 

Suzaku), and funding for future mission 

selections and program management functions. 

Mission Planning and Other 

Projects 

ASTRO-H (SXS)

NASA is providing a High-Resolution Soft XRay Spectrometer (SXS) instrument to Japan for 

launch in 2016 onboard Japanese Aerospace 

Exploration Agency’s (JAXA’s) H-IIA rocket. 

The SXS instrument is a cryogenically cooled 

high-resolution X-ray spectrometer that will 

allow the most detailed studies of a wide range 

of astronomical systems from nearby stars to 

distant active galaxies. Using this unprecedented capability, the mission will conduct a number of 

fundamental studies, including tracing the growth history of the largest structures in the universe, 

obtaining insights into the behavior of material in extreme gravitational fields, determining the spin of 

black holes, probing shock acceleration structures in clusters of galaxies, and investigating the detailed 

physics of black hole jets. The Science Enhancement Option (SEO) supports mission planning, 

development and maintenance of data analysis software, development of a data processing pipeline, and 
Science: Astrophysics: Astrophysics Explorer 

OTHER MISSIONS AND DATA ANALYSIS

ASTRO-44 

production and maintenance of ASTRO-H data archives. The SEO will also fund a Guest Observer (GO) 

Program, including proposal support and grant support. 

Recent Achievements 

The Project integrated the SXS on the ASTRO-H spacecraft and successfully completed environmental 

testing and comprehensive performance testing. The spacecraft is now at the launch site. 

ASTROPHYSICS EXPLORER FUTURE MISSIONS

Astrophysics Explorer Future Missions funding supports future astrophysics Explorer missions and 

missions of opportunity through concept studies and selections. 

ASTROPHYSICS EXPLORER PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

Astrophysics Explorer program management provides programmatic, technical and business management 

of ongoing missions in formulation and development. 

NEUTRON STAR INTERIOR COMPOSITION EXPLORER (NICER) 

The NICER instrument, to be located on the external logistics carrier of the ISS, will perform high time 

resolution and spectroscopic observations of neutron stars to uncover the nature and probe the physics of 

ultra-dense matter in the core of neutron stars. NICER will explore the exotic states of matter inside these 

stars where density and pressure are higher than in atomic nuclei. NICER will enable rotation-resolved 

spectroscopy of the thermal and non-thermal emissions of neutron stars in the soft X-ray band with 

unprecedented sensitivity, probing interior structure, the origins of dynamic phenomena, and the 

mechanisms that underlie the most powerful known cosmic particle accelerators. 

Recent Achievements 

The project is nearing completion of the fabrication and integration of the instrument. Payload level 

testing will start in early 2016. 

Operating Missions 

SWIFT

Swift is a multi-wavelength space-based observatory that studies the position, brightness, and physical 

properties of gamma ray bursts. Swift is a MIDEX class mission that launched in 2004 and is now in 

extended mission operations. 

Recent Achievements 

Swift continues to observe gamma-ray bursts at a rate of around 90 per year, as well as non-gamma-ray 

burst targets. Swift is uniquely equipped to make rapid-response observations to fast-breaking events 

throughout the universe. For example, when a star comes too close to a black hole, the intense gravity of 
Science: Astrophysics: Astrophysics Explorer 

OTHER MISSIONS AND DATA ANALYSIS

ASTRO-45 

the black hole results in tides that rip the star apart. In these events, called tidal disruptions, Swift has 

been monitoring stellar material falling towards the black hole, causing distinct X-ray flares that can last 

for a few years. Swift is detecting multiple rings centered upon flaring black holes that identify multiple 

reflecting dust layers between 4,000 and 7,000 light-years away from us. Regular monitoring of the rings, 

as the eruption continues, helps astronomers understand their nature. Swift is also discovering glitches in 

the once-thought regular clocks of spinning pulsars. Observations suggest that some pulsars’ magnetic 

fields might be causing them to switch “on” and “off” intermittently. When they are on, intermittent 

pulsars’ magnetic fields fill with plasma—a sea of charged particles, such as electrons and protons—and 

this generates radio waves. When pulsars switch off, the magnetic field lines change and let plasma 

escape. 

SUZAKU (ASTRO-E II)

Suzaku is Japan’s fifth X-ray astronomy mission, which launched in July 2005 and is now in extended 

mission operations. The Institute of Space and Astronautical Science of JAXA (ISAS/JAXA) developed 

Suzaku in collaboration with U.S. (NASA and MIT) and Japanese institutions. NASA provides software 

to analyze Suzaku data and operates at a GO facility for U.S. observers. 

Recent Achievements 

On June 1, 2015, the mission stopped communicating, due to a failure of the batteries onboard the 

spacecraft. ISAS/JAXA worked to recover the mission through the summer, but without success. On 

August 26, 2015, they announced the termination of the mission, and switched off its radio transceiver on 

September 2, 2015, thereby inactivating the mission. A closeout plan for the U.S. participation and the 

archiving of the data is under development. The funding needed to completely closeout the mission will 

use the entire FY 2016 request. 

NUCLEAR SPECTROSCOPIC TELESCOPE ARRAY (NUSTAR) 

Launched in June 2012, the NuSTAR mission completed its prime mission in July 2014 and is now in 

extended mission operations. NuSTAR enables scientists to locate massive black holes in other galaxies, 

locate and examine the remnants of collapsed stars in our galaxy, observe selected gamma-ray sources, 

and observe any new supernovae in the local group of galaxies. NuSTAR’s key science products are 

sensitive X-ray survey maps of the celestial sky. NuSTAR offers opportunities for a broad range of 

science investigations, ranging from probing cosmic ray origins and studying the extreme physics around 

collapsed stars to mapping micro flares on the surface of the Sun. NuSTAR performs follow-up 

observations to discoveries made by Chandra and Spitzer scientists. NuSTAR research teams collaborate 

with those using Fermi to make simultaneous observations. The NuSTAR mission implemented a GO 

facility for U.S. observers and will commence GOs in April 2015. 

Recent Achievements 

NuSTAR continued its highly successful science program in 2015, providing invaluable new insights into 

the high-energy phenomena in the universe. NuSTAR observed the remains of SN1987A, which exploded 

just 28 years ago in the Large Magellanic Cloud. Utilizing its unique capability for detecting and mapping 

the emission from one of the elements produced in such explosions Titanium 44, the NuSTAR 

observations revealed that contrary to prior preconceptions, these events are spherically symmetric; this 

explosion was distinctly lopsided. The mission’s novel imaging capability revealed that the ejected 
Science: Astrophysics: Astrophysics Explorer 

OTHER MISSIONS AND DATA ANALYSIS

ASTRO-46 

material flew outward in one direction while the compact core of the supernova, called a neutron star, 

sped off in the opposite direction. Together with the earlier observation of Cassiopeia A, which also 

showed evidence of an asymmetrical explosion, these new observations suggest that lopsidedness is at the 

very root of so-called “core-collapse” supernovas.
Science 

JAMES WEBB SPACE TELESCOPE

Webb-1 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Total Budget 645.4 620.0 569.4 533.7 304.6 197.2 149.8 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. 

For projects in development, NASA's tentatively planned FY 2016 funding level is shown. FY 2016 funding levels 

are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

James Webb Space Telescope 

James Webb Space Telescope [Development] ............................................................. Webb-2 
Science: James Webb Space Telescope: James Webb Space Telescope 

JAMES WEBB SPACE TELESCOPE 

Formulation Development Operations 

Webb-2 

FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional

Budget Authority (in $ millions) Prior FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 BTC Total 

Formulation 1800.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1800.1 

Development/Implementation 3545.2 645.4 620.0 569.4 533.7 227.6 47.5 0.0 0.0 6188.8 

Operations/Close-out 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 77.0 149.8 149.8 460.0 836.6 

2016 MPAR LCC Estimate 5345.3 645.4 620.0 569.4 533.7 304.6 197.2 149.8 460.0 8825.4 

Total Budget 5273.2 645.4 620.0 569.4 533.7 304.6 197.2 149.8 460.0 8753.3 

Change from FY 2016 -50.6 

Percentage change from FY 2016 -8.2% 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. 

For projects in development, NASA's tentatively planned FY 2016 funding level is shown. FY 2016 funding levels 

are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

Test fit of Webb flight telescope backplane structure and 

spacecraft bus structure. 

PROJECT PURPOSE

The James Webb Space Telescope (Webb) is a 

large, space-based astronomical observatory. The 

mission is in many ways a successor to the 

Hubble Space Telescope, extending Hubble’s 

discoveries by looking into the infrared 

spectrum. Webb will observe the highly redshifted early universe and study relatively cool 

objects like protostars and protoplanetary disks, 

which emit infrared light strongly where dust 

obscures shorter wavelengths. With more lightcollecting area than Hubble and with near- to 

mid-infrared-optimized instruments, Webb will 

observe objects farther away and further back in 

time. 

The four main science goals are: 

 Search for the first galaxies or luminous 

objects formed after the Big Bang; 

 Determine how galaxies evolved from their formation until now; 

 Observe the formation of stars from the first stages to the formation of planetary systems; and 
Science: James Webb Space Telescope: James Webb Space Telescope 

JAMES WEBB SPACE TELESCOPE 

Formulation Development Operations 

Webb-3 

 Measure the physical and chemical properties of planetary systems and investigate the potential 

for life in those systems. 

While Hubble greatly improved knowledge about distant objects, its infrared coverage is limited. Light 

from distant galaxies is redshifted out of the visible part of the spectrum into the infrared by the expansion 

of the universe. Webb will explore the poorly understood epoch when the first luminous objects in the 

universe came into being after the Big Bang. 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017

None. 

PROJECT PARAMETERS

Webb is an infrared-optimized observatory that will conduct imaging and spectrographic observations in 

the 0.6- to 28-micrometer wavelength range. Webb will be roughly 100 times more capable than Hubble, 

because its mirror is seven times larger, it will spend about twice as much time observing targets since the 

Earth will not be in the way, its detectors cover larger regions of the sky and are always on (i.e., can 

always be running in parallel), and its multi-object spectroscopic capabilities greatly expands the number 

of spectra per field. 

The 6.5-meter primary mirror consists of 18 actively controlled segments. A multilayer sunshield the size 

of a tennis court passively cools the mirror, telescope optics, and instruments to about 40 Kelvin. Webb 

will launch in 2018 from Kourou, French Guiana on an Ariane 5 rocket, supplied by the European Space 

Agency (ESA). Webb will operate in deep space about one million miles from Earth. 

Webb’s instruments include the Near Infrared Camera, Near Infrared Spectrograph, Mid-Infrared 

Instrument, and the Fine Guidance Sensor / Near Infrared Imager and Slitless Spectrograph. 

The Near Infrared Camera takes images with a large field of view and high resolution, over the 

wavelength range of 0.6 to 5 micrometers. The Near Infrared Camera also aligns and focuses the optical 

telescope. The Near Infrared Camera detects light from the earliest stars and galaxies in the process of 

formation, stars in nearby galaxies, young stars in the Milky Way, and solar system Kuiper Belt 

objects. The Near Infrared Camera is equipped with coronagraphs, which allow astronomers to view 

dimmer objects near stars. With the coronagraphs, astronomers hope to determine the characteristics of 

planets orbiting nearby stars.

A spectrograph disperses light from an object into a spectrum. The atoms and molecules in the object 

imprint lines on its spectrum that uniquely fingerprint each chemical element present. Analyzing the 

spectrum of an object provides information on its physical properties, including temperature, mass, 

chemical composition, and motion. 

The Near Infrared Spectrograph can obtain simultaneous spectra of more than 100 objects in a single 

exposure, over the wavelength range of 0.6 to 5 micrometers. 
Science: James Webb Space Telescope: James Webb Space Telescope 

JAMES WEBB SPACE TELESCOPE 

Formulation Development Operations 

Webb-4 

The Mid-Infrared Instrument takes wide-field images and narrow-field spectra, over the wavelength range 

of 5 to 28 micrometers. The Mid-Infrared Instrument operates at about seven degrees Kelvin, which an 

onboard cooling system makes possible. 

The Fine Guidance Sensor is a camera that provides fine pointing control and locks the telescope onto its 

target. The sensor operates over a wavelength range of 1 to 5 micrometers. The Near Infrared Imager and 

Slitless Spectrograph instrument provides unique imaging and spectroscopic modes to investigate the 

distant universe, as well as exoplanets. 

For more information, go to http://www.jwst.nasa.gov.

ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2015

In FY 2015, NASA made significant progress in the development, fabrication, and testing of many 

components of the Webb system. The project also successfully completed the following significant and 

technically challenging developments and tests: 

 Installed new infrared detectors into the Fine Guidance Sensor / Near Infrared Imager and Slitless 

Spectrograph and Near Infrared Spectrograph instruments and new microshutters into the Near Infrared 

Spectrograph instrument; 

 Delivered the Optical Telescope Element flight structure, including primary mirror backplane 

support structure, backplane support fixture, and wings to Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC); 

 Delivered the first flight sunshield membranes, continued the manufacture of the remaining 

sunshield layers, and continued the manufacture of the sunshield structure; 

 Initiated the second optical ground support equipment test at Johnson Space Center (JSC); and 

 Delivered the flight cryocooling compressor components to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). 

WORK IN PROGRESS IN FY 2016 

In FY 2016, the project plans to complete the following development and test efforts: 

 Conduct the third and final cryogenic test of the Integrated Science Instrument Module, with all 

flight instruments and new detectors; 

 Deliver the Integrated Science Instrument Module to GSFC for Optical Telescope 

element/Integrated Science instrument module integration; 

 Complete the integration of flight primary mirror subassemblies onto the flight primary mirror 

backplane; 

 Complete the acceptance testing of the cryocooler compressor assembly; 

 Complete the spacecraft bus structure; and 

 Complete the sunshield structure manufacture and test. 
Science: James Webb Space Telescope: James Webb Space Telescope 

JAMES WEBB SPACE TELESCOPE 

Formulation Development Operations 

Webb-5 

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS PLANNED FOR FY 2017 

The President’s FY 2017 budget request provides the full level of funding required to keep Webb on 

schedule for a 2018 launch. In FY 2017, the project plans to: 

 Deliver Optical Telescope element/Integrated Science to JSC for testing; 

Conduct Optical Telescope element/Integrated Science cryovacuum testing; 

Integrate the cryocooler compressor assembly into the spacecraft bus; and 

Deliver the flight solar array to the observatory for integration. 







SCHEDULE COMMITMENTS/KEY MILESTONES

NASA plans to launch Webb in October 2018 to begin a five-year prime mission. The following timeline 

shows the development agreement schedule per the rebaseline plan from September 2011. 

Milestone Confirmation Baseline Date FY 2017 PB Request 

Key Decision Point (KDP)-C Jul 2008 Jul 2008 

Mission Critical Design Review 

(CDR) Mar 2010 Mar 2010 

Rebaseline/KDP-C Amendment Sep 2011 Sep 2011 

System Integration Review (SIR) Jul 2017 Jul 2017 

Launch Oct 2018 Oct 2018 

Begin Phase E Apr 2019 Apr 2019 

End of Prime Mission Apr 2024 Apr 2024 

Development Cost and Schedule 

Base 

Year 

Base 

Year 

Development 

Cost 

Estimate 

($M) 

JCL 

(%) 

Current 

Year 

Current 

Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate 

($M) 

Cost 

Change 

(%) 

Key 

Milestone 

Base 

Year 

Milestone 

Data 

Current 

Year 

Milestone 

Data 

Milestone 

Change 

(mths) 

2012 6,197.9 66 2016 6,188.8 -0.2 LRD Oct 2018 Oct 2018 0 

Note: The confidence level estimates reported reflect an evolving process as NASA improves its probabilistic 

estimation techniques and processes. Estimate reflects the practices and policies at the time it was developed. 

Estimates that include combined cost and schedule risks are denoted as JCL (joint confidence level); all other CLs 
Science: James Webb Space Telescope: James Webb Space Telescope 

JAMES WEBB SPACE TELESCOPE 

Webb-6 

(confidence levels) reflect cost confidence without necessarily factoring the potential impacts of schedule changes 

on cost. 

Development Cost Details 

Element 

Base Year Development 

Cost Estimate ($M) 

Current Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate ($M) 

Change from Base Year 

Estimate ($M) 

TOTAL: 6,197.9 6,188.8 -9.1 

Aircraft/Spacecraft 2,955.0 3,212.2 257.2 

Payloads 695.1 819.8 124.7 

Systems Integration & 

Test (I&T) 288.4 382.9 94.5 

Launch Vehicle 0.9 0.6 -0.3 

Ground Systems 652.3 575.4 -76.9 

Science/Technology 42.7 40.9 -1.8 

Other Direct Project 

Costs 1,563.5 1,156.9 -406.6 

Formulation Development Operations 
Science: James Webb Space Telescope: James Webb Space Telescope 

JAMES WEBB SPACE TELESCOPE 

Formulation Development Operations 

Webb-7 

Project Management & Commitments 

NASA Headquarters is responsible for Webb program management. GSFC is responsible for Webb 

project management. 

Element Description Provider Details Change from 

Baseline 

Observatory 

Includes OTE, spacecraft, 

sunshield, observatory 

assembly integration and 

testing, and commissioning. 

The observatory is designed 

for at least a five-year 

lifetime. Northrop Grumman 

Aerospace Systems (NGAS) 

has the lead for the OTE, 

sunshield, spacecraft bus, and 

selected assembly, 

integration, and testing 

activities. 

Provider: NGAS and GSFC 

Lead Center: GSFC 

Performing Center(s): GSFC 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

N/A 

Mission 

management 

and system 

engineering 

Includes management of all 

technical aspects of mission 

development, and system 

engineering of all 

components. 

Provider: GSFC 

Lead Center: GSFC 

Performing Center(s): GSFC 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

N/A 

ISIM 

Contains the science 

instruments and Fine 

Guidance Sensor. Provides 

structural, thermal, power, 

command and data handling 

resources to the science 

instruments and Fine 

Guidance Sensor. 

Provider: GSFC 

Lead Center: GSFC 

Performing Center(s): GSFC 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A

N/A 

NIRCam 

Operates over the wavelength 

range of 0.6 to 5 micrometers, 

and optimized for finding first 

light sources. 

Provider: University of Arizona, 

Lockheed Martin 

Lead Center: GSFC 

Performing Center(s): GSFC 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

N/A 

NIRSpec 

Operates over the wavelength 

range of 0.6 to 5 micrometers 

with three observing modes. 

Provider: ESA 

Lead Center: ESA 

Performing Center(s): N/A 

Cost Share Partner(s): ESA 

N/A 
Science: James Webb Space Telescope: James Webb Space Telescope 

JAMES WEBB SPACE TELESCOPE 

Formulation Development Operations 

Webb-8 

Element Description Provider Details Change from 

Baseline 

MIRI 

Operates over the wavelength 

range of 5 to 28 micrometers, 

providing imaging, 

coronagraphy, and 

spectroscopy. 

Provider: ESA, University of Arizona, 

JPL 

Lead Center: GSFC 

Performing Center(s): 

Cost Share Partner(s): ESA 

N/A 

Fine Guidance 

Provides scientific target 

pointing information to the 

observatory's attitude control 

sub-system 

Provider: Canadian Space Agency 

(CSA) 

Lead Center: CSA 

Performing Center(s): N/A 

Cost Share Partner(s): CSA 

N/A 

Launch vehicle 

and launch 

operations 

Ariane 5 

Provider: ESA 

Lead Center: ESA 

Performing Center(s): N/A 

Cost Share Partner(s): ESA 

N/A 

Ground control 

system and 

science 

operations and 

control center 

Includes mission operations 

and science operations center 

Provider: Space Telescope Science 

Institute (STScI) 

Lead Center: GSFC 

Performing Center(s): N/A 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

Ground control 

system and 

science 

operations and 

control center 

Project Risks 

Risk Statement Mitigation 

If: Sunshield flight layer delivery changes to 

a later date 

Then: This may delay sunshield or 

observatory integration and test, adding risk 

to achieving the October 2018 launch. 

The Project will work with the NGAS team to establish 

acceptable schedules for sunshield flight layer delivery, and to 

adapt sunshield and observatory integration and test schedules 

based on those delivery schedules, without delaying launch. 
Science: James Webb Space Telescope: James Webb Space Telescope 

JAMES WEBB SPACE TELESCOPE 

Formulation Development Operations 

Webb-9 

Acquisition Strategy 

The project has awarded all major contracts. 

MAJOR CONTRACTS/AWARDS

Element Vendor Location (of work performance) 

Science and Operations Center STScI Baltimore, MD 

NIRCam 

University of Arizona; 

Lockheed Martin 

Tucson, AZ 

Palo Alto, CA 

Observatory 

NGAS 

Ball Aerospace 

ITT/Exelis 

Alliant Techsystems 

Redondo Beach, CA 

Boulder, CO 

Rochester, NY 

Edina, MN 

Near Infrared Detectors Teledyne Imaging Systems Camarillo, CA 

INDEPENDENT REVIEWS

Performer Date of 

Review Purpose Outcome Next Review 

Performance Strategic Review 

Board (SRB) Apr 2010 CDR 

Determined mission 

design is mature and 

recommended a more 

in-depth review of 

the integration and 

testing plan 

N/A 

Quality Test Assessment 

Team Aug 2010 

Evaluate plans for 

integration and 

testing. See the full 

report at 

The team 

recommended 

several changes to 

the test plan 

N/A 

Other 

Independent 

Comprehensive 

Review Panel 

Oct 2010 

Determine the causes 

of cost growth and 

schedule delay on 

Webb, and estimate 

the launch date and 

budget, including 

adequate reserves 

The report made 22 

recommendations, 

covering several 

areas of management 

and performance 

N/A 

Review 

Type 

http://www.jwst.nasa

.gov/publications.ht

ml
Science: James Webb Space Telescope: James Webb Space Telescope 

JAMES WEBB SPACE TELESCOPE 

Formulation Development Operations 

Webb-10 

Performer Date of 

Review Purpose Outcome Next Review 

Other The Aerospace 

Corporation Apr 2011 Analysis of alternatives 

Determined that 

Webb design was 

still the best value to 

achieve the primary 

scientific objectives 

of the mission 

N/A 

Other SRB May 2011 

Review technical, 

cost, and schedule 

plans 

The SRB proposed 

rebaselined project 

technical, cost, and 

schedule plans and 

made 

recommendations to 

the Agency 

N/A 

Performance 

NASA 

Headquarters Office 

of Evaluation 

Jun 2012 Replan assessment 

review 

A review assessed 

progress against 

replan 

N/A 

Performance 

SRB N/A 

Optical Telescope 

element/Integrated 

Science 

System Integration 

Review 

May 2016 

Performance 

SRB N/A 

Optical Telescope 

element/Integrated 

Science 

Pre-Environmental 

Review 

Jun 2016 

Performance 

SRB N/A Spacecraft Element 

Readiness Review Apr 2016 

Performance 

SRB N/A SIR Jul 2017 

Performance 

SRB N/A FRR Sep 2018 

Review 

Type 
Science 

HELIOPHYSICS

HELIO-1 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Heliophysics Research 192.0 -- 180.1 192.0 210.0 215.9 214.2 

Living with a Star 263.5 -- 374.2 398.7 244.6 135.8 127.3 

Solar Terrestrial Probes 70.6 -- 39.8 38.8 127.3 179.4 198.4 

Heliophysics Explorer Program 110.0 -- 104.6 54.5 116.3 183.8 184.0 

Total Budget 636.1 -- 698.7 684.0 698.3 714.8 723.9 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. 

FY 2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

FY 2017 reflects discretionary and mandatory funding. Additional details on the mandatory funding can be found in 

the Explanation of Changes section.

Heliophysics 

HELIOPHYSICS RESEARCH ............................................................................. HELIO-2 

Other Missions and Data Analysis ................................................................................ HELIO-9 

LIVING WITH A STAR ....................................................................................... HELIO-15

Solar Probe Plus (SPP) [Development] ....................................................................... HELIO-17

Solar Orbiter Collaboration (SOC) [Development] ...................................................... HELIO-23

Other Missions and Data Analysis .............................................................................. HELIO-29

SOLAR TERRESTRIAL PROBES ..................................................................... HELIO-34

Other Missions and Data Analysis .............................................................................. HELIO-36

HELIOPHYSICS EXPLORER PROGRAM ......................................................... HELIO-40

Ionospheric Connection Explorer (ICON) [Development] ........................................... HELIO-43

Other Missions and Data Analysis .............................................................................. HELIO-49
Science: Heliophysics 

HELIOPHYSICS RESEARCH

HELIO-2 

FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Heliophysics Research and Analysis 34.1 -- 38.9 48.9 53.9 53.9 53.9 

Sounding Rockets 66.2 -- 53.3 59.0 61.1 63.1 63.1 

Research Range 21.3 -- 21.7 21.7 25.1 25.1 25.2 

Other Missions and Data Analysis 70.4 -- 66.2 62.4 70.0 73.7 71.9 

Total Budget 192.0 -- 180.1 192.0 210.0 215.9 214.2 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. 

FY 2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

FY 2017 reflects discretionary and mandatory funding. Additional details on the mandatory funding can be found in 

the Explanation of Changes section.







For decades, scientists have visualized the heliosphere as 

shaped like a comet, with a very long tail extending some 

464 billion miles. New NASA-funded research now 

suggests that the heliosphere is actually dominated by 

two giant jets of material shooting backwards over the 

north and south poles of the sun, which are confined by 

the interaction of the sun’s magnetic field with the 

interstellar magnetic field. These curve around in two 

relatively short tails toward the back. The end result is a 

heliosphere that looks a lot more like a crescent moon 

than a comet. 

Heliophysics seeks to understand the Sun and its 

interactions with Earth and the solar system, 

including space weather. The goal of 

Heliophysics is to understand the Sun, 

heliosphere, and planetary environments as a 

single, connected system and to answer these 

fundamental questions about this system’s 

behavior. 

What causes the Sun to vary? 

How do Earth and the heliosphere respond to 

the Sun’s changes?

What are the impacts on humanity? 

Heliophysics Research improves our 

understanding of fundamental physical processes 

throughout the solar system, and enables us to 

understand how the Sun, as the major driver of 

the energy throughout the solar system, affects 

our technological society. The scope of 

heliophysics ranges from the Sun’s interior to 

Earth’s upper atmosphere and beyond, through 

interplanetary space to the end of the region of 

the Sun’s influence, far beyond the outer planets. 

Heliophysics incorporates studies of the 

interconnected elements in a single system that 

produces dynamic space weather and evolves in 

response to solar, planetary, and interstellar 

conditions. 
Science: Heliophysics 

HELIOPHYSICS RESEARCH

HELIO-3 

For more information, go to http://science.nasa.gov/about-us/smd-programs/heliophysics-research.

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017

 Actual Enacted Request Notional 

(in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Mandatory Budget Authority -- -- 15.0 -- -- -- --

Heliophysics Research is supported in part with mandatory funding. The mandatory investment includes 

$5 million for Research and Analysis, in support of the National Academies decadal survey 

recommendation to augment the current research program, and $10 million for CubeSats, tripling the 

amount available to achieve science goals with lower-cost, small satellites. 

ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2015

Scientists have long been puzzled about why the corona, the upper solar atmosphere, is over one thousand 

times hotter than the surface of the Sun. Data from several missions of NASA’s Heliophysics System 

Observatory have now provided evidence for two physical mechanisms to explain why the corona is so 

hot. Scientists combined data from NASA’s Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS) and the joint 

Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)-NASA Hinode satellite to show how magnetic waves 

carry energy from the surface to solar filaments, suspended in the corona by magnetic fields. Here the 

wave motions transform into heat, a process in which wave interference heats the gas from 20,000 to at 

least 200,000 degrees Celsius. In another study of hotter regions on the Sun, scientists used data from 

IRIS and NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) to reveal evidence for an alternative heating 

mechanism in which small events called nanoflares release magnetic energy. Comparisons between 

numerical models and high-resolution observations of these nanoflares show how particles accelerate to 

very high energies and speeds, which heat small pockets of gas to temperatures of millions of degrees and 

propel the gas upward into the corona. These new results show that coronal heating is more complex than 

originally thought, with the dominant mechanisms likely dependent on local conditions. The results 

enable a deeper understanding of the fundamental physical processes that underlie Earth’s space 

environment. 

The Sun constantly emits a supersonic stream of electrified and magnetized gas called the solar wind. 

When it reaches Earth, the planet’s strong magnetic field, the magnetosphere, deflects most of the wind. 

The solar wind can enter near-Earth space if the solar magnetic field connects with Earth’s magnetic field. 

Scientists have made key discoveries regarding two entry mechanisms. Kelvin-Helmholtz (KH) waves 

form as the solar wind flows around Earth’s magnetosphere, allowing a mixing of solar wind plasma 

across this surface. Previously, scientists thought KH waves only appeared under specialized conditions. 

To determine when and where KH waves occur in near-Earth space, scientists used data from two NASA 

Heliophysics spacecraft: the Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) and the Time History of Events and 

Macroscale Interactions during Substorms (THEMIS). Similarly, when the solar magnetic field 

simultaneously connects to Earth’s magnetic field in two places it captures the solar wind near the “nose” 

of the magnetosphere. Researchers used data from the joint European Space Agency (ESA)-NASA 

Cluster spacecraft to demonstrate that such double reconnection events occur regularly when the solar 
Science: Heliophysics 

HELIOPHYSICS RESEARCH

HELIO-4 

magnetic field has a certain orientation. These two independent discoveries show that the solar wind 

regularly crosses the magnetosphere boundary and enters near-Earth space. 

Gravity waves, waves in the atmosphere similar to ocean tides, play an important part in the dynamics of 

Earth’s atmosphere. The waves transfer energy and momentum over large distances and drive winds in 

the upper mesosphere. For the first time, NASA-funded grants contributed to a new whole-atmosphere 

circulation model that resolves gravity waves down to the tens of kilometers level. The new simulation 

revealed the planetary-scale extent of a group of gravity waves about 60 miles above the Earth’s surface, 

directly attributed to a tropical cyclone. The model shows the increasing dominance of gravity waves at 

higher altitudes. 

WORK IN PROGRESS IN FY 2016 

In 2016, NASA will continue its recently restructured portfolio of competed research programs, a first 

step in implementing the Diversify, Realize, Integrate, Venture, Educate (DRIVE) initiative, outlined in 

the National Academies’ 2013 Decadal Survey for Solar and Space Physics. The 2015 Research 

Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences NASA Research Announcement (ROSES NRA), which 

solicits proposals for FY 2016 funding, reflects the restructured portfolio. 

Heliophysics continues implementation of CubeSats on behalf of the Science Mission Directorate (SMD). 

The project funded three new CubeSat missions, now including one Astrophysics mission and two 

Planetary Science missions. Heliophysics is funding a collaborative effort with NASA’s Human 

Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate (HEOMD) to expand the scope of one previously funded 

CubeSat mission to enable interplanetary flight on the Exploration Mission (EM)-1 mission, the first 

flight using the Space Launch System (SLS). The EM-1 CubeSat began implementation in FY 2015, 

preparing for possible launch in FY 2018. 

NASA more clearly separated the solicitations of ROSES-15: Supporting Research and Guest 

Investigator program elements. The Supporting Research solicitation requires synergy of data analysis 

with key enhancement from numerical simulations, theory, or modeling. The Guest Investigator 

solicitation requires a focus on current Heliophysics operating missions to take full advantage of critical 

new observations of the entire Heliophysics System Observatory missions. NASA will announce awards 

for these ROSES elements in early calendar year 2016. 

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS PLANNED FOR FY 2017 

In FY 2017, the Heliophysics Research program anticipates significant science results from the 

Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission, as well as results from 18 active space missions (28 

individual spacecraft) that comprise the remainder of the Heliophysics System Observatory. These 

include ACE; Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere (AIM); Geotail, Hinode, Interstellar Boundary 

Explorer (IBEX); IRIS, MMS (four spacecraft); Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager 

(RHESSI); Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO); Space Environment Testbeds (SET, planned October 

2016 launch); Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO); Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory 

(STEREO, two spacecraft); Thermosphere Ionosphere Mesosphere Energetics and Dynamics (TIMED); 

THEMIS (five spacecraft); Two Wide-angle Imaging Neutral-atom Spectrometers (TWINS, two 

spacecraft); Van Allen Probes (two spacecraft); Voyager (two spacecraft); and Wind. The anticipated 

awards of small research investigations will continue the science advancements. 
Science: Heliophysics 

HELIOPHYSICS RESEARCH

HELIO-5 

In addition to operating mission data, the budget request supports a flight program of 16 to 20 sounding 

rocket flights, with one to two remote campaign deployments in Poker Flats, Alaska; Norway; and 

potentially Australia. 

Program Elements 

RESEARCH RANGE

The Research Range Services (RRS) project provides operations support, maintenance, and engineering 

for the Wallops Launch Range and instrumentation. The range and instrumentation support suborbital, 

orbital, and aircraft missions conducted on behalf of NASA and the Department of Defense at the 

Wallops Flight Facility and at remote sites around the world. New work includes support for NASA 

technology missions, unmanned aerial vehicle flights, and commercial launch and flight projects. 

The range instrumentation includes meteorological, telemetry, radar, command, launch and range control 

centers, and optical systems. RRS mobile assets provide range services at other ranges and remote 

locations around the world. 

SOUNDING ROCKETS

The Sounding Rockets Project supports the NASA strategic vision and goals for Earth Science, 

Heliophysics, Planetary Science, and Astrophysics. The missions flown annually by the project provide 

researchers with unparalleled opportunities to build, test, and fly new instrument and sensor design 

concepts while simultaneously conducting world-class scientific research. Coupled with a hands-on 

approach to instrument design, integration, and flight, the short mission life cycle helps ensure that the 

next generation of space scientists receives the training and experience necessary to move on to NASA’s 

larger, more complex space science missions. 

With the capability to fly higher than many low-Earth orbiting satellites and the ability to launch on 

demand, sounding rockets often offer the only means to study specific scientific phenomena of interest to 

many researchers. Unlike instruments on board most orbital spacecraft or in ground-based observatories, 

sounding rockets can place instruments directly into regions where and when the science is occurring to 

enable direct, in-situ measurements. The mobile nature of the project enables researchers to conduct 

missions from strategic vantage points worldwide. Telescopes and spectrometers to study solar and 

astrophysics phenomena fly on sounding rockets to collect unique science data and test prototype 

instruments for future satellite missions. 

HELIOPHYSICS RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS

This project supports basic research, solicited through NASA’s annual ROSES announcements. These 

research activities address our understanding of the Sun and planetary space environments, including the 

origin, evolution, and interactions of space plasmas and electromagnetic fields throughout the heliosphere 

and in connection with the galaxy. Understanding the origin and nature of solar activity and its interaction 

with the space environment of the Earth is a particular focus. This project supports Heliophysics Grand 

Challenge Research (theory) (GCR), Low Cost Access to Space investigations, instrument development, 

and necessary research directly linked to Heliophysics science questions. 
Science: Heliophysics 

HELIOPHYSICS RESEARCH

HELIO-6 

Heliophysics GCR investigations are the foundation of the Heliophysics Research and Analysis project. 

They lead the way to new understanding of previous investigations and drive science concepts for future 

missions. The Heliophysics GCR element supports large Principal Investigator-proposed team efforts that 

require a critical mass of expertise to make significant progress in understanding complex physical 

processes with broad importance. 

Low Cost Access to Space investigations use spaceflight of experimental instrumentation to achieve 

scientific goals and proof-test new technology that may ultimately find application in larger or strategic 

Heliophysics space missions. These investigations may use a range of flight opportunities, including 

suborbital rockets, suborbital reusable launch vehicles, ISS payloads, CubeSats, and balloon flights. 

Instrument development investigations develop technology with promise for use in scientific 

investigations on future Heliophysics science missions. These investigations may include the 

development of laboratory instrument prototypes, but not of flight hardware. The goal is to define and 

develop scientific instruments and/or components of such instruments to the point where complete 

instruments are ready for future Announcements of Opportunity (AOs) without significant additional 

technology development. 

Supporting research investigations guide the direction and content of future science missions. They 

employ a variety of fundamental research techniques (e.g., theory, numerical simulation, and modeling), 

analysis, and interpretation of space data, development of new measurement concepts, and laboratory 

measurements of relevant atomic, plasma and nuclear parameters. 

Program Schedule 

NASA implements the Heliophysics Research program via a competitively selected process. NASA 

releases research solicitations each year through the ROSES NRA, aiming to initiate research for about 

one-third of the program, given the selected investigations are typically three-year awards. Therefore, 

NASA will allocate FY 2016 funds to ROSES-2015, ROSES-2014, and ROSES-2013 selections. 

Date Significant Event 

Q1, Q2 FY 2016 ROSES-2015 selections: Oct 2015–Mar 2016 

Q2 FY 2016 ROSES-2016 solicitation: Feb 2016 

Q3/Q4 FY 2016 Review of proposals submitted to Heliophysics ROSES-2016 elements 
Science: Heliophysics 

HELIOPHYSICS RESEARCH

HELIO-7 

Program Management & Commitments 

Program Element Provider 

Research and Analysis 

Provider: HQ 

Lead Center: HQ 

Performing Centers: Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), Marshall Space 

Flight Center (MSFC), Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), Langley Research 

Center (LaRC), Johnson Space Center (JSC) 

Cost Share Partners: None 

Sounding Rockets and Research 

Range 

Provider: GSFC 

Lead Center: HQ 

Performing Center: GSFC 

Cost Share Partners: None 

Heliophysics Operating 

Missions 

Provider: GSFC, JPL, MSFC 

Lead Center: HQ 

Performing Center: GSFC, JPL, MSFC 

Cost Share Partners: None 

Acquisition Strategy 

NASA fully and openly competes all new acquisitions. Proposals are peer-reviewed and selected from the 

annual ROSES announcement. Universities, government research laboratories, and industry partners 

throughout the United States participate in research projects. NASA previously selected the Heliophysics 

operating missions and instrument teams via NASA AOs. NASA evaluates the allocation of funding 

among the operating missions bi-annually through the Heliophysics Senior Review process. 

MAJOR CONTRACTS/AWARDS

Element Vendor Location (of work performance) 

Sounding Rocket Operations Orbital ATK, Dulles, VA Various 
Science: Heliophysics 

HELIOPHYSICS RESEARCH

HELIO-8 

INDEPENDENT REVIEWS

Review 

Type Performer Date of Review Purpose Outcome Next Review 

Quality Mission Senior 

Review Panel Apr 2015 

A comparative 

evaluation of 

Heliophysics 

operating missions 

The report, released 

in June 2015, 

assessed missions 

individually, and as 

part of a system 

observatory 

Apr 2017 
Science: Heliophysics: Heliophysics Research 

OTHER MISSIONS AND DATA ANALYSIS

HELIO-9 

FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Science Planning and Research Support 6.5 -- 6.7 6.8 6.8 6.8 6.8 

Directed Research & Technology 18.4 -- 3.9 5.4 3.2 6.3 4.5 

CubeSat 6.5 -- 15.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 

Solar Data Center 0.9 -- 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.1 1.2 

Data & Modeling Services 2.0 -- 2.8 2.7 3.0 3.0 3.0 

Space Physics Data Archive 2.0 -- 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.3 

Guest Investigator Program 10.8 -- 10.3 15.2 24.3 24.7 24.7 

Community Coordinated Modeling Center 2.2 -- 2.2 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.4 

Space Science Mission Ops Services 11.3 -- 11.5 11.5 11.6 11.9 11.9 

Voyager 5.5 -- 5.6 5.5 5.6 5.5 5.5 

SOHO 2.2 -- 2.3 2.2 2.3 2.3 2.3 

WIND 1.8 -- 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.2 

GEOTAIL 0.2 -- 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 

CLUSTER-II 0.2 -- 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 

Total Budget 70.4 -- 66.2 62.4 70.0 73.7 71.9 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. FY 

2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.
Science: Heliophysics: Heliophysics Research 

OTHER MISSIONS AND DATA ANALYSIS

HELIO-10 

The interaction of solar winds and Earth’s atmosphere 

produces northern lights, or auroras. This interaction 

produces many questions regarding the role it plays in 

Earth’s meteorological processes and the impact on the 

planet’s atmosphere. To help answer some of these 

questions, five NASA suborbital sounding rockets 

carrying university-developed experiments were launched 

into auroras between 2 and 6 a.m. EST, January 13 

through 27, 2015, from the Poker Flat Research Range in 

Alaska. 

NASA accumulates, archives, and distributes 

data collected by the Heliophysics System 

Observatory, a fleet of operating spacecraft. 

Combining the measurements from all of these 

observing platforms enables interdisciplinary, 

connected systems science across the vast spatial 

scales of our solar system. This collective asset 

enables the data, expertise, and research results 

to contribute directly to fundamental research on 

solar and space plasma physics and to the 

national goal of real-time space weather 

prediction. NASA teams support day-to-day 

mission operations for NASA spacecraft and data 

analysis to advance the state of space science and 

space weather modeling. NASA conducts 

science community-based projects to evaluate 

research models containing space weather 

information that is of value to industry and 

government agencies. Heliophysics data centers 

archive and distribute the science data from 

operating missions in the Living With a Star 

(LWS), Solar Terrestrial Probes (STP), Research, 

and Explorer programs. 

Mission Planning and Other 

Projects 

SCIENCE PLANNING AND RESEARCH 

SUPPORT 

This project supports NASA’s participation in proposal peer review panels, decadal surveys, and National 

Academies studies. 

DIRECTED RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY 

This project funds the civil service staff that work on emerging flight projects, instruments, and research. 

CUBESAT

Heliophysics implemented a CubeSat project in response to the 2013 Decadal Survey DRIVE initiative 

recommendation. The aim of the project is to explore the viability of this lower-cost option for enabling 

scientific discovery across the various themes and disciplines within SMD. 

CubeSats are small spacecraft, built to a standardized form-factor of size and mass, which can launch as 

secondary or ride-share payloads. With development costs between $3 million and $6 million per 
Science: Heliophysics: Heliophysics Research 

OTHER MISSIONS AND DATA ANALYSIS

HELIO-11 

investigation and with rapid development cycles, CubeSats can provide frequent science and technology 

flight opportunities. 

All SMD science disciplines allow proposals to build and fly instruments on CubeSats. This approach is 

similar to the traditional NASA suborbital programs that use sounding rockets, balloons, and aircraft, but 

extends the range of opportunities. CubeSats have significant potential to leverage exploratory and 

systematic science observations at minimal additional cost. The CubeSat project is initiating an exciting 

re-evaluation in many aspects of the NASA space research enterprise and thus provides conceptual level 

benefits well beyond the individual missions themselves. SMD is also working closely with STMD to 

maximize the benefit from STMD’s CubeSat efforts.

SOLAR DATA CENTER 

The Solar Data Center provides mission and instrument expertise to enable high-quality analysis of solar 

physics mission data. It provides leadership for community-based, distributed development efforts to 

facilitate identifying and accessing solar physics data, including ground-based coordinated observations 

residing in the Virtual Solar Observatory. The center also provides a repository for software used to 

analyze these data. The Virtual Solar Observatory is a software system that links together distributed 

archives of solar data into a unified whole, along with data search and analysis tools. 

DATA AND MODELING SERVICES

This project supports missions in extended operations and missions transitioning to decommissioning to 

prepare their data holdings for long-term archival curation. This project also provides for the creation of 

higher-level data products, which are of significant use to the science community and not funded during 

the prime mission. Higher-level data products are data that combine results of multiple missions and/or 

instruments. Elements of this project are competed through the annual ROSES competitive 

announcement. 

SPACE PHYSICS DATA ARCHIVE

The Space Physics Data Facility (SPDF) ensures long-term data preservation and online access to nonsolar heliophysics science data. It operates key infrastructure components for the Heliophysics Data 

Environment, including inventory and web service interfaces to systems and data. It also provides unique 

enabling science data services. 

GUEST INVESTIGATOR PROGRAM

The Guest Investigator program maximizes the return from currently operating Heliophysics missions by 

supporting studies consistent with the science goals of these missions and those expressed in the 2013 

decadal survey and 2014 SMD Science Plan. These competitive research investigations use data from 

multiple spacecraft, as appropriate. Investigations addressing global system science are strongly 

encouraged, as Heliophysics is, by its nature, the investigation of a large-scale, complex, connected 

system. 
Science: Heliophysics: Heliophysics Research 

OTHER MISSIONS AND DATA ANALYSIS

HELIO-12 

COMMUNITY COORDINATED MODELING CENTER (CCMC) 

The Community Coordinated Modeling Center (CCMC) is a multi-agency partnership to enable and 

perform the research and development for next-generation heliophysics and space weather models. The 

center provides the United States and international research community access to simulations to enable 

“runs on demand,” using models to study space weather events in near-real time. This allows the 

comparison of observational data and model parameters during or shortly after solar activity, thereby 

improving accuracy of the models. 

SPACE SCIENCE MISSION OPERATIONS SERVICES

Space Science Mission Operations Services manages the on-orbit operations of GSFC Space Science 

missions. Services include consistent processes and infrastructure for missions operated at GSFC, Johns 

Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU-APL), Orbital-Alliant Techsystems (OrbitalATK), Pennsylvania State University, and University of California at Berkeley. Space Science Mission 

Operations Services also sustains an operational infrastructure for current and future missions. 

Operating Missions 

VOYAGER

The Voyager Interstellar Mission is exploring the interaction of the heliosphere and the local interstellar 

medium. Voyager 1 is making the first in-situ observations of the region outside the heliosphere from 

about 130 astronomical units (AU), or 130 times Earth’s distance from the Sun, and is traveling at a speed 

of 3.6 AU per year. Voyager 2 is about 106 AU from the Sun and traveling at a speed of about 3.3 AU per 

year. Spacecraft power should be adequate for currently operating instruments through 2020. 

Recent Achievements 

Voyager 1 has entered a new frontier: the local interstellar medium. In this region, the Sun’s influence is 

no longer dominant and the spacecraft is seeing the full spectrum of low energy galactic cosmic rays. The 

spectra of these energetic particles are providing critical insights about the origin of these particles as well 

as the nature of the interstellar medium between Voyager 1 and their source. Voyager 1 also measures 

interstellar magnetic fields, plasmas, and particles, but still observes disturbances produced by the Sun 

and transmitted through the heliopause. These disturbances produce vibrations that allow the spacecraft to 

measure plasma density in the local interstellar medium. The strength of these disturbances is providing 

information about the nature of the local interstellar medium between Voyager 1 and the source of these 

disturbances, the Sun. Voyager 1 also measures the strength and small-scale fluctuations of the interstellar 

magnetic field and sets limits on turbulence in the local interstellar medium. The position and shape of the 

IBEX energetic neutral atom ribbon, a region of the sky observed by IBEX to have strong emission of 

energetic neutral atoms, strongly depend on the orientation, strength, and fluctuations of the interstellar 

magnetic field. These results have helped answer questions about the origin of the IBEX ribbon while 

also creating new ones about why there is so little turbulence in the local interstellar medium. 
Science: Heliophysics: Heliophysics Research 

OTHER MISSIONS AND DATA ANALYSIS

HELIO-13 

SOLAR AND HELIOSPHERIC OBSERVATORY (SOHO) 

SOHO combines remote sensing of the Sun and the consequences of solar activity with measurements of 

the space environment near the L1 Lagrangian point, located about one million miles from Earth toward 

the Sun. SOHO is the main source of near-real-time solar data for space weather predictions. The Large 

Angle and Spectrometric Coronagraph on SOHO is a unique instrument on the Sun-Earth line that is 

important to the Nation’s space weather architecture. This instrument helps scientists understand coronal 

mass ejections (CMEs), which are large bursts of plasma from the Sun that can collide with Earth’s 

magnetosphere and cause disruptions to technological infrastructure in space and on the ground. SOHO 

also enables studies of CMEs and their effect on interplanetary space. 

Recent Achievements 

SOHO reached a milestone on December 2, 2015, when the spacecraft turned 20 years old. SOHO, a joint 

mission of the European Space Agency (ESA) and NASA, has been a dependable solar watchdog all the 

while, providing the only Earth-Sun line coronagraph images of solar storms. Citizen scientists have used 

SOHO to discover more than 3,000 comets, a capability no one anticipated before launch. CMEs drive 

most of the space weather effects in the inner heliosphere. In particular, effective forecasting of potential 

space weather effects here on Earth requires knowledge of speed and direction of propagation of CMEs. 

In the past, the assumption has always been that CMEs that appear as “halos” surrounding the Sun travel 

directly toward or away from the observer. 

Recent work using data from SOHO and the two STEREO spacecraft, however, has shown that such 

halos are in fact evidence of the shock wave generated by the CME. The shock waves can in some 

instances travel around the entire Sun, and interpreting the halos alone as evidence of propagation 

direction can be highly misleading. Fortunately, with views from both near the Earth (SOHO) and at a 

significant angular separation from that view (from the well-positioned STEREO spacecraft), researchers 

can derive accurate CME propagation directions for purposes of forecasting. 

WIND

The Wind spacecraft studies the solar wind and its impact on the near-Earth environment. It addresses 

wave-particle interaction processes in the space environment, evolution of solar activity in the 

heliosphere, and geomagnetic impact of solar activity. Wind performs in-situ studies using unique 

capabilities, such as three-dimensional particle distributions over a wide range of energies, and delivers 

higher time resolution than available from any other mission. Wind provides critical measurements of the 

solar wind and space weather events. Correlating those with measurements from the upcoming Solar 

Probe Plus (SPP) and Solar Orbiter Collaboration (SOC) missions will improve our understanding of 

these events as they move out from the Sun. These multi-spacecraft measurements constrain models of 

space weather events and improve their predictive capabilities. 

Recent Achievements 

Wind continues to provide unique, robust, high-resolution solar wind measurements that have resulted in 

over 500 refereed publications in the last two years. 
Science: Heliophysics: Heliophysics Research 

OTHER MISSIONS AND DATA ANALYSIS

HELIO-14 

GEOTAIL

Geotail enables scientists to assess data on the interaction of the solar wind and magnetosphere. July 24, 

2015 marked the 23rd anniversary of the launch of Geotail. Its instruments continue to function, sending 

back crucial information about how auroras form, how energy from the Sun funnels through near- Earth 

space, and the ways in which magnetic field lines move and rebound, creating explosive bursts that 

rearrange the very shape of our magnetic environment. The Geotail mission is a collaborative project 

undertaken by the Japanese Institute of Space and Astronautical Science and NASA. 
Science: Heliophysics 

LIVING WITH A STAR 

HELIO-15 

FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Solar Probe Plus (SPP) 193.7 238.6 232.5 289.7 100.4 30.6 22.1 

Solar Orbiter Collaboration (SOC) 20.5 49.8 80.7 51.4 66.3 2.3 2.4 

Other Missions and Data Analysis 49.4 -- 61.0 57.7 77.9 103.0 102.8 

Total Budget 263.5 -- 374.2 398.7 244.6 135.8 127.3 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. 

For projects in development, NASA's tentatively planned FY 2016 funding level is shown. FY 2016 funding levels 

are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

FY 2017 reflects discretionary and mandatory funding. Additional details on the mandatory funding can be found in 

the Explanation of Changes section.

During solar storms, destructive electrons in Earth’s 

radiation belts have been known to vanish – only to return 

a few hours later. Some electrons precipitate into our 

upper atmosphere, harmlessly depositing their energy 

high above our planet’s surface. Since 2013, the BARREL 

team has launched over 40 research balloons to work in 

conjunction with NASA’s Van Allen Probes that measure 

the electrons from above. BARREL balloons observe the 

electron rainfall by detecting the telltale glow of X-rays, 

which are the by-product of electrons striking atoms and 

molecules in the upper atmosphere. 

The LWS program targets specific aspects of the 

Sun-Earth-planetary system that affect life and 

society. LWS provides a predictive 

understanding of the Sun-Earth system, linkages 

among the interconnected systems, and, 

specifically, space weather conditions at Earth 

and the interplanetary medium. Measurements 

and research from LWS missions may help 

prevent damage to spacecraft, communications 

and navigation systems, and power grids. LWS 

products improve our understanding of ionizing 

radiation, which has human health implications 

on the ISS and high-altitude aircraft flight, as 

well as operations of future space exploration 

with and without human presence. LWS 

products improve the definition of solar radiation 

for global climate change, surface warming, and 

ozone depletion and recovery. 

For more information, go to 

http://science.nasa.gov/about-us/smdprograms/living-with-a-star/. 
Science: Heliophysics 

LIVING WITH A STAR 

HELIO-16 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017

 Actual Enacted Request Notional 

(in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Mandatory Budget Authority -- -- 10.0 -- -- -- --

Living with a Star is supported in part with mandatory funding. The mandatory investment includes $10 

million for Living With a Star (LWS) Science, to accelerate efforts in support of the Administration’s 

multi-agency Space Weather Action Plan. Work will include benchmark maturation, implementation of 

FY2016 plans, and continuation of planning efforts between the agencies. The investment will also 

augment Living with a Star Research and Analysis elements that address space weather 
Science: Heliophysics: Living with a Star 

SOLAR PROBE PLUS (SPP)

Formulation Development Operations

HELIO-17 

FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional

Budget Authority (in $ millions) Prior FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 BTC Total 

Formulation 247.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 247.1 

Development/Implementation 95.9 193.7 238.6 232.5 289.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1050.4 

Operations/Close-out 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 100.4 30.6 22.1 102.9 256.0 

2016 MPAR LCC Estimate 343.0 193.7 238.6 232.5 289.7 100.4 30.6 22.1 102.9 1553.5 

Total Budget 368.0 193.7 238.6 232.5 289.7 100.4 30.6 22.1 102.9 1578.4 

Change from FY 2016 -6.1 

Percentage change from FY 2016 -2.6% 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. 

For projects in development, NASA's tentatively planned FY 2016 funding level is shown. FY 2016 funding levels 

are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

Artist’s concept of the SPP spacecraft as it approaches the 

Sun.) 

PROJECT PURPOSE

SPP will explore the Sun’s outer atmosphere, or 

corona, as it extends out into space. SPP will 

orbit at a distance from the Sun of less than five 

times the Sun’s diameter, closer than any other 

spacecraft. SPP will repeatedly obtain direct insitu coronal magnetic field, plasma, and whitelight remote sensing observations in the region 

that heats the solar atmosphere and accelerates 

the solar wind. SPP’s findings could 

revolutionize our knowledge and understanding 

of coronal heating and of the origin and 

evolution of the solar wind, answering critical 

questions posed in the 2003 Heliophysics 

Decadal Survey. 

Its seven-year prime mission lifetime will permit observations over a significant portion of a solar cycle. 

SPP will enable direct sampling of plasma, enabling observations that otherwise are impossible. These 

observations will allow heliophysicists to verify and discriminate between a broad range of theory and 

models that describe the Sun’s coronal magnetic field and the heating and acceleration of the solar wind. 

SPP will enable NASA to characterize and forecast the radiation environment in which future space 

explorers will work and live. 

For more information, go to http://nasascience.nasa.gov/missions/solar-probe. 
Science: Heliophysics: Living with a Star 

SOLAR PROBE PLUS (SPP)

Formulation Development Operations

HELIO-18 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017

None. 

PROJECT PARAMETERS

After launch in August 2018, SPP will orbit the Sun 24 times, gradually “walking in” toward the Sun with 

each pass. SPP’s first close approach to the Sun occurs just three months after launch. Over a period of 

several years, seven Venus flybys will gradually shrink the spacecraft’s orbit around the Sun. The closest 

points of each orbit come well within the path of Mercury, the closest planet to the Sun. On the final three 

orbits, SPP will fly within 3.8 million miles of the Sun’s surface. That is about seven times closer than the 

Helios spacecraft, the current record holder for the closest solar pass. SPP will sample changes in the 

solar wind with increasing solar activity. 

ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2015

In FY 2015, the project conducted peer level Critical Design Reviews (CDRs) for system and subsystems, 

leading up to the mission level CDR. After completion of the CDR in March 2015, the project initiated 

the build of flight hardware and completed the launch vehicle procurement process. 

WORK IN PROGRESS IN FY 2016 

In FY 2016, the project will conduct the System Integration Review (SIR), which marks the end of Phase 

C design and fabrication and the beginning of system assembly, integration, and testing. The SIR assesses 

the readiness of the subsystems and assemblies, software, and test procedures to begin final assembly. It 

evaluates the continuing compliance of the system against the applicable requirements and evaluates the 

readiness to proceed with system assembly and environmental testing. 

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS PLANNED FOR FY 2017 

In FY 2017, the project will continue system integration and testing. The project will receive and integrate 

all instruments, and it will deliver the final versions of flight software, flight thermal protection system, 

and flight solar arrays. 

SCHEDULE COMMITMENTS/KEY MILESTONES

Milestone Confirmation Baseline Date FY 2017 PB Request 

KDP-C Mar 2014 Mar 2014 

CDR Mar 2015 Mar 2015 

SIR Jun 2016 May 2016
Science: Heliophysics: Living with a Star 

SOLAR PROBE PLUS (SPP)

Formulation Development Operations

HELIO-19 

Milestone Confirmation Baseline Date FY 2017 PB Request 

Launch Aug 2018 Aug 2018 

Start of Phase E Oct 2018 Oct 2018 

End of Prime Mission Sep 2025 Sep 2025 

Development Cost and Schedule 

Base 

Year 

Base 

Year 

Development 

Cost 

Estimate 

($M) 

JCL 

(%) 

Current 

Year 

Current 

Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate 

($M) 

Cost 

Change 

(%) 

Key 

Milestone 

Base 

Year 

Milestone 

Data 

Current 

Year 

Milestone 

Data 

Milestone 

Change 

(mths) 

2015 1,055.7 70 2016 1,050.3 -0.5 LRD Aug 

2018 

Aug 

2018 0 

Note: The confidence level estimates reported reflect an evolving process as NASA improves its probabilistic 

estimation techniques and processes. Estimate reflects the practices and policies at the time it was developed. 

Estimates that include combined cost and schedule risks are denoted as JCL (joint confidence level); all other CLs 

(confidence levels) reflect cost confidence without necessarily factoring the potential impacts of schedule changes 

on cost. 

Development Cost Details 

NASA confirmed Solar Probe Plus to proceed into implementation phase in March 2014. 

Element 

Base Year Development 

Cost Estimate ($M) 

Current Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate ($M) 

Change from Base Year 

Estimate ($M) 

TOTAL: 1,055.7 1,050.3 -5.4 

Aircraft/Spacecraft 170.8 205.3 34.5 

Payloads 143.4 145.6 2.2 

Systems I&T 31.2 31.2 0.0 

Launch Vehicle 430.5 425.0 -5.5 

Ground Systems 17.8 18.2 0.4 
Science: Heliophysics: Living with a Star 

SOLAR PROBE PLUS (SPP)

Formulation Development Operations

HELIO-20 

Element 

Base Year Development 

Cost Estimate ($M) 

Current Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate ($M) 

Change from Base Year 

Estimate ($M) 

Science/Technology 4.5 6.1 1.6 

Other Direct Project 

Costs 257.5 218.9 -38.6 

Project Management & Commitments 

GSFC provides program management. JHU-APL manages the project. 

Element Description Provider Details Change from 

Baseline 

Expendable 

Launch Vehicle 

Deliver the spacecraft to 

operational orbit. 

Provider: United Launch Alliance 

(ULA) 

Lead Center: KSC 

Participating Centers: KSC 

Cost Share Partners: N/A 

N/A 

Ground Systems 

Receive science and telemetry 

data from spacecraft, 

command spacecraft, and 

distribute science data to 

investigator teams. 

Provider: JHU-APL 

Lead Center: GSFC 

Participating Centers: N/A 

Cost Share Partners: N/A 

N/A 

Spacecraft 

Transport instruments to 

science destination, operate 

instruments, and modify orbit, 

including several Venus 

gravity assists. 

Provider: JHU-APL 

Lead Center: GSFC 

Participating Centers: N/A 

Cost Share Partners: N/A 

N/A 

Instruments 

Provide in-situ measurements 

and remote observations of 

the Sun. 

Provider: NASA funded investigators 

Lead Center: GSFC 

Participating Centers: N/A 

Cost Share Partners: N/A 

N/A 
Science: Heliophysics: Living with a Star 

SOLAR PROBE PLUS (SPP)

Formulation Development Operations

HELIO-21 

Project Risks 

Risk Statement Mitigation 

If: The spacecraft is unable to resolve time 

critical faults with sufficient speed, 

Then: Critical components may be overexposed to the solar environment, leading to 

a mission-ending failure. 

The project will develop a system response for every manageable 

fault and perform extensive ground testing and simulation of 

system fault responses. Management will consider the risk 

mitigated after these activities are complete. 

If: The optical properties of the solar array 

result in a solar array that is colder than 

expected, 

Then: The cooling system margin above 

freezing may fall below acceptable levels, 

threatening the arrays. 

The project will measure the optical properties of the solar array 

cover glass and perform the power-thermal analysis to assess 

margin during thermal vacuum testing in FY 2016. Management 

will consider the risk mitigated after these activities are 

complete. 

Acquisition Strategy 

Principal Investigators selected through the competitive AO are building the science instruments. JHUAPL builds the spacecraft, and competitively procures the spacecraft subassemblies, components, and 

parts. The project is refining the ground system components and requirements. GSFC manages the 

operations contracts. 

MAJOR CONTRACTS/AWARDS

Element Vendor Location (of work performance) 

Prime Contract and Mission 

Management JHU-APL Laurel, MD 

FIELDS magnetometers and 

plasma wave instrument University of California, Berkeley Berkeley, CA 

ISIS energetic particle instruments Southwest Research Institute San Antonio, TX 

SWEAP plasma instruments Smithsonian Astrophysical 

Observatory Cambridge, MA

WISPR heliospheric imager Naval Research Laboratory Washington, DC 

Heliophysics Origins Investigation JPL Pasadena, CA 
Science: Heliophysics: Living with a Star 

SOLAR PROBE PLUS (SPP)

Formulation Development Operations

HELIO-22 

INDEPENDENT REVIEWS

Review 

Type Performer Date of Review Purpose Outcome Next Review 

Performance 

SRB Jan 2014 PDR to assess 

readiness for KDP-C 

Successful, project 

ready to proceed to 

development 

Mar 2015 

Performance 

SRB Mar 2015 CDR to assess 

readiness for KDP-D 

Successful, project’s 

mission design is 

appropriately mature 

to continue with the 

final design and 

fabrication phase. 

May 2016

Performance 

SRB May 2016

SIR to assess 

readiness for project 

to begin system I&T

TBD Mar 2018 

Performance 

SRB Mar 2018 

ORR to assess 

readiness for project 

to operate the flight 

system 

TBD N/A 

Performance 

SRB Jan 2014 PDR to assess 

readiness for KDP-C 

Successful, project 

ready to proceed to 

development 

Mar 2015 
Science: Heliophysics: Living with a Star 

SOLAR ORBITER COLLABORATION (SOC)

Formulation Development Operations

HELIO-23 

FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional

Budget Authority (in $ millions) Prior FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 BTC Total 

Formulation 41.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 41.5 

Development/Implementation 57.5 20.5 49.8 80.7 51.4 60.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 320.0 

Operations/Close-out 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 6.2 2.3 2.4 6.6 17.5 

2016 MPAR LCC Estimate 99.0 20.5 49.8 80.7 51.4 66.3 2.3 2.4 6.6 379.0 

Total Budget 99.0 20.5 49.8 80.7 51.4 66.3 2.3 2.4 6.6 379.0 

Change from FY 2016 30.9 

Percentage change from FY 2016 62.0% 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. 

For projects in development, NASA's tentatively planned FY 2016 funding level is shown. FY 2016 funding levels 

are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

This ESA-led mission will improve the understanding of 

how the Sun determines the environment of the inner solar 

system and how fundamental plasma physical processes 

operate near the Sun. 

PROJECT PURPOSE

The NASA and ESA SOC mission will provide 

measurements that will give NASA better 

insight on the evolution of sunspots, active 

regions, coronal holes, and other solar features 

and phenomena. The instruments will explore 

the near-Sun environment to improve our 

understanding of the origins of the solar wind 

streams and the heliospheric magnetic field; the 

sources, acceleration mechanisms, and transport 

processes of solar energetic particles; and the 

evolution of CMEs in the inner heliosphere. To 

achieve these objectives, SOC will make in-situ 

measurements of the solar wind plasma, fields, 

waves, and energetic particles. SOC will also 

make imaging/spectroscopic observations. SOC 

will provide close-up views of the Sun’s polarregions and far side. SOC will tune its orbit to 

the direction of the Sun’s rotation to allow the 

spacecraft to observe one specific area for much 

longer than is currently possible. 

ESA provides the spacecraft and operations, the ESA member states provide the majority of the 

instruments, and NASA provides the launch vehicle and two science investigations/instruments: the Solar 
Science: Heliophysics: Living with a Star 

SOLAR ORBITER COLLABORATION (SOC)

Formulation Development Operations

HELIO-24 

Orbiter Heliospheric Imager (SoloHI) and the Heavy Ion Sensor (HIS). In return for its contributions, 

NASA will have access to the entire science mission data set. 

For more information, go to http://nasascience.nasa.gov/missions/solar-orbiter. 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017

None. 

PROJECT PARAMETERS

A NASA-provided launch vehicle will place the ESA-provided SOC spacecraft into an inner heliospheric 

orbit around the Sun, with its closest approach ranging from 0.23 to 0.38 AU and the farthest distance 

from 0.73 to 0.88 AU. In the first phase of mission operations, SOC will orbit around the Sun’s equator at 

about the same rate as the Sun’s rotation. In the second phase, it will perform a Venus gravity assist 

maneuver between each rotation around the Sun. Each gravity assist maneuver will increase the SOC’s

inclination with respect to the Sun’s equator so that the inclination will reach 27.5 degrees by the end of 

prime mission operations. This will enable the instruments to image the polar regions of the Sun clearly 

for the first time and make key measurements that will advance our understanding of the solar dynamo 

and the polarity reversal of the global magnetic field. The inclination will increase to 34 degrees by the 

end of a possible three-year extended mission, allowing better insight into the polar-regions. 

ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2015

In February, the Naval Research Lab delivered the Electrical Model (ELM) of the SoloHI instrument to 

Airbus (UK) for integration and testing on their Spacecraft Engineering Testbed (ETB). The HIS and 

SoloHI teams made significant progress in producing and testing the majority of their instrument subassemblies. 

WORK IN PROGRESS IN FY 2016 

Flight models of both the SoloHI and HIS instruments will undergo final assembly, environmental 

testing, and delivery to ESA. NASA and the HIS instrument team will support the integration and testing 

of the Solar Wind Analyzer suite at the Mullard Space Science Laboratory in the United Kingdom. 

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS PLANNED FOR FY 2017 

NASA and the instrument teams will support the integration of the HIS and SoloHI instruments into the 

spacecraft, as well as the observatory-level environmental testing at Airbus facilities in the United 

Kingdom. 
Science: Heliophysics: Living with a Star 

SOLAR ORBITER COLLABORATION (SOC)

Formulation Development Operations

HELIO-25 

SCHEDULE COMMITMENTS/KEY MILESTONES

Milestone Confirmation Baseline Date FY 2017 PB Request 

KDP-C Mar 2013 Mar 2013 

SoloHI Instrument CDR Jun 2013 Oct 2013 

HIS Instrument CDR Feb 2014 Mar 2014 

Pre-ship review Jan 2015 Jul 2016 

Launch Oct 2018 Oct 2018 

Begin Phase E Oct 2018 Jan 2019

End of Prime Mission Nov 2026 Dec 2025 

Development Cost and Schedule 

Base 

Year 

Base 

Year 

Development 

Cost 

Estimate 

($M) 

JCL 

(%) 

Current 

Year 

Current 

Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate 

($M) 

Cost 

Change 

(%) 

Key 

Milestone 

Base 

Year 

Milestone 

Data 

Current 

Year 

Milestone 

Data 

Milestone 

Change 

(mths) 

2014 376.9 N/A 2016 320.0 -15.1 LRD Oct 2018 Oct 2018 0 

Note: The confidence level estimates reported reflect an evolving process as NASA improves its probabilistic 

estimation techniques and processes. Estimate reflects the practices and policies at the time it was developed. 

Estimates that include combined cost and schedule risks are denoted as JCL (joint confidence level); all other CLs 

(confidence levels) reflect cost confidence without necessarily factoring the potential impacts of schedule changes 

on cost. 

Development Cost Details

NASA confirmed SOC to proceed into implementation phase in March 2013. The current year 

development cost reflects the award of the launch vehicle contract. 

Element 

Base Year Development 

Cost Estimate ($M) 

Current Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate ($M) 

Change from Base Year 

Estimate ($M) 

TOTAL: 376.9 320.0 -56.9 
Science: Heliophysics: Living with a Star 

SOLAR ORBITER COLLABORATION (SOC)

Formulation Development Operations

HELIO-26 

Element 

Base Year Development 

Cost Estimate ($M) 

Current Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate ($M) 

Change from Base Year 

Estimate ($M) 

Aircraft/Spacecraft 0.0 0.0 0.0

Payloads 23.7 45.8 22.1 

Systems I&T 0.0 0.0 0.0

Launch Vehicle 250.0 172.7 -77.3 

Ground Systems N/A N/A N/A 

Science/Technology 1.3 1.4 0.1 

Other Direct Project 

Costs 101.9 100.1 -1.8 

Project Management & Commitments 

GSFC has program management responsibility for the LWS program and the SOC project. NASA 

procured all instruments provided by the United States through a competitive AO. 

Element Description Provider Details Change from 

Baseline 

SoloHi 

Measures the solar wind 

formations, shock 

disturbance, and turbulence. 

Provider: Naval Research Lab 

Lead Center: GSFC 

Performing Center(s): GSFC 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

N/A 

HIS 

Measures the range of heavy 

ion energies, charge states, 

masses, and elevation angles 

as part of the United 

Kingdom-provided Solar 

Wind Analyzer instrument 

suite. 

Provider: Southwest Research Institute 

Lead Center: GSFC 

Performing Center(s): N/A 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

N/A 

Expendable 

Launch Vehicle Launch vehicle 

Provider: ULA 

Lead Center: KSC 

Performing Center(s): KSC 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

N/A 
Science: Heliophysics: Living with a Star 

SOLAR ORBITER COLLABORATION (SOC)

Formulation Development Operations

HELIO-27 

Project Risks 

Risk Statement Mitigation 

If: ESA hardware delivery for launch is 

delayed, 

Then: NASA launch vehicle and 

development costs will increase. 

Monitor ESA’s progress during its hardware development and 

plan to cover ESA schedule overruns. 

Acquisition Strategy 

NASA selected the instruments and science investigations from a competed AO. NASA competitively 

selected the launch vehicle through the NASA Launch Services-II contract. 

MAJOR CONTRACTS/AWARDS

Element Vendor Location (of work performance) 

SoloHI Naval Research Lab Washington, DC 

Heavy Ion Sensor Southwest Research Institute San Antonio, TX 

INDEPENDENT REVIEWS

Review 

Type Performer Date of Review Purpose Outcome Next Review 

Performance 

SRB Mar 2013 PDR to assess 

readiness for KDP-C 

Successful, project 

ready to proceed to 

development 

Jul 2015 

Performance 

SRB Oct 2013 

SoloHI Instrument to 

assess readiness for 

CDR 

Successful Jul 2016 

Performance 

SRB Mar 2014 

HIS Instrument to 

assess readiness for 

CDR 

Successful Jul 2016 

Performance 

SRB Jul 2016

Pre-ship Review to 

assess readiness for 

shipment to ESA 
Science: Heliophysics: Living with a Star 

SOLAR ORBITER COLLABORATION (SOC)

Formulation Development Operations

HELIO-28 

Review 

Type Performer Date of Review Purpose Outcome Next Review 

Performance 

SRB Oct 2018 

Operations Readiness 

Review/Mission 

Readiness Review to 

assess readiness for 

KDP-E 
Science: Heliophysics: Living with a Star 

OTHER MISSIONS AND DATA ANALYSIS

HELIO-29 

FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

LWS Space Environment Testbeds 0.4 -- 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 

LWS Science 17.4 -- 27.5 24.0 30.5 30.3 30.3 

LWS Program Management and Future 

Missions 5.3 -- 7.8 8.9 22.3 51.7 60.5 

Van Allen Probes (RBSP) 13.0 -- 13.3 13.0 13.0 9.0 0.0 

Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) 13.1 -- 12.0 11.8 12.0 12.0 12.0 

Balloon Array for Radiation-belt 

Relativistic Electron Losses (BARREL) 0.2 -- 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 

Total Budget 49.4 -- 61.0 57.7 77.9 103.0 102.8 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. FY 

2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

 

The Van Allen Belts (depicted as bands with an 

orange/yellow/green hue in the image above) were the first 

significant discovery of the space age. Scientists have 

learned that the two belts of energetic ions and electrons 

can wax, wane, merge, or even (as NASA’s Van Allen 

Probes discovered) separate and divide into three belts. In 

2014, researchers used Van Allen Probes data to discover 

a sharp edge in the outer belt that forms a barrier that the 

fastest, highest-energy electrons simply cannot penetrate. 

The LWS Other Missions and Data Analysis 

budget includes operating LWS missions, a 

science research program, program management, 

and funding for missions to launch in the next 

decade. 

For more information, go to 

http://science.nasa.gov/about-us/smdprograms/living-with-a-star/. 

Mission Planning and Other 

Projects 

LWS SPACE ENVIRONMENT 

TESTBEDS

The SET project seeks to improve the 

accommodation and/or mitigation of the effects 

of solar variability on spacecraft. It addresses the 

identification and understanding of the 

mechanisms of space environment interactions, 

modeling of these interactions, and development 

and validation of ground test protocols to qualify technologies for space. As the complexity of the 

technologies increases, models derived from the physics-based understanding of the effects are required, 

and the SET mission responds to these needs. The SET mission will get to medium-Earth orbit as a 
Science: Heliophysics: Living with a Star 

OTHER MISSIONS AND DATA ANALYSIS

HELIO-30 

rideshare payload on the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Demonstration and Space Experiments (DSX) 

spacecraft, with the launch expected in late-2016. 

Recent Achievements 

Delivery of all SET flight hardware is complete, including the separation system for the DSX secondary 

payload. NASA completed vibration and thermal vacuum testing in December 2015. Activities scheduled 

for FY 2016 include work with the separation system, interface testing, mission readiness review (MRR), 

and four rehearsals. 

All SET experiment teams are continuing research on code development, designed to supplement SET 

experiments. In collaboration with JSC and MSFC, the project developed an updated database of solar 

particle events (CMEs and solar flares), and will distribute the database via the SET website. 

LWS SCIENCE

Understanding space weather and improving the capability to address problems, such as predicting 

geomagnetic storms, pose two major challenges for the research community. First, research must couple 

traditionally separate disciplines in heliophysics, such as solar-heliospheric and geospace physics. 

Second, to be truly successful, research must also demonstrate how results would enable an operational 

capability, such as the generation of forecasts for geomagnetic storms. 

LWS Science addresses these challenges through three main approaches: 







Builds infrastructure: The infrastructure component includes funding to train the next generation 

of heliophysics experts, conduct a heliophysics graduate-level summer school, develop graduate 

course content, and support a limited number of space weather postdoctoral positions at 

universities and government laboratories. 

Addresses scientific needs: The goal of the project is to develop the scientific understanding 

needed for the United States to address those aspects of Heliophysics science that may affect life 

and society. To ensure this, the Targeted Research & Testing (TR&T) element solicits large-scale 

problems that cross discipline and technique boundaries. This leads to a physics-based 

understanding of the integral system linking the Sun to the solar system both directly and via the 

heliosphere, planetary magnetospheres, and ionospheres. The proposals identify how this new 

understanding will have a direct impact on life and society. In addition, TR&T supports the SunClimate objective whose goal is to deliver the understanding of how and to what degree 

variations in the solar radiative and particulate output contribute to changes in global and regional 

climate over a wide range of time scales. TR&T also supports the development of tools and 

methods needed to achieve the LWS goals. 

Addresses strategic capabilities: A primary goal of this project is the development of firstprinciples-based models for the coupled Sun-Earth and Sun-solar system, similar in spirit to the 

first-principles models for the lower terrestrial atmosphere. Such models can act as tools for 

science investigations, as prototypes and test beds for prediction and specification capabilities, as 

frameworks for linking disparate data sets at vantage points throughout the Sun-solar system, and 

as strategic planning aids for enabling exploration of space and testing new mission concepts. 

Strategic capabilities are the development and integration of such models for all the various 

components of this system. These models have reached a level of maturity that enables 

integration into scientific and operational deliverables (e.g., models or tools) that are broadly 
Science: Heliophysics: Living with a Star 

OTHER MISSIONS AND DATA ANALYSIS

HELIO-31 

useful to the larger community in universities, government laboratories, industry, and the 

military. 

Recent Achievements 

New observations of solar energetic particles (SEPs) yielded a number of surprises. The recent solar cycle 

produced sixteen ground-level events in ground-based neutron monitors, which allowed us to establish 

that most large SEP events are preceded by a CME from the same solar active region. This indicates that 

the most intense events may involve the acceleration of particles in one or more flares that produce a seed 

population of energetic ions that can then reach very high energy by the CME driven shock. Continuing 

observations from STEREO, ACE and other platforms as well as upcoming SOC and SPP missions will 

provide key measurements in the source regions of these events and their spatial extent and evolution so 

that the complex dynamics of SEP acceleration and transport to the geospace environment can be 

unraveled. Understanding large SEP events is central to space weather and space climate. 

Using data from the Hinode satellite, a NASA and JAXA joint mission, and the SDO, scientists 

discovered that small-scale filament eruptions are the driver of solar coronal hole X-ray jets. Solar X-ray 

jets are explosions that erupt from the Sun’s surface, expelling hot gas into the corona, the Sun’s outer 

atmosphere. The generally accepted theory, the Emerging-Flux Model, which states that new flux 

ascending to the photosphere and its interaction with the photosphere’s complex magnetic topology 

creates the jets, did not accurately explain what was occurring. Rather, filament eruptions caused these 

jets—very small, scaled down filament eruptions. A filament is a structure in the corona that consists of 

cool plasma, supported by magnetic fields. Earlier satellites recording the eruptions could not separate the 

two occurrences, essentially hiding the filament. Advances in technology with the Hinode and SDO made 

it possible to separate the filament from the eruption by observing the event at different wavelengths. 

The solar activity cycle peaks approximately every 11 years. New research shows evidence of a shorter 

time cycle as well, with activity waxing and waning over the course of about 330 days. Understanding 

when to expect such bursts of solar activity is crucial to successfully forecasting the Sun’s eruptions, 

which can drive solar storms at Earth. These space weather events can interfere with satellite electronics, 

GPS navigation, and radio communications. Recent results indicate that changes in bands of strong 

magnetic field located in each solar hemisphere drive the 330-day variations in solar storms. This new 

study examines what creates the magnetic bands and how they influence solar cycles. Researchers 

detected the bands by drawing on a host of NASA satellites and ground-based observatories that observe 

the Sun and its output. They noted the changes in the magnetic field in the bands gives rise to a 330-day 

activity cycle on the Sun that is directly observable, but has not been previously investigated when trying 

to understand the longer 11-year cycle. Researchers are now turning to advanced computer simulations 

and focused observations to learn more about the influence of these bands on solar activity. By obtaining 

a better understanding of the patterns of solar activity in each hemisphere, scientists gain deeper 

knowledge about the solar cycle, and when combined with modeling efforts, improve space weather 

forecasting efforts. 

LWS PROGRAM MANAGEMENT AND FUTURE MISSIONS

Program Management and Future Missions provide the resources required to manage the planning, 

formulation, and implementation of all LWS missions. The office resolves technical and programmatic 

issues and risks, monitors and reports on progress, and is responsible for achieving overall LWS cost and 

schedule goals. In addition, Future Missions support strategic planning for addressing the LWS 
Science: Heliophysics: Living with a Star 

OTHER MISSIONS AND DATA ANALYSIS

HELIO-32 

recommendations of the Heliophysics decadal survey, and the pre-formulation activities for missions that 

are still merely concepts. 

Operating Missions 

VAN ALLEN PROBES (FORMERLY RADIATION BELT STORM PROBES) 

The Van Allen Probes mission is helping scientists to understand the Sun’s influence on Earth and nearEarth space by studying Earth’s radiation belts on various scales of space and time. The mission observes 

the processes that energize and transport radiation belt electrons and ions in Earth’s inner magnetosphere, 

the area in and around Earth’s radiation belts. These observations are providing new knowledge on the 

dynamics and extremes of the radiation belts that are important to all technological systems that fly in and 

through geospace. The mission will enable an understanding, ideally to the point of predictability, of how 

populations of relativistic electrons and penetrating ions in space form or change in response to variable 

inputs of energy from the Sun. 

Recent Achievements 

The Van Allen Belts, named for their discoverer James Van Allen, are two donut-shaped regions 

encircling Earth, where our planet’s magnetic field traps charged particles from the Sun and space. 

Researchers used data from the Van Allen Probes to discover a sharp inner edge in the outer belt that acts 

as a barrier, preventing high-energy electrons from coming closer to Earth. This work enables us to better 

quantify potential dangers to astronauts and technological assets in low Earth orbit. 

SOLAR DYNAMICS OBSERVATORY (SDO) 

Launched on February 11, 2010, the SDO seeks to understand the Sun’s influence on Earth and nearEarth space by simultaneously studying the solar atmosphere on small scales of space and time and in 

many wavelengths. The observatory enables scientists to determine how the Sun’s magnetic field is 

generated and structured and how stored magnetic energy is converted and released in the form of solar 

wind, energetic particles, and variations in the solar irradiance. SDO collects data to help explain the 

creation of solar activity, which drives space weather. Measurements of the interior of the Sun, the Sun’s 

magnetic field, the hot plasma of the solar corona, and the irradiance that creates Earth’s ionosphere are 

the primary data products. Currently in its prime operations phase, SDO’s images and spectra are key 

sources of data at solar science conferences and further advance knowledge of the Sun. 

Recent Achievements 

Researchers recently found that the amount of extreme ultraviolet light from the Sun’s atmosphere or 

corona can decrease when the Sun emits a CME. CMEs can contain up to one billion tons of material, 

travel at up to one million miles per hour, and play a major role in space weather events that affect Earth 

and planets throughout the solar system. Using data from SDO’s Extreme Ultraviolet Variability 

Experiment (EVE), the dimming of the extreme ultraviolet spectra correlates with both the speed and 

amount of material within the CME. These new insights will improve predictions of solar explosive 

events. Other new results show that coronal heating is more complex than originally thought, with the 

dominant mechanisms likely dependent on local conditions. Scientists used data from IRIS and SDO to 

reveal evidence for an alternative heating mechanism in which small events called nanoflares release 
Science: Heliophysics: Living with a Star 

OTHER MISSIONS AND DATA ANALYSIS

HELIO-33 

magnetic energy. Comparisons between numerical models and high -resolution observations of these 

nanoflares show how particles accelerate to very high energies and speeds that heat small pockets of gas 

to temperatures of millions of degrees and propelling the gas upward into the corona. 
Science: Heliophysics 

SOLAR TERRESTRIAL PROBES

HELIO-34 

FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Other Missions and Data Analysis 70.6 -- 39.8 38.8 127.3 179.4 198.4 

Total Budget 70.6 -- 39.8 38.8 127.3 179.4 198.4 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. FY 

2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

NASA’s TIMED mission has confirmed a surprisingly fast 

carbon dioxide increase in Earth’s upper atmosphere 

using 14 years of data from a radiometer aboard the 

satellite. Furthermore, TIMED data revealed that the 

carbon dioxide in these upper layers, long thought to 

follow the same patterns across the globe, is increasing 

faster over the Northern Hemisphere. Understanding the 

way carbon dioxide moves throughout the atmosphere is 

key, both for making accurate climate models and for 

planning spacecraft orbits.. 

STP focuses on understanding the fundamental 

physical processes of the space environment, 

from the Sun to the Earth, other planets, and 

beyond to the interstellar medium. STP provides 

insight into the basic processes of plasmas (fluid 

of charged particles) inherent in all astrophysical 

systems. STP missions focus on processes such 

as the variability of the Sun, responses of the 

planets to those variations, and the interaction of 

the Sun and the solar system. NASA defines 

specific goals for STP missions and selects 

investigations for each mission competitively. 

These missions allow the science community an 

opportunity to address important research focus 

areas and make significant progress in 

understanding fundamental physics. 

For more information, go to 

http://science.nasa.gov/about-us/smdprograms/solar-terrestrial-probes/. 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES 

IN FY 2017 

None. 

ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2015

MMS launched on an Atlas V launch vehicle 

from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on 

March 12, 2015. Mission science operations 

commenced September 1 following a period of 

commissioning and orbital adjustments. 
Science: Heliophysics 

SOLAR TERRESTRIAL PROBES

HELIO-35 

WORK IN PROGRESS IN FY 2016 

Operations of MMS, STEREO, Hinode, and TIMED continue. 

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS PLANNED FOR FY 2017 

NASA plans to release an AO for the STP-5 mission and a Mission of Opportunity (MO). 

Program Schedule 

Date Significant Event

FY 2017 AO for an STP-5 Mission and MO 

FY 2018 STP-5 and MO KDP-A 

Program Management 

The STP program manager resides at GSFC. 

Acquisition Strategy 

In the acquisition of STP scientific instruments, spacecraft, and science investigations (including 

Research and Analysis), NASA will use full and open competitions to the greatest extent possible. NASA 

may acquire certain instruments, missions, or mission systems without competition (e.g., through 

international partnerships or in-house builds), if there is a clear scientific, technological, or programmatic 

benefit to NASA to do so. NASA will acquire launch vehicles through existing contracts, managed by the 

HEOMD, except when an international partner provides them under an approved agreement. 

INDEPENDENT REVIEWS

Review 

Type Performer Date of Review Purpose Outcome Next Review 

Program 

Independent Review SRB Nov 2014 Assess performance 

of program Successful Oct 2019 
Science: Heliophysics: Solar Terrestrial Probes 

OTHER MISSIONS AND DATA ANALYSIS

HELIO-36 

FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

STP Program Management and Future 

Missions 0.4 -- 3.4 5.7 97.4 149.4 175.4 

Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) 52.4 -- 17.4 14.6 11.0 11.0 4.0 

Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory 

(STEREO) 7.5 -- 9.5 9.3 9.5 9.5 9.5 

Hinode (Solar B) 7.5 -- 7.0 6.8 7.0 7.0 7.0 

TIMED 2.8 -- 2.6 2.4 2.5 2.5 2.5 

Total Budget 70.6 -- 39.8 38.8 127.3 179.4 198.4 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. FY 

2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

Following a successful launch on March 12, 2015, NASA’s 

Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) spacecraft began the 

first space mission dedicated to the study of a 

phenomenon called magnetic reconnection. This process 

occurs when magnetic fields connect, disconnect, and 

reconfigure explosively. These explosions can send 

particles surging through space near the speed of light. 

MMS is currently providing the first three-dimensional 

views of reconnection occurring in Earth's protective 

magnetic space environment known as the 

magnetosphere. 

.

The STP Other Missions and Data Analysis 

budget includes operating STP missions, 

program management, and funding for future 

missions launching in the next decade. 

For more information, go to 

http://stp.gsfc.nasa.gov.

Mission Planning and Other 

Projects 

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT AND 

FUTURE MISSIONS

Program Management and Future Missions 

provide the resources required to manage the 

planning, formulation, and implementation of all 

STP missions. The program office ensures 

successful achievement of STP program cost and 

schedule goals, while managing cross-project 

dependencies, risks, issues, and requirements as 

projects progress through formal key decision 

points. In addition, Future Missions supports the 

STP program strategic planning for addressing 

the recommendations of the Heliophysics 

decadal survey and the pre-formulation activities 

for STP missions not yet approved as projects. 
Science: Heliophysics: Solar Terrestrial Probes 

OTHER MISSIONS AND DATA ANALYSIS

HELIO-37 

Operating Missions 

MAGNETOSPHERIC MULTISCALE (MMS) 

The MMS mission investigates how the magnetic fields of the Sun and Earth connect and disconnect, 

explosively transferring energy from one to the other. This magnetic reconnection process occurs 

throughout the universe. MMS uses Earth’s magnetosphere as a natural laboratory to study the 

microphysics of magnetic reconnection, a fundamental plasma-physical process that converts magnetic 

energy into heat and charged particle kinetic energy. In addition to seeking to solve the mystery of the 

small-scale physics of the reconnection process, MMS will investigate how the energy conversion that 

occurs in magnetic reconnection accelerates particles to high energies and what role plasma turbulence 

plays in reconnection events. Magnetic reconnection, particle acceleration, and turbulence occur in all 

astrophysical plasma systems, but researchers can only study them in-situ in the solar system, and most 

efficiently in Earth’s magnetosphere, where these processes control the dynamics of the geospace 

environment and play an important role in the phenomena known as space weather. 

The MMS mission consists of four identically instrumented spacecraft that measure particles, fields, and 

plasmas. The MMS instrument payload measures electric and magnetic fields and the plasmas found in 

the regions where magnetic reconnection occurs. Fast, multi-point measurements are enabling 

dramatically revealing direct observations of these physical processes. A highly elliptical orbit explores 

how Sun-Earth magnetic fields reconnect in Earth’s neighborhood. The four spacecraft fly in a 

tetrahedron formation that allows them to observe the three dimensional structure of magnetic 

reconnection events. The separation between the observatories is adjustable over a range of 6 to 250 miles 

during science operations in the area of interest. 

For more information, go to http://science.nasa.gov/missions/mms/.

Recent Achievements 

MMS launched on an Atlas V launch vehicle from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on March 12, 2015. 

Mission science operations commenced September 1, following a period of commissioning and orbital 

adjustments. All four observatories that comprise MMS are collecting science data. On Oct. 15, 2015, a 

NASA mission broke its own record: the four satellites of its MMS mission are now flying at their 

smallest separation, the tightest multi-spacecraft formation ever flown in orbit. The four spacecraft are 

just six miles apart, flying in a tetrahedral formation, with each spacecraft at the tip of a four-sided 

pyramid. The close formation is all the more impressive as the spacecraft speed along at up to 15,000 

miles per hour and, with their booms extended, each spacecraft covers as much area as a professional 

baseball stadium. 

SOLAR TERRESTRIAL RELATIONS OBSERVATORY (STEREO) 

STEREO enables studies of the origin of the Sun’s CMEs and their consequences for Earth, other planets, 

and interplanetary space. The mission consists of two spacecraft, one (STEREO-A) ahead and the other 

(STEREO-B) behind Earth in its orbit. STEREO’s instrumentation targets the fundamental process of 

energetic particle acceleration in the low solar corona and in interplanetary space. The mission can image 

the structure and evolution of solar storms as they leave the Sun and move through space toward Earth. 

The mission also provides the foundation for understanding space weather events and developing 

predictive models. The models in turn, help to identify and mitigate the risks associated with space 
Science: Heliophysics: Solar Terrestrial Probes 

OTHER MISSIONS AND DATA ANALYSIS

HELIO-38 

weather events. In addition, STEREO improves our space weather situational awareness not only for 

Earth and in low Earth orbit, but also throughout the solar system. 

On October 1, 2014, NASA lost communication with STEREO-B, just as the spacecraft was about to 

orbit around the other side of the sun. In late 2015 the spacecraft finally emerged from behind the sun, so 

that it can again receive radio signals. NASA will attempt to re-establish contact in March 2016. 

Recent Achievements 

New observations provide key clues regarding the acceleration processes in the corona and the efficient 

transport of SEPs in space. The enormous improvement in solar imaging resulting from the SDO, 

observations at different locations around the Sun from the STEREO spacecraft, and the very sensitive 

measurements of energetic Helium-3 ions from sensors on ACE have recently allowed researchers to 

identify several significant new properties of these small SEP events. For the first time, these direct 

observations have connected several Helium-3 rich SEP events with sources beyond the solar limb, 

further confirming the unexpected large spread of these particles in the interplanetary medium. 

HINODE

Hinode is a joint JAXA and NASA mission, operating as a follow-on to the highly successful Japan, 

United States, and United Kingdom Yohkoh (Solar-A) collaboration. The mission consists of a 

coordinated set of optical, extreme ultraviolet, and X-ray instruments that are studying the basic heating 

mechanisms and dynamics of the active solar corona. By investigating the fundamental processes that 

connect the Sun’s magnetic field and the solar corona, Hinode is discovering how the Sun generates 

magnetic disturbances and the high-energy particle storms that propagate from the Sun to Earth. 

Recent Achievements 

Using magnetic data from the surface of the Sun obtained by Hinode, observations show something called 

a magnetic flux rope builds up over time until it is so unstable that even the slightest perturbation will 

produce a CME. Understanding what triggers CMEs is crucial for better understanding of our Sun, and 

for predicting when such giant explosions might happen. By measuring and calculating the magnetic 

fields on the Sun, coupled with determining how to measure the critical tipping point where a CME can 

erupt, this study offers new ways to determine the possibility of eruption from any given active area on 

the Sun. 

THERMOSPHERE, IONOSPHERE, MESOSPHERE ENERGETICS AND DYNAMICS 

(TIMED)

The TIMED mission characterizes and studies the physics, dynamics, energetics, thermal structure, and 

composition of the least explored and understood region of Earth’s atmosphere, the mesosphere-lower 

thermosphere-ionosphere (MLTI). This region of interest, located between altitudes of approximately 35 

to 100 miles above the surface of Earth, helps protect Earth from harmful solar radiation. It is a gateway 

between Earth’s environment and space, where the Sun’s energy first affects Earth’s environment.
Science: Heliophysics: Solar Terrestrial Probes 

OTHER MISSIONS AND DATA ANALYSIS

HELIO-39 

Recent Achievements 

Gravity waves, waves in the atmosphere similar to ocean tides, play an important part in the dynamics of 

Earth’s atmosphere, transferring energy and momentum over large distances, and driving winds in the 

upper mesosphere. For the first time, a new whole-atmosphere circulation model resolves gravity waves 

down to the tens of kilometers level. The model reproduces temperature features seen by the Sounding of 

the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry instrument on the NASA Heliophysics TIMED 

satellite, and reveals the growth and spatial extent of these waves as they propagate to high altitudes. The 

new simulation revealed a tropical cyclone directly caused the planetary-scale extent of a group of waves 

about 60 miles above the Earth’s surface. The model shows the increasing dominance of gravity waves at 

higher altitudes, and is uncovering important details of their effects on the atmosphere. 

Additionally, TIMED observations show that the carbon dioxide concentration in Earth’s upper 

atmosphere increases at more than twice the average rate observed at the surface, and the rate of increase 

is greater in the Northern Hemisphere than in the Southern Hemisphere. The increased carbon dioxide 

actually causes a long-term cooling in the Earth’s upper atmosphere and a corresponding atmospheric 

contraction. This leads to consequences in our space environment, where radio communications occur and 

spacecraft fly. Therefore, in order to predict and mitigate changes in the space environment, it is critical 

that we keep monitoring the carbon dioxide level not only in the troposphere, but also in the upper 

atmosphere. 
Science: Heliophysics 

HELIOPHYSICS EXPLORER PROGRAM

HELIO-40 

FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Ionospheric Connection Explorer (ICON) 61.0 48.4 49.4 9.0 4.5 1.3 0.0 

Other Missions and Data Analysis 48.9 -- 55.2 45.6 111.8 182.5 184.0 

Total Budget 110.0 -- 104.6 54.5 116.3 183.8 184.0 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. 

For projects in development, NASA's tentatively planned FY 2016 funding level is shown. FY 2016 funding levels 

are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

The Sun's outer atmosphere or corona is mysteriously 

heated to millions of degrees. One leading theory for 

the heating of the hot corona invokes the presence of 

nanoflares, small events of magnetic reconnection that 

release enough energy to locally heat the plasma to 

millions of degrees. IRIS observations showed high 

energy particles generated by individual nanoflare 

events impacting the chromosphere for the first time. 

This data provides new insight into how these 

electrons are accelerated to such high energies. 

Credit: IRIS: LMSAL, NASA. 

 The Heliophysics Explorer Program provides 

frequent flight opportunities for world-class 

scientific investigations on focused and timely 

science topics. Explorers use a suite of smaller, fully 

competed missions that address these topics to 

complement the science of strategic missions of the 

LWS and STP programs. Competitive selections 

ensure accomplishment of the most current and best 

science. 

The Explorers Program provides several classes 

(Medium Explorers-MIDEX and Small ExplorersSMEX) of flight opportunities to accomplish the 

goals of the science program. These mission classes 

enable NASA to increase the number of flight 

opportunities in response to recommendations from 

the scientific community. 

The 2011 NASA AO introduced a new class of 

flight opportunity, the Explorers (EX) missions, in 

response to the currently available expendable 

launch vehicles. EX missions fall between the 

SMEX and MIDEX class missions. Awarded 

missions will utilize one of the several, lower-cost 

expendable launch vehicles available through 

NASA’s Launch Services Program.

Explorer Missions of Opportunity (MO) are smaller 

investigations, typically an instrument, 

characterized as being part of a host space mission, sub-orbital flight, small complete missions, and new 

science investigations using existing spacecraft or ISS-attached payloads. 

Other Missions and Data Analysis supports numerous operating Heliophysics Explorer missions, as well 

as program management functions and funding for future mission selections. 
Science: Heliophysics 

HELIOPHYSICS EXPLORER PROGRAM

HELIO-41 

For more information on Explorer missions, go to http://science.nasa.gov/about-us/smdprograms/explorers/. 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017

None. 

ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2015

The Explorer Program Office successfully completed the Heliophysics Program Implementation Review 

in November 2014. This review is an independent assessment that validates the strategic direction and 

implementation of the Explorer, STP, and LWS flight programs. 

WORK IN PROGRESS IN FY 2016 

NASA plans to release an AO in the early spring of 2016 that will solicit proposals for SMEX missions to 

accomplish Heliophysics Explorer Program science objectives. NASA also plans to release 

simultaneously a solicitation for Heliophysics Explorer MO through a NASA Announcement of 

Opportunity, Second Stand Alone Missions of Opportunity Notice (SALMON-2). A draft SMEX AO and 

draft SALMON-2 Program Element Appendix (PEA) should be ready for release for comment by March 

2016. 

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS PLANNED FOR FY 2017 

NASA will make new mission selections for competitive Phase A study. 

Program Schedule 

Date Significant Event 

Spring/early Summer 2016 AO announcement of SMEX and MO opportunity to propose 

Spring 2017 SMEX and Explorer MO KDP-A 

Late Summer/fall 2018 Down select one SMEX and one MO mission for implementation 

FY 2019 AO announcement for MIDEX and MO opportunity to propose 

FY 2020 MIDEX and Explorer MO KDP-A 

FY 2021 Down select one MIDEX and one MO mission for implementation 
Science: Heliophysics 

HELIOPHYSICS EXPLORER PROGRAM

HELIO-42 

Program Management 

The Heliophysics and Astrophysics Explorer elements are both coordinated sets of uncoupled missions, 

wherein each mission is independent and has unique science, and share a common program office at 

GSFC and a common management structure. The Explorer program manager resides at GSFC, reporting 

functionally to the Center Director and programmatically through the Heliophysics and Astrophysics 

Division Directors to the Associate Administrator for SMD. 

Acquisition Strategy 

NASA competitively selects new Explorer missions, releasing solicitations when available funding 

allows, with the expectation of a three-year cadence. NASA acquires launch vehicles through existing 

contracts held by the HEOMD, except when an international partner provides them under an approved 

agreement or when the Explorer mission is not a primary payload on the launch vehicle. 

INDEPENDENT REVIEWS

Review 

Type Performer Date of Review Purpose Outcome Next Review 

Program 

Independent Review SRB Nov 2014 Assess performance 

of program Successful Oct 2019 
Science: Heliophysics: Heliophysics Explorer Program 

IONOSPHERIC CONNECTION EXPLORER (ICON)

Formulation Development Operations

HELIO-43 

FY 2017 Budget

Actual Enacted Request Notional

Budget Authority (in $ millions) Prior FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 BTC Total 

Formulation 42.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 42.4 

Development/Implementation 36.6 61.0 48.4 46.8 2.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 195.7 

Operations/Close-out 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.6 6.1 4.5 1.3 0.0 0.0 14.5 

2016 MPAR LCC Estimate 79.0 61.0 48.4 49.4 9.0 4.5 1.3 0.0 0.0 252.6 

Total Budget 79.0 61.0 48.4 49.4 9.0 4.5 1.3 0.0 0.0 252.7 

Change from FY 2016 1.0 

Percentage change from FY 2016 2.1% 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. 

For projects in development, NASA's tentatively planned FY 2016 funding level is shown. FY 2016 funding levels 

are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

ICON will explore the boundary between Earth and space 

to understand the physical connection between our world 

and our space environment. 

)

PROJECT PURPOSE

Ionospheric Connection Explorer (ICON) is a 

single spacecraft mission dedicated to 

understanding neutral-ion coupling in the 

Earth’s upper atmosphere, also known as the 

thermosphere. It will resolve both long-standing 

and newly emerging questions about the 

mechanisms that control the daily development 

of plasma in Earth’s space environment.

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES 

IN FY 2017 

The budget reflects the approved KDP-C cost 

and schedule baselines. 

PROJECT PARAMETERS

ICON will simultaneously measure altitude profiles of the thermosphere and ionosphere’s neutral winds, 

composition, density, temperature, and ion density. At the same time, it will make in-situ plasma 

measurements. Three institutions with a successful record of accomplishment of previous space missions 

will build the four high-heritage scientific instruments of ICON. The payload will fly on an Orbital ATK, 
Science: Heliophysics: Heliophysics Explorer Program 

IONOSPHERIC CONNECTION EXPLORER (ICON)

Formulation Development Operations

HELIO-44 

LEOStar-2 spacecraft bus with heritage from Solar Radiation and Climate Experiment (SORCE), 

Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere (AIM), Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO), Glory, and Nuclear 

Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR). ICON will provide the data to “understand how neutral winds 

control ionospheric variability,” which is a goal in the 2010 Science Plan for NASA’s SMD.

ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2015

NASA confirmed ICON to proceed into implementation phase (Phase C/D) on October 29, 2014. The 

project completed CDR on April 10, 2015. 

WORK IN PROGRESS IN FY 2016 

The Project is continuing development, will complete the system integration review and will proceed to 

observatory integration and test by the end of FY 2016. 

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS PLANNED FOR FY 2017 

The Project will complete observatory integration and Pre-Ship Review. 

SCHEDULE COMMITMENTS/KEY MILESTONES

Milestone Confirmation Baseline Date FY 2017 PB Request 

KDP-C Oct 2014 Oct 2014 

CDR Apr 2015 Apr 2015 

SIR Jun 2016 Jun 2016 

Launch Oct 2017 Oct 2017 

Start of Phase E Nov 2017 Nov 2017 

End of Prime Mission Dec 2019 Dec 2019 
Science: Heliophysics: Heliophysics Explorer Program 

IONOSPHERIC CONNECTION EXPLORER (ICON)

Formulation Development Operations

HELIO-45 

Development Cost and Schedule 

Base 

Year 

Base 

Year 

Development 

Cost 

Estimate 

($M) 

JCL 

(%) 

Current 

Year 

Current 

Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate 

($M) 

Cost 

Change 

(%) 

Key 

Milestone 

Base 

Year 

Milestone 

Data 

Current 

Year 

Milestone 

Data 

Milestone 

Change 

(mths) 

2015 196.0 70 2016 195.8 (0.2) LRD Oct 2017 Oct 2017 0 

Note: The confidence level estimates reported reflect an evolving process as NASA improves its probabilistic 

estimation techniques and processes. Estimate reflects the practices and policies at the time it was developed. 

Estimates that include combined cost and schedule risks are denoted as JCL (joint confidence level); all other CLs 

(confidence levels) reflect cost confidence without necessarily factoring the potential impacts of schedule changes 

on cost. 

Development Cost Details 

NASA confirmed ICON to proceed into implementation in October 2014. 

Element 

Base Year Development 

Cost Estimate ($M) 

Current Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate ($M) 

Change from Base Year 

Estimate ($M) 

TOTAL: 196.0 195.8 -0.2 

Aircraft/Spacecraft 29.8 35.5 5.7 

Payloads 35.8 40.0 4.2 

Systems I&T 9.4 9.4 0.0 

Launch Vehicle 54.3 56.3 2.0

Ground Systems 2.9 3.1 0.2 

Science/Technology 3.0 2.8 -0.2 

Other Direct Project 

Costs 60.8 48.7 -12.1 
Science: Heliophysics: Heliophysics Explorer Program 

IONOSPHERIC CONNECTION EXPLORER (ICON)

Formulation Development Operations

HELIO-46 

Project Management & Commitments 

Element Description Provider Details Change from 

Baseline 

Expendable 

Launch Vehicle 

Deliver the spacecraft to 

operational orbit 

Provider: Orbital-ATK 

Lead Center: KSC 

Performing Center(s): KSC 

Cost Share Partner(s): n/a 

N/A 

Spacecraft Transport instruments to 

science destination 

Provider: Orbital ATK 

Lead Center: N/A 

Performing Center(s): N/A 

Cost Share Partner(s): n/a 

N/A 

MIGHTI High resolution imager 

instrument 

Provider: Naval Research Laboratory 

Lead Center: N/A 

Performing Center(s): N/A 

Cost Share Partner(s): 

N/A 

EUV Extreme UV instrument 

Provider: University of California, 

Berkeley 

Lead Center: N/A 

Performing Center(s): N/A 

Cost Share Partner(s): 

N/A 

FUV Far UV instrument 

Provider: University of California, 

Berkeley 

Lead Center: N/A 

Performing Center(s): N/A 

Cost Share Partner(s): Belgian Centre 

Spatial de Liège (CSL) 

N/A 

IVM Ion velocity meter instrument 

Provider: University of Texas, Dallas 

Lead Center: N/A 

Performing Center(s): N/A 

Cost Share Partner(s): 

N/A 
Science: Heliophysics: Heliophysics Explorer Program 

IONOSPHERIC CONNECTION EXPLORER (ICON)

Formulation Development Operations

HELIO-47 

Project Risks 

Risk Statement Mitigation 

If: Only one Instrument Control Package 

(ICP) Engineering Model (EM) available to 

three instruments 

Then: EM availability may negatively affect 

the instrument schedules. 

Develop and track schedule for ICP EM echo usage. 

Acquisition Strategy 

All acquisitions are in place. NASA selected ICON through the AO two-step process, and awarded the 

science investigation to the University of California Berkeley PI in April 2013. 

MAJOR CONTRACTS/AWARDS

NASA awarded the mission Phase B through F (formulation through operations and closeout) 

procurement to the University of California at Berkeley for the PI-controlled mission. All major contracts 

are in place. 

Element Vendor Location (of work performance) 

FUV and EUV instruments University of California, Berkeley Berkeley, CA

MIGHTI instrument Naval Research Laboratory Washington, DC 

IVM instrument University of Texas, Dallas Dallas, TX 

Spacecraft, I&T Orbital Sciences Corporation Dulles, VA 

Payload integration Space Dynamics Laboratory Logan, UT 

Launch Vehicle KSC KSC, FL

INDEPENDENT REVIEWS

Review 

Type Performer Date of Review Purpose Outcome Next Review 

Performance 

SRB Jan 2014 SRR to evaluate 

ICON requirements Successful Jul 2014 

Performance 

SRB Jul 2014 PDR to assess 

readiness for KDP-C Successful Apr 2015 
Science: Heliophysics: Heliophysics Explorer Program 

IONOSPHERIC CONNECTION EXPLORER (ICON)

Formulation Development Operations

HELIO-48 

Review 

Type Performer Date of Review Purpose Outcome Next Review 

Performance 

SRB Apr 2015

Critical Design 

Review to assess 

readiness for KDP-D 

Successful Aug 2016 

Performance 

SRB Aug 2016

Mission PreEnvironmental 

Review 

Jan 2017 

Performance 

SRB Jan 2017 Observatory Pre-Ship 

Review May 2017 
Science: Heliophysics: Heliophysics Explorer Program 

OTHER MISSIONS AND DATA ANALYSIS

HELIO-49 

FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Global-scale Observations of the Limb and 

Disk (GOLD) 13.9 -- 16.3 8.6 4.6 2.0 0.0 

Heliophysics Explorer Future Missions 0.0 -- 3.3 8.5 74.5 149.3 156.1 

Heliophysics Explorer Program 

Management 8.5 -- 10.4 4.8 8.8 8.3 5.0 

Interface Region Imaging Spectograph 

(IRIS) 8.2 -- 7.7 6.8 7.0 6.5 6.5 

Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX) 3.4 -- 3.4 3.3 3.4 3.4 3.4 

TWINS 0.6 -- 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 

CINDI 1.2 -- 0.3 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 

Aeronomy of Ice in Mesophere (SMEX-9) 3.0 -- 3.0 2.9 3.0 3.0 3.0 

Time History of Events and Macroscale 

Interactions during Substorms (THEMIS) 5.4 -- 5.4 5.0 5.1 4.5 4.5 

ACE 3.0 -- 3.0 2.9 3.0 3.0 3.0 

RHESSI 1.8 -- 1.9 1.9 1.9 1.9 1.9 

Total Budget 48.9 -- 55.2 45.6 111.8 182.5 184.0 

Kelvin-Helmholtz waves have since been discovered 

all over the universe: in clouds, in the atmospheres of 

other planets, and on the sun. To spot the frequency of 

the Kelvin-Helmholtz waves, researchers used 

instrument data from two NASA spacecraft: the 

Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) and the Time 

History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during 

Substorms (THEMIS). The magnetosphere simulation 

above shows, in color code, the electrical current 

density in the equatorial plane. The wavy region, when 

Earth’s magnetic field interacts with the streaming 

solar wind, is the magnetopause. 

.

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the 

September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-

235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in 

Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 

2016. FY 2016 funding levels are subject to change 

pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

The Heliophysics Explorer Other Missions and Data 

Analysis budget includes operating Explorer 

missions, program management, and funding for the 

mission currently in the competitive principal 

investigator-led mission procurement cycle. 

For more information, go to 

http://science.nasa.gov/about-us/smdprograms/explorers/. 

Mission Planning and Other 

Projects 

GLOBAL-SCALE OBSERVATIONS OF THE 

LIMB AND DISK (GOLD) 
Science: Heliophysics: Heliophysics Explorer Program 

OTHER MISSIONS AND DATA ANALYSIS

HELIO-50 

The GOLD investigation will perform unprecedented imaging of the Earth’s thermosphere and 

ionosphere. For the first time, GOLD will answer fundamental scientific questions about how the 

thermosphere/ionosphere system responds to geomagnetic storms, solar radiation, and upward 

propagating waves and tides. 

Recent Achievements 

GOLD has successfully completed KDP-C (Confirmation) in March 2015 and CDR in October 2015 and 

is proceeding towards Pre-Environmental Review with excellent technical progress. 

EXPLORER FUTURE MISSIONS

Explorer Future Missions provides the resources required to manage the planning, formulation, and 

implementation of all Explorer missions. The program office ensures successful achievement of Explorer 

program cost and schedule goals, while managing cross-project dependencies, risks, issues, and 

requirements as projects progress through formal key decision points. Additionally, Future Missions 

supports the Explorer procurement activities, including the pre-formulation activities for missions not yet 

approved as projects. 

EXPLORER PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

Explorer Program Management encompasses the program office resources required to manage the 

formulation and implementation of all Explorer projects. The program office is responsible for providing 

support and guidance to projects in resolving technical and programmatic issues and risks, for monitoring 

and reporting technical and programmatic progress of the projects and for achieving Explorer cost, 

schedule, and technical goals and requirements. 

Recent Achievements 

The Explorer Program Office successfully completed the Heliophysics Program Implementation Review 

in November 2014. This review is an independent assessment that validates the strategic direction and 

implementation of the Explorer, STP, and LWS flight programs. 

Operating Missions 

INTERFACE REGION IMAGING SPECTROGRAPH (IRIS) 

IRIS is a Small Explorer mission selected in June 2009 and launched on June 27, 2013. IRIS joined a 

network of solar spacecraft and ground-based observatories to provide unprecedented insight into a little 

understood region of the Sun called the interface region. IRIS is enabling scientists to understand what 

energizes the solar atmosphere, providing significant new information to increase our understanding of 

energy transport into the corona and solar wind, which provides a model for all stellar atmospheres. The 

mission will extend the scientific output of existing heliophysics spacecraft that follow the effects of 

energy release processes from the Sun to Earth. IRIS provides key insights into all these processes, and 

thereby advances our understanding of the solar drivers of space weather from the corona to the far 
Science: Heliophysics: Heliophysics Explorer Program 

OTHER MISSIONS AND DATA ANALYSIS

HELIO-51 

heliosphere by combining high-resolution imaging and spectroscopy for the entire chromosphere and 

adjacent regions. 

Recent Achievements 

IRIS has provided scientists with five new findings into how the Sun’s atmosphere, or corona, is heated 

far hotter than its surface, what causes the Sun’s constant outflow of particles called the solar wind, and 

what mechanisms accelerate particles that power solar flares. The first result identified heat pockets of 

200,000 degrees Fahrenheit lower in the solar atmosphere than ever observed by previous spacecraft. 

Scientists refer to the pockets as solar heat bombs because of the amount of energy they release in such a 

short time. For its second finding, IRIS observed numerous small low-lying loops of solar material in the 

interface region for the first time. A surprise to researchers was the third finding of IRIS observations 

showing structures resembling mini-tornadoes occurring in solar active regions for the first time. These 

tornadoes move at speeds as fast as 12 miles per second and are scattered throughout the chromosphere, 

the layer of the Sun in the interface region just above the surface. They provide a mechanism for 

transferring energy to power the million-degree temperatures in the corona. Another finding uncovers 

evidence of high-speed jets at the root of the solar wind. The jets are fountains of plasma that shoot out of 

coronal holes, areas of less dense material in the solar atmosphere, and may be a source of the solar wind. 

The result highlights the effects of nanoflares throughout the corona. A mechanism called magnetic 

reconnection, whereby magnetic field lines cross and explosively realign, initiates large solar flares. 

These often send particles out into space at nearly the speed of light. One theory espouses that smaller 

versions of these, called nanoflares, drives coronal heating. IRIS observations show high-energy particles 

generated by individual nanoflare events affecting the chromosphere for the first time. These findings 

reveal a region of the Sun more complicated than previously thought. Combining IRIS data with 

observations from other Heliophysics missions is enabling breakthroughs in our understanding of the Sun 

and its interactions with the solar system. 

INTERSTELLAR BOUNDARY EXPLORER (IBEX) 

IBEX is the first mission designed to image the edge of the solar system. As the solar wind from the Sun 

flows out beyond Neptune, it collides with the material between the stars, forming several boundaries. 

These interactions create energetic neutral atoms, particles with no charge that move very quickly. This 

region emits no light that conventional telescopes can see, so IBEX measures the particles that happen to 

be traveling inward from the boundary instead. IBEX contains two detectors designed to collect and 

measure energetic neutral atoms, providing data about the mass, direction of origin, and energy of these 

particles. From these data, researchers create maps of the boundary. The mission’s focused science 

objective is to discover the nature of the interactions between the solar wind and the interstellar medium 

at the edge of the solar system. This region is important because it shields a large percentage of harmful 

galactic cosmic rays from Earth and the inner solar system. 

Recent Achievements 

In 14 papers published in the October 2015 Astrophysical Journal Supplement, scientists present findings 

from NASA’s IBEX mission providing the most definitive analyses, theories and results about local 

interstellar space to date. IBEX uses energetic neutral atom imaging to examine how our heliosphere, the 

magnetic bubble in which our Sun and planets reside, interacts with interstellar space. IBEX created the 

first global maps of these interactions and how they change over time. IBEX also directly measures 

interstellar neutral atoms flowing into the solar system; the journal’s special issue focuses on these 
Science: Heliophysics: Heliophysics Explorer Program 

OTHER MISSIONS AND DATA ANALYSIS

HELIO-52 

particles. Eight papers highlight the interstellar helium measurements taken by IBEX and the joint ESA 

and NASA Ulysses spacecraft, which launched in 1990. These are the only two spacecraft to have directly 

measured the local interstellar flow of these helium atoms. The studies resolved an inconsistency in the 

direction and temperature of the interstellar flow in the data gathered by Ulysses compared to those taken 

by IBEX. Both data sets now affirm that the local interstellar flow is significantly hotter than believed 

previously based on the Ulysses observations alone, and provide insight into the direction the heliosphere 

is moving through the local material in the galaxy, as well as how fast it is traveling. Two papers examine 

aspects of determining the composition of interstellar particles, looking closely at oxygen, helium, and 

neon, as well as how those and other particles are effectively measured. The final four papers discuss 

analysis techniques and related theoretical considerations. 

TWO WIDE-ANGLE IMAGING NEUTRAL ATOM SPECTROMETERS (TWINS) 

TWINS provides stereo imaging of Earth’s magnetosphere, the region surrounding the planet controlled 

by its magnetic field that contains the Van Allen radiation belts and other energetic charged particles. 

TWINS gives a three-dimensional global visualization of this region, which has led to a greatly enhanced 

understanding of the connections between different regions of the magnetosphere and their relation to 

solar variability. TWINS is a NASA-sponsored mission of opportunity that has been operational since 

2008 and approved for extended operations until September 2016. 

Recent Achievements 

The TWINS mission has performed the first multi-scale study of medium-energy hydrogen and oxygen 

ion composition in the magnetosphere, demonstrating our ability to map the structure from the largest to 

the smallest spatial scale. The combination of TWINS images with local ion measurements by the Van 

Allen Probes provides complementary views of two different spatial scales. The Van Allen Probes 

mission provides detailed localized measurement, and the TWINS mission captures a global view. 

THE COUPLED ION-NEUTRAL DYNAMICS INVESTIGATIONS (CINDI) 

CINDI is a mission to understand the dynamics of Earth’s ionosphere. This mission studies the behavior 

of equatorial ionospheric irregularities, which can cause disruptions in communications and navigation 

systems. CINDI data incorporated into state-of-the-art physics models is leading to advances in 

specification and prediction of space weather events. CINDI is in extended phase until September 2016. 

The mission consists of two instruments on the Communication/Navigation Outage Forecast System 

(C/NOFS) satellite, a project of the U.S. Air Force. 

Recent Achievements 

CINDI observations demonstrate a new predictive capability for the equatorial plasma structure in the 

Earth’s upper atmosphere. The occurrence probability of plasma structures in the equatorial ionosphere 

and their relationship to the vertical drift observed near sunset just prior to their occurrence shows a 

remarkable continuous probability distribution, allowing specific predictions on key structures called 

ionospheric irregularities. 
Science: Heliophysics: Heliophysics Explorer Program 

OTHER MISSIONS AND DATA ANALYSIS

HELIO-53 

AERONOMY OF ICE IN THE MESOSPHERE (AIM) 

The Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere is a mission to determine why polar mesospheric clouds form, 

and why they vary. Polar mesospheric clouds, Earth’s highest-altitude clouds, form each summer in the 

coldest part of the atmosphere about 50 miles above the polar regions. These clouds are of particular 

interest, as the number of clouds in the middle atmosphere, or mesosphere, over Earth’s poles has been 

increasing over recent years, possibly related to climate change. The spacecraft launched on April 25, 

2007, completed its prime mission in FY 2009, and is currently in extended phase until September 2016. 

Recent Achievements 

The AIM satellite has observed the largest extremes in planetary wave activity since the beginning of 

space based observations of the stratosphere in 1978 and they appear to be occurring more frequently 

prompting speculation that the atmosphere is changing. Data from the AIM explorer have shown how the 

temperature and humidity of the mesosphere can change dramatically from one year to the next. In some 

years, conditions remain relatively warm and dry until June; in others, cold and wet conditions cause 

polar mesospheric clouds to form by the first half of May. Winter-to-summer transitions in the underlying 

stratospheric winds explain the observed variations. In recent years, this stratospheric transition has 

shown unusual variability whereby in different years the transition occurs anytime from early spring to

late spring. The physical mechanism that links this stratospheric variability with polar mesospheric cloud 

onset is planetary scale waves acting on the stratospheric polar vortex. The first six springs observed by 

AIM (2008-2013) have shown some of the largest variations in atmospheric dynamics since space-based 

observations began. 

TIME HISTORY OF EVENTS AND MACROSCALE INTERACTIONS DURING 

SUBSTORMS (THEMIS) 

THEMIS is a Medium Class Explorers mission that launched on February 17, 2007, and is currently 

operating in extended phase until September 2016. Starting as a five-spacecraft mission, the three inner 

probes of THEMIS now focus on collecting data related to the onset and evolution of magnetospheric 

substorms, while the two outer probes (now referred to as ARTEMIS) have been repositioned into lunar 

orbits. Magnetospheric substorms are the explosive release of stored energy within the near-Earth space 

environment that can lead to space weather effects. The two ARTEMIS probes orbit the Moon’s surface 

at approximately one hundred miles altitude and provide new information about the Moon’s internal 

structure and its atmosphere. ARTEMIS provides two-point observations essential to characterizing the 

Moon’s plasma environment and hazardous lunar radiation. THEMIS and ARTEMIS, among others in 

the Heliophysics portfolio, are examples of missions offering important dynamics knowledge useful for 

future human spaceflight. 

Recent Achievements 

At times, the solar wind can enter near-Earth space if the solar magnetic field connects with Earth's 

magnetic field. THEMIS observations yield key discoveries regarding the entry mechanisms. KH waves, 

created at the boundary between two oppositely flowing fluids, occur in many physical systems. The KH 

waves form as the solar wind flows around the Earth's magnetosphere, allowing a mixing of solar wind 

plasma across this surface. To determine the frequency of the KH waves in near-Earth space, scientists 

used data from two NASA Heliophysics spacecraft: ACE and THEMIS. While scientists have 

occasionally spotted KH waves at this boundary before, they have found that the waves are much more 
Science: Heliophysics: Heliophysics Explorer Program 

OTHER MISSIONS AND DATA ANALYSIS

HELIO-54 

common than expected and may have more of an effect on our space environment than previously 

realized. 

ADVANCED COMPOSITION EXPLORER (ACE) 

ACE observes particles of solar, interplanetary, interstellar, and galactic origins as they pass by its 

location near the L1 Lagrangian point, located about a million miles from Earth toward the Sun. Changing 

conditions over the solar cycle are presenting new opportunities, including providing new insights 

relevant to space weather events. 

Recent Achievements 

Solar energetic protons are of major concern for human space exploration due to their sudden appearance 

coupled with their potential to increase human exposure to radiation dose. The ACE spacecraft has highly 

sophisticated instrumentation for detecting many particle species emitted by the Sun in energetic particle 

events. New research exploits a combination of channels of the Electron, Proton, and Alpha Monitor 

instrument to measure energetic protons for the first time. The identification of these super-fast protons 

can improve the timing of particle acceleration and release from near the Sun, and thus help narrow down 

the candidates of particle acceleration, a major objective of the Heliophysics research program. 

RAMATY HIGH ENERGY SOLAR SPECTROSCOPIC IMAGER (RHESSI) 

The RHESSI satellite focuses on the highest energy X-rays and gamma rays produced by the Sun, helping 

to observe solar flares of all shapes and sizes. 

Recent Achievements 

Radio observations are an ideal complement to RHESSI hard X-ray flare observations since they provide 

physically distinct perspectives on energetic electrons, hot plasma, and the magnetic field. Combining Xray and radio observations at different wavelengths leads to important new diagnostics. Of the many types 

of radio bursts, decametric spike bursts are of particular interest because scientists believe them to be a 

direct radio signature of the acceleration process itself. Combined RHESSI and Very Large Array images 

reveal that these bursts are indeed at the same location as the hard X-ray source in the corona, meaning 

the two sets of data can be used to investigate the same physical source. Furthermore, using the properties 

derived from RHESSI, we confirmed the radio source was indeed the fundamental plasma emission. . 
 

AERONAUTICS

AERO-1 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Airspace Operations and Safety Program 154.0 -- 159.4 159.2 176.2 189.1 221.5 

Advanced Air Vehicles Program 240.6 -- 298.6 277.4 308.8 311.6 312.6 

Integrated Aviation Systems Program 150.0 -- 210.0 255.4 381.4 493.0 556.7 

Transformative Aero Concepts Program 97.4 -- 122.3 154.4 193.8 179.7 196.2 

Total Budget 642.0 640.0 790.4 846.4 1060.1 1173.3 1286.9 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. 

FY 2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

FY 2017 reflects discretionary and mandatory funding. Additional details on the mandatory funding can be found in 

the Explanation of Changes section.

Aeronautics ......................................................................AERO-2

AIRSPACE OPERATIONS AND SAFETY PROGRAM .......................................AERO-14

ADVANCED AIR VEHICLES PROGRAM ...........................................................AERO-23

INTEGRATED AVIATION SYSTEMS PROGRAM ..............................................AERO-35

TRANSFORMATIVE AERO CONCEPTS PROGRAM ........................................AERO-44
 

AERONAUTICS

AERO-2 

FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Airspace Operations and Safety Program 154.0 -- 159.4 159.2 176.2 189.1 221.5 

Advanced Air Vehicles Program 240.6 -- 298.6 277.4 308.8 311.6 312.6 

Integrated Aviation Systems Program 150.0 -- 210.0 255.4 381.4 493.0 556.7 

Transformative Aero Concepts Program 97.4 -- 122.3 154.4 193.8 179.7 196.2 

Total Budget 642.0 640.0 790.4 846.4 1060.1 1173.3 1286.9 

Change from FY 2016 150.4 

Percentage change from FY 2016 23.5% 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. 

FY 2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

FY 2017 reflects discretionary and mandatory funding. Additional details on the mandatory funding can be found in 

the Explanation of Changes section.

 

NASA Aeronautics researches technologies and develops 

game-changing concepts for advanced aircraft.)

An efficient and effective transportation system 

is fundamental to the future of our economy and 

is inextricably tied to a clean energy future. 

Aviation is a highly visible and forward-looking 

component of transportation. Aviation moves the 

world, and the U.S. is a global leader in aviation 

technology. 

Aviation accounts for more than $1.5 trillion 

annually of total U.S. economic activity and is 

one of the few industries that generates a 

positive trade balance: $78 billion in 2014, 

alone1. The aviation industry supports more 

than 11.8 million direct and indirect jobs, 

including more than one million high-quality 

manufacturing jobs2. 

Through NASA, the U.S. government has for decades had a highly productive partnership with the U.S. 

aviation industry and the nation’s foremost universities leading to breakthroughs that have improved the 

efficiency, performance, and safety of aviation for all citizens. For example, the FY 2015 completion of 

the Environmentally Responsible Aviation (ERA) project demonstrates the potential impact of NASA 

Aeronautics research – estimates for potential fuel savings through the application of ERA technologies 

through 2050 could approach 80 billion gallons. 

1

“Bureau of Transportation Statistics http://www.transtats.bts.gov/Data_Elements.aspx?Data=2

2

“The Economic Impact of Civil Aviation on the U.S. Economy,” FAA June 2014
 

AERONAUTICS

AERO-3 

Today, we stand on the cusp of the next era in aviation. Recent technology advances in many different 

fields are coming together to enable breakthroughs in the speed and efficiency of transport aircraft that are 

the backbone of the aviation system. These breakthroughs will also enable new markets for smaller 

aircraft, from unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) that serve search and rescue, agriculture and commerce 

applications to the potential for new modes of personal transport. These innovations will support new 

jobs, new opportunities, and new ways for the U.S. to lead the world in technology and innovation. 

To ensure research focus on enabling the next era in aviation, NASA Aeronautics guides its efforts with 

its visionary strategic implementation plan (http://www.aeronautics.nasa.gov/strategic-plan.htm). The 

plan lays out NASA’s approach to addressing growing demand for global air mobility, the major 

challenges of energy efficiency and environmental sustainability, and the opportunity for convergence 

between traditional aeronautical disciplines and technology advances in information, communications, 

energy and other rapidly evolving technologies. The strategic implementation plan (SIP) identifies six 

research thrusts: 

 Thrust 1: Safe, efficient growth in global operations; 

Thrust 2: Innovation in commercial supersonic aircraft; 

Thrust 3: Ultra-efficient commercial vehicles; 

Thrust 4: Transition to low-carbon propulsion; 

Thrust 5: Real-time, system-wide safety assurance; and 

Thrust 6: Assured autonomy for aviation transformation 











NASA has an investment strategy supporting long-term research roadmaps to enable major outcomes in 

each of these thrusts. The roadmaps are implemented in partnership with the aviation community and 

reflect visionary solutions to aviation system needs that will ensure major benefits in mobility, 

environmental sustainability, and safety, while ensuring continued long-term aviation technology 

leadership in this rapidly expanding global industry. 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017 

 Mandatory Budget Authority Actual Enacted Request Notional 

 (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 Outyears 

21st Century Clean Transportation 

Plan -- -- 100.0 200.0 400.0 500.0 600.0 1900.0 

Airspace Operations and Safety 

Program 

18.0 20.0 35.0 45.0 75.0 170

Advanced Air Vehicles Program 30.0 41.0 79.0 80.0 65.0 305

Integrated Aviation Systems 

Program 

37.0 84.0 196.0 300.0 370.0 1170

Transformative Aero Concepts 

Program 

15.0 55.0 90.0 75.0 90.0 255

Low Boom Flight Demonstrator 55.9 

Integrated Aviation Systems 

Program 

55.9 
 

AERONAUTICS

AERO-4 

With this request, NASA Aeronautics begins a major new initiative, New Aviation Horizons (NAH), 

which is a bold series of experimental aircraft and systems demonstrations to advance the NASA 

Aeronautics strategic vision in partnership with the aviation community. This NAH initiative 

demonstrates and validates transformative concepts with integrated, advanced technologies to meet the 

long term needs of aviation and sustain U.S. technological leadership. In FY 2017, NASA will initiate an 

NAH - Subsonic Demonstrator project to design and build advanced configuration subsonic transport Xplanes that demonstrate and validate the configurations and technologies to achieve a 50 percent reduction 

in fuel use while also dramatically reducing noise. NAH is led by the Integrated Aviation Systems 

Program (IASP) and supports the achievement of all six research thrusts over time. The NAH initiative is 

built upon advancements in concepts and technologies that NASA Aeronautics has pioneered in 

partnership with industry and universities over the past decade. 

With the request, NASA will also establish the Hypersonics Technology (HT) Project. NASA will 

balance investments that support and leverage the work of the Department of Defense (DoD) with 

investments in fundamental hypersonics research. 

With mandatory funds in FY2017, NASA will initiate an NAH - Low Boom Flight Demonstrator (LBFD) 

project to demonstrate quieter supersonic flight. Over the past decade, fundamental research and 

experimentation has demonstrated the possibility of supersonic flight with much reduced sonic boom 

noise. The low boom X-plane will demonstrate these advancements in flight utilizing a purpose-built 

experimental aircraft, supporting the development of a sonic boom standard that would allow overland 

commercial supersonic flight (currently prohibited). Preliminary design review for the LBFD will be 

completed in FY 2016, and detailed design will begin in FY 2017. 

21st Century Clean Transportation Plan 

In FY 2017, NASA Aeronautics programs are supported in part by mandatory funding including funding 

from the 21st Century Clean Transportation Plan. This plan extends beyond the five-year period covered 

in this document. Full funding for the plan in Aeronautics is $3.7 billion over 10 years. 

The 21st Century Clean Transportation Plan accelerates aviation energy efficiency, propulsion system 

transformation, and major improvements in aviation mobility. With this additional funding, NASA will 

accelerate and expand the NAH - Subsonic Demonstrator project to evaluate advanced configuration 

subsonic transport X-planes. In FY 2017, NAH will initiate the development of a formal preliminary 

design for a large-scale Hybrid Wing Body (HWB) experimental aircraft. The HWB configuration has 

been the focus of substantial research and experimentation and represents the most mature concept, ready 

for flight demonstration and validation. 

NAH will also develop a series of transformative hybrid electric propulsion demonstrators, starting at 

small scale for risk reduction, learning, and for early applications, and then transitioning to a larger scale 

X-Plane demonstration focused on propulsion innovation for subsonic transport class aircraft. Hybrid 

electric propulsion is a very promising technology pathway that is in its initial stages. The promise is 

substantially reduced emissions, while also enabling significant improvements in fuel efficiency from 

innovative vehicle-propulsion integration. This series of demonstrators, which will begin after the initial 

subsonic transport X-planes are underway, will enable the aviation community to collaborate in exploring 

the many technical issues that must be addressed to enable such a transformation in aviation. 

With additional funding, NASA will accelerate and expand the scope NAH-LBFD project to include the 

use of low carbon alternative fuels. The NAH-LBFD flight tests will demonstrate the promise of both the 
 

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long-term improvement in global mobility from supersonic flight, while also ensuring low environmental 

impact consistent with the 21st Century Clean Transportation Plan. 

Taken together, the NAH demonstrations accelerate aviation to a high efficiency, high mobility, and low 

emissions future, while ensuring the next generation of U.S. technological leadership for a growing 

aviation demands. 

In addition to NAH, additional efforts will be phased in over the next several fiscal years, including 

increased investment in enabling tools and technologies, revolutionizing operational efficiency, fostering 

advanced concepts and training the future workforce, and leveraging non-aerospace technology 

advancements. In the category of enabling tools and technologies, one element is ground testing of 

advanced technologies that reduce the risk of application in NAH demonstrators. Another element is a 

major research effort to enable smaller engine cores for turbofan engines leading to higher bypass, higher 

efficiency engines. Smaller engine cores are also enabling for hybrid electric propulsion systems. 

Additionally, accelerated research on robust, fuel flexible combustors enables higher fractions of lowcarbon alternative fuel utilization. Finally, fully funding the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) 2030 

plan delivers highly advanced physics-based flow simulations that enable confident design of the 

advanced configurations being tested in NAH. 

NASA will increase funding to revolutionize operational efficiency by developing and demonstrating 

gate-to-gate Trajectory Based Operations (TBO) capabilities, building on the great success of the Air 

Traffic Management (ATM) Technology Demonstrations (ATDs) that have been performed in 

partnership with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and industry. Current ATDs coupled with 

TBO demonstration and validation will enable the full Next Generation Air Transportation System 

(NextGen) vision, maximizing operational efficiency and reducing energy consumption. 

NASA will augment internal early stage innovative research and the new university leadership initiative 

to focus on high efficiency, low carbon concepts, fostering advanced concepts and training the future 

workforce. Empowering NASA’s creative research workforce and the university community, including 

the brightest young minds in the nation, excited about clean and innovative aviation systems, will propel 

future advancements in ways that cannot be anticipated today. 

Finally, NASA will leverage non-aerospace technology advancements through support of challenge prizes 

to bring key non-aerospace technologies, such as advanced energy storage technologies, into aeronautics 

applications. These challenge prizes will add another element of broad innovation to complement 

accelerated advancements in aviation. 

The suite of investments that comprise the 21st Century Clean Transportation Plan is fundamentally 

aligned to the achievement of the NASA Aeronautics SIP. The investments provide a balanced approach 

to achieving a major acceleration of aviation efficiency improvements and emissions reductions, while 

creating a pipeline of new ideas and new engineers capable of continued progress in transforming 

aviation. 
 

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ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2015

Thrust 1: Safe, efficient growth in global operations 

NASA continued to make significant progress in developing automation that enables the success of the 

Nation’s NextGen initiative, in partnership with FAA and industry, supporting the TBO capability. 

NASA delivered the final technology transfer associated with Terminal Sequencing and Spacing (TSAS) 

to the FAA NextGen Office. TSAS technology (the ground-based portion of the ATD-1 activity) provides 

information to air traffic controllers about the aircraft speeds and spacing that enable approaches into 

airports reducing flight delays saving time and reducing fuel consumption. In cooperation with the FAA, 

NASA tested TSAS prototype software as integrated with operational versions of FAA hardware to 

reduce deployment risk. NASA also prepared for extensive testing of the Spot and Runway Departure 

Advisor (SARDA) in operational field trials at the American Airlines Ramp Tower at Charlotte Douglas 

International Airport. SARDA improves tower controller’s ability to direct airport surface operations 

efficiently by allowing non-stop, continuous movement of aircraft on taxiways resulting benefits of 

increased throughput and reduced fuel consumption. NASA conducted live data interface and extensive 

shadow testing of the SARDA system and underwent a follow-on human-in-the-loop (HITL) simulation 

to address gaps discovered in the shadow testing. 

Thrust 2: Innovation in commercial supersonic aircraft 

NASA’s progress in low-noise commercial supersonic flight continued to advance the nation’s readiness 

for experimental flight demonstration of this capability. NASA completed experimental and analytical 

studies of jet engine exhaust and studies of the interactions of the exhaust with shock waves generated in 

supersonic flight. Specifically, NASA performed assessments of exhaust effects utilizing CFD analysis 

with comparison to experimental test data from the NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) 1x1-Foot 

Supersonic Wind Tunnel. Understanding these jet engine exhaust effects were the final step needed to 

develop a first-of its kind set of low sonic boom aircraft design tools that NASA made available to 

industry. These unique tools enable aircraft design engineers to rapidly design vehicles with low sonic 

boom noise signatures that provide industry the ability to confidently design new supersonic commercial 

aircraft. 

Thrust 3: Ultra-efficient commercial vehicles 

The completion of NASA’s ERA Project represents a major milestone for the aviation industry in 

supporting development of the next generation of ultra-efficient subsonic transports. NASA’s ERA 

Project, during its final year, matured and demonstrated several high impact technologies in relevant 

environments. Specifically, the ERA project successfully completed eight Integrated Technology 

Demonstrations, which together could reduce fuel burn by 50 percent, community noise by 42 decibels 

below stage 4 noise standards, and nitrogen oxides emission by 75 percent during take-off and landing. 

The U.S. aviation industry coordinated and collaborated with NASA’s ERA project through cost-sharing 

partnerships throughout its project life, ensuring industry can confidently and efficiently integrate these 

technologies into future generations of transport aircraft. The net effect of the application of these 

technologies through mid-century is measured in tens of billions of gallons of fuel savings, reducing the 

cost of air travel and substantially reducing environmental impacts. 
 

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Thrust 4: Transition to low-carbon propulsion 

NASA completed analysis, documentation, and dissemination of test results from a flight campaign to 

characterize the gaseous and particulate cruise emissions of biofuel-blended jet fuels and effects of fuel 

sulfur during flight at cruise conditions. This effort is part of a multi-agency and aviation communitywide effort to enable the greater use of drop-in alternative fuels for aviation. This internationally 

recognized data set (at https://aero-fp.larc.nasa.gov/) enables the atmospheric science community to 

continue to improve emissions modeling and guides the development of international standards for 

aircraft emissions when drop-in alternative fuels are used. 

Thrust 5: Real-time, system-wide safety assurance 

NASA continued research aimed at improving methods for ensuring aviation safety. NASA delivered two 

guidance documents to the FAA that provide recommendations for increasingly efficient and effective 

assurance of future complex aviation systems. The first document addresses the development of modern 

systems by multi-tier networks of suppliers and identifies gaps in the processes intended to ensure safety 

and regulatory compliance. Recommendations for short-term and long-term solutions to achieving a 

higher level of confidence in the design of complex avionics systems are presented, including suggestions 

for new and revised guidelines. The second document provides guidance on new approaches to software 

assurance for the FAA. Current methods are less efficient than desired, creating a barrier to the rapid 

introduction of new aviation systems. The report provides information on alternative approaches to 

software assurance as well as case studies. NASA also made progress toward system-wide availability of 

our safety analysis tools, already in use by some U.S. Airlines, by working with the FAA and Aviation 

Safety Information and Sharing System (ASIAS) to validate use of NASA tools on their safety data. 

Thrust 6: Assured autonomy for aviation transformation 

NASA continued to lead the U.S. in researching the key issues for safe UAS operations. NASA delivered 

data, analyses, and recommendations to support the Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics' 

(RTCA) Special Committee on UAS Integration into the NAS (SC 228) in their effort to set preliminary 

Minimum Operational Performance Standards (MOPS). The special committee is responsible for 

developing the MOPS required for flying UAS in the NAS. NASA based its recommendations on a series 

of simulations and flight tests that included an integrated flight test series using simulated airspace/traffic 

with a live test vehicle. NASA’s contribution included guidance, alerting, human machine interface, 

aircraft performance, terminology, system specific performance requirements, and equipment test 

procedures. This information is a part of the approved RTCA Program Management Council’s 

Preliminary MOPS 

WORK IN PROGRESS IN FY 2016 

Thrust 1: Safe, efficient growth in global operations 

NASA will continue to make significant progress in developing automation that enables the success of the 

Nation’s NextGen initiative, in partnership with FAA and industry, as well as deliver solutions to critical 

aviation safety issues. NASA will continue development of an integrated set of NextGen tools and 

technologies, known as Interval Management - Terminal Area Precision Scheduling and Spacing 

technologies or Air Traffic Management Technology Demonstration 1 (ATD-1), that provide an efficient 

arrival solution for managing aircraft beginning from just prior to top-of-descent and continuing down to 

the runway. This will demonstrate throughput and delay benefits, and minimize fuel burn, noise, and 

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greenhouse gas emissions for arrival operations during peak traffic conditions in the terminal area. NASA 

is working with the FAA, airlines, aircraft, and avionics manufacturers, ground-based automation system 

integrators, and airports to prepare to test this integrated set of technologies at a dense terminal of a busy 

commercial airport by 2017. NASA will also develop tools to reduce take-off time variances. These tools 

will increase predictability of the airspace system and allow airlines to reduce schedule block-times for 

flights during high-demand periods. It supports the Integrated Arrival/Departure/Surface (IADS) (also 

known as ATD-2) concept of operations. This will result in significant cost reduction to airlines, and 

reduce emissions and fuel burn. After over two years of extensive HITL simulations of the SARDA 

system in operational scenarios, NASA will evaluate this tool in operational training, shadow testing and 

live traffic evaluations throughout FY 2016. The evaluations will culminate in a technology licensing and 

transfer to airlines by early FY 2017. These described automaton tools serve as fundamental building 

blocks for gate-to-gate TBO capability. 

In addition, NASA continues to address key safety issues to ensure safe operations. NASA will complete 

studies to determine the most promising super-cooled large droplet (SLD) icing (i.e. freezing drizzle and 

rain) experimental simulation methods. The ability to provide an SLD freezing drizzle/rain environment 

in a ground test facility will allow for the efficient and effective testing of aircraft components, computer 

simulation validations and SLD freezing drizzle/rain protection systems. The ability to provide an SLD 

freezing drizzle/rain environment in a ground test facility does not currently exist, and future air vehicles 

will need to operate safely under SLD-like conditions. 

Thrust 2: Innovation in commercial supersonic aircraft 

NASA will achieve a major milestone in enabling development of low noise commercial supersonic 

aircraft by completing the Low Noise Propulsion for Low-Boom Aircraft technical challenge. This 

technical challenge addresses the development of computer-based design tools and innovative concepts 

for integrated low-noise supersonic propulsion systems and demonstrates these concepts through ground 

testing. Although overcoming the barrier of sonic boom noise is a primary focus in this Thrust, this 

research effort recognizes that future commercial supersonic aircraft will have to be as quiet as possible to 

meet the same stringent airport noise regulations that govern the subsonic fleet. The planned activity 

addresses the challenge of designing low sonic boom noise aircraft that also meet the current airport noise 

requirement and anticipates an increase in the stringency of the noise requirement in the future. In 

addition, NASA will initiate and nearly complete a detailed preliminary design for a low boom 

demonstrator aircraft. This design will enable the development of an aircraft capable of generating the 

necessary data to support an overland boom standard for commercial supersonic flight. 

Thrust 3: Ultra-efficient commercial vehicles 

NASA will continue to advance the technical readiness of the most promising advanced configurations 

for future subsonic transports. NASA will validate the high-speed performance and aerodynamic design 

of a Truss Braced Wing (TBW) aircraft conceptual design, as a viable technology to reduce transport 

aircraft fuel use. Using high fidelity, CFD-based aerodynamic methods, NASA will design the detailed 

novel aerodynamic shape of the configuration. One unique challenge for the TBW concept is the design 

of a low drag truss structure and its integration with the wing and fuselage. To validate the design and 

contribute to an update of the integrated system assessment of this TBW concept and to more completely 

assess an integrated TBW aircraft system, NASA will test a high-fidelity aerodynamic wind tunnel model 

in the 11x11-Foot Transonic Wind Tunnel at the NASA Ames Research Center (ARC). In addition, 

NASA will initiate at least three exploratory design studies for potential subsonic transport experimental 
 

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aircraft that can demonstrate ultra-efficiency metrics and validate a suite of advanced technologies and 

methods. 

Thrust 4: Transition to low-carbon propulsion 

NASA will perform disciplined technical exploration of new, revolutionary hybrid-electric propulsion 

concepts. Additionally, NASA will develop a detailed conceptual design of a hybrid gas-electric 

propulsion system for a transport-class aircraft and assess its overall vehicle-level benefits in terms of 

noise, emissions, and energy consumption. This detailed conceptual design will enable NASA to 

determine, prioritize, and accelerate research on the most critical technical challenges, including the key 

performance metrics. 

Thrust 5: Real-time, system-wide safety assurance 

NASA will continue to develop safety analysis tools that represent progress toward real-time system-wide 

safety assurance while providing near-term benefits to the aviation safety community. Specifically, 

NASA will refine and extend the capabilities of specialized data analytics that identify anomalies and 

precursors to safety incidents using operational data. Initial efforts to increase the processing of this data 

will support development of a system to detect emerging risks in real-time and provide decision support 

for mitigation strategies. One real-time safety risk assessment tool, designed to monitor on-duty operator 

fatigue levels and validated in FY 2015, will be made publicly available. NASA will also continue efforts 

to push the evolution of safety assurance techniques for complex systems. Development of run-time 

monitoring capabilities for software and system assurance will enable progress toward continuous 

lifecycle assessment of aviation systems. 

Thrust 6: Assured autonomy for aviation transformation 

NASA will continue to lead the U.S. in researching key issues for safe UAS operations. NASA will 

conduct two flight test series with simulated traffic and live vehicles that will demonstrate new 

technologies that allow safe UAS operation in the National Airspace System (NAS). This planned testing 

follows the flight test series conducted in FY 2015 and will be the final flight testing in the integrated 

campaign. The planned progression of this campaign tests higher levels of technology integration and 

higher complexity of test conditions. NASA will continue to support RTCA Special Committee on MOPS 

for UASes by providing final MOPS inputs based on the results of FY 2016 testing. These efforts are 

critical to the success of the RTCA Special Committee’s effort and the standards necessary to achieve 

UAS integration into the National Airspace. 

NASA will complete technical capability level (TCL) 1 under UAS Traffic Management (UTM) research. 

UTM is researching the requirements and capabilities to enable safe operation of small UAS at low 

altitude. Capabilities include initial trajectory management by offering geo-fencing, initial wind/weather 

integration, rules of the road, and procedural separation. UTM will utilize the integrated capabilities to 

demonstrate low-altitude operations of UAS with all other users. NASA will transition UTM TCL 1 to the 

FAA UAS test sites for demonstrations of initial concepts. This will allow a limited number of 

homogeneous vehicles to explore uses like search and rescue, agriculture applications, humanitarian, or 

science missions. Future TCLs planned through FY 2019 will add additional capabilities. 
 

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KEY ACHIEVEMENTS PLANNED FOR FY 2017 

Thrust 1: Safe, efficient growth in global operations 

NASA will continue to make significant progress in developing automation that enables the success of the 

Nation’s NextGen initiative, in partnership with FAA and industry, and ultimately lead to gate-to-gate 

TBO capability. The development of ATD-1 flight-deck interval management technologies will culminate 

in flight test demonstrations planned for early FY 2017. NASA will install and evaluate prototype flight 

hardware and software based on an algorithm for Airborne Spacing for Terminal Arrival Routes. Upon 

successful integration of the systems in the demonstration, final analysis, documentation, and technology 

transfer to the FAA will occur late FY 2017. NASA will also conduct an ATD-2 Departure Metering 

demonstration at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, the test site for this initial simulation of a 

NextGen departure metering capability. This demonstration supports the FAA's joint government/industry 

initiative aimed at improving air traffic flow management through increased information exchange among 

airline and airport stakeholders. 

Thrust 2: Innovation in commercial supersonic aircraft 

NASA will begin the NAH Initiative within IASP to develop and test experimental aircraft and systems. 

As part of this initiative, NASA will initiate the detailed design and build of the world’s first LBFD. This 

demonstrator will be used to collect the flight data necessary to establish overland supersonic noise 

regulations. In support of the future LBFD flight experiments, NASA will complete development of an 

initial set of models for the prediction of the community response to noise created by the overflight of 

future supersonic commercial aircraft. Based on simulations conducted in NASA’s Interior Effects 

Laboratory, the first of these models will be capable of predicting the response of a person who hears 

supersonic overflight noise while indoors. This model evaluates the level of noise required to prevent 

annoyance due to supersonic overflight. The second of these models will be able to predict the indoor 

noise created by supersonic overflight in a wide variety of homes with different room arrangements and 

construction techniques. With the combination of these models, NASA will begin analytical studies of 

community response to the overflight of future low noise supersonic commercial aircraft, enabling NASA 

to design the LBFD community overflight experiments. 

Thrust 3: Ultra-efficient commercial vehicles 

The NAH initiative will also take the next steps on the development of a series of ultra-efficient subsonic 

transport (UEST) experimental aircraft. This builds off the overwhelming success of the ERA project and 

the multiple advanced configuration studies and experiments that have been performed over the past 

several years. In FY 2017, NASA will initiate the preliminary design for a large scale, fully integrated 

HWB experimental aircraft. The HWB is the most mature of the advanced concepts studied by NASA 

and various partners to date, and is ready for flight demonstration and concept validation. Preliminary 

Design Review (PDR) is targeted for FY 2018, with detailed design and build beginning in FY2019. 

NASA will also continue design studies with industry for future UEST experimental aircraft other than 

the HWB configuration that will emphasize other key technologies requiring flight demonstration and 

validation. Transition of these initial design studies to selection of UEST experimental aircraft for formal 

preliminary design will begin in FY 2018. 

In support of the eventual development of UEST experimental aircraft, in FY 2017 NASA will test a 

revolutionary engine inlet-fan combination at the NASA GRC, through a NASA Research Announcement 

(NRA) with United Technologies Research Center (UTRC). The evaluation centers around the 
 

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performance of this very promising, unique engine inlet-fan design for its vehicle-level fuel burn benefits 

at flight conditions that are typical of a modern transport aircraft. With this testing, NASA will complete a 

technical challenge related to understanding the interaction effects between engines and airframes for 

some advanced configurations relevant to a potential UEST experimental aircraft. In addition to this test, 

NASA will conduct other key high fidelity ground tests to further understand the potential of new 

configurations and reduce risks for UEST experimental aircraft. 

Thrust 4: Transition to low-carbon propulsion 

NASA will accelerate research efforts to enable revolutionary hybrid-electric propulsion systems. NASA 

will conclude preparations for the testing of a superconducting motor. This motor test represents a major 

advancement in a key technology needed to realize practical larger-scale hybrid electric propulsion 

systems in the future. First flight of NASA’s small scale distributed electric propulsion demonstrator 

aircraft will occur in FY 2017, demonstrating the efficiency benefits of the distributed integration of 

multiple smaller electric motors for small aircraft propulsion, and starting a research progression from 

smaller scale to larger scale experiments. The knowledge and experienced gained will complement and 

feed into NASA continued hybrid electric system concepts development. 

Thrust 5: Real-time, system-wide safety assurance 

NASA will achieve a key milestone in enabling development of real-time, system-wide safety tools. In 

late FY 2017, the Beta build of the SMART-NAS Test Bed will deliver capabilities to (1) evaluate 

emergent air traffic behavior due to novel air traffic control concepts and (2) provide the FAA and 

airspace users the ability to evaluate mature concepts/technologies. Critical for development of a real-time 

safety system, the Test Bed will enable not only safety analysis for novel technologies but also testing and 

evaluation of tools that support a real-time system-wide safety capability. The Test Bed will be used to 

evaluate and refine data capture and fusion techniques, hazard identification and alerting using 

operational data, and decision support tools. By the end of FY 2017, matured hazard identification tools 

and initial decision support tools, featuring prognostic state awareness, will be ready for assessment in the 

Test Bed environment. 

Thrust 6: Assured autonomy for aviation transformation 

NASA will continue to lead the U.S. in researching key issues for safe UAS operations. NASA will 

continue to develop and mature UTM technology to TCL 2, which will incorporate weather/wind 

integration, trajectory routing, object avoidance, and congestion management for operation of small UAS 

at low altitude in the first quarter of FY 2017. TCL 2 will leverage TCL1 results and focus on beyondvisual line-of-sight operations in sparsely populated areas. Researchers will test technologies that allow 

dynamic adjustments to user-requested flight plans based on availability of airspace and contingency 

management. 

In addition, NASA will continue research focused on UAS integration by continuing to support the 

second phase of RTCA MOPS development. Initial research beginning in FY 2017 will focus on 

extended interoperability of manned and unmanned aircraft, satellite communications and advanced 

detect and avoid systems. 
 

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Cross-Cutting Capabilities 

NASA will complete design and installation of new acoustical treatment in the GRC 9x15-Foot Low 

Speed Wind Tunnel. This improvement will further reduce the facility background noise to levels that 

enable testing of next-generation low noise propulsion system concepts. Additionally, NASA will 

incorporate a new funding model for operation costs for NASA ground test facilities. To effectively 

develop technology and to validate and advance computational models, this particular model will 

recognize the value of ground testing to the fusion of experiments and numerical analysis. NASA will 

benefit from the additional facility utilization for program/project risk reduction and Center innovation 

initiatives. It will provide consistent usage, stewardship of ground test capabilities, and increased level of 

actual strategic investments to sustain and improve the portfolio of covered capabilities. 

Programs 

AIRSPACE OPERATIONS AND SAFETY PROGRAM 

The Airspace Operations and Safety Program (AOSP) develops and explores fundamental concepts, 

algorithms, and technologies to increase throughput and efficiency of the NAS safely. The program works 

in close partnership with the FAA and the aviation community to enable and extend the benefits of 

NextGen, the Nation’s program for modernizing and transforming the NAS to meet evolving user needs. 

Integrated demonstrations of these advanced technologies will lead to clean air transportation systems and 

gate-to-gate efficient flight trajectories. The program is on the leading edge of research into increasingly 

autonomous aviation systems, including innovation in the management of UAS traffic and other novel 

aviation vehicles and business models. The program is also pioneering the real-time integration and 

analysis of data to support system-wide safety assurance, enabling proactive and prognostic aviation 

safety assurance. The program takes lead responsibility for three of the Strategic Thrusts: 

 Thrust 1: Safe, efficient growth in global operations; 

Thrust 5: Real-time, system-wide safety assurance; and 

Thrust 6: Assured autonomy for aviation transformation 





ADVANCED AIR VEHICLES PROGRAM 

The Advanced Air Vehicles Program (AAVP) develops the tools, technologies, and concepts that enable 

new generations of civil aircraft that are safer, more highly energy efficient, and have a smaller 

environmental footprint. The program focus includes major leaps in the safety, efficiency, and 

environmental performance of subsonic fixed and rotary wing aircraft to meet challenging and growing 

long-term civil aviation needs; pioneering low-boom supersonic flight to achieve new levels of global 

mobility; and sustaining hypersonic competency for national needs while advancing fundamental 

hypersonics research. In partnership with academia, industry and other government agencies such as the 

FAA, AAVP pioneers fundamental research and matures the most promising technologies and concepts 

for transition to system application by the aviation industry. The program also works in partnership with 

the DoD to ensure both NASA and DoD vehicle-focused research is fully coordinated and leveraged. The 

program sustains and advances key national testing capabilities that support aeronautics research and 

development needs. The program takes lead responsibility for three of the Strategic Thrusts: 
 

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 Thrust 2: Innovation in commercial supersonic aircraft; 

Thrust 3: Ultra-efficient commercial vehicles; and, 

Thrust 4: Transition to low-carbon propulsion 





INTEGRATED AVIATION SYSTEMS PROGRAM 

The Integrated Aviation Systems Program (IASP) focuses on experimental flight research and the spirit of 

integrated, technological risk taking that can demonstrate transformative innovation. Therefore, the 

program complements both AOSP and the AAVP by conducting research on the most promising concepts 

and technologies at an integrated system level. The program explores, assesses, and demonstrates the 

benefits of these potential technologies in a relevant environment. The program leads NASA Aeronautics’ 

new NAH initiative. The program works in partnership with the other Aeronautics programs, other 

government agencies, academia, the aviation industry, and international partners as appropriate. The 

program supports the flight research and demonstration needs across all six Aeronautics Research 

Mission Directorate (ARMD) Strategic Thrusts. 

TRANSFORMATIVE AERONAUTICS CONCEPTS 

The Transformative Aeronautics Concepts Program (TACP) cultivates multi-disciplinary, revolutionary 

concepts to enable aviation transformation and harnesses convergence in aeronautics and non-aeronautics 

technologies to create new opportunities in aviation. The program’s goal is to demonstrate initial 

feasibility of internally and externally originated concepts to support the discovery and initial 

development of new, transformative solutions for all six ARMD Strategic Thrusts. Using sharply focused 

activities, the program provides flexibility for innovators to explore technology feasibility and provide the 

knowledge base for transformational aviation concepts. The program solicits and encourages 

revolutionary concepts, creates the environment for researchers to become immersed in trying out new 

ideas, performs ground and small-scale flight tests, allows failures and learns from them, and drives rapid 

turnover into new concepts. The program also supports research and development of major advancements 

in cross-cutting computational tools, methods, and single discipline technologies to advance the research 

capabilities of all Aeronautics programs. 
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FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Total Budget 154.0 -- 159.4 159.2 176.2 189.1 221.5 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. 

FY 2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

FY 2017 reflects discretionary and mandatory funding. Additional details on the mandatory funding can be found in 

the Explanation of Changes section.

 NASA's concept for a possible UTM system that 

would safely manage diverse UAS operations in the 

airspace above buildings and below crewed aircraft 

operations in suburban and urban areas. 

AOSP creates technologies that enable NextGen to 

fulfill its promise to transform the Nation’s ATM 

systems. Moving key concepts and technologies from 

the laboratory into the field benefit the public 

ultimately by increasing capacity and reducing the 

total cost of air transportation. The current U.S. air 

transportation system is widely recognized to be 

among the safest in the world. Yet, while NextGen 

will meet this demand by enabling efficient passage 

through the increasingly crowded skies, it will come 

with increased operating complexity. Therefore, 

advanced automation technologies that work in 

harmony with human operators are critical for the 

United States to meet the public expectations for 

safety in this complex, dynamic domain. 

NextGen technologies will also provide advanced 

levels of automated support to air navigation service 

providers and aircraft operators for reduced travel times and travel-related delays both on the ground and 

in the sky. These advanced technologies provide shortened routes for time and fuel savings, with 

associated improvements in noise and emissions, and permit controllers to monitor and manage aircraft 

for greater safety in all weather conditions. 

AOSP, with the FAA and its other industry and academic partners, conceives, develops, and demonstrates 

NextGen technologies to improve the intrinsic safety of current and future aircraft that will operate in 

NextGen. To achieve and transition beyond the NextGen vision, the deployment of new operational 

concepts, capabilities, and twenty-first century technologies will be supported by the exploration and 

development of a test bed for safe global, gate-to-gate trajectory-based operations. 

Current aviation and the ATM system face many challenges related to global competitiveness, efficiency, 

productivity, higher mobility needs, and emergence of newer airspace uses (such as commercial space 

launches, and unmanned aerial systems in low and high altitudes). NASA looks to ensure that the future 

airspace management system will accommodate these needs in an affordable manner for service 

providers, vehicle/platform operators, and passengers as well as cargo. NASA will conduct research and 
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AIRSPACE OPERATIONS AND SAFETY PROGRAM

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develop autonomous technologies for aircraft/platforms as well as managing the airspace to support 

diverse operations. 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017

Mandatory Budget Authority Actual Enacted Request Notional 

(in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

21st Century Clean Transportation Plan -- -- 18.0 20.0 35.0 45.0 75.0 

AOSP is supported in part by funding under a multiagency plan for a 21st Century Clean transportation 

Plan. This initiative extends beyond the five-year period covered in this document. Full funding for the 

initiative in AOSP is $0.4 billion over 10 years. 

ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2015

Thrust 1: Safe, Efficient Growth in Global Operations 

NASA delivered the final technology transfer associated with TSAS to the FAA NextGen Office. TSAS 

technology provides information to air traffic controllers about the aircraft speeds and spacing that enable 

clean and efficient approaches into airports. At the FAA’s William J. Hughes Technical Center, NASA in 

cooperation with the FAA, tested Terminal Area Precision Scheduling and Spacing prototype software as 

integrated with operational versions of FAA hardware to reduce deployment risk. TSAS will reduce flight 

delays saving time and reducing fuel consumption. 

NASA prepared for extensive testing of the SARDA in operational field trials at the American Airlines 

Ramp Tower at Charlotte Douglas International Airport. SARDA improves tower controller’s ability to 

direct airport surface operations efficiently by allowing non-stop, continuous movement of aircraft on 

taxiways resulting in benefits of increased throughput and reduced fuel consumption. In the first half of 

FY 2015, NASA conducted live data interface and extensive shadow testing of the SARDA system to 

assess system robustness. In the second half of FY 2015, SARDA underwent a follow-on HITL 

simulation to address gaps discovered in the shadow testing. 

Thrust 5: Real-time, System-wide Safety Assurance 

NASA delivered two reports to the FAA that addressed barriers to future systems safety assurance. The 

first addresses the issue of assuring the development of modern systems by a multi-tier network of 

suppliers, and identifies issues in the practice, regulation, policy, or guidance material relative to safety 

and regulatory compliance. Recommendations for short-term and long-term solutions to achieving a 

higher level of confidence in the design of complex computer-based aircraft systems will be included. The 

second report documented new approaches to software assurance for the FAA. The report outlined the 

results of a survey of alternative approaches to software assurance and knowledge obtained through 

preparation of a published guidebook considered the de facto standard for avionics equipment and 

software development worldwide. 

AOSP identified alternative open architectures that will enable a plug-and-play capability of different 

technologies to operate in combined real, virtual, and constructive manners. These architectures support 
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development of the Shadow Mode Assessment Using Realistic Technologies for the National Airspace 

System (SMART NAS) capability that will allow integrated, real-time, and/or fast-time assessment of 

gate-to-gate operations and their operational and safety performance using real-world NAS inputs. 

Thrust 6: Assured Autonomy for Aviation Transformation 

Public attention to UASes and their growing presence in the NAS stimulated widespread interest in a 

conference co-hosted by NASA and held during July 2015 in California. The three-day UTM convention 

brought together a domestic and international audience of representatives from government and academia, 

as well as aviation, agriculture, film and other industries. Through discussions held at this conference, and 

with others, NASA continues development of a well-coordinated plan for researching and developing a 

UTM operational concept for low-altitude small UAS operations in the NAS that will inform regulatory 

actions taken in the future by the FAA. 

In late August, NASA successfully completed an initial TCL 1 Demonstration flight test of a portable 

system that focuses on small UAS flying at low altitude. Objectives included demonstration of UTM 

capabilities/procedures, navigation performance, and aircraft tracking. The collected data included noise 

signatures, trajectory conformance, and observations for weather models. Analysis of the results will help 

design future UTM flight evaluations. 

WORK IN PROGRESS IN FY 2016 

Thrust 1: Safe, Efficient Growth in Global Operations 

NASA will showcase an integrated set of NextGen tools and technologies that provide an efficient arrival 

solution for managing aircraft beginning from just prior to top-of-descent and continuing down to the 

runway. This demonstration known as Interval Management - Terminal Area Precision Scheduling and 

Spacing technologies or ATD-1 will integrate technologies that have been developed separately and each 

has shown throughput, delay, and/or fuel-efficiency benefits. Together, the technologies will demonstrate 

the feasibility of high throughput of efficient arrival operations during peak traffic conditions in the 

terminal area. The integration of these terminal arrival tools will allow arrival aircraft to safely fly closer 

together on more fuel-efficient routes to increase capacity, reduce delay, and minimize fuel burn, noise, 

and greenhouse gas emissions. NASA is working with the FAA, airlines, aircraft and avionics 

manufacturers, ground-based automation system integrators, and airports to test this integrated set of 

technologies. The benefits of these concepts will be demonstrated under the practical conditions of 

arriving flights at a dense terminal of a busy commercial airport. In addition, NASA will complete a 

sequence of integrated, high-fidelity simulations in preparation for field demonstrations of ATD-1 

technologies by 2017. 

AOSP is developing tools to reduce take-off time variances. These tools will increase predictability of the 

airspace system and allow airlines to reduce schedule block-times for flights during high-demand periods. 

This will result in significant cost reduction to airlines. Development of such advanced departure tools 

will include maturity assessment of candidate technologies that support the IADS (also known as ATD-2) 

concept of operations. This will include a schedule of simulations to support advancement of component 

technologies and their integration in addition to development of requirements, processes, and procedures. 

After over two years of extensive HITL simulations of the SARDA system in operational scenarios, 

NASA will evaluate this tool in operational training, shadow testing and live traffic evaluations 
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throughout FY 2016. The evaluations will culminate in a technology licensing and transfer to airlines by 

early FY 2017. These activities collectively deliver mature technologies that form the foundation for gateto-gate TBO. 

Thrust 5: Real-time, System-wide Safety Assurance 

AOSP will pursue improved operational safety by real-time system monitoring and assurance through 

development and refinement of specialized data analytics that identify anomalies in operational data and 

provide information about precursors to safety risks. Tools are scaled to analyze and incorporate data 

from multiple sources such as flight and radar track data, and written safety reports. Prognostic and 

decision-making tools will also be refined to support development of a system that can predict emerging 

risks and provide decision support for mitigation strategies. Development of run-time monitoring 

capabilities for software and system assurance will enable progress toward continuous lifecycle 

assessment of aviation systems. 

Thrust 6: Assured Autonomy for Aviation Transformation 

NASA will complete the UTM TCL 1 to enable capability for safe operation of small UAS at low 

altitudes. The system will support the development of autonomous concepts, technologies, and 

procedures, and will demonstrate a prototype capability that enables operations of UAS while sharing 

airspace with other users. The TCL 1 system will include initial trajectory management by offering geofencing, initial wind/weather integration, rules of the road, and procedural separation. NASA will 

transition UTM TCL 1 to the FAA UAS test sites for demonstrations of initial concepts. This will allow a 

limited number of homogeneous vehicles to explore uses like search and rescue, agriculture applications, 

humanitarian, or science missions. Future TCLs planned through FY 2019 will add additional 

capabilities. 

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS PLANNED FOR FY 2017 

Thrust 1: Safe, Efficient Growth in Global Operations 

The development of ATD-1 flight-deck interval management technologies will culminate in flight test 

demonstrations planned for early FY 2017. NASA will install and evaluate prototype flight hardware and 

software based on an algorithm for Airborne Spacing for Terminal Arrival Routes. Upon successful 

integration of the systems in the demonstration, final analysis, documentation, and technology transfer to 

the FAA will occur late FY 2017. 

NASA will conduct an ATD-2 Departure Metering demonstration at Charlotte Douglas International 

Airport, the test site for this initial simulation of a NextGen departure metering capability. This 

demonstration supports the FAA's joint government/industry initiative aimed at improving air traffic flow 

management through increased information exchange among airline and airport stakeholders. 

Thrust 5: Real-time, System-wide Safety Assurance 

In late FY 2017, the Beta build of the SMART-NAS Test Bed will deliver capabilities to (1) evaluate 

emergent air traffic behavior due to novel air traffic control concepts and (2) provide the FAA and 

airspace users the ability to evaluate mature concepts/technologies. These capabilities will enable the 

community to perform high-fidelity training using on-demand HITL simulation capabilities with realistic 
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traffic and weather conditions. These capabilities do not exist in modeling and testing environments 

available today. 

Thrust 6: Assured Autonomy for Aviation Transformation 

NASA will continue to develop and mature UTM technology by way of TCL 2, which will incorporate 

weather/wind integration, trajectory routing, object avoidance, and congestion management in the first 

quarter of FY 2017. These additional capabilities will support more complex and beneficial operations in 

low altitude airspace. TCL 2 will leverage TCL1 results and focus on beyond-visual line-of-sight 

operations in sparsely populated areas. Researchers will test technologies that allow dynamic adjustments 

to user-requested flight plans based on availability of airspace and contingency management. 

Program Elements 

AIRSPACE TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATIONS (ATD) 

The Airspace Technology Demonstrations project is comprised of a suite of critical technology 

development and demonstration activities geared toward delivery of near-term benefits to air 

transportation system stakeholders. These benefits strongly align with the objectives for the Clean Air 

Transportation initiative. ATD supports the ARMD safe efficient growth in global operations strategic 

thrust by five sub-projects with each focused on a technical challenge. 

 ATD-1 (Interval Management - Terminal Area Precision Scheduling and Spacing) will directly 

address terminal area congestion, and evaluate the benefits of advanced flight arrival management 

technologies across a range of aircraft equipment levels during moderate to high levels of traffic 

demand. When integrated, the ATD-1 technologies will allow the pilots to achieve precise 

spacing separation between aircraft, and the controllers to manage the variability between flights 

and respond to disturbances to the schedule. This integrated set of capabilities will enable 

increased fuel efficiency while maintaining runway throughput to high-density airports. 

The IADS, or ATD-2, activity will develop and adjust precision schedules for gates, runways, 

arrival, and departure fixes while ensuring efficient individual aircraft routes. IADS will reduce 

unnecessary buffers imposed by the human workload associated with the tasks of simultaneously 

coordinating and scheduling of arrivals, departures, and runway and surface operations. 

The Domestic Applied Traffic Flow Management activity aims to reduce weather-induced delays 

through sharing of information to better manage aircraft, traffic flow, and airspace and schedule 

limitations. Benefits to the community are smarter alterations of routes to avoid hazardous 

weather, modern data connectivity, and real-world testing for big improvements in delay 

reductions and fuel and time savings. 

The Oceanic Applied Traffic Flow Management activity will increase capacity and operational 

efficiency in oceanic airspace by leveraging satellite navigation broadcasting technology to 

reduce minimum separation distance between aircraft. This sub-project will develop procedures 

and technologies that offer optimal use of wind in flight routes with advantages of reduced fuel, 

emissions, and travel delays. 

The goal of the Technologies for Airplane State Awareness activity is to identify risks and 

provide knowledge needed to avoid, detect, mitigate, and recover from hazardous flight 

conditions that have led to fatal aviation accidents worldwide. Partnering with other government 

agencies and the Commercial Aviation Safety Team, NASA will demonstrate new capabilities 








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that enable pilots to better understand and respond safely to complex situations, and to improve 

operator effectiveness in aviation safety. 

SHADOW MODE ASSESSMENT USING REALISTIC TECHNOLOGIES FOR THE 

NATIONAL AIRSPACE SYSTEM (SMART-NAS) 

The SMART-NAS Project will develop and integrate concepts, technologies, and architectures at the 

system level of the NAS to deliver safe, system-wide operations for gate-to-gate NextGen performance. 

To accelerate the transformation of the entire NAS, proposed operational capabilities must be integrated 

and demonstrated to gain confidence in the performance of the entire system. A shadow-mode NAS will 

be developed that takes actual operational input from the NAS (weather, flight plans, airports’ arrival 

rates, system constraints, etc.), and simulates the entire system (or parts of it) using proposed alternative 

architectures, concepts, and technologies to demonstrate performance and validate safe, seamless 

operations. This research primarily aligns with the real-time system-wide safety assurance strategic thrust 

area as it will examine, in real-time, robustness, reliability, and stability of concepts, algorithms, and 

technologies as compared with current NAS operations. To achieve these capabilities, SMART-NAS will 

employ advanced prognostics, data mining, and data analytics for enhanced decision-making and system 

assessments. The SMART-NAS Project will reduce the time to test concepts, technologies, and their 

interactions, interoperability, and integration. It will be capable of real/live, virtual, constructive, and 

hybrid mode operations to simultaneously operate in real and virtual traffic. SMART-NAS will enable 

assessments to demonstrate practical and achievable benefits that could support a variety of decisions to 

modernize the current NAS. 

SAFE AUTONOMOUS SYSTEMS OPERATIONS (SASO) 

In support of ARMD’s strategic thrust toward assured autonomy for aviation transformation, the SASO 

Project will conduct research and development activities to ensure that the future airspace management 

system will accommodate far greater levels of system complexity. The needs are characterized by greater 

diversity of aircraft performance, user business models, and airspace requirements. The system must also 

ensure scalability of operations, and affordability for service providers and users. Combinations of 

increasingly autonomous technologies using automation (which follows scripted operational procedures), 

autonomy (which follows logic to make operational decisions), and automaticity (which supports selfmanagement of large-scale systems) will be considered to meet the next century of airspace operational 

needs. The fundamental objective of the SASO Project is to identify justifiable combinations of 

automation, autonomy, and automaticity to safely meet these future needs. The project has two subprojects with technical challenges: 

 Development of a UTM system to safely enable low-altitude UAS operations; 

Development of technologies, roles and responsibilities, and procedures to demonstrate technical 

feasibility of reduced crew operations (RCO); 



SASO is also exploring fundamental and cross-cutting research and development activities: 

 Development of technologies, roles and responsibilities, and procedures to demonstrate feasibility 

of autonomous aircraft operations in terminal areas; 

Enabling autonomous traffic flow management that allow more robust decision making in the 

presence of weather forecast uncertainties, developing alternative plans and dynamically 


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changing the plans as forecasts change, and using learning algorithms/automation based on 

historical analysis of performance. 

Program Schedule 

Date Significant Event 

Mar 2015 

Conducted full-scale integrated ATD-1 simulations on operational platforms 

at the FAA William J. Hughes Technical Center. Conducted analysis of 

Surface Collaborative Decision-Making Procedure. 

Sep 2015 

Co-hosted the UTM Convention with over 1,200 participants with panel 

discussions on policy issues, emerging markets and operations, and strategies. 

UTM TCL 1 demonstration of the initial system prototype with multiple 

partners. 

Jun 2016 RCO TCL 1 demonstration of initial RCO operating in nominal scenarios. 

Sep 2016 Conduct fast-time HITL simulations and analysis to establish feasibility of 

IADS technical approaches. 

Dec 2016 

ATD-1 flight test demonstration of prototype flight deck interval 

management avionics 

UTM TCL 2 – incorporate TCL 1 with focus on increased density and 

contingency management. 

Jun 2017 

Field test to demonstrate surface departure metering components of 

metroplex departure metering with airline partner at Charlotte Douglas 

International Airport. 

RCO TCL 2 demonstration of initial RCO operating in off-nominal scenarios. 

Sep 2017 

Final ATD-1 flight deck interval management avionics research 

technology transfer to the FAA and technology challenge closeout. 

Initial beta build of a safety analysis and assurance toolkit, which include data 

mining and analysis, automated prognostics, and safety risk modeling 

capabilities in the SMART NAS Testbed. 

Dec 2017 

Validate technologies to enhance flight crew attitude and energy state 

awareness; develop tools and methods for collecting and analyzing real-time 

flight crew performance data. 

Mar 2018 UTM TCL 3 – incorporate TCL 2 and manage separation by vehicle and/or 

ground-based capabilities under higher densities. 

Sep 2018 

Release of SMART NAS Testbed Production Build 1 to the aviation 

community. 

RCO TCL 3 demonstration of integrated multi-facility simulation of RCO 

capabilities. 
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Mar 2019 Incorporate Weather Integrated Decision-Making design build with NASA 

partners. 

Jun 2019 UTM TCL 4 to incorporate TCL 3 and manage large-scale contingencies. 

Sep 2019 Release of SMART NAS Testbed Production Build 2 to the aviation 

community. 

Jun 2020 Full-system demonstration of IADS metroplex departure scheduling concept. 

Program Management & Commitments 

Program Element Provider 

Airspace Technology 

Demonstrations 

Provider: Ames Research Center (ARC), Langley Research Center (LaRC), 

GRC 

Lead Center: ARC 

Performing Center(s): ARC, LaRC, GRC 

Cost Share Partner(s): FAA, Honeywell, General Electric, Boeing, Raytheon, 

Rockwell Collins, Goodrich, Cessna Aircraft Co., American Airlines, United 

Airlines, EasyJet, Southwest Airlines, Commercial Aviation Safety Team 

(CAST), DoD, French Aerospace Lab (ONERA) 

SMART-NAS 

Provider: ARC, LaRC, GRC 

Lead Center: ARC 

Performing Center(s): ARC, LaRC, GRC 

Cost Share Partner(s): FAA, General Electric, American Airlines, United 

Airlines, Rockwell Collins , Boeing, DoD, EasyJet, Honeywell, ONERA, 

Southwest Airlines 

SASO 

Provider: ARC, LaRC, Armstrong Flight Research Center (AFRC), GRC 

Lead Center: ARC 

Performing Center(s): ARC, LaRC, AFRC, GRC 

Cost Share Partner(s): FAA, Boeing, General Electric, American Airlines, 

United Airlines, Rockwell Collins, DoD, Honeywell, ONERA 

Acquisition Strategy 

The AOSP spans research and technology from foundational research to integrated system capabilities. 

This broad spectrum necessitates the use of a wide array of acquisition tools relevant to the appropriate 

work awarded externally through full and open competition. Teaming among large companies, small 

businesses, and universities is highly encouraged for all procurement actions. 
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MAJOR CONTRACTS/AWARDS

NASA’s Aeronautics programs award multiple smaller contracts, which are generally less than $5 

million. They are widely distributed across academia and industry. In FY 2015, AOSP awarded the 

following totaling over $5 million: 

Element Vendor Location (of work performance) 

System-level demonstrations of 

integrated NASA arrival 

management technologies 

Boeing 

Moses Lake, WA 

Seattle, WA 

Hampton, VA 

INDEPENDENT REVIEWS

Performer Date of 

Review Purpose Outcome Next Review 

Formulatio

n SMARTNAS and 

SASO 

projects 

ARMD Senior 

Management and 

Expert Review 

Nov 2015 The Formulation 

Review evaluates the 

projects’ goals and 

stated deliverables to 

ensure proper 

formulation and 

alignment with 

Agency and ARMD 

strategic objectives. 

The review assesses 

the competence of 

technical challenge 

pre-formulation 

efforts. 

The SMART-NAS 

and SASO Projects 

were approved to 

begin 

implementation 

based on 

demonstration of 

sufficient maturity of 

technical challenges 

Jan 2016 

Performanc

e (Annual) 

Expert Review Oct 2015 The 12-month review 

is a formal 

independent peer 

review. Experts from 

other government 

agencies report on 

their assessment of 

technical and 

programmatic risk 

and/or program 

weaknesses. 

Determined that the 

projects made 

satisfactory progress 

in meeting technical 

challenges and met 

all annual 

performance 

indicators. 

Oct 2016 

Review 

Type 
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FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Total Budget 240.6 -- 298.6 277.4 308.8 311.6 312.6 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. 

FY 2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

FY 2017 reflects discretionary and mandatory funding. Additional details on the mandatory funding can be found in 

the Explanation of Changes section.

Mandatory Budget Authority Actual Enacted Request Notional 

(in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

21st Century Clean Transportation Plan -- -- 30.0 41.0 79.0 80.0 65.0 

NASA used a 21st century version of schlieren imagery, 

invented by a German physicist in 1864, to visualize 

supersonic flow phenomena with full-scale aircraft in flight. 

AAVP develops knowledge, technologies, 

tools, and innovative concepts to enable safe, 

new aircraft that will fly faster, cleaner, quieter, 

and use fuel far more efficiently. As the 

country continues to experience growth in both 

domestic and international air transportation, 

the AAVP helps to protect and preserve the 

environment. NASA research is inherent in all 

major modern U.S. aircraft, and the type of 

research performed by AAVP will prime the 

technology pipeline, enabling continued U.S. 

leadership, competitiveness, and jobs in the 

future. Technologies and design capabilities 

developed for these advanced vehicles will 

integrate multiple, simultaneous vehicle 

performance considerations including fuel 

burn, noise, emissions, and intrinsic safety. 

Across the program, NASA will continue to 

engage partners from industry, academia, and 

other government agencies to maintain a 

sufficiently broad perspective on technology solutions to these challenges; to pursue mutually beneficial 

collaborations; and to leverage opportunities for effective technology transition. AAVP directly supports 

three of the ARMD Strategic Thrusts (Thrust 2: Innovation in Commercial Supersonic Aircraft, Thrust 3: 

Ultra-efficient Commercial Vehicles, and Thrust 4: Transition to Low-Carbon Propulsion. 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017
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In FY 2017, AAVP is supported in part by funding under a multiagency 21st Century Clean 

Transportation Plan. This initiative extends beyond the five-year period covered in this document. Full 

funding for the initiative in AAVP is $0.6 billion over 10 years. 

Continuing to build off of the major success of the ERA project, NASA will increase high technology 

readiness level (TRL) ground testing in cost-sharing partnerships with industry to mature and transition 

advanced technologies to increase the efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of commercial 

aircraft. AAVP will begin a series of high fidelity experiments to support, along with NAH design 

studies, achievement of a PDR in FY 2018 for an HWB configuration as well as for additional purposebuilt demonstrator aircraft to follow shortly after. 

In FY 2017, NASA will establish the HT Project. NASA will balance investments that support and 

leverage the work of the DoD with investments in fundamental hypersonics research. 

ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2015

Thrust 2: Innovation in Commercial Supersonic Aircraft 

NASA’s progress in low-noise commercial supersonic flight continued to advance the nation’s readiness 

for experimental flight demonstration of this capability. NASA completed experimental and analytical 

studies of jet engine exhaust and studies of the interactions of the exhaust with shock waves generated in 

supersonic flight. Specifically, NASA performed assessments of exhaust effects utilizing CFD analysis 

with comparison to experimental test data from the NASA GRC 1x1-Foot Supersonic Wind Tunnel. 

Understanding these jet engine exhaust effects were the final step needed to develop a first-of its kind set 

of low sonic boom aircraft design tools that NASA made available to industry. These unique tools enable 

aircraft design engineers to rapidly and directly design for low sonic boom noise - providing industry the 

ability to confidently design new supersonic commercial aircraft once a low boom noise standard is 

achieved through the regulatory process. 

Thrust 3: Ultra-efficient Commercial Vehicles 

The AAV Program conducts research across a wide spectrum of vehicle classes that ultimately contribute 

to Thrust 3. To help show the promise of new configurations NASA completed testing of a hybrid wing 

concept in the National Transonic Facility that both explored concepts with the potential to enable 

significant efficiency improvements and also validated improvements made to the facility. These facility 

benefits will have a significant impact on future NASA and industry testing and will help with risk 

reduction needed for other configurations. In addition, NASA completed an initial system level 

assessment of an advanced small jet engine core concept. This very small engine core concept could 

improve fuel savings by ~30 percent compared to today’s technology and may also enable new 

configurations. This propulsion research is an important step for future aircraft and engine systems that 

may result from NASA’s planned X-Planes because new engines will be needed to fully realize the 

benefits of the aircraft shapes. 

Improved structures and materials will benefit most new air vehicles. NASA completed the establishment 

of a public-private partnership entitled the Advanced Composite Consortium (ACC). The ACC facilitates 

the collaboration between NASA and cost-sharing industry partners to make it possible to implement 

these new materials faster in new designs. In order to help guide and inform this research NASA created a 

Development to Certification Timeline (DCT) tool for composite structures. This tool helps to (1) analyze 
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the time associated with phases of product development, (2) estimate reductions in time associated with 

project technologies, and (3) define performance measures for those technologies. The DCT provides a 

framework for measuring system-level impacts of multiple technology advances, and forms the 

foundation for project operation and assessment of progress toward the project goal. 

Since there are a number of environmental challenges (especially noise) related to vertical flight, NASA 

completed acoustic flight testing of two helicopter configurations at three flight altitude conditions 

confirming the differences in noise produced at the different altitudes. The data from the three altitudes 

generated an altitude correction for rotorcraft noise models that was not previously included in acoustic 

prediction tools. The data has increased the accuracy of rotorcraft noise prediction tools, improving the 

ability to design quieter rotorcraft configurations. NASA also completed the Transport Rotorcraft 

Airframe Crash Testbed research. This research evaluated the survivability of occupants in different seats, 

locations, and restraint systems during a controlled impact. NASA will access the crashworthiness 

improvements of the helicopter structure by the addition of composite, energy-absorbing subfloors using 

three different types of subfloor composite construction. The data improved safety and survivability for 

all types of vehicles with conventional and composite construction. 

NASA conducted a series of tests in the GRC Icing Research Tunnel (IRT) to validate a methodology to 

allow ice accretion on commercial transport aircraft using a full-scale, leading edge truncated wing. This 

data will enable the testing of transport aircraft size wing models in the IRT without increasing the size of 

the current test section. Such testing capability is valuable to ensuring that advanced ultra-efficient 

aircraft designs will also be safe in icing conditions. 

Thrust 4: Transition to Low-Carbon Propulsion 

NASA completed analysis, documentation, and dissemination of test results from a flight campaign to 

characterize the gaseous and particulate cruise emissions of biofuel-blended jet fuels, and effects of fuel 

sulfur during flight at cruise conditions. This internationally recognized data set (at https://aerofp.larc.nasa.gov/) enables the atmospheric science community to continue to improve emissions modeling 

and guides the development of international standards for aircraft emissions when drop-in alternative 

fuels are used. 

Cross-Cutting Capabilities 

NASA entered the first phase in Test Section Optical Improvements in the ARC 11x11-Foot and 9x7-

Foot Wind Tunnels laying the foundation for major advances in optical access, data gathering, and offbody measurements. Improvements in optical measurements using infrared thermography, pressure 

sensitive paint, advanced photogrammetry, and Schlieren techniques enabled major advancements in 

measurement accuracy and flow visualization. These major improvements in wind tunnel data are critical 

for comparison to, and validation of, the next generation computational simulations. The 11x11-Foot and 

the 9x7-Foot Wind Tunnels have been at the forefront of testing and optical data gathering with these 

techniques and will continue to be for the foreseeable future. Test capability improvements such as these 

are vital for future risk reduction tests of new configurations before proceeding to flight because they 

greatly improve our ability to observe and understand complex aerodynamics and are also critical for 

validating computational models too. 
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WORK IN PROGRESS IN FY 2016 

Thrust 2: Innovation in Commercial Supersonic Aircraft 

NASA will achieve a major milestone in enabling development of low noise commercial supersonic 

aircraft by completing the Low Noise Propulsion for Low-Boom Aircraft technical challenge. 

This technical challenge addresses the development of computational design tools and innovative 

concepts for integrated low-noise supersonic propulsion systems and demonstrates these concepts through 

ground testing. Although overcoming the barrier of sonic boom noise is a primary focus in this Thrust, 

this research effort recognizes that future commercial supersonic aircraft will have to meet the same 

stringent airport noise regulations that govern the subsonic fleet. The planned activity addresses the 

challenge of designing low sonic boom noise aircraft that also meet the current airport noise requirement 

and also anticipates an increase in the stringency of the noise requirement in the future. 

Thrust 3: Ultra-efficient Commercial Vehicles 

NASA will engage in risk reduction testing of key concepts and technologies that may be incorporated 

into future flight demonstrators. One example of such testing includes the advancement and validation of 

the high-speed performance and aerodynamic design of a TBW aircraft conceptual design as a viable 

technology to reduce fuel use and emissions. To design the detailed novel aerodynamic shape of the 

configuration, NASA will use high fidelity, CFD-based aerodynamic methods currently being advanced. 

One unique challenge for the TBW concept is the design of a low-drag truss structure and its integration 

with the wing and fuselage. To validate the design and contribute to an update of the integrated system 

assessment of this TBW concept, NASA will test a high-fidelity aerodynamic wind tunnel model in the 

11x11-Foot Transonic Wind Tunnel at ARC. Other risk reduction tests will be initiated and conducted in 

order to facilitate the new concepts being considered for NAH. 

NASA will select progressive damage analysis (PDA) technologies for further development in the second 

phase of the Advanced Composites Project. By comparing blind predictions with experimental results, 

NASA will complete characterization of PDA methods, non-destructive inspection technology, and 

manufacturing process models for composites (current capability and technology gaps). When complete, 

these PDA models will provide damage progression methods that more accurately represent the failure 

mechanics for the composite structural component and applied loading. To validate the performance of 

previously selected PDA models and to identify the required data to down-select the best performing 

models for future development and evaluation during the second phase of the project. 

In partnership with other Government agencies and industry, NASA will demonstrate a new type of 

engine power turbine that will advance the efficiency of propulsion systems for future vertical lift 

vehicles. The Variable-Speed Power Turbine (VSPT) component tests will demonstrate the ability to 

operate the power turbine efficiently over a wide operating speed range of the engine. The VSPT concept 

will result in engines and vehicles with higher performance and greater fuel efficiency. 

Thrust 4: Transition to Low-Carbon Propulsion 

NASA will develop a detailed conceptual design of a hybrid gas-electric propulsion system for a transport 

class aircraft and assess its overall vehicle-level benefits in terms of noise, emissions, and energy 

consumption. Work will also continue in partnership with several universities to design and develop 

motors capable of high power while reducing the overall weight of the machines. These improved high 

efficiency machines will allow earlier adoption of electric technologies in aircraft. 
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Cross-Cutting Capabilities 

NASA will complete studies to determine the most promising SLD icing (i.e. freezing drizzle and rain) 

experimental simulation methods. The ability to provide an SLD freezing drizzle/rain environment in a 

ground test facility will allow for the efficient and effective testing of aircraft components, computer 

simulation validations and SLD freezing drizzle/rain protection systems. The ability to provide an SLD 

freezing drizzle/rain environment in a ground test facility does not currently exist, and future air vehicles 

will need to operate safely under SLD-like conditions. 

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS PLANNED FOR FY 2017 

Thrust 2: Innovation in Commercial Supersonic Aircraft 

In support of the future LBFD flight experiments, NASA will complete development of an initial set of 

models for the prediction of the community response to noise created by the overflight of future 

supersonic commercial aircraft. Based on simulations conducted in NASA’s Interior Effects Laboratory, 

the first of these models will be capable of predicting the response of a person who hears supersonic 

overflight noise while indoors. This model evaluates the level of noise required to prevent annoyance due 

to supersonic overflight. The second of these models will be able to predict the indoor noise created by 

supersonic overflight in a wide variety of homes with different room arrangements and construction 

techniques. With the combination of these models, NASA will begin analytical studies of community 

response to the overflight of future low noise supersonic commercial aircraft, enabling NASA to design 

the LBFD community overflight experiments. 

Thrust 3: Ultra-efficient Commercial Vehicles 

NASA will test a revolutionary engine inlet-fan configuration at the GRC, through an NRA with UTRC. 

NASA will begin the evaluation of performance of this very promising, unique engine inlet-fan design for 

its vehicle-level fuel burn benefits at flight conditions that are typical of a modern transport aircraft. With 

this testing, NASA will complete a technical challenge related to understanding the interaction effects 

between engines and airframes for some specific configurations. This is also important for understanding 

an important design consideration for a potential subsonic demonstrator. In addition to this test, NASA 

will conduct other key ground tests to further understand the potential of new configurations and reduce 

risk for subsonic demonstrators. 

NASA will initiate Phase II of the Advanced Composites Project. As in Phase I, NASA will work very 

closely with industry partners and the FAA and will focus on honing the results of Phase I so that each of 

the Technical Challenges can be completed and have optimum benefit to the community. A key area will 

be the validation of the tools and techniques developed in the first phase on relevant structures. As with 

other similar projects before (ERA and UAS in the NAS), NASA will review the Phase I progress and 

Phase II plans with an independent review panel of experts. 

In order to help improve the efficiency and performance of new vertical flight concepts NASA will 

demonstrate a two-speed transmission drive system that enables operation over a 50 percent range in main 

rotor revolutions per minute (RPM). This experimental drive system is able to efficiently transmit high 

torque. To offset potential two-speed transmission weight increase in the final application, 

complementary, advanced technologies to reduce transmission component weight will be advanced and 

demonstrated. With this key transmission test as well as the remaining work associated with the VSPT, 
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NASA will complete two technical challenges that provide viable, enabling options for varying the speed 

of large rotors, which has been long sought after as an approach to make vertical lift systems faster and 

more efficient. It is likely that one or both of these concepts will be utilized in the next generations of 

both civil and military vertical lift vehicles. 
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Thrust 4: Transition to Low-Carbon Propulsion 

NASA will conclude preparations for the testing of a superconducting motor. This motor test represents a 

major advancement in a key technology needed to realize practical larger-scale hybrid electric propulsion 

systems in the future. Further, in partnership with industry, NASA will advance a 1MW nonsuperconducting inverter to a maturity of TRL4. This advancement complements the superconducting 

motor and adds to the technology options available to hybrid electric propulsion system designers as they 

identify and develop larger ground and flight demonstration opportunities. 

Cross-Cutting Capabilities 

NASA will complete design and installation of new acoustical treatment in the GRC 9x15-Foot Low 

Speed Wind Tunnel. This improvement will further reduce the facility background noise to levels that 

enable testing of next-generation low noise propulsion system concepts. Additionally, NASA will 

incorporate a new funding model for operational costs for NASA ground test facilities. This funding 

model enhances the value of ground testing for generating the data necessary to both better understand the 

performance of new technologies and help validate key computational models. NASA will benefit from 

the additional facility utilization for program/project risk reduction and Center innovation initiatives. In 

particular, it is expected that this new model will facilitate the risk reduction testing needed to support the 

NAH initiatives. It will provide consistent usage, stewardship of ground test capabilities, and increased 

level of actual strategic investments to sustain and improve the portfolio of covered capabilities. 

Hypersonic Capabilities 

NASA will continue to coordinate closely with the DoD to leverage flight test data to support NASA’s 

research while simultaneously reducing risk and enhancing these efforts. NASA will also initiate a new 

focus to reduce the uncertainty in computational tools, ground testing, and flight experimentation. This 

key barrier to both reducing risk and enabling more effective technology risks in the near term allows for 

a better understanding of the true potential for the technology for future applications that are of interest to 

NASA. Finally, NASA will conduct ground test experiments to help show the feasibility for future 

systems that can use a turbine engine at slow speeds and transition to a scramjet for high-speed 

operations. This would greatly increase the flexibility and utility of high-speed vehicles. 

Program Elements 

ADVANCED AIR TRANSPORT TECHNOLOGY

NASA’s vision for advanced fixed wing subsonic transport aircraft is to enable revolutionary advances in 

energy efficiency and environmental compatibility of future generations of aircraft. These technological 

solutions are critical to reduce the impact of aviation on the environment even as this industry and the 

corresponding global transportation continue to grow. Research will explore and advance knowledge, 

technologies, and concepts to enable major steps in energy efficiency and environmental compatibility 

resulting in less fuel burned, less direct impact on the atmosphere, and less noise around airports. This 

project will identify potential new safety considerations associated with these advanced technologies and 

concepts. This critical research helps the sustained growth of commercial aviation that is so vital to the 

U.S. economy and our quality of life. The knowledge gained from this research, in the form of 

experiments, data, system studies and analyses, is critical for conceiving and designing more efficient, 

quieter, and greener aircraft. Advanced air transport research directly supports ARMD Strategic Thrusts 3 
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and 4 and will focus on developing advanced technologies and tools for future generations of commercial 

transports - including key risk reduction activities for potential subsonic demonstrators in the NAH 

initiative as well as the core propulsion research needed to develop new engines that will ultimately 

power the new vehicles stemming from NASA’s focus on 21st Century Clean Transportation.

REVOLUTIONARY VERTICAL LIFT TECHNOLOGY

The NASA Revolutionary Vertical Lift Technology (RVLT) project develops and validates tools, 

technologies, and concepts to overcome key barriers to the expanded use of vertical lift configurations in 

the Nation’s airspace. The unique ability of vertical lift vehicles to hover has great potential in the civil 

market for human and cargo transportation, delivery systems, inspection and surveillance missions, oil 

and gas exploration, disaster relief and many more critical operations. RVLT research advances 

technologies that will increase speed, range, payload, and safety as well as decrease noise, weight, and 

fuel burn. To accomplish this research, NASA uses advanced computer-based multi-fidelity prediction 

methods, unique NASA facilities, and state-of-the art experimental techniques. RVLT considers current 

and future vertical lift vehicles of all classes and sizes, ranging from very small configurations to 

configurations that are viable commercial transports in the NAS. For example, the Project is currently 

working with TACP to explore ideas that may combine autonomy and hybrid/ full electric systems with a 

vertical lift capability to enable a variety of new civil missions. The RVLT Project primarily supports 

ARMD Strategic Thrust 3, but in the future will likely incorporate more electric and autonomy 

technologies that will also support Strategic Thrusts 4 and 6. 

COMMERCIAL SUPERSONIC TECHNOLOGY

Supersonic vehicle research includes tools, technologies, and knowledge that will help eliminate today’s 

technical barriers to practical, commercial supersonic flight. These barriers include sonic boom; 

supersonic aircraft fuel efficiency; airport community noise; high altitude emissions; vehicle 

aeroservoelastic design; supersonic operations and the ability to design future vehicles in an integrated, 

multidisciplinary manner. Research conducted will establish the necessary approaches and techniques for 

objectively measuring the levels of sonic boom acceptable to communities living in the vicinity of future 

commercial supersonic flight paths. These approaches, techniques, and resulting data will inform both 

national and international regulatory organizations that set the standards for commercial entities and 

vehicles to achieve. The research also lays the groundwork for overcoming other challenges facing 

commercial supersonic flight including energy efficiency, reduced pollutants emitted into the atmosphere, 

and acceptable engine noise levels in the airport area. The Commercial Supersonic Technology Project 

directly supports ARMD Strategic Thrust 2 and will conduct the research leveraging the purpose-built 

LBFD in conducting the community response mission. 

ADVANCED COMPOSITES

NASA is addressing new test protocols and methods to reduce the development and certification timeline 

for composite materials and structures. It is inevitable that composite structures will see increased 

application due to the pressure to develop more efficient, sustainable vehicles. Testing is the primary 

basis of the present approach for the development and certification of composites. It is time-consuming 

and expensive but does provide rigorously validated results. NASA will focus on the development and 

use of high fidelity and rigorous computational methods, improved test protocols, and standardized 
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inspection techniques to shorten the timeline to bring innovative composite materials and structures to 

market. NASA will engage key players from Government (FAA and DoD), industry, and academia to 

mature and verify the methodology, to ensure effective transition to industry, and to assure safety for 

certification authorities, such as the FAA. The goal of the project is to reduce the estimated 5 to 9 year 

timeline for composite structures development and certification by 30 percent. The Advanced Composites 

Project directly supports ARMD Strategic Thrust 3 because it will facilitate the design of new advanced 

vehicles that are highly efficient. In addition, there is applicability to Thrust 2 because future supersonic 

aircraft may likely use composites too. 

AERONAUTICS EVALUATION AND TEST CAPABILITIES

The ground test capabilities (facilities, systems, workforce, and tools) necessary to achieve the future air 

vehicles and operations described above require efficient and effective investment, use, and management. 

Efforts in this area preserve and enhance those specific ground test capabilities that are necessary to 

achieve the missions. Among these assets are subsonic, transonic, supersonic, and hypersonic wind 

tunnels and propulsion test facilities at ARC, GRC, and LaRC. These NASA-unique test facilities and 

capabilities may also serve the needs of the nation. This integrated approach to asset planning, use, and 

management will consider the complementary computational tools, software, and related systems to 

effectively acquire and process research data. An additional benefit is to offer the research customer highquality data that accurately reflects the simulated test environment and the interactions of test articles in 

those test environments in conjunction with the ground experimentation capabilities. Furthermore, it 

includes the NASA expertise that helps ensure safe and successful use of the assets and high quality of the 

research outcomes. NASA will also conduct research on key hypersonic technologies that support this 

national capability. This work concentrates in areas such as development of new computational tools and 

key technologies that open the possibility for greater use of air-breathing hypersonic systems in the future. 

The project is cross cutting and supports ARMD Strategic Thrusts 2, 3, and 4 as well as other Agency 

efforts and those of key industry partners. 

HYPERSONICS TECHNOLOGY PROJECT 

The development of new hypersonic capabilities is important for the country. In the near-term application 

of hypersonics is likely to be on enhanced defense systems, but this could eventually expand to include 

improved access to space capabilities that would directly benefit NASA. NASA maintains unique 

specialized facilities and experts who will focus on key fundamental research areas that explore key 

challenges in high-speed flight. This project will coordinate closely with partners in the DoD so that 

NASA can leverage their investment in flight activities to develop and validate advanced physics-based 

models and at the same time, the DoD can benefit from NASA expertise, analyses, testing capabilities and 

computational models. Focus areas for the project include high-speed propulsion systems, re-usable 

vehicle technologies, high-temperature materials, and systems analysis. 
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Program Schedule 

Date Significant Event 

Nov 2015 Complete the analysis to quantify the drag reduction benefit of boundary 

layer ingestion for a representative aircraft configuration. 

Sep 2016 Complete component testing of a variable speed power turbine with potential 

to greatly improve turboshaft engine efficiency over a wide operating range. 

Sep 2016 

Complete an integrated analysis of advanced, candidate technologies 

contributing to a 1.5-2 times increase in the aspect ratio of a lightweight wing 

with safe flight controls and structures. 

Dec 2016 

Complete the second phase of test section improvements of the optical 

access, physical access, and the related support infrastructures designed in 

previous phases, which will enable advanced optical test techniques such as 

Pressure Sensitive Paint, Infrared Thermography, High Speed Schlieren, 

Model Deformation, and Particle Imaging Velocimetry to be routinely used in 

ARC Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel testing. 

Sep 2017 

Define the natural ice-crystal cloud environment in terms of altitude, 

temperature, ice water content, particle size, and morphology to guide the 

engine ice crystal ingestion testing in the Propulsion Systems Laboratory at 

NASA GRC. 

Sep 2017 

Complete the replacement of the facility control system and steady state data 

acquisition systems at both the GRC 8X6-Foot Supersonic Wind Tunnel and 

9X15-Foot Low Speed Wind Tunnel to enable world-class steady state data 

capabilities including higher reliability, channel count, processing rates, 

analyses, improved plotting, a higher reliability, and more versatile control 

system. 

Sep 2017 

Demonstrate a two-speed drive system for vertical lift applications that can 

operate with a 50% shaft speed change and efficiently transfer high torque 

with no weight penalty. 

Sep 2017 

Complete functional checkout and assessment of the Tiltrotor Test Rig (TTR) 

to demonstrate a new test capability for high-speed vertical lift 

configurations. 

Sep 2018 

Complete fan model testing with a Single-Degree of Freedom (SDOF) and 

Multiple-Degree of Freedom (MDOF) in the NASA GRC 9x15 Foot Low 

Speed Wind Tunnel to provide significant improvement in the noise 

reduction capability of liners. 

Sep 2018 Complete Tests of N+3 low-emission, fuel-flexible combustor concept 
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Program Management & Commitments 

Program Element Provider 

Advanced Air Transport 

Technology 

Provider: ARC, AFRC, GRC, LaRC 

Lead Center: GRC 

Performing Center(s): ARC, AFRC, GRC, LaRC 

Cost Share Partner(s): U.S. Air Force, Boeing, Pratt & Whitney, Northrop 

Grumman, General Electric Aviation, Aurora, United Technologies 

Corporation, Rolls Royce/Liberty Works, Honeywell, FAA, Lockheed 

Martin, U.S. Navy, U.S. small business and universities 

Revolutionary Vertical Lift 

Technology 

Provider: ARC, GRC, LaRC 

Lead Center: LaRC 

Performing Center(s): ARC, GRC, LaRC 

Cost Share Partner(s): UTRC, U.S. Army, 

GE, Pratt and Whitney, Joby Aviation DLR, NLR, U.S. Navy, U.S. small 

businesses and universities 

Commercial Supersonic 

Technology 

Provider: ARC, GRC, LaRC, AFRC 

Lead Center: LaRC 

Performing Center(s): ARC, GRC, LaRC, AFRC 

Cost Share Partner(s): Boeing, General Electric Aviation, Gulfstream 

Aerospace, U.S. Air Force, FAA, JAXA, Honeywell, Rockwell Collins, 

KTH, Sweden, Lockheed Martin, Aerion Corporation, U.S. Navy, U.S. small 

businesses and universities 

Advanced Composites 

Provider: ARC, GRC, LaRC 

Lead Center: LaRC 

Performing Center(s): ARC, GRC, LaRC 

Cost Share Partner(s): Boeing, General Electric Aviation, Lockheed Martin, , 

United Technologies Corporation, FAA, DOD 

Aeronautics Evaluation and Test 

Capabilities 

Provider: ARC, GRC, LaRC, AFRC 

Lead Center: N/A 

Performing Center(s): ARC, GRC, LaRC 

Cost Share Partner(s): DoD, FAA, European High Altitude Ice Crystal 

(HAIC) Consortium, Boeing, SEA In.c 

Hypersonics Technology 

Provider: GRC, LaRC 

Lead Center: TBD 

Performing Center(s): LaRC and GRC 

Cost Share Partners: TBD 
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Acquisition Strategy 

Research and technology spans from foundational research to integrated system capabilities. This broad 

spectrum necessitates the use of a wide array of acquisition tools relevant to the appropriate work 

awarded externally through full and open competition. Teaming among large companies, small 

businesses, and universities is highly encouraged for all procurement actions. 

MAJOR CONTRACTS/AWARDS

NASA’s Aeronautics programs award multiple smaller contracts, which are generally less than $5 

million. They are widely distributed across academia and industry. 

INDEPENDENT REVIEWS

Performer Date of 

Review Purpose Outcome Next Review 

Performance 

Expert Review Nov 2015 

The 12-month 

review is a formal 

independent peer 

review. Experts 

from other 

Government 

agencies report on 

their assessment of 

technical and 

programmatic risk 

and/or program 

weaknesses. 

The Panel provided 

favorable reviews 

to the projects. The 

Panel also gave 

constructive 

comments and 

recommendations. 

Nov 2016 

Review 

Type 
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FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Total Budget 150.0 -- 210.0 255.4 381.4 493.0 556.7 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. 

FY 2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

FY 2017 reflects discretionary and mandatory funding. Additional details on the mandatory funding can be found in 

the Explanation of Changes section.

In this photo taken from a chase plane, the Boeing 

ecoDemonstrator 757 flight test airplane --with NASA's 

Active Flow Control technology installed on the tail --

makes a final approach to King County Boeing Field in 

Seattle, Washington.

One issue that NASA faces is bridging the gap 

between the maturity level of technologies 

developed through fundamental research and 

the maturity requirement of infusion into future 

air vehicles and operational systems. 

The goal of IASP is to demonstrate integrated 

concepts and technologies at a maturity level 

sufficient to reduce risk of implementation in 

the aviation community. IASP focuses on the 

rigorous execution of highly complex flight 

tests and related experiments. These flight tests 

support all phases of ARMD research, not just 

the culmination of research activities. For 

technologies at low TRLs, IASP flight research 

accelerates the development and/or determines 

the feasibility of those technologies. For more 

mature technologies, flight research will reduce 

risks and accelerate transition of those 

technologies to industry. 

IASP addresses the national challenge of routine access of UASes into the NAS for civil use. Historically, 

UAS have supported military and security operations overseas, with training occurring primarily in the 

United States. However, significant interest is growing in civil uses, including commercial photography, 

aerial mapping, crop monitoring, advertising, communications, and broadcasting. The FAA is developing 

new policies, procedures, and approval processes to address the increasing civil market and the desire of 

civilian operation of UAS on a routine basis. The need for developing and implementing new standards, 

procedures, and guidance to govern civil UAS operations in the NAS in a timely manner has become 

more important than ever. NASA’s UAS Integration in the NAS Project will contribute flight-validated 

data and capabilities that reduce technical barriers related to the safety and operational challenges 

associated with enabling routine civil UAS access to the NAS. 
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EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017

Mandatory Budget Authority Actual Enacted Request Notional 

(in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

21st Century Clean Transportation Plan -- -- 37.0 84.0 196.0 300.0 370.0 

IASP is supported in part by mandatory funding under a multiagency 21st Century Clean Transportation 

Plan. This initiative extends beyond the five-year period covered in this document. Full funding for the 

clean transportation initiative in IASP is $2.1 billion over 10 years. The IASP budget also supported by 

$55.9 million of mandatory funding in FY 2017 to begin work on an LBFD. 

With this request, NASA Aeronautics will begin NAH – a bold new initiative to advance the NASA 

Aeronautics strategic vision through a continuing series of experimental aircraft and systems 

demonstrations. This NAH initiative will demonstrate transformative concepts with integrated, advanced 

technologies that will meet the long-term needs of aviation and sustain U.S. technological leadership. 

IASP leads the NAH effort that supports the achievement of all six research thrusts over time. 

NAH efforts will continue to address innovations in subsonic flight with a new HWB Demonstrator. In 

FY 2017, NAH initiates the development of a formal preliminary design for a large-scale HWB 

experimental aircraft. The HWB configuration has been the focus of substantial research and 

experimentation and represents the most mature concept, ready for flight demonstration and validation. 

NAH also initiates early design studies for additional experimental aircraft demonstrations focused on 

other key technology needs, such as very efficient, high aspect ratio wings and transformative approaches 

to engine integration with the aircraft that enable major reductions in fuel use. The design studies will be 

coordinated with AAVP ground experiments on key technology enablers. The design studies and ground 

experiments will lead to a decision to proceed to final design and build of an experimental aircraft at the 

end of FY 2019. 

Over the past decade, fundamental research and experimentation has demonstrated the possibility of 

supersonic flight with much reduced sonic boom noise. The LBFD X-plane will demonstrate these 

advancements in flight utilizing a purpose-built experimental aircraft, supporting the development of a 

sonic boom standard that would allow overland commercial supersonic flight (currently prohibited). 

ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2015

Thrust 3: Ultra-Efficient Commercial Vehicles 

NASA’s ERA Project concluded its final year of execution, and successfully completed all eight 

Integrated Technology Demonstrations (ITDs). These ITDs directly support NASA’s goal to advance 

ultra-efficient commercial vehicles flying in the 2020-2025 timeframe. Once implemented, together these 

ITDs cut fuel burn in half, reduce community noise 42 decibels below current standards, and reduce 

emissions by 75 percent during take-off and landing. These NASA developed technologies significantly 

contribute to the aviation community’s goal of achieving far more environmentally friendly aircraft 

without compromising performance. 
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Two ERA flight experiments took place this year aboard the Boeing 757 ecoDemonstrator flying testbed. 

The first studied how small jets embedded in an aircraft's vertical tail and blowing air over its surfaces 

could provide enough force to safely allow smaller tails on future aircraft designs. Doing so would save 

weight, reduce drag and drop fuel usage up to 0.5 percent – a small number that quickly adds up to big 

savings. The testing of the active flow control technology during six flights in a variety of configurations 

and flight conditions, including simulated engine failures, worked as designed, duplicating the results of 

wind tunnel tests conducted in 2013. 

The second demonstration studied how well special coatings worked to prevent sticky bug residue from 

building up on the leading edge of an airplane wing with the resultant increase in drag. Fewer remains 

would smooth airflow and help reduce fuel consumption. NASA and Boeing engineers made 15 flights 

into bug-filled skies near Shreveport Regional Airport testing non-stick wing coatings. Although more 

testing is required, one of the five coatings tested showed promising results by reducing bug counts and 

residue about 40 percent. 

Thrust 6: Assured Autonomy for Aviation Transformation 

For UAS integration into the NAS, NASA delivered data, analyses, and recommendations based on 

research that included an integrated flight test series using simulated airspace/traffic, and a live vehicle to 

inform development of preliminary minimum operational performance standards by the RTCA Special 

Committee 228 (SC228) on UAS integration into the NAS. The special committee is responsible for 

developing MOPS for flying UAS in the NAS. NASA researchers provided input including data, analysis, 

and recommendations based on integrated flight tests involving both simulated and live vehicles 

traversing airspace and interacting with other aircraft. Research results briefed to the committee for 

MOPS development included guidance, alerting, human machine interface, aircraft performance, 

terminology, system specific performance requirements, and equipment test procedures. The RTCA 

Program Management Council approved this information as a part of the Preliminary MOPS. 

UAS activity for FY 2015 wrapped up with the successful demonstration of a prototype Detect-andAvoid (DAA) system using NASA's remotely piloted Ikhana aircraft. Ikhana made 11 flights over the 

California high desert involving more than 200 scripted encounters with approaching aircraft. Depending 

on the specific scenario, either Ikhana detected one or more approaching aircraft and sent an alert to its 

remote pilot to take action, or Ikhana autonomously took action by flying a programmed maneuver to 

avoid a collision – an aviation first. The DAA research was designated FT3, the third in a series of flight 

test campaigns for NASA’s UAS Integration in the NAS project. Knowledge gleaned from the data 

recorded during this third phase of UAS-NAS flight tests will not only help researchers plan the next 

phase of flight tests targeted for FY 2016, but will also help inform organizations developing UAS-related 

operating standards, including RTCA SC228. 

WORK IN PROGRESS IN FY 2016 

Thrust 2: Innovation in Commercial Supersonic Aircraft 

As a continuation of the research and technology strategy for Thrust 2 as implemented by the AAVP, 

NASA will initiate and nearly complete a detailed preliminary design for a low boom demonstrator 

aircraft. This design will enable the development of an aircraft capable of generating the necessary data to 

support an overland boom standard for commercial supersonic flight. 
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Thrust 3: Ultra-Efficient Commercial Vehicles 

Work conducted in the ERA project will culminate in a Closeout Review in FY 2016. This review will 

describe the culmination of the ERA effort through Phase 2 ITDs as well as the overall benefit realized 

through N+2 technology investigations conducted and assessed during the 6-year life of the ERA Project. 

In FY 2016, NASA will leverage success from the ERA Project, as well as other NASA Aeronautics 

initiatives, to commence with multiple studies focused on informing the solicitation process for advanced 

configuration subsonic demonstrator aircraft. In addition to the aircraft configurations themselves, studies 

will also evaluate candidate technologies as well as novel methods for conducting flight demonstrations. 

Also in FY 2016, NASA will continue to capitalize on the successful technologies and benefits born out 

of the ERA effort. As with ERA, NASA will conduct high-impact collaborations with an early focus on 

reducing aircraft environmental impacts. NASA will develop integrated system-level flight 

demonstrations focused on the most promising technologies to assess feasibility of integrated benefits 

and/or to advance technology readiness levels. During the year, NASA will begin a series of flight 

demonstrations to both mature and transfer green aircraft technologies to U.S. industry. These 

technologies include: Ultra-High Bypass Engine Nacelle Technology; X-56 Light Weight Flexible Wing; 

Adaptive Compliant Trailing Edge Flaps for Noise Reduction; and Landing Gear Noise Reduction. In 

order to accomplish these technologies, NASA will select the most appropriate assets available (NASA, 

other Government agencies, industry, or international partners) to support the chosen technology 

demonstrations. These technologies further capitalize on technologies from the ERA Project, and 

increasing autonomy in support of the UAS Integration to NAS Project. 

Thrust 6: Assured Autonomy for Aviation Transformation 

Automation will continue to transform the civil aviation industry and is a rich area for continued research. 

NASA seeks to forge applications of automation in aircraft operations and air traffic management, and 

generate validated data through testing for regulatory bodies. NASA will also develop technologies and 

concepts that promote safety, reliability, and future economic development. The use of analysis, 

simulation, and flight testing will further the integration of UAS in the NAS for commercial, science, 

security, and other uses. In FY 2016, NASA will deliver data, analysis, and recommendations, based on 

two flight test series with simulated traffic and live vehicles to RTCA SC228 on MOPS for unmanned 

aircraft systems. This effort is critical to the success of RTCA’s effort and the standards necessary to 

achieve UAS integration into the National Airspace. Flight Test 4 (FT4) will be the last flight test series 

for this phase of the UAS in the NAS project. The planned progression of the flight test campaign will see 

high levels of technology integration and higher complexity of test conditions. The testing will integrate 

UAS and manned aircraft with ground control stations and air traffic data. The integration of UAS in the 

NAS will include flight demonstration of detect and avoid, command and control and advanced ground 

control station display technologies in a flight environment representing the NAS using the Live, Virtual, 

Constructive, Distributive Environment (LVC-DE). 

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS PLANNED FOR FY 2017 

Thrust 2: Innovation in Commercial Supersonic Aircraft 

In line with the continuation of maturation of concepts and technologies through large-scale experiments 

and flight demonstrations, NASA will start the design/build phase of the new LBFD Project as part of the 
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bold NAH initiative that will support a continuing series of transformative experimental vehicles and 

systems. Starting the demonstration at this time will work to ensure NASA is in line with the International 

Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection (CAEP) 

schedule related to aircraft noise and emissions, and more generally to aviation environmental impact. 

Thrust 3: Ultra-Efficient Commercial Vehicles 

In FY 2017, PDR of a flight demonstration to validate technologies to improve the performance of UltraHigh Bypass Engine Nacelles will be conducted as part of the FDC Project. An engine nacelle is the 

housing, separate from the fuselage, which holds engines, fuel, or equipment on an aircraft. 

The FDC Project will also continue an impactful collaboration with Aurora Flight Sciences to reduce the 

aircraft environmental footprint by completing an effort to assess the D8 configuration through 

completion of a Conceptual Design Review of the D8 aircraft configuration as well as a Preliminary 

Design Review for the D8 aircraft structure. These reviews are key elements to understand the feasibility 

and risks associated with pursuing a flight demonstration of this unconventional configuration. 

In FY 2017, ACTE II Sub-Project of FDC will complete the Adaptive Compliant Trailing Edge (ACTE) 

II Noise Reduction Flight experiment. This will verify the noise reduction benefits of the ACTE flap 

feasibility as shown in flight under the ERA project. 

Following completion of a solicitation for the HWB Demonstrator, a contract will be awarded in FY 2017 

to commence with preliminary design activities for the HWB that will lead to completion of PDR in 

FY 2018. In addition, multiple studies associated with advanced concept subsonic aircraft configurations 

will be completed that inform the solicitation process for one or more Subsonic Demonstrator aircraft. 

Subsonic Demonstrator contract awards will follow in FY 2018. In addition, NASA will continue to 

facilitate small flight demonstrations, maintain capabilities that make assets available for flight 

experiments, and develop/maintain the ARMD flight test roadmap. 

Thrust 6: Assured Autonomy for Aviation Transformation 

NASA will extend the UAS in the NAS project through FY 2020 to support FAA and RTCA in the 

development of Phase 2 MOPS. The goal of phase 2 is to develop MOPS for Detect and Avoid and 

Command and Control for extended operations of UAS into higher altitude airspace including class D, E 

and possibly G. NASA will develop performance standards for DAA and satellite communications and 

perform integrated testing and evaluations. 

Program Elements 

UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS (UAS) INTEGRATION IN THE NATIONAL 

AIRSPACE SYSTEM (NAS) 

In this project, NASA focuses on technologies to enable routine civil operations for UAS of all sizes and 

capabilities in the NAS. This research aligns with ARMD’s Assured Autonomy for Aviation 

Transformation strategic thrust area. Since many of the current Federal Aviation regulations support a 

pilot being in the aircraft, they are not directly applicable to UAS. To date, the primary user of UAS has 
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been the military. The technologies and procedures to enable seamless operation and integration of UAS 

in NAS are vetted by FAA through rule making and policy development as the UAS user base expands. 

Specifically, NASA is addressing technology development in several areas to reduce the technical barriers 

related to safety and operational challenges. The technical barriers include: 

 Robust separation assurance algorithms; 

Command and control, and air traffic control communication systems; 

Consistent standards to assess UAS ground control stations; and 

Airworthiness requirements for the full range of UAS size and performance. 







NASA will validate data and technology through a series of high-fidelity HITL simulations (e.g., where a 

human is part of the simulation and influences the outcome) and flight tests conducted in a relevant 

environment. The project will conduct integrated test and evaluation focusing on three technical 

challenges: separation assurance, performance standards and certification, and developing a relevant test 

environment. The project deliverables will help key decision makers in Government and industry make 

informed decisions, leading towards routine UAS access. In Phase 2 of the Project, the SC228 goal is to 

develop MOPS for Detect and Avoid, and Command and Control equipment for extended operations of 

UAS in Class D, E, and perhaps G airspace. 

FLIGHT DEMONSTRATIONS AND CAPABILITIES (FDC) 

NASA’s FDC Project will validate benefits associated with critical technologies through focused flight 

experiments. As part of the FDC Project, NASA will demonstrate the feasibility and maturity of new 

technologies through flight tests, utilizing collaborative partnerships from across the aeronautical 

industry, and include international partners as appropriate. These demonstrations will typically address 

technologies that have proven their potential merit through ground based or subscale testing and require 

results from a realistic flight environment for validation of the benefits. 

Through the integrated use of appropriate flight test capabilities and assets, regardless of whether the 

capabilities and assets are available from NASA, through other Government agencies or industry, the 

FDC Project will validate benefits associated with critical selected technologies. The flight experiments 

are campaigns focused on aggressive, success-oriented schedules utilizing the most appropriate set of 

assets available to accomplish the experimental objectives. While many of the technologies will be at 

relatively high TRLs, the FDC Project will support all phases of technology maturation. 

The FDC Project will utilize specific flight research and test capabilities residing within NASA, including 

the Dryden Aeronautical Test Range and Simulation and Flight Loads Laboratories at the AFRC, 

necessary to address and achieve the ARMD Strategic Plan, ARMD Program/Project activities. The 

Project will also utilize flight research and test capabilities across the U.S. aeronautical industry and 

international partners as appropriate. 

NEW AVIATION HORIZON (NAH) INITIATIVE

The NAH Initiative will support large scale testing in relevant environments needed to ensure acceptance 

of new technologies for aircraft and airspace systems by the aviation community. Projects under this 
Aeronautics: Aeronautics 

INTEGRATED AVIATION SYSTEMS PROGRAM

AERO-41 

NAH initiative will study, develop, and fund large-scale demonstrations. Features of this new initiative 

include: 

 Develop a series of X-Aircraft and X-Systems demonstrations of integrated concepts and 

technologies; 

Build from a suite of technologies proven through Ground and Flight Test and integrated into 

advanced aircraft or system configurations; 

Focus on flight demonstration required to fully understand complex, transformational flight 

systems, including structures, aerodynamics, propulsion, controls (including human factors and 

autonomy) and flight dynamics interactions; 

Align with ARMD Strategic Implementation Plan; and 

Develop a NASA-Industry resource sharing partnership approach 









NAH-SUBSONIC DEMONSTRATOR (SD) 

The third NAH project is the NAH-Subsonic Demonstrator (SD). The overall goal of the NAH-SD 

project is to demonstrate the performance and feasibility of advanced, unconventional ultra-efficient 

configurations through flight-testing. The NAH-SD project will begin by conducting and assessing 

studies of the anticipated performance of advanced configurations as well as technologies to be included 

in flight demonstrations. In addition to the studies, NASA will also use technology testing in AAVP to 

inform decision-making about subsonic flight demonstrator configurations. Once assessments are 

complete, the most promising configurations will be pursued as standalone flight demonstration projects 

within NAH. 

NAH-LOW BOOM FLIGHT DEMONSTRATOR (LBFD) 

The goal of the NAH-LBFD project is to overcome the sonic boom barrier and open the door for 

development of a new generation of supersonic civil transport aircraft. The primary objectives of the 

NAH-LBFD are two-fold: flight validation of design tools and technologies applicable to low sonic boom 

commercial supersonic aircraft, and creation of community response data that will support the 

development of a noise-based standard for supersonic overland flight. NAH-LBFD will provide the tools 

and database that enables regulatory agencies to lift the current prohibition on overland supersonic flight. 

NAH – HYBRID WING BODY (HWB) DEMONSTRATOR

The overall goal of the NAH-HWB project is to demonstrate the performance and feasibility of an ultraefficient HWB configuration through flight-testing. The NAH-HWB project will leverage substantial 

research and experimentation, including recent HWB learning from the ERA Project and collaborate with 

industry to complete preliminary and detail design activities that will lead to producing the HWB 

Demonstrator, and culminate in the HWB flight test campaign. 
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INTEGRATED AVIATION SYSTEMS PROGRAM

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Program Schedule 

Date Significant Event 

Sep 2015 Completed eight successful ITDs, and cumulative impact assessments of 

Phase 1 and Phase 2 technologies at vehicle and fleet levels 

Jul 2015 

Delivered data, analysis, and recommendations based on integrated 

simulations and flight tests to the RTCA Special Committee on MOPS for 

UAS to support preliminary MOPS development 

Jan 2016 Complete close-out activities for the ERA Project 

Mar 2016 Begin small fight demos under the FDC Project 

Jul 2016 

Deliver data, analysis, and recommendations based on integrated simulation 

and flight test series with simulated traffic or live vehicles to the RTCA 

Special Committee on MOPS for UAS to support development of the final 

MOPS 

Feb 2017 Conduct D8 CDR/PDR 

Aug 2017 Complete PDR of a flight demonstration to validate technologies to improve 

the performance of Ultra-High Bypass Engine Nacelles 

Sep 2017 Complete PDR of a HWB Demonstrator aircraft 

Program Management & Commitments 

Program Element Provider 

UAS Integration in the NAS 

Provider: ARC, AFRC, GRC, LaRC 

Lead Center: AFRC 

Performing Center(s): ARC, AFRC, GRC, LaRC 

Cost Share Partner(s): Rockwell Collins, FAA, Dragonfly Pictures, General 

Atomics, University of North Dakota 

Flight Demonstrations and 

Capabilities 

Provider: ARC, AFRC, GRC, LaRC 

Lead Center: AFRC 

Performing Center(s): ARC, AFRC, GRC, LaRC 

Cost Share Partner(s): DoD, Air Force Research Laboratory, Lockheed 

Martin, Flexsys 

NAH - LBFD 

Provider: ARC, AFRC, GRC, LaRC 

Lead Center: TBD 

Performing Center(s): ARC, AFRC, GRC, LaRC 

Cost Share Partner(s): TBD 
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Program Element Provider 

NAH - HWB Demonstrator 

Provider: ARC, AFRC, GRC, LaRC 

Lead Center: TBD 

Performing Center(s): ARC, AFRC, GRC, LaRC 

Cost Share Partner(s): TBD 

NAH - Subsonic Demonstrator 

Provider: ARC, AFRC, GRC, LaRC 

Lead Center: TBD 

Performing Center(s): ARC, AFRC, GRC, LaRC 

Cost Share Partner(s): TBD 

Acquisition Strategy 

NASA’s IASP develops and further matures promising technologies to the integrated system level. This 

necessitates the use of a wide array of acquisition tools relevant to the appropriate work awarded 

externally through full and open competition. Teaming among large companies, small businesses, and 

universities is highly encouraged for all procurement actions. 

MAJOR CONTRACTS/AWARDS

NASA’s Aeronautics programs award multiple smaller contracts, which are generally less than $5 

million. They are widely distributed across academia and industry. It is anticipated that during FY 2017, 

awards to support NAH initiatives to design HWB and ultra-efficient Subsonic Demonstrators will be 

made that are in excess of $5M. In addition, a contract to build the Low Boom Supersonic Demonstrator 

will be awarded that will be in excess of $5M. All of these design and build contracts will be widely 

competed through full and open competitions. 

INDEPENDENT REVIEWS

Performer Date of 

Review Purpose Outcome Next Review 

Performance 

Expert Review Oct 2015 

The 12-month review 

is a formal 

independent peer 

review. Experts from 

other government 

agencies report on 

their assessment of 

technical and project 

risk and/or 

weaknesses. 

The Panels 

expressed that both 

the FDC and 

UAS/NAS Projects 

were highly 

relevant and 

overall in very 

good shape 

Oct 2016 

Review 

Type 
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FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Total Budget 97.4 -- 122.3 154.4 193.8 179.7 196.2 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. 

FY 2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

FY 2017 reflects discretionary and mandatory funding. Additional details on the mandatory funding can be found in 

the Explanation of Changes section.

 Mandatory Budget Authority Actual Enacted Request Notional

(in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

21st Century Clean Transportation Plan -- -- 15.0 55.0 90.0 75.0 90.0 

This graphic shows the idea behind the "digital twin" 

transformative tool – could a computer model be created 

that predicts how an aircraft will perform over time? 

TACP cultivates multi-disciplinary, 

revolutionary concepts to enable aviation 

transformation. ARMD’s strategic analysis 

identified challenges in the global demand for 

mobility, significant energy and sustainability 

challenges, and ongoing affordability issues, for 

which technology can be a key part of the 

solutions. TACP fosters innovative solutions to 

these problems, capitalizing on advancements in 

aeronautics and non-aeronautics sectors to 

create new opportunities in aviation. The 

ultimate goal of the program is to knock down 

technical barriers and infuse internally and 

externally originated concepts into all six 

ARMD strategic research thrusts, creating 

innovation for tomorrow in the aviation system. 

Using sharply focused activities, the program provides flexibility for innovators to explore technology 

feasibility and provide the knowledge base for radical transformation. The program solicits and 

encourages revolutionary concepts, creates the environment for researchers to become immersed in trying 

out new ideas, performs ground and small-scale flight tests, allows failures and learns from them, and 

drives rapid turnover into new concepts. Further, TACP places attention on computational and 

experimental tools that are critical for supporting development and enabling aviation transformation. 

Thereby, investments are in never-done-before developments that can provide paradigm-shifting analysis 

and experimental capability. All of this research is done while aggressively engaging the traditional 

aeronautics community as well as non-traditional partners. 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017
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TRANSFORMATIVE AERO CONCEPTS PROGRAM

AERO-45 

Across all ARMD programs, NASA researchers are developing innovative capabilities to advance the 

strategic thrusts and enable their outcomes. In TACP, new concepts, revolutionary methods, and 

disruptive technologies are cultivated in support of those strategic thrusts and outcomes. In order to 

provide a steady inflow of new ideas into the TACP portfolio, parallel, independent research paths are 

needed. One of those paths will be via the new University Innovation and Challenges Project. In FY 

2017, the current Leading Edge Aeronautics Research for NASA (LEARN) Project will be phased out 

and emphasis will be placed on a university leadership approach. The new project will involve 

universities independently analyzing the technical barriers inherent in achieving the strategic outcomes 

and proposing set of multi-disciplinary technical challenges along with supporting activities to address 

those barriers, and then NASA competitively selecting the most strategic and transformative proposals. 

The project will also continue to utilize challenges and prizes to the external community to catalyze 

investments from the aerospace and non-aerospace communities toward solving problems aligned with 

NASA interests. 

TACP is supported in part by funding under a multiagency plan for a 21st Century Clean Transportation 

Plan. This initiative extends beyond the five-year period covered in this document. Full funding for the 

initiative in TACP is $0.6 billion over 10 years. 

ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2015

NASA completed specific activities in the Convergent Aeronautics Solutions (CAS) Project that started in 

the previous Aviation Safety Program. In addition, NASA gained specific knowledge supporting the 

understanding and mitigation of current and future aviation hazards as well as the detection and diagnosis 

of life-limiting faults in off-nominal turbine engine operation. NASA assembled data supporting 

algorithms used in ground-based sensors systems for the aviation community to provide terminal area 

icing weather information. NASA also completed a conceptual design for an advanced sensing system 

that provides not only the required lightning protection, but also provided damage diagnosis in composite 

structures. Finally, NASA, in cooperation with other government, manufacturers, and other partners, 

demonstrated the capability of advanced gas-path sensors and diagnostics systems to detect faults 

between major inspections by completing a controlled volcanic ash exposure experiment in an operating 

engine. For the aviation community, this is a major step toward providing in-flight health management 

capabilities. 

NASA explored collaborative program/center processes to incubate and select the best cross-center, 

multi-disciplinary research activities, leading to the establishment of initial feasibility of the technologies 

and concepts. NASA researched an initial set of ideas for feasibility, including a distributed electric 

propulsion (DEP) concept for performance and scalability. It has the promise of significant reductions in 

emissions and noise that can support the application of lower-carbon propulsion technologies. NASA 

completed ground testing of the 1st generation DEP wing to validate the high lift computational 

predictions. Also, NASA began a study of low-cost, fast-turnaround methods for obtaining realistic 

vehicle performance and flying quality data in flight research; one initial method explored was that of 

towing an X-plane. These test methods could support future advanced vehicle development with 

increased probability of success during early design, fabrication, and flight research. 

NASA continued developing next-generation, high-performance, computational methods and tools that 

have the potential to dramatically reduce the cost and error in simulating complex turbulent flows. The 

Transformational Tools and Technologies Project began a series of wind tunnel test which will result in a 
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TRANSFORMATIVE AERO CONCEPTS PROGRAM

AERO-46 

unique validation data set to compare against turbulence prediction results obtained using advanced 

models for a standard test case involving flow separation. 

NASA funded new challenging research ideas through the external LEARN Project as well as completing 

follow-on phases of the most promising research awards by NASA in-house and selected external 

LEARN teams. Industry and university teams continued several phase two awards, three of which 

include: 

 Plasma-assisted combustor dynamics control to enable ultra-compact, low emission combustors; 

Sensor fusion and cooperative strategy for gust sensing and suppression within formation flight; 

and 

Innovative nanotube technology to enable practical, multifunctional structure composites with 

superior mechanical performance. Upon completion, NASA will evaluate the results for 

incorporation into the existing programs. 





WORK IN PROGRESS IN FY 2016 

NASA will advance state-of-the-art aeronautics modeling and simulation capability through improved 

physics-based tools and methods development. These multidisciplinary tools and methods will enhance 

the ability to predict and design air vehicles and propulsion systems. Improvements in aerodynamics, 

combustion, acoustics, and materials modeling capability, and experimental validation of these methods 

against community-wide standard test cases will also improve prediction capabilities. 

NASA will mature new, innovative technologies in materials, sensors, actuators, and measurement 

techniques to address the needs of future air vehicles and propulsion systems. NASA will facilitate 

improved vehicle performance and measurement accuracy, higher-temperature application of ceramic 

matrix composite materials and measurement techniques that can withstand higher temperature 

environments in addition to the next generation of concepts. 

NASA will continue cross-Center, multi-disciplinary research activities, leading to the establishment of 

initial feasibility of the technologies and concepts across the ARMD strategic research thrusts. One of the 

activities include determining whether a high voltage, lightweight, efficient power distribution systems 

could enable hybrid electric aircraft propulsion systems. Another activity looks at understanding how 

aerodynamics modeling, adaptive controls, sensors, and machine learning can reduce the time to design 

and test new aircraft configurations. In addition, NASA will evaluate if it is possible to use advances in 

chemistry and nanotechnology to create multi-functional aircraft structures that can store electrical power. 

By exploring a computer model that can more accurately predict how a future aircraft will perform over 

time, this can possibly accelerate its certification while assuring safety and expanding reliability. NASA 

will also evaluate of the feasibility of an open-standard operating system for smart UAS autonomy apps 

based on verified, reusable software. 

NASA will complete funding new research ideas through LEARN Project via competitive awards to 

industry and universities. In addition, NASA will begin the University innovation leadership initiative, to 

leverage independent thinking on high-technical risk, multi-faceted approaches to overcoming strategic 

thrust barriers. NASA will also utilize challenges and prizes to engage non-aerospace communities of 

interest as well as traditional partners. NASA will evaluate the most promising ideas to incorporate into 

existing programs. 
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TRANSFORMATIVE AERO CONCEPTS PROGRAM

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KEY ACHIEVEMENTS PLANNED FOR FY 2017 

NASA will demonstrate critical turbulence models and numerical methods for separated flows that 

provide a 40% reduction in predictive error against standard test cases. Current fluid models continue to 

be unreliable in representing turbulent flow regions (including separated flows). These limitations have 

prevented the broader use of numerical modeling for aircraft design, leading to higher costs and less than 

optimal designs. NASA will use these advanced computational models in meeting ambitious fuel 

efficiency goals associated with fundamentally new aircraft and propulsion systems. NASA’s turbulence 

models are one key contribution to the CFD 2030 Vision, a collaborative effort recently established by 

leading fluid dynamics experts from government, industry, and academia. NASA will fund the 

advancement and validation of other breakthrough design tools called for in the CFD 2030 Vision in order 

to support and enable the technologies and configurations of the ultra-efficient X-planes in the clean air 

transportation initiative. 

NASA will develop high-temperature material systems for turbine engine components that enable a 6 

percent reduction in fuel burn while meeting 2700F use temperature and durability metrics. Higher 

temperature materials reduce the amount of cooling needed in engine turbines, improving fuel efficiency, 

and reducing emissions. As part of this effort, NASA has been collaborating with a U.S. engine company 

to advance these high-temperature ceramic matrix composites (CMC) materials. The company plans to 

incorporate CMCs into the hot section of a new engine that will power the next generation of commercial 

single-aisle airplanes. 

NASA will complete feasibility assessments for several activities within CAS Project. All CAS activities 

culminate in a feasibility assessment. Given the challenging nature of CAS activities, many technologies 

will not demonstrate feasibility. NASA will use the results from the assessments to guide future 

investments and to provide essential knowledge that can benefit all ARMD programs. NASA will prepare 

for flight-testing of the DEP 2nd generation wing and electric cruise motors. This flight test will assess 

the feasibility of the DEP concept to provide high-speed cruise efficiency and will provide knowledge for 

future electric propulsion research investment decisions. NASA will also evaluate a set of “smart apps” 

for autonomous UASes in flight. If successful, these apps can provide a low barrier to entry for 

prospective UAS software developers, while also providing capabilities that allow autonomous UAVs to 

behave like certified pilots. In another activity, NASA will complete feasibility testing of an innovative 

aircraft design and build concept that merges digital manufacturing, lightweight materials, and novel 

flight control techniques. This concept has the potential to enable new aircraft designs that are quieter and 

more fuel efficient, while greatly reducing manufacturing costs. 

NASA will begin a new round of investments in early-stage, multi-disciplinary concept research and 

technology feasibility experiments performed by NASA researchers. These activities will lead to the 

establishment of initial feasibility of high-potential solutions in low carbon aviation as well as across all 

the ARMD strategic research thrusts. 

Program Elements 

CONVERGENT AERONAUTICS SOLUTIONS

The CAS Project uses short-duration activities to establish early-stage concept and technology feasibility 

for high-potential solutions. Internal teams propose ideas for overcoming key barriers associated with 
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large-scale aeronautics problems associated with ARMD’s six strategic thrusts. The focus is on merging 

traditional aeronautics disciplines with advancements driven by the non-aeronautics world to advance 

innovative solutions to these barriers to open and enable new capabilities in commercial aviation. The 

teams will conduct initial feasibility studies, perform experiments, try out new ideas, identify failures, and 

try again. At the end of the cycle, a review determines whether the developed solutions have met their 

goals, established initial feasibility, and identified potential for future aviation impact. During these 

reviews, the project considers the most promising capabilities for continued development by other ARMD 

programs or by direct transfer to the aviation community. In a dynamic environment of new ideas, NASA 

obtains significant value from the knowledge and widely disseminates it among the aeronautics 

community at large. 

TRANSFORMATIONAL TOOLS AND TECHNOLOGIES

The Transformational Tools and Technologies Project advances state-of-the-art computational and 

experimental tools and technologies that are vital to aviation applications in the six strategic thrusts. The 

project develops new computer-based tools, models, and associated scientific knowledge that will provide 

first-of-a-kind capabilities to analyze, understand, and predict performance for a wide variety of aviation 

concepts. Applying these revolutionary tools will enable and accelerate NASA’s research and the 

community’s design and introduction of advanced concepts. Examples include the development and

validation of new computational tools used to predict complex turbulent airflow around vehicles and 

within propulsion systems, ultimately leading to greater abilities to predict future vehicle performance in 

flight. The Project also explores technologies that are broadly critical to advancing ARMD strategic 

outcomes, such as: 

 Understanding new types of strong and lightweight materials; 

Innovative controls techniques; and 

Experimental methods. 





Such technologies will support and enable concept development and benefit assessment across multiple 

ARMD programs and disciplines. 

UNIVERSITY INNOVATION AND CHALLENGES

The University Innovation and Challenges Project will contain a portfolio of disruptive technologies and 

other entirely new concepts in order to meet the challenging goals established for each strategic thrust 

established by ARMD. The Project will utilize NASA Research Announcement (NRA) solicitations 

where university-led teams are asked to assess the most critical technical challenges that must be solved 

to achieve the SIP strategic outcomes; and to propose independent, innovative research projects to solve 

those technical challenges, including developing the success criteria, progress indicators, and technical 

approach. It is expected that multi-faceted solutions to these complex technical challenges will involve 

high technical risk, multi-disciplinary approaches, industry partnerships, and that they will provided 

opportunities to work on challenging problems that inspire the next generation of U.S. aeronautics 

engineers and workforce. The competitively selected research activities will open alternate avenues for 

accelerated progress by ARMD and the aerospace community toward the strategic outcomes, as well as 

leveraging new thinking and fostering development of the next generation workforce critical to the longterm development of low carbon aviation. 
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TRANSFORMATIVE AERO CONCEPTS PROGRAM

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The Project will also utilize challenges and prizes to the broad external community to catalyze external 

investments toward solving problems aligned with ARMD’s strategic interests. Funded challenges and 

prizes on low carbon air transport systems will be designed to attract and incentivize non-traditional 

entities (e.g., companies in Information Technology, energy storage/batteries, electric motor 

manufacturing, etc.). 

Program Schedule 

Date Significant Event 

Dec 2015 Call for FY 2017 proposals from internal teams on large-scale aeronautics 

problems important to ARMD 

Mar 2016 CASTing for FY 2017 Proposals 

Jul 2016 Complete single element LDI code validation experimental measurements 

Sep 2016 Evaluate Adv RANS & Scale Sims Capability for Prediction Shock Boundary 

Layer Interactions 

Mar 2017 Demo Multiscale Modelling/CMC Materials 

Jul 2017 CFD Prediction Assessment Workshop 

Sep 2017 Hi Fidelity Fluid Modeling 

Program Management & Commitments 

Program Element Provider 

CAS 

Provider: ARC, GRC, LaRC, AFRC 

Lead Center: GRC 

Performing Center(s): ARC, GRC, LaRC, AFRC 

Cost Share Partner(s): JOBY Aviation, PCKrause & Associates, National 

Institute of Aerospace, Boeing, AFRL, ESAero, Tecnam MTProp, Launch 

Point, Cape Air, Straight Up Imaging, DoT Volpe, Moog Inc., IDEO, Idea 

Couture, Tecolote Research Inc., AFRL, WP AFB, Universities 

Transformational Tools and 

Technologies 

Provider: ARC, GRC, LaRC, AFRC 

Lead Center: GRC 

Performing Center(s): ARC, GRC, LaRC, AFRC 

Cost Share Partner(s): Boeing, Pratt & Whitney, Rolls Royce, Honda, UTRC, 

ESI, Blue Quartz Software, General Electric, FAA, AFRL, U.S. Air Force, 

U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency 

(DARPA), Distributed Engine Controls Working Group Consortium, 

Honeywell, BAE Systems, UTC Aerospace Systems, Ohio Aerospace 

Institute, U.S. small businesses and universities 
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Program Element Provider 

University Innovation and 

Challenges 

Provider: N/A 

Lead Center: HQ 

Performing Center(s): N/A 

Cost Share Partner(s): TBD 

Acquisition Strategy 

The research conducted through TACP activities will use a wide array of acquisition tools relevant to the 

research objectives including external solicitations through full and open competitions including 

challenges and prizes. 

MAJOR CONTRACTS/AWARDS

TACP awards a range of contracts, from multiple small contracts less than $1 million in total, up to $2 

million per year. They are widely distributed across academia and industry. 

INDEPENDENT REVIEWS

Performer Date of 

Review Purpose Outcome Next Review 

Performance ARMD Mission 

Program Directors 

No 

previous 

review 

Review of initial 

CAS Project 

activities to 

determine whether 

they have met their 

goals, established 

initial feasibility, and 

identified potential 

for future aviation 

impact. 

Expected result is the 

identification of the 

promising 

capabilities for 

further development 

by other ARMD 

programs or for 

direct transfer to the 

aviation community. 

TBD 

Performance 

Expert Review Nov 2015 

The 12-month review 

is a formal 

independent peer 

review. Experts from 

other Government 

agencies report on 

their assessment of 

technical and 

programmatic risk 

and/or project 

weaknesses. 

Received expert 

feedback on project 

improvement from 

the panel members. 

Determined that the 

project(s) made 

satisfactory progress 

in meeting technical 

challenges and met 

all annual 

performance 

indicators. 

Nov 2016

Review 

Type 
 

SPACE TECHNOLOGY

TECH-1 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Agency Technology and Innovation 31.3 -- 34.3 35.0 35.7 36.4 37.1 

SBIR and STTR 190.7 -- 213.0 213.2 213.5 213.8 213.8 

Space Technology Research and 

Development 378.3 -- 579.4 456.2 469.3 482.7 496.6 

Total Budget 600.3 686.5 826.7 704.4 718.5 732.9 747.5 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. 

FY 2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

FY 2017 reflects discretionary and mandatory funding. Additional details on the mandatory funding can be found in 

the Explanation of Changes section.

Space Technology ........................................................... TECH-2

AGENCY TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION...................................................... TECH-8 

SBIR AND STTR ................................................................................................ TECH-12

SPACE TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ............................. TECH-19
 

SPACE TECHNOLOGY

TECH-2 

FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Agency Technology and Innovation 31.3 -- 34.3 35.0 35.7 36.4 37.1 

SBIR and STTR 190.7 -- 213.0 213.2 213.5 213.8 213.8 

Space Technology Research and 

Development 378.3 -- 579.4 456.2 469.3 482.7 496.6 

Total Budget 600.3 686.5 826.7 704.4 718.5 732.9 747.5 

Change from FY 2016 140.2 

Percentage change from FY 2016 20.4% 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. 

FY 2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

FY 2017 reflects discretionary and mandatory funding. Additional details on the mandatory funding can be found in 

the Explanation of Changes section.

Green Propellant Propulsion Payload installed on to 

its spacecraft bus. NASA, the U.S. Air Force (USAF) 

and Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. of Boulder, 

Colorado, are collaborating on the Green Propellant 

Infusion Mission, which seeks to improve overall 

propellant efficiency while reducing the handling 

concerns associated with the highly toxic fuel, 

hydrazine. Aerojet Rocketdyne developed the 

thrusters. The space mission also strives to optimize 

performance in new hardware, system and power 

solutions while ensuring the best value for investment 

and the safest space missions possible. The Green 

Propellant Infusion Mission is scheduled to launch in 

late 2016. 

Space Technology conducts rapid development and 

infusion of transformative space technologies that 

increase the Nation’s capabilities in space and 

enable NASA’s missions. Space Technology 

improves our ability to access and travel through 

space; operate satellites in Earth orbit and far 

beyond; land more massive systems (such as rovers, 

habitats, cargo, and eventually people) more 

accurately in more locations throughout the solar 

system; live and work in deep space and on 

planetary bodies; and transform our ability to 

observe the universe and answer profound questions 

in earth and space sciences. 

NASA leverages the shared interests of 

stakeholders, customers, and partners from across 

the nation to develop technology that dramatically 

enhances current U.S. space capabilities by 

increasing performance, reducing technological risk, 

and increasing affordability and reliability. This 

includes technologies that advance the U.S. space 

industry, other government agencies, NASA’s future 

science missions, and human spaceflight endeavors 

beyond low Earth orbit. To advance these critical 

technologies, NASA sources technology from the 

entire pool of potential technology suppliers: 

industry, academia, small businesses, other government agencies, individual entrepreneurs, and NASA 
 

SPACE TECHNOLOGY

TECH-3 

Centers. By engaging the brightest minds on the toughest technological challenges, NASA spurs 

innovation throughout the aerospace enterprise. 

NASA’s Office of the Chief Technologist (OCT) coordinates the Agency’s overall technology portfolio 

to identify needs. The Chief Technologist also helps programs work together, and seeks to minimize 

unnecessary duplication of effort. This office leads NASA technology transfer and nurtures partnership 

opportunities with a wide range of users to ensure the Nation realizes the full value of these development 

efforts. 

American technological leadership is vital to our national security, economic prosperity, and global 

standing. The United States’ continued economic leadership is, in part, due to the technological 

investments made in earlier years, through the work of the engineers, scientists, and elected officials who 

had the wisdom and foresight to make the investments our country required to emerge as a global 

technological leader. That commitment accelerated the economy with the creation of new industries, 

products, and services that yielded lasting benefits. A technology-driven NASA will continue to fuel our 

Nation’s economic engine for decades to come.

For more on Space Technology, go to: http://www.nasa.gov/spacetech. 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017 

 Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Mandatory Funding (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Space Technology Research and 

Development -- -- 136.1 -- -- -- --

Like many elements of the Administration’s FY 2017 R&D priorities, Space Technology Programs are 

supported in part by mandatory funds. The mandatory investment includes $27.3 million for Game 

Changing Developments (GCD) and $108.8 million for Technology Demonstration Missions (TDM), 

including Restore-L. Restore-L has been transferred from the International Space Station (ISS) Research 

program in the Space Operations account, and added as a Technology Demonstration Mission as specified 

in P.L. 114-113, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. 

ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2015 

Space Technology completed an Instrument Accommodation Review and started Phase B for 

development of an oxygen production system for demonstration on the Mars 2020 mission, designed to 

convert carbon dioxide from the Mars atmosphere to oxygen with 99.6 percent purity. The Mars Oxygen 

In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) Experiment (MOXIE) was competitively selected as part of the Mars 

2020 Investigations Announcement of Opportunity (AO). This precursor effort, conducted in 

collaboration with the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate (HEOMD) and Science 

Mission Directorate (SMD), will verify that in ISRU technologies can produce oxygen at Mars to supply 

both human breathing needs as well as propellant oxidizer for Mars ascent rockets. Eventually, this 

technology will be used to send people, science samples, and equipment back into space for their trip 

back to Earth. 
 

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TECH-4 

To enable more capable spacecraft, Space Technology completed flight hardware for a variety of smallscale, in-space technology demonstrations, including laser communications and multi-point science 

observations using CubeSats, and a suborbital demonstration of a small Earth return capsule. NASA is 

sharing the data and insights gained from these technology efforts widely across the aerospace industry to 

ensure infusion into future spacecraft designs. In addition, Space Technology completed risk reduction 

activities for two solar array designs with half of the mass and one-third of the packaging volume 

compared to the best current arrays. One of the arrays is being transitioned into a major commercial 

spacecraft manufacturer’s product line.

The Low Density Supersonic Decelerator (LDSD) project conducted a second supersonic flight 

demonstration of a ring-sail parachute, a supersonic inflatable aerodynamic decelerator, and inflatable 

ballute. The ballute and supersonic inflatable decelerator were successfully demonstrated for the second 

time, but the parachute did not survive after full inflation. However, this flight test provided a one-of-akind set of observations that will have a critical impact on our understanding of the deployment dynamics 

for supersonic parachutes and inform future parachute development efforts. 

In response to feedback from the National Academies and industry, Space Technology kicked off several 

new competitive solicitations in 2015, using innovative partnership strategies. Several of the solicitations 

targeted improving the Nation’s ability to access and travel through space. Technologies sought in these 

solicitations included thrusters and power processing electronics for flight demonstration of a high power 

solar electric propulsion (SEP) system. The Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) also released 

two solicitations and made selections to establish public private partnerships with the U.S. aerospace 

industry. The Tipping Point solicitation, which required a minimum of 25 percent industry cost sharing, 

seeks to advance technologies for: robotic in-space manufacturing and assembly of spacecraft and space 

structures; low size, weight and power instruments for remote sensing applications; small spacecraft 

attitude determination and control sensors and actuators; and small spacecraft propulsion systems. A 

technology is considered at the tipping point if an investment in a demonstration of its capabilities would 

result in a significant advancement of the technology's maturation, high likelihood of infusion into a 

commercial space application, and significant improvement in the ability to successfully bring the 

technology to market. The second solicitation was an Announcement of Collaborative Opportunity that 

will establish partnerships between industry and the NASA Centers through non-reimbursable Space Act 

Agreements to advance emerging space technology system capabilities in nano-satellite and suborbital 

reusable launch systems development, thermal protection system materials and systems development; 

green propellant thruster technology qualification; and small, affordable, high performance liquid rocket 

engine development. 

In addition, NASA continues to invest in the Nation’s small businesses with the Small Business 

Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. SBIR/STTR 

leverage technology solutions developed by small businesses to meet critical Agency and industry needs 

in areas such as robotics, propulsion, and avionics. A SBIR Phase III contract to develop a deployable 

fresh-food production system called VEGGIE was used by astronauts on the ISS to grow red romaine 

lettuce, the first ever space-grown crop, in July 2015 

OCT released the draft Technology Roadmaps for public review and comment. These roadmaps will 

serve as the foundation for the FY 2016 update of NASA's Strategic Technology Investment Plan (STIP), 

which the Agency uses to prioritize technology development. 
 

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NASA’s commercial partnership activities include Flight Opportunities, Centennial Challenges, and 

Regional Economic Development. NASA will develop a more integrated commercial partnership strategy 

in FY 2016 that will align Flight Opportunities, Centennial Challenges, SBIR/STTR commercial 

readiness program; Technology Transfer; and Regional Economic Development partnerships consistent 

with the Lab-to-Market Cross-Agency Priority Goal. 

WORK IN PROGRESS IN FY 2016 

Space Technology will continue to develop critical technologies to improve access to and travel through 

space to benefit both NASA and commercial space endeavors, and enable future missions for new 

scientific discoveries. This includes initiating development of high-power SEP subsystems, making 

progress toward a full system demonstration as part of the Asteroid Redirect Robotic Mission (ARRM). 

Like high-power SEP, technologies developed by Space Technology will benefit the broader aerospace 

industry and other government agency needs. Examples include further progress of high performance 

spaceflight computing hardware, robotics for extreme environments, and advanced manufacturing 

capabilities with government and industry partners. 

Furthermore, Space Technology will launch the first flight demonstration of the AF-M315E propellant in 

the Green Propellant Infusion Mission (GPIM) with in partnership with the USAF, Aerojet Rocketdyne, 

and Ball Aerospace. This mission will validate this new safer propellant formula as part of an integrated 

propulsion system. On successful demonstration, the propellant and propulsion system will provide 

industry with a safer and better-performing alternative to highly toxic hydrazine for use on future space 

missions. The fuel has the potential to offer many advantages for future missions, including longer 

mission durations, additional maneuverability, increased payload capacity, and simplified launch 

processing. In addition, use of this fuel promises to eliminate post mission remediation costs by removing 

the need to clean up toxic waste at launch and processing sites. This mission also includes first-time flight 

for a novel thermal insulation material developed by Aspen Aerogels, a small business located in 

Massachusetts. 

Space Technology will conduct an in-space demonstration of its new Deep Space Atomic Clock (DSAC). 

This new atomic clock provides enhanced navigation accuracy, increased science data bandwidth, and 

improved gravitational measurements necessary for future planetary science and exploration missions. 

For example, this technology could enable understanding of Europa’s under-ice and liquid water oceans, 

where precise gravitational measurements are essential to determining the make-up of Europa’s surface. 

In addition, the new atomic clock could provide next-generation GPS satellites with dramatically 

improved navigational accuracy and time-keeping stability. Space Technology will also initiate 

development of foundational technologies and studies to advance nuclear thermal propulsion systems that 

could ultimately provide a rapid in-space transportation capability. 

Beginning this year, Space Technology will provide budget and manage the Restore-L mission, an 

element of the In-Space Robotic Servicing project previously managed by the ISS Research organization. 

The directorate will determine project requirements, required cost phasing, and a launch readiness date for 

Restore-L, a mission in formulation that will demonstrate the servicing of a U.S. government satellite in 

low-Earth orbit. Restore-L will complete a Mission Concept Review (MCR) followed by a Key Decision 

Point (KDP) A in 2016. 

Space Technology will mitigate development risks associated with a Deep Space Optical Communication 

(DSOC) system capable of order of magnitude greater data rates and complete Technology Readiness 
 

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TECH-6 

Level 6 (TRL 6) demonstration for infusion into the Discovery 2014 mission. GCD will deliver two 

coronagraph technologies for Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope/Astrophysics Focused Telescope 

Assets (WFIRST/AFTA) consideration that will enable direct, multi-spectral imaging of exoplanets if 

adopted. 

In agreement with the National Academies’ recommendations, Space Technology will continue to 

prioritize transformational technologies and early-stage innovations by utilizing approximately 500 

awards to small businesses, private innovators, and academia to spark new ideas for the benefit of U.S. 

aerospace and high tech industries, and to fuel the space technology pipeline. Space Technology will 

finalize awards with the aerospace industry to advance technologies at the tipping point and support 

demonstrations on the ground or in-space of selected technologies. 

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS PLANNED FOR FY 2017 

FY 2017 STMD activities will continue to prioritize early stage investments that offer the opportunity for 

transformative technology development, increasing funding to levels consistent with the National 

Academies recommendation in their 2012 report “NASA Space Technology Roadmaps and Priorities” of 

10 percent of the Directorate’s investment portfolio with a focus on transformational technologies, such 

as robotics and autonomous systems, integrated photonics, and advanced materials. 

Space Technology will continue work to develop electric propulsion subsystem hardware, based on 

awards to be made in mid FY 2016, to support the ARRM mission System Design Review (SDR). The 

Laser Communications and Relay Demonstration (LCRD) project will complete its Critical Design 

Review (CDR) and KDP-C, and will initiate hardware fabrication to support a late FY 2019 launch 

readiness date. 

Following up on pre-formulation activities in FY 2016, the in-space robotics servicing team will refine 

the requirements and goals of the Restore-L, a technology demonstration mission capable of servicing a 

U.S. government satellite in low Earth orbit. STMD, partnering with HEOMD and SMD, will start Phase 

B before the end of FY 2017. 

The directorate will invest in high-priority GCD technologies to enable Mars and Outer Planetary 

exploration, including high performance spaceflight computing, all terrain robotics, extreme environment 

solar power, and advanced materials (Bulk Metallic Glass) to improve rover mobility performance at low 

temperatures. Space Technology teams will also be taking steps to enable more efficient spaceflight by 

developing improved nuclear fuels to support potential future nuclear thermal propulsion efforts. 

After launch in the second quarter of FY 2017 (at the earliest), GPIM will validate an alternative to 

conventional chemical propulsion systems for next-generation spacecraft, enabling adoption of the 

alternative propellant technology by commercial spaceports operating across the U.S. and leading to safer, 

faster, and much less costly launch operations in the future. 

Also planned for launch in FY 2017 Quarter 2, DSAC will validate a miniaturized, ultra-precise, mercuryion atomic clock that is orders of magnitude more stable than today’s best navigation clocks. This 

technology holds the promise to revolutionize deep-space navigation and gravity science, and improve the 

accuracy of the GPS satellites American citizens and industries depend on every day. 
 

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TECH-7 

Space Technology will initiate focused Entry Descent and Landing (EDL) technology investments, based 

on the outcome of a systems study, as a follow-on to the LDSD project. 

Space Technology will also initiate a new technology demonstration project, DSOC, to provide high 

bandwidth communications that will enable future deep space exploration of the solar system. DSOC 

hardware will be provided as Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) to SMD’s Discovery Program, 

and will be demonstrated on a Discovery 2014 mission. 

Programs 

AGENCY TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION

This program supports OCT, which provides the strategy and coordination that guide NASA’s technology 

and innovation activities. OCT documents and analyzes NASA’s technology investments and tracks 

progress, ensuring alignment with the Agency’s Strategic Plan. OCT leads technology transfer and 

technology commercialization activities, extending the benefits of NASA’s technology investments so 

they have a direct and measurable impact on daily life. The office employs principles that encourage 

partnerships, technology use, and commercialization. This ensures that NASA technologies energize the 

commercial space sector and provide the greatest benefit to the United States. 

SBIR AND STTR 

SBIR and STTR continue to support early-stage research and mid-TRL development, performed by small 

businesses through competitively awarded contracts. These programs produce innovations for both 

government and commercial applications. SBIR and STTR provide the high technology, small business 

sector with opportunities to develop space technology for NASA and commercialize those NASA-funded 

technologies that have the potential to address national needs in the aerospace industry and other sectors. 

SPACE TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (STR&D) 

Space Technology Research and Development (STR&D) develops and demonstrates near-term and farreaching technological solutions and enhancements, making NASA’s missions more capable, affordable, 

and reliable. STR&D includes NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC), Space Technology 

Research Grants (STRG), the Center Innovation Fund (CIF), GCD, TDM, Small Spacecraft Technology 

(SST), Centennial Challenge, and Flight Opportunities. These projects provide opportunities to work with 

various technical communities at the appropriate levels of development for each stage of the technology 

maturation process. Through these projects within STR&D, Space Technology develops the 

transformative, broadly applicable technologies necessary for NASA’s future science and exploration 

missions while supporting the space technology needs of other U.S. government agencies and the 

commercial space sector. 
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FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Total Budget 31.3 -- 34.3 35.0 35.7 36.4 37.1 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. FY 

2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

NASA astronauts practice simulated space maneuvers on 

the ocean floor during NASA Extreme Environment 

Mission Operations 16 (NEEMO 16) in 2012. They took a 

three-minute Psychomotor Vigilance Task (PVT) test to 

help refine the test’s algorithm for use in orbit. Pulsar 

Informatics Inc. has commercialized the PVT and sells it 

to government and businesses, which use it to monitor 

behavioral alertness. 

OCT serves as the NASA Administrator’s 

principal advisor on matters concerning Agencywide technology policies and programs. Agency 

Technology and Innovation supports OCT’s 

efforts, which provide the strategy and leadership 

that guide NASA’s technology and associated 

open innovation activities. The office performs an 

agency-level technology coordination role, 

working with the NASA mission directorates and 

field centers to align the Agency’s technology 

investments to mission requirements while filling 

technology gaps, anticipating future needs, and 

minimizing duplication of effort. 

Through OCT, NASA responds to the legislative 

requirements and Administration priorities to 

promote technology transfer, including 

commercialization of technologies that emerge 

from NASA’s research and development 

activities. As part of this work, OCT documents 

and communicates the benefits of NASA 

technology investments to the Nation through 

various mechanisms, including the media and 

publications, such as Spinoff. NASA’s 

technologies provide advanced capabilities, new tools, equipment, and solutions for industry. This spurs 

economic growth, creates new markets, increases competition in U.S. industry, and maintains U.S. global 

technological leadership. 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017 

There are no major changes in FY 2017. 

ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2015 

In FY 2015, NASA released the Agency’s updated technology roadmaps, laying out the promising new 

technologies that will help NASA achieve its aeronautics, science, and human exploration missions for 
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the next 20 years, including the Agency’s journey to Mars. The Agency released a Request for 

Information, seeking public comment on the draft roadmaps to increase awareness, generate innovative 

solutions for space exploration and scientific discovery, and inspire public involvement in America’s 

space program. Input received from the public was incorporated into the roadmaps. NASA posted the 

final roadmaps to the Agency’s website in July 2015. The roadmaps are a key part of NASA’s STIP that 

lays out the strategy, guiding principles and priorities for developing technologies that are essential to 

NASA’s mission and help achieve national goals. 

NASA achieved a significant milestone with the release of the Technology Portfolio System (TechPort) to 

the public in FY 2015. TechPort is NASA’s comprehensive resource for locating information about 

NASA-funded technology development activities. NASA is the first federal agency to develop and release 

such a system in support of the Administration’s Open Government initiative: http://techport.nasa.gov. 

NASA’s Technology Transfer Program simplified access to our technology portfolios with a searchable 

portal that provides easy access to over 1,200 of the Agency’s licensable, patented technologies. 

Organized by technical area, the site is populated with standardized data sheets, showing the benefits, 

applications, and readiness level of each technology. Users can also search NASA’s software catalog, 

with over 1,000 software programs developed by NASA engineers, available to industry at no cost. In FY 

2015, NASA also introduced our software repository, the backend inventory of the catalog, which allows 

users to complete the agreement forms and download software in just minutes. These activities resulted in 

a significant increase in the amount of technology that NASA has transferred into the hands of American 

businesses: a 53 percent increase in patent licensing over FY 2014 (and a progressive year-after-year 

increase since 2011 equal to 300 percent over that year) and a 24 percent increase in software release; 

again, with a progressive increase year-after-year in which 2015 doubled what was accomplished in 

2011). 

The Asteroid Grand Challenge completed a Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences 

(ROSES) call to develop open source tools to support expanded amateur astronomer completion of light 

curve analysis: ran a successful asteroid digital badging pilot with middle school students; saw the 

operation of a user-built 3D printed telescope by students in a township in South Africa; and the launch of 

a brand new volunteer built web interface for easier access to existing asteroid data. The Expert and 

Citizen Assessment of Science and Technology pioneered a method, the first in the U.S. government, for 

meaningful public engagement by conducting two facilitated in-person forums and one online forum to 

gather general public value around asteroids and exploration. 

WORK IN PROGRESS IN FY 2016 

NASA is working with an external organization to complete an independent review of the Technology 

Roadmaps, and finalize the NASA STIP. The updated STIP will include the prioritization and guiding 

principles for NASA’s technology portfolio, and, as done in FY 2012, the NASA Advisory Council and 

other government organizations will review the portfolio plan. NASA will also develop and pilot a new 

method to track infusion of NASA-developed technology into its missions and ground activities. This will 

enable the Agency to verify the number of NASA-developed technologies that are used by NASA and to 

determine what types of new technologies are used for more than one NASA purpose. 

The Asteroid Grand Challenge has partnered with Verizon Wireless for development of an asteroid hunter 

mobile application that will enable citizen scientists to assist NASA in classifying asteroid data. The beta 

of the application will be released to the public in FY 2016. The Grand Challenge will also fund two 
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proposals from the ROSES call, and we are exploring a summer program that engages private sector 

technology firms to address specific scientific challenges for asteroid characterization. 

The Technology Transfer Program is implementing a licensee monitoring system to streamline, augment, 

and automate intellectual property and license portfolio management. OCT is in the process of 

standardizing processes across the field centers and writing requirements for development of this tool. 

The resulting system will be an upgrade to the existing relational database and workflow management 

tool, the NASA Technology Transfer System, simplifying the technology transfer process for end users. 

In addition, with StartUp NASA, a new initiative, NASA is encouraging the growth of high tech 

businesses and advancing American innovation by offering start-up companies access to the patent 

portfolio at no up-front cost. This initiative helps address two typical problems start-ups face: raising 

capital and securing intellectual property rights. 

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS PLANNED FOR FY 2017 

Strategic Technology Integration will execute an initiative across seven centers to encourage and track 

infusion of NASA-developed technology by NASA missions and other NASA user groups. The 

Technology Transfer Program will develop, launch, and migrate all Agency licensing activities to an 

online patent licensing portal. Additionally, the Technology Transfer Program will investigate a 

partnership with the National Science Foundation's Innovation Corps to further catalyze the engagement 

of local university teams in technology transfer and innovation. 

Program Elements 

OFFICE OF THE CHIEF TECHNOLOGIST (OCT) 

OCT provides the strategy, leadership, and coordination that guide NASA’s technology and associated 

innovation activities. OCT accomplishes this through four primary functions: 

 Strategic Technology Integration develops policy, requirements, and strategy for NASA’s 

technology development activities in support of the Chief Technologist and coordinates 

integration with NASA mission directorates, other government agencies, and external 

organizations. These efforts help to identify priorities, needs, technology development 

opportunities, and activities that assist NASA in achieving its goals and enable NASA to benefit 

from cross-agency technological advancements. 

Technology Transfer provides Agency-level management and oversight of NASA-developed and 

NASA-owned intellectual property, and manage transfer of these technologies to external entities. 

Activities include active collection and assessment of all NASA inventions, strategic management 

and marketing of intellectual property, negotiation and management of licenses, development of 

technology transfer-focused partnerships, and the tracking and reporting of metrics related to 

these activities (i.e. numbers of new inventions, patents, licenses, cooperative research and 

development agreements, and software use agreements). 

Prizes and Challenges provides Agency-level leadership and coordination of NASA’s 

organizations that conduct prizes and challenges to spur innovation and increase the number and 

type of individuals participating in innovation activities. NASA uses prizes and competitions to 

provide technology breakthroughs that lower mission costs and strengthen expertise to develop 




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solutions for tomorrow. This activity includes leadership of the Asteroid Grand Challenge, which 

focuses on finding all asteroid threats to human populations and knowing what to do about them. 

Emerging Space provides analytical support to Agency decision-makers concerning the rapid 

growth of national and international entrepreneurial space communities, their technology needs, 

and opportunities for NASA to develop or transfer technologies that will facilitate their growth in 

the emerging space sector. Activities include monitoring commercial activities, evaluating 

historical trends, investigating current technology needs, coordinating collaboration discussions, 

and fostering activities that benefit new markets and the fullest use of space for commercial 

purposes. As a part of this effort, NASA supports research grants in economic analysis related to 

emerging space activities in order to strengthen optimizing technology investments. 



For more on the Office of the Chief Technologist, go to: http://www.nasa.gov/offices/octt 
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FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Total Budget 190.7 -- 213.0 213.2 213.5 213.8 213.8 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. FY 

2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

Orbital Technologies partnered with Kennedy Space 

Center (KSC) to create a plant growth system now 

used on the International Space Station. The system 

employs light emitting diodes, which are highly 

efficient and long lasting and radiate hardly any heat. 

ORBITEC received a Phase III contract to develop a 

deployable fresh-food production system called 

VEGGIE. Astronauts used the system to grow red 

romaine lettuce and sampled the first ever spacegrown crop in July 2015. 

NASA’s SBIR and STTR programs leverage the 

Nation’s innovative small business community to 

support early-stage research and development. 

These programs provide the small business sector 

with an opportunity to compete for funding to 

develop technology for NASA, and to 

commercialize that technology to spur economic 

growth. The Agency actively works to facilitate the 

infusion of NASA-funded SBIR and STTR 

technologies into its missions and projects. Research 

and technologies funded by SBIR and STTR 

contracts have made important contributions to the 

Agency’s mission.

Examples of these activities include 3D printing to 

support in-space manufacturing, adaptive bioinspired navigation to support exploration of 

planetary environments, and gravity mapping of 

asteroids. The SBIR and STTR programs are 

investing in new sensor technology, novel robotics 

concepts, affordable methods of access to low-Earth 

orbit, and increasingly flexible and adaptable 

spacesuit designs that may one day be utilized by 

NASA’s science and exploration missions. Elsewhere, SBIR and STTR developed technology will be 

able to support emergency operations in the face of natural disasters by helping develop Earth science 

applications tools that will enable real-time collaboration between first responders and storm forecasters. 

NASA issues annual SBIR and STTR program solicitations, setting forth a substantial number of topic 

areas open to qualified small businesses. Both the list and description of topics are sufficiently 

comprehensive to provide a wide range of opportunities for small business concerns, research institutions, 

and universities to participate in NASA’s research and development programs. There are three phases for 

SBIR and STTR funding awards. Phase I awards give small businesses the opportunity to establish the 

scientific, technical and commercial merit, and feasibility of the proposed innovation in fulfillment of 

NASA needs. The most promising Phase I projects are awarded Phase II contracts through a competitive 

selection process, based on scientific and technical merit, expected value to NASA, and 

commercialization potential. Phase II awards focus on the development, demonstration, and delivery of 

the proposed innovation. Phase II Enhancement (II-E) and Phase II eXpanded (II-X) support advancement 
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of innovations developed under Phase II. Phase III supports the commercialization of innovative 

technologies, products, and services that result from a Phase I or Phase II contract. Commercialization 

includes further development of technologies and getting feedback to discover infusion opportunities into 

NASA programs, other government agencies, or the private sector. Phase III contracts receive funding 

from sources other than the SBIR and STTR programs and may be awarded without further competition. 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017 

The SBIR and STTR programs reauthorization annually increases the required rate of investment for each 

program relative to extramural Agency R&D beginning in FY 2012 and continuing through FY 2017. In 

accordance with the SBIR/STTR Reauthorization Act of 2011 (Public Law 112-81,

https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/house-bill/1540/text), NASA will increase the SBIR 

investment by 0.2 percent to 3.2 percent of Agency extramural R&D. STTR funding will remain at 0.45 

percent of the Agency’s extramural R&D.

ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2015 

 In FY 2015, SBIR made 461 awards (532 total awards for SBIR/STTR), of which 332 were for 

Phase I and 129 were for Phase II contracts. These SBIR contract awards were for 327 firms, 

across 39 different states. These awards included technologies to enable in-space life support and 

habitation systems, future telescopes and observatories, technologies that generate power and 

store energy within the space environment, and support electric propulsion. 

In FY 2015, STTR made 71 STTR awards, of which 50 were for Phase I, and 21 were for STTR 

Phase II contracts. These STTR contracts were awarded to 55 firms in 18 states, collaborating 

with universities and research institutions to develop technologies for future NASA missions. 

The program participated in eight outreach events, which included technical exchanges and faceto-face summits. These summits support companies as they look to transition beyond Phase II 

funding. 

The Phase 2-X program proved quite successful as the SBIR/STTR program provided a 2:1 

match of funds invested by a NASA program or project to foster infusion. The SBIR/STTR 

program awarded 31 Phase II-E/X awards totaling $6.18M in SBIR/STTR contributions and 

$5.36M in matching contributions (non SBIR/STTR funds). SBIR firms awarded Commercial 

Readiness Program (CRP) funding in FY 2015 will leverage $10.5M in external funding and 

$5.39M in committed SBIR/STTR funds. SBIR/STTR CRP investment to date totals $9M. 

SBIR and STTR technologies continue to support numerous Space Technology projects, 

including providing critical self-supporting multi-layer insulation into the GPIM (Aspen 

Aerogels), a cryocooler design for eCryo (Madison CryoGroup LLC.), and compact Iodine Hall 

Thrusters (Busek Company Inc.). Agency CRP activities are in place and continue from FY 2015 

in the areas of Optics Microscopes for NASA Pop-up Robots (Distant Focus Corp.), Instrument 

Laser Transmitters (Fibertek), Affordable and Ultralight Blanket Electrical Subsystems 

(Deployable Space Systems), and several others. 









WORK IN PROGRESS IN FY 2016 

 After working with the mission directorates and centers to identify subtopics for the annual 

solicitations, Space Technology released the annual SBIR and STTR solicitations in November 
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2015 and expects to award new Phase I selections in the third quarter. Phase II selections, as a 

follow-on from Phase I awards made in FY 2015, will occur in the second quarter. Topics from 

these solicitations include solid and liquid waste management for human spacecraft, spectroscopy 

technology and instrumentation, and launch and in-space propulsion technologies. 

Space Technology will continue to refine its implementation of CRP technologies, following 

evaluation of the FY 2014-2015 pilot effort. 



KEY ACHIEVEMENTS PLANNED FOR FY 2017 

 The SBIR and STTR Programs will continue to work with the mission directorates and centers to 

identify subtopics for the annual solicitations. Space Technology plans to release the annual SBIR 

and STTR solicitations, and award new Phase I and Phase II selections, SBIR/STTR Program will 

include small satellite technology as a new topic to address the needs of academic and the 

commercial small satellite community with a goal of five percent of SBIR/STTR program 

funding. 

Space Technology plans to continue to support its post Phase II CRP technology investment 

through FY 2017, and will partner with NSF’s I-Corps program to train NASA’s SBIR recipients 

in the commercialization process. 



Program Elements 

SBIR 

The SBIR program was established by statute in 1982 and was reauthorized in 2011 to increase research 

and development opportunities for small business concerns. The program stimulates U.S. technological 

innovation, employs small businesses to meet federal research and development needs, increases the 

ability for small businesses to commercialize innovations they derive from federal research and 

development, and encourages and facilitates participation by socially disadvantaged businesses. In 

FY 2017, the SBIR program is supported at a level of 3.2 percent of NASA’s extramural research and 

development budget. In FY 2017, the maximum value for an SBIR Phase I contract will be $125,000 for a 

period of performance of six months. For Phase II, the maximum total value of an SBIR award will be 

$750,000 over a 24-month period of performance. NASA also supports Phase II Enhancement (II-E) 

contract options with incentives for cost sharing to extend the research and development efforts of the 

current Phase II contract. In addition, Phase II eXpanded (II-X) contract options further mature 

innovations developed under Phase II via an extension of research and development efforts to current 

Phase II contracts. 

STTR 

The STTR program was established by statute in 1992 and was reauthorized in 2011 to award contracts to 

small business concerns for cooperative research and development with a non-profit research institution, 

such as a university. NASA’s STTR program facilitates transfer of technology developed by a research 

institution through the entrepreneurship of a small business, resulting in technology to meet NASA’s core 

competency needs in support of its mission programs. Modeled after the SBIR program, STTR is funded 

based on 0.45 percent of the NASA extramural research and development budget. In FY 2017, the 
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maximum value for an STTR Phase I contract is $125,000 for a period of performance of twelve months. 

For Phase II, the maximum total value of an STTR award is $750,000 over a 24-month period of 

performance. Phase II-E and II-X contract options are also available to STTR participants. 

Program Schedule 

SBIR and STTR program year 2016 solicitation and award schedule is below. 

Date Significant Event 

Nov 2015 FY 2016 SBIR and STTR Phase I Solicitation Opens 

Feb 2016 FY 2016 SBIR and STTR Phase 1 Solicitation Closes 

Mar 2016 FY 2017 Topics Requested from Mission Directorates and Centers 

Apr 2016 FY 2016 Phase I Awards Selected 

Apr 2016 FY 2016 SBIR Phase II Awards Selected (from prior Awards) 

May 2016 FY 2016 STTR Phase II Awards Selected (from prior Awards) 

Aug 2016 FY 2017 SBIR and STTR Phase I Final Topics and Subtopics Reviewed and 

Concurred on by Mission Directorates and Centers 

Nov 2016 FY 2017 SBIR and STTR Phase I Solicitation Open 

Jan 2017 FY 2017 SBIR and STTR Phase I Solicitation Closes 

Mar 2017 FY 2018 Topics Requested from Mission Directorates and Centers 

Apr 2017 FY 2017 Phase I Awards Selected 

Apr 2017 FY 2017 SBIR Phase II Awards Selected (from prior Awards) 

May 2017 FY 2017 STTR Phase II Awards Selected (from prior Awards) 

Aug 2017 FY 2018 SBIR and STTR Phase I Final Topics and Subtopics Reviewed and 

Concurred on by Mission Directorates and Centers 
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Program Management & Commitments 

Program Element Provider 

SBIR and STTR 

Provider: Various Small Businesses and their research partners 

Lead Center: NASA HQ; Level 2: Ames Research Center (ARC) 

Performing Center(s): All centers play a project management and 

implementing role. 

Cost Share Partner(s): SBIR Phase II-E matches cost share funding with 

SBIR and STTR up to $125,000 of non-SBIR and non-STTR investment(s) 

from a NASA project, NASA contractor, or third party commercial investor 

to extend an existing Phase II project to perform additional research. SBIR 

Phase II-X matches, on a two for one basis, up to $250,000 of NASA 

program or project funding, thus enabling a maximum of $500,000 of 

SBIR/STTR award funds from the NASA SBIR/STTR Program. The total 

cumulative award for the Phase II contract plus the Phase II-X match is not 

expected to exceed $1,000,000 of SBIR/STTR funding. 

Acquisition Strategy 

SBIR and STTR program management work collaboratively with NASA Center Chief Technologists (for 

STTR) and a Mission Directorate Steering Council (for SBIR) during the SBIR and STTR acquisition 

process. This collaboration, from topic development through proposal review and ranking, supports final 

selection. Mission Directorates and NASA center program personnel interact with SBIR and STTR award 

winners to maximize alignment and implementation of the SBIR and STTR products into NASA’s future 

missions and systems. Space Technology writes SBIR and STTR topics and subtopics to address NASA’s 

core competencies and align with the Agency’s Technology Roadmaps.

MAJOR CONTRACTS/AWARDS

CRP awarded 17 CRP contracts for $5.4M in FY 2015 to further develop and commercialize 

technologies. These companies are listed below: 

Vendor Location (of work performance) 

Porifera Hayward, California 

Vista Photonics Las Cruces, New Mexico 

Techshot Greenville, IN 

Blue Canyon Boulder, CO 

MMA Design Boulder, CO 

Space Micro San Diego, CA 

Honeybee Robotics Brooklyn, NY 
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Vendor Location (of work performance) 

Bally Ribbon Mills Bally, PA 

Vanguard Space Technologies San Diego, CA 

Air Squared Broomfield, CO 

Deployable Space Systems, Inc. Goleta, CA 

Distant Focus Corporation Champaign, IL 

Nuvotronics, LLC Radford, VA 

TDA Research, Inc. Golden, CO 

ROCCOR, LLC Louisville, CO 

Busek Company Inc. Natick, MA 

Fibertek, Inc. Herndon, VA 

INDEPENDENT REVIEWS

Review 

Type Performer Date of Review Purpose Outcome Next Review 

Performance 

National Academies Ongoing Assessment of the 

SBIR program. TBD Ongoing 

Performance 

Government 

Accountability 

Office (GAO) 

Ongoing 

The GAO has been 

tasked to assess all 

SBIR and STTR 

programs for their 

performance in 

combating Waste, 

Fraud, and Abuse. 

GAO found no 

concerns to address. Ongoing 
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Historical Performance 

The map below represents SBIR and STTR Phase I, Phase II, Phase II-E, and Select Awards, which target 

technologies highly desired by NASA Mission Directorates, made in FY 2015, represented by geographic 

location. 
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SPACE TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

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FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Total Budget 378.3 -- 579.4 456.2 469.3 482.7 496.6 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. 

FY 2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

FY 2017 reflects discretionary and mandatory funding. Additional details on the mandatory funding can be found in 

the Explanation of Changes section.

Space Technology completed thruster performance 

acceptance and thermal characterization testing at NASA 

Glenn Research Center (GRC). This testing represents a 

key milestone toward understanding the performance 

parameters of the 12.5-kilowatt (kW) thruster unit and 

compatible power processing units for SEP. 

NASA invests in space technologies to enable or 

significantly advance relevant capabilities for 

NASA missions while also providing for a more 

capable aerospace sector. Through these efforts, 

NASA ensures the emergence of new ideas and 

the incorporation of advanced capabilities into 

its missions, while simultaneously contributing 

to the needs of other U.S. government agencies 

and the larger aerospace industry. 

The Space Technology Research and 

Development (STRD) portfolio supports a range 

of technology maturation levels including early 

stage conceptual studies that focus on 

discovering new concepts and technologies, 

rapid competitive development and groundbased testing to determine feasibility, and flight 

demonstrations in relevant environments to 

complete the final step before mission use. By 

supporting projects at all TRLs, Space 

Technology creates a technology pipeline, starting with diverse early stage innovations, progressing along 

multiple paths to deliver mature, ready-to-use technologies that increase the Nation’s in-space 

capabilities. In the process of creating these new technologies, NASA supports research opportunities and 

inspires the next generation of inventors, scientists, and engineers. 

Technology investments in robotics, automation, structures, materials, manufacturing, communications, 

and computing also have broad application within U.S. technology and aerospace industries. As a result, 

Space Technology represents NASA in the National Nanotechnology Initiative, the Advanced 

Manufacturing Partnership, the National Robotics Initiative, and the Materials Genome Initiative. These 

initiatives enable NASA to take advantage of and contribute knowledge toward common challenges 

across a network of government, academia, and industry experts. In addition, strategic investments 

supported within these initiatives bring new solutions to NASA and private industry through an expansion 

of the Nation’s technology base. By demonstrating new manufacturing techniques and developing new 

materials using nanotechnology, and materials genomics. NASA contributes to the growth of the Nation’s 

innovation economy. Space Technology conducts virtual workshops, creates technology infusion plans, 
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and uses unfunded and funded Space Act Agreements to share expertise with industry and academia and 

improve the probability of infusion into the user community. 

Technologies advanced within Space Technology Research and Development target key technology 

thrust areas both within and outside of NASA, including high-power SEP; life support and resource 

utilization; entry, descent, and landing; space robotic systems; optical communications; deep-space 

navigation; lightweight structures; and space observatories. Significant advances are required in these 

technologies to enable more capable science missions as well as human exploration missions that are both 

more affordable and reliable. In addition, the Agency looks to Space Technology to develop entirely new 

approaches to future missions. For example, STMD is rapidly advancing technologies to enable more 

capable small spacecraft, including nanosats, to conduct more affordable science missions and open up 

new opportunities for commercial space enterprises. Technology investments in propulsion, attitude 

determination and control, communications, power systems and autonomy can rapidly advance small 

spacecraft capabilities making them a more viable platform for a broader set of NASA missions and 

commercial applications. Space Technology is also investing in low size, weight, and power remote 

sensing instruments to enable science missions utilizing small spacecraft. This is one of many activities, 

funded by Space Technology, to develop pioneering technologies that will increase the Nation's ability 

to perform space science, improve operations in space, and enable future deep-space exploration 

missions. 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017 

 Actual Enacted Request Notional 

(in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Mandatory Budget Authority -- -- 136.1 -- -- -- --

STRD is supported in part by mandatory funding (see table). The mandatory investment includes $27.3 

million for Game Changing Developments (GCD) and $108.8 million for TDMs. 

ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2015 

 Continued breakthrough development of a three-dimensional layer-to-layer, woven thermal 

protection system, which has applications for extreme entry environments. Using a densely 

woven approach, the promising materials will be utilized on the Orion crew flight vehicle and 

support SMD for their potential application on future planetary science missions; 

Began development of the second-generation Mars Entry, Descent, and Landing Instrumentation 

(MEDLI) sensor suite for incorporation into the Mars 2020 mission heat shield. This instrument 

will provide critical data to improve the design of future EDL systems; 

Conducted a non-nuclear terrestrial demonstration of a power system to convert heat into energy 

to be used anywhere, regardless of available sunlight in partnership with the Department of 

Energy and small businesses (Sunpower, Inc. and Material Innovations, Inc.);

Delivered two microfluidic-electrospray propulsion thruster designs that have the potential to 

transform small spacecraft propulsion. These thrusters, designed by Busek Company (Natick, 

MA), and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), will each offer a highly reliable 

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alternative to reaction wheels for fine pointing capability on large satellites. These technologies 

will be further developed through propulsion pathfinder missions on small spacecraft platforms; 

Completed integration and functional testing of a rover prototype for a potential lunar mission 

with HEOMD. HEOMD is pursuing international and domestic partners to collaborate on this 

mission. Integrated the instrument payload and successfully conducted rover remote operations 

with ARC, Johnson Space Center (JSC), and KSC. The prototype rover was designed, fabricated, 

integrated, and tested in 9 months. 

Delivered carbon dioxide and humidity removal prototype system based on Rapid Cycle Amine 

(RCA) technology. The RCA technology is baselined for use in NASA’s next-generation space 

suit and will undergo performance testing within an advanced Portable Life Support System 

(PLSS) under development by the HEOMD Advanced Exploration Systems (AES) program. This 

technology eliminates carbon dioxide removal as a duration-limiting subsystem and the humidity 

removal feature significantly reduces system complexity. 

The Advanced Space Power Systems project successfully completed testing of a 100W, 

regenerative fuel cell (RFC). This is the first demonstration of an RFC system with passive fluid 

management technologies to significantly improve system reliability while reducing mass, 

volume, and parasitic power, a loss occurring in a system when components draw power even 

though turned off. 

Initiated several new Centennial Challenges including the Cube Quest Challenge for deep space 

CubeSat exploration with a $5 million prize purse, an additive manufacturing challenge, and in 

partnership with National Science Foundation, a robotics automation challenge as a follow-on to 

the DARPA robotics challenge. The results of these challenges will enable teams to meet the 

objectives of designing, building and delivering flight-qualified, small satellites capable of 

advanced operations near and beyond the moon, developing architectural concepts that take 

advantage of 3D printing capabilities to imagine what habitats on Mars might look like, and 

demonstrating an autonomous robot that can navigate and collect samples; 

CIR completed 120 activities in basic research, applied research, and early stage technology 

development; 

The SEP project completed performance acceptance and thermal characterization tests that 

demonstrated full performance compatibility between thruster and Power Processing Units ; 

The LDSD project completed the development of two 30m ring sail parachute and all integration 

activities for Test Vehicle 3, and successfully executed Supersonic Flight Dynamic Test 2 from 

Pacific Missile Range Facility in Kauai in June 2015. Although the parachute did not survive full 

inflation, the ballute, and supersonic inflatable decelerator were successful and were able to 

achieve TRL 6-7. Better insight and understanding of the physics of supersonic parachute 

deployment and inflation was gained from this flight demonstration; 

GPIM completed propulsion system to spacecraft integration, satellite performance testing, and 

initiated environmental testing; and 

The DSAC project completed system integration, performance testing and initiated environmental 

testing. 

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WORK IN PROGRESS IN FY 2016 

 On November 19, 2015, NASA secured partnerships with 22 U.S. companies through the 

Announcement of Collaborative Opportunity and Tipping Point solicitations to advance the 

Agency’s goals for robotic and human exploration of the solar system by shepherding the 

development of critical space technologies. The awards included nine fixed price contracts with at 
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SPACE TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

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least 25 percent matching funds from a corporate or customer contribution. The awards will result 

in system-level demonstrations of robotic in-space manufacturing and assembly technology, 

gravitational measurements, methane sensing, and propulsion and attitude control systems for 

small spacecraft. Also developed were non-reimbursable partnerships that provide access to 

NASA expertise in areas such as suborbital and nano-launch capability development, thermal 

protection systems, green propellant thruster qualification, and Liquid Propellant Rocket Engine 

Development; 

To enable scientific discovery, Space Technology will complete software development and 

testing of Station Explorer X-ray Timing and Navigation Technology (SEXTANT) at the 

Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), which will evaluate real-time X-Ray data from known 

regular pulsars to demonstrate more precise deep space navigation. This ISS demonstration will 

use pulsars for navigation similar to the way GPS functions on the Earth today; 

With application to both commercial and NASA operations, Space Technology will complete 

Preliminary CDR and KDP-C for the LCRD mission. Set to fly as a hosted payload, this 

technology demonstration project will demonstrate an order of magnitude leap in 

communications capability that could be used for future Tracking and Data Relay Satellite 

(TDRS) satellites, other government agencies as well as commercial space communications 

providers; 

With Mezzo Technologies located in Baton Rouge, LA, Space Technology is developing two 

phase-change-material heat exchangers: One uses wax and the other uses water to store thermal 

energy. The microgravity performance of these heat exchangers was assessed on the ground. The 

wax-based heat exchanger is ready for delivery to the International Space Station for in-space 

demonstration before infusion with Orion’s thermal control system. The infusion of this 

technology will allow the vehicle to successfully operate throughout the duration of a lunar orbit; 

In early CY 2016, Space Technology will conduct four flight demonstrations: CubeSat Proximity 

Operations Demonstration (CPOD) for rendezvous and docking; Integrated Solar Array and 

Reflect Antenna (ISARA) for enhanced radio communications; Optical Communications and 

Sensor Demonstration (OCSC) focused on laser communications and formation flight; and 

Network & Operation Demonstration Satellite (Nodes) to demonstrate multi-point science 

measurements with very low cost satellites; 

CIF competitively awarded 114 new research and development activities for FY 2016; 

In FY 2016, in Flight Opportunities, NASA plans to make multiple awards to emerging 

commercial space companies in partnership with NASA centers for maturing and validating 

technologies needed for air-launched liquid rockets, dedicated CubeSat launch vehicle, nanosat 

launch vehicle booster main engine, and upper stage engine; 

The SEP project, as part of the ARRM Project, will complete the System Requirements Review 

(SRR) objective and the KDP-B life cycle review currently scheduled for Quarter four, FY 2016, 

and award the contract for the major technology components of the electric propulsion system for 

ARRM; 

Space Technology will complete environmental and performance testing for GPIM and deliver 

the spacecraft for launch as a secondary payload on a Falcon 9 Heavy launch vehicle no earlier 

than FY 2017 Quarter Two; 

Space Technology will complete integration and test of the DSAC flight systems, deliver the 

system to the spacecraft contractor for final integration onto the spacecraft as hosted payload, and 

launch no earlier than FY 2017 Quarter Two; and 

Space Technology will complete pre-formulation activities to refine the project requirements, 

budget and launch readiness date for Restore-L, the In-Space Robotic Servicing mission capable 

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SPACE TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

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of servicing a U.S. government satellite in low Earth orbit. MCR and KDP A will be completed in 

FY 2016. 

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS PLANNED FOR FY 2017 

 Space Technology will award contracts for the development of high performance spaceflight 

computer processors that will allow for flexible operations, lower power computers for space 

operations with 75x-improved performance over the state of the art RAD750; 

Award the second round of public private partnership through the Tipping Point solicitation 

planned for release in FY 2016; 

Space Technology, in conjunction with HEOMD and SMD, will conduct a CDR for the Mars 

Oxygen ISRU Experiment payload on the Mars 2020 mission. The payload will demonstrate the 

in situ production of oxygen on Mars. This MIT-led in situ resource utilization demonstration 

selected using the Mars 2020 Instrument AO will produce oxygen with 99.6 percent purity over 

the course of at least 15 operational cycles; 

Space Technology will continue a steady cadence of new Centennial Challenges and early stage 

grants to engage academia, industry, entrepreneurs, and innovators in NASA’s technology needs;

In FY 2017, the Flight Opportunities Program will continue to explore partnerships to spur the 

development of nano-launch orbital capabilities development to spur development of small 

spacecraft launch systems. The aim of the effort is to enable emerging companies by sharing 

NASA expertise and relevant technologies to provide the Nation with frequent, reliable, and cost 

effective access to space for small payloads; 

Space Technology will provide technology development grants and academic funding support to 

more than 200 students and early career faculty through STRG and NIAC; 

Space Technology will initiate DSOC as a technology demonstration mission to provide high 

bandwidth communications for future deep space exploration of the solar system; 

The SEP project will support ARRM Project milestones that will be determined at KDP-B 

currently scheduled for Quarter four, FY 2016. 

Restore-L will continue formulation activities to support a technology demonstration mission 

capable of servicing a U.S. government satellite in low Earth orbit. STMD, partnering with 

HEOMD and SMD, will establish requirements for the Restore-L mission, leading to the start of 

Phase B before the end of FY 2017. 

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Program Elements 

EARLY STAGE PORTFOLIO

Basic research, applied research, and early technology development seed and develop the innovations that 

enable transformative future capabilities. This process is nonlinear and takes time. It is not always clear 

which efforts will result in breakthroughs, effective improvements, or exciting new approaches. This is 

why a balance of early stage, mid-TRL, and technology demonstration investments is critical for a healthy 

technology development portfolio 

Space Technology invests in early stage space technology research and development sourced from 

academia, industry, entrepreneurs and from the NASA workforce to bring pioneering approaches to the 
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Agency’s difficult and far-reaching exploration challenges. As of FY 2016 first quarter, there are 

approximately 400 Early Stage activities spanning all technology areas (14 NASA space technology 

roadmap areas plus Aeronautics) with over 70 percent focused on the eight Space Technology thrust 

areas. Roughly 70 percent of the Early Stage Portfolio supports Science, 60 percent supports Exploration, 

and 10 percent supports Aeronautics. For example, improved materials could have downstream 

applications for diverse missions. Through a steady cadence of competitive solicitations, Space 

Technology continuously solicits and develops new and innovative high-risk/high-payoff technologies. 

Early Stage studies cultivate new ideas and alternative approaches, leveraging the technical capabilities of 

the experts across the nation to fuel economic growth. Technologies are often developed with support and 

coordination between NASA and various external partners. Space Technology’s Early Stage Programs 

employ various approaches, to best engage technical experts at universities, companies, independent labs, 

NASA centers, and other government agencies: As an example of the progress in the early-stage 

portfolio, Daniel Szafir from the University of Wisconsin–Madison has developed a novel motion control 

mechanism for free-flying robots that can provide assistance to human work partners, to more effectively 

communicate their intentions to collaborators working in close proximity. This research has generated 

new methods for flying robots to signal flight directionality, increasing perceptions of robot safety and 

usability. 

STRG annually conducts a series of competitive solicitations targeting high-priority technology areas that 

challenge the entire spectrum of academic researchers, from graduate students to early career and senior 

faculty members making science, space travel, and exploration more effective, affordable, and 

sustainable. These grants harness the unique environment that resides within our nation’s universities to 

solve space technology’s most difficult long-term challenges. In the process, Space Technology fortifies 

the close collaborations between U.S. universities and NASA. In FY 2015, Space Technology awarded 54 

fellowships, 8 Early Career Faculty awards, and 11 Early Stage Innovations awards that resulted from the 

2014 Early Stage Innovation solicitation. Early in FY 2016, Space Technology Research Grants selected 

15 Early Stage Innovations efforts that resulted from the solicitation for proposals in FY 2015. The 2015 

Early Career Faculty and Early Stage Innovations competitive opportunities featured 11 topics from 8 of 

the technology area roadmaps. Space Technology Research Grants has approximately 250 active 

fellowship, Early Career Faculty, and Early Stage Innovations awards; to date, Space Technology 

Research Grants has made 357 grant awards to 95 different U.S. universities in 42 states and one U.S. 

territory 

NIAC executes annual solicitations seeking exciting, unexplored, technically credible new concepts that 

could one day “change the possible” in space and aeronautics. NIAC efforts improve the Nation’s 

leadership in key research areas, enable far-term capabilities, and spawn disruptive innovations that make 

aeronautics, science, and space exploration more effective, affordable, and sustainable. NIAC annually 

issues both Phase I and continuation Phase II solicitations. These opportunities are open to NASA centers, 

other government agencies, universities, industry, and individual entrepreneurs. In 2015, NIAC made 15 

Phase I and 7 Phase II awards across industry, academia, and NASA centers, while completing 12 Phase I 

and 6 Phase II studies. 2013 NIAC Fellow Dr. Chris Walker from the University of Arizona achieved a 

monumental research success for his research in creating a pressurized balloon mirror inside of a weather 

balloon to do astrophysics above 99 percent of the atmosphere without the cost of a spacecraft. This 

project has received multiple follow-on grants and contracts from NASA and the Department of Defense. 

Additionally, Dr. Joel Sercel, a former Caltech professor and Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) employee, 

started his own company to apply to NIAC and other government agencies to explore his unique concept 

of mining asteroids for in-space propellant manufacturing. 
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CIF sparks the development of technology to transform future missions and advance the Nation’s 

capabilities by stimulating aerospace creativity and grassroots innovation at all ten NASA centers through 

providing seed funds to selected projects and activities. CIF projects are competitively selected to explore 

alternative approaches or develop enhanced capabilities. They are solicited to directly address NASA 

strategic goals, progress along technology roadmaps, and/or address significant national needs. 

Partnerships with academia, private industry, individual innovators, as well as other NASA centers and 

Government agencies are highly encouraged. Space Technology at NASA HQ reviews finalizes all Center 

recommended selections to ensure a coordinated agency-side portfolio. . The benefits over time of early 

stage work can be seen through the example of 3D-woven thermal protection system. This development 

began as a CIF project in 2010 at the ARC (in partnership with Bally Ribbon Mills). In March 2015, 

woven thermal protection system compression pads passed Mission Infusion Review for inclusion on the 

Exploration Mission (EM)-2 Orion Test Flight. 

Space Technology continues to enhance its involvement with academia and NASA centers to access 

unique ideas with breakthrough potential. In FY 2016 and FY 2017 solicitations, NASA will place an 

emphasis on foundational engineering science, targeting collaboration with the fundamental research 

community in fields such as synthetic biology and computational materials. It is expected that 

development of these concepts can open up new space engineering and science capabilities. Space 

Technology plans to establish one or more university based virtual institutes for sustained, coordinated 

research in key areas through a competitive solicitation in FY 2017. Development of virtual institutes help 

foster deeper collaboration between NASA, academia, and possibly industry to more effectively address 

common engineering research goals. 

GAME CHANGING DEVELOPMENT

Within GCD, NASA focuses on rapidly advancing disruptive space technologies from concept to 

demonstration, maturing transformational technologies across the critical gap between early stage 

research and flight demonstration. Technologies are primarily selected through competitive solicitations 

emphasizing capabilities most likely to be infused in to the known user community. Space Technology 

favors technology investments that offer direct partnerships and co-funding from NASA, industry, and/or 

other government agencies, to advance specific technologies needed by those customers. For example, 

key technology developments will address long-term challenges identified for outer planetary science 

missions by SMD, such as DSOC, advanced radiation tolerant spaceflight computing and woven Thermal 

Protection System materials. In partnership with the SMD, Space Technology has incentivized 

technology development and demonstration through the recently released Discovery 2014 solicitation. In 

addition, Space Technology partners with HEOMD to address challenges for human missions to Mars, 

such as converting carbon dioxide from the Mars atmosphere to oxygen and the development of high 

capacity batteries for next generation space suits. GCD also partners with other government agencies to 

explore solutions to common challenges in areas such as robotics, manufacturing, and materials. GCD

makes fixed duration investments typically categorized within the investment areas described below. 

Landing Accurately: Advanced Entry Descent and Landing (AEDL) 

In order for NASA to land more mass, more accurately on planetary bodies, the Agency must develop 

more capable entry, descent, and landing systems and materials. This includes the development of new 

aeroshell concepts and thermal protection system materials for Orion and future exploration vehicles. 

Space Technology designs, analyzes, and tests technologies, materials, and aeroshell architectures 

required for future planetary entry missions. Much of the work in this theme involves developing efficient 
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ways to reduce spacecraft re-entry speed while providing protection from extreme frictional heating. One 

such remarkable breakthrough is the weaving of quartz yarns with resin transfer molding to develop a 

robust multifunctional material architecture capable of meeting both structural and thermal performance 

needs for a variety of NASA missions. Six full-scale 3D-woven TPS billets, developed by small business 

partners Bally Ribbon Mills and San Diego Composites, were delivered to Orion for eventual integration 

into flight vehicle for as the interface between the crew and service modules. 

Exploration, Science, and Space Technology are partnering to develop the second-generation MEDLI 

sensor suite for incorporation into the Mars 2020 mission heat shield. This effort builds on the success of 

Curiosity’s MEDLI instrumentation, and will further improve our understanding of entry system 

performance by acquiring flight data from an actual Mar’s mission. Additional heat shield measurement 

locations, inclusion of supersonic aerodynamics, and backshell aerothermal and pressure measurements 

will inform NASA designs for future exploration missions. 

To better understand the utility of supersonic retrorocket propulsion under Mars entry conditions, Space 

Technology will continue to evaluate flight data from SpaceX Falcon 9 first stage landing demonstrations. 

The Falcon 9 is using supersonic retro-propulsion (SRP) to conduct precision landing of the first stage, 

allowing SpaceX to reuse the stage and to validate the capability for potential future Mars landings. Space 

Technology also conducts advanced analytics and modeling for hypersonic flight including radiation, 

aerothermodynamics, and material thermal response analyses. This improved modeling capability will 

result in lower mass entry systems due to a better understanding of the thermal protection system 

thickness margins. 

Access and Travel through Space: Future Propulsion and Energy Systems (FPES) 

Space technology personnel will complete integrated system tests of a small electric propulsion thruster 

using iodine propellant at the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC). The use of solid iodine as a 

propellant is beneficial because it significantly reduces the required storage volume while simultaneously 

eliminating the need for the expensive, high-pressure tanks required to store gaseous propellants. In 

addition, the program initiating a nuclear thermal propulsion fuel development study, which may lead to 

fuel element demonstrations in FY 2017. 

Space Technology is also making critical advancements in power generation, storage, and transmission 

technologies with a focus on outer planetary exploration. This includes development of solar array 

technology that can generate energy in extreme environments including low light intensity and low 

temperature. 

Space Technology also supports advanced in-space power storage by investigating and maturing 

advanced alternate chemistry and lithium-ion batteries with a goal to safely quadruple the specific energy 

of the best commercially available rechargeable batteries. Four Phase I SBIR battery designs selected in 

late FY 2014 were evaluated in the spring of 2015. Two of these designs were down selected for further 

development, and a single battery prototype will be delivered to Exploration for validation in FY 2017. 

Space Technology will continue to mature fuel cell technology for space application. 

Enabling Scientific Discovery: Revolutionary Robotics and Autonomous Systems (RRAS) 

Robotics and autonomous systems are critical when exploring or operating in an extreme environment, on 

Earth or in space (especially for outer planets exploration). Human Robotics Systems technology also 

supports the Agency’s role in the National Robotics Initiative by issuing grants for robotics technologies 
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that benefit space exploration and also support manufacturers, businesses and other entities. Specific 

technology efforts include the development of: 

 Pop Up Flat Folding Exploration Robots (PUFFER): This initiative is designed to develop 

folding, impact absorbing robots to enable new science by providing future missions with lowcost access to new terrains. This project will complete its final field demonstration in 2017; 

Astrobee, a new freeflyer robot for use inside ISS as a follow-on to SPHERES. This robotic 

system will improve the crew’s efficiency by autonomously performing the more mundane and 

monotonous tasks such as inventory management and air quality assessments. In addition, with its 

open source software platform, it will continue to be available for use by universities and for 

telerobotics challenges on ISS; and 

Humanoid robots through collaboration with Centennial Challenges and the NSF. NASA will 

leverage the DARPA robotics challenge as an on ramp to initiate a NASA robotic challenge and 

to form partnerships with private and university organizations that show potential to dramatically 

improve NASA’s future robotic capabilities. Space Technology is maturing the Robonaut 

software to improve the robot’s efficiency and autonomy further freeing up the crew’s valuable 

time. 

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Enabling Industry: Lightweight Materials and Advanced Manufacturing (LMAM) 

Space Technology supports innovation in low-cost manufacturing processes such as additive and digital 

manufacturing. NASA looks for opportunities to improve the manufacturing technologies, processes, and 

products prevalent in the aerospace industry. These collective efforts support NASA’s role as part of the 

President’s Advanced Manufacturing Partnership, including the Agency’s role in the National Network 

for Manufacturing Innovation, and contribute to NASA’s participation and interface with the National 

Nanotechnology Initiative and the Materials Genome Initiative. NASA’s participation has enabled the 

Agency to be part of a network focused on cutting edge manufacturing methods and technologies. 

Included within this portfolio are the following: 

 Using cutting-edge materials and emerging capabilities to design, develop, and hot fire test an 

additively manufactured upper stage class rocket engine combustion chamber and nozzle; 

Exploring nanotechnology research and applications for aeronautics and space, with a focus on 

reducing vehicle mass and improving reliability through the development of carbon nanotubebased materials. This includes investments in nano-manufacturing through the development of 

carbon nanotube structural materials, and lightweight carbon nanotube/aerogel wires, and cables; 

and 

Developing and manufacturing ultra-lightweight materials for aerospace vehicles to demonstrate 

lower-mass alternatives to honeycomb or foam cores currently used in composite sandwich 

structures. GCD awarded 3 contracts (HRL Laboratories, Orbital ATK Space Systems, and 

Dynetics) to develop and manufacture ultra-lightweight materials. As a follow-on to these 

awards, STMD will downselect to the most promising composite core technology for large-scale 

development and demonstration. 





Enabling Scientific Discovery: Affordable Destination Systems and Instruments (ADSI) 

Space Technology will fundamentally transform spacecraft systems through investment in high payoff 

technologies that increase communication data rate, increase the sensitivity of scientific instruments and 

sensors, advance navigation and flight avionics, advance thermal control systems in-situ resource 
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SPACE TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

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utilization technologies, advance closed-loop life support systems, and develop capabilities to mitigate 

space radiation. Included within this portfolio are: 

 Working with both Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) and Planetary Science, GCD

is developing technologies that enable deep space optical communication to provide 100 times 

increase in data rates available on NASA’s exploration missions. By late FY 2016, the GCD 

project will reach TRL-6 on these technologies and transition to the TDM program to fully 

demonstrate a high bandwidth flight laser communication terminal that will be ready to infuse as 

GFE for the SMD Discovery mission; 

With the Air Force Research Laboratory, NASA will develop a high performance space flight 

computing system. This development effort will lead to vastly improved in-space computing 

performance, energy management, and increased radiation fault tolerance. The new radiation 

tolerant microprocessor will offer a 100 times improvement in performance relative to the current 

state of the art RAD750 processor while requiring the same power; 

With the NASA Space Radiation Laboratory, GCD will design and build radiation detector stands 

and targets to support a four-year project to test various materials (aluminum, polyethylene, 

combination). This effort will result in the acquisition of data that will inform deep space habitat 

construction; 

With Exploration, Space Technology selected four partners to develop technologies that will 

increase the oxygen recovery rate aboard human spacecraft to at least 75 percent while achieving 

high reliability. These systems are critical when oxygen resupply from Earth is not available. 

Future maturation of these technologies may use the ISS National Laboratory as a proving ground 

to retire risk and gain experience with capabilities needed for deep-space exploration; and 

With Science, Space Technology advanced coronagraph technologies for the WFIRST/AFTA 

mission to dramatically improve our ability to directly observe exoplanets, and interrogate the 

atmospheric properties of these distant worlds allowing humanity to discover habitable planets 

within our galaxy for the first time. 









TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATION MISSIONS

To bridge the gap between early development and mission utilization, TDM matures system-level space 

technologies that can benefit multiple NASA missions, other government agencies, and aerospace 

industry stakeholders by demonstrating prototypes and demonstration units in relevant environments. To 

remain affordable, flight demonstrations of technologies that have passed feasibility ground testing are 

supported primarily through hosted payloads, rideshares and secondary payloads. The current TDM 

portfolio is described below: 

Enabling New Commercial Applications: Restore-L– Satellite Servicing 

Working with GSFC, Space Technology in partnership with HEOMD and SMD will demonstrate robotic 

servicing of satellite through the Restore-L mission. Restore-L is a full-scale technology demonstration 

mission to advance technologies that enable on-orbit satellite life extension. Technology areas include 

dexterous robotics, autonomous rendezvous and docking systems, propellant transfer systems, and 

sophisticated robotic tools with the ultimate goal of servicing a U.S. government satellite in low Earth 

orbit. Building on the Robotic Refueling Mission technology demonstrations on ISS, Restore-L will 

advance servicing technologies to operational status and partner with domestic private enterprise to

commercialize the results, establishing a new U.S. industry. 
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Enabling Scientific Discovery: Deep Space Optical Communication (DSOC) 

Partnering with the JPL, Space Technology is working to develop key technologies for the 

implementation of a deep space optical transceiver and ground receiver that will provide greater than 10 

times the data rate of a state of the art deep space RF system (Ka-band). This will enable future advanced 

instruments, live high definition video, tele-presence, and deep-space human exploration of the solar 

system. DSOC technologies are considered essential for future human missions to Mars and have a wide 

range of applicable planetary science missions including those to Mars and Jovian systems. 

In collaboration with SMD and HEOMD, the STMD GCD DSOC project is working to mature and 

reduce significant risks on technologies such as a low mass spacecraft disturbance isolation assembly, a 

flight qualified photon counting detector array, a high efficiency flight laser amplifier, and a high 

efficiency photon counting detector array for the ground-based receiver. By late FY 2016, the GCD 

project will reach TRL-6 on these technologies and transition to the TDM program to fully demonstrate a 

high bandwidth flight laser communication terminal that will be ready to infuse as GFE for the SMD 

Discovery mission. Currently, three of the five Discovery proposals included DSOC and a fourth proposal 

is currently considering inclusion for a notional launch date in CY 2021. 

Improving Deep Space Travel: Deep Space Atomic Clock (DSAC) 

In collaboration with the JPL, Space Technology is working to validate a miniaturized, mercury-ion, 

atomic clock that is 100 times more accurate than today’s state of the art space clocks used for spacecraft 

navigation systems. The DSAC project will demonstrate ultra-precision timing in space and its benefits 

for one-way radio-based navigation in late FY 2016. If successful, it will free precious deep space 

communications bandwidth to perform greater scientific data return, instead of receiving and transmitting 

navigation updates. The enhanced navigation and opening of communications bandwidth permitted by the 

new clock will dramatically improve the science return capabilities of future Discovery and New 

Frontiers missions, particularly for outer planetary missions. The accurate timing and navigation provided 

by the clock will also dramatically improve gravitational measurements planned for a future Europa (and 

other icy moons) mission to characterize the under ice liquid water oceans. Precision timing and 

navigation provided by the new clock will also have the potential to improve the Nation’s next generation 

GPS system. The demonstration is planned for launch via rideshare on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy 9 (STP-2) 

as a hosted payload on the Surrey Orbital Test Bed by no earlier than late FY 2016, and is funded in a 

partnership with SCaN. 

Advancing In Space Propulsion: Green Propellant Infusion Mission (GPIM) 

Space Technology and partners Ball Aerospace and Aerojet Rocketdyne along with the Department of 

Defense designed, built, tested, and are launching a dedicated spacecraft to demonstrate non-toxic 

propellant propulsion with the goal to provide an alternate to hydrazine propellant applicable to a small to 

medium-sized spacecraft. Hydrazine used extensively since the 1960s for space systems, is a reliable and 

effective storable monopropellant, but requires complicated transportation, handling, and ground/flight 

operations because it is highly corrosive and highly toxic. Use of hydrazine also often requires extensive 

site clean-up and environmental remediation at the end of missions and programs due to the material’s 

toxic properties. Spacecraft developers have actively sought safer alternatives to hydrazine propellant (inspace storable mono propellants). Higher performing and safer green propellant alternatives are at a 

tipping point. Once demonstrated within the context of an in-space application, rapid incorporation could 

occur into a variety of spacecraft. NASA selected AF-M315E as an innovative, low-toxicity 

monopropellant alternative with improved performance over hydrazine. The AF-M315E propulsion 
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system is expected to improve overall vehicle performance and processing efficiency while decreasing 

operational costs by reducing health and environmental hazards. The green propellant formula, thrusters, 

and related systems will perform a series of in-space demonstration tests. NASA has secured a rideshare 

opportunity for a no earlier than FY 2016 technology demonstration via the STP-2 launch of a SpaceX 

Falcon 9 Heavy. In addition, Space Technology will continue to work with Aerojet Rocketdyne to revise 

the one Newton thruster design to implement design improvements that were uncovered during this 

project to better enable infusion potential following the in-space demonstration. 

Enabling New Commercial Applications and Deep Space Exploration: Solar Electric 

Propulsion (SEP) 

Space Technology, working with GRC and ARRM, will continue the development of SEP with higher 

power, longer-life thrusters, and power processing units. The use of electric thrusters on commercial 

satellites continues to increase and recent NASA advancements in deployable solar array structures, with 

half of the mass and one-third of the packaging volume compared to the best current arrays, are already 

being incorporated into commercial satellite product lines. Hall-Effect thrusters designed to operate at 

over 12 kilowatts and with magnetic shielding to permit years of continuous operations without 

degradation are being competitively procured by NASA. A three-year contract for engineering and flight 

unit delivery of thrusters and power processing units will be awarded in spring 2016. A test unit for such 

a thruster was developed by the GRC and successfully completed vacuum chamber testing throughout its 

full performance envelop during 2015. The complete SEP system will be demonstrated as part of the 

ARRM with other potential demonstration missions also under consideration. 

Once proven, high-powered SEP will enable more efficient orbit transfer for satellites and accommodate 

the increasing power demands for government and commercial satellites. Furthermore, SEP can 

efficiently propel NASA’s future robotic science and human exploration missions beyond the Earth and 

into deep space. 

Enabling Industry and Scientific Discovery: Laser Communications Relay Demonstration 

(LCRD) 

The goal of the LCRD project is to demonstrate bi-directional optical communications relay services 

between geosynchronous orbit and Earth. The outcome of this demonstration will prove optical 

communications technology in an operational setting, providing data rates up to 100-times faster than 

today’s radio frequency based communication systems. The demonstration will measure and characterize 

the system performance over a variety of conditions, develop operational procedures, assess applicability 

for future missions, and provide an on orbit capability for test and demonstration of standards for optical 

relay communications. This will have major implications for NASA, other agencies, and the U.S. satellite 

manufacturers and operators. In FY 2014, Space Technology released a Request for Information (RFI) to 

gauge industry interest in this technology and ensure that the planned design specifications will permit 

utilization into the commercial communications industry. The RFI responses indicated that this 

technology has great value to industry in responding to the rising demand for bandwidth. After the inspace technology demonstration becomes operational, NASA will provide access to the system for the 

communications industry to test the capabilities for their needs. On completion, NASA will transfer laser 

communication technology to industry for future missions. 
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Landing Accurately: Low Density Supersonic Decelerators (LDSD) 

Space Technology, working with JPL, has the goal of developing and demonstrating new EDL 

technologies capable of increasing the landed mass and landing accuracy over current baseline systems. 

NASA has utilized Viking era parachutes for decades to perform supersonic deceleration for Mars science 

landers. These descent parachutes along with the rest of Mars EDL systems have reached the upper limit 

of their capacity (approximately one metric ton). Space Technology developed and tested a variety of 

supersonic decelerator systems to support future larger Mars missions. The project designed, developed, 

and tested a supersonic ring-sail parachute as well as a pair of supersonic inflatable aerodynamic 

decelerator systems. The parachute and inflatable decelerators were put through a series of tests utilizing 

wind tunnels, balloon drops, rocket sleds, and rocket-powered, high-altitude (180,000 feet) supersonic 

(Mach 2 to 4) flight demonstrations. This effort is in partnership with NASA’s Planetary Science 

Division. Due to a failure of the supersonic parachute to deploy properly during an FY 2015 test, the 

LDSD project held a series of technical and programmatic boards to study the failure and the project is in 

the process of determining the next steps in the advancement of EDL technologies. No funds are 

requested for LDSD in FY 2017. 

Enabling Industry: Composites for Exploration Upper Stages 

Reducing the mass of launch vehicles will allow for greater payload capacity. Existing human space flight 

vehicles do not utilize composites for primary structures since validation of the critical technologies has 

not occurred at scale and in a relevant environment. Building on the success of the Composite Cryotank 

Technologies & Demonstration and on advanced composites integrated modeling conducted by Space 

Technology, the Composite Exploration Upper Stage project, working with the MSFC, focused on 

developing and demonstrating additional composite for application on launch vehicles with the goal of 

proving out certification of large scale composite structures on space launch vehicles that have broad 

applicability across the aerospace industry. The objective is to provide validated alternative structural 

materials for designers to use in future versions of commercial and government launch vehicles. This 

effort was to develop, design, and validate manufacturing processes for using composites that can be 

applied to other large space structures and science platforms developed across the aerospace industry. The 

project is a cooperative effort between Space Technology and Exploration, involving multiple NASA 

centers. No funds are requested for Composites for Exploration Upper Stages in FY 2017. The Composite 

Exploration Upper Stages project will be discontinued due to budget constraints and NASA technology 

investment priorities. 

Access and Travel through Space: Evolvable Cryogenics (eCryo) 

Managing cryogenic fluids and minimizing boil-off of cryogenic propellants on long duration missions is 

a critical capability needed to enable high-performance in-space propulsion stages, a key component of 

future human spaceflight architectures. Advancements in cryogenic fluid management will address 

challenges experienced by NASA and commercial launch providers by demonstrating the capability of inspace long-term storage, transfer, and mass gauging of cryogenic propellants (i.e. liquid oxygen and 

liquid hydrogen). With the eCryo project, Space Technology will conduct a series of ground 

demonstrations at MSFC and GRC to validate the performance of propellant storage tanks designed for 

long-term storage. In addition to managing the propellant boil-off by validating the effectiveness of 

advanced multi-layer insulation, the team will look to reduce ancillary system weights mass and 

complexity. The project will also investigate the utilization of remaining boil-off gases to replace existing 

pressurization and attitude control systems and to provide electrical power for the Space Launch System 

(SLS) Exploration Upper Stage. In addition, the team will develop new cryogenic monitoring 
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instrumentation and analytical models to assist in determining cryogenic health during in space 

operations. For NASA, these technologies enable beyond low Earth orbit exploration missions, while 

industry will likely infuse the technologies on next generation launch vehicles—particularly upper 

stages—making them more efficient and capable. By taking an incremental ground test approach, Space 

Technology will prioritize technologies needed by SLS upper stage development and the long-term needs 

of the aerospace industry as a whole. The project will build on the knowledge gained from previous 

investments and utilize existing Agency assets and test facilities capable of maturing cryogenic propellant 

technologies. 

Enabling Industry: Robotic In-Space Manufacturing and Assembly of Spacecraft and 

Space Structures 

Space Technology will develop and demonstrate technologies required to assemble, aggregate, and/or 

manufacture large and/or complex systems in space utilizing robotics technology. Presently, launchshroud size, lift capacity, and launch loads/environments are factors that limit the size and capabilities of 

systems pre-assembled on the ground and deployed using a single launch. The following competitively 

awarded proposals were selected in November 2015: 

 Public-Private Partnership for Robotic In-Space Manufacturing and Assembly of Spacecraft and 

Space Structures—Orbital ATK of Dulles, Virginia; 

Versatile In-Space Robotic Precision Manufacturing and Assembly System—Made in Space, Inc. 

of Moffett Field, California; and 

Dragonfly: On-Orbit Robotic Installation and Reconfiguration of Large Solid RF Reflectors—

Space Systems Loral of Palo Alto, California. 





With advances in ultra-lightweight materials, robotics, and autonomy, in space manufacturing, assembly, 

and aggregation concepts are now at a tipping point. This disruptive capability could transform the 

traditional spacecraft-manufacturing model by enabling in-space creation of large spacecraft systems. No 

longer will developing, building, and qualifying a spacecraft focus so heavily on an integrated system that 

must survive launch loads and environments. These crosscutting technologies could also greatly reduce 

cost while increasing capabilities for both NASA and commercial space applications. For example, the inspace assembly or manufacturing of large RF or optical reflectors, solar arrays, or entire spacecraft could 

transform the commercial communications satellite market as well as offer benefits to future NASA 

missions. 

SMALL SPACECRAFT TECHNOLOGY

Small Spacecraft Technology develops and demonstrates technologies to enhance and enable new small 

spacecraft capabilities. NASA invests in small spacecraft to provide a low-cost platform for rapid inspace demonstration of new technologies and innovations that are applicable across the space sector. 

Small Spacecraft are most often delivered to space using a rideshare approach, where the spacecraft uses 

launch vehicle volume and lift capability that would otherwise go unused by a primary payload. NASA 

will share the results of the program’s technology developments and demonstrations with the national 

space community to provide opportunities for infusion into ongoing or planned missions. Small 

Spacecraft Technology is supporting the following development projects: 

 The Pathfinder Technology Demonstrator series of missions is being formulated to conduct flight 

demonstrations beginning in 2017. The overall Demonstrator objective is to expand capabilities 
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in propulsion and other technologies for small spacecraft. This project will demonstrate 

miniaturized electrospray propulsion systems, electric thrusters, and other innovative propulsion 

systems. Pathfinder will fly technologies derived from the Tipping Point solicitation, SBIR 

projects, and other sources, using 6U CubeSat buses procured from industry; 

A flight demonstration of innovative electric propulsion using iodine propellant with a 200W Hall 

thruster is under development by a team at MSFC, working toward a flight in 2017; and 

The Smallsat Technology Partnerships, involving collaboration between universities and NASA 

centers, continue with completion of eleven projects selected in 2014. Two of those projects have 

been awarded launch opportunities by NASA. Eight new two-year projects were selected in 2015 

and future solicitations will occur on an annual basis. 

NASA will participate in the Small Payload Rideshare Working Group to engage with small 

spacecraft stakeholders on small spacecraft launch standards. 







CENTENNIAL CHALLENGES

Centennial Challenges offers incentive prizes to generate revolutionary solutions aimed to support future 

NASA missions to Mars and beyond. The program seeks innovations from diverse and non-traditional 

sources, directly engaging the public in the process of developing advanced technology. Competitors are 

not provided government funding for their development; awards are only made to successful teams when 

the challenges are met. The NASA Centennial Challenges partners with organizations inside and/or 

outside of NASA to manage challenges with the goal of maximizing return of investment to the agency. 

The following challenges were performed in FY 2015: 

 The fourth year of the Sample Return Robot (SRR) Challenge was hosted by Worcester 

Polytechnic Institute. The challenge purpose is to demonstrate robots that can locate and retrieve 

geologic samples from a wide and varied terrain without human control or use of terrestrial 

navigation aids. Fourteen teams participated in the Level 1 competition; no team qualified to 

move into the next level of the challenge. Two teams, which previously qualified to participate in 

Level 2, competed in the 2015 event. The West Virginia University team captured and returned 

two Level 2 samples and received a $100,000 award. The total prize purse for this challenge is 

$1.5M; 

Space Technology conducted the first of four Ground Tournaments for the Cube Quest 

Challenge. The purpose of the challenge is to design, build, and launch flight-qualified, small 

satellites capable of advanced operations near and beyond the moon, to demonstrate 

communications and propulsion technologies. ARC is working with San Jose State University to 

manage this challenge. Thirteen teams participated in Ground Tournament-1 (GT-1); Ground 

Tournaments 2 and 3 will be executed in FY 2016 and the final ground tournament in FY 2017. 

Five teams met GT-1 requirements and each team won $20,000. The top three teams that win the 

final ground tournament will have the opportunity to become secondary payloads on the first 

integrated flight of NASA’s Orion spacecraft and SLS rocket. The total prize purse for this 

challenge is $5.5M; 

A level 1 design challenge of the 3D Printed Habitat Challenge was executed in FY 2015. The 

purpose of the Habitat challenge is to advance additive construction technology to create 

sustainable housing on Earth and beyond. Over 165 entries were received for the Design 

Competition, of which 94 met the minimum requirements. The top 30 finalists competed for the 

top three places at the World Maker Faire in New York. The first-place winner, Team Space 




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Exploration Architecture and Clouds Architecture Office, was awarded $25,000. The secondplace winner, Team Gamma (Foster + Partners), was awarded $15,000. The third-place winner, 

EAS European Astronaut Centre, was not awarded prize money because the team was not from 

the United States. The Level 2 of the Challenge will be executed in FY 2016 and FY 2017. The 

total prize purse for this challenge is $2.25M; and 

The second year of the Mars Ascent Vehicle Challenge opened for registration in late FY 2015. 

Teams are challenged to develop an autonomous robotic system that can load a sample into a 

rocket, launch to a predetermined altitude of 5,280 feet, and safely return the sample container to 

the Earth’s surface. A team from MSFC is managing the challenge. Fifteen teams participated in 

the 2015 competition (first year). The winners of the competition were North Carolina State Univ. 

(1st Place, $25,000) and Tarleton State Univ. (2nd Place, $15,000). The total prize purse for this 

challenge is $50K. 



Future Centennial Challenges will address: 

 NASA’s efforts in robotics for human exploration and planetary science missions, and improve 

University involvement through targeted challenges. For example, Space Technology is working 

with the National Science Foundation to formulate the Space Robotics Challenge where NASA 

and National Science Foundation developed robots will be awarded to qualified institutions. The 

selected teams will have three years to improve the software and automation aspects of the 

Robonaut series robots. Centennial Challenges is working with the not-for-profit Space Center 

Houston and a team at NASA/JSC to manage the competition. The total prize purse for this 

challenge is $2.0M; and 

NASA is working with the Methuselah Foundation to support the Tissue Engineering Challenge 

in FY 2016, FY 2017, and FY 2018. This challenge will focus on the generation of tissue with 

cells performing functions of one of the four major organs (heart, lung, liver, kidney) and 

remaining alive long enough to advance scientific research capabilities. The winner of the first 

level of this challenge will work with the Center for Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) 

and the NASA Centennial Challenges Program to develop an experiment to be performed on the 

ISS. Results of this challenge could potentially facilitate the development of major organs in 

microgravity for the benefit of humankind. The total prize purse for this challenge is $0.5M. 

Prize authority requested in this budget totals $3.1M. 





FLIGHT OPPORTUNITIES

Flight Opportunities enables the maturation of technologies by providing affordable access to space 

environments using commercially available suborbital flights. This helps fulfill the overall goal of 

advancing space technology to meet future mission needs while simultaneously fostering the growth of 

the commercial spaceflight market. The program achieves these objectives by selecting promising 

technologies from industry, academia, and government, and testing them on commercial suborbital launch 

vehicles. This approach takes technologies from a laboratory environment and advances their maturity 

through flight-testing, while also feeding the development of the spaceflight technologies and 

infrastructure created by the Flight Opportunities Program flight providers. The program supports flights 

for both externally funded payloads and NASA-funded technology payloads selected though NASA 

Research Announcements (NRAs). Space Technology also collaborates with other NASA programs to 

provide suborbital platform flights for research and/or technology demonstrations. 
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In support of NASA’s overall mission, Flight Opportunities has facilitated the testing of technologies for 

exploration and the commercial utilization of space. To date, the program has selected over 160 

technology payloads, with over 50 percent led by universities. Technologies include ones that will: 

validate mobility models for hopping/tumbling robots on asteroids; test a microgravity rock coring drill 

using microspines; test on-off gecko adhesive grippers; test 3D printers capable of printing electronics, as 

well as metal and metal/thermoplastic hybrid 3D printers; test water delivery and photographic 

verification systems to grow plants in lunar gravity; demonstrate enabling communications technologies 

for future low-cost small earth return vehicles; fabricate freeze-cast titanium foams in microgravity; test a 

novel IVA space suit; evaluate biosleeve gesture control interface for telerobotics; and evaluate a medical 

microgravity suction device and aqueous immersion surgical system . In FY 2015, the Flight 

Opportunities program flew 29 technology payloads over the course of five parabolic and eight 

commercial suborbital reusable launch vehicle (sRLV) test flights. Among the technologies tested, 

Masten Space Systems flew NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s Fuel Optimal and Accurate Landing 

System Test Flights (FOALS). FOALS is part of JPL’s landing technology and is now one-step closer for 

potential infusion into the Mars 2020 mission. Another successful test flight included UP Aerospace 

Corporation’s launch of the SpaceLoft-9 with four payloads, including a Montana State University project 

designed to mature the technology readiness level of a radiation tolerant, reconfigurable computer system. 

An additional 18 payload flights spanning six flight campaigns are planned for early FY 2016. NASA onramped Near Space Corporation through its commercial flight vendor solicitation to integrate and fly 

technology payloads on commercial suborbital reusable platforms. 

Program Schedule 

Specific timelines for deliverables and achievement major milestones vary from project to project, and 

depend on successful demonstration of experimental capabilities and the results of design, development, 

fabrication, analyses, and testing. Both GCD and TDMs are composed of uncoupled project elements. See 

more in the historic performance graphic below. 

Program Management & Commitments 

Program Element Provider 

Space Technology Research 

Grants 

Provider: U.S. Universities 

Lead Center: NASA HQ program executive, Level 2 GRC 

Performing Center(s): Various 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

NASA Innovative Advanced 

Concepts 

Provider: Various 

Lead Center: NASA HQ program executive 

Performing Center(s): Various 

Cost Share Partner(s): Cost sharing is encouraged 
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Program Element Provider 

CIF 

Provider: NASA centers 

Lead Center: NASA HQ program executive 

Performing Center(s): All 

Cost Share Partner(s): Cost sharing is encouraged 

GCD 

Provider: Various 

Lead Center: NASA HQ program executive, Level 2 LaRC 

Performing Center(s): Various 

Cost Share Partner(s): Various 

TDM 

Provider: Various 

Lead Center: NASA HQ program executive, Level 2 MSFC 

Performing Center(s): Various 

Cost Share Partner(s): Other NASA programs 

SST

Provider: Various 

Lead Center: NASA HQ program executive; Level 2 ARC 

Performing Center(s): Various 

Cost Share Partner(s): Air Force Research Laboratory, Various universities 

Centennial Challenges 

Provider: Various 

Lead Center: NASA HQ program executive, Level 2 MSFC 

Performing Center(s): Various 

Cost Share Partner(s): External and Internal partners fund competition events; 

NASA supplies prize money 

Flight Opportunities 

Provider: Various 

Lead Center: NASA HQ program executive; Level 2 AFRC 

Performing Center(s): Various 

Cost Share Partner(s): Various 

Acquisition Strategy 

Space Technology Research and Development uses a blended acquisition approach. Solicitations are open 

to the broad aerospace community to ensure engagement with the best sources of new and innovative 

technology. As such, projects are being performed by the Nation’s highly skilled workforce in industry, 

academia, across all NASA centers, and in collaboration with other government agencies. Awards are 

based on technical merit, cost, programmatic alignment, and impact to the Nation’s future space activities. 

NASA uses acquisition mechanisms such as broad agency announcements, NASA research 

announcements, Space Act Agreements, requests for proposals and prize competitions, with awards 

guided by priorities cited in the space technology roadmaps and by NASA mission directorates. Future 

solicitations particularly within GCD, Flight Opportunities, and SST will endeavor to use unfunded and 

funded Space Act agreements where these approaches are likely to yield acquisitions that are most 
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efficient. The focus of these agreements will be to increase the level of public-private partnerships to 

perform future space technology development. 

MAJOR CONTRACTS/AWARDS

Element Vendor Location (of work performance) 

TDMs 

LCRD David Israel, Principal Investigator, 

GSFC; Greenbelt, MD 

DSAC 

Todd Ely, Principal Investigator 

California Institute of Technology, 

JPL 

Pasadena, CA 

SEP Mike Barrett, Project Manager, 

GRC; GSFC; JPL; 

Cleveland, OH; Greenbelt, MD; 

Pasadena, CA 

eCryo Carol Ginty, Project Manager, 

GRC; MSFC, GSFC, KSC, ARC 

Cleveland, OH; Huntsville, AL, 

Greenbelt, MD; Cape Canaveral, 

FL, Moffett Field, CA 

GPIM 

Ball Aerospace (Prime); Aerojet 

Rocketdyne Corporation; USAF 

Research Laboratory; USAF Space 

and Missile Systems Center; GRC; 

LaRC; KSC 

Boulder, CO; Redmond, WA; 

Edwards, CA; Albuquerque, NM; 

Cleveland, OH; Cape Canaveral, 

FL

Restore-L GSFC; KSC, Space Systems Loral, 

Motiv Space Systems 

Greenbelt, MD; Cape Canaveral, 

FL; Pasadena, CA; Pasadena, CA 

DSOC JPL Pasadena, CA 

INDEPENDENT REVIEWS

Space Technology conducts Directorate Program Management Council reviews, and representatives from 

the Office of Chief Engineer, the Office of Safety and Mission Assurance, and the Office of Chief 

Financial Officer will assess performance during Agency-level Baseline Performance Reviews. 

Historical Performance 

This technology investment overview identifies a subset of active Space Technology development efforts, 

illustrating core technology areas that aligned with the Space Technology roadmaps and anticipated 

technology maturation through the life cycle of the project leading to its potential use within NASA’s 

existing and future science and exploration missions. By design, each of these technologies has significant 

utility for a variety of government and commercial users as well. All the projects listed below are on track 

to mature and deliver technology advancements in the timeframe specified. Specific timelines for 
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deliverables and major milestones vary from project to project, and are dependent on successful capability 

demonstration. 

 
 

HUMAN EXPLORATION AND OPERATIONS

HEO-1 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Exploration 3542.7 4030.0 3336.9 3529.7 4081.7 4243.6 4261.7 

Space Operations 4625.5 5029.2 5075.8 4912.8 4529.7 4540.1 4697.6 

Total Budget 8168.2 9059.2 8412.7 8442.5 8611.4 8783.7 8959.3 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. 

FY 2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

FY 2017 reflects discretionary and mandatory funding. Additional details on the mandatory funding can be found in 

the Explanation of Changes section.

Human Exploration and Operations ................................. HEO-2
 

HUMAN EXPLORATION AND OPERATIONS

HEO-2 

FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Exploration 3542.7 4030.0 3336.9 3529.7 4081.7 4243.6 4261.7 

Space Operations 4625.5 5029.2 5075.8 4912.8 4529.7 4540.1 4697.6 

Total Budget 8168.2 9059.2 8412.7 8442.5 8611.4 8783.7 8959.3 

Change from FY 2016 -646.5 

Percentage change from FY 2016 -7.1% 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. 

FY 2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

FY 2017 reflects discretionary and mandatory funding. Additional details on the mandatory funding can be found in 

the Explanation of Changes section.

NASA is working to expand human presence into the solar system, including eventually to the surface of 

Mars. The first steps of the Journey to Mars are well underway, with research into long-duration 

spaceflight continuing aboard the International Space Station (ISS), the development of NASA’s next 

generation launch systems and crew vehicle, and investments in new technologies to increase the 

affordability, capability, and safety of exploration activities. 

To enable this effort, NASA is advancing access to low Earth orbit by engaging U.S. commercial 

providers. Through FY 2015, Space Exploration Technologies Company (SpaceX) and Orbital ATK have 

flown a combined total of 10 successful cargo delivery flights to the ISS, including their 2 demonstration 

flights. By having two commercial partners for cargo, NASA minimized the impacts from the Orb-3 and 

SpX-7 losses. ISS was able to absorb both losses without immediate impacts to ISS operations and 

utilization. Utilizing the shift to the commercial paradigm, NASA also has entered into contracts with two 

industry partners to develop a U.S. commercial capability to transport crew to and from the station. In 

addition, NASA recently awarded Commercial Resupply Services 2 (CRS2) to SpaceX, Orbital ATK, and 

Sierra Nevada to provide cargo transportation services to the ISS. 

Exploring deep space requires the capability to transport crew and large masses of cargo beyond lowEarth orbit. To accomplish this, NASA is developing a crew capsule, a heavy-lift launch vehicle, and 

supporting ground facilities and systems. The Space Launch System (SLS) leverages NASA heritage 

systems, thereby reducing risk. The Orion crew capsule will carry up to four humans to orbit, provide 

emergency abort capability, providing transit to cis-lunar space, sustain the crew while in space, and 

provide safe reentry from deep space. Upgraded ground operations capabilities will process flight 

hardware, assemble and launch the vehicles, and recover crew after the mission. 

Before we can use these systems to safely send humans safely into deep space for extended missions, we 

must also continue the vital human health research already underway, develop key technologies, and 

enhance the supporting capabilities that NASA requires for mission success. The Human Exploration and 

Operations Mission Directorate (HEOMD) budget funds a portfolio of research, development, and 

operational programs to extend the boundaries of human space exploration and generate new scientific 

and technical knowledge. HEOMD utilizes a mix of NASA Civil Service expertise, conventional 
 

HUMAN EXPLORATION AND OPERATIONS

HEO-3 

industrial contracts, milestone-based private sector capability developments and services, and 

international and U.S. commercial partnerships. 

Extending Human Presence into the Solar System: Enabling Multiple Destinations on the 

Journey to Mars 

NASA is developing the capability for people to live and work safely beyond the Earth for extended 

periods in increasingly distant locations. In this new era, NASA is implementing a multiple destination 

exploration strategy, using a capability driven approach. This strategy leverages compelling near-term 

mission opportunities that enable incremental buildup of capabilities for more complex missions in the 

future, such as exploring Mars and its moons. 

The cornerstone of our current efforts is the ISS, which has provided opportunities to investigate the 

challenges of future human spaceflight. What capabilities do we need for long-duration missions? What 

effects does the harsh environment of space have on the crew? How can we maximize the crew’s health 

and performance on future deep-space missions? Research continues on the ISS to answer these questions 

and to validate exploration capabilities in an in-space environment, while maintaining close proximity to 

Earth. 

To advance our ability to conduct a sustainable campaign of progressively more complex exploration 

missions, NASA will exploit the opportunities afforded by other locations such as cis-lunar space. In the 

volume of space around the Earth-Moon system, we can establish a proving ground to validate new 

technologies, hardware, and operations in deep space and microgravity environments. There, crews can 

assess mitigation techniques for health and performance, perform test operations of SLS and Orion, and 

demonstrate prototype systems. 

As NASA incrementally lessens human reliance on Earth, cis-lunar space will provide a location from 

which we can mount missions to the more distant reaches of space, including expeditions to Mars. The 

distance and duration of these future missions requires that crew and transportation systems be completely 

independent of Earth. Logistics, power and propulsion systems, human factors, habitat, and operations, all 

these factors must be capable of supporting the autonomous operations necessary to travel millions of 

miles and spend many months in space. Our strategy is to move from Earth-reliant research and 

technology development to the proving ground of cis-lunar space to achieve Earth-independent 

exploration capability for human mission durations that enable us to reach Mars and other destinations in 

the solar system. 

Earth Reliant Activity 

The ISS offers a unique platform for NASA and its international partners to learn how to live and work in 

space. Research, technology demonstrations, tests, and experiments on the ISS continue to advance the 

capabilities required for future long-duration missions. NASA is making technological advances aboard 

the ISS in autonomous rendezvous and docking, advanced communications systems, human health and 

behavior in space, habitat, and space suit systems, as well as in basic research in biological and physical 

sciences. For example, NASA is capitalizing on the extraordinary opportunity to study identical twins 

during Scott Kelly’s yearlong stay aboard the ISS. Scott Kelly and Mark Kelly are genetically almost the 

same and by studying one astronaut on the Earth, while one remains in space for an entire year provides 

an unprecedented comparison of spaceflight on humans. 
 

HUMAN EXPLORATION AND OPERATIONS

HEO-4 

Building on the success of NASA’s partnerships with commercial industry to date, in spring of 2015 

NASA selected 12 Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships (NextSTEP) to advance 

concept studies and technology development projects in the areas of advanced propulsion, habitation and 

small satellites. 

NASA has partnered with the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) to exploit the 

National Lab portion of the ISS for commercial and other government agency research, allowing 

researchers and entrepreneurs representing a wide range of disciplines to develop groundbreaking 

technologies and products in a microgravity environment. Not only is the ISS a vehicle capable of 

supporting a broad range of research and technology development, it is also capable of serving as a test 

bed for new business relationships. While CASIS is broadening the non-traditional demand-side use of 

the ISS, NASA is assisting new commercial service providers in increasing research capabilities and 

offering services on the supply-side. In FY 2015, NASA signed agreements with five additional 

commercial firms to operate hardware on the ISS on a fee-for-service basis. This includes a hyperspectral 

instrument (Teledyne Brown Engineering) and materials science exposed platform (Alpha Space and 

Technology) to be attached externally on the ISS; a microfluidics stem cell research module (HNu 

nanoPoint); a suite of biological sciences hardware (Bioserve), and a multi-specimen centrifuge 

(Techshot) inside the ISS. The leading provider of research services on ISS, NanoRacks, last year saw the 

launch of their exposed facility, the first commercially developed and funded external research platform. 

Finally, NASA and Bigelow Aerospace are each benefitting from sharing expertise, costs, and risks to 

pursue the mutual goal of demonstrating the potential of an inflatable habitat on the ISS, (the Bigelow 

Expandable Activity Module (BEAM)). 

NASA and the U.S. space transportation industry are well on the way to developing an affordable 

capability to carry crew to the ISS by the end of 2017, bolstering American leadership while eliminating 

reliance on the Russian Soyuz to transport American astronauts. This competitive commercial approach, 

versus a traditional NASA-owned and operated system, allows the Agency to reduce costs, improve 

affordability and sustainability, and stimulate the private sector space industry. With U.S. commercial 

industry providing cargo resupply services to the ISS, NASA is funding development activities for 

commercial crew systems. The Agency will purchase commercial crew transportation services using the 

same model used for cargo services. 

Proving Ground Activity 

Continuing extensive development efforts, NASA is focused on working toward a capability to launch the 

first Exploration Mission (EM-1). Utilizing its first flight test and resulting data, Orion is continuing to 

design, development, and test to prepare for its first pairing with SLS. Launching atop SLS, Orion will 

travel into space for a 25-day journey beyond the Moon and back to Earth. NASA is working toward the 

first crewed mission (EM-2), scheduled to launch in Fiscal Year 2021 (FY 2021), with a commitment to 

launch no later than 2023. 

Exploration Missions of SLS and Orion and related capabilities will increase our ability to operate for 

extended periods in the proving ground of cis-lunar space, with the objective of demonstrating the 

capability to conduct Mars-class missions beginning in the 2030s. An early mission in the proving ground 

of cis-lunar space, the Asteroid Redirect Mission (ARM), would identify and capture a target asteroid; 

redirecting it into a retrograde orbit around the moon for rendezvous and sampling by astronauts 

conducing spacewalks out of the Orion crew vehicle. Harnessing new solar-electric propulsion (SEP)-

based systems and using the capability of the SLS and Orion, ARM will demonstrate key exploration 

capabilities as the Agency reaches farther into deep space. 
 

HUMAN EXPLORATION AND OPERATIONS

HEO-5 

To travel beyond low Earth orbit, NASA requires enhanced research and technological capabilities. 

Researchers are studying the effects of long-duration space exploration on humans in an effort to 

safeguard crews and assure mission success. New technologies are being infused into systems and 

capabilities geared toward supporting eventual missions to Mars including solar electric propulsion 

systems, deep space habitation systems, in-situ resource utilization, and operations with reduced logistics 

dependence. The demands of deep space require assuring robust communications and data download, and 

increasingly complex navigation systems. These efforts, conducted in the proving ground, continue to be 

critical priorities within HEOMD’s Space Operations and Explorations budgets, and will enable NASA to 

extend our progress along the capability driven framework while maintaining reliable and affordable 

access to space. 

NASA is working with industry to develop concepts, technologies, and systems to enable a cis-lunar 

habitation capability that will lead to a long-duration habitat for Mars missions and may be applicable to 

future commercial habitats in Earth orbit. The second phase of NextSTEP Broad Agency Announcements 

are being utilized to leverage and stimulate the development of commercial habitats in low Earth orbit and 

will result in further developed habitation concepts with eventual flight demonstrations in space. 

Development and testing of key habitation systems (such as environmental control and life support, 

radiation protection, and logistics reduction) through a public-private partnership are currently planned 

lead to a prototype habitat for ground testing by 2018 

Earth-Independent Activity 

To enable space travel that is Earth independent, NASA will continue to incrementally and progressively, 

expand capabilities and distance from Earth. We will need to complete development of whole new types 

of entry and landing systems, partial-gravity countermeasures, and long-duration surface systems such as 

in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) and in-space manufacturing. Activities are underway in these areas in 

collaboration with the Science Mission Directorate (SMD) and the Space Technology Mission (STMD) 

Directorate. For example, the HEOMD and the STMD are jointly funding the Mars Oxygen ISRU 

Experiment (MOXIE) on the SMD’s Mars 2020 rover mission, which will produce oxygen from Martian 

atmospheric carbon dioxide 

Spaceflight Services 

The HEOMD portfolio also includes essential services needed to conduct the Agency’s human and 

robotic exploration. These include Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN), Launch Services 

acquisition, astronaut selection and training, crew health and safety, Rocket Propulsion Test (RPT), and 

related activities.
 

EXPLORATION

EXP-1 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Exploration Systems Development 3211.5 3680.0 2859.5 2922.5 3061.6 3092.2 3142.3 

Exploration Research and Development 331.2 350.0 477.3 607.2 1020.1 1151.4 1119.5 

Total Budget 3542.7 4030.0 3336.9 3529.7 4081.7 4243.6 4261.7 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. 

FY 2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

FY 2017 reflects discretionary and mandatory funding. Additional details on the mandatory funding can be found in 

the Explanation of Changes section.

Exploration ..........................................................................EXP-2

Exploration Systems Development 

ORION PROGRAM ................................................................................................ EXP-7 

Crew Vehicle Development [Development] ....................................................................... EXP-9 

SPACE LAUNCH SYSTEM .................................................................................. EXP-19

Launch Vehicle Development [Development] ................................................................. EXP-21

EXPLORATION GROUND SYSTEMS .................................................................. EXP-30

Exploration Ground Systems Development [Development] ............................................ EXP-32

Exploration Research and Development 

HUMAN RESEARCH PROGRAM ......................................................................... EXP-39

ADVANCED EXPLORATION SYSTEMS .............................................................. EXP-45

Asteroid Redirect Robotic Mission [Formulation] ............................................................ EXP-56
 

EXPLORATION

EXP-2 

FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Exploration Systems Development 3211.5 3680.0 2859.5 2922.5 3061.6 3092.2 3142.3 

Exploration Research and Development 331.2 350.0 477.3 607.2 1020.1 1151.4 1119.5 

Total Budget 3542.7 4030.0 3336.9 3529.7 4081.7 4243.6 4261.7 

Change from FY 2016 -693.1 

Percentage change from FY 2016 -17.2% 

Caption for Picture (No more than 10

lines)

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. 

FY 2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

FY 2017 reflects discretionary and mandatory funding. Additional details on the mandatory funding can be found in 

the Explanation of Changes section.

Lockheed Martin technicians lift the Orion Crew 

Module Adapter Structural Test Article at 

NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC)’s Plum 

Brook Station. The adapter will connect Orion’s 

crew module to a service module provided by the 

European Space Agency (ESA) and Airbus 

Defense & Space. 

As NASA shapes the future architecture of human space 

exploration, the Agency has developed a sustainable, 

pioneering approach of progressively expanding 

capabilities and distance with an objective of extending 

human presence into the solar system and to the surface 

of Mars. Human Exploration and Operations Mission 

Directorate (HEOMD) programs continue to develop a 

robust core set of evolving capabilities within the 

Exploration budget, intended to ensure flexibility, 

affordability, and sustainability in the Nation’s human 

spaceflight program, while using the International Space 

Station (ISS) as a research testbed for long-duration 

spaceflight. This approach provides the Agency adequate 

adaptability to carry out increasingly complex missions 

to a range of destinations over time. 

 HEOMD’s Exploration Systems Development programs 

are creating the first components of this architecture for 

human exploration beyond low Earth orbit, Orion, Space 

Launch System (SLS), and Exploration Ground Systems 

(EGS), will take us to the proving ground of cis-lunar 

space (the volume of space around the Moon) to conduct 

deep- space long-duration missions to test systems and 

concepts for further exploration. 

Extending human presence into deep- space requires expansion of technical and scientific knowledge to 

tackle complex problems and devise creative new solutions to meet demands never before encountered by 

humans or crewed spacecraft. NASA must understand and mitigate the effects of long-term human 

exposure to space and the Human Research Program (HRP) is conducting research on the ISS toward this 
 

EXPLORATION

end. NASA’s Advanced Exploration Systems (AES) is also developing the technologies and maturing the 

systems required for deep-space missions. 

For more programmatic information, go to: http://www.nasa.gov/directorates/heo/home/index.html. 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017 

 Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Mandatory Funding (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

ESD -- -- 173.0 -- -- -- --

Consistent with the FY 2016 Consolidated Appropriations Act, the Budget realigns the Commercial Crew 

Program (CCP) from the Exploration account to the Space Operations account within the Space 

Transportation Theme for increased synergy with the ISS program. 

Orion changed the Ascent Abort Test (AA-2) implementation from contractor-led effort to Governmentled effort and moved the test date from 2019 to 2020. AA-2 will still meet all test objectives. 

AES, working closely with the private sector, will begin development of system concepts and integrated 

subsystems for a cis-lunar habitat and systems that will enable extended duration human missions in the 

proving ground of cis-lunar space in preparation for human missions into deep space. AES will continue 

the existing acquisition strategy for the cis-lunar habitat and systems by building upon the NextSTEP 

public-private partnerships, which seek to leverage additional public sector investments to develop 

commercial habitats in low Earth orbit. Additionally, HEOMD is consolidating technology activities 

spread across multiple program into AES in order to better align the Directorate’s organizational and 

management structure. 

To align upcoming HEOMD exploration and technology activities, some cross cutting studies and 

initiatives that had been conducted in other programs have now been realigned to AES enabling effective 

coordination between research and technology capabilities required to support to robotic, Extra-Vehicular 

Activity (EVA), Asteroid Redirect Mission (ARM), and future exploration missions. 

ESD is funded in part with mandatory funding, Orion ($66.4M), SLS ($80.4M), and EGS ($26.2M). 

ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2015

Following the Exploration Flight Test 1 (EFT-1) flight in December 2014, the Orion program continued 

to analyze the data collected during EFT-1, met all test objectives, demonstrated design and performance, 

and revealed risks in systems such as the heat shield, parachute system, and crew module up-righting 

system, which are being addressed. During EFT-1, Orion orbited Earth twice, reaching an altitude of 

approximately 3,600 miles, roughly 15 times farther into space than the orbit of the ISS. Having sent 

Orion to such a high altitude allowed the spacecraft to return to Earth at speeds near 20,000 miles per 

hour. The spacecraft’s return at this speed exposed the heat shield to temperatures close to what it will 

endure when returning from the vicinity of the Moon for follow-on exploration missions and NASA’s 

ARM. Orion continues design, development, and testing for EM-1 and EM-2. 

EXP-3 
 

EXPLORATION

EXP-4 

SLS performed the RS-25 engine test for the SLS Core Stage, Booster Qualification Motor-1 test, and 

integrated avionics into the software integration test facility as well as continued construction of structural 

test articles. SLS completed its Critical Design Review (CDR) progressing toward final design, 

fabrication, and qualification. 

EGS successfully completed the landing and recovery operations of the Orion crew module after the EFT1 splashdown. The program continued modifications to Shuttle and Apollo-era Systems necessary for 

future NASA space exploration beginning with EM-1 and EM-2. EGS began installing ground support 

equipment and completing structural and facility modifications on the mobile launcher. In preparation for 

processing SLS, the adjustable high-bay platform construction continued as well as completing 

modifications for infrastructure and propellant gas systems. EGS continued installing and upgrading 

software to end-to-end spaceport command and control system applications and displays required in 

ground processing facilities. 

AES developed foundational technologies and high-priority capabilities that are building blocks for future 

human space missions. AES studied options to augment Orion’s habitation and EVA deep space 

capabilities, developed three payloads to understand the large-scale spread of fire in microgravity, 

continued developing secondary CubeSat payloads to fly on SLS, and completed the Concept Review for 

the Asteroid Redirect Robotic Mission (ARRM) under the ARM effort. 

FY 2015 marked the launch of astronaut Scott Kelly and cosmonaut Mikhail Kornienko to the ISS, where 

they are living for an entire year in a joint U.S./Russian mission—the longest mission ever assigned to a 

U.S. astronaut. The 12-month mission provides a greater understanding of what counter measures and 

conditioning is required for further exploration missions beyond six months. In conjunction, with the oneyear mission, HRP is exploiting a rare opportunity to study identical twins Scott and Mark Kelly. 

Examining one astronaut on the ground while the other is in space provides insight into the way genes 

and proteins in the cells are affected during spaceflight. 

WORK IN PROGRESS IN FY 2016 

In October 2015, Orion completed its CDR board, ensuring its readiness to progress to the next phase of 

the development life cycle: full-scale fabrication, assembly, integration, and test. In FY 2016, Orion will 

continue to focus on preparing for EM-1, an uncrewed test flight to distant retrograde lunar orbit, and the 

first pairing with SLS. This mission will provide the program with new and increased fidelity data, which, 

combined with information gained from EFT-1, will validate spacecraft design and operations for crewed 

EM-2 in the 2020s. 

SLS will complete testing on the Launch Vehicle Stage Adapter structural test article, Interim Cryogenic 

Propulsion Stage (ICPS) structural test article, and Orion Stage Adapter structural test article. SLS will 

also conduct SLS Booster Qualification Motor-2 test at Orbital ATK. SLS will complete testing of the 

EM-1 flight RS-25 engines. 

EGS will continue progress on ground support systems, completing CDR, software upgrades, Vehicle 

Assembly Building (VAB) adjustable high-bay platform construction, mobile launcher, pad, and crawler 

transporter modifications. These ground systems are necessary for future NASA exploration missions, 

beginning with EM-1 and EM-2. 
 

EXPLORATION

EXP-5 

AES activities will continue to support the Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM), scheduled to 

arrive at the ISS in 2016 to demonstrate inflatable structures technology for deep space habitats. AES will 

launch the first of three Spacecraft Fire Safety Experiments (Saffire-1) to ISS investigating the spread of 

large-scale fires in space. AES is also developing and testing highly reliable life support systems, such as 

atmosphere recovery systems, increased water recovery, and smaller monitoring systems, which are 

designed for deployment on ISS, Orion, and initial habitation capabilities in cis-lunar space. 

AES will collaborate with ISS and Exploration Systems Development (ESD_ and through public-private 

partnerships under the NextSTEP Broad Area Announcements on promising areas to enable nextgeneration habitat capabilities for long-term missions. 

ARM is progressing towards a System Definition Review (SDR) for the robotic mission, and is 

leveraging development of synergistic capabilities for In-Space Robotic Servicing (ISRS), such as 

automated rendezvous and docking sensors and autonomous robotic manipulators. NASA continues 

planning for a mid-2020s crewed mission concept development, including discussions of potential U.S. 

industry and international partnerships. 

HRP will conclude data collection from the one-year joint US/Russian ISS mission. This collection of 

data will provide NASA a first look into the effects of longer mission durations on ocular health, immune 

and cardiovascular systems, cognitive performance testing, and countermeasure effectiveness against 

bone and muscle loss. 

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS PLANNED FOR FY 2017 

Orion, SLS, and EGS will continue to prepare for the EM-1 mission, the first pairing of Orion and SLS. 

This multi-day flight will provide the program with data, which, combined with data gained from EFT-1, 

will validate spacecraft design and operations. Orion will finalize EM-1 design and development 

engineering; complete the structural build; begin assembly, integration, and testing of the EM-1 crew 

module; and complete the parachute development test campaign. EGS will finalize efforts in the VAB, 

the launch pad, and other ground support systems to ensure readiness for EM-1 support. SLS will prepare 

for final major element tests and hardware production for EM-1, and ship hardware for integration and 

testing. 

As NASA works to extend human space exploration beyond low Earth orbit, AES will continue to 

develop in-space manufacturing technology, reliable life support, deep space habitats, crew mobility 

systems, advanced in-space propulsion, and advanced space suit technologies to support future human 

spaceflight missions. ARM will continue robotic development to confirmation, or Key Decision Point 

(KDP)-C, and planning of a crewed mission, including for hardware deliveries (common sensors, 

docking, and EVA accommodations) to the robotic mission. 

HRP will re-compete its external institute cooperative agreement for the first time in 20 years. The new 

initiative, a public-partnership Translational Research Institute, will lead a national effort in translating 

cutting-edge emerging terrestrial biomedical research and technology development into applied 

spaceflight human risk mitigation strategies for exploration missions. HRP will continue research in 

support of long-duration health of the crew and risk mitigations, and by FY 2017 one of those risks, renal 

stone formation, will be retired because a validated treatment will be in place. 
 

EXPLORATION

EXP-6 

Themes 

EXPLORATION SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT

Programs within the ESD theme are developing the core capabilities required to implement NASA’s 

multi-destination strategy. The SLS program is developing the heavy-lift vehicle that will launch the crew 

vehicle, other modules, and cargo for deep space missions. The Orion program is developing the vehicle 

that will carry the crew to orbit, provide emergency abort capability, sustain the crew while in space, and 

provide safe reentry from deep space return speeds. The EGS program is working to develop the 

necessary launch site infrastructure to prepare, assemble, test, launch, and recover the SLS and Orion 

flight systems. NASA Headquarters is integrating programs to streamline decision-making processes, and 

enable an affordable long-term human exploration program. 

EXPLORATION RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Exploration Research and Development (ERD) consists of two programs, AES and HRP, which map 

directly to the National Space Policy and the NASA Authorization Act of 2010. AES develops 

exploration technologies applicable to multiple missions and destinations to reduce risk, lower lifecycle 

cost, and validate operational concepts for future human missions to deep space. HRP researches the 

effects of spaceflight on humans and develops countermeasures to lessen the effects of the hostile space 

environment on human health and performance. HRP utilizes ground research facilities, the ISS, and 

analog environments to achieve this goal.
Exploration: Exploration Systems Development 

ORION PROGRAM

EXP-7 

FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Crew Vehicle Development 1179.7 1251.5 1109.3 1109.4 1113.4 1124.6 1142.7 

Orion Program Integration and Support 10.5 -- 10.5 10.5 10.5 10.5 10.7 

Total Budget 1190.2 1270.0 1119.8 1119.9 1123.9 1135.1 1153.3 

Change from FY 2016 -150.2 

Percentage change from FY 2016 -11.8% 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. 

For projects in development, NASA's tentatively planned FY 2016 funding level is shown. FY 2016 funding levels 

are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

FY 2017 reflects discretionary and mandatory funding. Additional details on the mandatory funding can be found in 

the Explanation of Changes section.

Inside the Launch Abort System Facility at NASA’s 

Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida, workers are 

preparing the Orion spacecraft that flew on EFT-1 in 2014 

for transport to a laboratory to perform additional testing. 

The flown EFT-1 spacecraft is helping NASA finalize the 

Orion designs. Orion will next launch atop NASA’s SLS 

rocket on EM-1) 

The Orion program is continuing to take major 

steps toward transporting humans safely to deep 

space and back. The first of two uncrewed flight 

tests planned for the Orion spacecraft, EFT-1, 

flew in December 2014, paving the way for 

astronauts to venture beyond low Earth orbit for 

the first time since the Apollo program in the 

1960s and early 1970s. The second uncrewed 

flight test, EM-1, is targeted for 2018. 

This capsule-shaped vehicle has a familiar look, 

but its crew and service modules, spacecraft 

adapter, and launch abort system incorporate 

numerous technology advancements and 

innovations. Orion’s launch abort system can 

activate within milliseconds to carry the crew 

from harm’s way and position the module for a 

safe landing. The spacecraft’s propulsion, 

thermal protection, avionics, and life support 

systems will enable extended duration missions 

beyond low Earth orbit and into deep space. Its 

modular design will be capable of integrating 

additional new technical innovations as they 

become available. 

Orion design, development, and testing 

(including the flight tests) will have the 

spacecraft ready to carry crew no later than FY 

2023. Future flights of SLS and the Orion crew 
Exploration: Exploration Systems Development 

ORION PROGRAM

EXP-8 

vehicle into cis-lunar space will extend our capability for human deep space exploration operations, 

reducing the overall risk as mission durations extend. In addition, Orion will conduct the crewed 

rendezvous portion of the proposed ARM, which will find, capture, redirect, and sample a near-Earth 

asteroid. This series of activities will use the proving ground of cis-lunar space to develop the systems and 

procedures necessary for Mars-class missions. 

For further programmatic information, go to: http://www.nasa.gov/orion. 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017

 Actual Enacted Request Notional 

(in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Mandatory Budget Authority -- -- 66.4 -- -- -- --

Orion is funded in part with mandatory funding. 

To reduce overall program schedule risk, Orion changed AA-2 implementation from a contractor-led to a 

Government-led effort and moved the test date from 2019 to 2020. The AA-2 flight will still meet all 

primary test objectives. 

Program Elements 

ORION PROGRAM INTEGRATION AND SUPPORT

Orion program integration and support activities manage the SLS and EGS program interfaces. This effort 

is critical to ensuring Orion’s performance meets technical and safety specifications, and supports 

programmatic assessments key to achieving integrated technical, cost, and schedule management. In 

addition, the Orion integration effort is vital to managing interfaces with other HEOMD activities, 

including strategic studies, feasibility studies, and small-scale research tasks that feed into future human 

exploration. Coordination and timely integration across the three programs enables the Agency to avoid 

potential design overlaps, schedule disconnects, and cost issues. 

CREW VEHICLE DEVELOPMENT

See the Crew Vehicle Development section. 
Exploration: Exploration Systems Development: Orion Program 

CREW VEHICLE DEVELOPMENT 

Formulation Development Operations 

EXP-9 

FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional

Budget Authority (in $ millions) Prior FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 BTC Total 

Formulation 3785.8 885.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 4671.5 

Development/Implementation 3.0 294.0 1247.7 1109.3 1109.4 1113.4 827.5 542.2 365.5 6612.0 

Operations/Close-out 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 

2016 MPAR LCC Estimate 3788.8 1179.7 1247.7 1109.3 1109.4 1113.4 827.5 542.2 365.5 11283.5 

Total Budget 3785.8 1179.7 1251.5 1109.3 1109.4 1113.4 1124.6 1142.7 0.0 11816.4 

Change from FY 2016 -142.2 

Percentage change from FY 2016 -11.4% 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. 

For projects in development, NASA's tentatively planned FY 2016 funding level is shown. FY 2016 funding levels 

are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

FY 2017 reflects discretionary and mandatory funding. Additional details on the mandatory funding can be found in 

the Explanation of Changes section.

2016 MPAR LCC estimate includes funding from all appropriations, Exploration and Construction and 

Environmental Compliance and Restoration. Budget line reflects funding from the Exploration appropriation only.
Exploration: Exploration Systems Development: Orion Program 

CREW VEHICLE DEVELOPMENT 

Formulation Development Operations 

EXP-10 

Engineers at NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility (MAF) in New 

Orleans, LA, perform the first weld on the Orion spacecraft 

pressure vessel for EM-1 on Sept. 5, 2015. This is the third Orion 

pressure vessel built. Engineers continue to refine the design, 

reducing the number of welds from 33, on the first pressure 

vessel, to seven on the current one, saving 700 pounds of mass. 

PROJECT PURPOSE

As NASA reaches beyond low-Earth orbit 

to destinations across the solar system, the 

Orion crew vehicle took its first steps 

toward deep space with the launch of 

EFT-1. Orion will be capable of 

transporting humans to multiple 

destinations beyond our Moon and into 

deep space, sustaining them longer than 

ever before, and returning them safely to 

Earth. Drawing from more than 50 years 

of human spaceflight R&D and 

stimulating new and innovative 

manufacturing and production 

capabilities, Orion’s design will meet the 

evolving needs of our Nation’s space 

program, and push the envelope of human 

exploration for decades to come. 

For further programmatic information, go 

to http://www.nasa.gov/orion. 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017

EFT-1 launched in 2014, and was a major milestone for the Orion program because it provided the 

opportunity to test the most vulnerable and untried systems and significantly improved the understanding 

of performance and risk in those areas. The results of EFT-1 have led to the reconsideration or 

modification of the manufacture, assembly, and test processes for the Orion vehicle and will ultimately 

lead to a more robust, reliable, and reproducible human spaceflight capability. 

The program is addressing and implementing many of the lessons learned from EFT-1, but work is 

continuing to either fully resolve or implement improved designs for the EM-1. The program will 

implement design improvement beginning in FY 2016 and continuing into FY 2017. One prominent 

example is the heat shield design based on the Apollo Crew Module. Like Apollo, Orion experienced 

issues with both the manufacture and performance of the monolithic Avcoat heat shield on EFT-1. The 

shield cracked during the curing and integration process that led to handling and repair delays causing an 

unacceptable margin on structural performance. To mitigate these issues for future flights including EM-1 

and EM-2, the re-engineering of the Orion heat shield into block sections will allow production that is 

more manageable for curing and assembly. These necessary improvements have positive impacts on the 

design, integration, and cost of the overall mission. 

The program also changed the strategy for AA-2 implementation from a contractor-led to Governmentled effort. Effective use of civil service skills and talents was the primary driver for this change. The 
Exploration: Exploration Systems Development: Orion Program 

CREW VEHICLE DEVELOPMENT 

Formulation Development Operations 

EXP-11 

program has initiated a rigorous process to ensure capture of test objectives and schedule considerations 

to maximize the benefit of this strategic decision as forward progress continues. 

The program also advanced through several major milestones, passing the KDP-C process, establishing 

an Agency Baseline Commitment, and completing their program-level CDR. These milestones matured 

the technical baseline, cost, and schedule, leading to better understanding of activities, timelines, 

requirements, and their phasing baselines in FY 2016 and 2017. 

PROJECT PARAMETERS

Orion will be able to carry a crew of four astronauts beyond Earth orbit and provide habitation and life 

support for up to 21 days. The spacecraft’s three components are the crew module, service module, and 

launch abort system (LAS), with a separate adapter to connect the spacecraft and launch vehicles. While 

the module has a familiar visual shape, its interior and exterior capabilities far exceed any geometrically 

similar predecessors. The state of the art crew systems will provide a safe environment within which to 

live and work for long durations far from Earth. Orion’s advanced heat shield will protect the crew from 

reentry heating during a high-speed return from beyond Earth orbit – heating that will exceed that 

experienced by human spacecraft in over four decades. The service module is comprised of a crew 

module adapter and the ESA-designed and developed service module section, and together they provide 

in-space power, propulsion, and other life support systems. On a tower atop the crew module sits the 

LAS, which, in the event of an emergency during launch or climb to orbit, will activate within 

milliseconds to propel the crew module away from the launch vehicle to safety. The abort system also 

provides a protective shell that shields the crew module from dangerous atmospheric loads and heating 

during ascent. Once Orion is out of the atmosphere and safely on its way to orbit, the spacecraft will 

jettison the LAS.

ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2015

Since the successful EFT-1 mission, the Orion program has continued to analyze the data collected during 

the flight, which met all test objectives, demonstrated design and performance, and quantified risks in 

systems such as the heat shield, parachute system, crew module up-righting system, and many others. 

During EFT-1, Orion orbited Earth twice, reaching an altitude of approximately 3,600 miles, roughly 15 

times farther into space than the orbit of the ISS. Having sent Orion to such a high altitude allowed the 

spacecraft to return to Earth at speeds near 20,000 miles per hour. The spacecraft’s return at this speed 

exposed the heat shield to temperatures close to 80 percent of what it will endure when returning from the 

vicinity of the Moon during exploration missions including NASA’s proposed ARM.

With completion of the first flight test and the resulting data, Orion continued design, development, and 

testing, focused on EM-1 and EM-2. Work on the EM-1 crew module pressure vessel continued with the 

completion of machining and delivery of all EM-1 components to the MAF, completion of nearly all 

pathfinder welds, and the first EM-1 weld. The Integrated Test Lab implementation continued with 

completion of the mockup assembly and cold plate installations, and with the start of first string Power 

Distribution Units testing in late summer. Orion’s work on European Service Module (ESM) Structural 

Test Article (E-STA) continued with the start of assembly and testing at Thales Alenia Space Italia. 
Exploration: Exploration Systems Development: Orion Program 

CREW VEHICLE DEVELOPMENT 

Formulation Development Operations 

EXP-12 

WORK IN PROGRESS IN FY 2016 

In FY 2016, the program will continue to focus on preparing for Orion’s EM-1 mission, an uncrewed test 

flight to distant retrograde lunar orbit, and the first pairing with SLS. This multi-day mission will provide 

the program with new and increased fidelity data, which, combined with information gained from EFT-1, 

will validate spacecraft design and operations. Early in FY 2016, Orion completed its CDR, ensuring 

Orion’s readiness to progress to the next phase of the development life cycle: full-scale fabrication, 

assembly, integration, and test. 

Work will continue on various components for the EM-1 flight test. The program will complete EM-1 

crew module pressure vessel welding operations and ship it to KSC, where a series of proof and leaks test 

on the EM-1 crew module will take place in the second half of the year. Assembly and testing of the 

spacecraft will progress throughout FY 2016 at KSC. Orion will conduct its CDR on the heat shield 

design for EM-1. This CDR includes data resulting from the ongoing thermal testing and ground test 

article water impact testing at Langley Research Center (LaRC), using the flight EFT-1 heat shield for 

enhanced fidelity. This will allow EM-1 heat shield fabrication to begin later in the fiscal year. The final 

parachute test flight will be carried out in January 2016 and signal the move forward to flight 

qualification testing and acceptance. 

Activities surrounding the ESM began to accelerate immediately with delivery of the E-STA to NASA 

Plum Brook Station test facility in mid-November. E-STA testing at Plum Brook is complete early in FY 

2017. ESA will quickly kick-off its CDR in the second quarter of FY 2016, leading to the final board in 

the early third quarter. In the interim, the EM-1 orbital maneuvering system engine is complete for 

shipment to ESA for continued integration work. 

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS PLANNED FOR FY 2017 

FY 2017 will culminate in mating of the EM-1 and ESM, Crew Module Adapter (CMA), Crew Module 

(CM), and LAS at KSC. Each module will go through its individual assembly, integration, and test 

followed by sequential mating and testing. 

In the first quarter of FY 2017, the ESM is completing final integration and test in Bremen, Germany 

before shipping to KSC. At KSC, the ESM is mating with the CMA assembly. The structural assembly of 

the CMA is complete in FY 2016, but test and integration continues through the first half of FY 2017 

before mating to the ESM. The mated ESM and CMA form the integrated Service Module. The next step 

is to attach the service module to the solar array panels for static and dynamic testing. Following removal 

of the panels after testing, mating of the integrated ESM with the CM occurs. After mating, the spacecraft 

is prepared for checkout, packaging, and shipping to Plum Brook Station for final thermal vacuum and 

acoustical vibration testing. 

Before mating to the integrated service module, the CM assembly and integration is completed. This 

includes installation of the thermal protection system, including the heat shield, backshell, and Forward 

Bay Cover; the recovery systems including, the CM Uprighting System and parachute system and 

associated pyrotechnics; the avionics, software, and, harnessing; structural support, as well as fluids 

handling and other required flight systems. Although not integrated into Orion stack in 2017, the inert 
Exploration: Exploration Systems Development: Orion Program 

CREW VEHICLE DEVELOPMENT 

Formulation Development Operations 

EXP-13 

LAS is preparing for stacking operations. Forward work for EM-2 will begin in parallel to these EM-1 

integration efforts in FY 2017 as well. 

SCHEDULE COMMITMENTS/KEY MILESTONES

Milestone Confirmation Baseline Date FY 2017 PB Request 

System Definition Review (SDR Aug 2007 

Preliminary Design Review (PDR) Aug 2009 

KDP-A, Formulation Authorization Feb 2012 Feb 2012 

Resynchronization Review Jul 2012 

KDP-B Q1 FY 2013 Jan 2013 

Delta PDR Q4 FY 2013 Aug 2014 

EFT-1 Launch Dec 2014 Dec 2014 

KDP-C, Project Confirmation FY 2015 Sept 2015 

CDR Oct 2015 Oct 2015 

EM-1 Launch Readiness FY 2018 FY 2018 

AA-2 Flight Test FY 2020 FY 2020 

EM-2 Launch Readiness FY 2023 FY 2023 

Development Cost and Schedule 

Base 

Year 

Base 

Year 

Development 

Cost 

Estimate 

($M) 

JCL 

(%) 

Current 

Year 

Current 

Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate 

($M) 

Cost 

Change 

(%) 

Key 

Milestone 

Base 

Year 

Milestone 

Data 

Current 

Year 

Milestone 

Data 

Milestone 

Change 

(mths) 

2015 6,768.4 70 2016 6,612 -2.3 EM-2 Apr-23 Apr-23 0 

Note: The confidence level estimates reported reflect an evolving process as NASA improves its probabilistic 

estimation techniques and processes. Estimate reflects the practices and policies at the time it was developed. 

Estimates that include combined cost and schedule risks are denoted as JCL (joint confidence level); all other CLs 

(confidence levels) reflect cost confidence without necessarily factoring the potential impacts of schedule changes 

on cost. 
Exploration: Exploration Systems Development: Orion Program 

CREW VEHICLE DEVELOPMENT 

Formulation Development Operations 

EXP-14 

Development Cost Details 

Element 

Base Year Development 

Cost Estimate ($M) 

Current Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate ($M) 

Change from Base Year 

Estimate ($M) 

TOTAL: 6,768.4 6,612 -156.4 

Mission Operation 281.6 273.3 -8.3 

Program Management 671.5 634.4 -37.1 

Safety and Mission 

Assurance 191.4 182.4 -9.0 

Spacecraft 3205.1 3182.1 -23.0 

Systems Engineering and 

Integration 539.3 501.7 -37.6 

Test and Verification 460.6 426.9 -33.7 

Other 1418.9 1411.3 -7.6 

Project Management & Commitments 

Element Description Provider Details Change from 

Baseline 

CM 

The transportation capsule 

provides a safe habitat for the 

crew as well as storage for 

consumables and research 

instruments, and serves as the 

docking port for crew 

transfers. 

Provider: Johnson Space Center (JSC) 

Lead Center: JSC 

Performing Center(s): Ames Research 

Center (ARC), GRC, JSC, and LaRC 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

None 

Service Module 

The service module supports 

the crew module from launch 

through separation before 

reentry. 

Provider: JSC 

Lead Center: JSC 

Performing Center(s): ARC, JSC, LaRC, 

and GRC 

Cost Share Partner(s): ESA 

None 

LAS 

The LAS maneuvers the crew 

module to safety in the event 

of an emergency during 

launch or climb to orbit. 

Provider: JSC 

Lead Center: LaRC 

Performing Center(s): JSC, LaRC, and 

MSFC 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

None 
Exploration: Exploration Systems Development: Orion Program 

CREW VEHICLE DEVELOPMENT 

Formulation Development Operations 

EXP-15 

Project Risks 

Risk Statement Mitigation 

If: The existing barter agreement between 

NASA and ESA does not offset the cost of 

Orion’s service module work package 2, for 

EM-2,

Then: Funding offsets would be required or 

the schedule would slip. 

Orion will continue to try to identify possible barter elements 

from the entire NASA portfolio to offset the cost of work 

package 2. 

If: The Orion test and verification plan 

increases the reliance on spacecraft 

component and subsystem testing, 

Then: There is a potential of increased risk of 

technical issues in higher-level systems. 

Orion will continue to develop guidelines to implement the 

component qualification approach, validate the proposed test 

campaign to meet flight test objectives to identify gaps and risks, 

and assess and reduce risk to flight hardware. 

If: Integrated software and avionics testing 

requires more work than planned, 

Then: The Integrated Test Lab (where which 

this testing is performed) may not have 

sufficient capacity at peak testing times. 

Orion manages the timing of the tests to reduce the peak 

workloads and to seek other testing capacity using other existing 

avionics labs. 

Acquisition Strategy 

NASA is using a competitively awarded contract to Lockheed Martin Corporation for Orion’s design 

development, test, and evaluation. The contract awarded in 2006 and reaffirmed in 2011 as part of 

reformulating the Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle as the Orion program. Orion then adjusted this 

contract in order to meet NASA and HEOMD requirements, such as the current flight test plan and the 

EM-2 flight readiness date. 

NASA signed an Implementing Arrangement with ESA to provide a service module for the Orion 

spacecraft EM-1. Incorporating the partnership with ESA also required a contract modification with 

Lockheed Martin to integrate the ESA-provided service module with the Lockheed Martin portion of the 

spacecraft. 

MAJOR CONTRACTS/AWARDS

Element Vendor Location (of work performance) 

Orion Design and Development Lockheed Martin Littleton, CO 
Exploration: Exploration Systems Development: Orion Program 

CREW VEHICLE DEVELOPMENT 

Formulation Development Operations 

EXP-16 

INDEPENDENT REVIEWS

Review 

Type Performer Date of Review Purpose Outcome Next Review 

System 

Requireme

nts Review 

(SRR) 

Standing Review 

Board (SRB) Mar 2007 

Evaluates the 

program’s functional 

and performance 

requirements 

ensuring proper 

formulation and 

correlation with 

Agency, and 

HEOMD’s strategic 

objectives; assesses 

the credibility of the 

program’s estimated 

budget and schedule 

Program cleared to 

proceed to next phase N/A 

SDR SRB Aug 2007 

Evaluates proposed 

program 

requirements and 

architecture; 

allocation of 

requirements to 

initial projects; 

assesses the 

adequacy of project 

pre-formulation 

efforts; determines if 

maturity of the 

program’s definition 

and plans are 

sufficient to begin 

implementation. 

Program cleared to 

proceed to next 

phase. 

N/A 
Exploration: Exploration Systems Development: Orion Program 

CREW VEHICLE DEVELOPMENT 

Formulation Development Operations 

Review 

Type Performer Date of Review Purpose Outcome Next Review 

PDR SRB Sep 2009 

Evaluates 

completeness and 

consistency of the 

program’s 

preliminary design, 

including its projects, 

is meeting all 

requirements with 

appropriate margins, 

acceptable risk, and 

within cost and 

schedule constraints; 

and determines the 

program’s readiness 

to proceed with the 

detailed design 

phase. 

Program cleared to 

proceed to next 

phase. 

N/A 

Resynchron

ization 

Review 

SRB Jul 2012 

The review realign 

the program’s 

preliminary design to 

the requirements of 

Exploration system 

development. NASA 

policies allow 

changes to a 

program’s 

management 

agreement in 

response to internal 

and external events. 

An amendment to the 

decision 

memorandum signed 

at the KDP-B review 

held before PDR if a 

significant 

divergence occurs. 

Program cleared to 

proceed to next 

phase. 

N/A 

EXP-17 
Exploration: Exploration Systems Development: Orion Program 

CREW VEHICLE DEVELOPMENT 

Formulation Development Operations 

EXP-18 

Review 

Type Performer Date of Review Purpose Outcome Next Review 

Delta PDR SRB Aug 2014 

Updates the 

program’s 

preliminary design; 

ensures completeness 

and consistency; 

determines the 

program’s readiness 

to proceed with the 

detailed design 

phase. 

Program cleared to 

proceed to next 

phase. 

N/A 

CDR SRB Oct 2015 

This review 

evaluates the 

integrity of the 

program’s integrated 

design. This includes 

its projects and 

ground systems, its 

ability to meet 

mission requirements 

with appropriate 

margins and 

acceptable risk, 

planned within cost 

and schedule 

constraints; 

determines if the 

integrated design is 

appropriately mature 

to continue with the 

final design and 

fabrication phase for 

EM-1.

Program cleared to 

proceed to next 

phase. 

N/A 
Exploration: Exploration Systems Development 

SPACE LAUNCH SYSTEM

EXP-19 

FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Launch Vehicle Development 1646.6 1950 1262.8 1295 1419.7 1431.5 1454.6 

SLS Program Integration and Support 32 50 47.5 66.5 65 68.1 69.6 

Total in FY17 Budget Structure 1678.6 2000.0 1310.3 1361.5 1484.7 1499.6 1524.2 

Programmatic CoF in CECR Account 67.9 10.0 8.8 9.0 9.2 9.4 9.6 

Exploration Ground Systems 342.8 410 429.4 441.2 453 457.5 464.7 

Total in FY12 Budget Structure 2089.3 2420 1748.5 1811.7 1946.9 1966.5 1998.5 

Change from FY 2015 -671.5 

Percentage change from FY 2015 -27.7% 

FY 2017 includes a column for PBR 2017 which includes both Discretionary and the Mandatory Funding Initiative 

for R&D. 

NASA’s countdown to deep space continued with a series 

of tests during 2015 of its SLS RS-25 rocket engine to 

collect engine performance data at NASA’s Stennis Space 

Center (SSC) near Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. Operators 

on the A-1 Test Stand at SSC are conducting the test series 

to qualify an all-new engine controller and put the 

upgraded former space shuttle main engines through the 

rigorous temperature and pressure conditions they will 

experience during a SLS mission) 

As NASA seeks to expand the boundaries of 

human space exploration, SLS is preparing to 

carry humans and equipment farther into deep 

space than ever before. 

SLS is a critical capability for exploring the 

solar system and continuing U.S. leadership in 

science, technology, and exploration for decades 

to come. The vehicle’s capabilities will evolve 

using a block upgrade approach, driven by nearand long-term exploration mission requirements. 

Initially, SLS has the capability to carry over 70 

metric tons to low Earth orbit and nearly 30 

metric tons to the exploration proving ground 

near the Moon. Follow-on upgrades, including 

an advanced EUS will improve vehicle lift 

performance to 105 metric tons to low-Earth 

orbit and 40 metric tons to the exploration 

proving ground, significantly increasing mission 

capability. Ultimately, SLS will evolve to carry 

over 130 metric tons to low Earth orbit. NASA 

has begun preliminary planning for the 

Exploration Upper Stage (EUS), which 

leverages technology investments made by the 

Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) 

in areas such as cryogenic fluid management and advanced composites. This close coordination 

demonstrated between STMD and HEOMD will serve as the foundation for future exploration 

technologies and capabilities needed to explore Mars in the 2030s. 
Exploration: Exploration Systems Development 

SPACE LAUNCH SYSTEM

EXP-20 

NASA is leveraging a half-century of experience with launch vehicles like Saturn and Space Shuttle, 

along with advancements in technology and manufacturing practices, to build and plan for operating SLS 

at less cost and risk than Saturn and the Space Shuttle. For instance, advances are allowing NASA to 

produce the first SLS boosters at about two-thirds the cost of the less-powerful Space Shuttle motors, and 

the core stage needs only half the weld manufacturing labor of the Space Shuttle external tank. The 

Agency will continue to identify and implement affordability strategies to ensure that SLS remains a core, 

sustainable exploration capability for decades to come. 

Over the next 20 years, crewed missions using SLS and the Orion crew vehicle will be able to take 

advantage of the solar system’s asteroids and the proving ground of space near the Moon to prepare for 

the enormous challenges of exploring Mars. These near-term SLS and Orion missions will support the 

Agency’s mission to find, capture, redirect, and study a near Earth asteroid. 

For further programmatic information, go to: http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/sls/index.html. 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017

 Actual Enacted Request Notional 

(in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Mandatory Budget Authority -- -- 80.4 -- -- -- --

SLS is supported in part with mandatory funding 

Program Elements 

SLS PROGRAM INTEGRATION AND SUPPORT

SLS program integration and support activities manage the Orion and EGS program interfaces. This effort 

is critical to ensuring that SLS systems performance meets technical and safety specifications, and 

supports the programmatic assessments that are key to achieving integrated technical, cost, and schedule 

management. In addition, the SLS integration effort is vital to managing interfaces with other HEOMD 

activities, including strategic studies, feasibility studies, and small-scale research tasks that feed into 

future human exploration. To align upcoming HEOMD exploration and technology activities, some 

associated cross-cutting studies and initiatives that had been conducted in other programs have now been 

realigned to AES, enabling effective coordination between research and technology capabilities required 

to support robotic, extravehicular activities, ARM, and future exploration missions. Coordination and 

timely integration across the three programs enables the Agency to avoid potential design overlaps, 

schedule disconnects, and cost issues. 

LAUNCH VEHICLE DEVELOPMENT

See Launch Vehicle Development section. 
Exploration: Exploration Systems Development: Space Launch System 

LAUNCH VEHICLE DEVELOPMENT 

Formulation Development Operations 

EXP-21 

FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional

Budget Authority (in $ millions) Prior FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 BTC Total 

Formulation 2674.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 2674.0 

Development/Implementation 1579.2 1540.1 1721.7 1154.6 1025.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 7021.4 

Operations/Close-out 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 

2016 MPAR LCC Estimate 4253.2 1540.1 1721.7 1154.6 1025.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 9695.4 

Total Budget 3969.3 1646.6 1950.0 1262.8 1295.0 1419.7 1431.5 1454.6 0.0 14429.4 

Change from FY 2016 -687.2 

Percentage change from FY 2016 -35.2% 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. 

For projects in development, NASA's tentatively planned FY 2016 funding level is shown. FY 2016 funding levels 

are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

FY 2017 reflects discretionary and mandatory funding. Additional details on the mandatory funding can be found in 

the Explanation of Changes section.

2016 MPAR LCC estimate includes funding from all appropriations, Exploration and Construction and 

Environmental Compliance and Restoration. Budget line reflects funding from the Exploration appropriation only.
Exploration: Exploration Systems Development: Space Launch System 

LAUNCH VEHICLE DEVELOPMENT 

Formulation Development Operations 

EXP-22 

At the Promontory, Utah test facility of Orbital ATK, 

the booster for NASA’s SLS rocket fired for a twominute test on March 11, 2015. NASA and Orbital 

ATK have successfully completed three full-scale 

development test firings of the five-segment solid 

rocket motor, as well as the important booster CDR) 

PROJECT PURPOSE

As NASA expands its focus for human space flight 

to destinations across the solar system, the Launch 

Vehicle Development project will enable deep 

space exploration with the SLS launch vehicle. This 

heavy-lift rocket will have a lift capability more 

than two and one-half times any launch vehicle 

currently in operation. For the first time since the 

Apollo program, American astronauts will be able 

to explore space beyond low Earth orbit. 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN 

FY 2017

None. 

PROJECT PARAMETERS

Launch Vehicle Development will work to achieve 

cost, schedule, and performance goals by utilizing 

hardware designed for previous programs, including Space Shuttle main engines, five-segment solid 

rocket boosters, and an interim cryogenic propulsion stage derivative from the Delta IV cryogenic second 

stage. The program benefits from NASA’s half-century of experience with liquid oxygen and liquid 

hydrogen heavy-lift vehicles, large solid rocket motors, and advances in technology and manufacturing 

practices. 

SLS vehicle design will be flexible and evolvable, based on mission requirements. In an effort to achieve 

schedule and cost efficiencies, each evolution shares the same core stage to accommodate both crew and 

cargo requirements as needed. SLS will provide unique capabilities for human and robotic explorations 

beyond low Earth orbit, including travel to asteroids, Mars, and other destinations in the solar system. 

Initially, SLS will achieve a 70-metric ton lift capability to low Earth orbit, and nearly 30 metric tons to 

an exploration proving ground near the Moon. Upgrades, including an advanced EUS, will improve 

vehicle lift performance to 105 metric tons to low Earth orbit and 40 metric tons to cis-lunar space, where 

NASA will demonstrate deep space technologies and hardware needed for future missions, independent 

of Earth. Ultimately, SLS will be evolved to carry over 130 metric tons to low Earth orbit. 

NASA is conducting preliminary planning for the EUS, which leverages technology investments made by 

the STMD in areas such as cryogenic fluid management and advanced composites. This close 

coordination demonstrated between STMD and HEOMD will serve as the foundation for future 

exploration technologies and capabilities needed to explore Mars in the 2030s. 
Exploration: Exploration Systems Development: Space Launch System 

LAUNCH VEHICLE DEVELOPMENT 

Formulation Development Operations 

EXP-23 

ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2015

SLS is on track to provide all EM-1 flight hardware to KSC and support EM-1 launch readiness of 

November 2018. In FY 2015, SLS completed assembly of the first flight configuration RS-25 engine and 

successfully conducted a series of RS-25 engine tests on the A-1 Test Stand at SSC. The primary 

objective of this test series was to demonstrate the RS-25 could perform under new SLS Core Stage flight 

profile conditions. The SLS Booster Qualification Motor-1 test at Orbital ATK fired successfully in 

March 2015. This is the first of two qualification motor tests qualifying the design for use on SLS. In the 

summer of 2015, SLS successfully completed its CDR. The purpose of the CDR is to evaluate the 
Exploration: Exploration Systems Development: Space Launch System 

LAUNCH VEHICLE DEVELOPMENT 

Formulation Development Operations 

EXP-24 

integrity of project design and its ability to meet mission requirements with appropriate margins and 

acceptable risk. The review determines if the design is appropriately mature to continue with the final 

design and fabrication phase. SLS completed integration of avionics into the software integration test 

facility (SITF) allowing development testing of avionics to commence in a flight-like system. 

Construction of structural test article facilities at Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) continued. 

Significant progress has been made fabricating major parts of the core stage liquid hydrogen tank, liquid 

oxygen tank, intertank, forward skirt, and engine structure. SLS has made significant progress with the 

manufacturing and assembly of the launch vehicle stage adapter structural test article, ICPS structural test 

article, core stage qualification and flight components, and the booster thrust vector control assembly. 

Now that SLS is beyond a CDR-level of design maturity, the Program is progressing towards fabrication, 

qualification, and assembly along with transitioning to a focus on verification to support design 

certification. 

WORK IN PROGRESS IN FY 2016 

SLS will conduct SLS Booster Qualification Motor-2 test at Orbital ATK. SLS will complete fabrication 

on the Launch Vehicle Stage Adapter structural test article, ICPS structural test article, and Orion Stage 

Adapter structural test article. SLS will complete testing of EM-1 flight RS-25 engines. 

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS PLANNED FOR FY 2017 

SLS will complete production of the EM-1 ICPS and will deliver the unit to KSC along with the Booster 

Solid Rocket Motor Aft Segment, Booster Aft Exit Cone and Skirts, Booster Solid Rocket Motor Forward 

Segments, and Booster Solid Rocket Motor Center Segments to begin final assembly. The RS-25 flight 

engines will deliver to MAF for integration into the core stage. Additionally, qualification testing of the 

Core Stage structural test articles will begin. 

SCHEDULE COMMITMENTS/KEY MILESTONES

Milestone Confirmation Baseline Date FY 2017 PB Request 

KDP-A Nov 2011 Nov 2011

Formulation Authorization May 2012 May 2012 

SRR/SDR May 2012 May 2012

KDP-B Agency Project 

Management Council (APMC) Jul 2012 Jul 2012

PDR Board Jun 2013 Jun 2013

KDP-C APMC Jan 2014 Jan 2014

CDR Board Jul 2015 Jul 2015 

KDP-D APMC Oct 2016 Oct 2016 
Exploration: Exploration Systems Development: Space Launch System 

LAUNCH VEHICLE DEVELOPMENT 

Formulation Development Operations 

EXP-25 

Milestone Confirmation Baseline Date FY 2017 PB Request 

Design Certification Review Sep 2017 Jan 2018 

EM-1 Launch Readiness Nov 2018 Nov 2018 

Development Cost and Schedule 

Base 

Year 

Base 

Year 

Development 

Cost 

Estimate 

($M) 

JCL 

(%) 

Current 

Year 

Current 

Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate 

($M) 

Cost 

Change 

(%) 

Key 

Milestone 

Base 

Year 

Mileston

e Data 

Current 

Year 

Milestone 

Data 

Milestone 

Change 

(mths) 

2013 7,021.4 70 2015 7,021.4 --

EM-1 

Launch 

Readiness 

Nov 

2018

Nov 

2018 --

Note: The confidence level estimates reported reflect an evolving process as NASA improves its probabilistic 

estimation techniques and processes. Estimate reflects the practices and policies at the time it was developed. 

Estimates that include combined cost and schedule risks are denoted as JCL (joint confidence level); all other CLs 

(confidence levels) reflect cost confidence without necessarily factoring the potential impacts of schedule changes 

on cost. 

Development Cost Details 

Element 

Base Year Development 

Cost Estimate ($M) 

Current Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate ($M) 

Change from Base Year 

Estimate ($M) 

TOTAL: 7,021.4 7021.4 - 

Stages Element 3,138.7 3,600.00 461.30 

Liquid Engines Office 1,198.3 500.00 -698.30 

Booster Element 1,090.3 1,100.00 9.70 

Other 1,594.2 1,821.4 227.20 
Exploration: Exploration Systems Development: Space Launch System 

LAUNCH VEHICLE DEVELOPMENT 

Formulation Development Operations 

EXP-26 

Project Management & Commitments 

Element Description Provider Details Change from 

Baseline 

Booster 

Responsible for development, 

testing, production, and 

support for the five-segment 

solid rocket motor to be used 

on initial capability flights 

Provider: MSFC 

Lead Center: MSFC 

Performing Center(s): MSFC 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

Engines 

Responsible for development 

and/or testing, production, 

and support for both core 

stage (RS-25) and upper stage 

liquid engines 

Provider: MSFC 

Lead Center: MSFC 

Performing Center(s): MSFC and 

SSC

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

Stages 

Responsible for development, 

testing, production, and 

support of hardware elements, 

including core and upper 

stages, liquid engine and 

avionics integration 

Provider: MSFC 

Lead Center: MSFC 

Performing Center(s): MSFC, SSC, 

and KSC 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

Spacecraft 

Payloads and 

Integration 

Responsible for development, 

testing, production, and 

support of hardware elements 

for integrating the Orion and 

payloads onto SLS, including 

the interim cryogenic 

propulsion stage, Orion stage 

adapter, launch vehicle stage 

adapter, and payload fairings 

Provider: MSFC 

Lead Center: MSFC 

Performing Center(s): MSFC, LaRC, 

GRC, and KSC 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 
Exploration: Exploration Systems Development: Space Launch System 

LAUNCH VEHICLE DEVELOPMENT 

Formulation Development Operations 

EXP-27 

Project Risks 

Risk Statement Mitigation 

If: For the SLS boosters, small voids 

seen between the motor propellant and 

booster liner in early qualification motor 

aft segments are not addressed, 

Then: The delay in two booster qualification 

motor tests could affect the EM-1 launch 

readiness date of November 2018. 

SLS has built several motor test articles and full process 

simulation segments to analyze the potential safety impacts of 

voids for both qualification and flight motors. Tests and analyses 

to date demonstrate that the program understands the complex 

chemical and manufacturing interactions between the new 

booster liner and propellant. Successfully validated the 

qualification motor 1 (QM-1) with a test firing in FY 2015. 

Rigorous X-ray inspections of QM-2 segments continue to 

demonstrate a lack of voids between the propellant and booster 

liner. Booster qualification tests continue to maintain schedule 

margin. 

If: uncertainties which affect the ability to 

safely burn-off the hydrogen gas emitted by 

the Core Stage Engines prior to launch are 

not addressed, 

Then: there is a possibility that an 

overpressure event in excess of the baseline 

environment may occur, which may have 

performance and safety impacts. 

SLS has performed several analyses and field tests of the 

hydrogen burn-off igniter performance under several 

environmental conditions that bound the range of uncertainties 

including winds and water impingement. Analyses and test data 

indicate that a simple reconfiguration of the igniters can mitigate 

the risk. Risk remains open pending final analyses and 

implementation of the mitigation in the baseline design. 

Acquisition Strategy 

MAJOR CONTRACTS/AWARDS

Procurement for SLS launch vehicle development meets the Agency’s requirement to provide an 

affordable and evolvable vehicle within a schedule that supports various mission requirements. 

Procurements include use of existing assets to expedite development, as well as further development of 

technologies and future competitions for advanced systems and key technology areas, specific to SLS 

vehicle needs 

Element Vendor Location (of work performance) 

Boosters Orbital ATK Magna, UT 

Core Stage Engine Aerojet Rocketdyne Desoto Park, CA 

ICPS Boeing Aerospace Huntsville, AL 
Exploration: Exploration Systems Development: Space Launch System 

LAUNCH VEHICLE DEVELOPMENT 

Formulation Development Operations 

EXP-28 

Element Vendor Location (of work performance) 

Stages Boeing Aerospace Huntsville, AL 

INDEPENDENT REVIEWS

NASA established an SRB to perform the independent reviews of the Space Launch Vehicle project as 

required by NPR 7120.5. 

Review 

Type Performer Date of Review Purpose Outcome Next Review 

PDR SRB Aug 2013 

The purpose of 

PDR is to evaluate 

the completeness/ 

consistency of the 

planning, technical, 

cost, and schedule 

baselines 

developed during 

formulation; assess 

compliance of the 

preliminary design 

with applicable 

requirements; and 

to determine if the 

project is 

sufficiently mature 

to begin Phase C. 

The SRB evaluated 

the project and 

determined the 

project is 

sufficiently mature 

to begin Phase C. 

N/A 
Exploration: Exploration Systems Development: Space Launch System 

LAUNCH VEHICLE DEVELOPMENT 

Formulation Development Operations 

EXP-29 

Review 

Type Performer Date of Review Purpose Outcome Next Review 

CDR SRB Jul 2015 

The purpose of 

CDR is to evaluate 

the integrity of the 

project design and 

its ability to meet 

mission 

requirements with 

appropriate 

margins and 

acceptable risk 

within defined 

project constraints, 

including available 

resources. The 

review determines 

if the design is 

appropriately 

mature to continue 

with the final 

design and 

fabrication phase. 

The SRB evaluated 

the project and 

determined the 

project is 

sufficiently mature 

to major 

manufacturing, 

assembly and 

integration. 

N/A 

DCR SLS Independent 

Review Team Jan 2018 

The purpose of the 

DCR is to certify the 

implemented design 

complies with 

applicable 

requirements and 

necessary 

verification activities 

are satisfactorily 

completed. 

Certification of the 

SLS Block 1 design 

is completed. 

N/A 
Exploration: Exploration Systems Development 

EXPLORATION GROUND SYSTEMS

EXP-30 

FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Total Budget 342.8 410.0 429.4 441.2 453.0 457.5 464.7 

Change from FY 2016 19.4 

Percentage change from FY 2016 4.7% 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. 

For projects in development, NASA's tentatively planned FY 2016 funding level is shown. FY 2016 funding levels 

are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

FY 2017 reflects discretionary and mandatory funding. Additional details on the mandatory funding can be found in 

the Explanation of Changes section.

A view of the VAB at NASA's KSC in Florida. To the left 

is the mobile launcher that will be used to carry NASA's 

SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft to Launch Pad 39B for 

EM-1. 

The EGS program enables integration, 

processing, and launch of the SLS and Orion 

Crew Vehicle. EGS is making required facility 

and ground support equipment modifications at 

KSC to enable assembly, test, launch, and 

recovery of the SLS and Orion flight elements. 

EGS is also modernizing communication and 

control systems to support these activities. Upon 

completion, the KSC launch site will be able to 

provide a more flexible, affordable, and 

responsive national launch capability. The 

beneficiaries are current and future NASA 

programs including Orion, SLS, and additional 

customers such as U.S. government agencies and 

commercial industry. 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017

 Actual Enacted Request Notional 

(in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Mandatory Budget Authority -- -- 26.2 -- -- -- --

EGS is in part funded with mandatory funding. 
Exploration: Exploration Systems Development 

EXPLORATION GROUND SYSTEMS

EXP-31 

Program Elements 

EGS PROGRAM INTEGRATION AND SUPPORT

EGS program integration and support activities manage the SLS and Orion program interfaces. This effort 

is critical to ensuring ground systems performance meets technical and safety specifications and supports 

the programmatic assessments key to achieving integrated technical, cost, and schedule management. In 

addition, the EGS integration effort is vital to managing interfaces with other HEO activities, including 

strategic studies, feasibility studies, and small-scale research tasks that feed into future human 

exploration. Coordination and timely integration across the three programs enables the Agency to avoid 

potential design overlaps, schedule disconnects, and cost issues. 

EXPLORATION GROUND SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT

See the Exploration Ground Systems Development. 
Exploration: Exploration Systems Development: Exploration Ground Systems 

EXPLORATION GROUND SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT 

Formulation Development Operations 

EXP-32 

FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional

Budget Authority (in $ millions) Prior FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 BTC Total 

Formulation 965.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 965.8 

Development/Implementation 176.3 353.3 403.3 417.1 425.9 71.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 1847.1 

Operations/Close-out 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 

2016 MPAR LCC Estimate 1142.1 353.3 403.3 417.1 425.9 71.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 2812.9 

Total Budget 966.2 305.9 390.9 414.1 425.9 437.7 442.1 449.1 0.0 3831.8 

Change from FY 2016 23.2 

Percentage change from FY 2016 5.9% 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. 

For projects in development, NASA's tentatively planned FY 2016 funding level is shown. FY 2016 funding levels 

are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

FY 2017 reflects discretionary and mandatory funding. Additional details on the mandatory funding can be found in 

the Explanation of Changes section.

2016 MPAR LCC estimate includes funding from all appropriations, Exploration and Construction and 

Environmental Compliance and Restoration. Budget line reflects funding from the Exploration appropriation only.
Exploration: Exploration Systems Development: Exploration Ground Systems 

EXPLORATION GROUND SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT 

Formulation Development Operations 

EXP-33 

A technician monitors the progress as NASA’s 

crawler-transporter 2 moves slowly along the 

crawlerway back to the crawler park site after a test 

run to Launch Pad 39B at NASA’s KSC in Florida. 

Upgrades to the crawler include 88 new roller 

bearings, 22 on each “truck” section, and a new 

jacking, equalizing and leveling system. In the 

background is the new mobile launcher.) 

PROJECT PURPOSE

As NASA enters a new era in human space 

exploration, space operations at KSC are evolving to 

accommodate NASA’s next-generation human space 

exploration vehicles. EGS is developing the ground 

systems infrastructure required to assemble, test, and 

launch SLS and Orion, along with the recovery of 

Orion. 

For more programmatic information, go to 

http://go.nasa.gov/groundsystems. 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN 

FY 2017

None. 

PROJECT PARAMETERS

EGS is modernizing and upgrading KSC ground 

systems and facilities required to integrate SLS and Orion, to move the integrated vehicle to the launch 

pad, and to launch it successfully into space. Many of the current ground systems and facilities date back 

to the Apollo era, so modernization is critical to the program’s ability to assemble, test, launch, and 

recover SLS and Orion elements. For the Exploration Missions, EM-1 and EM-2, the EGS team is 

developing procedures and protocols to process the spacecraft, rocket stages, and launch abort system 

before assembly into one vehicle. Additional work required to launch astronauts into space includes 

modifying the mobile launcher and crawler-transporters; preparing Launch Complex-39B, rocket launch 

site at KSC, modernizing computers, tracking systems, and other networks. 

ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2015

EGS successfully completed the landing and recovery operations of the Orion crew module on December 

5, 2014, marking the end of the EFT-1. Following splashdown in the Pacific Ocean, after having traveled 

two orbits around the Earth to test systems critical to crew safety, EGS sent Orion on a 2,700-mile crosscountry trip back to KSC for post-mission analysis. 

The program began installing ground support equipment and completing structural and facility 

modifications on the mobile launcher. In the VAB, adjustable high-bay platform construction continued, 

providing access levels required for SLS vehicle processing. At LC-39B, EGS began Pad B flame 

trench/flame deflector construction and completed modifications for infrastructure and propellant and gas 

systems... The flame trench brick, which date back to the Apollo program, installed during construction of 

the pad in the 1960s. A new flame deflector is being designed that will support NASA's SLS rocket and a 

variety of other commercial launch vehicles. 
Exploration: Exploration Systems Development: Exploration Ground Systems 

EXPLORATION GROUND SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT 

Formulation Development Operations 

EGS continued installing and upgrading software to support end-to-end spaceport command and control 

system applications and displays required in ground processing facilities. Life extension modifications for 

the crawler transporter continued in order to complete roller bearings, jacking, equalizing, and leveling 

(JEL) cylinder replacement. These modifications are necessary for future NASA space exploration 

missions beyond low Earth Orbit, beginning with EM-1 and EM-2. 

EXP-34 

WORK IN PROGRESS IN FY 2016 

Major program readiness will near its final preparation phase for the EM-1 launch. The program will 

complete structural and facility modifications on the mobile launcher, and finish installing ground support 

equipment. EGS will conduct Launch Equipment Test Facility umbilical testing, complete installation of 

the crawler transporter JEL cylinder, and complete Multi-Payload Processing Facility upgrades. 

Command, control, and communications systems software and displays that support end-to-end spaceport 

applications are preparing to support launch. In the VAB, EGS will complete adjustable high-bay 

platform construction, and utilize in support of SLS stacking and integration for EM-1. At LC-39B, EGS 

will complete flame trench/flame deflector, as well as modifications for infrastructure and propellant and 

gas systems in preparation for launch. The program completed CDR Board in December 2015 to evaluate 

ground systems design integrity, and its ability to meet mission requirements within available resources 

with appropriate margins and acceptable risk. 

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS PLANNED FOR FY 2017 

EGS will complete detailed design, production, testing, verification and validation (V&V) of ground 

processing facilities. The activities include not only developing necessary ground systems, they also allow 

for refurbishing and upgrading infrastructure and facilities to meet future demand. Plans also include 

completion of the Flame trench/deflector and Pad B construction. EGS will complete the Spaceport 

Command and Control System (SCCS) 4.1 development and validation, and the Mobile Launcher (ML) 

ground support equipment (GSE) installation and umbilical installation contract. There are three 

underway recovery tests planned in support of EM-1 beginning in November 2016. The tests will allow 

NASA and the Navy to continue to demonstrate and evaluate the recovery processes, procedures, and 

hardware in the real world open ocean environment before committing to conducting actual recovery 

operations for EMs. Finally, the VAB and Pad B will be ready for the ML. 

Based on direction contained in the Consolidation Appropriations Act 2016, (P.L. 114-113), EGS is also 

exploring changes required to support SLS upgrades for EM-2 to SCCS, the ML and additional liquid 

hydrogen capacity at the pad. 

SCHEDULE COMMITMENTS/KEY MILESTONES

Milestone Confirmation Baseline Date FY 2017 PB Request 

KDP-A Feb 2012 Feb 2012 
Exploration: Exploration Systems Development: Exploration Ground Systems 

EXPLORATION GROUND SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT 

Formulation Development Operations 

EXP-35 

Milestone Confirmation Baseline Date FY 2017 PB Request 

Formulation Authorization Apr 2012 Apr 2012 

SRR/SDR Aug 2012 Aug 2012 

KDP-B APMC Nov 2012 Nov 2012 

PDR Board Mar 2014 Mar 2014 

KDP-C APMC May 2014 May 2014 

CDR Board Dec 2015 Dec 2015 

KDP-D Under Review Under Review 

EM-1 Launch Readiness Nov 2018 Nov 2018 

Development Cost and Schedule 

Base 

Year 

Base 

Year 

Development 

Cost 

Estimate 

($M) 

JCL 

(%) 

Current 

Year 

Current 

Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate 

($M) 

Cost 

Change 

(%) 

Key 

Milestone 

Base 

Year 

Milestone 

Data 

Current 

Year 

Milestone 

Data 

Milestone 

Change 

(mths) 

2015 1,843.5 70 2016 1,847.2 .2 

EM-1 

Readiness 

Nov 

2018 

Nov 

2018 N/A 

Note: The confidence level estimates reported reflect an evolving process as NASA improves its probabilistic 

estimation techniques and processes. Estimate reflects the practices and policies at the time it was developed. 

Estimates that include combined cost and schedule risks are denoted as JCL (joint confidence level); all other CLs 

(confidence levels) reflect cost confidence without necessarily factoring the potential impacts of schedule changes 

on cost. 
Exploration: Exploration Systems Development: Exploration Ground Systems 

EXPLORATION GROUND SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT 

Formulation Development Operations 

EXP-36 

Development Cost Details 

Element 

Base Year Development 

Cost Estimate ($M) 

Current Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate ($M) 

Change from Base Year 

Estimate ($M) 

TOTAL: 1843.5 1,847.2 3.7 

ML 213.1 226.9 13.8 

LC-39B Pad 77.5 52.2 -25.3 

VAB 92.7 76.2 -16.5 

Command, Control, and 

Communications 198.0 248.6 50.6 

Offline Processing and 

Infrastructure 110.2 108.6 -1.6 

Other 1,152.0 1,134.7 -17.3 

*Other includes Crawler Transporter, Launch Equipment Test Facility, Integrated Operations, Program 

Management, Logistics, S&MA, and SE&I 
Exploration: Exploration Systems Development: Exploration Ground Systems 

EXPLORATION GROUND SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT 

Formulation Development Operations 

EXP-37 

Project Management & Commitments 

The Ground Systems Development and Operations Program Office (GSDO) manage EGS and 21st

Century Space Launch Complex (21CSLC) activities. GSDO balances customer requirements among 

SLS, Orion, and other Government and commercial users to provide synergy between EGS and 21CSLC. 

EGS is developing ground systems infrastructure necessary to assemble, test, launch, and recover SLS 

and Orion elements, while 21CSLC is focusing on enabling NASA facilities to support multiple users. In 

FY 2016, EGS transitioned the program to a new Mission Management Model to develop ground system 

and processes, and launch flight hardware by aligning roles and responsibilities, synergizing functions, 

and simplifying interfaces. 

Element Description Provider Details Change from 

Baseline 

Ground Systems 

Implementation 

(GSI) 

GSI is Responsible for 

design, development, build, 

hardware/software 

integration, verification and 

facility systems, and GSE. 

Provider: KSC 

Lead Center: KSC 

Performing Center(s): ARC 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

N/A 

Operating 

Planning and 

Execution 

(OP&E) 

OP&E is Responsible for 

conducting overall planning 

and execution of both flight 

hardware and ground systems 

processing activities. 

Provider: KSC 

Lead Center: KSC 

Performing Center(s): N/A 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

N/A 

Command, 

Control, 

Communication 

(C3) 

C3 is Responsible for 

development, operation, and 

sustainment of End-to-End 

Command and Control and 

Communications services. 

Provider: KSC 

Lead Center: KSC 

Performing Center(s): N/A 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

N/A 

Mission 

Management 

Team (MMT) 

MMT includes project 

management, safety and 

mission assurance, logistics, 

systems engineering, utilities 

and facility operations and 

maintenance. 

Provider: KSC 

Lead Center: KSC 

Performing Center(s): N/A 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

N/A 
Exploration: Exploration Systems Development: Exploration Ground Systems 

EXPLORATION GROUND SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT 

Formulation Development Operations 

EXP-38 

Project Risks 

Risk Statement Mitigation 

If: Insufficient time and budget is allotted to 

the SCCS 4 software development project, 

Then: there is a possibility SCCS 4 will not 

be ready for use within the baseline E2E-C2 

schedule to support SCCS 4 validation 

activities, operational needs and 

programmatic scheduled testing. 

GSDO is hiring additional workforce to maintain schedule and 

developing process improvements with contracting company. 

If: There is insufficient time to perform all 

V&V activities, 

Then: there is a possibility of a schedule 

delay to the GSDO Operations Readiness 

Date. 

GSDO formed an integrated team to perform a scrub of the ML 

V&V/Multi-Element V&V Integrated Master Schedule to obtain 

a credible V&V schedule. 

If: the Ground Flight Application Software 

Team (GFAST) internal/external 

dependencies on GSE subsystems, SCCS, 

Models and Emulators, SLS, Orion and ICPS 

to provide requirements, data products and 

hardware are not within the currently defined 

GFAST schedule, 

Then: there is the possibility GFAST will not 

be ready to perform integrated processing 

with flight hardware and GSE in the 

VAB/Pad and MPPF in time to meet CrossProgram objective and schedules while 

remaining within allocated budgets. 

GFAST developed tools that reduced development time by 50 

percent, minimize the impact of limited Design, Development 

and Evaluation asset availability, and expedite code 

development. Team also refined dependency needs across each 

GFAST drop/team and started negotiations with Orion/SLS/ICPS 

for Flight Software, Operations and Maintenance Requirements 

and Specifications, and Launch Commit Criteria Products. 

Acquisition Strategy 

To retain flexibility and maximize affordability, GSDO serves as its own prime contractor for EGS 

development activities. EGS executes SLS and Orion ground infrastructure and processing requirements 

by leveraging center and programmatic contracts. For more routine work, EGS also uses pre-qualified 

Indefinite-delivery, Indefinite-quantity contractors while exercising full and open competition for larger 

or more specialized projects, such as the mobile launcher structural and facility systems construction 

contract, and associated GSE fabrication firm-fixed-price contracts. A fixed-price contracting approach is 

the first choice whenever possible, as it provides maximum incentive for contractors to control costs, 

since they are subject to any losses incurred. In addition, it imposes a minimal administrative burden upon 

the contracting parties. 
Exploration: Exploration Systems Development: Exploration Ground Systems 

EXPLORATION GROUND SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT 

Formulation Development Operations 

EXP-39 

MAJOR CONTRACTS/AWARDS

EGS development activities will encompass projects of varying content and size. EGS does not have a 

prime contract, the project uses the Center’s institutional contracts to execute the development, 

engineering, construction and programmatic activities. If the project size or scope falls outside existing 

center capabilities, then a competitively bid firm-fixed-price contract will be used. EGS contracts are 

below. 

Element Vendor Location (of work performance) 

Mobile Launcher Structural and 

Facility Support Modification 

Contract 

J.P. Donovan Construction, Inc. KSC 

VAB High Bay Platform 

Construction Hensel Phelps Construction, Inc. KSC 

INDEPENDENT REVIEWS

Review 

Type Performer Date of Review Purpose Outcome Next Review 

All SRB Nov 2012 

Provides independent 

assessment of program 

technical plan, cost 

estimates, schedules, and 

risks at KDP-B 

Program cleared to 

proceed to next phase N/A 

PDR SRB Mar 2014 

Evaluates completeness 

and consistency of 

program preliminary 

design; determines 

readiness to proceed with 

detailed design phase 

Program cleared to 

proceed to next phase N/A 

CDR SRB Mar 2016 

Demonstrates that 

program design is 

mature; supports fullscale fabrication, 

assembly, integration, 

and test; and meets 

overall performance 

requirements within cost 

and schedule constraints 

TBD 
Exploration: Exploration Research and Development 

HUMAN RESEARCH PROGRAM

EXP-40 

FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Total Budget 142.0 -- 153.3 178.2 178.2 180.0 182.8 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. 

FY 2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

FY 2017 includes a column for PBR 2017 which includes both Discretionary and the Mandatory Funding Initiative 

for R&D.

HRP researchers are gathering reams of genomic, 

molecular, physiological, and other data on Scott Kelly 

(right) as he continues his one-year ISS mission and 

comparing it to his Earth-dwelling identical twin, retired 

astronaut Mark Kelly (left). 

Sending astronauts into space involves a 

multitude of complicated systems, but perhaps 

the most complex is the human system. While 

NASA has amassed more than 50 years of crew 

experience in low Earth orbit, researchers 

continue to unravel the mysteries of how the 

human body responds to the harsh environment 

of space. HRP is responsible for understanding 

and mitigating the highest risks to astronaut 

health and performance to ensure that crews 

remain healthy and productive during longduration missions beyond low Earth orbit. 

As NASA prepares to conduct crewed missions 

in cis-lunar space using SLS and Orion, and 

eventually at other locations, including Mars, 

HRP is developing the scientific and 

technological expertise to send humans into 

deep space for longer durations. Coordinating 

with the National Academies, National Council 

on Radiation Protection, and other external 

partners, HRP continues to deliver products and strategies to protect crew health and safety, and 

maximize productivity while living and working in space. Experiments on the ISS, as well as in groundbased analog environments and laboratories, expand research and technology development for protecting 

the human system in multiple ways. Investigations regarding space radiation protection, deep space 

habitat systems, psychological support systems, innovative medical technologies, and new exploration 

capabilities, such as food systems, vehicle and space suit requirements, and validated countermeasure 

systems that ensure crew health during all phases of flight, are continuing to evolve. 

Space radiation poses significant health risks for crewmembers, including the possibility of developing 

cancer later in life, radiation sickness during the mission, and post mission effects on the nervous and 

cardiovascular systems. HRP is working with the AES, Crew Health and Safety, and Orion teams on both 

in-mission and post-mission radiation countermeasures to minimize exposures and provide radiation 

protection. The collaborative effort with AES involves developing advanced radiation shielding 

technologies, designing standards and providing the requirements for real-time radiation alert systems, 
Exploration: Exploration Research and Development 

HUMAN RESEARCH PROGRAM

EXP-41 

optimal mission architectures, biomedical radiation sensitivity screening, as well as incorporating postmission health surveillance to ensure that crewmembers can safely live and work in space without 

exceeding acceptable radiation health risks. 

In collaboration with other federal agencies, such as the Department of Defense, the Department of 

Energy, and the National Institutes of Health, HRP supports space human system research to increase 

understanding of the effects of microgravity on human physiological systems. This knowledge is critical 

to NASA’s plans for long-duration human space missions beyond low Earth orbit. In addition, as is the 

case with many space-based medical investigations, this research may also lead to significant 

advancements in treating patients on Earth. 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017 

None 

ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2015 

FY 2015 marked the launch of astronaut Scott Kelly and cosmonaut Mikhail Kornienko to the ISS, where 

they are living for an entire year in a joint U.S./Russian mission—the longest mission ever assigned to a 

U.S. astronaut. Integral to the ISS one-year mission, HRP partnered with its Russian counterparts from 

the Institute for Biomedical Problems in Moscow to implement a biomedical research campaign. This 

campaign will yield valuable information regarding medical countermeasures for bone, muscle, and 

cardiovascular deconditioning; behavioral health and performance; and medical operation challenges 

people on Earth may experience as well as future explorers as they venture to an asteroid, Mars, and 

beyond. It rejuvenated a strong collaborative international program that will leverage global assets toward 

solving complicated crew health and performance concerns for future exploration missions. 

In conjunction with the ISS one-year mission, HRP also undertook the identical twins study, where 

astronaut Scott Kelly is spending 12 months in orbit on the ISS, while retired astronaut Mark Kelly 

remains on Earth. Scientists will look at the way genes and proteins in the cells in Scott Kelly are 

regulated due to spaceflight, and they will compare those results to the proteins and cells in his twin, 

Mark, to gain significant insight into the real-time genetic effects of spaceflight and its impacts on the 

human body at the molecular level. To prepare for these studies, the Agency developed policies for the 

proper use of astronaut genetic information. This has opened the door for HRP researchers to take 

advantage of the private sector revolution in precision medicine, while continuing to protect for crew 

health and performance, during future exploration missions. 

HRP and the National Space Biomedical Research Institute (NSBRI) selected 26 proposals, out of 178 

received, to investigate questions about astronaut health and performance on future deep space 

exploration missions. The proposals are from 23 institutions in 11 states, and will receive a total of about 

approximately $13.3 million during the performance period. Researchers will be investigating the impact 

of the space environment on various aspects of astronaut health, including visual impairment, behavioral 

health, bone loss, cardiovascular alterations, human factors and performance, neurobehavioral and 

psychosocial factors, sensorimotor adaptation and the development and application of smart medical 

systems and technologies. All of the selected research will contribute towards NASA’s future missions 

beyond low Earth orbit and on to Mars. 
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In FY 2015, HRP also conducted approximately 18 space biomedical research investigations during each 

ISS mission increment, completed four flight investigations, and initiated nine new research 

investigations. This included an ongoing microbiome study to investigate the variety of microorganisms 

on, in, and around astronauts during space flight missions. The human body hosts millions of tiny 

organisms called microbes that play a key role in human health and it is important to understand the 

changes to this microbial population during long-duration space exploration. By sampling an astronaut’s 

microbiome on Earth and in space, researchers hope to define the signatures of human response to a 

variety of relevant aspects of space travel. Potential applications to human health on Earth include early 

detection of diseases, alterations in metabolic function, and immune system deficiency. 

WORK IN PROGRESS IN FY 2016 

HRP will conclude data collection from the one-year joint U.S./Russian ISS mission. This collection of 

data will provide NASA a first look into the effects of longer mission durations on ocular health, immune 

and cardiovascular systems, cognitive performance testing, and countermeasure effectiveness against 

bone and muscle loss. Findings from the identical twins’ studies will also be concluding and this data will 

provide unprecedented information regarding the effects of space flight on the entire complement of 

biomolecules, such as proteins (proteomics), genes (genomics), etc. Such data potentially provides novel 

approaches to protecting the health and performance of crews during Mars missions and other exploration 

missions beyond low Earth orbit. 

HRP researchers plan to conduct approximately 16 space biomedical research investigations during each 

ISS mission increment, complete five flight investigations, and initiate one new research investigation. 

These investigations will include work associated with both the one-year and six-month mission crews. 

Studies to mitigate the risk of long-duration space flight include a lighting countermeasure to help ISS 

crewmembers improve sleep and enhance performance; functional immune alterations; a tool to monitor 

crew medication usage, symptoms, and adverse effects during missions; and research on the altered 

distribution of fluid within the bodies of astronauts. This fluid research may prove to be significant to 

understanding visual impairments and intracranial pressure experienced by several crew members upon 

return from long duration missions. For example, during the ISS one-year mission, liters of fluid—or 

about a bottle of soda—will have shifted out of Scott Kelly’s legs and toward his head. Earth applications 

may then also become available as more advanced imaging techniques are used to assess vision problems 

and develop ways to prevent them. 

HRP will implement multiple studies on teamwork in spaceflight analog environments, with efforts 

heavily devoted to NASA’s Human Exploration Research Analog (HERA). The HERA facility provides 

an environment in which spaceflight mission simulations can be conducted with high levels of 

experimental control. HRP is planning to implement four 30-day missions in the HERA: Teamwork 

studies include monitoring technologies; examining the effects of communication delay on performance; 

investigating team cohesion, cooperation, and resilience over time; and evaluating the effectiveness of 

team training countermeasures on mitigating potential behavioral or performance decrements. 

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS PLANNED FOR FY 2017 

HRP will re-compete its external institute cooperative agreement for the first time in 20 years. The new 

initiative, public-private partnership -Translational Research Institute, will lead a national effort in 

translating cutting-edge emerging terrestrial biomedical research and technology development into 
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applied space flight human risk mitigation strategies for exploration missions. The institute will solicit 

and select innovative multidisciplinary teams whose products have potential to significantly reduce 

NASA human health and performance risks during space exploration missions by “translating” research 

into application by increasing the exchange of information between the biomedical research community 

and the human spaceflight medical community. 

HRP will initiate joint NASA/National Science Foundation Antarctic analog studies to support behavioral 

health and performance research. Working with the National Science Foundation Polar Program, HRP 

will integrate behavioral health and performance research studies into the Antarctic winter-over campaign 

sites that serve as operational analogs by providing long duration, isolation, confinement, and controlled 

conditions for research. Factors ranging from sleep loss and anxiety to communication difficulties and 

team dynamics can affect the health, safety, and productivity of crewmembers. Research in these areas 

could prove beneficial to people living and working under similar conditions on Earth. 

Currently, no established methods exist to collect near real-time human factors and habitability data 

during space flight missions. Human factors and habitability data are instead acquired at the end of 

missions during post-flight crew debriefs. These debriefs occur weeks or often longer after events have 

occurred, which forces a significant reliance on incomplete human memory. In 2017 HRP plans to deliver 

a real-time crew performance assessment tool, which should prove very useful in gathering current data in 

the near-term as well as for applying to the designs of next generation spacecraft and habitats. 

A potential mission-threatening medical event in astronauts could be from acute cardiovascular disease. 

The current risk prediction models are not optimized for predicting heart failure or atrial fibrillation and 

other cardiac arrhythmias during spaceflight. Therefore, HRP is working with biomedical and aerospace 

medicine researchers to enhance the spaceflight cardiovascular disease risk prediction tool to be delivered 

in FY 2017. 

NASA will also begin joint NASA/German Aerospace Center (DLR) analog studies to support human 

health countermeasures, exploration medical and behavioral health and performance research. Working 

with the DLR Space Agency and the DLR Institute for Aerospace Medicine, NASA will integrate these 

studies into HERA missions, and DLR will integrate NASA studies into its envihab medical research 

facility bed rest campaigns. 

Program Elements 

EXPLORATION MEDICAL CAPABILITY

As NASA makes plans to extend human exploration beyond low Earth orbit, identifying and testing nextgeneration medical care and crew health maintenance technologies is vital. Health care options evolve 

based on experience, anticipated needs, and input from flight surgeons and crew offices. Crews will not 

be able to rely on real-time conversations with Earth-based medical experts in the future due to 

communication lag-time associated with the distance between Earth and Mars. Therefore, crew and 

relevant systems must be able to facilitate autonomous medical care operations. Teams in this area draft 

requirements for medical equipment and clinical care, develop remote medical technologies, and assess 

medical requirements unique to long-duration space missions. 
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HUMAN HEALTH COUNTERMEASURES

Countermeasures are the procedures, medications, devices, and other strategies that offset the impacts of 

spaceflight stressors (e.g., low gravity, high radiation, etc.) and help keep astronauts healthy and 

productive during space travel and after their return to Earth. Researchers provide biomedical expertise; 

they are responsible for understanding the normal physiologic effects of space flight, and then developing 

countermeasures to those with harmful effects on human health and performance. These experts define 

health and medical standards, validate human health prescriptions and exercise system requirements, 

develop injury and sickness prevention standards, integrate and validate physiological countermeasures, 

and establish criteria for NASA fitness for duty, as well as crew selection and performance standards. 

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND PERFORMANCE

Just as the space environment poses physical risks to crewmembers, the unique stresses and challenges of 

space flight can affect cognitive and mental performance. These researchers assess the impact of space 

travel on human behavioral health, and develop interventions and countermeasures to ensure optimal 

health and performance. Experts in this area make extensive use of analogs, which are experimental 

environments created to simulate certain aspects of space travel. By duplicating space conditions, such as 

altered day and night cycles, heavy workloads, social isolation, and close living quarters, scientists gain 

insight into the impact of these circumstances on human behavior and performance. They then work to 

develop countermeasures, equipment, and other interventions to minimize these risks. 

SPACE HUMAN FACTORS AND HABITABILITY

Crew performance and well-being is affected by where they live, what they eat, and even what they wear. 

Considering external factors is essential when designing a spacecraft, habitat, or spacesuit. Human factors 

experts develop new equipment, procedures, and technologies designed to make the space environment 

more livable. Food scientists work to create nutritious and palatable meals that can withstand the rigors of 

space flight, are simple to prepare, and generate minimal waste. Other studies necessary for living and 

working in space include determining impacts and limits of environmental factors, such as chemicals, 

bacteria, fungi, and dust from the Moon and Mars. 

SPACE RADIATION

As NASA expands human presence through the solar system, it is critical that crews are able to safely live 

and work in a space radiation environment without exceeding exposure limits. Space radiation researchers 

determine standards for health and habitability, and define requirements for radiation protection. They 

also develop tools to assess and predict risks due to space radiation exposure, and strategies to mitigate 

exposure effects. The deep space radiation environment is far different from that on Earth or in low Earth 

orbit. Thus, NASA and the Department of Energy have partnered on a facility at Brookhaven National 

Laboratory in New York to simulate the deep space radiation environment, which researchers use to help 

understand its biological effects. 
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ISS MEDICAL PROJECTS

The ISS provides a unique testbed for HRP activities. The medical projects team plans, integrates, and 

implements approved biomedical flight experiments on the ISS, as well as research studies that use 

ground experiments to accomplish program objectives. This includes pre- and post-flight activities, 

coordinating flight or ground resources with our international partners, maintaining ISS biomedical 

research racks and flight hardware, and developing crew training for both flight and ground 

investigations. Teams also operate a telescience support center, which provides real-time support and data 

services to all HRP flight experiments. Strong interfaces with external implementing organizations, such 

as the ISS payloads office, analog coordination offices, and international partners, are critical to 

maintaining a robust research program. This group is also responsible for operating the HERA analog 

facility at NASA-JSC and arranging access to other analog facilities required by HRP researchers, 

including National Science Foundation Antarctic facilities, other national isolation analogs, and 

international partner facilities in Germany and Russia. 

Program Schedule 

Date Significant Event 

Oct 2016 Start Translation Research Institute Cooperative Agreement 

Feb 2017 Deliver Real-Time Crew Performance Assessment Tool 

Feb 2017 2017 HRP Investigators’ Workshop

Mar 2017 Release 2017 NASA Research Announcement (NRA) in Space Radiation 

Apr 2017 Deliver Validation Study on Real-Time Neurocognitive Assessment Toolkit 

May 2017 2016 Human Exploration Research Opportunity NRA Selections 

May 2017 Galactic Cosmic Ray (GCR) Simulator Commissioning 

Jun 2017 Complete Mission X: Train Like an Astronaut Fitness Challenge 

Jun 2017 Deliver Cardiovascular Risk Prediction Tool 

Jul 2017 Complete Study on Medical Outcome Metrics to Optimize Training 

Jul 2017 Deliver In-Mission Crew Training Tool for Long-Duration Spaceflight 

Aug 2017 Deliver Report on Virtual Reality Communication Software Demonstration 

Aug 2017 Release 2017 Human Exploration Research Opportunity NRA 

Sep 2017 2017 NRA in Space Radiation Selections 

Sep 2017 Computational Model for Spacecraft/Habitat Volume 
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FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Total Budget 189.2 -- 324.1 429.0 842.0 971.4 936.6 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. 

FY 2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

FY 2017 includes a column for PBR 2017 which includes both Discretionary and the Mandatory Funding Initiative 

for R&D.

NASA technologists perform functional and sub-system 

power tests for Saffire-II and Saffire-III flight 

demonstrations in order to better understand how fire 

spreads and how to recover from fire events in 

microgravity. ) 

AES develops foundational technologies and 

high-priority capabilities that will become the 

building blocks for future human space missions 

using an approach that combines focused, inhouse activities with public-private partnerships 

to rapidly develop and test prototype systems. 

AES is pioneering ways to drive a rapid pace of 

progress, streamline management, foster 

partnerships with external organizations, and 

more effectively utilize the NASA workforce as 

we transition to enabling human space flight 

beyond low Earth orbit and on to other 

locations, including Mars. 

NASA-led teams of engineers and technologists 

across the country are engaged in rapid 

development activities, demonstrating key 

capabilities in flight or flight-like environments, 

validating operational concepts, gaining 

valuable hands-on experience with hardware, 

and mastering the skills necessary for future 

space missions. The Agency is able to uncover potential risks of new capabilities before integration into 

more critical systems by performing early validation of complex systems, testing those systems in the 

proper environments, and flying the technology. Early risk reduction helps avoid cost growth and improve 

affordability of future space exploration. 

AES activities focus on human space flight systems for deep space and robotic precursor missions to 

identify and fill in knowledge gaps related to potential destinations in advance of flight missions. Major 

areas of work include systems development for more reliable life support; deep space habitation 

technology; advanced in-space propulsion; advanced space suit sub-system technology; landing 

capabilities; in situ resource prospecting and processing; and overall capabilities to reduce logistics 

requirements to support future human spaceflight missions. Within this framework, AES is developing 

concepts and subsystems for an initial cislunar habitation capability, developing public-private 

partnerships for lunar lander and other capabilities, and creating the ability to support missions with the 

resources available at space mission destinations, such as processing the Martian atmosphere for the 
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production of oxygen and the separation of water from regolith. These efforts will enable human space 

flight to become increasingly Earth independent and capable of expanding into the solar system. Through 

this pioneering work, we seek the capacity to learn, operate, and thrive safely in space for an extended, 

and eventually indefinite, period with a reduced supply chain from Earth. 

NASA also continues to leverage and technically align HEOMD, STMD, and SMD core capabilities, 

technology developments, and innovative approaches. The ARM is an early mission in the proving 

ground of cis-lunar space, and provides an integrated capability demonstration for a number of systems, 

each important in their own right, to accomplish a range of objectives for longer term crew activities in 

deep space. For example, ARM leverages advanced SEP technologies in STMD and the private sector; 

advanced controls, sensors, and robotics technologies in ISRS; international docking system 

developments in the ISS program; and AES EVA activities. The advanced SEP system will place the 

spacecraft and asteroid boulder in orbit around the Moon; where the asteroid and robotic spacecraft can

become an asset in the proving ground of cis-lunar space. In the mid-2020s, using the SLS and Orion 

vehicles, astronauts will visit the asteroid boulder and use advanced in-space EVA operations to collect 

asteroid samples and return to Earth. AES also works closely with SMD to develop instruments, support 

research and analysis, and plan and conduct robotic missions that are precursors for eventual human 

exploration. 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017 

HEOMD is consolidating technology activities spread across multiple programs into AES in order to 

better align the Directorate’s organizational and management structure. These activities are ongoing and 

provide cross-Directorate human mission architecture support, as well as crosscutting special initiatives, 

trades and studies. The transferred activities include Center of Excellence for Collaborative Innovation 

(CoECI) and its NASA Tournament Lab (NTL) work, which is advancing technical capabilities using 

open innovation methods and platforms. Additional activities include the Synchronized Position Hold, 

Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellites (SPHERES) testbed on ISS, the CubeSat Launch Initiative, and 

the Evolvable Mars Campaign which is the agency’s primary strategic planning and analysis activity for 

determining the mission scenarios and capabilities required for human space flight missions outward 

towards Mars. 

AES will begin development of system concepts and integrated subsystems for a cis-lunar habitat and 

systems that will enable extended duration human missions in the Proving Ground of cis-lunar space in 

preparation for human missions into deep space. AES will continue the existing acquisition strategy for 

the cis-lunar habitat and systems by building upon the NextSTEP public-private partnerships that seek to 

leverage additional public sector investments to develop commercial habitats in low Earth orbit. Publicprivate partnerships encourage leveraging public investment with private investment to maximize the 

ability to meet NASA’s requirements along with fostering the growth of commercial endeavors. In this 

specific case, these partnerships allow NASA to meet its cis-lunar habitat and systems requirements while 

encouraging and supporting the development of low Earth orbit commercial habitation and systems 

development.

ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2015 

In FY 2015, AES began a new set of activities to leverage past achievements from development work 

performed from FY 2012 – FY 2014. These activities included integrated life support, progress toward 
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ADVANCED EXPLORATION SYSTEMS

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advanced space suit subsystem technology, autonomous systems and operations, modular power systems, 

radiation sensors, avionics and software, and instruments for the Mars 2020 mission. The crossDirectorate robotic mission element of the ARM completed the Agency’s KDP-A and Acquisition 

Strategy Meeting milestones of formulation. 

AES studied options to augment Orion’s habitation and EVA capabilities for extended deep space 

missions. These efforts included a solicitation called the NextSTEP Broad Agency Announcement 

(NextSTEP BAA). This series of public private partnerships fund industry concept studies, limited 

capability development, and participation in formulation of habitation options. As part of this BAA, AES 

also funded studies and technology development work in life support, propulsion, and CubeSats for Orion 

EM-1. This BAA demonstrated a unique acquisition strategy where all the selected partners are providing 

up to 50 percent of the development cost. 

AES completed development of three payloads to understand microgravity effects on large-scale fire 

propagation in space (Saffire, I, II and III). These payloads will be integrated with the Cygnus cargo 

transport vehicle. Large-scale fire demonstration on the Earth return segment of Cygnus flights will allow 

us to understand the fate of a spacecraft fire at relevant length and time scales. NASA will use the 

knowledge obtained from these experiments in detailed analysis and optimization for future fire 

protection systems. 

AES continued developing secondary CubeSat payloads in 2015 to fly on SLS in 2018. Initial mission 

concept selections include Lunar Flashlight to look for lunar volatiles such as ice, BioSentinel to further 

study the effects of the deep space radiation environment, and Near Earth Asteroid Scout to visit 

candidate asteroids for future human exploration. 

AES began to integrate advanced autonomy software, sensors, and feedback controls with advanced life 

support hardware to demonstrate improved overall efficiency and increased autonomy. For example, a 

controller was developed for the Cascade Distiller System (CDS), which performs a variety of water 

purification tasks. The controller executes a plan to operate the CDS hardware, monitor its performance, 

and take different control options if unexpected events occur. Increased autonomy and reliability are 

essential for missions beyond low Earth orbit in the context of both crew time and limited 

communications back to Earth. 

AES completed the Instrument Accommodation Reviews for Mars 2020 mission payloads to demonstrate 

oxygen production from the atmosphere and measure surface weather conditions. AES conducted humanin-the-loop testing of a short-duration space suit for in-space cis-lunar missions, such as ARM. The 

testing also informs development concepts for instruments and EVA tools for demonstration on ARM to 

find potentially valuable asteroid resources such as metals and water. AES also began new efforts related 

to in-space manufacturing by printing new specialized tools with the 3D printer, which was recently 

delivered to the ISS. 

AES conducted a field test of a Resource Prospector prototype rover and integrated a sampling and 

analysis payload. As part of integrated life support activity, AES accelerated work on three planned ISS 

flight demonstrations: high pressure/high purity oxygen generation system, cascade distillation system for 

wastewater processing, and miniature monitoring instrument for atmospheric contaminants. 

ARM completed the Robotic Mission Concept Review in the spring of 2015 and the Acquisition Strategy 

Meeting in August, gaining authorization to proceed to Phase A. In addition, STMD and ISS/ISRS are 

leading efforts for long-lead ARM component acquisitions. 
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WORK IN PROGRESS IN FY 2016 

In FY 2016, AES will continue to advance technologies needed for beyond Earth orbit habitat 

components and integrated habitats. The BEAM will be launched to the ISS to demonstrate inflatable 

structures technology for deep space habitats. NextSTEP partners will complete four Phase 1 system 

concept studies for cis-lunar habitats, two integrated studies on habitation systems, the first phase of a 

ground-based proof of concept for a new alternative to carbon dioxide removal, in addition to assembling 

and testing a prototype docking hatch. 

AES will also continue to develop and test the multiple subsystems required for the highly reliable life 

support systems needed in a cislunar habitation module. These include atmosphere recovery systems, 

increased water recovery, and smaller monitoring systems, to initially deploy for testing on the ISS and 

eventual use on Orion and cislunar habitation capabilities. 

One of the key aspects of habitation is to understand and manage the risk related to fire in space. In FY 

2016, AES plans to launch the first of three Saffire experiments to investigate the spread of large-scale 

fires in space. After the initial three tests are completed, the sequence of Saffire experiments will 

continue, with each test building upon data from the previous one, to investigate fire detection and postfire clean up. 

AES will maintain investments in efforts that reduce logistics requirements, including in-space 

manufacturing technology development and demonstration on ISS. The in-space manufacturing effort will 

develop and test 3D printing processes for metallic parts, laser scanners to measure the dimensions of 3D 

printed parts, and systems to recycle discarded plastic to produce feedstock for 3D printers. 

AES will continue to support the Crew Module Systems AA-2 test by leading integration of the flight test 

vehicle. The AA-2 flight test in 2019 will demonstrate the ability of the launch abort system to function as 

the spacecraft breaks through the speed of sound while using AES developed avionics and core flight 

software that could serve as a contribution to future capabilities. 

AES plans to conduct ground tests of advanced in-space propulsion technologies to reduce travel time to 

Mars, including high-power electric propulsion systems selected via the NextSTEP BAA. 

The Mars Oxygen In-Situ Resource Utilization Experiment (MOXIE) instrument will complete its PDR 

and CDR.

The ARM element, incorporated into AES in FY 2015, will progress to KDP-B for the robotic mission, 

and leverage development of synergistic capabilities for ISRS, such as automated rendezvous and docking 

sensors, and autonomous robotic manipulators. NASA will continue planning for a mid-2020s crewed 

mission concept development, including potential U.S. and international partnerships. 
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KEY ACHIEVEMENTS PLANNED FOR FY 2017 

As NASA works to extend human space exploration beyond low Earth orbit, AES will continue to 

develop reliable life support systems; deep space habitats; crew mobility systems; advanced in-space 

propulsion; advanced space suit sub-system technology; landing capabilities; in situ resource prospecting 

and processing; and overall capabilities to reduce logistics requirements to support future human 

spaceflight missions. 

In FY 2017, AES will complete the Crew Module System AA-2 CDR. AES will continue to define 

system requirements, design concepts, and begin physical hardware prototyping for cis-lunar habitats and 

systems in Phase 2 of the NextSTEP partnerships, and formulate the transition efforts from capability 

investments to flight hardware for development and integrated prototyping by the end of 2018. 

AES will develop and test highly reliable life support systems to deploy on ISS and Orion, including a 

brine processor, high pressure oxygen supply, and miniaturized environmental monitoring system. 

Additionally, AES will develop a prototype universal waste management system for flight demonstration 

on ISS and fully flight qualified system on Orion’s first crewed mission.

The Lunar Cargo Transportation and Landing by Soft Touchdown (Lunar CATALYST) partnership 

activity will continue to support commercial partners while they complete assembly of at least one flightready commercial lunar lander. 

ARM will continue development of the robotic mission to confirmation, or KDP-C, and planning of a 

crewed mission, including determining what hardware (common sensors, docking, and EVA 

accommodations) will be needed for the robotic mission. STMD will continue to develop the high power, 

long life electric propulsion system and robotic tools for collecting the asteroid boulder. HEOMD will 

continue to development of the spacecraft bus and all other systems that will also be used on ARRM, as 

well as many other human spaceflight system and technologies necessary to create a sustainable 

exploration strategy. 

AES, working closely with the private sector, will begin development of system concepts and integrated 

subsystems for a cis-lunar habitat and systems that will enable extended duration human missions in the 

proving ground of cis-lunar space in preparation for human missions into deep space. AES will continue 

the existing acquisition strategy for the cis-lunar habitat and systems by building upon the NextSTEP 

public-private partnerships, which seek to leverage additional public sector investments to develop 

commercial habitats in low Earth orbit. 

Program Elements 

Six technology and strategic analysis elements, called “domains,” drive the AES effort; each of which 

focuses on a specific capability required for future human space exploration. The AES budget request also 

includes the ARM element that utilizes on-going technology and system development efforts into an 

integrated capability mission. 
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HABITAT SYSTEMS

The focus of the Habitat Systems domain is enabling the crew to live and work safely in deep space. 

Activities include the expandable habitat BEAM, NextSTEP deep space habitation development efforts, 

reliable life support systems, logistics reduction, and radiation measurements and protection. Experiments 

to improve spacecraft fire safety are also underway to better understand how fire spreads, and how to 

recover from fire events in microgravity. These investments will progressively move from habitation subsystems to integrated systems and then transition to the capabilities to define, design, and develop cislunar habitation capabilities and systems for use in conjunction with Orion and SLS on Exploration 

Missions in the Proving Ground. 

CREW MOBILITY SYSTEMS

The Crew Mobility Systems domain encompasses capabilities that enable the crew to conduct “hands-on” 

exploration and in-space operations. EVA and space suit sub-system technology advancements will lead 

to next generation space suits and portable life support systems in the future that are significant 

advancements beyond the current capabilities used today that rely on technology developed over 30 years 

ago. These enhancements will give astronauts improved dexterity and mobility in space environments, 

higher levels of reusability in addition to mission kits, and general crew tools and mobility aids. Out year 

plans include developing new prototype sub-systems. The initial focus will be on infusing a modular 

approach to a next-generation in-space exploration suit capability to allow future upgrades for planetary 

surface exploration. 

VEHICLE SYSTEMS

Within the Vehicle Systems domain are efforts to develop technologies needed for advanced in-space 

propulsion stages and small robotic landers. Activities which will benefit future robotic and human 

missions by improving autonomous precision landing on planetary surfaces, as well as potential new 

propellants and/or propulsion systems. NASA shares these landing capabilities through public-private 

partnerships with industry under the Lunar CATALYST initiative. Other ongoing initiatives include work 

on advanced propulsion under the NextSTEP BAA awards and modular power for multiple exploration 

vehicles and systems such as fuel cells. 

FOUNDATIONAL SYSTEMS

The Foundational Systems domain focuses on systems to enable more efficient mission and ground 

operations, and those that allow for more Earth independence, including autonomous mission operations, 

avionics and software, in-situ resource utilization, in-space manufacturing, synthetic biology, and 

communications and networking technologies. 
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ROBOTIC PRECURSOR ACTIVITIES

Robotic Precursor Activities focus on developing robotic missions and instruments to provide data and 

information for analyzing the feasibility of potential destinations for human missions. Current activities 

include RAD instrument operations on the Curiosity rover to measure the radiation environment on Mars, 

the internal and public-private partnership EM-1 secondary missions, and instruments planned for the 

Mars 2020 rover mission. 

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS, INTEGRATION, AND STUDIES

AES leads the Agency’s deep-space human spaceflight architecture and strategic planning (Evolvable 

Mars Campaign), including mission and systems analysis and international coordination. It conducts 

studies and analysis to translate strategy into developmental (technology and capability) priorities and 

operational efficiencies. 

ASTEROID REDIRECT MISSION

The ARM element includes ARRM work through the insertion of on-going technology and system 

development deliverables, such as electric propulsion systems from STMD, in an integrated robotic 

capability demonstration. It also includes early planning for a crewed mission, as well as tools and 

systems to the robotic spacecraft to support the later human spaceflight mission in cis-lunar space. 

There are three main segments to ARM: identify ground and space-based assets that detect and 

characterize potential target asteroids; redirect an asteroid to cis-lunar space via a solar-electric propulsion 

- based system; and explore the redirected asteroid via SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft and return 

samples to Earth. An early mission in the proving ground of cis-lunar space, ARM provides an integrated 

capability demonstration for a number of systems, each important in their own right, to accomplish a 

range of early step objectives for eventual longer-term crew activities in deep space. 
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Program Schedule 

Date Significant Event 

Jan 2016 Launch BEAM to ISS 

Jan 2016 MOXIE Preliminary Design Review 

Mar 2016 Saffire-I fire safety experiment launch 

Apr 2016 Complete lunar lander concept study with Taiwan 

Apr 2016 Complete BioSentinel CDR 

Apr 2016 Spacecraft Atmosphere Monitor System Design Review 

May 2016 Ascent Abort-2 Systems Requirements Review 

Jun 2016 Saffire-II fire safety experiment launch 

Jun 2016 Lunar CATALYST commercial lander CDR 

Aug 2016 NextSTEP electric propulsion subsystems complete for thruster testing 

Sep 2016 MOXIE CDR 

Sep 2016 Complete NextSTEP habitat system studies with commercial partners 

Q4 2016 Asteroid Redirect Robotic Mission (ARRM) KDP-B 

Q1 2017 Saffire-III fire safety experiment launch 

Program Management & Commitments 

HEOMD executes AES activities, and the Directorate’s Associate Administrator has delegated 

management authority, responsibility, and accountability to the AES Division at NASA Headquarters. 

The AES Division establishes overall direction and scope, budget, and resource allocation for activities 

implemented by the NASA centers. 

AES, STMD, and the Planetary Science Division within SMD jointly fund robotic precursor activities, 

developing instruments to include on NASA’s science and international missions. AES coordinates with 

the STMD and SMD on Robotic Precursors planning and execution. 

NASA Headquarters has delegated HEOMD overall management authority, responsibility, and 

accountability for ARM. STMD maintains responsibility for the SEP system and SMD maintains 

responsibility for asteroid target identification. The governance of ARRM is further defined by the 

Memorandum of Agreement between HEOMD and STMD. 
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Program Element Provider 

Crew Mobility Systems 

Provider: NASA Centers 

Lead Center: Headquarters (HQ) 

Performing Center(s): JSC and GRC 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

Habitat Systems 

Provider: NASA Centers 

Lead Center: HQ 

Performing Center(s): JSC, MSFC and JPL 

Cost Share Partner(s): Bigelow Aerospace, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Orbital 

ATK (NextSTEP). 

Vehicle Systems 

Provider: NASA Centers 

Lead Center: HQ 

Performing Center(s): GRC, JSC, MSFC, and JPL 

Cost Share Partner(s): Ad Astra, Aerojet Rocketdyne, MSNW (NextSTEP). 

Foundational Systems 

Provider: NASA Centers 

Lead Center: HQ 

Performing Center(s): ARC, JSC, KSC, and MSFC 

Cost Share Partner(s): Department of Defense 

Robotic Precursor Activities 

Provider: NASA Centers 

Lead Center: HQ 

Performing Center(s): ARC, JPL, MSFC, and KSC 

Cost Share Partner(s): SMD, STMD, Morehead State University, Lockheed 

Martin (NextSTEP) 

Strategic Operations, 

Integration, and Studies 

Provider: NASA Centers 

Lead Center: HQ 

Performing Center(s): ARC, JPL, JSC, MSFC, and KSC 

Cost Share Partner(s): Launch Services Program, SMD, ISS 

Asteroid Redirect Robotic 

Mission 

Provider: NASA Centers 

Lead Center: JPL 

Performing Centers: GRC, GSFC, LaRC, KSC 

Cost Share Partners: N/A 

Acquisition Strategy 

AES selected initial activities through an internal competition in which NASA centers submitted 

proposals specifically to address the highest priority capabilities for human exploration beyond low Earth 

orbit, which are represented through the AES domains. Each year, AES evaluates how the portfolio aligns 

with human exploration priorities and technology gaps, and either terminates activities that do not 

demonstrate adequate progress or realigns them, and/or adds new activities to the portfolio as appropriate. 
Exploration: Exploration Research and Development 

ADVANCED EXPLORATION SYSTEMS

EXP-55 

Teams are provided limited procurement funding to purchase materials, equipment, and access and 

coverage of NASA test facilities. AES strives to maximize specialized skills within the civil service 

workforce, but may also utilize a small amount of contractor effort in areas where NASA can cost 

effectively leverage external skills and knowledge. 

AES continues to increase the use of competitively selected external awards and public-private 

partnerships. For example, in FY 2015 AES awarded 12 NextSTEP BAAs, allowing NASA to pursue 

public-private partnerships for advanced habitation and life support, high-power electric propulsion 

systems testing, and small satellites for launch on SLS. AES plans to continue with additional phases of 

the previously awarded NextSTEP BAA activities as soon as feasible and then issue a new NextSTEP 

BAA, open to new applicants, to involve commercial and university partners in architecture studies, in 

situ resource utilization technology development, lunar landing services, and instruments for precursor 

measurements. 

In FY 2016, AES plans to release a joint BAA with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency 

(DARPA) related to the advancement of in-space manufacturing. 

In FY 2015, ARM completed the ARRM Acquisition Strategy Meeting with a focus on the acquisition of 

the spacecraft bus leveraging commercially available spacecraft bus capabilities. JPL has released a 

commercial leveraged spacecraft bus study request for proposal. STMD electric propulsion development 

contract proposals are under evaluation. 

MAJOR CONTRACTS/AWARDS

Element Vendor Location (of work performance) 

Crew Mobility Systems: Space Suit ILC Dover JSC 

Habitat Systems: Life Support 

System Components Hamilton Sundstrand MSFC and JSC 

Habitat Systems: Inflatable Module Bigelow Aerospace JSC 

Habitat Systems: Passive Common 

Berthing Mechanism 

Sierra Nevada Development 

Corporation 

JSC 

Vehicle Systems: Lander 

Capabilities 

Moon Express, Astrobotic 

Technologies, and Masten Space 

Systems 

MSFC, JSC, and KSC 

NextSTEP BAA Awards 

Boeing, Bigelow Aerospace, 

Lockheed Martin, Orbital ATK, 

Dynetics, Hamilton Sundstrand, 

Orbitec, Ad Astra, Aerojet 

Rocketdyne, MSNW, Morehead 

State University 

Various industry locations 
Exploration: Exploration Research and Development 

ADVANCED EXPLORATION SYSTEMS

EXP-56 

INDEPENDENT REVIEWS

AES undergoes quarterly Directorate Program Management Council reviews and periodically, 

representatives from the Office of Chief Engineer, the Office of Safety and Mission Assurance, and the 

Office of Chief Financial Officer will assess AES performance during Agency-level Baseline 

Performance Reviews (BPR). In addition, AES provides briefing reports to, and seeks feedback on 

planning and development activities from, the NASA Advisory Council Human Exploration and 

Operation Committee and the Technology, Innovation, and Engineering Committee. The ARRM has 

established a Standing Review Board for independent review and reports to the Agency level BPR. 
Exploration: Exploration Research and Development: Advanced Exploration Systems 

ASTEROID REDIRECT ROBOTIC MISSION

Formulation Development Operations 

EXP-57 

FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Total Budget 0.0 -- 66.7 131.0 355.0 406.0 202.3 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. 

FY 2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

FY 2017 includes a column for PBR 2017 which includes both Discretionary and the Mandatory Funding Initiative 

for R&D.

PROJECT PURPOSE

ARM provides an integrated capability 

demonstration for a number of systems, each 

important in their own right, to accomplish a 

range of objectives. An early mission in the 

proving ground of cis-lunar space, ARM 

human space flight demonstration objectives 

are an important early step to longer term crew 

activities in deep space. There are three main 

segments to ARM: identify ground and spacebased assets which detect and characterize 

potential target asteroids; redirect the asteroid 

to cis-lunar space via a SEP-based system; and 

explore the redirected asteroid via SLS rocket 

and Orion spacecraft and return samples to 

Earth. 

Candidate asteroids are already being identified by the Near-Earth Object Observations Program in SMD. 

ARRM is in the formulation phase and will provide the second ARM segment. ARRM will be the first 

mission to utilize an advanced high-power, high-throughput, long-life SEP system, developed by STMD, 

to ferry a multi-ton object through interplanetary space. The Asteroid Redirect Crewed Mission planned 

for the mid-2020s is in pre-formulation and enabled by the robotic mission. Key contributions of space 

flight technologies and operational experience needed for human missions to Mars, including: 

transporting multi-ton objects with advanced solar electric propulsion; integrating crewed/robotic vehicle 

operations in deep space staging orbits; utilizing advanced autonomous proximity operations and 

rendezvous in deep space and with non-cooperative objects; conducting astronaut EVAs for sample 

selection, handling, and containment; maintaining Earth return trajectories; and strategies for emergency 

returns. 

ARRM Enables Crewed Mission in the Mid-2020s (Artist 

Rendering)) 
Exploration: Exploration Research and Development: Advanced Exploration Systems 

ASTEROID REDIRECT ROBOTIC MISSION

Formulation Development Operations 

For further programmatic information, go to: 

https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/asteroids/initiative/index.html.

EXP-58 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017 

The ARRM integrated capability demonstration mission entered Phase A of Project Formulation in March 

2015. During Phase A, the team defines the technical systems and resource requirements expected for the 

selected mission concept. This work, along with interactions from stakeholders, helps refine a mission 

concept. 

PROJECT PRELIMINARY PARAMETERS

ARRM FY 2017 budget request supports continued mission formulation supporting a mid-2020s crewed 

mission date. NASA will continue formulation in FY 2017, leading to refinement of the launch date and 

other Agency commitments, including spacecraft bus development start. 

ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2015 

ARRM concluded 18 BAA study contracts providing input into: capture system options; rendezvous and 

proximity operations sensors; options to adapting commercial spacecraft; and future partnerships for 

secondary payloads and the crewed mission. ARRM completed a robotic mission capture concept 

downselect decision and, in conjunction with other early critical design and acquisition meetings, 

received approval to enter Phase A (KDP-A). NASA approved Draft Level 1 mission requirements and 

formulation guidance for launch dates. The ARRM team also requested ideas through a Request for 

Information (RFI) to support acquisition strategy activities. The ARRM Acquisition Strategy Meeting had 

a focus on acquisition of the spacecraft bus leveraging commercially available spacecraft bus capabilities. 

NASA continues to make the following progress on essential activities that can be utilized on ARRM: 

began long lead component technology procurements for SEP technology demonstration mission 

(STMD); developed robotic systems and controls for interaction with non-cooperative bodies 

(HEOMD/ISS); and matured interfaces to the crewed mission, such as EVA technology maturation 

(HEOMD/AES). 

WORK IN PROGRESS IN FY 2016 

ARRM is conducting competitively solicited early design phase study contracts for robotic spacecraft and 

finalize Phase A to design this integrated capability demonstration mission. ARRM integrated 

requirements closure was successfully conducted in December 2015. 

This FY 2017 budget request for ARRM will enable NASA to continue U.S. and international 

partnerships development and prepare for spacecraft bus development. Also with partners and synergistic 

programs, ARRM will continue long lead procurement activities related to spacecraft bus or SEP module 

and capture module: The STMD SEP project will continue high power, long life solar electric propulsion 
Exploration: Exploration Research and Development: Advanced Exploration Systems 

ASTEROID REDIRECT ROBOTIC MISSION

Formulation Development Operations 

EXP-59 

system technology development toward demonstration on ARRM; and will also continue to advance 

satellite servicing autonomy, controls, and robotic manipulators. ARRM will also benefit from SMD 

asteroid observations and enhancements for target identification. 

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS PLANNED FOR FY 2017 

ARRM will continue competitive industry early design activities for the spacecraft bus. The capture 

systems and module will continue development efforts. Including defining Potential international and 

commercial partnerships. SMD will conduct further asteroid observations and enhancements. 

ESTIMATED PROJECT SCHEDULE

Project schedule estimates are preliminary. A baseline cost commitment does not occur until the project 

receives approval for implementation at KDP-C.

Milestone Formulation Authorization 

Document FY 2017 PB Request 

KDP-B Q2, FY 2016 Q4, FY16 

SDR, KDP-C N/A TBD 

SDVR N/A TBD 

Launch (or equivalent) Dec 2020 TBD 

Formulation Estimated Life Cycle Cost Range and Schedule 

Range Summary 

Life cycle cost estimates are preliminary. A baseline cost commitment does not occur until the project 

receives approval for implementation (KDP-C), which follows a non-advocate review and/or preliminary 

design review. 
Exploration: Exploration Research and Development: Advanced Exploration Systems 

ASTEROID REDIRECT ROBOTIC MISSION

Formulation Development Operations 

EXP-60 

Project Management & Commitments 

Element Description Provider Details 

Change from 

Formulation 

Agreement 

STMD EP 

Demonstrate a high power 

solar electric propulsion 

system, enabling a capability 

for future deep space human 

and robotic exploration, with 

applicability to the Nation’s 

public and private sector 

space needs. 

Provider: STMD 

Lead Center: GRC 

Performing Center(s): GRC, JPL 

Cost Share Partner(s): 

SMD Target 

Identification 

Utilize detection, tracking and 

characterization data of NearEarth Asteroids, enabling 

continued search for 

candidate ARM target 

asteroids. 

Provider: SMD 

Lead Center: JPL 

Performing Center(s): JPL 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

Capture Module 

Develop asteroid boulder 

capture module leveraging inspace robotic servicing 

systems developments 

Provider: GSFC 

Lead Center: GSFC 

Performing Center(s): GSFC, LaRC, 

JPL 

Cost Share Partner(s): 

Launch Vehicle TBD 

Provider: 

Lead Center: 

Performing Center(s): 

Cost Share Partner(s): 

Project Risks 

Project risk(s) estimates are preliminary. A baseline cost commitment does not occur until the project 

receives approval for implementation (KDP-C), which follows a non-advocate review and/or preliminary 

design review. 

Acquisition Strategy 

JPL manages the ARRM project, including acquisition of a SEP based spacecraft bus, which significantly 

leverages existing commercially available SEP capable spacecraft busses. 
Exploration: Exploration Research and Development: Advanced Exploration Systems 

ASTEROID REDIRECT ROBOTIC MISSION

Formulation Development Operations 

EXP-61 

MAJOR CONTRACTS/AWARDS

A HEOMD commercial leveraged spacecraft bus study request for proposal is released. STMD EP 

development contract proposals are under evaluation. 

INDEPENDENT REVIEWS

Review 

Type Performer Date of Review Purpose Outcome Next Review 

Performance

Independent 

Review Team, 

Agency Program 

Management 

Council 

Mar 2015 Mission Concept 

Review Successful N/A 

Performance 

SRB, Agency 

Program 

Management 

Council 

Q4, FY 

2016

KDP-B (includes 

SRR, Mission 

Definition Review 

(MDR) 

Pending N/A 
 

SPACE OPERATIONS

SO-1 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Space Shuttle 7.7 -- 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 

International Space Station 1524.8 -- 1430.7 1554.7 1536.8 1539.3 1585.2 

Space Transportation 2254.0 -- 2757.7 2475.0 2118.7 2144.4 2213.9 

Space and Flight Support (SFS) 839.0 -- 887.4 883.2 874.1 856.4 898.6 

Total Budget 4625.5 5029.2 5075.8 4912.8 4529.7 4540.1 4697.6 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. FY 

2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

Space Operations ..................................................................SO-2

International Space Station 

INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION PROGRAM ..................................................... SO-7 

ISS Systems Operations and Maintenance .........................................................................SO-9 

ISS Research.....................................................................................................................SO-14

Space Transportation ......................................................................................SO-27

CREW AND CARGO .............................................................................................. SO-29

COMMERCIAL CREW ........................................................................................... SO-35

Space and Flight Support (SFS) 

21ST CENTURY SPACE LAUNCH COMPLEX....................................................... SO-41

SPACE COMMUNICATIONS AND NAVIGATION .................................................. SO-47

Space Communications Networks ....................................................................................SO-49

Space Communications Support .......................................................................................SO-56

HUMAN SPACE FLIGHT OPERATIONS ................................................................ SO-62

LAUNCH SERVICES .............................................................................................. SO-68

ROCKET PROPULSION TEST .............................................................................. SO-75
SPACE OPERATIONS

SO-2 

FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Space Shuttle 7.7 -- 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 

International Space Station 1524.8 -- 1430.7 1554.7 1536.8 1539.3 1585.2 

Space Transportation 2254.0 -- 2757.7 2475.0 2118.7 2144.4 2213.9 

Space and Flight Support (SFS) 839.0 -- 887.4 883.2 874.1 856.4 898.6 

Total Budget 4625.5 5029.2 5075.8 4912.8 4529.7 4540.1 4697.6 

Change from FY 2016 46.6 

Percentage change from FY 2016 0.9% 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. FY 

2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

NASA’s exploration of deep space is rooted in an 

operational experience base a half century long. As it 

prepares once again to stretch human exploration 

beyond low Earth orbit, the Agency is drawing from 

the best that five decades of human space flight has 

to offer. 

Space Operations capabilities enable rocket 

propulsion testing; assure safe, reliable, and 

affordable access to space; and maintain secure and 

dependable communications with crewed and robotic 

missions across the solar system and beyond. 

Programs in the Space Operations portfolio promote 

full utilization of the ISS for conducting research and 

technology development. Activities cover all aspects 

of ISS operation and resupply, including on-orbit 

operations, crew training and transfer, and cargo 

replenishment. 

The Commercial Crew Program (CCP) will provide 

reduced reliance on foreign providers for U.S. crew 

access to low Earth orbit and CCP’s partnerships with the private sector develop commercial systems 

capable of carrying humans to and from the ISS, similar to the successful approach demonstrated for 

cargo resupply services. 

The 21st Century Space Launch Complex (21CSLC) initiative will conclude at the end of fiscal year (FY) 

2017. Kennedy Space Center (KSC) will complete a number of infrastructure modernization projects, 

including refurbishing the wharf at the Turn Basin at KSC, additional conditioning of the Launch 

Complex 39 (LC-39), crawlerway and roof replacement of the KSC Logistics facility. Key projects at 

NASA astronaut Kjell Lindgren captured while 

working outside of ISS during a spacewalk on Nov. 6, 

2015. Lindgren and fellow NASA astronaut Scott 

Kelly restored the port truss (P6) ammonia cooling 

system to its original configuration and returned 

ammonia to the desired levels in both the prime and 

back-up systems. 
 

SPACE OPERATIONS

SO-3 

Wallops Flight Facility (WFF), such as Range Control Center upgrades, modernization of the Bermuda 

tracking facility, and performance test on Pad OA, will all be completed in FY 2016. 

For further programmatic information, go to http://www.nasa.gov/directorates/heo/home/ index.html. 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017 

Starting with the FY 2016 Appropriation, CCP has been realigned from the Exploration account to the 

Space Operations account within the Space Transportation Theme for increased synergy with the ISS 

Program. Previously within the ISS Program, ISS Crew and Cargo Transportation has also moved to the 

Space Transportation Theme. 

NASA transferred In-Space Robotic Servicing (ISRS) from ISS Research to Space Technology Mission 

Directorate (STMD). 

ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2015

Commercial providers successfully launched two cargo resupply missions to the ISS in FY 2015, carrying 

critical investigations, experiments, and supplies. 

NASA’s industry partners successfully worked throughout the year to complete their contracted 

milestones, leading to production of a viable crewed space transportation system that will reduce our 

reliance on foreign providers. For example, under the Commercial Crew transportation Capabilities 

(CCtCap) contracts Boeing has completed six of 23 development milestones, including a key Delta I –

Critical Design Review (CDR) milestone and SpaceX has completed two of 18 development milestones, 

including an Avionics Test Bed milestone. 

Future long-duration human spaceflight and exploration activities require research that can only be 

accomplished on the ISS. These activities are integral to understanding and mitigating the impacts of 

long-duration space flight on human health. ISS hosted 416 experiments in a wide range of various 

scientific and technology areas, including experiments with a 3D printer, which will enable the crew to 

manufacture specialized tools and parts on demand. This research supports future long-duration human 

spaceflight. Some examples of research include the Vegetable Production System (Veggie), verifying 

microgravity-grown plants do not harbor potentially harmful microorganisms, and Fruit-Fly Lab 1 

designed for further research into human genetic responses to long-duration stays in space. 

American Astronaut Scott Kelly and Russian Cosmonaut Mikhail Kornienko began a one-year ISS 

expedition in March 2015, to better understand the impacts of long-duration space flight on the human 

body and aid in the development of effective countermeasures. 

Launch Services Program (LSP) supported the launch of the Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) and 

the Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) missions. LSP ensures these missions reach space by acquiring 

commercially available launch services and working with customers and providers, from pre-mission 

planning through post-launch. 

Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) supported over 30 missions, with over 178,000 hours of 

tracking and more than 160,000 passes. During the fiscal year, SCaN successfully supported downloading 

scientific data from the New Horizons spacecraft in July 2015 as it passed Pluto and its moon Charon. 
 

SPACE OPERATIONS

SO-4 

NASA continues to replenish SCaN’s networks to resolve ongoing equipment obsolescence ensuring that 

future deep space missions have the communication capabilities needed to be successful. The Space 

Network Ground Segment Sustainment (SGSS) project completed integrated software and system 

development activities furthering ground system performance, capability, and robustness. 

Rocket Propulsion Testing (RPT) performed the first RS-25 engine test on Stennis Space Center (SSC) A1 test stand. This successful 300-second test began a multi-year effort necessary to use the engine on SLS 

Core Booster Stage, which is required to support Exploration Mission (EM)-1 and other exploration 

goals. Testing the propulsion systems that will transport astronauts to cis-lunar space and beyond is 

critical to future mission success, and RPT provides that support. 

WORK IN PROGRESS IN FY 2016 

Commercial Crew industry teams will complete remaining Commercial Crew Integrated Capability 

(CCiCap) milestones and achieve significant milestones as part of their CCtCap contract(s). These 

milestones will demonstrate that commercial providers are continuing to mature their capabilities towards 

NASA’s goal of launching astronauts once again to ISS from U.S. soil. 

To ensure visiting vehicle traffic flexibility and port redundancy, ISS will be moving several pressurized 

modules. A commercial provider will launch a commercial inflatable structure (known as BEAM) to ISS 

to investigate habitat technology, a critical requirement for future exploration missions. 

Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate (HEOMD) and its international partners continue 

to maintain and operate ISS as a platform for research and to expand the commercial utilization of low 

Earth orbit. NASA’s new “open science” approach will greatly expand availability of data to a larger 

research community, maximizing return on investment, and opening up new findings in research and 

technology development. 

The yearlong U.S. and Russian crew expedition concludes in spring 2016. Health monitoring, clinical 

services and rehabilitation to the returning astronaut, and analysis of mission data will continue through 

the end of 2016. Furthermore, NASA will continue taking advantage of the rare opportunity to study 

identical twins Mark and Scott Kelly in real time on the genetic level. Studying the effects of space travel 

on identical twins will help researchers further the fieldwork of psychology, physiology, microbiology, 

and immunology. 

SCaN’s Deep Space Network (DSN) Aperture Enhancement Project (DAEP) work planned at Madrid 

Deep Space Communication Complex (MDSCC) includes construction of two new 34-meter antennas, 

Deep Space Station (DSS) 56 and 53. SCaN is also continuing research into Disruption Tolerant Network 

techniques, allowing science data to be downlinked to many space and ground assets and re-assembled 

safely and securely at a final destination. SCaN represented NASA with the State Department and other 

Federal Agencies at the International Telecommunication Union’s World Radio communication 

Conference in November 2015 in national and international negotiations on key items related to NASA’s 

spectrum requirements. 

Space Flight Support programs are providing the capabilities needed for NASA’s missions and goals: 

affordable launch services, propulsion testing facilities, and reliable space communications. Beginning in 

FY 2016, Space Flight Crew Operations will begin training astronauts in support of the first human 

commercial space vehicle to ISS. The new astronaut class selection process focuses on the skills critical 
 

SPACE OPERATIONS

SO-5 

for missions beyond low Earth orbit. Assessments will include training in smaller vehicles without the 

benefit of real-time communication with the ground, further enabling less reliance on Earth based 

capabilities. 

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS PLANNED FOR FY 2017 

NASA expects Commercial crew industry CCtCap teams will accomplish significant milestones under 

their contracts, including the Boeing Crewed Flight Test Readiness Review and the SpaceX Flight to ISS 

with Crew milestone. 

NASA and international partners will manage resources, logistics, systems, and operational procedures 

required to maintain a continuous six-crew member capability on ISS. The ISS team will complete a 

second international docking adapter, to support a second docking port for commercial crew vehicles, 

supporting increased on-board research activity. ISS will also host a number of important Earth climatefocused research projects and the robust Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) 

pipeline of projects. 

Space Flight Support programs are providing the capabilities needed for NASA’s missions and goals: 

affordable launch services, propulsion testing facilities, and reliable space communications. In addition, 

LSP will support six civil sector missions for launch in FY 2017, Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite 

System (CYGNSS), Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-R (GOES-R), Joint Polar Satellite 

System 1 (JPSS-1), Ionospheric Connection Explorer (ICON), and Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite 

(TESS). 

The Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS)-M spacecraft will be removed from storage and delivered

to a launch service provider at KSC in preparation for launch in 2017. 

Themes 

INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION

November 2015 marked the 15th anniversary of continuous human presence aboard the space station. ISS 

has hosted more than 200 people from 17 countries, and is the culmination of one of the largest and most 

complicated international engineering efforts ever attempted. It is a key step in the human endeavor to 

explore and live in space, providing a laboratory and crew in orbit to conduct research to advance biology 

and biotechnology, materials and physical science, and the effects of long-duration space flight on the 

human body. The ISS enables researchers to identify risks to crew, and then develop and test 

countermeasures to reduce those risks. NASA scientists have identified 30 health risks in human 

exploration of Mars, and the ISS is required to resolve at least 24 of them. In addition, the results of the 

research completed on ISS advance many areas of science, enabling benefits such as next-generation 

technologies in health and medicine, robotics, manufacturing, and propulsion. 

The ISS program also includes on-orbit vehicle operations. These operations and crew and cargo 

transportation supplied by the Crew and Cargo Program are key to deliver the research needed to enable 

future long-duration human missions in deep space. 
 

SPACE OPERATIONS

SO-6 

SPACE AND FLIGHT SUPPORT

Space and Flight Support (SFS) consists of multiple programs, providing Agency-level capabilities 

critical to the success of NASA missions and goals. The Human Space Flight Operations program ensures 

that NASA astronauts are fully prepared to carry out current and future missions safely. The LSP assures 

reliable access to space by providing leadership, expertise, and cost-effective expendable launch vehicle 

services for NASA missions. The 21CSLC Program ensures NASA’s launch facilities are ready to 

support future commercial, as well as NASA, missions. The SCaN program downloads the science data 

payoff from NASA’s robotic spacecraft and human missions through an extensive network of groundbased and orbiting communications nodes and associated hardware and software. The RPT program 

maintains a wide variety of test facilities that enable NASA, other agencies, and commercial partners to 

advance their rocket development efforts in a cost-effective manner. 

SPACE TRANSPORTATION

The Space Transportation theme’s objective is to transport U.S. astronauts and cargo safely to and from 

low Earth orbit, including ISS, and partner with the U.S. private sector in developing and operating safe, 

reliable, and affordable transportation options. This newly created theme combines CCP and ISS Crew 

and Cargo Transportation. While this is a new theme in 2017, the projects under this theme existed in the 

FY 2016 budget structure within HEOMD. CCP was previously in the Exploration account under the 

Commercial Spaceflight Theme. ISS Crew and Cargo Transportation was in the Space Operations 

account within the ISS program. 
Space Operations: International Space Station 

INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION PROGRAM 

SO-7 

FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

ISS Systems Operations and Maintenance 1113.0 -- 1108.9 1245.6 1196.3 1192.6 1232.5 

ISS Research 411.8 -- 321.9 309.1 340.5 346.7 352.6 

Total Budget 1524.8 -- 1430.7 1554.7 1536.8 1539.3 1585.2 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. FY 

2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

Hurricane Jimena was a category 3 storm and was about 

1,000 miles east of Hawaii, traveling at a rate of 10 mph in a 

west-northwest direction. The ISS captured this image on 

August 30, 2015. The ISS contributes to humanity by 

collecting data on the global climate, environmental change 

and natural hazards using its unique complement of crewoperated and automated Earth-observation payloads. 

The International Space Station (ISS) is a 

highly complex facility that provides an 

unparalleled capability for human, space-based 

research. A crew of six aboard the ISS—three 

on the US operating segment and three on the 

Russian segment—orbits the Earth about every 

90 minutes. The U.S. operating segment is the 

portion of ISS operated by the United States 

and its Canadian, European, and Japanese 

partners. Russia exclusively operates the 

Russian segment. 

Including its solar arrays, the ISS spans the 

area of a U.S. football field (with end zones) 

and weighs over 860,000 pounds, excluding 

visiting vehicles. Orbiting Earth 16 times per 

day at a speed of 17,500 miles per hour, the 

ISS maintains an altitude that ranges from 230 

to 286 miles. The complex has more livable 

room than a conventional five-bedroom house, 

with two bathrooms, a fitness center, a 360-degree bay window, and state of the art scientific research 

facilities. In addition to external test beds, the U.S. operating segment of the ISS houses three major 

science laboratories (U.S. Destiny, European Columbus, and Japanese Kibo). 

In January 2014, the Administration announced the United States’ intention to extend the ISS operations 

and utilization to at least 2024. This extension provides nearly another decade of opportunity in which to 

accomplish three major objectives on the ISS: conduct research and technology development required to 

enable human exploration in deep space and eventually Mars; facilitate maturation of a commercial 

market for space-based research and activity in low Earth orbit; and conduct research in Earth, space, and 

fundamental biological and physical sciences. 

The ISS is essential to move human exploration of space from an Earth-reliant to an Earth-independent 

capability. The ISS is the only microgravity platform for the long-term testing of new life support and 

crew health systems, advanced habitat modules, and other technologies needed to decrease reliance on 

Earth. Over the next decade, we will validate many of the capabilities needed to maintain a healthy and 
Space Operations: International Space Station 

INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION PROGRAM 

SO-8 

productive crew in deep space. Currently manifested or planned experiments and demonstrations include 

improved long-duration life support for Mars missions, advanced fire safety equipment, next-generation 

spacesuit technologies, high-data-rate communications, techniques to reduce logistics, large deployable 

solar arrays, in-space additive manufacturing, advanced exercise and medical equipment, radiation 

monitoring and shielding, human-robotic operations, and autonomous crew operations. The facility 

enables scientists to identify and quantify risks to human health and performance, and to develop and test 

countermeasures and technologies to protect astronauts during extended human space exploration. 

The ISS program aims to provide direct research benefits to the public through its operations, research, 

and technology development activities. As a National Laboratory, the ISS enables partners in government, 

academia, and industry to utilize its unique environment and advanced facilities to perform investigations. 

Observing from and experimenting aboard the ISS provides the chance to learn about Earth, life, and the 

solar system from a very different frame of reference. NASA and its partners also use this unique 

reference point to advance science, technology, engineering, and mathematics efforts to inspire youth to 

pursue those fields. The results of the research completed on the ISS can be applied to many areas of 

science, improving life on this planet, and furthering the experience and increased understanding 

necessary to journey to other worlds. 

For additional information on the ISS program, go to 

https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/main/index.html.

For specific information on the many experiments conducted on ISS, go to 

https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments_category.html. 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017

NASA transferred ISRS from ISS Research to STMD. ISS Crew and Cargo Transportation has been 

transferred to a new theme within Space Operations, Space Transportation. 
Space Operations: International Space Station: International Space Station Program 

ISS SYSTEMS OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE 

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SO-9 

FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Total Budget 1113.0 -- 1108.9 1245.6 1196.3 1192.6 1232.5 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. FY 

2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

ISS uses the Water Recovery System to reclaim waste 

water from astronauts and the environment and turn it 

into potable water. NASA astronaut, Scott Kelly tweeted 

out this image of coffee from a drink bag made with this 

reclaimed water saying: “Recycle Good to the last drop! 

Making pee potable and turning it into coffee on @space 

station. #NoPlaceLikeHome.”

ISS is a complex research facility and human 

outpost in low Earth orbit, developed in a 

collaborative, multinational effort to advance 

exploration of the solar system, enable unique 

scientific research, and promote commerce in 

space. 

Many things taken for granted on Earth are not 

available in space. Safely operating the ISS in 

the severe conditions of space and ensuring crew 

always have a sufficient supply of food, water, 

and oxygen requires precise planning and 

logistics. Much like a house, the ISS needs 

routine maintenance and is subject to 

unexpected mechanical failures. However, the 

systems on the ISS are significantly more 

complicated than systems in an average home. 

Resolving problems can be challenging and 

often require the crew to make repairs in space 

with support from ground teams on Earth. 

Astronauts on the ISS cannot go to the local 

hardware store to buy materials, so support teams on Earth monitor and painstakingly plan for 

replacement parts and consumables, such as filters, to make sure they are available when needed. 

The coordination and support necessary for the ISS crew to live and work comfortably in space requires 

intensive Earth-based mission operations. Ground teams continually monitor ISS performance, provide 

necessary vehicle commands, and communicate with the crew. Even before the astronauts leave Earth, the 

Systems Operations and Maintenance project provides the crew training to prepare them for their stay 

aboard the ISS. 

The ISS program considers all aspects of the mission when developing operations plans to meet program 

objectives. These include scheduling crew activities, choreographing the docking and undocking of 

visiting crew and supply ships, evaluating consumables supply, and managing stowage issues. The 

Systems Operations and Maintenance project ensures that the ISS is operational and available to perform 

its research mission at all times. 
Space Operations: International Space Station: International Space Station Program 

ISS SYSTEMS OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE 

Formulation Development Operations 

SO-10 

Because the ISS is an international partnership, these program decisions are not made in isolation; they 

require collaboration with multiple countries to ensure all technical, schedule, and resources supply 

considerations are taken into account. The experience NASA is gaining through integration with its ISS 

partners is helping the Agency to better prepare for future partnerships in human space exploration. 

A critical component of the Systems Operations and Maintenance project is immediate, emergency 

services and analyses conducted by mission control teams on Earth, known as vehicle and program 

anomaly resolution. Engineers and operators diagnose system failures and develop solutions, while 

program specialists respond to changing program needs and priorities through replanning efforts. 

This year presented one of the ISS program’s toughest logistical challenges. Over the course of eight 

months, three cargo resupply vehicles were lost in launch mishaps: Orbital ATK’s Orb-3 failed 

immediately after launch on October 28, 2014; Russia’s Progress 59P was lost just before reaching orbit 

on April 28, 2015; and SpaceX (SpX)-7 was lost a few minutes into flight on June 28, 2015. The ISS 

program was well positioned to mitigate adverse impacts. For example, consumables remain in good 

shape. Stockpiled research waiting to be executed is now underway with plenty of utilization time. 

However, key replacement ISS parts were lost in the mishaps, and combined with the low or zero 

inventory on Earth, presented an added challenge to the program. Two examples are the multi-filtration 

beds for the water processing assembly and the fluids control pump assembly for the urine processing 

assembly. ISS was able to procure and manifest those items on the H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV)-5 

mission. These examples are tangible evidence of the excellent forward planning by the ISS program. 

After losing three cargo resupply flights in about eight months, ISS was still able to support six crew 

members and continue a research utilization program. 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017

None 

ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2015

Throughout the year, NASA ground teams continued to monitor overall vehicle health and oversee 

general maintenance and performance of all ISS vehicle systems, including environmental control and life 

support, electrical power, propulsion, thermal control; and guidance, navigation and control. During the 

past year, NASA detected an increase in the Total Organic Carbon (TOC) present in the onboard drinking 

water supply. New multifiltration beds were needed to process the excess TOC, and although the beds 

were lost on Orb-3 and SpX-7, the ground teams were able to modify water processing procedures on ISS 

to bring TOC within acceptable levels while minimizing the amount of water wasted during the 

processing cycle. Additionally, the team was able to manufacture, qualify, and launch new beds between 

SpX-7 and the HTV-5 launch, which allowed full reintegration of the water processing system and TOC 

levels within flight rules. 

Successful operation and maintenance leads to an environment conducive to research. The ISS was host 

to 416 experiments. These included 118 experiments in biology and biotechnology, 66 in Earth and space 

science, 22 in educational activities, 84 in human research, 40 in physical science, and 86 in technology. 
Space Operations: International Space Station: International Space Station Program 

ISS SYSTEMS OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE 

Formulation Development Operations 

SO-11 

WORK IN PROGRESS IN FY 2016 

The ISS Systems Operations and Maintenance project continues to maintain resources on orbit and on the 

ground to operate and utilize the ISS. NASA expects continued success in providing all necessary 

resources, including power, data, crew time, logistics, and accommodations, to support research while 

operating safely with a crew of six astronauts. NASA is planning four crew rotation and ten cargo 

resupply missions in FY 2016, including both international partner and U.S. commercial cargo flights. 

NASA ground teams continue to monitor overall vehicle health and oversee general maintenance and 

performance of all ISS vehicle systems, including command and data handling, communication and 

tracking, crew health care, environmental control and life support, electrical power, extravehicular 

activities (EVAs), extravehicular robotics, flight crew equipment, propulsion, structures and mechanisms, 

thermal control, and guidance, navigation, and control. 

The team plans to support one Russian EVA and five U.S. EVAs in FY 2016. Many of the U.S. EVAs 

will support continued major reconfiguration onboard ISS which began in FY 2015. NASA is continuing 

modifications to docking ports that will allow the ISS to accommodate two visiting vehicle-docking ports 

and two visiting vehicle-berthing ports, enabling traffic flexibility and port redundancy for U.S. operating 

segment crew and cargo vehicle missions. 

While the one-year crew expedition for one Russian cosmonaut and one NASA astronaut concludes in 

spring 2016, data analysis will continue through the end of the year. This expedition will help scientists 

better understand the impacts of long-duration spaceflight on the human body, and aid in the development 

of effective countermeasures. 

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS PLANNED FOR FY 2017 

NASA plans to work with international partners to maintain a continuous six ISS crew member capability 

by coordinating and managing resources, logistics, systems, and operational procedures. The operations 

and maintenance project will continue to manage resource requirements and changes, including vehicle 

traffic, cargo logistics, stowage, and crew time. In addition to providing anomaly resolution and failure 

investigation as needed, they plan and provide real-time support for activities, such as EVA and visiting 

vehicles. 
Space Operations: International Space Station: International Space Station Program 

ISS SYSTEMS OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE 

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Project Schedule 

The table below provides a schedule for potential EVAs. However, the ISS conducts near-term, real-time 

assessments of EVA demands along with other program objectives, to efficiently plan all required ISS 

activities. NASA remains postured to conduct EVAs on short notice in response to specific contingency 

scenarios. In addition, the ISS program balances routine maintenance EVAs against the overall astronaut 

availability to maintain focus on utilization and research. 

Date Significant Event 

Oct 2015 U.S. EVA 

Nov 2015 U.S. EVA 

Dec 2015 U.S. EVA 

Jan 2016 U.S. EVA 

Feb 2016 Russian EVA 

May 2016 U.S. EVA; one contingency U.S. EVA 

Oct 2016 Two U.S. EVAs; Four contingency U.S. EVAs 

Oct 2017 U.S. EVA 

Project Management & Commitments 

While NASA maintains the integrator role for the entire ISS, each partner has primary authority for 

managing and operating the hardware and elements they provide. Within NASA, Johnson Space Center 

(JSC) in Houston, Texas leads project management of ISS Systems Operations and Maintenance. 

Acquisition Strategy 

NASA extended the current Boeing vehicle sustaining engineering contract on a sole source basis to The 

Boeing Company through September 30, 2020. Requirements of this contract include sustaining 

engineering of U.S. on-orbit segment hardware and software, technical integration across all of the ISS 

segments, end-to-end subsystem management for the majority of ISS subsystems and specialty 

engineering disciplines, and U.S. on-orbit segment and integrated system certification of flight readiness. 
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MAJOR CONTRACTS/AWARDS

Element Vendor Location (of work performance) 

U.S. on-orbit segment Sustaining 

Engineering Contract The Boeing Company JSC

INDEPENDENT REVIEWS

Review 

Type Performer Date of Review Purpose Outcome Next Review 

Other NASA Advisory 

Council Dec 2015 

Provides independent 

guidance for the 

NASA Administrator 

No formal 

recommendations or 

findings 

2016

Other 

NASA Aerospace 

Safety Advisory 

Panel 

Dec 2015

Provides independent 

assessments of safety 

to the NASA 

Administrator 

No formal 

recommendations or 

findings 

Feb 2016 
Space Operations: International Space Station: International Space Station Program 

ISS RESEARCH 

Formulation Development Operations 

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FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Total Budget 411.8 -- 321.9 309.1 340.5 346.7 352.6 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. FY 

2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

NASA astronaut Kjell Lindgren loads a deployer 

device filled with 16 CubeSats into a small airlock in 

the Japanese Kibo Module on the ISS. Among the 16 

satellites are 14 Dove satellites from Planet Labs that 

will be used for Earth observation, one for testing 

space based radios and another that will be used to 

track ships on the open ocean. 

The ISS is an orbiting platform that provides an 

unparalleled capability for space-based research 

and a unique venue for developing technologies for 

future human space exploration. As a research and 

development facility, the ISS enables scientific 

investigation of physical, chemical, and biological 

processes in an environment very different from 

Earth. A range of science laboratories, external 

testbeds, and observatory sites are available aboard 

the ISS, allowing astronauts to conduct a wide 

variety of experiments in low Earth orbit The ISS 

supports research across a diverse array of 

disciplines, including physics, Earth science, space 

science, biology and biotechnology, human 

physiology, chemistry, and materials science. In 

addition, ISS is a platform for educational activities 

that enable the public to engage in the national and 

global endeavor of human spaceflight, and inspire 

students to excel in science, technology, 

engineering, and mathematics academic disciplines. 

As the name implies, the ISS is not strictly a NASA endeavor, but a collaborative venture with our 

international partners, including the Canadian, European, Japanese, and Russian space agencies. Although 

each partner has distinct national goals for ISS research, all participating agencies share a unified goal to 

extend the resulting knowledge for future exploration and to benefit humanity. Within NASA, mission 

directorates prioritize their research investments based on studies from the National Academies, such as 

the Decadal Survey on Biological and Physical Sciences in Space. 

The ISS Research project funds fundamental and applied research in biological and physical sciences to 

enable future human exploration and add to our existing body of knowledge. Also funded is multi-user 

systems support (MUSS) capability, which provides strategic, tactical, and operational support to all 

NASA sponsored and non-NASA sponsored payloads (including those of the five international partners), 

as well as operation of on-orbit research facilities. Research-enabling activities are included as support to 

CASIS, a non-profit organization that manages the ISS National Laboratory. 
Space Operations: International Space Station: International Space Station Program 

ISS RESEARCH 

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Research and development (R&D) conducted aboard the ISS holds the promise of next-generation 

technologies in health and medicine; robotics, manufacturing, and propulsion; and development of 

applications that will benefit life on Earth. As NASA’s only long-duration flight testbed, the ISS is 

critical to developing plans to extend human space exploration beyond low Earth orbit. Aboard the ISS, 

researchers study the effects of long-duration exposure to the space environment on the crew, devising 

and testing countermeasures to offset health risks. Additionally, researchers evaluate extended 

performance of equipment critical to long-duration flight by testing the hardware’s ability to survive in 

the space environment, determining life-limiting issues and repair capabilities, and evaluating upgrades to 

improve performance. NASA has deployed the Disruption Tolerant Network for Space Operations on the 

ISS which is a step toward building a reliable Interplanetary Internet. The demonstration establishes a 

long-term communications test bed on the ISS capable of improving electronic communications by 

storing data when a connection is interrupted and forwarding to its destination using relay stations. 

As of the conclusion of Expedition 44 in September 2015, more than 2,000 investigators from 83 

countries around the world have performed over 1,900 research investigations utilizing the ISS and over 

1,200 R&D results have been published in scientific journals and magazines (Note: these are early 

estimates with final numbers expected to be published in early 2016). 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017

NASA transferred ISRS from ISS Research to STMD. 

ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2015

Scientific accomplishments on the ISS continue to increase, as does the quantity of data returned from 

automated research instruments, and astronaut crew time dedicated to research. During FY 2015, the ISS 

hosted 416 experiments, including an estimated 118 in biology and biotechnology, 66 in Earth and space 

science, 22 in educational activities, 84 in human research, 40 in physical science, and 86 in technology. 

Although ISS crew visits are currently limited to six months, a U.S. astronaut and a Russian cosmonaut 

arrived in spring of 2015 to remain aboard for a full year of research. The 12-month study includes 

investigating the effects of long-term stays in space on bone density, muscle mass, strength, vision, and 

human physiology. While critical for future exploration missions, this and other investigations will have 

important applications on Earth. As a growing senior population faces a myriad of age-related health 

concerns, NASA’s research advances knowledge of bone and muscle health, immunology, and innovative 

diagnostic systems, and holds promise for medical treatments on Earth. 

During FY 2015, the ISS program initiated an effort to Revolutionize the ISS for Science and Exploration 

(RISE). This effort is reworking processes the ISS program uses for performing research on the ISS. 

Overall, the RISE effort will minimize the work required for a research project to fly to the ISS, so 

objectives are accomplished as quickly as possible. 

NASA Biological and Physical Sciences (BPS) developed two new initiatives, the Physical Sciences 

Informatics (PSI) database and GeneLab, to allow for increased opportunities in BPS research. The PSI 

contains data from physical sciences experiments previously performed on the ISS, which will now create 
Space Operations: International Space Station: International Space Station Program 

ISS RESEARCH 

Formulation Development Operations 

SO-16 

new open science opportunities in that field. The GeneLab Phase 1.0 database went live in April 2015, 

and is creating a central hub for NASA’s biological open science initiative. Astronauts performed three 

biological open science spaceflight experiments this past year and soon NASA will release the data to the 

public. NASA is preparing to release the first NASA Research Announcement (NRA) for GeneLab data 

research in FY 2016, and released the first NRA for PSI earlier this year. 

NASA completed and launched Veggie, the largest plant growth system to date for use in space. This 

facility is key to both studying how plants grow in space as well as determining whether humans can 

successfully grow food in microgravity during long-duration missions. Astronauts grew and ate lettuce to 

supplement their diet. The Veggie “Pick and Eat” activity was streamed live on NASA TV and was 

picked up by many news organizations. 

NASA BPS completed Capillary Flow Experiment (CFE)-2 research on a liquid’s ability to spread across 

a surface, and its impact over large length scales in strange container shapes in microgravity. Studying 

this process will help design better systems to process liquids aboard spacecraft (i.e., liquid fuel tanks, 

thermals fluids, and water processing for life support). 

NASA completed the first phase of a new fruit fly lab (Fruit-Fly Lab 1) in 2015, enabling the study of 

micro- and fractional-gravity effects on animals. At first glance, fruit flies do not seem to be a good 

analog for humans, but on the molecular level, we share many of the same basic genes and signal 

transactions. Current insect research on Earth is opening new avenues for prevention and therapy to treat 

infections, cancer, and inflammatory disease. This new fruit fly lab will enable research into human 

genetic responses to long-duration stays in space. 

NASA installed the externally mounted Cloud-Aerosol Transport System (CATS) on the Japanese 

Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) External Facility. CATS uses a light detection and ranging 

(LIDAR) remote sensing instrument to measure atmospheric clouds and aerosols such as pollution, dust, 

and smoke to determine their impact to the Earth’s climate. Observations of the Earth’s changing 

atmosphere enable researchers to understand formative and ongoing processes, and, ultimately, model and 

predict future climate changes. The ISS orbit is particularly suited to measurements of this kind because 

of the geographic areas it passes over, and because it permits study of day-to-night changes, which other 

Earth science satellites cannot offer due to their orbits. This payload served as a pathfinder for quick turnaround, low cost science payloads and identified many areas for improvement in ISS processes that the 

RISE effort is addressing. 

SpX-6 delivered the second rodent investigation in April 2015. A commercial company, Novartis, 

sponsored this musculoskeletal research. The rodent research habitats provide critical life sciences 

research capabilities and study physiological changes in space. Rodent research is particularly valuable 

because many aspects of rodent anatomy, physiology, and genetics are similar to those of humans. By 

studying rodents on the ISS, researchers can observe space flight-induced changes to tissues and cells, 

muscles and bones, cardiovascular and reproductive systems, and even behavior. This research better 

defines health risks and the countermeasures needed as humans expand their exploration of space and 

provides a platform for research into new drugs and causes of disease for application here on Earth. 

Reusing hardware originally built to test parts of NASA’s Quick Scatterometer (QuikScat) satellite, 

NASA launched the RapidScat instrument to the ISS in September to measure ocean surface wind speed 
Space Operations: International Space Station: International Space Station Program 

ISS RESEARCH 

Formulation Development Operations 

SO-17 

and direction. As an autonomous, externally mounted payload, this instrument is being used for near real 

time weather forecasts, including hurricane and cyclone monitoring, and understanding of how oceanatmosphere interactions influence Earth’s climate.

In FY 2015, CASIS engaged numerous nontraditional users and continued to enable a new era for space 

investigations capable of improving life on Earth. CASIS delivered 41 flight projects, led by prominent 

commercial companies and top academic research institutions, several in coordination with other 

government agency support. CASIS issued two requests for information and three research solicitations, 

as well as continued to build momentum in the private sector. Through such solicitations, in combination 

with targeted outreach activities, CASIS expects to further expand the more than 60 campaign-related 

projects currently in the ISS National Lab R&D portfolio. 

CASIS awarded projects to improve satellite technology and biomedical knowledge on Earth through 

spaceflight R&D. In total, CASIS awarded 39 research and technology projects that span a wide diversity 

of disciplines and applications, building a pipeline of future commercial payloads in nontraditional 

sectors, from not only Fortune 500 companies Eli Lilly, Merck, and Milliken but also innovative startups 

reached through continuing partnerships with accelerators and business plan competitions. Ten awards 

supporting science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education projects complement 

these R&D payloads. 

CASIS also implemented a new research procurement strategy, termed “Sponsored Programs” or 

solicitations for ISS research financially supported by a sponsor organization focused on solving a 

specific terrestrial problem. Sponsored programs generate external funding from other outlets and 

leverage CASIS’s ability to apportion ISS National Lab flight opportunities as an essential conduit to 

research and innovation. Two sponsored programs in FY 2015 included partnerships with Boeing and the 

Massachusetts Life Science Center, respectively. The variety of applications from these programs 

continues to increase, including advanced diagnostics, nanotechnologies, new biomaterials, and pandemic 

disease relief solutions. 

NanoRacks had 49 CubeSats delivered to the ISS and 44 CubeSats were deployed successfully. There 

were also 34 internal payloads delivered to the ISS. The first commercially-funded external platform, the 

NanoRacks External Platform, was launched on HTV5. In addition, they demonstrated the first successful 

plant growth inside of a NanoLab, an experiment designed by students at Lakewood High School, 

Colorado, and delivered what is believed to be the first-ever CubeSat developed by a primary school, 

STMSat-1, from St. Thomas More Cathedral, Arlington, Virginia. 

This year, the ISS also hosted a number of technology demonstration payloads, including a 3D printer, the 

Synchronized Position, Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellites – Halo (SPHERES-Halo) and 

SPHERES Slosh investigations. 3D printing in zero gravity is the first step in demonstrating a machine 

shop, capable of creating new components in space—a critical enabling element of future exploration 

class missions for which resupply is difficult and costly. The SPHERES-Halo investigation studies the 

possibility of launching several separate components and then attaching them once they are in space. The 

investigation upgrades the fleet of SPHERES to enable each SPHERE to communicate with six external 

objects at the same time, testing new control and remote assembly methods. The SPHERES-Slosh 

investigation examines the way liquids move inside containers in a microgravity environment. This 
Space Operations: International Space Station: International Space Station Program 

ISS RESEARCH 

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investigation will improve our understanding of how propellants within rockets behave to increase the 

safety and efficiency of future vehicle designs. 

ISRS focused on maturing technologies and mission concepts for the Restore-L satellite servicing mission 

in low Earth orbit, and the Asteroid Redirect Mission (ARM). NASA completed Restore-L feasibility 

studies with three industry spacecraft vendors and Pre-Acquisition Strategy Meeting. Leveraging the high 

degree of synergy between ISRS and ARM, NASA continued technical risk reduction for ARM including 

rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO), high-speed avionics, and dexterous robotics. ISRS also 

accomplished the Robotic Refueling Mission (RRM)-2 coolant replenishment technology experiments on 

ISS. 

For a more comprehensive list of research achievements on the ISS, go to 

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/index.html. 

WORK IN PROGRESS IN FY 2016 

Begun last year, NASA is continuing the Twins Study during Scott Kelly’s yearlong stay. Identical twins 

like Scott Kelly and Mark Kelly are genetically almost the same, so studying them provides scientists a 

unique opportunity to examine how environment, diet, and other outside factors affect human health and 

performance. One astronaut remains in space for a year while his twin stays on Earth allowing researchers 

to study the effects of space travel, including genetics, psychology, physiology, microbiology, and 

immunology. 

The GeneLab Open Science Initiative will move from phase one into phase two during FY 2016. This 

will involve releasing a new data system that allows researchers to search data from various data centers 

around the world including other government bioinformatics systems supported by the National Institutes 

of Health and Department of Energy. 

The Packed Bed Reactor Experiment (PBRE) will launch in 2016. This investigation will focus on the 

role and effects of gravity on gas-liquid flow through porous media. These are critical components often 

found in life support systems, thermal control devices, fuel cells, and biological and chemical reactors and 

results of these experiments will influence future environmental control systems design. 

Technology development and demonstration on the ISS is critical to exploration beyond low Earth orbit. 

NASA plans to launch Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM), which will demonstrate inflatable 

habitat technology for future human space flight and exploration activities. 

Additional space exploration advancements include the Zero Boil-Off Tank (ZBOT) fluids investigation. 

Currently scheduled for launch in the summer of 2016, ZBOT will provide updated computer models for 

potential application to cryogen tank designs that could reduce propellant launch mass, and improve 

existing models for developing cryogen storage systems. 

The Advanced Colloids Experiment-Temperature control-1 (ACE-T-1) research focuses on tiny 

suspended particles that have been designed to form organized structures within a liquid. The 

microgravity environment provides researchers insight into the fundamental physics of micro particle 

self-assembly and the kinds of colloidal structures that are possible to fabricate. 
Space Operations: International Space Station: International Space Station Program 

ISS RESEARCH 

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The Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment (SAGE) Earth observation facility, planned for a FY 2016 

launch aboard SpaceX, will record changes to the Earth’s ozone layer, such as fluctuations in 

concentrations of greenhouse gases and thinning of the ozone layer. Scientists do not yet understand how 

these changes affect climate, and accurate long-term measurements such as those provided by SAGE are 

crucial for understanding the processes that impact climate change. 

The Space Test Program Houston-5 Lightning Imaging System (STP H-5 LIS) will collect real-time 

lightning data, and enhance regional and global weather, climate, and chemistry studies of Earth. Current 

lightning data collection misses up to 30 percent of lightning activity in the northern hemisphere, which is 

critically needed for the National Climate Assessment. The LIS will also allow critical daytime lightning 

data collection to improve understanding of mechanisms contributing to ground strikes and associated 

electromagnetic phenomena. 

The spacecraft fire experiment, Saffire, will continue in FY 2016 and FY 2017. Saffire is an international 

collaborative project to perform fire safety experiments on three consecutive Orbital ATK Cygnus 

resupply vehicle flights after they leave the ISS, and before reentry into Earth’s atmosphere. The selfcontained payload will test flammability of various materials in low-gravity environments to better 

understand the risk of fire in spacecraft. Investigating these smaller fires will further understanding of 

larger fires that cannot be studied in an inhabited vehicle. 

The Burning and Suppression of Solids – Milliken (BASS-M) investigation examines the extinction 

characteristics of a variety of flame retardant textiles in microgravity when exposed to a controlled flame. 

The flame retardant behavior of treated cotton fabrics is very different from traditional flame retardant 

materials, but has little documented work in microgravity. The BASS-M experiment will provide data on 

treated cotton fabrics in microgravity and other flame resistant textiles used in clothing and fabrics in the 

future. 

Two rodent research missions are planned during FY 2016. Rodent Research-3, sponsored by 

pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly and Co. and CASIS, studies molecular and physical changes in the 

musculoskeletal system that happen in space. Spaceflight causes a rapid loss of bone and muscle mass 

especially in the legs and spine, with symptoms similar to those experienced by people with muscle 

wasting diseases or with limited mobility on Earth. The study will assess myostatin inhibition to prevent 

skeletal muscle atrophy and weakness in mice exposed to long-duration spaceflight. Results expand 

scientists’ understanding of muscle atrophy and bone loss in space, while testing an antibody that has 

been known to prevent muscle wasting in mice on Earth. 

Rodent Research-4, sponsored by the Department of Defense (DoD) and CASIS, will focus on finding the 

biological interpretations of the mechanisms that prevent restoring the post-injury homeostasis and the 

impact of microgravity on the process. The experiment results may help to evaluate the practicality of 

growing complex tissues (or limbs) in spaceflight and the reason behind the negative consequences of 

microgravity on bone density. 

Commercial service provider, NanoRacks, will deploy their NanoRacks Exposure Platform (NREP), 

which is capable of hosting a number of individual investigations at one time. It will support a variety of 

research, including air, water, and surface monitoring, avionics, communications, imaging technology, 

microbial populations in spacecraft, microgravity environment measurement, radiation measurements and 
Space Operations: International Space Station: International Space Station Program 

ISS RESEARCH 

Formulation Development Operations 

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shielding, robotics, small satellites, space structures, spacecraft and orbital environments, spacecraft 

materials, and thermal management systems. This is the first commercial platform mounted on the 

exterior of the ISS for commercial testing of research payloads, sensors, and electronic components in 

space. 

CASIS continues to manage STEM programs, educational partnerships, and educational outreach 

initiatives using ISS National Lab-related content and plans to reach 180,000 U.S. students in FY 2016. 

CASIS projects manifested for launch in FY 2016 include but are not limited to stem cell research, rodent 

models, materials science to be performed on the new NanoRacks external platform, and additional 

enabling technologies to provide expanded capabilities to ISS National Lab users. CASIS also continues 

to support development of additional future projects in life sciences, materials development, remote 

sensing, and enabling technologies across private/commercial, academic, and government segments. This 

includes more than 160 active projects currently planned through FY 2016, including 113 from 

commercial industry. CASIS expects research portfolio funding to exceed its $3 million grant target. 

CASIS has expanded its relationship with Fortune 500 companies to include many who are considering a 

combination of flight projects, STEM projects, and Sponsored Programs. Through these emerging 

sponsored programs, CASIS plans to leverage external funding of at least $2 million. 

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS PLANNED FOR FY 2017 

NASA is planning for the delivery of the Cold Atom Laboratory (CAL), which will take advantage of the 

microgravity environment to create the coldest known matter in the universe—just a trillionth of a degree 

above absolute zero. The laboratory could enable significant discoveries in atomic physics, which would 

be applicable to next generation communications, navigation, timekeeping, and computing systems. 

Biological and Physical Sciences will continue to enhance the existing open science pipeline to study 

gravity as a continuum by utilizing ground based and on-orbit ISS research. The Life Beyond low Earth 

orbit science initiative will seek to investigate biological systems in habitats beyond low Earth orbit. In 

conjunction with other ISS flight experiments, researchers will be able to explore the differences between 

biological adaptation and response in low Earth orbit on ISS to those changes observed in the deep space 

environment. 

The Solidification Using a Baffle in Sealed Ampoules (SUBSA) investigations will work to refine 

experimental methods of crystallizing melts in microgravity with the intent of reducing fluid motion in 

the melt, leading to better distribution of subcomponents and the potential for improved technology used 

in producing semiconductor crystals. 

A set of follow-on fruit fly experiments, Fruit Fly Lab 2, will be delivered to ISS and build upon the 

previous research by studying multiple generations of fruit flies and provide further insight into immune 

system and cardiovascular research. 

The Advanced Plant Habitat (APH) is the largest enclosed environmentally controlled chamber designed 

to support commercial and fundamental plant research onboard the ISS. The APH facility is required to 

develop food crop production for exploration missions. The research will enable NASA to understand 

how to build exploration bio-regenerative life support systems with closed system ecology, mass power, 
Space Operations: International Space Station: International Space Station Program 

ISS RESEARCH 

Formulation Development Operations 

SO-21 

shelf life, and storage volume. This research will also enable NASA to produce healthy food, waste 

management, biological stability of the habitat, and material reuse, which is critical knowledge for longterm operations of exploration systems as we move to the Proving Ground and Mars. 

The Cosmic-Ray Energetics and Mass (CREAM) payload, planned for a FY 2016 launch aboard SpaceX, 

will measure the charges of cosmic ray particles over a broad energy range. The CREAM payload will 

provide important constraints on cosmic ray acceleration and propagation models currently thought to 

involve supernova events in the Milky Way galaxy. CREAM on the ISS may greatly reduce the statistical 

uncertainties, and extend prior balloon-borne CREAM measurements 

Cellular biology studies planned during FY 2017 include the Tissue Regeneration – Evaluation of 

Inductive Agents investigation, which will study the mechanisms that restore tissues post-injury and the 

impact of microgravity on the process. The deliverables from this research may further help evaluate the 

practicality of growing complex tissues in spaceflight. 

Rodent Research-5 will continue bone loss experimentation and will test a drug that is both an anabolic 

and anti-osteoclastic agent (based on a protein, NELL-1) in mice experiencing spaceflight-induced 

accelerated bone loss. In general, current therapies for osteoporosis work by preventing bone loss. 

Because osteoporosis affects more than 200 million people worldwide, this research has the potential to 

result in new innovative treatments that promote bone formation. 

Astronauts will conduct the Advanced Combustion via Microgravity Experiments (ACME) project, five 

independent studies of gaseous flames, in the Combustion Integrated Rack (CIR). ACME’s primary and 

secondary goals are to help improve fuel efficiency and reduce pollutant production in practical 

combustion on Earth, and inform spacecraft fire prevention through innovative research focused on 

materials flammability. 

In the field of plant biology, Advanced Plant Experiments 5 (APEX-05) will utilize the Veggie facility on 

ISS. The investigation will focus on the growth and development of Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings in the 

spaceflight environment. Commonly known as Mousear Cress, Arabidopsis is an important model system 

for identifying genes and determining their functions, as it is short-lived, grows quickly, and has a 

relatively small genome. Specimens will be imaged, harvested on-orbit, preserved with a chemical 

fixative, and returned to the ground for post-flight evaluation. 

The ISS Program has scheduled the external Multi-User System for Earth Sensing (MUSES) platform for 

launch on SpaceX. MUSES will simultaneously host up to four Earth observation instruments that can be 

changed, upgraded, and robotically serviced. Teledyne Brown Engineering is developing the Earthimaging platform as part of its commercial space-based digital imaging business. Teledyne will operate, 

maintain, and sustain MUSES on a commercial basis, and provide services to hosted instruments for the 

ISS. 

The Roll-Out Solar Array (ROSA) flight experiment will characterize an entirely new deployable solar 

array design in a combined space environment. The ISS-based flight experiment will measure the loads 

and kinematics of the (4.7 meters long by 1.7 meters wide) array during deployment. Once deployed, the 

flexible blanket array photovoltaic (solar cell) structural survivability will be characterized. NASA will 

continuously measure the photovoltaic performance throughout the duration of the experiment. In 
Space Operations: International Space Station: International Space Station Program 

ISS RESEARCH 

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addition, while deployed the array will be mechanically excited and its structural dynamics will be 

measured including the fundamental frequency, mode shape of the fundamental vibration, and dynamic 

free-decay damping. 

The Neutron star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER) payload will study neutron stars by performing 

soft X-ray timing and spectroscopy analyses. Neutron stars are unique environments: They squeeze more 

than 1.4 solar masses into a city-size volume, giving rise to the highest stable densities known in the 

universe. The nature of matter under these conditions is a decades-old unsolved problem. By answering a 

long-standing astrophysics question— “How dense is a neutron star?”—NICER will provide 

unprecedented constraints to models describing the state of matter in extreme environments. In addition, 

NICER/Station Explorer for X-ray Timing and Navigation Technology (SEXTANT) will 

demonstrate, for the first time, real-time, on-board X-ray pulsar navigation, which is a significant 

milestone in the quest to establish a GPS-like navigation capability. 

The Space Debris Sensor (SDS) is a calibrated impact sensor designed to directly measure the ISS orbital 

debris environment for two to three years. This approximately one square meter sensor will be mounted 

outside the ISS. SDS combines dual-layer thin films, an acoustic sensor system, a resistive grid sensor 

system, and sensored backstop to create a Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS)-based instrument that 

provides excellent semi-real-time impact detection and recording capability. 

CASIS will bring together multiple partners from industry, academia, and other government 

agencies focused on common strategies to solve big cross-cutting issues through its low Earth orbit 

commercialization focus areas as well as its campaigns. CASIS will continue to develop working 

relationships with other government agencies to increase the number of stakeholders who utilize the ISS. 

As momentum gains in research and technology investments from prior years, CASIS expects to see an 

increase in tangible products, services, and research publications, especially in areas of physical 

and materials sciences, drug delivery/development, and disease modeling. Results from the demonstration 

of the NanoRacks External Payload Platform should emerge, and early indications from other enabling 

technology projects will follow suit. CASIS will award research grants in its portfolio well exceeding its 

$3 million target. 

The CASIS Campaign Good Health will lead implementation of disease model reference missions to 

populate an open-source database, which will increase the potential for discoveries to improve life on 

Earth. Campaign Good Earth will continue to identify and sponsor commercial remote sensing technology 

demonstration flight projects for ISS. Specific emphasis will be placed on projects with the potential to 

share data and thus continue the development of enhanced data fusion concepts to produce unique 

products that improve global resource management, exploration, and climate modeling for commercial, 

humanitarian, and STEM application. 

Project Schedule 

An increment is a period of time for ISS operations that spans from one Soyuz undock to the next Soyuz 

undock. There are four increments per year that consist of cargo ship arrivals and departures, as well as 
Space Operations: International Space Station: International Space Station Program 

ISS RESEARCH 

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activities performed on-board, including the research performed. The table below outlines start dates of 

the upcoming increments to the ISS. 

Date Significant Event 

Dec 2015 Increment 46 

Mar 2016 Increment 47 

Jun 2016 Increment 48 

Sep 2016 Increment 49 

Nov 2016 Increment 50 

Mar 2017 Increment 51 

May 2017 Increment 52 

Sep 2017 Increment 53 

Project Management & Commitments 

The Space, Life, and Physical Sciences Research and Applications Division (SLPSRAD) at NASA 

Headquarters manages Biological and Physical Sciences research. The division, working closely with the 

Office of the Chief Scientist, establishes the overall direction and scope, budget, and resource allocation 

for the project, which the NASA Centers implement, and acts as the liaison with CASIS. The ISS 

program office manages other ISS Research activities such as MUSS and National Laboratory enabling 

activities. 

Element Description Provider Details 

Change from 

Formulation 

Agreement 

Biological and 

Physical 

Sciences 

This element includes all 

NASA-sponsored biological 

and physical research. 

Provider: NASA Centers, contractors, 

and principal investigators 

Lead Center: Headquarters (HQ) 

Performing Center(s): Ames Research 

Center (ARC), Glenn Research Center 

(GRC), Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), 

Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), 

KSC 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

N/A 
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ISS RESEARCH 

Formulation Development Operations 

SO-24 

Element Description Provider Details 

Change from 

Formulation 

Agreement 

MUSS (includes 

National 

Laboratory 

enabling 

activities) 

MUSS activities support all 

research on the ISS, both 

NASA sponsored and nonNASA sponsored. 

Provider: ISS program and contractors 

Lead Center: JSC 

Performing Center(s): MSFC 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

N/A 

Acquisition Strategy 

NASA awards contracts and grants for conducting research on the ISS. SLPSRAD manages NASAsponsored biological and physical research. NASA selected CASIS to manage non-NASA ISS Research 

activities. This independent non-profit will further develop national uses of the ISS. 

Peer review is the means to ensure a high-quality research program. Engaging leading members of the 

research community to assess the competitive merits of submitted proposals is essential to ensuring the 

productivity and quality of ISS Research. In FY 2016 Biological and Physical Science is releasing a 

request for information (RFI) as part of a stand up for the first Science Definition Team for GeneLab 

leading to GeneLab Open Science. In FY 2016 Biological and Physical Science will also select a 

Principle Investigator (PI) for a Materials Lab NRA. The Biological and Physical Science project will 

continue to use both traditional and open science NRAs to provide researchers, selected by peer-review, 

the opportunity to develop complete flight experiments and continue to allow universities to participate in 

flight research by involving their scientists. 

NASA prioritizes ISS research based on recommendations from the National Academies and the Decadal 

Survey on Biological and Physical Sciences in Space. The National Academies has a committee on its 

Space Studies Board to provide independent advice on strategy and priorities in the physical and life 

sciences at NASA. In addition, there is a HEO Research Subcommittee within the NASA Advisory 

Council to advise NASA on the direction of basic research within HEO. Major technology 

demonstrations require significant cooperative funding and NASA is developing an approach for crossagency prioritization of ISS technology initiatives. 

MAJOR CONTRACTS/AWARDS

Element Vendor Location (of work performance) 

Vehicle Sustaining Engineering 

Contract The Boeing Company Houston, TX 

Huntsville Operations Support 

Center COLSA Corporation Huntsville, AL 
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ISS RESEARCH 

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Element Vendor Location (of work performance) 

Mission Operations and Integration 

(MO&I) Contract Teledyne Brown Engineering Huntsville, AL 

ISS National Laboratory 

Management Entity CASIS Tallahassee, FL

INDEPENDENT REVIEWS

Review 

Type Performer Date of Review Purpose Outcome Next Review 

Quality Peer Review Panel Sep 2014

Peer review of 

International Life 

Sciences NASA 

research 

announcement 

Selection of grantees Mar 2016 

Other NASA Advisory 

Council Dec 2015

Provides independent 

guidance for the 

NASA Administrator 

No formal 

recommendations or 

findings for ISS 

2016

Other 

NASA Aerospace 

Safety Advisory 

Panel 

Dec 2015

Provides independent 

assessments of safety 

to the NASA 

Administrator 

No formal 

recommendations or 

findings for ISS 

Feb 2016 
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Historical Performance 

In FY 2015, NASA estimates ISS performed over 400 research and technology investigations. The chart 

below displays historical data, by partner agency, for research investigations performed on the ISS since 

1998. 

* Post Columbia shuttle loss * Post Columbia shuttle loss 

** Shuttle Return to Flight + Final Shuttle Flight 
Space Operations 

SPACE TRANSPORTATION 

SO-27 

FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Crew and Cargo 1449.0 -- 1572.8 1743.0 1945.6 2108.6 2177.6 

Commercial Crew 805.0 -- 1184.8 731.9 173.1 35.8 36.3 

Total Budget 2254.0 -- 2757.7 2475.0 2118.7 2144.4 2213.9 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. FY 

2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

Launch of Orbital ATK Cygnus spacecraft 

on Atlas V rocket on December 16, 2015. 

The Space Transportation theme’s objective is to transport 

U.S. astronauts and cargo safely back and forth to America’s 

orbiting national laboratory, ISS and partner with the U.S. 

private sector to develop and operate safe, reliable, and 

affordable transportation. This newly created theme 

combines the CCP and the Crew and Cargo Program. 

Maintaining the ISS requires a fleet of vehicles and launch 

locations to transport astronauts, science experiments, critical 

supplies, and maintenance hardware; replenish propellant; 

and dispose of waste. 

The CCP partners with the U.S. private sector to develop and 

operate safe, reliable, and affordable crew transportation to 

low Earth orbit. NASA awarded CCtCap contracts to Boeing 

and SpaceX in September 2014. Through its certification 

efforts, NASA will ensure the selected commercial 

transportation systems meet the agency’s safety and 

performance requirements for transporting NASA crew to the 

ISS. 

Within ISS Crew and Cargo Transportation, NASA 

purchases cargo transportation to the ISS under the 

Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) contracts with Orbital 

ATK and SpaceX and under the CRS2 contract with Orbital 

ATK, Sierra Nevada, and SpaceX. Crew transportation to ISS is purchased from the Russian Space 

Agency, Roscosmos, and from commercial providers, Boeing and SpaceX. NASA plans to continue 

purchasing crew transportation services from Roscosmos until a domestic capability is available. The 

budget also supports related activities, such as the integration work required to ensure that these visiting 

vehicles can safely dock or berth to ISS and hardware like the NASA docking system. 
Space Operations 

SPACE TRANSPORTATION 

SO-28 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017

While this is a new theme in FY 2017, the projects contained in this theme existed in the FY 2016 budget 

structure within HEOMD. CCP was previously in the Exploration account under the Commercial 

Spaceflight theme. The Crew and Cargo Program (formerly the ISS Crew and Cargo Transportation 

project) was in the Space Operations account within the ISS program. 
Space Operations: Space Transportation 

CREW AND CARGO 

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FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Total Budget 1449.0 -- 1572.8 1743.0 1945.6 2108.6 2177.6 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. FY 

2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

The SpaceX Dragon commercial cargo craft approaches 

the ISS on September 23, 2014, carrying 4,885 pounds 

(2,216 kg) of crew supplies, hardware, experiments, and 

computer gear and spacewalk equipment. 

Maintaining the ISS requires a fleet of vehicles 

and launch locations to rotate crewmembers; 

replenish propellant; provide science 

experiments, critical supplies, and maintenance 

hardware; and dispose of waste. These deliveries 

sustain a constant supply line crucial to ISS 

operations and research. The Crew and Cargo 

program manages transportation services 

provided by both international partners and 

domestic commercial providers. 

NASA purchases cargo delivery to the ISS 

under the CRS contracts with Orbital ATK and 

SpaceX. Orbital ATK launches CRS Antares 

missions to the ISS from the Mid-Atlantic 

Regional Spaceport at NASA WFF in Virginia. 

SpaceX launches CRS missions to the ISS from 

Cape Canaveral, Florida. The FY 2017 Budget 

supports these contracted flights, as well as future flights to provide for cargo transportation, including 

National Laboratory research payloads. 

The Russian Space Agency, Roscosmos, currently provides ISS crew transportation. NASA plans to 

continue purchasing crew transportation services from Roscosmos until a domestic capability is available. 

The FY 2017 Budget supports these contracted Soyuz flights, as well as future domestic commercial crew 

flights to provide crew transportation to ISS. 

The Crew and Cargo program also funds activities supporting visiting vehicles that provide transportation 

for the ISS, including integration activities and the NASA docking system. 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017

NASA previously reported this as ISS Crew and Cargo Transportation in the Space Operations account 

within the ISS program. NASA is now reporting it under the Space Transportation theme. 
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ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2015

Shortly after the Orb-3 launch on October 28, 2014, the Antares rocket carrying a Cygnus spacecraft, 

suffered a catastrophic anomaly that caused the destruction of the spacecraft and cargo. No injuries 

occurred during the mishap and no irreplaceable cargo was lost. Station operations have contingencies 

and other cargo missions planned which helped fill the gap from the cargo lost aboard this mission. 

Additionally, the SpX-7 mission was lost on June 28, 2015, when the Falcon 9 rocket carrying the Dragon 

spacecraft exploded after launch. No injuries occurred and critical hardware is being rebuilt. Due to 

advanced planning, the crew onboard the ISS were not in danger of running out of food or other necessary 

supplies. With NASA assistance, both commercial contractors led the investigation of their respective 

vehicle mishaps. Orbital ATK completed their investigation and plans to launch their next two missions 

on a proven Atlas rocket while they redesign and test their Antares rocket. SpaceX is nearing completion 

of their investigation and is implementing Falcon rocket modifications and testing. Both commercial 

companies are planning a return to flight in FY 2016. 

Despite the loss of Orb-3, Orbital ATK completed five milestones in support of seven commercial 

resupply flights. Likewise, SpaceX completed fourteen milestones for performance in support of eleven 

commercial resupply flights, including milestones for successful completion of two flights. SpX-5 

launched on January 10, 2015, delivering 5,277 pounds of supplies to the orbiting laboratory, including 

crew supplies, scientific research hardware, and miscellaneous supplies. The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft 

returned 4,151 pounds of science, hardware, and crew supplies. SpX-6 launched on April 14, 2015, 

delivering about 4,462 pounds of supplies to support continuing space station research experiments; and 

returned in May 2015 with science samples from human research, biology and biotechnology studies, 

physical science investigations, and education activities. This mission returned almost 3,090 pounds of 

science, hardware, and crew supplies. 

The ISS program also supported four Russian Soyuz launches in FY 2015, providing crew transportation 

and rescue services to the ISS for six U.S. operating segment crewmembers. 

WORK IN PROGRESS IN FY 2016 

NASA expects both Orbital ATK and SpaceX to implement plans that fulfill their contractual obligations 

for ISS resupply. Orbital ATK resumed cargo delivery to ISS in December 2015. SpaceX is planning to 

return to flight in March 2016. In total, NASA expects Orbital ATK to launch three CRS flights, and 

complete eleven milestones in support of seven commercial resupply flights. Orbital ATK plans to launch 

their first two missions on an Atlas launch vehicle from the Cape in Florida to accelerate their return to 

flight schedule. They plan to launch the third mission on their Antares 230 launch vehicle from Wallops, 

Virginia. In total, dependent upon SpaceX return to flight, NASA expects SpaceX to launch three CRS 

flights, and complete 13 performance milestones in support of nine commercial resupply flights. SpaceX 

is enhancing their Falcon launch vehicle for all future flights. 

CRS2 activities will focus on selecting mission types and analyzing integration requirements. Also in FY 

2016, the project will support a crew flight plan that includes approximately four Soyuz launches, 

carrying a total of six U.S. operating segment crewmembers to the ISS. The plan also includes four 

Progress launches that are not funded by NASA. 
Space Operations: Space Transportation 

CREW AND CARGO 

Formulation Development Operations

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KEY ACHIEVEMENTS PLANNED FOR FY 2017 

The Crew and Cargo program will enable continued research and technology development by providing a 

stable crew and cargo flight plan. These flight plans include approximately four Soyuz launches, carrying 

a total of six U.S. operating segment crewmembers to ISS and commercial resupply flights to deliver 

research and logistics hardware. NASA expects Orbital ATK to launch two CRS flights, and complete 

seven performance milestones in support of four flights. SpaceX plans to launch three commercial 

resupply flights, and complete 14 performance milestones in support of nine flights. Orbital ATK, Sierra 

Nevada, and SpaceX will perform CRS2 integration milestones to support flights beginning in 2019. The 

plan also includes four Progress launches and one HTV launch that are not funded by NASA. 

Project Schedule 

Maintaining a regular rate of cargo delivery on a mix of NASA and partner vehicles ensures the ISS can 

sustain nominal operations and maintenance, while allowing the program to respond to any anomalies that 

might occur. The table below shows the scheduled ISS flight plans for FY 2016 and FY 2017. NASA 

funds the SpaceX and Orbital ATK missions, as well as Soyuz seats related to U.S. operating segment 

crew requirements. The planned spacing of the Soyuz crew rotation flights ensures a continuous six-crew 

presence on the ISS, as well as smooth transitions between crews. 

Date Significant Event 

Oct 2015 Progress 61P 

Dec 2015 Progress 62P 

Dec 2015 Orbital ATK (OA)-4 

Dec 2015 Soyuz 45S 

Mar 2016 SpaceX (SpX)-8 

Mar 2016 Progress 63P 

Mar 2016 OA-6 

Mar 2016 Soyuz 46S 

May 2016 SpX-9 (under review) 

Jun 2016 Soyuz 47S 

Jul 2016 OA-5 

July 2016 Progress 64P 

Aug 2016 SpX-10 (under review) 

Sep 2016 Soyuz 48S 
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Date Significant Event 

Oct 2016 HTV-6 

Oct 2016 Progress 65P 

Nov 2016 Soyuz 49S 

Dec 2016 OA-7 (under review) 

Jan 2017 SpX-11 (under review) 

Feb 2017 Progress 66P 

Mar 2017 Soyuz 50S 

Apr 2017 SpX-12 (under review) 

May 2017 Progress 67P 

Jun 2017 Soyuz 51S 

Jun 2017 OA-8 

Aug 2017 Progress 68P 

Aug 2017 SpX-13 (under review) 

Sept 2017 Soyuz 52S 

Project Management & Commitments 

JSC is responsible for project management of the Crew and Cargo program. 

Element Description Provider Details 

Change from 

Formulation 

Agreement 

Crew 

transportation 

Roscosmos will provide crew 

transportation to the ISS via 

the major contract described 

below until a domestic 

capability is available. 

Provider: Roscosmos 

Lead Center: JSC 

Performing Center(s): N/A 

Cost Share Partner(s): Canadian Space 

Agency (CSA), European Space Agency 

(ESA), and JAXA 

N/A 
Space Operations: Space Transportation 

CREW AND CARGO 

Formulation Development Operations

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Element Description Provider Details 

Change from 

Formulation 

Agreement 

Cargo 

transportation 

Orbital ATK and SpaceX will 

provide cargo transportation 

to the ISS via the major 

contracts described below. 

JAXA will provide additional 

cargo transportation as part of 

the ISS partnership. 

Roscosmos will also provide 

nominal cargo transportation 

via Soyuz purchased for crew 

transportation. 

Provider: Orbital, SpaceX, Sierra 

Nevada, JAXA, and Roscosmos 

Lead Center: JSC 

Performing Center(s): Goddard Space 

Flight Center (GSFC), KSC 

Cost Share Partner(s): CSA, ESA, and 

JAXA 

Acquisition Strategy 

The ISS program competitively procures all ISS cargo transportation services, excluding services 

obtained via barter with our international partners or nominal cargo transportation provided by Soyuz. 

NASA competitively awarded CRS contracts to SpaceX and Orbital on December 23, 2008, and services 

began in 2012. These are milestone-based, fixed-price, indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) 

contracts. On January 14, 2016, NASA competitively awarded CRS2 contracts to Orbital ATK, Sierra 

Nevada, and SpaceX with cargo transportation services planned to begin in 2019. Like the current CRS 

contracts, CRS2 contracts are milestone-based, fixed-price IDIQ contracts. In addition, NASA has 

extended current CRS contracts to bridge the gap with the CRS2 procurement. 

In 2006, NASA modified the Roscosmos contract to include crew transportation, rescue, and related 

services. The agreement is a sole source contract under Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.302-1 

(only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy Agency requirements). NASA 

has purchased from Roscosmos crew launches through 2018 and crew rescue and return through mid2019. NASA will begin using domestic crew transportation services once available. 

In September 2014, NASA’s CCP awarded CCtCap contracts to Boeing and SpaceX. Those awards 

include a minimum of at least two service missions per provider, with a maximum of up to six service 

missions per provider. CCP will fund two service flights, called Post Certification Missions. The Crew 

and Cargo program will fund the remaining service flights. These crewed vehicles will provide a 

minimum 220 pounds of cargo as specified by the ISS program. 
Space Operations: Space Transportation 

CREW AND CARGO 

Formulation Development Operations

SO-34 

MAJOR CONTRACTS/AWARDS

Element Vendor Location (of work performance) 

Crew transportation Roscosmos Moscow, Russia 

Crew transportation Boeing Houston, TX 

Crew transportation SpaceX Hawthorne, CA 

Cargo transportation Orbital ATK Dulles, VA 

Crew transportation Sierra Nevada Sparks, NV 

Cargo transportation SpaceX Hawthorne, CA 

INDEPENDENT REVIEWS

Review 

Type Performer Date of Review Purpose Outcome Next Review 

Other NASA Advisory 

Council Dec 2015

Provides independent 

guidance for the 

NASA Administrator 

No formal 

recommendations or 

findings for the ISS 

2016

Other 

NASA Aerospace 

Safety Advisory 

Panel 

Dec 2015 

Provides independent 

assessments of safety 

to the NASA 

Administrator 

No formal 

recommendations or 

findings for the ISS 

 Feb 2016 
Space Operations: Space Transportation 

CREW AND CARGO 

Formulation Development Operations

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FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Total Budget 805.0 -- 1184.8 731.9 173.1 35.8 36.3 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. FY 

2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

Four astronauts selected by NASA to be the first 

astronauts to train for test flights to space on commercial 

crew vehicles. Left to right: Sunita Williams, Douglas 

Hurley, Eric Boe, and Robert Behnken 

NASA is looking to the U.S. private sector to 

develop and operate safe, reliable, and 

affordable crew transportation to low Earth 

orbit, including to the ISS. Partnering with the 

commercial space industry for access to low 

Earth orbit and the ISS will bolster American 

leadership, reduce our current reliance on 

foreign providers for this service, and help 

stimulate the American aerospace industry. 

Through the CCP, NASA provides technical and 

financial support to industry partners during 

development of their crew transportation 

systems, and certifies them to carry NASA 

astronauts to and from the ISS. 

The first phase of the development effort was a 

series of competitively awarded Space Act 

Agreements (SAA), followed by Certification 

Products Contracts (CPC). The scope of the contracts included submittal and technical disposition of 

specific, early development certification products. The CPC effort allowed the partners to gain insight 

into NASA human space flight requirements and gave NASA early insight into partner designs and 

approaches. 

CCP entered the final certification phase with the award of two CCtCap contracts. CCtCap requires both 

contractors to complete design, development, test, evaluation, and certification of an integrated Crew 

Transportation System (CTS). The completed transportation systems will support four NASA or NASAsponsored crew on each flight, and provide emergency crew return, transport/return of pressurized ISS 

cargo, and crew safe haven while docked to the ISS. 

There are numerous benefits associated with encouraging competition in the CCtCap acquisition strategy, 

such as controlling costs in the long term and maximizing crew safety, as reinforced in statements by the 

Government Accountability Office, Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel (ASAP), and NASA Office of 

Inspector General. The CCtCap awards represent a significant milestone in U.S. human space flight, with 

the goal of ending our sole reliance on foreign crew transportation to the ISS, and certification of safe, 
Space Operations: Space Transportation 

CREW AND CARGO 

Formulation Development Operations

SO-36 

cost-effective U.S. commercial crew transportation systems. In addition, this approach helps stimulate 

growth of a new space transportation industry available to all potential customers, strengthening 

America’s space industrial base and providing a catalyst for future business ventures to capitalize on 

affordable, globally competitive U.S. space access. 

NASA measures partner progress against fixed-price milestones, based on performance of agreed upon 

entrance and success criteria. Although the content varies by partner, milestones are designed to 

demonstrate progress toward completing crew transportation system development, such as risk reduction 

testing, design reviews, hardware development, and flight tests. The Government pays for milestones only 

after completion. When NASA’s industry partners successfully achieve all milestones, they will own and 

operate their completed systems. 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017

NASA previously reported CCP under the Exploration account. It is now in the Space Transportation 

theme within the Space Operations account 

ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2015

NASA’s industry partners, Blue Origin, the Boeing Company (Boeing), Sierra Nevada Corporation 

(SNC), and SpaceX, made significant progress developing viable commercial crew transportation 

systems. NASA and Blue Origin modified their Commercial Crew Development Round 2 (CCDev2) 

SAA to include additional unfunded milestones, allowing them to continue working together to mature 

Blue Origin’s crew transportation system. Blue Origin has two unfunded milestones remaining on their 

SAA. 

NASA’s follow-on initiative, CCiCap, made significant progress completing planned milestones. By the 

end of FY 2015, Sierra Nevada completed 10 of 11 funded milestones, including the Reaction Control 

System Testing – (Incremental Test #1) which will support qualification testing on the Dream Chaser 

spacecraft’s thruster in flight-like environments. Sierra Nevada also has one unfunded milestone 

remaining for the Design Analysis Cycle-6 Closeout Review. SpaceX completed 12 of 15 milestones, 

including their pad abort test, a major developmental flight test executed at NASA’s KSC in May 2015. 

CCtCap development activities are progressing. Boeing has completed six of 23 development milestones, 

including a key Delta I – CDR milestone. After completing this milestone, Boeing was granted authority 

to proceed on the first Post Certification Mission (PCM). SpaceX has completed two of 18 development 

milestones, including an Avionics Test Bed milestone. 

WORK IN PROGRESS IN FY 2016 

Sierra Nevada and SpaceX will continue to work remaining CCiCap milestones, including the Sierra 

Nevada engineering test article (ETA) flight testing #2 and SpaceX Dragon Primary Structure 

Qualification Hatch Open Test. 
Space Operations: Space Transportation 

CREW AND CARGO 

Formulation Development Operations

SO-37 

Additionally, Boeing and SpaceX will complete several CCtCap development milestones. NASA expects 

Boeing to complete seven out of 23 milestones, including the Flight Software Demonstration and 

Integrated Parachute System Drop Tests. NASA expects SpaceX to complete nine out of 18 milestones, 

including a key Delta CDR which will pave the way for NASA to grant authority to proceed on the first 

SpaceX PCM. 

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS PLANNED FOR FY 2017 

Providers are on contract to complete certification by end of CY 2017. NASA expects Boeing to complete 

eight of 23 development milestones in FY 2017, including the Crewed Flight Test Readiness Review. 

NASA expects SpaceX to complete six of 18 development milestones, including the critical Flight to ISS 

with Crew milestone. 

Program Schedule 

Progression of Commercial Crew development efforts. 

 

Program Management & Commitments 

The HEOMD team at NASA Headquarters performs strategic management and oversight of Commercial 

Spaceflight, while KSC is responsible for CCP management, in collaboration with JSC. CCP partners 

with industry leaders, utilizing a combination of SAA and FAR-based fixed-price contracts to stimulate 

efforts to develop and demonstrate crew transportation capabilities. 
Space Operations: Space Transportation 

CREW AND CARGO 

Formulation Development Operations

SO-38 

Program Element Provider 

Commercial Crew Program 

Provider: Blue Origin, Boeing, Sierra Nevada, SpaceX 

Lead Center: KSC 

Performing Center(s): All 

Cost Share Partner(s): Industry Partners (shown above) 

Acquisition Strategy 

CCP facilitates development of a U.S. commercial crew space transportation capability with the goal of 

achieving safe, reliable, and cost effective access to and from low Earth orbit and the ISS. In the early 

lifecycle stages, CCDev activities focused on stimulating industry efforts that successfully matured 

subsystems and elements of commercial crew space flight concepts, enabling technologies and 

capabilities. This was followed by CCDev2, which addressed new concepts to mature design and 

development of primary elements, such as launch vehicle or spacecraft. Subsequently, NASA continued 

this effort with CCiCap SAA to continue partner progress in their integrated design and development 

efforts. For these initial efforts, NASA utilized SAAs, which provided maximum flexibility to the 

provider and maximum affordability to the Government. Concurrently with CCiCap agreements, NASA 

awarded Certification Products Contracts to industry to begin the process of NASA certifying their crew 

transportation systems. The current and final stage of the acquisition lifecycle began with the award of 

two CCtCap contracts in September 2014 for the development, test, evaluation, and final NASA 

certification of a Crew Transportation System. CCtCap contracts include demonstration of crewed ISS 

missions and subsequent service missions, assuming sufficient budget and technical progress, and a 

Special Studies Services section, for special studies, tests, or analyses, as needed by NASA, to reduce 

Program risk. NASA used FAR-based fixed-price contracts during this phase to ensure compliance with 

NASA mission and safety requirements for transporting crew to and from ISS. 

MAJOR CONTRACTS/AWARDS

Element Vendor Location (of work performance) 

CCDev2 Blue Origin Kent, WA 

CCtCap Boeing Houston, TX

CCiCap Sierra Nevada Louisville, CO 

CCiCap/CCtCap SpaceX Hawthorne, CA 
Space Operations: Space Transportation 

CREW AND CARGO 

Formulation Development Operations

SO-39 

INDEPENDENT REVIEWS

Review 

Type Performer Date of Review Purpose Outcome Next Review 

Other NASA Advisory 

Council Dec 2015

To provide 

independent 

guidance for the 

NASA Administrator 

No formal 

recommendations or 

findings 

2016

Other ASAP Dec 2015

To provide 

independent 

assessments of safety 

to the NASA 

Administrator 

ASAP recommended 

that the “NASA 

Authorization Act be 

reviewed with 

today’s system’s in 

mind” and that

“mishap response 

procedures should be 

thought through, 

documented, and in 

place well before any 

actual flights.”

Feb 2016 

Other SRB Oct 2015 

To assess funding 

and schedule reserve 

requirements, cost 

effectiveness during 

development and 

impacts to future 

sustaining 

operations, and 

efforts required for 

successful program 

implementation 

SRB recommended 

the program proceed. Fall 2016 

Historical Performance 

Through FY 2015 (funded milestones only).
Space Operations: Space Transportation 

CREW AND CARGO 

Formulation Development Operations

SO-40 
Space Operations: Space and Flight Support (SFS) 

21ST CENTURY SPACE LAUNCH COMPLEX

SO-41 

FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Total Budget 35.2 -- 12.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. FY 

2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

Pad 39-C Deployable Launch System (DLS) ribbon 

cutting ceremony: The event marked the completion of 

DLS enabling future exploration for commercial 

customers.) 

In FY 2011, NASA began the 21CSLC initiative 

within the GSDO program to support launch 

infrastructure, enable future exploration of the 

solar system, as well as new commercial 

opportunities in low-Earth orbit. Its primary 

purpose is to modernize and transform the Florida 

launch and range complex at KSC, Cape 

Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS), and WFF 

into a more robust launch capability that could 

support multiple users. Beneficiaries of this 

activity included current and future NASA 

programs, other U.S. government agencies, and 

commercial industry. 

For more information, go to 

http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/ground. 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017

The 21CSLC initiative will conclude in FY 2017. 

ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2015

The 21CSLC initiative completed Deployable Launch System (DLS) launch site and Universal Propellant 

Servicing System (UPSS) at Pad 39-C. This includes site preparations within the LC-39B perimeter to 

support DLS verification and validation testing. Completion of the test site for the UPSS enables the 

development of commercial small class, launch vehicle propellant loading operations, and the ability to 

use actual propellants in the desired configuration. The initiative also completed MPPF construction, 

making the facility ready to support hazardous processing of spacecraft. 

The CDRs for Eastern Range telemetry upgrades to enable antenna installation at KSC facilities were 

completed. The deployment of this enhanced telemetry processing system will support the Air Force 

Eastern Range launch campaigns. In support of this initiative, project site preparation for Kennedy Uplink 

Station at KSC was completed. This system can provide command/telemetry front end processing for all 
Space Operations: Space and Flight Support (SFS) 

21ST CENTURY SPACE LAUNCH COMPLEX

SO-42 

KSC launch campaigns. Installation of the instrumentation shelter and the large antennae foundation 

allows for final system installation and activation. 

21CSLC completed testing for newly automated ascent imaging trackers, providing cost efficient video 

tracking imagery support for all launch campaigns at the Eastern Range. 

The team completed site acceptance and data certification testing for the range weather monitoring 

projects, including the 50-megahertz Doppler Radar Wind Profiler and the Eastern Range lightning 

system upgrade projects. These enhancements will greatly reduce forecasting uncertainty and improve 

weather monitoring across the Florida Range to support all phases of launch vehicle processing and 

launch operations. The Advanced Ground Systems Maintenance (AGSM) project completed a 

demonstration of integrated health monitoring capabilities using the Orion Exploration Flight Test – 1 

(EFT-1) mission data and collaborations with KSC stakeholders. This demonstration highlighted how 

advanced computer simulation technology can improve the efficiency and reduce the costs of ground 

systems maintenance. 

NASA initiated work to harden the ground systems and remote instrumentation operations at WFF’s 

Bermuda tracking site including defining the necessary upgrade requirements, and developing the detailed 

design. WFF also began work on upgrading the Range Control Center (RCC), including ordering new 

consoles. NASA, working collaboratively as a team with the Commonwealth of Virginia, the MidAtlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS), and Orbital ATK, will restore medium launch capability to WFF. 

Pad 0A rebuild activities were completed in FY 2015 and performance testing began to support the 

Orbital ATK launch vehicle processing and launch. 

WORK IN PROGRESS IN FY 2016 

In FY 2016, 21CSLC will complete a number of planned projects and activities. The team will finish 

replacing old, deteriorating cable ducts that provide critical communication connections between KSC 

and the Eastern Range. The team will complete facility design for eventual replacement/upgrade of the 

converter compressor facility, which supplies gaseous nitrogen and helium to processing and launch sites 

across the Florida Range. This project will accommodate the ever-increasing demand for these 

commodities. In addition, the team will complete a variety of range telemetry upgrades. Completion of 

the real-time Radio Frequency (RF) Monitoring Project will provide the improved capability to analyze 

all RF radiation across the Florida Range, allowing safe and efficient spacecraft processing and 

monitoring of launch day RF interference. 

21CSLC will complete a number of infrastructure modernization projects, including refurbishing the 

nitrogen supply line servicing KSC and the Eastern Range launch sites. In addition, the team will 

complete upgrades to the multiple-object-tracking radar that provides reliable tracking of spacecraft and 

debris in support of range safety operations. 21CSLC will continue research into environmentally friendly 

coatings and corrosion preventative compounds to extend the life of structures and systems in the salt air. 

The 21CSLC team will also complete air handler installation in the booster fabrication facility. 

WFF will complete the RCC upgrades that will improve the capabilities in the control center used to 

support Orbital ATK CRS launches. They will also complete the Bermuda tracking station modernization 

work that includes (1) transitioning to a semi-permanent site to alleviate maintenance/operational impacts 

from the harsh environment and (2) automating the radar systems that enhances remote tracking 

operations. This work will reduce annual operating costs of the WFF’s Bermuda tracking site. Finally, 
Space Operations: Space and Flight Support (SFS) 

21ST CENTURY SPACE LAUNCH COMPLEX

SO-43 

completion of all performance testing on Pad 0A will allow Orbital ATK to return to launching CRS 

missions out of WFF. 

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS PLANNED FOR FY 2017 

KSC will complete a number of infrastructure modernization projects, such as additional conditioning of 

the LC-39, crawlerway and the Banana River dredging. Dredging is required to support barge access to 

the Turn Basin Wharf and operations and maintenance of weather infrastructure required across the 

Eastern Range. One remaining project, KSC Logistics Facility, roof replacement will be funded in the 

Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration (CECR) appropriation and managed by 

GSDO. 

The 21CSLC initiative will conclude by the end of FY 2017. 

Program Elements 

The 21CSLC initiative has a multi-user focus and targets investments to develop and implement effective 

and efficient ground systems designs. This will meet the needs of commercial and/or government future 

users of the KSC and WFF. 21CSLC consists of five product lines to guide these investments as shown in 

the table below. 

Project/Element Element Content 

Offline Manufacturing, 

Processing and Recovery 

Systems 

Repairs and upgrades systems and facilities associated with payload 

processing, servicing, hazardous operations, and recovery in support of 

commercial customers 

Range Interface and Control 

Services 

Develops capability for communications, range systems, customer interface 

systems, and advanced ground systems maintenance 

Mission Focused Modernization Provides multi-user facility capabilities to support a variety of vehicles, 

processed and launched in the horizontal or vertical configuration 

Florida Launch Modernization 

Infrastructure 

Modernizes power, utility and facility systems, waste management systems, 

and safety and security systems throughout the KSC launch infrastructure so 

that it can maximize the number of potential users 

Environmental Remediation and 

Technologies 

Ensures energy conservation, environmental planning and regulatory 

requirements, natural resource mitigation, and environmental research, 

including materials replacement and technology development are being 

addressed 

Program Schedule 

The following table highlights the major 21CSLC and WFF activities with their estimated completion 

timeframes. 
Space Operations: Space and Flight Support (SFS) 

21ST CENTURY SPACE LAUNCH COMPLEX

SO-44 

Date Significant Event 

Oct 2013 Pad B Flame Trench refurbishment design complete 

May 2014 Eastern Range Lightning System upgrade complete 

Nov 2014 Advanced Ground System Maintenance Interface to End-to-End Command 

and Control System demonstration 

Sep 2015 50-megahertz Doppler project complete 

May 2016 Crawler Transport jacking, equalization and leveling system cylinders 

complete 

Jan 2016 Replace Island Primary Electrical Feeder complete 

Jul 2017 Banana River Dredging 

Jun 2017 Range Interface and Control System 

Program Management & Commitments 

The GSDO manage both EGS and 21CSLC activities at KSC. GSDO manages customer requirements 

between SLS, Orion, and multiple other Government and commercial users to ensure implementation of 

cost-effective, synergistic design solutions. GSFC manages WFF activities. 

The following table addresses the various elements within 21CSLC, lead and participating Centers, and 

any cost share partners. 

Program Element Provider 

Offline Manufacturing, 

Processing and Recovery 

Systems 

Provider: 21CSLC 

Lead Center: KSC 

Performing Center(s): KSC 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

Range Interface and Control 

Services 

Provider: 21CSLC 

Lead Center: KSC 

Performing Center(s): ARC, JPL, GRC, GSFC 

Cost Share Partner(s): U.S. Air Force (USAF) 

Mission Focused Modernization 

Provider: 21CSLC 

Lead Center: KSC 

Performing Center(s): KSC 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 
Space Operations: Space and Flight Support (SFS) 

21ST CENTURY SPACE LAUNCH COMPLEX

SO-45 

Program Element Provider 

Florida Launch Modernization 

Infrastructure 

Provider: 21CSLC 

Lead Center: KSC 

Performing Center(s): KSC 

Cost Share Partner(s): USAF 

Environmental Remediation and 

Technologies 

Provider: 21CSLC 

Lead Center: KSC 

Performing Center(s): KSC 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

WFF 

Provider: 21CSLC 

Lead Center: GSFC 

Performing Center(s): WFF 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

Acquisition Strategy 

To maintain flexibility and maximize affordability, NASA serves as its own prime contractor for 

implementation of the 21CSLC and WFF activities. GSDO executes customer ground infrastructure and 

processing requirements by leveraging Center and programmatic contracts at KSC. GSFC executes the 

projects at WFF in the same manner. GSDO also uses pre-qualified IDIQ contractors for routine work 

while exercising full and open competition for larger or more specialized projects. Firm-fixed-price 

contracting provides maximum incentive for contractors to control costs, and imposes a minimum 

administrative burden upon the contracting parties. 

MAJOR CONTRACTS/AWARDS

21CSLC includes activities of varying size and content. Several of the activities are within the scope of 

existing Center contracts. Competitively bidding of a contract occurs only if the activity is not within the 

scope of an existing agreement or contract. 

Element Vendor Location (of work performance) 

50 megahertz Doppler Radar Wind 

Profiler QinetiQ, North America KSC 

Jacking, equalization and leveling 

cylinder (crawler transporter) QinetiQ, North America KSC 

50 megahertz Doppler Radar Wind 

Profiler QinetiQ, North America KSC 
Space Operations: Space and Flight Support (SFS) 

21ST CENTURY SPACE LAUNCH COMPLEX

SO-46 

INDEPENDENT REVIEWS

The 21CSLC activity is not required to manage with the same formal independent reviews NASA 

requires for traditional programs and projects. In accordance with Agency policy, initiatives and activities 

of this nature are not subject to the independent review process. In addition, the total funding for 21CSLC 

falls below the threshold required to initiate a review. The 21CSLC activity was a product of the 2011 

National Space Policy Launch Infrastructure and Modernization Plan (NSTP PPD - 4 Implementation 

Action # 6). NASA and the USAF 45th Space Wing (45SW) conduct periodic reviews of completed 

studies to define requirements for improvements and fund range modernization. The 45SW and KSC hold 

quarterly reviews to provide governance for the investments and track development and progress toward 

realizing operational capabilities. WFF identifies 21CSLC candidate development projects to NASA HQ 

who approve these projects and fund them directly. 
Space Operations: Space and Flight Support (SFS) 

SPACE COMMUNICATIONS AND NAVIGATION 

SO-47 

FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Space Communications Networks 516.3 -- 526.0 532.1 476.3 421.9 465.0 

Space Communications Support 62.8 -- 86.3 84.0 121.3 154.5 149.6 

Total Budget 579.1 -- 612.4 616.1 597.6 576.4 614.6 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. FY 

2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

The surface reflector of the DSS-36 antenna at the 

Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex, 

Australia is slowly lifted into position atop the 

alidade. Weighing 138 tons (276000 lbs.), the 

reflector could only be lifted on a day with very 

little wind.

The SCaN program provides mission-critical 

communications and navigation services required by 

all NASA spaceflight missions. These missions range 

from high altitude balloons at the edge of Earth’s 

atmosphere to science satellites in low Earth orbit and 

the most distant manmade object, Voyager 1, which 

left the solar system, and is now over 12 billion miles 

from our planet. For all of these missions, SCaN 

retrieves science and spacecraft health data, uploads 

commands, and sends data to individual control 

centers. Navigation services determine precisely where 

a satellite is and where it is going to enable course 

changes, interpret science data, and position the 

spacecraft for communication opportunities. 

Without SCaN services to move data and commands 

between spacecraft and Earth, customer missions and 

space hardware worth tens of billions of dollars would 

be little more than orbital debris. A communications or 

navigation failure on the spacecraft or in SCaN 

network systems could result in complete loss of a 

mission. SCaN provides secure, reliable, and adaptable 

communication services to NASA internal customers, as well as external customers who rely on these 

space communications capabilities on a daily basis. 

SCaN customers include the Hubble Space Telescope (Hubble) in Earth orbit, the Curiosity rover on the 

surface of Mars, and the New Horizons robotic mission reporting science data after its successful flyby of 

the dwarf planet Pluto, and its moon, Charon. The program supports the ISS as well as its commercial and 

international servicing vehicles, and will support commercial crew providers and the future launches of 

the SLS and Orion crew vehicle. SCaN will also provide the vital communications link with the James 

Webb Space Telescope after launch in late 2018. Additionally, SCaN provides services to foreign 

governments, international partners, and non-NASA US missions on a reimbursable basis. 

SCaN provides customer missions with the required space communications and navigation. Customer 

requirements include mission orbit, navigation needs, data rate, and the frequency of communication 
Space Operations: Space and Flight Support (SFS) 

SPACE COMMUNICATIONS AND NAVIGATION 

SO-48 

opportunities. SCaN networks and the customer spacecraft must match technical parameters, such as 

radio spectrum frequency, data coding, modulation scheme, polarization, and error correction. SCaN 

supports new spacecraft that are increasingly powerful, complex, and capable of acquiring ever increasing 

amounts of mission data, as well as missions launched over 30 years ago that are still returning valuable 

science data. In addition, SCaN tracks and characterizes near Earth objects within nine million miles, and 

determines their orbits for use by the Science Mission Directorate’s (SMD’s) Planetary Science Division 

for collision avoidance with Earth. SCaN is working to upgrade this capability to a distance of 42 million 

miles, which increases the time to develop viable solutions for orbital collision. 

SCaN’s three communications networks, Space, Near Earth, and Deep Space, provide critical services to 

customer missions. The Space Network communicates with missions in Earth orbit, and provides constant 

communication with the ISS. In the future, it will also support commercial crew and Orion missions. The 

Near Earth Network (NEN) communicates with suborbital missions and missions in low Earth orbit, 

highly elliptical Earth orbit, and some lunar orbits. DSN communicates with the most distant missions, 

such as interplanetary probes. 

These three networks require maintenance, replenishment, modernization, and capacity expansion to 

ensure service for existing and planned missions. SCaN also purchases ground communications links 

from the NASA Communication Services Office to move data between ground stations, NASA centers, 

and mission operation and data centers. SCaN is continuing the systems analysis to determine how to 

effectively manage the networks as one entity, providing efficiency of operations and cost savings. 

The TDRS Replenishment project purchased three third-generation TDRS spacecraft for the Space 

Network that will ensure adequate services to customers into the early 2020s. Two are currently on orbit, 

and one has finished development and is in storage awaiting launch, scheduled for the first quarter of FY 

2018. 

The SGSS project is replacing aging ground hardware and data systems in the Space Network. These 

ground systems operate the TDRS fleet and route customer mission data between TDRS and the ground 

station. 

Space Communications Support provides functions to efficiently integrate and plan current and future 

network capabilities to meet customer mission needs while reducing costs. These include systems 

engineering, architecture planning, communications data standards, technology development, testbeds for 

future capabilities, and radio frequency spectrum management. 

For more information, go to http://www.nasa.gov/scan. 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017

As part of a recent SGSS evaluation, NASA determined that SGSS is more in line with a sustainment 

project of the existing Space Network rather than a separate development project. The evaluation 

determined SGSS is a sustainment project since it is maintaining the current Space Network by replacing 

aging and outdated equipment and systems at the ground terminals. As such, SGSS is a level of effort 

project, which will reported as part of Space Communications Networks. 
Space Operations: Space and Flight Support (SFS): Space Communications and 

Navigation 

SPACE COMMUNICATIONS NETWORKS 

Formulation Development Operations 

SO-49 

FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Total Budget 516.3 -- 526.0 532.1 476.3 421.9 465.0 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. FY 

2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

This 70-meter antenna, located in Madrid Spain, is part of 

NASA’s DSN. DSN provides support to NASA and other 

missions, and has facilities located around the world. 

The SCaN program manages NASA’s three 

space communications networks: the Space 

Network, NEN, and DSN. These networks 

provide tracking and data transmission for 

NASA and its customers. Each network has a 

different set of customer requirements for 

spacecraft orbit, signal strength, and real-time 

coverage, and each requires maintenance, 

modernization, and capacity expansion in order 

to continue providing proficiency at or above 95 

percent for over 90 customer missions. 

NASA’s space communications networks 

provide ongoing services to Agency and 

customer missions, averaging about 438 

tracking passes per day. Without these 

capabilities, customer missions like Hubble, 

ISS, New Horizons, Mars Exploration Rover—

Opportunity, and Voyager would not be able to provide key science data that could help unlock mysteries 

of science and knowledge about our universe, and would eventually fail. 

The Space Network provides continuous global coverage to NASA missions in low Earth orbit, during 

vehicle launch, and ascent phase. It is the primary U.S. communications link to the ISS, as well as for 

ground and balloon research in remote locations, such as the South Pole. The Space Network consists of 

NASA’s TDRS System (TDRSS) of communications satellites in geosynchronous orbit, a set of space-toground link terminals at NASA’s White Sands Complex, New Mexico, remote space-to-ground terminals 

in Guam, and at Blossom Point, Maryland. Customer missions communicate with the TDRS spacecraft, 

which relays signals to and from the ground terminals. Maintaining and modernizing this critical network 

is one of the Agency’s top priorities. To accomplish this, SCaN’s SGSS project works to replace obsolete 

ground terminal equipment that is nearing the end of its life cycle, with current technology that will 

improve reliability and cost efficiency. 

NASA’s current TDRS fleet consists of four first-generation satellites placed into orbit 20 to 25 years 

ago, three second-generation satellites that have provided services for more than a decade, and two new 
Space Operations: Space and Flight Support (SFS): Space Communications and 

Navigation 

SPACE COMMUNICATIONS NETWORKS 

Formulation Development Operations

SO-50 

third-generation satellites. The four original first-generation satellites are well past their expected life 

cycles and are showing signs of age-related battery and electronics failures. Three new third-generation 

satellites, TDRS-K, -L, and -M, are prepared to, or have joined, the on-orbit fleet. TDRS-K and -L are 

operating, and TDRS-M is in storage with a planned launch in 2017. 

The NEN provides space communications to missions in low Earth, geosynchronous, lunar, and highly 

elliptical Earth orbits, as well as from certain suborbital launch locations. The NASA owned network’s 

ground stations are located at White Sands, NM; U.S. McMurdo Antarctic Station; Wallops Flight 

Facility, Chincoteague, VA; and University of Alaska, Fairbanks, Alaska. The network also purchases 

services from commercial providers in Hawaii, Norway, Sweden, Singapore, South Africa, Australia, and 

Chile. 

The DSN provides space communications capabilities to missions from outside low Earth orbit to those 

beyond the edge of the solar system, such as the Voyager spacecraft. The network’s ground stations are 

spaced approximately 120 degrees apart on the globe in Spain, Australia, and California, to maintain 

continuous communications with distant spacecraft as the Earth rotates. NASA owns these stations, and 

the DSN Project Office at JPL manages operations, maintenance, and upgrades for this network. 

The DAEP modernizes and upgrades the DSN’s ground stations to enhance capacity, improve flexibility 

to support customer missions, and reduce operations and maintenance costs. Much of the network’s 

hardware is over 31 years old and has become difficult and costly to maintain. This is true of antenna 

structures; exotic electronics, such as high-power transmitters; cryogenically cooled low noise amplifiers; 

and support elements. Construction efforts, such as new 34-meter antennas, use Construction of Facilities 

funds appropriated in NASA’s Construction and Environmental Compliance and Remediation account.

The SGSS project is replacing outdated and expensive equipment and systems at the ground terminals. 

SGSS is a ground sustainment project that will incrementally upgrade the current space network. New 

equipment and software, based on current technology, will be more reliable and cost less to maintain and 

operate. Due to the operational nature of the networks, NASA performs sustainment activities while 

communications are ongoing with no loss of service. The SGSS concept and architecture will bring the 

Space Network into the digital age, providing decades of reliable service. NASA’s approach to SGSS will 

reduce the cost of operations and maintenance by eliminating major periodic refurbishments or high-cost 

upgrades while continuing to increase capability and robustness. 

The SCaN program purchases services from the NASA Communications Services Office (CSO) to move 

information between the three space communications network ground stations and NASA centers, 

customer mission operations, and data centers. The CSO is a centralized commercial service that provides 

point-to-point communication services between ground sites. NASA’s Office of the Chief Information 

Officer manages the CSO service. 

For more information, go to http://www.nasa.gov/scan.
Space Operations: Space and Flight Support (SFS): Space Communications and 

Navigation 

SPACE COMMUNICATIONS NETWORKS 

Formulation Development Operations

SO-51 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017

As part of a recent SGSS evaluation, NASA determined that SGSS is more in line with a sustainment 

project of the existing Space Network rather than a separate development project. The evaluation 

determined SGSS is a sustainment project since it is maintaining the current Space Network by replacing 

aging and outdated equipment and systems at the ground terminals. As such, SGSS is a level of effort 

project which will reported as part of Space Communications Networks. 

ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2015

During the fiscal year, the Space Network supported over 30 missions, with over 178,000 hours of 

tracking and more than 160,000 passes. The Space Network successfully completed TDRS-12 testing on 

January 25, 2015, and placed it into service on February 12. SCaN networks provided launch to splashdown communication of the first Exploration Flight Test 1 launch on the Delta IV rocket, provided space 

communication for the HTV-5 spacecraft docking to ISS, and impounded and delivered appropriate data 

from the SpaceX/Dragon SpX-7 launch mishap. 

NASA continued to replenish networks to resolve ongoing obsolescent equipment. By continuing to 

upgrade and replace equipment, NASA will ensure necessary deep space communications required for its 

current and future deep space missions. Upgrades include antenna drive units and radomes in Guam, 

chillers and electrical equipment at White Sands, and White Sands ground equipment to meet ISS 

requirements to provide 600 Mbps Ku-band service. The DSN modernization program continued to 

upgrade and replace existing antennas at its complexes. The network tracking sites include Canberra, 

Australia; Madrid, Spain; and, Goldstone, California. Part of NASA’s long-term plan is to upgrade and 

repurpose or replace earlier generation 70-meter antennas with 34-meter arrayed antennas. The 

construction of the DSN DSS-36 (34-meter) antenna in Canberra, Australia, progressed with an expected 

operational date of October 2016. The DSN successfully supported downloading scientific data from the 

New Horizons spacecraft since its dramatic July 2015 flight past the icy dwarf planet Pluto and its moon 

Charon, and plans to continue to support science data downloads through FY 2016. 

The SCaN program completed the CDR for Launch Communication Stations at KSC and downrange in 

Bermuda. These sites are needed to support key human spaceflight programs such as Orion’s EM-1 and 

future Exploration Missions. The SCaN program signed an agreement with the SMD for use of the 

Bermuda station in July 2015. 

Capping more than a year’s effort, SGSS completed a major step in software integration and system 

development activities; integrated software is a major deliverable for SGSS and drives the ground system 

performance. The project continues building on early ground terminal functionality and successfully 

conducted demonstration of TDRS Spacecraft Telemetry Tracking and Control and user service 

functions. 
Space Operations: Space and Flight Support (SFS): Space Communications and 

Navigation 

SPACE COMMUNICATIONS NETWORKS 

Formulation Development Operations

SO-52 

WORK IN PROGRESS IN FY 2016 

The three space communications networks will provide a level of service similar to those provided in FY 

2014 and FY 2015. This includes over 160,000 tracking passes, totaling more than 178,000 hours, while 

maintaining an extremely high level of proficiency (approximately 99.95 percent or higher) well above 

the 95 percent required by the SCaN Program Commitment Agreement. 

In 2015, SCaN completed the TDRS-M spacecraft on time, which was prepared for storage on September 

30, 2015. On behalf of SCaN, HEOMD LSP awarded a contract for a launch vehicle on October 30, 2015 

with the planned launch for TDRS-M in 2017. With both TDRS-K and TDRS-L accepted and on orbit, 

along with TDRS-M launch scheduled in 2017, the SCaN program’s Space Network will have adequate 

capacity for its expected mission set until the second-generation TDRS begin retiring in the early 2020s. 

DAEP work planned at the MDSCC includes construction of two new 34-meter antennas, DSS-56 and 

DSS-53, which will replace the 70-meter antenna located at this site. The DSN also plans to finalize the 

operational readiness for the DSS-36 (34-meter) in October 2016. These new antennas will transmit and 

receive across a wide range of radio frequencies for deep space communication with interplanetary 

robotic spacecraft to provide required capabilities for the expected growth of deep space missions 

launching over the next decade. 

The Space Network is modernizing new ground station hardware and software under the SGSS project. 

Near the end of FY 2016, the Space Network will have its first opportunity to begin testing on new SGSS 

equipment. The SGSS project is continuing to develop and deploy a ground system that will enable the 

Space Network to maintain safe, reliable, and cost efficient operations for the next several decades. This 

includes software coding, hardware integration, and testing for SGSS. In addition, work continues with 

subsystem development, integration, and testing. This is an important step towards achieving the new, 

modernized Space Network, which will enable state of the art communications capability with the ISS, 

SLS, Orion, and other orbiting spacecraft well into the 21st century. 

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS PLANNED FOR FY 2017 

The three major goals for SCaN networks include: 1) removing TDRS-M spacecraft from storage and 

delivering it to a launch service provider at KSC in preparation for launch in 2017; 2) continuing 

development of new SGSS ground station hardware and software; and 3) continuing DAEP work 

involving site, foundation, and pedestal work for DSS-56 (34-meter) and 53 (34-meter) antennas at 

MDSCC. The DSN also plans to enter DSS-36 (34-meter) into operation in October 2016. 

All three networks will continue to identify and implement methodologies, processes, and equipment 

intended to help shape and achieve improvements over historical operational efficiencies and goals. 

System engineering plans and conceptual design options are carried out by engaging representatives from 

all three networks, and will play an active role for communication and data transmission planning for 

future robotic and human spaceflight missions, including NASA Orion and SLS vehicle development. 

SGSS will continue development, integration, and test activities associated with new ground station 

hardware and software. 
Space Operations: Space and Flight Support (SFS): Space Communications and 

Navigation 

SPACE COMMUNICATIONS NETWORKS 

Formulation Development Operations

SO-53 

Project Schedule 

Date Significant Event 

Q1 FY 2015 DSS-35 antenna acceptance into the DSN for operational use 

Q4 FY 2015 TDRS-M completed development and placed in storage 

Q1 FY 2016 Initial construction of DSS-53

Q3 FY 2016 Initial construction of DSS-56

Q1 FY 2017 DSS-36 antenna acceptance into the DSN for operational use 

FY 2017/Q1 FY 2018 Launch TDRS-M Spacecraft 

Project Management & Commitments 

Element Description Provider Details 

Change from 

Formulation 

Agreement 

Space Network 

Communication and 

navigation services to 

customer missions in low 

Earth orbit and launch 

vehicles 

Provider: Space Network Project Office 

Lead Center: GSFC 

Performing Center(s): N/A 

Cost Share Partner(s): Non-NASA 

customers 

N/A 

NEN 

Communication and 

navigation services to 

customer missions in low 

Earth, highly elliptical, and 

lunar orbits 

Provider: NEN Project Office 

Lead Center: GSFC 

Performing Center(s): N/A 

Cost Share Partner(s): Non-NASA 

customers 

N/A 

DSN 

Communication and 

navigation services to 

customer missions in deep 

space 

Provider: DSN Project Office 

Lead Center: JPL 

Performing Center(s): N/A 

Cost Share Partner(s): Non-NASA 

customers 

N/A 

NASA CSO 

SCaN purchases ground 

communication services for 

NISN 

Provider: CSO, through NASA Chief 

Information Officer 

Lead Center: NASA HQ 

Performing Center(s): MSFC, GSFC 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

N/A 
Space Operations: Space and Flight Support (SFS): Space Communications and 

Navigation 

SPACE COMMUNICATIONS NETWORKS 

Formulation Development Operations

SO-54 

Element Description Provider Details 

Change from 

Formulation 

Agreement 

TDRS 

Replenishment 

Purchase third-generation 

TDRS-K, -L, and -M to 

maintain Space Network 

communications services to 

customer missions into the 

2020s

Provider: Boeing Space Systems 

Lead Center: GSFC 

Performing Center(s): N/A 

Cost Share Partners: Other U.S. 

government agencies 

Development 

cost reduced. 

TDRS-M added 

to purchase 

SGSS 

Replace outdated and 

deteriorating ground systems 

at Space Network ground 

terminals 

Provider: SGSS Project Office 

Lead Center: GSFC 

Performing Center(s): N/A 

Cost Share Partner(s): Non-NASA U.S. 

government partners 

 N/A 

Acquisition Strategy 

The major acquisitions for the networks are in place. NASA uses reimbursable, international, and barter 

agreements, as well as competitive procurements. NASA’s JPL provides the management of the DSN.

MAJOR CONTRACTS/AWARDS

NASA awarded the TDRS-M launch vehicle contract on October 30, 2015. 

Element Vendor Location (of work performance) 

DSN JPL Pasadena, CA 

Space Network Operations Exelis McLean, VA 

NEN Operations Exelis McLean, VA 

TDRS Replenishment, including 

TDRS-K, -L, and -M and 

modifications to Space Network 

ground systems to support these 

spacecraft 

Boeing Space Systems El Segundo, CA 

TDRS-M Launch Vehicle United Launch Services, LLC Centennial, CO 

SGSS General Dynamics Mission 

Systems Scottsdale, AZ 
Space Operations: Space and Flight Support (SFS): Space Communications and 

Navigation 

SPACE COMMUNICATIONS NETWORKS 

Formulation Development Operations

SO-55 

INDEPENDENT REVIEWS

Review 

Type Performer Date of Review Purpose Outcome Next Review 

TDRS-L 

ORR/FRR 

Standing Review 

Board (SRB) Nov 2013 

Assess if all systems 

are operationally 

ready for the 

spacecraft and if the 

spacecraft is ready 

for flight 

Passed LRD 

TDRS-L 

Launch 

Readiness 

Date (LRD) 

Flight Board Jan 2014 Assess if all systems 

are ready for launch Passed 

On-orbit 

Acceptance 

TDRS-L 

On-Orbit 

Acceptance 

Review 

SRB Jun 2014 

Assess if TDRS-L is 

ready to be accepted 

by the Government 

Passed N/A 

NASA 

Office of 

Inspector 

General 

(OIG) 

Review 

NASA OIG Ongoing Assess SCaN 

program and projects Ongoing 

Space 

Network 

and DSN 

complete; 

NEN in 

process 
Space Operations: Space and Flight Support (SFS): Space Communications and 

Navigation 

SPACE COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT

Formulation Development Operations

SO-56 

FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Total Budget 62.8 -- 86.3 84.0 121.3 154.5 149.6 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. FY 

2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

Laser Communication Relay Demonstration (LCRD) 

Modem Team successfully demonstrated optical 

communication between LCRD Ground Modem #1 and 

the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Lincoln 

Laboratory Optical Terminal Verification Testbed 

Modem. LCRD will be NASA’s first use of a commercially 

hosted payload for technology demonstration. The 

demonstration is a major first step towards 

commercializing laser communication across deep space. 

NASA’s SCaN program has a long history of 

exceptional service reliability and proficiency, 

but that success does not come easily. 

Maintaining a high level of performance 

requires the extensive planning, management, 

and technology efforts of the Space 

Communications Support project. 

SCaN’s architecture planning and systems 

engineering ensure customer missions operate 

together with NASA networks by defining 

technical services, capacity, and performance 

requirements to eliminate duplication across 

networks, minimize mission-unique 

requirements, and lower development and 

operations costs. 

Like the technological advances that have so 

radically changed the way we communicate with 

each other, evolving space communication 

systems can transform future NASA mission 

capabilities, in ways we can only imagine today. 

SCaN’s technology development effort invests 

in leading edge communications technology, 

and enables, improves, and matures available 

technologies to build systems and capabilities for ground-based and spacecraft communication and 

navigation use. 

Operating in space requires significant international coordination. SCaN’s standards development and 

management activity maintains a portfolio of internationally agreed upon interoperability standards that 

enable joint space missions with other nations. SCaN also promotes new technologies, and provides 

technical leaders and domain experts who ensure appropriate space communication standards are 

available to NASA missions. 
Space Operations: Space and Flight Support (SFS): Space Communications and 

Navigation 

SPACE COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT 

Formulation Development Operations

SO-57 

Amid soaring demand for wireless broadband, such as 3G and 4G mobile services, radio frequency 

spectrum management has become increasingly critical to the world’s spacefaring nations. SCaN 

coordinates nationally and internationally to protect radio frequencies critical to NASA space missions. 

The SCaN team ensures all Agency activities comply with rules and regulations applicable to the 

electromagnetic spectrum, and advocates for radio frequencies to remain available for NASA use. 

Just as the Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver in your car or smartphone uses satellites and ground 

stations to pinpoint your location on the Earth, GPS provides precision positioning, navigation, and 

timing for vehicles in space. This allows NASA to maximize spacecraft autonomy, and enables precise 

space flight methods, such as formation flying. SCaN manages NASA’s policy on GPS use and plays a 

major role on the international front, ensuring compatibility and interoperability among spacefaring 

nations, promoting common definitions and specifications, and mitigating threats to the GPS spectrum. 

For more information, go to https://www.nasa.gov/scan. 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017

None 

ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2015

NASA’s vision for the future SCaN network architecture is to build and maintain a scalable and 

integrated infrastructure that provides cost effective space communications services at order-of-magnitude 

higher data rates to enable NASA’s science and exploration missions. This infrastructure can readily 

evolve to accommodate new and changing technologies and will preserve current capabilities to support 

user mission critical events and emergencies. 

As part of this evolution, SCaN conducted the System Definition Review (SDR) for the Phase 2 unified 

network. The results of the SDR added maturity to the Phase one design concept and improved the overall 

unified network. SCaN also completed the initial studies for the next generation Earth (TDRSS) and Mars 

relay capabilities. 

SCaN continued to make progress towards developing the Laser Communication Relay Demonstration 

(LCRD), jointly funded by SCaN and NASA’s STMD. The 1.25-gigabit-per-second data rate ground 

modem successfully demonstrated interoperability with the testbed at MIT Lincoln Laboratory. LCRD 

will be a major first step towards commercializing laser communications for both near Earth and in deep 

space. The project has had multiple commercial operators express significant interest to use the payload 

during its full demonstration beginning in 2019. 

The SCaN TestBed continued operations externally on ISS and has logged over 2,500 hours of operations 

since launch in 2012. The SCaN TestBed developed several important technologies advancing the future 

of SCaN networks. The project demonstrated the capability of transmission at nearly 1 gigabit-per-second 

data rate over Ka-band, winning a NASA Silver Achievement Medal for their efforts. Separate work on 

the Digital Video Broadcast Second Generation transmission from space demonstrated improved 
Space Operations: Space and Flight Support (SFS): Space Communications and 

Navigation 

SPACE COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT 

Formulation Development Operations

downlink to a ground station showing improved quality video reception. In the future, commercial 

standards derived from the SCaN developed technologies will help NASA networks be more 

interoperable, increase network throughput, and enhance spectrum efficiency by allowing greater amounts 

of data transmitted in a given bandwidth, and adjusting data rates according to radio frequency link 

conditions. 

SCaN continued developing space communication standards, lowering space missions’ risks and 

operation costs while enabling joint space missions with other nations. In 2015, SCaN standards 

developed consensus with international agencies agreeing on optical communication standards for near 

earth and deep space missions clearing the path for future multi-national collaboration. 

In collaboration with HEOMD’s Advanced Exploration Systems and NASA’s SMD, SCaN continued 

demonstrating antenna array uplink with the high resolution Ka-Band Objects Observation and 

Monitoring (KaBOOM) system. The KaBOOM is designed to better track asteroids, comets, and orbital 

debris. NASA hopes KaBOOM will significantly improve image resolution and enable radar images of 

near earth objects to see details as small as five centimeters, or the size of a golf ball. Today, NASA’s 

best radar images are limited to 400 centimeters, or about the size of a family garage. 

SO-58 

WORK IN PROGRESS IN FY 2016 

Using the results of recently completed next generation SCaN systems studies, SCaN is developing a toplevel architecture strategy and concept and is reviewing it with stakeholders. This strategy and 

architecture concept will provide the basis for the first steps in the next generation SCaN capabilities. 

Additionally, work continues on defining the top level capabilities for the next-generation Earth and Mars 

relays with the goal of incorporating those results into the definition of the 2025 SCaN architecture. 

The LCRD project will take delivery of flight hardware, including the space switching unit, controller 

electronics, and commercialized subcomponents of optical modules from vendors in New Mexico, 

Colorado, New York, and Massachusetts. With application to both commercial and NASA Operations, 

SCaN will complete Preliminary Design Review (PDR) and Key Decision Point C for LCRD. GSFC will 

build and integrate the LCRD flight modems in FY 2016 for delivery to the project in FY 2017. Set to fly 

as a hosted payload, this technology demonstration will provide an order of magnitude leap in 

communications capability for future TDRS satellites, other government agencies, and commercial space 

communication providers. 

SCaN TestBed on ISS will focus on developing variable and adaptive radio techniques making SCaN’s 

networks more autonomous and responsive. Leveraging the Digital Video Broadcast Second Generation, 

the project will develop a closed-loop system to detect interference and adjust frequencies to reduce error 

rates. SCaN TestBed will also perform research towards the autonomous development of a spacecraftinitiated service request. In addition, SCaN is continuing to study placing an optical communication user 

terminal on the Japanese space agency module on ISS in 2020. This terminal will work with LCRD to 

demonstrate laser-based technologies. This new terminal will be based on a commercialized, next 

generation design with significantly lower size, weight, and power than the current state-of-the-art LCRD 

modem. 
Space Operations: Space and Flight Support (SFS): Space Communications and 

Navigation 

SPACE COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT 

Formulation Development Operations

SO-59 

SCaN is continuing research into Disruption Tolerant Networking (DTN) techniques, allowing science 

data to be downlinked to many space and ground assets and re-assembled safely and securely at a final 

destination. Development of this seamless technology will make NASA’s networks more efficient while 

reducing complexity and increasing resiliency and will introduce similar concepts of internet operations 

space communications. 

SCaN is also funding advanced optical communications technology for deep space in partnership with 

SMD and STMD. The Deep Space Optical Communications effort currently underway at JPL will 

advance the maturity level of several components needed for deep space by the end of FY 2016. The 

Deep Space Atomic Clock is scheduled for launch in September 2016 and will revolutionize precise 

timing necessary for spacecraft accuracy and operations. In 2016, SCaN standards team will continue 

developing a universal space link protocol to replace four space link communication protocols with one, 

for human and robotic missions. 

SCaN contributed to the agenda planning and actively participated in the International 

Telecommunication Union’s World Radio communication Conference in November 2015. SCaN 

represented NASA with the State Department and other Federal agencies in national and international 

negotiations on key items related to NASA’s spectrum requirements.

KaBOOM will build on FY 2015 accomplishments with plans to combine the signals from three antennas 

at Goldstone, California, and correct for atmospheric twinkling in real time, maximizing the antennas’ 

power. Additionally, KaBOOM will use three low cost antennas at KSC and demonstrate the system can 

image small near-Earth objects. Finally, the techniques demonstrated at Goldstone may be used in an 

attempt to save the STEREO-B spacecraft that has not communicated with ground stations since October. 

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS PLANNED FOR FY 2017 

Efforts will continue to advance NASA’s space network architecture, concept of operations, requirements 

and cost estimating to mature implementation plans for the future unified SCaN network. SCaN will work 

to insert new technologies into near-Earth and DSN systems for phase 3. The support provided by SCaN 

includes support system acquisition, maturing optical communications, space internetworking, cognitive 

radios, and other technologies needed to enable future missions. 

As part of SCaN’s new technology development, LCRD plans to complete its CDR, and initiate hardware 

fabrication to support a late CY 2019 launch readiness date. Deep Space Optical Communications will 

provide a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6 validation and demonstration of the flight laser 

transceiver and ground support equipment. In addition, operations of the Deep Space Atomic Clock will 

greatly increase precise timing and accuracy during its flight demonstration. 

To push new frontiers in communication and future network operations, the SCaN TestBed will 

demonstrate signal classification techniques for Galileo navigation protocols with the European Space 

Agency. In addition, the TestBed will evaluate cognitive engine demonstration with Digital Video 

Broadcast Second Generation and coding protocol selection. The Standards team will develop 

specifications for a wireless local area network protocol, supporting communications for both human and 
Space Operations: Space and Flight Support (SFS): Space Communications and 

Navigation 

SPACE COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT 

Formulation Development Operations

SO-60 

robotic activities on planetary surfaces. KaBOOM project plans to transform its system at KSC to a 

communications and high power radar system. 

SCaN will continue working with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration 

Policy and Plans Steering Group to help identify Federal spectrum for auction and repurpose for 

commercial mobile broadband. This effort, sponsored by Presidential Initiative, intends to identify 500 

MHz of spectrum for mobile broadband use within 10 years, while ensuring critical Federal operations are 

not adversely impacted. 

Project Schedule 

Date Significant Event 

Q2 FY 2015 SCaN Program Phase 2 SDR 

Q1 FY 2016 World Radio telecommunications Conference 

Q3 FY 2016 Deep Space Atomic Clock ships to Commercial Spacecraft Host (Surrey) 

Q4 FY 2016 Deep Space Atomic Clock Launch 

Q4 FY 2017 LCRD User Terminal on ISS PDR 

Q4 FY 2017 All component designs of the Deep Space Optical Communications system 

are flight-qualified by ground testing at TRL 6 

Project Management & Commitments 

The SCaN Program Office at NASA Headquarters manages Space Communications Support functions. 

Element Description Provider Details 

Change from 

Formulation 

Agreement 

Space 

Communications 

Support 

Provides critical 

communication and 

navigation architecture 

planning, systems 

engineering, technology 

development, standards 

development and 

management, spectrum 

management, and policy and 

strategic communications for 

NASA 

Provider: NASA 

Responsible Center: HQ 

N/A 
Space Operations: Space and Flight Support (SFS): Space Communications and 

Navigation 

SPACE COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT 

Formulation Development Operations

SO-61 

Acquisition Strategy 

Space Communications Support functions use multiple small contracted efforts, most of which are 

support services functions. 

MAJOR CONTRACTS/AWARDS

Space Communications Support does not have any major contracts planned at this time. 
Space Operations: Space and Flight Support (SFS) 

HUMAN SPACE FLIGHT OPERATIONS

SO-62 

FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Total Budget 99.7 -- 128.3 130.4 139.9 142.0 143.8 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. FY 

2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

Scott Kelly inside a Soyuz simulator at the Gagarin 

Cosmonaut Training Center located at Star City, Russia 

preparing for his one-year mission and twin study starting 

March 2015. 

Through more than 54 years of human space 

exploration, NASA has faced challenges that led 

to advances in technology, produced new 

industries, and nurtured our relationships with 

other nations. As in the earliest days of Project 

Mercury, the very core of human space 

exploration is the crew. Today, from anywhere 

with an Internet connection, people on Earth can 

watch NASA’s skilled astronauts in high 

definition, engaged in daily life on the ISS. The 

Human Space Flight Operations (HSFO) 

program supports the training, readiness, and 

health of crewmembers before, during, and after 

each space flight mission to the ISS. All crews 

on board the Space Station have undergone 

rigorous preparation, which is critical to mission 

success. Within the HSFO program, the Space 

Flight Crew Operations (SFCO) element 

provides astronaut selection and training while 

the Crew Health and Safety (CHS) element 

manages all aspects of astronaut crew health. 

To prepare for the next step in human space exploration, the Agency is developing the transportation 

system that will carry crew to destinations beyond Earth’s orbit. NASA must also prepare the human 

system for living and working for extended periods in the hostile environment of space. As astronauts 

travel further from Earth, many different issues will arise and need investigating. What health risks will 

astronauts face and how are they resolved? What type of training will crews need to prepare for months of 

travel in the harsh space environment? How will they deal with medical emergencies or technical 

anomalies when Earth is no longer within reach? CHS, in collaboration with NASA’s Office of Chief 

Health and Medical Officer and HEOMD’s Human Research Program (HRP), answers these questions 

and others to ensure crew health, safety, and mission success. SFCO and CHS are responsible for 

astronaut training, readiness, and health while HRP funds development of human health and performance 

countermeasures, knowledge, and technologies that enable safe, reliable, and productive human space 

exploration. 
Space Operations: Space and Flight Support (SFS) 

HUMAN SPACE FLIGHT OPERATIONS

SO-63 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017

Astronaut candidate class selections moved from FY 2016, FY 2018, and FY 2020 to FY 2017, FY 2019, 

and FY 2021 to better align with ISS and Exploration manifest requirements. HSFO added the 

Aerosciences Ground Test Capability, which establishes centralized funding to support mission access to 

test facilities throughout the year, enabling mission testing, advancements of capabilities and tools, and 

innovation 

ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2015

SFCO provided a trained astronaut for one-year stay on ISS and three trained astronauts for five-month 

stays on ISS. SFCO also selected four astronauts to begin training for crewed test flight of first human 

U.S. commercial crew vehicle. 

During the year, CHS convened research and clinical advisory panels with HRP comprised of external 

experts to determine crew health management strategies for visual impairment and intracranial pressure 

(VIIP), radiation risks, and intervertebral disk damage. CHS completed career radiation exposure analysis 

for a 12-month ISS mission in 2017 and provided critical analysis to evaluate the risk of carbon dioxide 

exposure aboard the ISS resulting in further lowering of operational levels. Monitoring carbon dioxide 

levels on board ISS is important to assure optimal crew health and behavioral health and performance. 

CHS made improvements to Information Technology medical data systems and completed improvements 

to future astronaut selection criteria and training processes. Improvements will result in better handling of 

medical data requests and screening future astronaut candidates. Lastly, CHS developed testing schedules 

needed to conduct medical and psychological clearances of astronaut candidates during selection cycles. 

WORK IN PROGRESS IN FY 2016 

In FY 2016, SFCO will begin training astronauts in support of the first human commercial space vehicle 

to ISS. SFCO plans to partner with the ISS program in the Revolutionize ISS for Science and Exploration 

effort as core ISS processes are streamlined to support primary customers’ payloads and research. 

CHS will provide clinical certification and mission support for active astronauts and physical, behavioral, 

and reconditioning health support for returning ISS expeditions. CHS plans to standardize astronaut 

occupational space suit exposure tracking during operations and training exercises. In addition, CHS will 

provide real time support to the ISS 12-month crew for on-orbit health monitoring; exercise regimen 

management; behavioral health support; and post-landing health evaluation, reconditioning, and 

monitoring. CHS will support the Agency’s Chief Health and Medical Officer on long-term improvement 

in crew occupational health and maintenance. Further CHS will deploy data visualization tools to promote 

analysis in support of operational, clinical, and risk management decision-making. 

Since the early days of human space flight, NASA has accumulated and archived crew health and safety 

data for use by the human health clinical research community. During FY 2016, CHS Data Management 

and epidemiology teams will update crew health data and analytics to guide CHS-hosted working groups. 

This will result in increased quantity and quality of crew health and safety data to research and clinical 

communities. 
Space Operations: Space and Flight Support (SFS) 

HUMAN SPACE FLIGHT OPERATIONS

SO-64 

In FY 2016, HRP will transition the Integrated Medical Model 4.0 to CHS. This updated risk prediction 

tool will provide new capabilities, such as randomizing crew health events throughout a mission and 

quantifying the impact of partial or alternative medical treatment options against adverse health outcomes. 

An updated Radiation Risk Model, employing a multiple exposure modeling capability will continue to 

advance towards becoming operational. This enhancement refines radiation risk projections to astronauts, 

and takes into account the dose effects of multiple space flight missions as well as non-space flight 

radiation exposure. 

CHS will continue the lifetime surveillance program, monitoring retired astronauts for adverse health 

outcomes related to their service with NASA. Data collection under this surveillance program broadens 

our understanding of the long-term health risks of human space flight. 

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS PLANNED FOR FY 2017 

In FY 2017, SFCO will continue to provide trained astronauts for crewed test flight of the first 

commercial crew vehicle, as well as conduct interviews and select a new astronaut candidate class. 

CHS will test and evaluate candidates for the next astronaut class selection in FY 2017. CHS will 

continue physical, behavioral, return, and reconditioning health support for returning ISS Expeditions and 

provide crew health support for astronauts training to fly on commercial crew vehicles. CHS will continue 

providing clinical certification and mission support for active astronauts who are either departing or 

returning to the ISS. CHS will continue to accumulate and archive crew health and safety data for use by 

the human health clinical research community. 

CHS will update the Astronaut Radiation Exposure and Analysis Database to incorporate multiple 

exposure data. CHS will continue to monitor HRP progress towards developing mitigation strategies for 

astronaut exposure and protection from solar and galactic radiation during space missions. Mitigation of 

solar and galactic radiation beyond the protection of the Earth’s atmosphere is an occupational and safety 

concern particularly for long duration human spaceflight. CHS will also continue to track and monitor 

other work in development by HRP. 

Program Elements 

SPACE FLIGHT CREW OPERATIONS (SFCO) 

SFCO provides trained astronauts for all NASA human space flight efforts. Responsibilities include 

directing and managing flight crew activities, selecting astronaut candidates, recommending flight crew 

assignments, and operating program support aircraft; most notably, a fleet of T-38 aircraft for high 

performance astronaut space flight readiness training. In addition, SFCO ensures that space flight 

readiness training requirements continue to support ongoing ISS operations, planned exploration, and 

commercial development. 

SFCO is responsible for astronaut training, consistent with recommendations reported in the National 

Academies’ report, Preparing for the High Frontier, (NRC, 2011). As part of its annual planning, the 

project ensures all astronaut training is consistent with ISS and Exploration manifest requirements. The 

minimum manifest requirement is based upon the number of spacecraft seats U.S. astronauts must fill in 
Space Operations: Space and Flight Support (SFS) 

HUMAN SPACE FLIGHT OPERATIONS

SO-65 

the next five years to support the human space flight manifest and includes ISS via Soyuz, as well as 

projected Commercial Crew and Orion/SLS development flights. Today, it takes three years from the 

decision to select a new astronaut class until the process is completed. New astronauts must complete 12-

18 months of training for eligibility and then 30 months of ISS training before a new astronaut reaches the 

ISS. Astronaut training activities, overseen by SFCO, include launch and landing operations, ability to 

respond in an emergency/high-stress environment, high performance aircraft operations skills, flight 

vehicle maintenance, payload and science experiment operator skills, extravehicular activities, Russian 

language skills, robotics (including free-flier capture), and ISS systems knowledge. 

CREW HEALTH AND SAFETY (CHS) 

CHS enables healthy and productive crew during all phases of space flight missions, implements a 

comprehensive astronaut occupational health care program, and works to prevent and mitigate negative 

long-term health consequences from exposure to the space flight environment. Using HRP research 

findings, CHS implements changes to astronaut occupational health protocols to ensure crew health and 

safety. CHS also medically assesses astronaut candidates as part of the selection process. In this 

collaboration, HRP concentrates on the research aspects of crew health, whereas CHS focuses on 

implementing the research results into occupational health protocols. As research continues on ISS 

through 2024, CHS actively seeks new ways of doing business, including collaborative opportunities with 

other Federal agencies and academia. 

CHS is also responsible for maintaining the health of active astronauts during non-mission periods, 

focusing on three aspects of health care: preventive care, risk factor management, and long-term health 

monitoring. CHS integrates and coordinates information relevant to the human health before, during, and 

after space flight. CHS documents and assesses all emerging health risks, such as VIIP syndrome. CHS 

has continued to collaborate with a number of non-NASA organizations to include the National 

Academies for the risk decisions associated with long duration and exploration missions. 
Space Operations: Space and Flight Support (SFS) 

HUMAN SPACE FLIGHT OPERATIONS

SO-66 

Program Schedule 

Date Significant Event 

Mar 2015 NASA Astronaut Scott Kelly and Russian Cosmonaut Mikhail Korniyenko 

began the first-ever one-year mission aboard the ISS 

Jul 2015 Four astronauts selected to begin training for crewed test flight of the first 

human U.S. commercial space flight vehicle 

Jul 2015 Astronaut Class of 2013 completed their astronaut candidate training and 

became eligible for assignment to space flight missions 

Oct 2015 Reduce space flight readiness training aircraft (T-38) operational fleet size 

from 19 to 18 

Oct 2015 Begin selection process for the Astronaut Class of 2017 

Dec 2015 Retire NASA’s reduced-gravity aircraft (C-9), ending NASA’s microgravity 

flight services capability 

Aug 2017 Astronaut Class of 2017 will arrive at JSC to begin new astronaut training (14 

selections expected) 

Program Management & Commitments 

Program Element Provider 

SFCO will provide trained 

astronauts for all U.S. human 

space flight endeavors and bring 

experienced astronauts’ 

expertise to help resolve 

operations or development 

issues. 

Provider: SFCO 

Lead Center: JSC 

Performing Center(s): JSC 

Cost Share Partner(s): None 

CHS will assess and maintain 

the health of astronauts before, 

during, and post flight. 

Provider: CHS 

Lead Center: JSC 

Performing Center(s): JSC 

Cost Share Partner(s): None 

Acquisition Strategy 

The section below identifies the current contract(s) that support SFCO and CHS. 
Space Operations: Space and Flight Support (SFS) 

HUMAN SPACE FLIGHT OPERATIONS

SO-67 

MAJOR CONTRACTS/AWARDS

Element Vendor Location (of work performance) 

Aircraft Maintenance and 

Modification Program DynCorp International LLC Ellington Field, Houston, TX, El 

Paso, TX 

Bioastronautics Contract Wyle Integrated Science and 

Engineering Group Houston, TX 

INDEPENDENT REVIEWS

Review Type Performer Date of 

Review Purpose Outcome Next Review 

Independent 

Assessment 

National 

Academies Sep 2011 

Evaluate plans relative to 

the role and size of SFCO 

activities following the 

Space Shuttle retirement and 

completion of the assembly 

of the ISS including the 

astronaut corps’ fleet of 

training aircraft. 

The National 

Academies’ conclusions 

largely reinforced 

NASA decision making 

and approach to crew 

training. 

N/A 

Performance National 

Academies Jul 2012 

At the request of NASA, a 

National Academies 

committee reviewed NASA 

HRP’s Scientific Merit 

Assessment Processes for 

directed research. 

The committee found 

that the scientific merit 

assessment process used 

by the HRP for directed 

research is scientifically 

rigorous and is similar 

to the processes and 

merit criteria used by 

many other Federal 

agencies and 

organizations. 

N/A 

Performance National 

Academies Jul 2012 

The National Academies’ 

Committee on Aerospace 

Medicine and the Medicine 

of Extreme Environments 

(CAMMEE) reviewed what 

ethical and policy 

considerations are involved 

when exposures/risks are 

uncertain and exposures 

may exceed current 

standards. 

The CAMMEE 

provided a report to 

NASA March 2014, 

recommending a 

framework for ethical 

decision-making. 

N/A 
Space Operations: Space and Flight Support (SFS) 

LAUNCH SERVICES

SO-68 

FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Total Budget 80.6 -- 87.2 89.1 89.1 90.0 91.4 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. FY 

2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

NASA’s MMS observatories are processed for launch in a 

clean room at the Astrotech Space Operations facility in 

Titusville, Florida in preparation for launch in 2015. 

NASA SMD will investigate how the Sun’s and Earth’s 

magnetic fields transfer energy from one to the other in a 

process known as magnetic reconnection. 

Utilizing commercially available domestic 

launch services, LSP has provided affordable 

and reliable space access for science 

exploration, communication, weather 

forecasting, and technology development for 

over 17 years. NASA science and technology 

missions need these launch services to get into 

space and begin their critical work. 

Acting as a technical expert, LSP matches 

NASA and other civil sector government 

spacecraft with commercially available launch 

services through a competitive process. Once the 

right launch vehicle is selected, the program 

purchases a “ride to space” for the customer. 

Starting with pre-mission planning and 

continuing through the spacecraft’s post-launch 

phase, LSP works with the customer and launch 

vehicle provider to maximize mission success. 

LSP provides NASA missions with access to a dependable and secure Earth-to-space bridge, launching 

spacecraft to orbit our planet or to venture into deep space. 

LSP acquires and manages launch services, and ensures pricing is consistent and fair. Through launchrelated contracts, the program provides the launch service, pre-launch spacecraft processing facility 

support, and communications and telemetry during ascent for their customers. Additionally, LSP offers 

insight into the commercial launch vehicle industry, tracks lessons learned to identify and mitigate risks 

for future managed launches, and certifies the readiness of new commercial launch vehicles for NASA 

and other civil sector agency spacecraft. The program also conducts engineering analyses and other 

technical tasks to maximize launch success for every NASA payload. 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017

None 
Space Operations: Space and Flight Support (SFS) 

LAUNCH SERVICES

SO-69 

ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2015

Two major payloads successfully launched utilizing LSP-acquired services: 

Launch 

Date/Location 

Launch 

Vehicle Payload Customer 

Mission Objectives 

Jan 2015 

Vandenberg 

Air Force Base 

Delta II SMAP NASA 

SMD 

Provide global measurements of soil moisture and its 

freeze/thaw state to enhance understanding of 

processes to link the water, energy, and carbon 

cycles, and extend the capabilities of weather and 

climate prediction models. 

Mar 2015 

CCAFS 

Atlas V MMS NASA 

SMD 

Utilize four spacecraft flying in formation to 

investigate how the Sun’s and Earth’s magnetic 

fields connect and disconnect, explosively 

transferring energy from one to the other in a process 

is important everywhere in the universe, known as 

magnetic reconnection. 

LSP’s customers own and manage the payload mission objectives described above. 

In addition, LSP continued efforts to expand the selection of available launch vehicles, working across 

industry to support commercial space sector growth by providing competitive opportunities to U.S. 

providers. 

The program acquired launch services for three future science missions: 

Launch 

Date/Location Launch Vehicle Payload Customer Mission Objectives 

Jun 2017 

Kwajalein 

Pegasus XL ICON NASA SMD 

A suite of instruments designed to explore the 

mechanisms controlling the environmental 

conditions in space and how they are modified 

by weather on the planet. 

Aug 2017 

CCAFS 

Falcon 9 v1.1 TESS NASA SMD 

Space telescope designed to survey the 

brightest stars near the Earth. Utilize an array 

of cameras to perform an all-sky survey to 

study the mass, size, density and orbit of a 

large cohort of small planets, including a 

sample of rocky worlds in the habitable zones 

of their host stars. 
Space Operations: Space and Flight Support (SFS) 

LAUNCH SERVICES

SO-70 

Launch 

Date/Location Launch Vehicle Payload Customer Mission Objectives 

Jul 2018 

CCAFS 

Delta IV Heavy SPP NASA SMD 

Flying into the Sun’s atmosphere (or corona), 

for the first time. Coming closer to the Sun 

than any previous spacecraft, SPP will employ 

a combination of in situ measurements and 

imaging to achieve the mission’s primary 

scientific goal: to understand how the Sun’s 

corona is heated and how the solar wind is 

accelerated. 

LSP’s customers own and manage the payload mission objectives described above. 

LSP completed the certification effort for the Falcon 9 v1.1 in May 2015 and certified it as a medium risk 

launch vehicle as defined in NASA policy, with a single certification exception. SpaceX is working to 

correct the issue that caused the exception and LSP has put appropriate mitigation steps in place to 

mitigate the technical risk. Certification is vital because it enhances NASA’s understanding of 

commercially built launch vehicles and enables LSP to better judge launch risks. Certification enhances 

competition as it results in multiple qualified, launch vehicles and launch providers, which in turn 

promotes cost control. 

In July 2015, LSP was tasked to serve in the NASA Independent Review Team (IRT) function, as part of 

the SpaceX Falcon 9 v1.1 SpX-7 accident investigation and return to flight. LSP independently reviewed 

the launch vehicle telemetry and created a detailed millisecond event timeline; reviewed the SpaceX-led 

Accident Investigation Team’s (AIT’s) findings and corrective actions; developed and analyzed 

additional alternative failure scenarios; conducted independent testing; and made its own independent 

accident related findings and recommendations. LSP completed their IRT function with their out brief to 

the NASA Flight Planning Board on December 4, 2015. 

NASA and LSP continued to partner with several universities to launch small research satellites through 

the Educational Launch of Nanosatellites project and the CubeSat Launch Initiative, which provides 

rideshare opportunities for small satellite payloads to fly on upcoming launches when space is available. 

These partnerships provide educational opportunities for students in science, technology, engineering, and 

mathematics disciplines, thereby strengthening the Nation’s future workforce. To date, NASA has 

selected CubeSats from 29 states across the United States, with 41 launched and 14 manifested on NASA, 

National Reconnaissance Office, U.S. Air Force, and Commercial missions. 

As CubeSats continued to play an increasingly larger role at NASA, LSP began work to develop a new 

Venture Class Launch Service (VCLS). VCLS will serve as an alternative to the current rideshare 

approach and will foster a commercial launch market dedicated solely to flying small satellite payloads. 

NASA awarded three VCLS contracts on September 30, 2015 to Firefly Space Systems Inc., Rocket Lab 

USA, and Virgin Galactic LLC, with the first demonstration launch scheduled for spring 2018. 

In addition, LSP provided facility support, ground support equipment, communication and video 

capabilities, and computer modeling of the Orion vehicle’s guidance, navigation, and control system for 

EFT-1. LSP also provided Payload Processing and Hangar AE support, as well as targeted technical 

assessments, to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Deep Space Climate Observatory 

(DSCOVR) mission. 
Space Operations: Space and Flight Support (SFS) 

LAUNCH SERVICES

SO-71 

WORK IN PROGRESS IN FY 2016 

LSP provides expertise and active launch mission management for over 40 NASA scientific spacecraft 

missions in various stages of development. In FY 2016, the program continues to acquire new launch 

services for future NASA missions. One science mission is planned for launch in FY 2016. 

Launch 

Date/Location 

Launch 

Vehicle Payload Customer Mission Objectives 

Sep 2016 

CCAFS 

Atlas V 

Origins, 

Spectral 

Interpretation, 

Resource 

Identification, 

and Security - 

Regolith 

Explorer 

(OSIRIS-REx) 

NASA 

SMD 

Visit an asteroid in 2016, perform six 

months of surface mapping, and use a 

robotic arm to collect samples to return to 

Earth. This data helps explain our solar 

system’s formation and how life began, as 

well as improve understanding of asteroids 

that could impact our planet. 

LSP’s customers own and manage the payload mission objectives described above. 

While NASA had planned to launch Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat 

Transport (InSight) in FY 2016, the launch date is currently under review and will not occur in FY 2016. 

Along with full end-to-end launch service management, the program continues to offer advisory support, 

expertise, and knowledge to NASA programs and projects utilizing launch services not procured and 

managed by LSP. The program is currently providing these advisory services to several missions, 

including: 







ISS CRS missions; 

CCP; and 

SMD’s Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow-On (GRACE-FO), Webb, and NASAIndian Space Research Organization Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) missions 

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS PLANNED FOR FY 2017 

LSP is planning six civil sector missions for launch: 

Launch 

Date 

Launch 

Vehicle Mission Name Customer Mission Objectives 

Oct 

2016

Pegasus 

XL CYGNSS NASA SMD 

Measure ocean surface winds throughout 

the life cycle of tropical storms and 

hurricanes, to facilitate better weather 

forecasting. 
Space Operations: Space and Flight Support (SFS) 

LAUNCH SERVICES

SO-72 

Launch 

Date 

Launch 

Vehicle Mission Name Customer Mission Objectives 

Oct 

2016 Atlas V GOES-R NOAA, NASA SMD 

First in a series of next generation 

geostationary weather satellites that will 

provide continuous imagery and 

atmospheric measurements of Earth’s 

Western Hemisphere and space weather 

monitoring. 

Nov 

2016 Delta II JPSS (3c) NASA SMD 

Gather data on a wide range of Earth’s 

properties, including the atmosphere, 

clouds, radiation budget, clear-air land and 

water surfaces, and sea surface temperature. 

May 

2017 Atlas V GOES -S NOAA, NASA SMD 

Follow on mission in a series of satellites 

that will provide continuous imagery and 

atmospheric measurements of Earth’s 

Western Hemisphere and space weather 

monitoring. 

Jun 

2017

Pegasus 

XL ICON NASA SMD 

A suite of instruments designed to explore 

the mechanisms controlling the 

environmental conditions in space and how 

they are modified by weather on the planet. 

Aug 

2017

Falcon 9 TESS NASA SMD 

Space telescope designed to survey the 

brightest stars near the Earth. The telescope 

will utilize an array of cameras to perform 

an all-sky survey to study the mass, size, 

density and orbit of a large cohort of small 

planets, including a sample of rocky worlds 

in the habitable zones of their host stars. 

LSP’s customers own and manage the payload mission objectives described above. 

LSP will continue launch service acquisition activities necessary to support NASA and other approved 

government missions, and provide launch related mission support to over 40 NASA scientific spacecraft 

missions in various development phases. 

Program Management & Commitments 

Program Element Provider 

Expendable Launch Vehicle 

(ELV) Launch Services 

Provider: United Launch Services (ULS), Orbital ATK, SpaceX, Lockheed 

Martin Space Systems 

Lead Center: KSC 

Performing Center(s): KSC 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 
Space Operations: Space and Flight Support (SFS) 

LAUNCH SERVICES

SO-73 

Acquisition Strategy 

LSP put a unique acquisition strategy in place under the original NASA Launch Services (NLS) contracts 

for procuring ELV launch services from domestic commercial launch service suppliers. To meet the 

needs of science and technology customers who typically spend three to seven years developing a 

spacecraft mission, NASA created a contractual approach providing multiple competitive launch service 

options to cover small, medium, and intermediate-sized missions. The follow-on contract mechanism, 

known as NLS II has similar contract features, such as not-to-exceed prices; indefinite delivery/indefinite 

quantity contract terms; and firm-fixed price, competitive, launch service task-order-based acquisitions. 

The NLS II ordering period expires in June 2020. To keep competition fresh and encourage new launch 

capability development on these 10-year contracts, NASA provides annual opportunities to U.S. industry 

to add new commercial launch service providers and/or launch vehicles to the active contract. 

LSP is also able to contract separately from the NLS contract mechanism if such an approach is necessary 

to meet a particular mission or customer need. For instance, for the SPP mission funded by NASA SMD, 

the launch service was competed outside and separate from the NLS II contract due to the special needs of 

that mission. In addition, the VCLS awards for very small launch vehicles was conducted outside and 

separate from the NLS II contract in order to provide more flexibility to the new small-class launch 

providers 

NASA has also made efforts to provide a complete launch service, including payload processing at the 

launch site. LSP uses firm-fixed price indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contracts for commercial 

payload processing capabilities on both the east and west coasts. The Payload Processing Facility 

contracts ordering period expires in December 2017. 

MAJOR CONTRACTS/AWARDS

Element Vendor Location (of work performance) 

SPP ULS, LLC Centennial, CO 

Venture Class 

Virgin Galactic 

Firefly Space Systems 

Rocket Lab USA 

Long Beach, CA 

Cedar Park, TX 

Los Angeles, CA 

NLS-II-A Lockheed Martin Space Systems Denver, CO 

NLS-II-U ULS, LLC Centennial, CO 

NLS-II-S SpaceX Hawthorne, CA 

NLS-II-O Orbital ATK Corporation Dulles, VA

Payload Processing Facility Astrotech Space Operations Titusville, FL 

Payload Processing Facility Astrotech Space Operations Vandenberg Air Force Base, CA 

Integrated Processing Facility Spaceport Systems International Vandenberg Air Force Base, CA 

Expendable Launch Vehicle 

Integrated Support (ELVIS) 2 a.i. Solutions, Inc. Lanham, MD 
Space Operations: Space and Flight Support (SFS) 

LAUNCH SERVICES

SO-74 

INDEPENDENT REVIEWS

NASA has scheduled the LSP Program Implementation Review (PIR) in CY 2019. 

Review 

Type Performer Date of Review Purpose Outcome Next Review 

PIR SRB May 2014 Life Cycle Review 

Board found LSP is a 

successful program 

with a strong 

technical and 

management team 

representing NASA’s 

core competency, 

demonstrating 

exceptional 

performance with a 

97.4 percent launch 

success record. 

Standing Review 

Board recommended 

continuation of LSP 

operations as 

currently performed. 

2019

Historical Performance 

LSP managed ELV Missions from inception through FY 2015. 

Launch 

Vehicle 

Configuration 

Provider Number of 

Launches 

Successful 

Launches 

Unsuccessful 

Launches 

Athena Lockheed Martin/Alliant Techsystems 1 1 0 

Atlas IIA Lockheed Martin 5 5 0 

Atlas IIAS Lockheed Martin 1 1 0 

Atlas V 

Lockheed Martin 2 2 0 

ULS 12 12 0 

Delta II 

Boeing Launch Services 27 27 0 

ULS 14 14 0 

Pegasus Hybrid OSC 1 1 0 

Pegasus XL OSC 13 13 0 

Taurus XL OSC 2 0 2 

Titan II Lockheed Martin 3 3 0 
Space Operations: Space and Flight Support (SFS) 

ROCKET PROPULSION TEST

SO-75 

FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Total Budget 44.4 -- 47.6 47.6 47.6 48.0 48.8 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. FY 

2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

On January 9, 2015, RPT performed the first RS-25 

engine on the A-1 test stand at SSC in Mississippi. This 

successful 300-second test began a multi-year testing effort 

required to prepare the engine for use on the SLS Core 

Booster Stage.. 

Development and test of rocket propulsion 

systems is foundational to spaceflight. Whether 

the payload is a robotic science experiment or a 

crewed mission, the propulsion system must be 

safe, reliable, and accurate. A rigorous engine 

test program is a critical component of any 

rocket propulsion development activity. 

NASA’s Rocket Propulsion Test (RPT) program 

maintains and manages a wide range of facilities 

capable of ground testing rocket engines and 

components under controlled conditions. This 

world-class test infrastructure includes facilities 

located across the United States, and provides a 

single entry point for any user of the rocket test 

stands. The program retains a skilled workforce, 

capable of performing tests on all modern day 

rockets including supporting complex rocket 

engine developments. RPT program evaluates customer test requirements and desired outcomes, 

minimizing test time and costs. The program manages facility usage and eliminates redundant capability 

by closing, consolidating, and streamlining NASA’s rocket test facilities.

RPT is NASA’s implementing authority for rocket propulsion testing. The program approves and 

provides direction on test assignments, capital improvements, and facility modernization and 

refurbishment. RPT integrates multi-site test activities, identifies and protects core capabilities, and 

develops advanced testing technologies. 

The Agency has designated RPT as the NASA representative for the National Rocket Propulsion Test 

Alliance (NRPTA)—an inter-agency collaboration with DoD to facilitate efficient and effective use of the 

federal government’s rocket propulsion test capabilities. The RPT Program Manager serves as a co-chair 

of the NRPTA Senior Steering Group, and appoints NASA’s alliance co-chair. This position is a 

rotational appointment chosen from primary center representatives of RPT’s management board. 

For additional programmatic information, go to http://rockettest.nasa.gov.
Space Operations: Space and Flight Support (SFS) 

ROCKET PROPULSION TEST

SO-76 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017

None. 

ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2015

During FY 2015, the RPT program safely performed 453 tests of rocket engines and components at 

various levels of thrust. Hot fire test time totaled 10,062 seconds and 29.5 days of thermal vacuum 

testing. 

On January 9, 2015, RPT performed the first RS-25 engine test on SSC A-1 test stand. This successful 

300-second test began a multi-year effort necessary to use the engine on SLS Core Booster Stage, 

required to support EM-1 and other exploration goals. Other activities included testing for SpaceX, 

Aerojet Rocketdyne, and numerous internal research and development projects such as NASA 

Morpheus/Multi-Use Thruster. SSC personnel also began preparations on the E-1 Cell 1 test stand to 

support the USAF Hydrocarbon Boost program, a critical effort to assist the DoD objective of replacing 

the RD-180 engine used in the Atlas 5 launch vehicle. In addition to the USAF hydrocarbon program, 

NASA entered into a reimbursable agreement with Aerojet Rocketdyne to prepare the E-1 Cell 2 test 

stand to test subscale hydrocarbon components at SSC. In addition, RPT continued refurbishing and 

repair activities for critical infrastructure such as refurbishing the B-2 test stand for SLS core stage testing 

and replacing the A-leg and the B-leg of the high-pressure industrial water system, which supplies water 

to the large test stands. 

RPT completed the SLS scale model acoustic testing at MSFC to enhance understanding of the effects of 

sound during launch of the SLS rocket. Personnel tested several rocket engine components, including 

those using developing technologies such as “metal printing” techniques. If proven successful, the “metal 

printing” technology could lead to significant improvements in rocket engine development and 

manufacturing processes. 

At White Sands Test Facility, engineers conducted tests to support the Missile Defense Agency engine 

and thruster program, the Peacekeeper safing project, and hot fire test for the Minuteman life extension 

program. Additionally, through a reimbursable agreement, Boeing Corporation tested their orbital 

maneuvering and reaction control thrusters as part of NASA’s CCP. Early preparations and planning 

began for testing of the ESA/Orion service module and Boeing commercial crew service module. RPT 

also began rehabilitating their Large Altitude Simulation System to support testing in simulated high 

altitude space environment. 

At Glenn Research Center Plum Brook Station (GRC-PBS), RPT performed tests in the B-2 facility on 

the Gamma-Ray Imager/Polarimeter for Solar Flares (GRIPS). This single test operated the critical 

thermal vacuum infrastructure continuously for 29.5 days. In addition to GRIPS testing, GRC-PBS 

continued critical facility maintenance and modernization projects further enabling the facilities hot fire 

capability. 

WORK IN PROGRESS IN FY 2016 

At SSC, RPT will continue testing the RS-25 engine in support of the SLS program. Development testing 

will continue for commercial companies seeking to test their engine systems on a reimbursable basis. 
Space Operations: Space and Flight Support (SFS) 

ROCKET PROPULSION TEST

SO-77 

These include testing USAF designed and developed Hydrocarbon Boost components for the RD-180 

replacement project and Aerojet Rocketdyne hydrocarbon engine components. Planned refurbishment and 

repair activities, for critical enabling infrastructure include, completing replacement of the A and B-legs 

of the high-pressure industrial water system; continuing repair of SSC’s liquid oxygen and liquid 

hydrogen barges; upgrading high-pressure gas facility; and replacing E-Complex data acquisition system. 

In addition to ongoing test programs, RPT will continue B-2 test stand refurbishment to prepare for SLS 

core stage testing. 

The White Sands Test Facility team will conduct testing for the Missile Defense Agency, USAF, and U.S. 

Navy. Planning, design, and construction activities will take place to support future testing for the Boeing 

commercial crew service module (on a reimbursable basis) and the ESA Orion service module 

development. In addition to test and construction activities, White Sands Test Facility will continue 

refurbishment activities for the large altitude simulation system. 

Marshall Space Flight Center will continue testing rocket engine technology improvements, including 

components constructed using select laser melting and other additive manufacturing processes that could 

lead to significant improvements in construction of these complex machines. 

At GRC-PBS B-2 facility, engineers will perform an integrated system test to demonstrate the ability to 

perform small-scale rocket engine hot fire tests in a simulated space vacuum environment. RPT will also 

perform work to enable testing of electric propulsion thrusters to support exploration missions beyond 

low Earth orbit. 

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS PLANNED FOR FY 2017 

Building on test results from previous years, RPT will provide valuable propulsion data to the SLS and 

Orion programs as they prepare for EM-1 and EM-2. These tests will provide critical data to validate 

baseline designs, increased confidence in technical performance while reducing risks, as well as assist in 

achieving launch readiness on schedule. This ongoing effort will allow the program to assess design 

changes that could affect performance and improve safety. Specifically, RPT personnel will continue hot 

fire testing the SLS RS-25 engine on SCC’s A-1 test stand and begin SLS core stage testing on the newly 

refurbished B-2 test stand. The core stage uses four RS-25 engines to propel the SLS core stage upon 

launch. 

RPT will complete WSTF facility preparations and construction activities and test the Orion ESA Service 

Module and Boeing CST-100 Service Module. RPT will complete refurbishing the large altitude 

simulation system at White Sands Test Facility, which supports future space environment testing for the 

Orion service module, Boeing commercial crew vehicle, Missile Defense Agency, and USAF test articles. 

RPT will continue testing the Aerojet Rocketdyne RS-68 engine, as well as testing for USAF, SpaceX, 

and other commercial engine developers. RPT facilities and personnel will continue testing hazardous 

hypergolic fuels at White Sands Test Facility; these unique facilities are critical for testing future space 

vehicles in a simulated space environment and ambient conditions. 
Space Operations: Space and Flight Support (SFS) 

ROCKET PROPULSION TEST

SO-78 

Program Schedule 

The following chart shows past, current, and planned test campaigns at SSC, MSFC, GRC and White 

Sands Test Facility rocket propulsion test facilities. The designations at the far left of the chart refer to the 

facility, the top of each chart shows time by quarter of fiscal and calendar year, and the key to the status 

of each facility is at the bottom. 

Most test stands and facilities are solidly scheduled 18 months in advance. Defining scope of work, 

selecting test stands and fuel, and estimating labor and total cost to customers is a complex process that 

can take 18 to 36 months. RPT is working now with internal and external customer to design testing 

programs for FY 2017 and beyond. 

RPT Facility Utilization
Space Operations: Space and Flight Support (SFS) 

ROCKET PROPULSION TEST

SO-79 

Program Management & Commitments 

Program Element Provider 

RPT 

Provider: RPT 

Lead Center: N/A 

Performing Center(s): SSC, JSC/White Sands Test Facility, GRC-PBS, 

MSFC, KSC, WFF 

Cost Share Partner(s): Various other NASA programs, DoD, and commercial 

partners 

Acquisition Strategy 

No major acquisitions identified for FY 2017. 

MAJOR CONTRACTS/AWARDS

No major contracts or awards planned for FY 2017. 

INDEPENDENT REVIEWS

No reviews planned. 
 

EDUCATION

EDUC-1 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Aerospace Research and Career 

Development 58.0 58.0 33.0 33.0 33.0 33.0 33.0 

STEM Education and Accountability 61.0 -- 67.1 69.1 71.1 73.2 75.3 

Total Budget 119.0 115.0 100.1 102.1 104.1 106.2 108.3 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. FY 

2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

Education .......................................................................... EDUC-2

AEROSPACE RESEARCH AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT .............................. EDUC-8 

National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program (Space Grant) ........................ EDUC-9 

Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) ....................... EDUC-16

STEM EDUCATION AND ACCOUNTABILITY ....................................................EDUC-21

Minority University Research Education Project .......................................................... EDUC-22

STEM Education and Accountability Projects .............................................................. EDUC-30
 

EDUCATION

EDUC-2 

FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Aerospace Research and Career 

Development 58.0 58.0 33.0 33.0 33.0 33.0 33.0 

STEM Education and Accountability 61.0 -- 67.1 69.1 71.1 73.2 75.3 

Total Budget 119.0 115.0 100.1 102.1 104.1 106.2 108.3 

Change from FY 2016 -14.9 

Percentage change from FY 2016 -13.0% 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. FY 

2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

 

Community college students operate the rover they designed, 

developed, and competed during a three-day workshop at 

Johnson Space Center (JSC) April 12-14, 2015. The workshop

followed a five-week, online engineering design opportunity 

for 400 students from community colleges across the U.S.

including 108 from minority serving institutions. Authentic 

STEM experiences in the first two years of college motivate 

students to pursue NASA-related STEM degrees and careers. 

 Education is the single most important factor 

in determining not just whether our children 

can compete for the best jobs, but whether 

America can out-compete countries around 

the world. Building a robust Science, 

Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics 

(STEM) workforce for the 21st century and 

beyond requires the development of a 

stronger and more diverse pipeline for 

STEM, including women and individuals 

from underrepresented and underserved 

groups. 1 

NASA’s missions, including plans for the 

Journey to Mars, starts with a STEMqualified and prepared workforce. The 

Administration places a high priority on 

STEM education at all levels, as reflected in 

the Five-Year Federal STEM Education 

Strategic Plan. NASA is committed to 

funding competitive, evidence-based 

programs in STEM education that will 

benefit aspiring learners, educators, and institutions. 

NASA Education uses competitive processes to identify the most effective internal STEM education 

activities and assets across the Agency. NASA will make available its unique assets, such as the 

International Space Station (ISS), to STEM education programs, government-wide, on a reimbursable 

basis in order to enhance their effective reach to students and educators. NASA Education uses evidence1 https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/docs/education_record.pdf
 

EDUCATION

EDUC-3 

collection activities for performance measurement, analysis, evaluation, and reporting of NASA’s 

activities. 

NASA’s education programs develop and deliver activities that support the growth of the Agency’s and 

the Nation’s STEM workforce, help develop STEM educators, engage and establish partnership with 

institutions, and inspire and educate the public. The Nation’s economic competitiveness and the path to 

the American dream depends on providing all children with an education that will enable them to succeed 

in a global economy. The Administration continues to support ambitious national goals for preparing 

100,000 new and effective STEM teachers, producing an additional one million more STEM college 

graduates over the next decade, and broadening participation in STEM fields for women and 

underrepresented minorities. 

NASA Education's vision advances high quality STEM education using NASA’s unique capabilities, 

assets, and expertise. This vision aligns to NASA’s Strategic Objective 2.4: Advance the Nation’s STEM 

education and workforce pipeline by working collaboratively with other agencies to engage students, 

teachers, and faculty in NASA’s missions and unique assets in the Agency’s 2014 Strategic Plan. NASA 

Education programs develop and execute strategic collaborations and partnerships with 

intergovernmental, academic, industrial, entrepreneurial, and international communities to achieve 

NASA’s values, mission, and vision. Through its Education programs, NASA provides opportunities for 

educators, learners, and institutions that support the Five-Year Federal STEM Education Strategic Plan, 

prepared by the National Science and Technology Council’s Committee on STEM Education (CoSTEM). 

NASA Education collaborates with other federal agencies in the key areas identified by CoSTEM, which 

include: 

 improving STEM instruction and learning; 

increasing and sustaining youth and public engagement in STEM; 

enhancing the STEM experience of undergraduate students; 

providing STEM learning opportunities to groups historically underrepresented in STEM fields; 

and 

designing graduate education experiences for tomorrow’s STEM workforce.









Through grants, cooperative agreements and Space Act agreements, NASA makes its people, resources, 

facilities, and discoveries available to key stakeholders and strategic partners, such as other federal 

agencies, educational organizations, and science museums. NASA Education uses competitive processes 

for allocating resources. 

In FY 2017, NASA Education builds on the Administration’s efforts to establish a stronger and more 

cohesive federal infrastructure for delivering STEM education and leveraging existing resources to 

expand the reach of the Agency’s assets. NASA Education gives priority to two kinds of activities: 1) 

activities that use evidence to guide program design and implementation and 2) activities that build 

evidence about what works in STEM education, using appropriate metrics and improving the 

measurement of outcomes. NASA Education continues to implement rigorous evaluation. Impact 

evaluations require that: 

 inferences about cause and effect are well-founded (internal validity); 

there is clarity about the populations, settings, or circumstance to which results can be generalized 

(external validity); 


 

EDUCATION

EDUC-4 

 measures accurately capture the intended information (measurement reliability and validity); 

samples are large enough for meaningful inferences; and 

evaluations are conducted with an appropriate level of independence by experts external to the 

program either inside or outside an agency. 





Performance management and program evaluations should be aligned and complementary, where 

appropriate. Performance management tracks results on an ongoing basis to ensure efficiency. 

NASA’s STEM education expertise, as well as the Agency’s unique missions and assets, make significant 

contributions to the Nation’s STEM education portfolio. The FY 2017 request for NASA Education is 

$100.0 million. Additionally, the Budget provides $25.0 million to NASA’s Science Mission Directorate 

(SMD) to support competitively selected cooperative agreements that will connect NASA-funded science 

to learners of all ages. 

NASA continues to consolidate the education functions, assets, and efforts of the Mission Directorates, 

Offices, and Centers into the coordinated STEM Education and Accountability Projects (SEAP) under the 

auspices of NASA’s Office of Education (OE). A SEAP competition conducted in FY 2015 identified and 

prioritized NASA-unique assets and content for execution in FY 2016 by NASA Education and in support 

of other Federal agencies’ STEM efforts. FY 2017 activities capitalize on the excitement of NASA's 

missions of scientific inquiry and exploration through innovative solutions, approaches, and tools that 

inspire educator and learner interest and proficiency in STEM. 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017 

None. 

ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2015

In a follow-on collaboration, NASA and the Department of Education entered into a second reimbursable 

Space Act Agreement increasing and sustaining youth and educator engagement in STEM. The 

partnership supported STEM objectives and activities within Department of Education's 21st Century 

Community Learning Center (21CCLC) program. NASA customized online STEM challenges and 

associated curriculum materials aligned to 21CCLC objectives and implemented them in 10 states: 

California, Colorado, Florida, New Jersey, Michigan, Montana, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Virginia, and 

Wisconsin. 

Between December 2014 and October 2015, NASA created ten education partnerships using NASA’s 

Space Act authority. This brings the total number of no-exchange-of-funds partnerships to more than 40 

with diverse entities around the country. For example, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and NASA 

signed a Youth Engagement agreement focused on joint STEM education activities such as agriculture 

literacy, food science, and life science. To celebrate the signing of the STEM agreement along-side 

NASA’s Deputy Administrator Newman, local K-12 students planted seeds from romaine lettuce grown 

aboard the ISS in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)'s People's Garden in Washington, DC. To 

see the photo, go to: http://www.nasa.gov/image-feature/usda-and-nasa-plant-seeds-from-the-spacestation
 

EDUCATION

EDUC-5 

NASA executed a competition across the Mission Directorates, NASA Center’s Offices of Education, and 

the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). The Priorities Competition for SEAP used criteria in an internal-toNASA Request for Information (i-RFI). The FY 2015-2016 i-RFI for SEAP used these broad criteria: 1) 

Background; 2) Focus; and 3) Evidence of Effectiveness. The SEAP i-RFI ensured 

all submitters answered the same items and identified the priorities for selection. For preliminary results 

of the SEAP process, go to: http://www.nasa.gov/offices/education/about/seap-overview.html. 

The American Association of Community Colleges recognized Dr. Toby Dittrich, Associate Director for 

the Oregon Space Grant consortium, for providing students seamless transfers to STEM four-year 

programs at Oregon colleges and universities. A Denver CBS-affiliated news station highlighted three 

Colorado Space Grant students for overcoming extreme personal challenges, including homelessness and 

gang affiliation, to participate in the RockOn! launch from NASA Wallops, VA. To view the success 

story, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=12&v=BYjy-su59n. 

The Agency developed and publicly released the NASA Education Implementation Plan 2015-2017 to 

guide the diverse elements, including external stakeholders, of the NASA education community toward 

better alignment with national priorities and Agency strategy, mission, goals and values. Go to the “About 

NASA Education” page on NASA.gov, to choose the desired format: a 4-page brochure; a 70-page plan 

or an electronically enhanced version of the 70-page plan that includes engaging video offerings. 

WORK IN PROGRESS IN FY 2016 

The OE and SMD anticipate selecting 30 or more projects for implementation to support the 

Undergraduate Student Instrument Project (USIP) Student Research Flight Opportunity (SRFO) 

programmatic requirements, with an estimated total value of $6M for awards. 

Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR), in collaboration with the ISS 

Office, will award five new ISS Flight Opportunities for the EPSCoR jurisdictions. 

In November 2015, NASA Education launched the no-exchange-of-funds strategic partnerships for U.S. 

and international public and non-governmental entities competition to support mutually beneficial 

innovative education activities. In this new competition, NASA particularly sought efforts built around 

youth serving organizations, digital learning opportunities, STEM challenges and engagements or 

activities that reached underrepresented groups. For the full NASA Education partnerships criteria and 

competitive approach found in the NASA Announcement for High Impact/Broad Implementation STEM 

Education Partnerships [EDUCATION01SP16], go to http://go.nasa.gov/1RZwWCi. 

NASA’s OE coordinates with Headquarters’ Offices of Communications, Diversity and Equal 

Opportunity, Chief Scientist, and Chief Technologist, and the Mission Directorates for the selection of 

proposals from the Competitive Program for Science Museums, Planetariums, and NASA Visitor Plus 

Other Opportunities (NASA Research Announcement (NRA) NNH15ZHA001N). In December 2015, 

about 70 youth-serving organizations, museums, planetariums, and NASA visitor centers in more than 25 

states, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands submitted proposals that are now under review with public 

announcement of selections expected in the last quarter of FY 2016 and/or first quarter FY 2017. 
 

EDUCATION

EDUC-6 

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS PLANNED FOR FY 2017 

NASA Education will focus on three main areas: 

 continue to refine the technology infrastructure that provides support tools applicable to evidencebased program management and policy-making: 

conduct broad data collection and statistical analysis that reflect patterns, relationships, and 

anomalies in administrative and performance data sets: and 

perform internal and external program evaluation that assess and compare effectiveness of policy 

choices. 





NASA Education will continue to provide a unified systematic and standardized approach to data 

collection and performance assessment. Objective and verifiable performance metrics, internal and 

external review processes, valid and reliable data collection instruments, and evaluation studies will 

assess progress and performance across the portfolio. To effectively monitor educational investments 

across the agency, NASA Education will collect and report performance data on all investments using the 

Office of Education Performance Measurement system. In addition to collecting data on activity outputs, 

such as counts of participants, NASA Education will develop and test new data collection instruments to 

assess short-term outcomes. NASA will actively participate in CoSTEM discussions on common metrics 

and instruments used across the federal government to monitor and assess the impact of federal STEM 

investments. 

NASA Education will continue a robust, coordinated, and targeted evaluation process, which is essential 

for the Agency to measure and monitor program performance, make decisions for programmatic 

adjustments and changes, document program impact, identify best practices and lessons learned, help 

assess return on investment, provide inputs for policy, planning and budget decisions, and assure 

accountability to the American people. 

Programs 

AEROSPACE RESEARCH AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT

The Aerospace Research and Career Development (ARCD) program strengthens the research capabilities 

of the Nation’s colleges and universities and provides opportunities that attract and prepare an increasing 

number of students for NASA-related careers. These institutions conduct research that contributes to 

NASA’s Mission Directorate research needs and further the Nation’s scientific and technology innovation 

agendas. These programs will continue to build, sustain, and effectively deploy the skilled, 

knowledgeable, diverse, and high-performing workforce needed to meet the current and emerging needs 

of NASA and the Nation. 

The projects in the ARCD program are the National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program (Space 

Grant) and Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR).
 

EDUCATION

EDUC-7 

STEM EDUCATION AND ACCOUNTABILITY

The SEA program provides unique NASA assets, including its people, resources, and facilities to support 

the Nation’s STEM education priorities. The projects within the SEA program are the Minority 

University Research and Education Project (MUREP) and SEAP. 

The SEA program currently funds competitive grants, cooperative agreements, and professional 

development at NASA Centers for high school and college students, K-12 educators, and higher 

education faculty. The program enhances the education and research, academic, and technology 

capabilities of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU), Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI), 

Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCU), other Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs), and the Nation’s 

non-profit informal education institutions. It also provides opportunities for underrepresented and 

underserved learners to participate in research and education opportunities through internships, 

scholarships, and fellowships including opportunities for minority institutions to improve the quality of 

their faculty preparation programs, thereby improving the quality and diversity of future STEM leaders. 
Education: Education 

AEROSPACE RESEARCH AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT 

EDUC-8 

FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

National Space Grant College and 

Fellowship Program (Space Grant) 40.0 40.0 24.0 24.0 24.0 24.0 24.0 

Experimental Program to Stimulate 

Competitive Research (EPSCoR) 18.0 18.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 

Total Budget 58.0 58.0 33.0 33.0 33.0 33.0 33.0 

Change from FY 2016 -25.0 

Percentage change from FY 2016 -43.1% 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. FY 

2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

The Montana Space Grant Consortium, established in 

1991 as a component of NASA’s National Space Grant 

College and Fellowship Program, supports various high 

altitude ballooning projects. Student Marty Seymour 

from Chief Dull Knife College prepares to launch a 

tethered balloon that proudly displays the Northern 

Cheyenne word for balloon along with the school’s logo. 

ARCD supports national STEM efforts through 

Space Grant and EPSCoR. 

The NASA Authorization Act of 1988 (P.L. 100-

147) established Space Grant with a goal of 

enhancing the Nation's science enterprise by 

funding education, research, and public service 

projects through a national network of universitybased Space Grant consortia. In 1992, the NASA 

Authorization Act, FY 1993 (P.L. 102-588) 

established EPSCoR to strengthen the research 

capability of jurisdictions that had not previously 

participated equitably in competitive aerospace 

research activities. The goal of the NASA 

EPSCoR is to provide seed funding that will 

enable jurisdictions to develop an academic 

research enterprise directed toward long-term, 

self-sustaining, nationally competitive capabilities 

in aerospace and aerospace-related research. This 

capability will, in turn, contribute to the 

jurisdiction’s economic viability and expand the Nation’s base for aerospace research and development. 

These national projects enable NASA to advance STEM literacy more strategically by enhancing science 

and engineering education and research efforts in higher education, K-12, and informal education. In 

addition to fellowships, scholarships and internships with NASA Centers and STEM industry, ARCD 

promotes research and technology development opportunities for faculty and research teams that advance 

the Agency’s scientific and technical priorities.

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017

None. 
Education: Education: Aerospace Research and Career Development 

NATIONAL SPACE GRANT COLLEGE AND FELLOWSHIP 

PROGRAM (SPACE GRANT)

Formulation Development Operations 

EDUC-9 

FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Total Budget 40.0 40.0 24.0 24.0 24.0 24.0 24.0 

Change from FY 2016 -16.0 

Percentage change from FY 2016 -40.0% 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. FY 

2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.



South Dakota Space Grant student, Steven 

Hamman, participates in commencement 

activities with President Obama at the Lake Area 

Technical Institute. Mr. Hamman is a recipient 

of a $5,000 Space Grant award and is currently 

weighing two employment opportunities with 

Fortune 500 companies. 

Space Grant is a competitive grant opportunity that 

enables the active involvement of 52 consortia in 50 

States, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth 

of Puerto Rico. Space Grant supports and enhances 

science and engineering education, and research efforts 

for educators and learners by leveraging the resource 

capabilities and technologies of over 900 affiliates from 

universities, colleges, industry, museums, science 

centers, and State and local agencies. Training grants 

with each consortium align their work with the Nation’s 

STEM education priorities and the annual performance 

goals of the Agency. 

Space Grant utilizes key NASA resources in order to 

provide students access to research and hands-on STEM 

experiences. Some of these activities include: highaltitude balloons, sounding rockets, aircraft, and space 

satellites. In order to maximize resources for these 

STEM investments, Space Grant leverages agency 

resources in STEM education through strategic 

collaborations with NASA Mission Directorates, Centers 

and subject matter experts. 

In FY2015, Space Grant consortia received a new three-year training grant, titled Space Grant 

Opportunities in NASA STEM. All activities conducted by the 52 consortia are in alignment with agency 

goals, the OE lines of business, and the NSTC CoSTEM priority areas. Space Grant awards consist of 

scholarships, fellowships, or internships in support of higher education, research infrastructure, 

precollege, and informal education. Space Grant consortia also supported flight project activities led by 

student teams. Some of those flight activities included, but are not limited to: 

RockOn! Workshop 
Education: Education: Aerospace Research and Career Development 

NATIONAL SPACE GRANT COLLEGE AND FELLOWSHIP 

PROGRAM (SPACE GRANT)

Formulation Development Operations 

EDUC-10 

 RockSat-C 

RockSat-X 

DemoSat 

High Altitude Student Platform (HASP) 







EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017

None. 

ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2015

NASA Space Grant awarded 35 Community Colleges and Technical Schools (CC/TS) partnerships grants 

to increase students and faculty engagement in STEM across the U.S. The selected awards outlined 

innovative ways to attract and retain more STEM students from CC/TS through competitive STEM 

scholarships, distance learning STEM courses for students and faculty, and internship opportunities at 

NASA Centers. Figure 1.1 shows a total of 1,046 CC/TS students received funding and 221 students 

received their Associates of Arts (AA) degree. 

 

The following Figure 1.2 shows the data trend of CC/TS students who received NASA Internship, 

Fellowship, Scholarship, and other significant awards through the Space Grant program during 2012-

2014. Significant Awards = ≥ $5,000 or ≥ 160 or contact hours.
Education: Education: Aerospace Research and Career Development 

NATIONAL SPACE GRANT COLLEGE AND FELLOWSHIP 

PROGRAM (SPACE GRANT)

Formulation Development Operations 

EDUC-11 













As noted in Figure 1.2 above, the total involvement of NASA Internship, Fellowship, 

Scholarship, and other significantly awarded CC/TS students in 2012 was about 350 students and 

90 CC/TS institutions in 23 out of the 52 Space Grant Consortia. 

In 2014, the number of NASA Internship, Fellowship, Scholarship, and other significantly 

awarded CC/TS students increased to 361 students with participation from 87 CC/TS institutions 

in 31 Space Grant Consortia. 

Of the 1,046 funded students who participated in the CC/TS award, 558 of these were students 

who received NASA Internships, Fellowships, Scholarships greater than or equal to $5,000 or at 

least 160 contact hours, resulting in a 61 percent increase over a two-year period. 

Another indicator of the CC/TS program’s impact is that 235 students have moved on to fouryear institutions and STEM employment. Since this is only the first year of the two-year award 

program, this number will increase next year. 

In an effort to increase the sustainability of these programs, initiatives include developing 

articulation agreements with four-year institutions, curricular development, or improvement, as 

well as cultivating opportunities for additional industry internships. For more information on the 

35 community colleges and technical schools awards, please visit http://go.nasa.gov/1svsrWD. 

The American Association of Community Colleges recognized Dr. Toby Dittrich, Associate 

Director for the Oregon Space Grant consortium, for providing students seamless transfers to 

STEM four-year programs at Oregon colleges and universities. 
Education: Education: Aerospace Research and Career Development 

NATIONAL SPACE GRANT COLLEGE AND FELLOWSHIP 

PROGRAM (SPACE GRANT)

Formulation Development Operations 

EDUC-12 

 A Denver CBS affiliated news station highlighted three Colorado Space Grant students for 

overcoming extreme personal challenges, such as homelessness and gang affiliation to participate 

in the RockOn! launch from NASA Wallops, VA. To view this success story, please visit 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=12&v=BYjy-su59n. 

In the final year of the 2010-2014 Space Grant Training Grant, more than 4,500 undergraduate 

and graduate students through scholarships, fellowships, internships and authentic hands-on 

research and engineering challenges received awards. The program achieved 26 percent 

participation among underrepresented students and 40 percent participation among female 

students in Space Grant activities. 

Space Grant targeted elementary and secondary students through NASA informal education 

activities, web-based activities, and other instructional and enrichment activities; reaching more 

than 152,000 precollege students and more than more than 17,900 educators. 





FY 2014 data is the most current data. FY 2015 Data is not available until June 2016. 
Education: Education: Aerospace Research and Career Development 

NATIONAL SPACE GRANT COLLEGE AND FELLOWSHIP 

PROGRAM (SPACE GRANT)

Formulation Development Operations 

EDUC-13 

WORK IN PROGRESS IN FY 2016 

Space Grant consortia are currently implementing activities outlined in their three-year strategic plans. In 

addition to those activities, the Space Grant program office at NASA Headquarters is planning to release 

a solicitation that augments the three-year awards. The consortia also continues to implement their 

community college/technical school awards during this fiscal year. 

Finally, the consortia are currently developing proposals for the USIP SFRO, a partnership between Space 

Grant and the NASA SMD. The USIP SRFO proposals are specifically for an undergraduate student team 

to design, develop, and fly a science and/or technology investigation relevant to NASA strategic goals 

and objectives on a sounding rocket, balloon, aircraft, suborbital reusable launch vehicle (sRLV), other 

commercial suborbital vehicle, or CubeSat launched as a secondary payload on an orbital vehicle. The 

two goals of the USIP SRFO are: 

 To provide a hands-on flight project experience to enhance the science, technical, leadership, and 

project skills for the selected undergraduate student team. 

To fly a science and/or technology investigation relevant to NASA strategic goals and objectives 

on a suborbital-class platform. 

The Space Grant program office at NASA Headquarters continues to prepare for an independent 

external evaluation of the national program, incorporating the results from the external evaluation 

into strategic planning for the Space Grant program. 





KEY ACHIEVEMENTS PLANNED FOR FY 2017 

The budget supports base awards for the 52 consortia to do the following: 

 Provide hands-on experiences for U.S. graduate and undergraduate students to prepare them for 

the future workforce and/or academic careers; 

Conduct programs and projects that align with the NASA Education priorities, CoSTEM, 

missions, and State-specific needs to build upon the education pipeline in higher education, 

research infrastructure, precollege and informal education; 

Promote a strong STEM education base from elementary through secondary levels while 

preparing teachers in these grade levels to become more effective at improving student academic 

outcomes; 

Build upon and maintain the existing national network of universities with interests and 

capabilities in aeronautics, space, and related fields; and 

Leverage the opportunities emerging from the NASA Education strategy to develop high-impact, 

nationwide partnerships. 








Education: Education: Aerospace Research and Career Development 

NATIONAL SPACE GRANT COLLEGE AND FELLOWSHIP 

PROGRAM (SPACE GRANT)

Formulation Development Operations 

EDUC-14 

Project Schedule 

Date Significant Event 

Q1 FY 2017 Release of Solicitations 

Q2 FY 2017 Proposals Due and Review Process 

Q3 FY 2017 Selection and Awards 

Q4 FY 2017 Prior Fiscal Years’ Performance Data Due

Project Management & Commitments 

The Space Grant Project Manager at NASA Headquarters provides management responsibility for day-today Space Grant operations. Civil servants at NASA centers actively engage with regional space grant 

consortia, providing direction, oversight, and integration with Center and Mission Directorate activities. 

Acquisition Strategy 

NASA solicits through full and open competition for proposals accepted from Space Grant 52 consortia in 

50 States, District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Each consortium program or 

project must align with the Administration’s and NASA’s Strategic Plans for education. All award 

selections undergo rigorous peer reviews by internal/external panels that evaluate technical merit, assess 

content, feasibility, and alignment to Agency education, research, and technology goals. Awards are 

typically multi-year. 

MAJOR CONTRACTS/AWARDS

None. 

INDEPENDENT REVIEWS

The OE Evaluation Manager and the Space Grant Program office are engaged in community consultation 

and planning to support the next evaluation. Paragon TEC, the technical assistance provider was tasked 

with the following: 

 Document the current Space Grant program model, including inputs, strategies/activities, outputs, 

and short-, intermediate-, and long-term outcomes in consultation with the Space Grant 

community 
Education: Education: Aerospace Research and Career Development 

NATIONAL SPACE GRANT COLLEGE AND FELLOWSHIP 

PROGRAM (SPACE GRANT)

Formulation Development Operations 

EDUC-15 

 Conduct an assessment of performance data, reporting and program documentation held by Space 

Grant consortia and the NASA OE to ensure that appropriate, valid and reliable data are collected 

to document program activities, outputs, and outcomes; and 

Prepare a design and plan for an external evaluation study and make formal recommendations to 

improve NASA’s performance monitoring.



Key technical findings and recommendations to NASA included the following: 

 Prioritize data collection required for agency-level performance reporting because the data quality 

assessment found that a limited number of data elements were comparable across Space Grant 

consortia to capture program activity, outputs and outcomes; 

Consider consolidating tracking of students at NASA and use a professional service to conduct 

employment and enrollment verification; and 

Publish a program-level annual performance report in order to inform consortia about the status 

of the program and data quality. 





For additional information, please visit: 

http://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/spacegrant_final_oct-2015.pdf. 

Review 

Type Performer Date of Review Purpose Outcome Next Review 

Independen

t/External TBD Apr 2016 

To provide an 

independent review 

by an external 

organization to 

assess the 

accomplishments and 

strategy of the Space 

Grant Program 

A 6-month 

preliminary interim 

report expected by 

September 2016. The 

report will also 

provide 

recommendations for 

the new 5-year Space 

Grant solicitation, 

which will be 

released during 

Quarter 1 of FY 2017 

Apr 2017 
Education: Education: Aerospace Research and Career Development 

EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM TO STIMULATE COMPETITIVE 

RESEARCH (EPSCOR)

Formulation Development Operations 

EDUC-16 

FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Total Budget 18.0 18.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 

Change from FY 2016 -9.0

Percentage change from FY 2016 -50.0%

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. FY 

2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

NASA EPSCoR project researcher, Dr. Jordi Cristóbal 

training undergraduate student Patrick Graham in 

setting up field equipment used to collect calibration 

and validation (CalVal) data. Airborne and satellite 

missions, as well as local and regional scale surface 

energy balance models that use input data from NASA 

satellite missions require such CalVal data for quality 

control and for quantitative studies. 

The EPSCoR provides cooperative agreement 

opportunities designed to establish partnerships 

between government, higher education, and 

industry in an effort to build stronger research and 

development capabilities in the 27 jurisdictions 

(states or regions). The program strives to improve 

a jurisdiction’s research infrastructure to a level 

such that its research and development programs 

contribute to its economic development. EPSCoR 

funds research in jurisdictions with modest 

research infrastructure to help establish a longterm, self-sustaining, and nationally competitive 

program so that they become more competitive in 

attracting non-EPSCoR funding. 

National Science Foundation (NSF) uses the latest 

eligibility tables to determine overall jurisdiction 

eligibility for NASA EPSCoR. The NSF 2015 

eligibility table is available at: 

http://www.nsf.gov/od/iia/programs/epscor/ 

Eligibility_Tables/FY2015_Eligibility.pdf. 

EPSCoR supports competitively funded awards and provides research and technology development 

opportunities for faculty and research teams. NASA actively seeks to integrate the research conducted by 

EPSCoR jurisdictions with the scientific and technical priorities pursued by the Agency. 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017

None 
Education: Education: Aerospace Research and Career Development 

EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM TO STIMULATE COMPETITIVE 

RESEARCH (EPSCOR)

Formulation Development Operations 

EDUC-17 

ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2015

NASA EPSCoR funded academic research has provided benefits in the following four areas: 

 Increased competitive research capacity within targeted jurisdictions. All NASA 2014-2015 

EPSCoR status reports are in an on-line document titled Stimuli at http://go.nasa.gov/1YakIhf.

This document highlights EPSCoR-funded research accomplishments around the country. 

The University of North Dakota (UND) developed a Multi-Purpose Research Station in North 

Dakota designed to expand NASA space exploration-relevant research and help our next 

generation of explorers reach new worlds beyond Earth. The UND research resulted in: 



o 39 published papers 

74 talks and presentations 

63 new grants valued at $5,452,405 from agencies such as the Department of Energy, the 

Office of Naval Research, the NSF, the USDA, and the U.S. Environmental Protection 

Agency. 

o

o

 Generation of advanced technology as evidenced by the awarding of patents. 

o Patent US 08695156 B2 developed by the University of Vermont for an aero-acoustic 

duster invention that provides for particle removal from surfaces using less energy than 

competing vacuum-cleaner devices. The complete details of the patent are at 

http://www.patentorg.com/aeroacoustic-duster-details-187386. 

Researchers from University of Puerto Rico patented an approach to diamond induction 

by employing iron nanoparticles to induce the synthesis of diamond on molybdenum, 

silicon, and quartz substrates. (Patent #: US 8,784,766 B1–Issue Date – July 22, 

2014). This is a spin-off patent to several earlier patents. The complete details of the 

patent are at 

https://www.google.com/patents/US8784766?dq=US8784766B1&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0a

hUKEwj-0d_n5rvKAhWEJR4KHZOCBRoQ6AEIHDAA. 

Researchers from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (SDSMT) patented 

“Alignment of carbon nanotubes comprising magnetically sensitive metal oxides in 

nanofluids,” Patent Number: US 8,652,386 B2, issued: Feb 18, 2014. The complete 

details of the patent are at http://www.google.com/patents/US8652386. 

o

o

 Demonstrated research productivity among EPSCoR funded faculty and postdoc researchers. 

o A total of 636 faculty and postdoc researchers participated in a total of 536 

talks/presentations at professional meetings. Additionally, 307 peer reviewed publications 

were accepted or published, and 169 other publications were accepted or published. 

WORK IN PROGRESS IN FY 2016 

EPSCoR will make new research awards based on availability of funding. Each funded proposal will 

establish research activities with the potential to make significant contributions to NASA’s strategic 

research and technology development priorities and contribute to the overall research infrastructure, 

science and technology capabilities, higher education, and economic development within the EPSCoR 

jurisdiction. 
Education: Education: Aerospace Research and Career Development 

EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM TO STIMULATE COMPETITIVE 

RESEARCH (EPSCOR)

Formulation Development Operations 

EDUC-18 

EPSCoR, in cooperation with the ISS Program Office, will award five new ISS Flight Opportunities for 

the EPSCoR jurisdictions. Additionally, EPSCoR uses its collaboration with the nine NASA centers and 

JPL to provide workshops aimed at increasing the jurisdiction’s knowledge of NASA’s unique and 

innovative capabilities, resources, and facilities. 

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS PLANNED FOR FY 2017 

NASA EPSCoR will issue a competitive call for extramural Research Infrastructure Development (RID) 

and ISS Flight Opportunity proposals, and support Space Technology Mission Directorate/EPSCoR 

workshops. NASA EPSCoR research priorities are defined by the Mission Directorates (Aeronautics 

Research, Human Exploration & Operations, SMD, and Space Technology), and NASA’s ten Centers. 

Each funded NASA EPSCoR proposal establishes research activities that will make significant 

contributions to the strategic research and technology development priorities of one or more of the 

Mission Directorates, and contribute to the overall research infrastructure, science and technology 

capabilities, higher education, and economic development of the jurisdiction. For example, one of the 

Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate research priority is green aviation: enabling fuel-efficient flight 

planning, reductions in aircraft fuel consumption, emissions, and noise. For additional information on 

NASA research NSPIRES solicitations, please visit http://nspires.nasaprs.com (select “Solicitations” and 

then “Open Solicitations”). Appendix A provides a summary of Research priorities for each of the 

Mission Directorates and Centers. 

Project Schedule 

Date Significant Event 

Q1 FY 2017 Release of Solicitations (Research and Research Infrastructure Development 

Opportunities) 

Q2 FY 2017 Proposals Due and Review Process (Research and Research Infrastructure 

Development Opportunities) 

Q3 & Q4 FY 2017 Selection and Awards (Research and Research Infrastructure Development 

Opportunities) 

Project Management & Commitments 

The program manager for NASA EPSCoR resides at NASA Headquarters and is responsible for overall 

administrative duties of this national project. The project manager is located at Kennedy Space Center 

(KSC) and provides management responsibility for day-to-day operations. Contractor staff and 

representatives from each NASA Mission Directorate work closely with EPSCoR project management to 

ensure that current and future research requirements are in EPSCoR solicitations. The Mission Directorate 
Education: Education: Aerospace Research and Career Development 

EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM TO STIMULATE COMPETITIVE 

RESEARCH (EPSCOR)

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representatives serve as the proposal selection committee, further ensuring that the selected work 

contributes to NASA priorities. Technical monitors at the NASA centers and Headquarters monitor and 

assess the progress of each award. They provide scientific guidance and technical advice as required 

throughout the year regarding the overall progress of the proposed effort, and review all progress reports. 

Additional involvement may occur, depending upon the nature of the collaboration already established or 

desired. This includes integrating the EPSCoR research into ongoing activities or research efforts, and 

increasing the principal investigator’s and his or her team’s awareness of other related or relevant 

research in NASA. NASA is a member of the Federal EPSCoR Interagency Coordinating Committee 

(EICC), chaired by the NSF. The committee works to improve the leveraging of Federal EPSCoR 

investments. NASA EPSCoR continues to develop strategies to adhere to the guidance within the 

America COMPETES Act. 

Acquisition Strategy 

NASA solicits and awards EPSCoR grants through a competition among institutions from designated 

EPSCoR States. Each jurisdiction’s proposal must align with the Administration’s and NASA’s strategic 

plans for education. All award selections undergo rigorous peer reviews by internal/external panels that 

evaluate technical merit, assess content, feasibility, and alignment to Agency education, research, and 

technology goals. Awards are typically multi-year. 

MAJOR CONTRACTS/AWARDS

None. 
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INDEPENDENT REVIEWS

Review 

Type Performer Date of Review Purpose Outcome Next Review 

Independent National Academy 

of Sciences Nov 2013 

Cross-agency 

evaluation of 

EPSCoR and other 

Federal EPSCoR-like 

programs and 

accomplishments per 

H.R. 5116 America 

COMPETES 

Reauthorization of 

2010.

NASA incorporated 

the findings of the 

November 2013 

report of the National 

Academy of Sciences 

on the EPSCoR 

program into its FY 

2017 budget request. 

NASA continues to 

participate in the 

Federal EICC, 

meetings in FY 2017. 

N/A 
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FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Minority University Research Education 

Project 32.0 -- 30.0 30.0 30.0 30.0 30.0 

STEM Education and Accountability 

Projects 29.0 -- 37.1 39.1 41.1 43.2 45.3 

Total Budget 61.0 -- 67.1 69.1 71.1 73.2 75.3 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. FY 

2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

SEAP funded students work to develop models using 3D 

printing to demonstrate the effects of air currents on a 

unique wing design. 

The SEA program provides unique NASA 

assets, including people, resources, and facilities 

to support the Nation’s STEM education 

priorities. Through the competitive award of 

federal domestic assistance funds and 

collaboration with other Federal agencies such 

as the Department of Education, the NSF, and 

Smithsonian Institution, the program provides 

students and educators with access to NASA 

assets and content. It connects NASA’s partners, 

including higher education institutions, 

minority-serving institutions, community 

colleges, NASA visitor centers, museums, 

planetariums, and other youth serving 

organizations to the exciting and compelling 

content emanating from NASA’s scientific 

discoveries, aeronautics research, and 

exploration endeavors. 

NASA provides multi-year grants and cooperative agreements to the Nation’s HBCUs, HSIs, TCUs, and 

other MSIs through MUREP. MUREP awardees provide internships, scholarships, fellowships, 

mentoring, and tutoring for underserved and underrepresented learners in K-12, informal, and higher 

education settings, (including community colleges, particularly those serving a high proportion of 

minority and underserved students, persons with disabilities, and women). 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017

None. 
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FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Total Budget 32.0 -- 30.0 30.0 30.0 30.0 30.0 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. FY 

2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

Ms. Alissa Mezzacappa, NASA Minority University 

Research and Education Opportunity (MIRO) Scholar and 

PhD Candidate in Applied Optics and Dr. Noureddine 

Melikechi, NASA MIRO Principal Investigator at 

Delaware State University aligning optical set-up and 

preparing to take measurements of samples. This PhD 

program is the first of its kind among HBCUs. 

NASA provides financial assistance (grants and 

cooperative agreements) to the Nation’s HBCUs, 

HSIs, Asian American and Native American 

Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions 

(AANAPISI), TCUs, American Indian and 

Alaskan Native Serving Institutions (AIANSI), 

Predominantly Black Institutions (PBI) and 

eligible community colleges. The Administration 

recognizes the valuable role that these 

institutions play in educating our citizens, as 

reflected in the five MSIs focused Executive 

Orders signed by the President. These institutions 

recruit and retain underrepresented and 

underserved students, including women and girls, 

and persons with disabilities into STEM fields. 

Participation in NASA projects and research has 

the potential to stimulate increasing numbers of 

learners to continue and complete their studies at 

all education levels and encourages students to 

earn advanced degrees in STEM fields that are 

critical to NASA and the Nation. 

NASA’s MUREP investments enhance the research, academic, and technology capabilities of MSIs 

through multi-year awards. Awards assist faculty and students in research and provide authentic STEM 

engagement related to NASA missions. These competitive awards provide NASA specific knowledge and 

skills to historically underrepresented and underserved learners in STEM. MUREP investments also assist 

NASA in meeting the goal of a diverse workforce through student participation in internships, 

scholarships, and fellowships at NASA Centers and JPL. MUREP provides financial assistance via 

competitive awards to MSIs and eligible community colleges, consistent with the goals of the five MSI 

focused Executive Orders. These institutions recruit and retain underrepresented and underserved 

students, including women and girls, and person with disabilities, into STEM fields. 
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EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017

None. 

ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2015

MUREP provided oversight to 111 active MSI awards across the United States. MUREP informs faculty 

and students about NASA’s competitive research and education opportunities with the focus of increasing 

retention rates and degree completion at each educational level at MSIs in NASA-related fields. In 

addition, these awards also provide opportunities for MSIs to improve educators’ professional 

development and thereby better serve groups historically underrepresented and underserved in STEM. 

FY2015 MUREP Awards by Location

**Note: Some dots may represent more than one Institution for Institutions located in the same city.
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**Note: Some Institutions have dual MSI designations. 

In FY 2015, MUREP received an additional $2M that was distributed through a competitive solicitation 

entitled MUREP Other Opportunities (MOO). MOO selected four universities to receive awards, which 

provide up to a total of $500,000 to each school for a three-year performance period. The solicitation 

challenged schools to propose innovative ways to create and implement STEM activities, with a goal of 

increasing the number of historically underserved students studying STEM fields relevant to NASA’s 

diverse exploration mission. For more information on this selection, please review the NASA Press 

Release. (https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-awards-grants-to-broaden-stem-education-forunderserved-students)

MUREP’s Earth Systems, Technology, and Energy Education for MUREP (ESTEEM) is a competitive 

project designed to increase the climate literacy and level of engagement of the United States public. The 

goal is to create a diverse, highly skilled, and motivated future workforce in climate-related sciences. 

Awardees from 33 states across the nation and Washington, DC have participated in this project activity, 

with a key priority to collaborate with MSIs. ESTEEM operates in a collaborative partnership with 

NASA’s SMD, NSF, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). A few FY 2015 

achievements of ESTEEM include: 
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 ESTEEM served 730 undergraduate and graduate students, 617 elementary and secondary 

students, 165 higher education faculty, 52 teachers, and 190 administrators and members of the 

general public directly participated in activities developed by the awardees. Examples of 

ESTEEM’s engagement:

o Ask Useful Science (Ask US) Google+ Hangout series designed to expand learning for 

Educators on a virtual platform and to extend the reach of NASA’s unique content to 

audiences throughout the nation reached over 1400 educators. For additional information, 

please visit: http://esteem.larc.nasa.gov/ask-us/. 

ESTEEM continues the development and implementation of the Tri-Agency Climate 

Education (TrACE) catalog, a comprehensive online catalog of educational resources 

developed by members of the tri-agency community (NASA, NSF, and NOAA). TrACE 

is an interactive, searchable web interface that contains a wide spectrum of project 

information to help users find relevant earth system science and climate change education 

resources. Currently, the TrACE catalog contains over 200 climate education resources, 

submitted by 86 tri-agency funded projects. For additional information, please visit: 

https://trace.larc.nasa.gov. 

o

 The MUREP Institutional Research Opportunity (MIRO) aims to promote literacy in STEM at 

MSIs and to enhance the sustainable capabilities of institutions to perform research and education 

aligned to NASA’s mission. In 2015, the MIRO Optical Science Center for Applied Research 

(OSCAR) at Delaware State University awarded its first PhD. in Applied Optics to Dr. Leon 

Taleh. Delaware State is one of only about a dozen institutions nationwide to offer a PhD. in 

Optics and the only HBCU. 

Ms. Alissa Mezzacappa, the second PhD. in Optics funded by the MIRO award at Delaware 

State, graduated December 2015. Alissa is a member of the MARS Science Laboratory, 

ChemCam Instrument Development & Science Team that received the NASA Group 

Achievement Award in 2014. 



WORK IN PROGRESS IN FY 2016 

MUREP continues to fund efforts to help prepare historically underrepresented and underserved students 

in NASA specific STEM disciplines and careers. MUREP funding will be used to maintain active 

agreements and awards for HBCUs, HSIs, TCUs, AANAPISIs, AIANSIs, PBIs other MSIs, and nonprofit organizations that contribute to the Agency’s workforce diversity and MUREP's goals. For NASA’s 

full report of accomplishments in MUREP, go to 

http://www.nasa.gov/offices/education/performance/index.html. 

MUREP provides competitive funding opportunities to MSIs through an omnibus solicitation called 

Educational Opportunities in NASA STEM (EONS). EONS can be located at the NASA Solicitation and 

Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System website. MUREP will release EONS 2016 in 

preparation for FY 2017 awards. For more information, go to http://nspires.nasaprs.com. 
Education: Education: STEM Education and Accountability 

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KEY ACHIEVEMENTS PLANNED FOR FY 2017 

According to the Science and Engineering Indicators 2014, the proportion of students planning to major 

in science and engineering are lower for women in every racial and ethnic underrepresented group in 

STEM. The White House Executive Order 13506 echoes the lack of women and girls in STEM fields 

including women of color and those with disabilities. In FY 2017, MUREP will support efforts to 

increase retention and graduation rates for women of color in STEM fields. Likewise, in February 2014, 

the administration launched the “My Brother’s Keeper Initiative” to build ladders of opportunity for boys 

and young men of color. MUREP will leverage strategic efforts to reach boys and young men of color 

with opportunities in STEM. All MUREP activities map to the annual performance indicators. MUREP 

investments assist NASA in meeting the goal of a diverse future workforce through student participation 

in NASA-related internships, fellowships, and scholarships at NASA Centers. MUREP contributes to the 

diversity of activities in NASA Education. NASA targets recruitment and retention of underrepresented 

and underserved students, including women and girls, and persons with disabilities, into the STEM fields 

in all education programs. 

MUREP investments enhance the research, academic, and technology capabilities of MSIs through multiyear awards. MUREP funding will be used to maintain active agreements and awards for HBCUs, HSIs, 

TCUs, AANAPISIs, AIANSIs, PBIs other MSIs, and non-profit organizations that contribute to the 

Agency’s workforce diversity and MUREP's goals. 

Project Schedule 

MUREP implements a consolidated investment through the NRA EONS. NASA plans to release a new 

EONS opportunity no later than the last quarter of FY 2017 with a rolling schedule of opportunities 

through FY 2018. 

Date Significant Event 

Q1 FY 2017 Release of Solicitations (EONS Appendix Opportunities) 

Q2 FY 2017 Proposals Due and Review Process (EONS Appendix Opportunities) 

Q3 & Q4 FY 2017 Selection and Awards (EONS Appendix Opportunities) 

Project Management & Commitments 

The MUREP project manager is located at NASA Headquarters and provides management and oversight 

for overall activity operations. NASA centers manage significant investments in project activity elements. 

The current MUREP elements are as follows: 
Education: Education: STEM Education and Accountability 

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Element Description Provider Details 

Change from 

Formulation 

Agreement 

MIRO 

MIRO is designed to establish 

significant, multi-disciplinary, 

scientific, engineering, and/or 

commercial research centers 

at the host MSI, that 

contribute substantially to the 

programs of one or more of 

the NASA Mission 

Directorates as described in 

the 2014 NASA Strategic 

Plan. 

Provider: All NASA Centers 

Lead Center: Armstrong Flight Research 

Center 

Performing Center(s): All NASA 

Centers 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

MUREP 

Community 

College 

Curriculum 

Improvement 

(MC3I)

MCI is designed to strengthen 

STEM curricula and 

curricular pathways at twoyear MSIs; Strengthen and 

diversify the STEM pipeline 

through high school 

partnerships. 

Provider: All NASA Centers 

Lead Center: Headquarters 

Performing Center(s) All NASA 

Centers: 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

MUREP NASA 

Internship, 

Fellowship, and 

Scholarship 

(NIFS) 

MUREP NIFS provides 

historically underrepresented 

groups in STEM fields and 

students at MSIs the 

opportunity to use NASA 

facilities and assets to provide 

work experiences and 

research and educational 

opportunities to improve 

retention in STEM and 

prepare students for 

employment in NASA STEM 

jobs. 

Provider: All NASA Centers 

Lead Center: JSC, Ames Research 

Center 

Performing Center(s): All NASA 

Centers 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

MUREP for 

American Indian 

and Alaskan 

Native STEM 

Engagement 

(MAIANSE) 

MAIANSE provides 

opportunities for TCU 

students, faculty and staff; 

and high school students who 

are likely to matriculate at

TCUs, to engage in NASArelated STEM scientific 

research and engineering 

activities. 

Provider: All NASA Centers 

Lead Center: Goddard Space Flight 

Center 

Performing Center(s): All NASA 

Centers 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 
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Element Description Provider Details 

Change from 

Formulation 

Agreement 

MUREP 

Educator 

Institutes (MEI) 

MEI is designed to develop, 

promote, or utilize new, 

innovative, and replicable 

approaches to improving 

STEM learning and 

instruction; Provide 

experiences and activities that 

are grounded in education 

research or use evidencesupported approaches, 

techniques, and tools; and 

build linkages and 

connections to and from 

secondary education, 

elementary education, middle 

school education, and higher 

education. 

Provider: All NASA Centers 

Lead Center: Stennis Space Center 

Performing Center(s): All NASA 

Centers 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

MUREP STEM 

Engagement 

(MSE) 

MSE gives MSIs the 

opportunity to design, 

develop, and implement a 

NASA-related STEM 

challenge targeted for MSI 

and community college 

STEM-enrolled students. All 

challenges align with the 

NASA mission and a specific 

NASA program or project. 

MSIs develop and implement 

processes to capture the 

impact of activities and 

strategies implemented 

through this challenge 

participation. 

Provider: All NASA Centers 

Lead Center: KSC 

Performing Center(s): All NASA 

Centers 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

ESTEEM 

ESTEEM increases the level 

of climate literacy and 

engagement of the United 

States public; advance the 

understanding of how to 

effectively teach global 

climate change concepts; and 

create a diverse, highly 

skilled, and motivated future 

workforce in climate-related 

sciences. 

Provider: All NASA Centers 

Lead Center: LaRC 

Performing Center(s): All NASA 

Centers 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 
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Element Description Provider Details 

Change from 

Formulation 

Agreement 

MUREP 

Aerospace 

Academy 

(MAA) 

MAA educates students using 

a STEM curriculum that 

meets national math, science, 

and technology standards 

aligned to NASA’s Mission 

Directorates. 

Provider: All NASA Centers 

Lead Center: GRC 

Performing Center(s): All NASA 

Centers 

Cost Share Partner(s): N/A 

Acquisition Strategy 

MUREP solicits new and innovative education products, tools, and services from qualified MSIs and 

nonprofit organizations. This occurs in response to changes in STEM education trends, identified gaps, or 

opportunities in the education portfolio of investments, demonstrated customer need or demand, or when 

the Administration or Congress identifies new priorities. NASA awards education cooperative 

agreements, grants and contracts through full and open competition. 

MAJOR CONTRACTS/AWARDS

None. 

INDEPENDENT REVIEWS

All MUREP activities document performance through either external evaluations or internal reviews 

conducted by NASA staff. For example, a Technical Review Committee, made up of NASA and industry 

engineers and scientists, review each research awardee annually during the five-year performance period. 

Renewal packages for individual grantees include all relevant reports. 

In 2015, MUREP reviewed two elements of the portfolio using the techniques of social network analysis. 

An evaluator at Science Systems and Applications, Inc., in Hampton, VA, under a contract through 

NASA LaRC conducted the review. The first review focused on identifying collaborations and 

partnerships across the portfolio of MUREP awardee institutions that received funding support in fiscal 

years 2011 through 2014. This process identified 366 institutions or organizations contributing to 

MUREP activities during that period, including 149 minority-serving institutions. The second review 

focused specifically on MUREP’s student support activities, currently part of the NASA OE’s NIFS line 

of business. This review compared student opportunities through MUREP funding in academic years 

2010-2011, 2011-2012, and 2012-2013 to similar opportunities in 2013-2014, 2014-2015, and 2015-2016. 

In particular, this review focused on MUREP’s reach to students who attend eligible minority serving 

institutions and identified a striking increase in participation beginning in academic year 2014-2015. 

These reviews highlighted a need for greater communication and knowledge transfer between and among 

MUREP activities in order to better leverage partner contributions. It also identified MSI types MUREP 

activities could target (HSIs, AIANSIs, and PBIs). 
Education: Education: STEM Education and Accountability 

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FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Total Budget 29.0 -- 37.1 39.1 41.1 43.2 45.3 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. FY 

2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

Mike Foreman signed autographs at GRC’s third annual 

National Lab Day on May 22, 2015. He gave a thrilling 

presentation about his experiences as Space Shuttle Astronaut 

to a group of 300 middle school students. Additionally, Mike 

made the day for one excited young fan (pictured in front) who 

is anxious to show off the autograph she just received. National 

Lab Day engaged students in presentations, research 

demonstrations, hands-on activities, and lab tours throughout 

the day. 

SEAP uses competition to support only the 

most meritorious education functions, 

assets, and efforts of the Offices of 

Education at NASA Centers and JPL, 

Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate 

and Human Exploration and Operations 

Mission Directorate. 

SEAP enhances coordination with other 

agencies that focus on those areas of STEM 

education where the Federal government 

can have maximum impact, including 

innovations in performance monitoring, 

evaluation and formal and informal 

education. The STEM Education and 

Accountability Projects portfolio of diverse 

activities directly responds to NASA’s 

Strategic Objective 2.4: Advance the 

Nation’s STEM education and workforce 

pipeline by working collaboratively with 

other agencies to engage students, teachers, 

and faculty in NASA’s missions and unique 

assets. Specific activities funded by SEAP 

have goals designed to advance the Federal STEM Education five-year Strategic Plan prepared by the 

National Science and Technology Council’s CoSTEM, addressing one or more STEM Education Priority 

Investment Area(s) and/or Implementation of the Coordination Objective(s). 

SEAP is the result of NASA continuing to streamline and competitively consolidate its STEM education 

activities, consistent with Congressional and Administration direction. Working in collaboration with 

other Federal agencies, particularly the USDA, NSF, Smithsonian Institution, and Department of 

Education, NASA continues to support STEM activities across four lines of business: 1) educator 

professional development, 2) STEM engagement, 3) institutional engagement, and 4) internships, 

fellowships and scholarships. NASA’s business lines provide opportunities to educators and learners, 

including women, minorities, and persons with disabilities. 
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EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017

None. 

ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2015

 Approximately 828,000 elementary and secondary students participated in NASA instructional 

and enrichment activities. 

o Of those students, NASA engaged more than 39,000 in the fifth and final year of the 

Summer of Innovation pilot, launched in 2010 to support the President’s “Educate to

Innovate” initiative.

 In September 2015, after competitive selection in June as SEAP’s top institutional engagement 

priority, NASA’s OE, in cooperation with Headquarters’ Offices of Communications, Diversity 

and Equal Opportunity, Chief Scientist, and Chief Technologist, and all the agency’s Mission 

Directorates issued the Competitive Program for Science Museums, Planetariums, and NASA 

Visitor Plus Other Opportunities (NRA NNH15ZHA001N). The NRA fully aligns to the NASA 

and Federal STEM five-year Strategic Plan; and sets new, minimum standards for NASA 

recipients’ evaluation activities. Proposers must describe the conduct of an independent 

evaluation in order to improve or assess the effectiveness of proposed strategies that advance the 

Nation’s STEM education or workforce, including a dedicated budget. 

o More than 105 youth-serving organizations, museums, planetariums, NASA visitor 

centers, and other potential proposers from the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and 36 

states dialed into the NRA’s pre-proposal telecon. 

 The One-Stop Shopping Initiative received more than 33,000 undergraduate, graduate, and high 

school student applications for NASA-unique internships, fellowships, and scholarships. From 

this pool of exceptional talent, NASA Education was able to support 1,717 students via a NASAunique fellowship, internship, or scholarship opportunity. 

In addition to the 40 Education no-exchange-of-funds Space Act agreements, NASA Education 

also supported education-related partnerships made by other NASA organizations, including 

Headquarters’ Communications. One such agreement with Fox US Productions 38, Inc. supported 

the feature film The Martian. In September 2015, NASA Education’s Digital Learning Network 

reached over 12,000 students and teachers from around the United States and seven countries for 

an interactive visit with The Martian’s author Andy Weir, NASA experts and movie actors.



WORK IN PROGRESS IN FY 2016 

NASA continues to implement the results of a competition across the Mission Directorates, NASA 

Offices of Education at the Centers, and JPL. The 2015-2016 Priorities Competition for SEAP used 

criteria in an i-RFI. The initial i-RFI for SEAP used the following broad criteria: 1) Background; 2) 

Focus; and 3) Evidence of Effectiveness. The SEAP i-RFI ensured all submitters answered the same items 

and identified the priorities for selection. For a copy of the i-RFI, go to 

http://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/nasa_fy15_fy16_seap_priorities_competitionfinal.pdf.
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The i-RFI determined the universe of priorities SEAP should select for FY 2016 funds. In brief, the 

selected activities most directly align to four of the five Federal STEM Education Five-Year Strategic 

Plan Priority Investment Area(s): 

 Increase and Sustain Youth and Public Engagement in STEM 

Improve STEM Instruction 

Enhance STEM Experience of Undergraduate Students 

Better Serve Groups Historically Underrepresented in STEM Fields 







SEAP selections also respond to the Federal STEM Education’s Five-Year Strategic Plan’s 

Implementation of the Coordination Objectives: 

 Build New Models for Leveraging Assets and Expertise 

 Build and Use Evidence-based Approaches 

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS PLANNED FOR FY 2017 

In 2017, NASA will make new commitments based on the competitive acquisition strategy described 

below. SEAP will execute a new internal-to-NASA competition in FY 2017. Education Offices at NASA 

Centers, including Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and previously funded evidence-based activities will be 

eligible to compete for new or follow-on SEAP funding. The winners of the SEAP competition reflect the 

best that NASA has to offer to the Nation’s STEM enterprise. For SEAP’s most current competitive 

achievements aligned to NASA Education’s four business lines and the CoSTEM Plan, go to 

http://www.nasa.gov/offices/education/about/seap-activities.html.

Project Schedule 

 Over the past three years, NASA worked with CoSTEM to finalize criteria for success, develop 

common evidence standards, identify evaluation and research toolkits, and pursue efficiencies 

and collaborative opportunities consistent with the NSTC five-year Federal STEM Education 

Strategic Plan. 

In years four and five of the NSTC five-year Federal STEM Education Strategic Plan, the Agency 

continues to increase alignment with the adopted criteria. 



The FY 2017 SEAP competition will identify, prioritize, and select activities that are evidence-based, 

show evidence of effectiveness, and capitalize on the excitement of NASA's STEM, including problem 

based learning. The results may be available as early as the second quarter of FY 2017. As of the date of 

this document, the NASA’s Education Coordinating Council began preliminary deliberations regarding a 

second SEAP competition and how to improve Centers and NASA Mission Directorates coordination in 

the development of concepts, logic models, and estimated price reports. 
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Date Significant Event 

On-going throughout FY 2018 NSTC Committee on STEM Meetings 

Project Management & Commitments 

The lines of business managers (LOBs) for educator professional development, internships, fellowships 

and scholarships, STEM engagement and institutional engagement are located at NASA Headquarters and 

provide oversight for strategic activities and operations. The table below illustrates some cooperative 

agreements or contracts awarded in prior years. 

Element Description Provider Details 

Change from 

Formulation 

Agreement 

Cooperative 

Agreement 

Number: 

NNX13AJ37A 

Cooperative Agreement 

Selection Under the 

Cooperative Agreement 

Notice issued by OE NASA 

Internships 

Solicitation number: 

NNJ13ZBR001C 

Provider: Universities Space Research 

Association 

Lead Center: Headquarters 

Performing Center(s): All 

Cost Share Partner(s): Not Applicable 

No change 

Cooperative 

Agreement 

expires May 

2018

Performance 

start date: May 

2013

Contract 

Number: 

C13-012

The NASA Glenn Education 

Support Services contract will 

help advance high-quality 

STEM education in 

Cleveland, NASA 

Headquarters in Washington, 

and other NASA centers, as 

necessary. 

Provider: Paragon-TEC, Inc. of 

Cleveland 

Lead Center: GRC 

Performing Center(s): All 

Cost Share Partner(s): Not Applicable 

No Change 

Contract expires 

March 2018 

Performance 

start date: April 

2013

Acquisition Strategy 

Consistent with existing NASA practices, NASA uses cooperative agreements, grants, and contracts 

through full and open competitions when necessary. External and internal experts base selections in part 

on peer reviews, In FY 2016 NASA selected activities via the FY 2015 internal-to-NASA SEAP 

competition. 

MAJOR CONTRACTS/AWARDS

None. 
Education: Education: STEM Education and Accountability 

STEM EDUCATION AND ACCOUNTABILITY PROJECTS 

Formulation Development Operations 

EDUC-34 

INDEPENDENT REVIEWS

NASA’s primary approach to independent reviews is informed by the five-year Federal Strategic Plan and 

reports from the NSTC CoSTEM (Progress Report on Coordinating Federal STEM Education, March 

2015) (For more information, go to 

https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/microsites/ostp/stem_ed_budget_supplement_fy16-march2015.pdf. NASA also relies on third-party reports conducted by the agency’s Office of Inspector General 

and the Government Accountability Office. 

NASA embeds evaluation and accountability requirements within SEA activities as appropriate for 

performance monitoring. In October 2015 the NASA Office of Inspector General issued its report No. IG16-001 measuring the performance of NASA’s Education Program. The OIG’s report states that they 

“initiated this audit to examine NASA’s education activities and determine whether the Agency was 

effectively implementing its education objective and Federal STEM education priorities.” The OIG found 

that “NASA’s OE has taken steps to improve its management of the Agency’s diverse education portfolio 

by restructuring several programs and projects to better align with Federal guidance.” The OIG also found 

that: “the OE has developed a competitive process for identifying effective STEM education activities 

that deserve funding, NASA can further improve its processes and procedures to collaborate and 

consolidate education activities. In response to an OMB requirement that NASA’s internal projects and 

activities compete with one another for education funding, in FY 2015 the OE initiated an internal, 

criteria-based competition as the basis for its funding prioritization process.” NASA agreed to corrective 

actions related to five OIG recommendations and the agency’s response noted: “NASA recognizes this 

audit as a progress report on the agency’s on-going restructure of its Education portfolio, including 

performance measurement reporting conducted by the OE. NASA also appreciates that the OIG’s draft 

report documents NASA’s education investment and ways that investment contributes to Federal STEM 

Education Five-Year Strategic Plan, a priority for the Obama Administration.” (For the full report and 

agency response, go to https://oig.nasa.gov/audits/reports/FY16/IG-16-001.pdf.). 

The contractor, Paragon TEC, conducted a study of the FY 2015 collaboration between NASA and the 

Department of Education as explained below. For a full copy of this study entitled, STEM Design 

Challenges for 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21CCLC) Final Evaluation Report, go to 

http://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/21cclc-middle_school-final-report.pdf.

Review Type Performer Date of 

Review Purpose Outcome Next Review 

Implementation 

evaluation study Paragon TEC Jan – May 2014

Conduct a third-party 

formative evaluation 

that documents 

implementation and 

preliminary impacts 

of NASA STEM 

Challenges within 

Department of 

Education’s 21CCLC 

program 

The report provides 

12 evidence-based 

observations for 

how new NASA 

STEM Challenges 

within Department 

of Education’s 

21CCLC program 

could be improved. 

No further 

action due to 

the expiration 

of the 

reimbursable 

Space Act 

Agreement 

with the 

Department of 

Education. 
 

SAFETY, SECURITY, AND MISSION SERVICES

SSMS-1 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Center Management and Operations 2023.7 -- 2017.7 2058.1 2113.5 2155.6 2198.8 

Agency Management and Operations 730.9 -- 819.2 835.5 838.0 854.8 871.8 

Total Budget 2754.6 2768.6 2836.8 2893.6 2951.5 3010.4 3070.6 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. FY 

2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

Safety, Security, and Mission Services ..........................SSMS-2

Center Management and Operations .......................................................... SSMS-6 

Agency Management and Operations ....................................................... SSMS-11

AGENCY MANAGEMENT ..................................................................................SSMS-15

SAFETY AND MISSION SUCCESS ...................................................................SSMS-19

AGENCY IT SERVICES (AITS) ..........................................................................SSMS-25

STRATEGIC CAPABILITIES ASSET PROGRAM ...............................................SSMS-33

HEADQUARTERS BUDGET BY OFFICE ...........................................................SSMS-37

HEADQUARTERS TRAVEL BUDGET BY OFFICE ............................................SSMS-39

HEADQUARTERS WORKFORCE BY OFFICE ..................................................SSMS-41
 

SAFETY, SECURITY, AND MISSION SERVICES

SSMS-2 

FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Center Management and Operations 2023.7 -- 2017.7 2058.1 2113.5 2155.6 2198.8 

Agency Management and Operations 730.9 -- 819.2 835.5 838.0 854.8 871.8 

Total Budget 2754.6 2768.6 2836.8 2893.6 2951.5 3010.4 3070.6 

Change from FY 2016 68.2 

Percentage change from FY 2016 2.5% 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. FY 

2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

NASA workforce and facilities provide the tools and 

services needed to conduct its mission. Above, workers at 

NASA’s Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida navigate 

the newly arrived SAGE-III instruments through the aisles 

of the Space Station Processing Facility to begin preparing 

for launch to the International Space Station (ISS) next 

year. Photo credit: NASA/Charles Babir 

 Safety, Security, and Mission Services 

(SSMS) activities manage the administration of 

the Agency; operate and maintain NASA 

centers and facilities, including Headquarters; 

and provide oversight to reduce risk to life and 

mission for all NASA programs. 

SSMS provides both institutional and program 

capabilities for the Agency. Institutional 

capabilities ensure that Agency operations are 

effective, efficient, and meet statutory, 

regulatory, and fiduciary responsibilities. 

Program capabilities ensure that technical 

skills and assets are ready and available to 

meet program and project milestones; that 

missions and research are technically and 

scientifically sound; and that Agency practices 

are safe and reliable. Together, these 

capabilities sustain 4,400 buildings and 

structures on 330,000 acres across the 

Agency’s centers and facilities. 

Missions rely on SSMS program and institutional capabilities to accomplish their objectives. Engineering, 

systems engineering, and safety and mission assurance capabilities support technical activities. IT, 

infrastructure, and security capabilities support the productivity of NASA scientists and engineers. 

Human capital management, finance, procurement, occupational health and safety, equal employment 

opportunity and diversity, and small business programs contribute to the strategic and operational 

planning and management that ensure resources are available when needed. International and interagency 

relations, legislative and intergovernmental affairs, and strategic communications facilitate 

communications with a broad range of external communities. These program and institutional capabilities 

and related processes speak to the complexity of the support necessary for successful NASA missions and 

safe Agency and Center operations. 
 

SAFETY, SECURITY, AND MISSION SERVICES

SSMS-3 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017 

NASA is transferring $44.9 million for existing network operations to Agency IT Services (AITS) from 

Center Management and Operations, Mission Directorates, and Agency Management to consolidate 

network operations, IT network transformation, and voice services under the Agency CIO. This IT 

funding already existed under multiple accounts but is being consolidated into one program. This transfer 

will improve network transformation and IT security while reducing redundancy and inefficiencies. 

The FY 2017 request includes investments in critical IT infrastructure and enterprise solutions. Funding 

will support modernizing Agency systems, increased automation, and optimized delivery of enterprisewide IT service solutions. 

ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2015

NASA is working to instill a culture of innovation in its workforce by recognizing and rewarding 

innovative performance; engaging and connecting the workforce to make it easy for employees to 

collaborate, network, and innovate; and creating an environment in which leaders view developing 

innovative employees as a productive and vital use of their time. SSMS activities provide the facilities, 

tools, and services needed to conduct NASA’s missions safely and effectively. For example, in FY 2015, 

NASA: 













Continued to lead the Federal Government in employee engagement, as demonstrated by the 

results of the 2015 Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS). NASA is one of three agencies 

with the highest employee engagement score for a large agency, having increased its employee 

engagement score over the last six years, from 76 percent in 2010 to 78 percent in 2015. 

Successful agencies foster an engaged working environment that ensures that each employee can 

reach his or her potential and contribute to the success of the Agency; 

As reported on the 2015 Scorecard on Sustainability/Energy, NASA generated 8.9 percent of its 

electricity from renewable energy sources, exceeding the target of 7.5 percent. NASA 

accomplished this goal by generating on-site renewable energy, purchasing green power, and 

purchasing renewable energy credits; 

Assured the safety and health of its activities. NASA’s Total Case Rate and Lost Time Case Rate 

were under the injury and illness goals established in the President’s Protecting Our Workers and 

Ensuring Reemployment (POWER) initiative; 

Completed the planned set of upgrades for the Security Operations Center (SOC) at the Ames 

Research Center (ARC). The upgrades spanned 27 Intrusion Detection Systems, increasing the 

Agency’s readiness to combat cyber threats. These technology upgrades improve the SOC’s 

capability to detect and prevent security incidents, increasing the ability to analyze system and 

network vulnerabilities across the enterprise as compared to known and evolving cyber threats; 

Met the goal of 100 percent personal identity verification (PIV) use for privileged account access 

and 75.0 percent PIV use for non-privileged access in FY 2015; and 

Initiated the Business Services Assessment (BSA) process by completing a comprehensive 

review of the Agency’s IT services. By engaging the Mission Support functions through the BSA, 

NASA is defining the health of selected business service areas; identifying opportunities for 

optimization; and developing risk-informed recommendations. Implementation of the 

improvements identified through the IT BSA is underway. 
 

SAFETY, SECURITY, AND MISSION SERVICES

SSMS-4 

WORK IN PROGRESS IN FY 2016 

SSMS continues its crosscutting support of the Agency’s aeronautics and space activities, using 

innovative approaches to provide the required programmatic, business, and administrative capabilities. 

Key activities underway include: 







Implementing improvements from the BSA of IT and completing assessments of acquisition, 

human capital management, budget management, and facilities management. 

Assessing high pressure layered pressure vessels to evaluate material fracture properties, vessel 

analysis methodologies, and inspection techniques, to ensure that unsafe vessels are identified in 

time to prevent excessive risk to personnel; and 

Implementing key findings and recommendations from the National Research Council study 

(Limiting Future Collision Risk to Spacecraft: An Assessment of NASA’s Micrometeoroid 

Orbital Debris Programs on micrometeoroid and orbital debris 

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS PLANNED FOR FY 2017 

In FY 2017, SSMS programs will continue to balance the risks across center and Agency services and 

activities to provide a safe, reliable infrastructure to conduct NASA’s aeronautics and space activities. 

SSMS programs will: 















Implement long-term changes identified through the BSAs of acquisition, human capital 

management, budget management, and facilities management to optimize services, and maintain 

a minimum set of capabilities to meet mission needs. 

Continue to improve the Agency’s information security posture and assure NASA’s IT systems 

and networks support the Agency’s critical missions;

Operate and maintain NASA Centers and major component facilities to ensure a safe, healthy, 

and environmentally responsible workplace; 

Provide essential operations such as Center security, environmental management, safety services, 

and facility maintenance; 

Support the workforce with utilities, IT, legal, occupational health, equal employment 

opportunity, financial management, and human resources services; 

Provide the technical facilities, workforce expertise and skills, equipment, and other resources 

required to implement the program at the Center; and 

Ensure engineering and safety oversight of NASA’s programs.

Themes 

CENTER MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS

CMO provides the ongoing management, operations, and maintenance of NASA Centers and component 

facilities in nine states. Missions rely on the Centers to provide the skilled staff and specialized 

infrastructure required to accomplish their objectives. 
 

SAFETY, SECURITY, AND MISSION SERVICES

SSMS-5 

AGENCY MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS

AMO provides management and oversight of Agency missions and performance of NASA-wide mission 

support activities. AMO activities at NASA Headquarters ensure that core services are ready and 

available across the Agency for performing mission roles and responsibilities.
Safety, Security, and Mission Services 

CENTER MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS

SSMS-6 

FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Center Institutional Capabilities 1574.8 -- 1563.8 1596.7 1636.9 1665.1 1696.1 

Center Programmatic Capabilities 448.9 -- 453.8 461.4 476.6 490.5 502.7 

Total Budget 2023.7 -- 2017.7 2058.1 2113.5 2155.6 2198.8 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. FY 

2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

NASA Centers across the country provide the institutional 

and programmatic capabilities required to support the 

missions. In this image, technicians at the Marshall Space 

Flight Center (MSFC) inspect layered pressure vessels to 

ensure that they can safely meet mission requirements. 

NASA’s CMO budget funds ongoing 

management, operations, and maintenance at 

nine Centers and three major component 

facilities in nine states. CMO includes two 

major activities: Center Institutional 

Capabilities and Center Programmatic 

Capabilities. 

Missions rely on these program and 

institutional capabilities to provide the skilled 

staff and specialized infrastructure required to 

accomplish their objectives. 

Center institutional capabilities provide the 

facilities, staff, and administrative support for 

effective and efficient NASA Center 

operations. These capabilities enable NASA 

Centers and missions to meet its statutory, 

regulatory, and fiduciary responsibilities. 

Program capabilities support scientific and engineering activities at the Centers. These program 

capabilities ensure that technical skills and assets are ready and available to meet program and project 

milestones; that missions and research are technically and scientifically sound; and that Center practices 

are safe and reliable. 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017

Reallocates funding from CMO to AITS to consolidate network transformation, operations, and voice 

services under the Agency CIO. 

ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2015

NASA continued to improve operations to enable the Agency to conduct its day-to-day technical and 

business operations more effectively. For example: 
Safety, Security, and Mission Services 

CENTER MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS

SSMS-7 













ARC completed the enrollment of assets into the new Radio Frequency Identity Detector (RFID) 

equipment tracking system and integrated RFID into the annual inventory process. 

Implementation of the RFID system will reduce property loss rates, reduce redundancy, reduce 

cycle time and increase inventory accuracy;

A new financial services contract at ARC enabled the Agency to better manage overhead costs by 

providing an opportunity to reduce the number of financial service contracts through a 

consolidated contract; 

Armstrong Flight Research Center (AFRC) implemented a digital 911 system that addressed 

reliability issues and eliminated the maintenance requirements and costs associated with the 

horizontal infrastructure of the antiquated analog system; 

KSC completed outfitting and activation of KSC’s data center, which is expected to reduce 

annual energy use and operations and maintenance costs; 

To provide for early detection and correction of facility maintenance issues, Centers continued to 

increase reliability-centered maintenance and condition-based monitoring activities. Efficient 

maintenance through the expansion of the existing Condition Based Maintenance Program at 

Stennis Space Center (SSC) and similar activities Agency-wide reduced maintenance 

requirements and facilitated correction of maintenance problems before costly failures occurred; 

and 

KSC entered into a Federal-State Partnership Agreement with Space Florida for the transfer, 

management, development, and operations of property and infrastructure comprising the Shuttle 

Landing Facility. 

WORK IN PROGRESS IN FY 2016 

In FY 2016, Centers are providing the essential day-to-day technical and business operations required to 

conduct NASA’s aeronautics and space mission activities. Activities encompass the services, tools, and 

equipment required to complete essential tasks, protect and maintain the security and integrity of 

information and assets, and ensure that personnel work under safe and healthy conditions. Efforts 

underway include: 









Focus on employee engagement and development to attract and advance the highly skilled and 

diverse workforce needed to conduct NASA’s mission. Resources, such as the Goddard Space 

Flight Center (GSFC) web-based career path site for employees provides a high-level view of 

career development paths for all employees and increases awareness of developmental 

opportunities; 

SSC completes construction on a Utility Energy Service Contract through the Department of 

Energy’s Federal Energy Management Program. The program allows federal agencies to partner 

with utility companies to achieve energy and cost savings by implementing energy conversation 

projects. Energy cost savings funds the project, thereby reducing the need for federal funding. 

The planned benefits include streamlined procurement, flexible contracts, and payments via the 

utility bills; 

Glenn Research Center (GRC) Lewis Field completes the installation of new Voice over IP 

(VoIP) phone system. This eliminates the risk of a phone system failure from the current legacy 

system; and 

SSC transitions to a new facility operations support contract, which will support both SSC and 

MSFC’s Michoud Assembly Facility. The consolidated contract leverages the synergies between 

the sites to reduce overall costs. 
Safety, Security, and Mission Services 

CENTER MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS

SSMS-8 

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS PLANNED FOR FY 2017 

Centers will provide the services, tools, and equipment to complete essential tasks, protect, and maintain 

the security and integrity of information and assets, and ensure that personnel work under safe and 

healthy conditions. In FY 2017, CMO will support: 































Facility maintenance and operations; including: utility and custodial support of approximately 

4,400 buildings and structures with a current total replacement value of $34 billion (82 percent of 

NASA’s assets by value are beyond their design life);

IT activities for video, voice, network, IT security, and desktop support at Centers; 

Institutional operational safety support to protect personnel and assets, aviation safety, emergency 

preparedness, nuclear safety, construction safety, and other safety services; 

Physical security, fire protection and response, emergency management, export control, and other 

basic and specialized protective services; 

Compliance with environmental regulations, executive orders, and related requirements to protect 

human health and the environment; 

Human resource management; including: recruitment, hiring, workforce planning, training, and 

performance management supporting approximately 16,100 civil servants at the Centers; 

Occupational and environmental health and medical support such as: industrial hygiene, health 

physics, hearing conservation, and licensed and credentialed medical personnel and facilities to 

meet specialized mission requirements; 

Personal property management, transportation management, mail management, and other 

logistical support; 

Duplicating and printing support, video production, audio/visual services, and publications and 

graphics (includes specialized support for the production and archiving of scientific and technical 

information); 

Senior leadership and management of the Centers, executive staff and administrative support, 

student programs, and developmental assignments; 

Routine public affairs activities, dissemination of information about NASA programs and projects 

to the general public, and responses to public inquiries; 

Administration and management of Center financial operations; 

Acquisition and contract management capabilities and practices supporting 41,000 procurement 

actions each year; 

Engineering assessment and safety oversight pertaining to the technical readiness and execution 

of NASA programs and projects; and 

Analysis, design, research, test services, and fabrication capabilities to enable efficient 

implementation of the programs and projects. 

Program Elements 

CENTER INSTITUTIONAL CAPABILITIES

Center Institutional Capabilities encompasses a diverse set of activities essential for safe and effective 

operations. These activities provide the ongoing operations of NASA Centers and major component 

facilities and ensure a safe, healthy, and environmentally responsible workplace. Included are essential 

operations such as Center security, environmental management and safety services, and facility 
Safety, Security, and Mission Services 

CENTER MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS

SSMS-9 

maintenance and operations. To support the Agency’s Center-based workforce, Center Institutional 

Capabilities provide utilities, IT, legal, occupational health, equal employment opportunity, and human 

resources services. This capability manages and sustains Center staff, facilities, and operations. 

CENTER PROGRAMMATIC CAPABILITIES

NASA’s Center Programmatic Capabilities supports the Agency’s scientific and engineering activities by 

providing engineering assessment and safety oversight pertaining to the technical readiness and execution 

of NASA programs and projects. It also sustains NASA’s analysis, design, research, test services, and 

fabrication capabilities to enable efficient implementation of the programs and projects conducted at the 

Centers. 

Center Programmatic Capabilities provide a key component of NASA’s overall system of checks and 

balances. The engineering, safety and mission assurance, and health and medical organizations at the 

Centers: (1) provide, support, and oversee the technical work, and (2) provide formally delegated 

Engineering (Figure 1) and Safety and Mission Assurance Technical Authorities (Figure 2) at NASA 

Centers. These technical authorities provide independent oversight and review of programs and projects 

in support of safety and mission success. Cognizant technical authorities formally review and concur on 

technical and operational matters involving safety and mission success risk. These technical authorities 

concur based on the technical merits of each case and agreement that the risks are acceptable. This assures 

that NASA conducts its mission activities safely in accordance with accepted standards of professional 

practice and applicable NASA requirements. 

Engineering Technical Authorities 

Center FY 2017 $ 

in millions 

Ames Research Center $7.7 

Armstrong Flight Research Center $8.0 

Glenn Research Center $12.8 

Goddard Space Flight Center $12.9 

Johnson Space Center $22.6 

Kennedy Space Center $14.9 

Langley Research Center $17.2 

Marshall Space Flight Center $37.7 

Stennis Space Center $3.5 

Grand Total $137.3 

Figure 1: Engineering Technical Authorities provide independently funded engineering assessment of programs 
Safety, Security, and Mission Services 

CENTER MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS

SSMS-10 

Safety and Mission Assurance Technical Authorities 

Center FY 2017 $ in 

millions 

Ames Research Center $3.4 

Armstrong Flight Research Center $4.2 

Glenn Research Center $2.6 

Goddard Space Flight Center $12.4 

Johnson Space Center $6.4 

Kennedy Space Center $9.0 

Langley Research Center $3.0 

Marshall Space Flight Center $8.2 

Stennis Space Center $2.1 

Grand Total $51.3 

Figure 2: Safety and Mission Assurance Technical Authorities provide independently funded safety assessment of 

programs 
Safety, Security, and Mission Services 

AGENCY MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS

SSMS-11 

FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Agency Management 363.6 -- 377.5 385.1 395.6 403.5 411.6 

Safety and Mission Success 164.9 -- 170.4 173.8 178.5 182.1 185.7 

Agency IT Services (AITS) 175.5 -- 244.3 249.1 235.6 240.3 245.0 

Strategic Capabilities Asset Program 26.9 -- 27.0 27.5 28.3 28.9 29.5 

Total Budget 730.9 -- 819.2 835.5 838.0 854.8 871.8 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. FY 

2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

NASA has been investing significantly 

in cybersecurity capabilities to manage 

risk and mitigate cyber threats. NASA 

continues to improve cybersecurity by 

preventing malicious cyber activity, 

enhancing the protection of NASA’s 

Federal systems and information, and 

strengthening cybersecurity awareness 

across NASA’s workforce.

AMO provides management and oversight of Agency missions 

and performance of NASA-wide mission support activities. 

AMO activities at NASA Headquarters ensure that core services 

are ready and available, Agency-wide, for performing mission 

roles and responsibilities and that Agency operations are 

effective and efficient and meet statutory, regulatory, and 

fiduciary requirements. 

NASA Headquarters develops policy and guidance for the 

Centers and provides strategic planning and leadership. 

Headquarters establishes Agency-wide requirements and 

capabilities that improve collaboration, efficiency, and 

effectiveness. Agency management leverages resources and 

capabilities to meet mission needs, eliminate excess capacity, 

and scale assets accordingly. 

AMO provides for policy-setting, executive management, and 

direction for all corporate functions. AMO supports the 

operational costs of the Headquarters installation. The AMO 

theme consists of four programs: Agency Management, Safety 

and Mission Success (SMS), AITS, and Strategic Capabilities 

Asset Program (SCAP). 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017

As discussed under Center Management and Operations, NASA is transferring existing activities and 

associated funding to AITS from Center Management and Operations, Mission Directorates, and Agency 

Management to consolidate network operations, transformation, and voice services under the Agency 

CIO. 
Safety, Security, and Mission Services 

AGENCY MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS

SSMS-12 

ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2015

NASA maintained its position as the top large agency in the 2015 rankings as the Best Place to Work in 

the Federal Government, improving our employee satisfaction and commitment score by focusing on 

three key priority areas: connecting people to each other and the mission; building model supervisors; and 

recognizing and rewarding innovative performance. 

As a result of building renovations, NASA’s Headquarters office building achieved Leadership in Energy 

and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification in August 2015. This certification surpasses the 

original target of Silver LEED certification. 

SMS conducted 11 formal, stringent Safety and Mission Success Reviews. These reviews are the 

culmination of the identification and mitigation of all potential Safety and Mission Assurance (SMA) 

problems for launches and high criticality events. The NASA Safety Center conducted 14 audits, 

assessments, and reviews at eight separate NASA Centers and component facilities in FY 2015. A total of 

223 findings were documented that included potential systemic issues, critical concerns, noncompliances, observations, commendations, and best practices. 

NASA released over 30,000 datasets and 40 application programming interfaces (APIs) during FY 2015 

through its public online portal at https://data.nasa.gov/, supporting the Federal Cross-Agency Priority 

Goal to open government data. 

NASA completed the planned set of upgrades for the SOC at the ARC increasing the Agency’s readiness 

to combat cyber threats. 

NASA met the goal of 100 percent PIV use for privileged account access and 76.7 percent PIV use for 

non-privileged access in FY 2015. 

For the fifth consecutive year, the Agency received a clean (unmodified) audit opinion of its accounting 

and financial systems. 

WORK IN PROGRESS IN FY 2016 

The SMA program will continue to advance NASA’s capabilities to mitigate and remove on-orbit debris, 

reduce hazards, and increase the understanding of the current and future orbital debris environment. SMA 

will also continue to advance its program to detect, track, catalog, and reduce the number of counterfeit 

electronic parts in the NASA supply chain. 

In FY 2016, the Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V) Program is providing software expertise 

to 17 projects, including 13 NASA missions, the Commercial Crew Program, 3 multi-agency missions, 

and across 8 NASA Centers. 

The NASA Engineering and Safety Center (NESC) plans to conduct over 50 independent assessments of 

NASA’s highest risk challenges maintaining prioritization on the ISS, Commercial Crew, Orion/Space 

Launch System, James Webb Space Telescope (Webb), and Space Technology. 

NASA will complete the Consolidated Network Operations System Project, which will standardize 

network operations processes and procedures across the Communications Services Office (CSO) 

Corporate Networks into Center operations and processes. This standardization ensures operational 
Safety, Security, and Mission Services 

AGENCY MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS

SSMS-13 

efficiencies by using enterprise best practices to consolidate network services and reduce duplication of 

effort, while improving overall end-to-end visibility of CSO-managed networks and improved IT security. 

NASA will begin formulation of a project to migrate email and calendaring capabilities to a cloud-based 

Microsoft Office 365 infrastructure. NASA will generate target architectures, gap assessments, and 

capital improvement plans for enterprise communications services including wide area network, local 

area network, voice, and cable plant systems. 

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS PLANNED FOR FY 2017 

In FY 2017, Office of Safety and Mission Assurance (OSMA) will increase efforts to examine layered 

pressure vessel material properties, analysis methodologies, and inspection techniques. OSMA will also 

develop assurance methodologies for the emerging fields of additive manufacturing. 

Collaborative efforts between the Office of Chief Engineer (OCE), and Office of Chief Health Medical 

Office (OCHMO), and OSMA will continue to strengthen the Agency’s Technical Authority capability. 

The offices will continue to work together conducting safety reviews and independent technical 

assessments of NASA’s missions.

In FY 2017, NASA will continue its network transformation by transitioning to a single NASA enterprise 

network and effectively utilize the bandwidth of the CSO backbone for both corporate and mission data. 

NASA’s mission services will begin transitioning to the new communications backbone, allowing for 

decommission of legacy transport services, resulting in cost avoidances. 

The Agency will continue to improve its network security with an enterprise approach to perimeter 

control and maintenance, including implementation of an Enterprise Firewall and Web Content Filter, 

deployment of Network Access Control systems inside NASA’s networks, and replacement of Center 

Virtual Private Networks with an enterprise PIV-enabled solution. 

NASA will complete the Contract Management Transformation project, which will position the Agency 

for increased transparency and efficiency by enabling the Agency’s ability to meet regulatory reporting 

and data management requirements. 

NASA plans to increase the OMB-mandated inventory of open datasets. By the end of FY 2017, NASA 

expects to have an estimated 10,000 publications submitted for public consumption on PubMed Central. 

Program Elements 

AGENCY MANAGEMENT

Agency Management provides functional and administrative management oversight for the Agency and 

operational support for NASA Headquarters. Agency Management governance and oversight activities 

include finance, protective services, general counsel, public affairs, external relations, legislative affairs, 

training, human capital management, procurement, real property and infrastructure, budget management, 

systems support, internal controls, diversity, equal opportunity, independent program and cost evaluation, 

and small business programs. 
Safety, Security, and Mission Services 

AGENCY MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS

SSMS-14 

SAFETY AND MISSION SUCCESS

SMS programs protect the health and safety of the NASA workforce and improve the probability of safety 

and mission success for NASA’s programs, projects, and operations. SMS includes NASA Headquarters 

programs, providing technical excellence, mission assurance, and technical authority. This includes the 

work managed by OSMA, IV&V, OCE, and OCHMO. 

AGENCY INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES

AITS program is a critical enabling capability dedicated to IT excellence to ensure every mission can 

achieve success within NASA’s complex environment. The AITS mission improves management and 

security of IT systems while systematically improving the efficiency, collaboration capabilities, and 

streamlined service delivery and visibility for the entire Agency. 

STRATEGIC CAPABILITIES ASSETS PROGRAM

SCAP ensures the essential Agency test facilities are in a state of readiness, maintains the skilled 

workforce, and performs essential preventative maintenance to keep these facilities available to meet 

program requirements. Core capabilities supported within SCAP are thermal vacuum chambers, 

simulators, and the Arc Jet Facility. 
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FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Total Budget 363.6 -- 377.5 385.1 395.6 403.5 411.6 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. FY 

2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC provides overall 

planning and policy direction for Headquarters and the 

corporate management for all of its field Centers, which 

includes approximately 50,000 civil servant employees, 

and on and near site contractors NASA-wide. NASA 

maintains its ranking as the top large agency as the Best 

Place to Work in the Federal Government. 

Agency Management provides functional and 

administrative management oversight for the 

Agency and operational support for NASA 

Headquarters. This program primarily supports 

ongoing operations. Agency Management 

supports the activities necessary to conduct 

business in the Federal sector and provides the 

capability to respond to legislation and other 

mandates. The Agency Management program 

supports over 35 discrete operations and mission 

support activities 

Agency Management provides policies, 

controls, and oversight across a range of 

functional and administrative management 

service areas. Agency Management governance 

and oversight activities include finance, 

protective services, general counsel, public 

affairs, international and interagency relations, 

legislative affairs, training, human capital 

management, procurement, real property and 

infrastructure, budget management, systems support, internal controls, diversity, equal opportunity and 

small business programs. The Agency Management program supports operational activities of 

Headquarters as an installation. These activities include building lease costs, facility operations costs 

(such as physical security, maintenance, logistics, IT hardware, and software costs), automated business 

systems implementation, and operations costs (such as internal control initiatives related to transparency 

and accountability in government). 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017

None. 

ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2015

NASA maintained its position as the top large agency in the 2015 rankings as the Best Place to Work in 

the Federal Government, improving our employee satisfaction and commitment score by focusing on 
Safety, Security, and Mission Services: Agency Management and Operations 

AGENCY MANAGEMENT

SSMS-16 

three key priority areas: connecting people to each other and the mission, building model supervisors, and 

recognizing and rewarding innovative performance. 

NASA completed the first round of a new development program for supervisors called “Leveraging 

Agency Supervisory Excellence and Resilience” (LASER). LASER is a comprehensive program that is 

built and designed by model Agency supervisors. The LASER program helps individual supervisors 

address their unique growth and development needs within the complex discipline of supervision through 

face-to-face weeklong development sessions, mentoring sessions with senior leaders, coaching, hands-on 

experiences, and peer teaching. 

NASA Headquarters continued to successfully respond to Agency and Federal Data Center Consolidation 

initiatives by reducing its data center footprint and increasing the virtualization of services. In FY 2015, 

NASA retired an additional 50 physical servers and consolidated 84 services in the HQ Virtual Machine 

cluster. The reductions of physical servers, combined with other planned consolidation efforts, will enable 

Headquarters to further reduce the number of server racks in the data center in FY 2016. 

NASA completed vital security upgrades to the secret level Video Teleconferencing (VTC) system. VTC 

allows the counterintelligence community to conduct virtual secure briefings with external agencies 

thereby reducing the need for travel associated with in-person conference/working group meetings. 

Headquarters established an Amazon Web Services (AWS) environment that supported the provision of 

SharePoint 2013 collaboration services to our Headquarters customers in a Managed Cloud Environment 

(MCE) and enabled the migration of 19 applications (both NASA-only and publically accessible) to the 

cloud. 

WORK IN PROGRESS IN FY 2016 

NASA’s Small Business Programs Office is improving the Agency performance in small business 

subcategories by identifying, increasing, and promoting small business prime contracting opportunities. 

By the end of FY 2017, each Center will have set aside new requirements to one of three small business 

sub-categories including Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB), Historically Underutilized Business 

Zone (HUBZone), and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB). 

NASA Headquarters will enhance its continuity of operations (COOP) capabilities to provide for the 

continued management and operations of the Agency in the event that Agency management is not able to 

remain in or operate from the National Capital Region. In particular, Headquarters will be participating in 

the 2016 FEMA Eagle Horizon exercise that will test NASA’s ability to conduct mission-essential 

functions and maintain effective leadership of the Agency on a “no notice” basis. Headquarters will be 

updating and testing policies and plans related to active shooter scenarios via simulations and drills. 

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS PLANNED FOR FY 2017 

NASA Headquarters, in concert with the General Services Administration and the District of Columbia, 

will complete the installation of a Level IV Physical Security perimeter at its E Street location. The Level 

IV Physical Security protocol includes the development and installation of bollards and benches on all 

sides of the building, as well as operable vehicle entry barriers at the garage and alley entrances. 
Safety, Security, and Mission Services: Agency Management and Operations 

AGENCY MANAGEMENT

SSMS-17 

Agency Management will deploy Agency-wide training on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). This 

training complies with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) Management 

Directive 110 (which informs managers and supervisors of the benefits of ADR utilization to mutually 

resolve disputes in a manner that is more efficient, cost effective and results in improved Agency 

productivity). 

In FY 2017, the Agency will continue building a highly engaged workforce as outlined in the NASA 

Human Capital five-year plan. This plan outlines the three primary focus areas that have a large impact on 

instilling innovation within the work environment: recognizing and rewarding innovative performance, 

engaging and connecting the workforce, and building model supervisors and leaders. These focus areas 

support steps to ensure the NASA workforce is equipped to acquire new skills demanded by our mission, 

as well as enhance productivity and motivate employees to find new solutions. 

Program Elements 

HEADQUARTERS OPERATIONS

Headquarters Operations manages and sustains the Headquarters employees and contractors, facilities, 

and operations required for program and institutional execution. Areas include: 









IT and communications infrastructure hardware and software acquisitions and maintenance, as 

well as contracted services for IT support of the Headquarters staff; 

Facility operations support, including physical security, custodial, and maintenance services; 

equipment; expendable supplies; mail services; printing and graphics; motor pool operations; 

logistics services; and emergency preparedness; 

Human resources staffing; employee payroll and benefits processing; retirement services; 

employee training; employee occupational health, fitness, and medical services; and grants 

awards processing; and 

Headquarters operations, including support provided by GSFC for accounting and procurement 

operations; configuration maintenance; automated business and administrative systems; contract 

close-out services; and payments to the NASA Shared Services Center for grants management. 

MISSION SUPPORT

The Agency Management budget also provides for functional leadership of administrative and mission 

support activities at Headquarters and Centers perform this diverse set of activities on behalf of the 

Agency. 

Mission Support activities include: 





Execution and management of the Agency’s financial and budget processes and systems. This 

includes overseeing strategic planning, budget and financial management and accountability 

practices, while providing timely, accurate, and reliable information, and enhancing internal 

controls; 

Leadership and management of NASA protective services operations. This includes policy 

formulation; oversight, coordination and management of protective services operations, including 
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AGENCY MANAGEMENT

SSMS-18 

security, fire, emergency management, and emergency preparedness; support for Agency 

counterintelligence and counter-terrorism activities; implementation of the identity, credentials 

and access management systems and other security systems, including communications; 

continuity of operations; and national intelligence community services; 

Technical expertise and oversight of Agency infrastructure and management systems for: aircraft, 

environmental, real property, logistics, and strategic capabilities programs; and 

Leadership and management of the Agency’s human capital resources and Equal Employment 

Offices. These offices engage the Agency in proactive equal opportunity and diversity-inclusion 

initiatives, workforce development and alternate dispute resolution services and complaint 

investigations 




Safety, Security, and Mission Services: Agency Management and Operations 

SAFETY AND MISSION SUCCESS

SSMS-19 

FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Safety and Mission Assurance 48.7 -- 51.2 52.2 53.6 54.7 55.8 

Chief Engineer 82.6 -- 86.1 87.8 90.2 92.0 93.8 

Chief Health and Medical Officer 4.2 -- 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 

Independent Verification and Validation 29.4 -- 29.0 29.6 30.4 31.0 31.6 

Total Budget 164.9 -- 170.4 173.8 178.5 182.1 185.7 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. FY 

2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

SMS programs protect the health and safety of the 

NASA workforce and improve the likelihood that 

NASA’s programs, projects, and operations will be 

completed safely and successfully. SMS includes 

programs that provide technical excellence, mission 

assurance, and technical authority. It also includes 

work managed by OSMA, including the NASA 

Safety Center and IV&V; OCE including the NASA 

Engineering and Safety Center; and OCHMO. The 

elements of SMS reflect the recommendations 

outlined in many studies and by advisory boards and 

panels. These programs directly support NASA’s 

core values and serve to improve the probability of 

safety and mission success for NASA’s programs, 

projects, and operations while protecting the health 

and safety of NASA’s workforce. 

SMS develops policy and procedural requirements. 

This program results in recommendations to the 

Administrator, mission directorates, Center Directors, 

and program managers who ultimately are 

responsible for the safety and mission success of all 

NASA activities and the safety and health of the 

workforce. SMS resources provide the foundation for 

NASA’s system of checks and balances, enabling the effective application of the strategic management 

framework and the technical authorities defined in NASA’s Strategic Management and Governance 

Handbook. SMS funds provide training and maintain a competent technical workforce within the 

disciplines of system engineering, including system safety, reliability, and quality, as well as space 

medicine. 

SMS resources are essential for evaluating the implications on safety and mission success, including the 

health and medical aspects of new requirements and departures from existing requirements. With this 

funding, discipline experts analyze the criticality of the associated risks and evaluate the risks’ 

Carlie Zumwalt from the LaRC inspects a 

supersonic disk-gap-band (DGB) parachute model in 

the LaRC Transonic Dynamics Tunnel as part of the 

NASA Engineering and Safety Center’s Subscale 

Low Density Supersonic Parachute Wind-Tunnel 

Test. NASA has used the DGB parachute design on 

all US missions to Mars, since the 1976 Viking 

Project, to decelerate robotic payloads in the 

planet’s thin atmosphere.
Safety, Security, and Mission Services: Agency Management and Operations 

SAFETY AND MISSION SUCCESS

SSMS-20 

acceptability through an established process of independent reviews and assessments. The information 

and advice from these experts provide critical data required by the technical authorities to develop 

authoritative decisions related to the application of requirements on programs and projects. 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017

None. 

ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2015

SMS conducted 11 formal, stringent Safety and Mission Success Reviews. These reviews are the 

culmination of the identification and mitigation of all potential SMA problems for launches and high 

criticality events. Substantive participation in Directorate Program Management Council (DPMC), Flight 

Planning Boards, Key Decision Point reviews, and selected lower level reviews and assessments 

collectively enable effective governance and successful mission implementation. 

NASA and the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) deployed a 1.3-meter aperture telescope on 

Ascension Island for space debris research in 2015. The telescope is undergoing testing and is progressing 

towards routine operations. 

OSMA provided policy direction, functional oversight, and assessment for all Agency safety, reliability, 

maintainability, and quality engineering and assurance activities. This office served as the principal 

advisory resource for the Administrator and other senior officials on matters pertaining to safety and 

mission assurance. In FY 2015, OSMA successfully executed these functions and enhanced its efforts to 

assess and communicate the health of safety and mission assurance throughout the Agency in support of 

NASA’s strategic goals and governance approach.

OSMA updated five Agency-level directives/standards. Significant changes included updating the NASA 

requirements for ground-based pressure vessels and pressurized systems; lifting standards; fiber optic 

termination, cable assemblies, and installation; and the NASA expendable launch vehicle payload safety 

requirements. OSMA updated and vetted each of these documents to ensure requirements were clear, 

necessary, and supported NASA’s mission. 

The NASA Safety Center conducted 14 audits, assessments, and reviews at eight separate NASA Centers 

and component facilities in FY 2015. The audit and assessment program categorizes findings that provide 

NASA installations opportunities to improve the safety and quality of their operations and activities. 

NASA programs and projects at these locations are reviewed to optimize and enhance their safety and 

quality assurance accomplishments. During the fiscal year, the NASA Safety Center documented 223 

findings that included potential systemic issues, critical concerns, non-compliances, observations, 

commendations, and best practices. 

NASA’s IV&V Program provided software expertise to 18 projects and 8 NASA Centers. The IV&V 

Program uses a rating system for issues identified in software artifacts. The issue ratings range from 1 to 

5. A ‘1 rating’ indicates that if the issue were to manifest itself during spacecraft or system operations, 

NASA could experience loss of life, physical injury, and/or mission failure. In FY 2015, the IV&V 

Program identified and documented 49 issues with a rating of one. Resolution of these issues were 

completed. 
Safety, Security, and Mission Services: Agency Management and Operations 

SAFETY AND MISSION SUCCESS

SSMS-21 

OCHMO sought new ways to utilize the data contained within the Electronic Health Records System 

(EHRS) at all NASA Centers. The EHRS allows NASA to efficiently access and analyze medical records 

for employees across the Agency, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of preventive health assessments 

and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)-required surveillance exams. Other longstanding benefits of the EHRS include increased chart accuracy, reductions in potential medical errors 

due to direct import of laboratory data via direct interface capability, and the ability to analyze trends in 

employee health information across the Agency and focus health promotion efforts. 

The OCE-led NASA Technical Standards Program developed and published five NASA Engineering 

Standards and Handbooks, while the use of the Web has resulted in over 112,000 technical standards 

products downloaded by the Agency. The NASA Engineering and Safety Center accepted 59 requests for 

independent technical assessment and support activities in FY 2015. Human Systems International (HSI), 

a division of the Project Management Institute (PMI), recently named Academy of Program/Project and 

Engineering Leadership (APPEL) the “best academy in the world” in the provision, development, and 

improvement of project management learning and development. OCE completed the Baseline Technical 

Capability Assessments for 16 Engineering disciplines and three Systems capabilities. 

WORK IN PROGRESS IN FY 2016 

In FY 2016, OSMA will examine NASA’s aging layered pressure vessels to better understand the 

material properties, analysis methodologies, and inspection techniques. The SMA program will conduct 

safety reviews and independent technical assessments for NASA missions. 

OCHMO is continuing to establish health, medical, human performance policies, requirements, and 

standards for all human space flight programs and projects; technical standards levied on or supported by 

research and technology programs and projects; and NASA-unique occupational and environmental 

health requirements that are not mandated by OSHA or the Environmental Protection Agency. In cases 

where there is no NASA-unique or federally mandated health/medical requirement or standard, OCHMO 

is also responsible for establishing policies, procedures and standards. In addition to providing direction 

and oversight for a rapid review of crew health and safety in support of the one-year on-orbit International 

Space Station mission, OCHMO will lead the Multilateral Medical Policy Board in addressing and 

resolving several critical issues dealing with crew health and medical operations support to Soyuz 

landings. 

The IV&V Program is currently providing software expertise to 17 projects, including 13 NASA 

missions, Commercial Crew Program, 3 multi-agency missions, and across 8 NASA Centers. 

Additionally, the IV&V Program is continuing to enhance its technical capabilities in the areas of 

cybersecurity and information assurance ensuring that NASA missions are secure. 

OCE, including the NASA Engineering and Safety Center (NESC), continues to support the achievement 

of the Agency’s major priorities. Through the Agency technical reviews, OCE maintains Technical 

Authority caucuses to ensure full integrity and to ensure all dissenting and divergent opinions are fully 

heard and appropriately considered. The NESC plans to conduct over 50 independent assessments of 

NASA’s highest risk challenges maintaining prioritization on the ISS, Commercial Crew, Orion/SLS, 

Webb, and Space Technology. OCE continues to be an active participant in the Agency’s Technical 

Capability Assessment Team efforts and provides leadership for a number of discipline-related 

assessments. 
Safety, Security, and Mission Services: Agency Management and Operations 

SAFETY AND MISSION SUCCESS

SSMS-22 

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS PLANNED FOR FY 2017 













At the core of the Agency’s preventive approach to achieve safety, health, and mission success 

are: 

Active engagement with NASA programs and institutions to advise, advocate, and ensure safety 

and mission success; 

Routine on-site inspections and regular self-audits to ensure compliance with mandatory 

regulations, Agency policies, industry standards, and best practices; 

Robust knowledge management and communities of practice that capture and inculcate lessons 

learned into future missions; 

Multi-faceted training and development programs to ensure the SMS workforce has the necessary 

skills and capabilities; and 

Comprehensive review processes to identify and mitigate risks and to analyze and understand 

failures when they occur. This strategy and practice will continue to provide a systematic 

approach to support mission success. 

OCHMO will continue to implement the HMTA as it pertains to all technical standards for R&T and 

human space flight programs and projects, as well as those that relate to occupational and/or 

environmental health requirements that are not established by OSHA or EPA. Additionally, OCHMO will 

continue to support the only two non-military Aerospace Medicine residencies in the U.S. - Wright State 

University and the University of Texas Medical Branch - to ensure the sustainability of the discipline, as 

well as to support the pipeline for future talent. 

In FY 2017, IV&V will continue to provide expert software analysis on NASA’s safety and mission 

critical software to help assure safety and mission success by identifying software problems as early as 

possible, minimizing the cost of rework, and supporting key milestone decisions. Additionally, the IV&V 

Program will continue to enhance its technical capabilities and focus on continuous improvement and 

value. 

Collaborative efforts between OSMA, OCE, and OCHMO will continue to strengthen the Agency’s 

Technical Authority capability. The offices will continue to work together, conducting safety reviews and 

independent technical assessments of NASA’s missions, including ISS, Commercial Crew, Orion/SLS, 

Webb, robotic missions, and Space Technology investments. 

Program Elements 

SAFETY AND MISSION ASSURANCE

SMA establishes and maintains an acceptable level of technical excellence and competence in safety, 

reliability, maintainability, and quality engineering within the Agency. SMA assures that the risk 

presented by the lack of either safety requirements or compliance with safety requirements is analyzed, 

assessed, communicated, and used for proper decision-making and risk acceptance by the appropriate 

organizational leader. 

Fundamental to these responsibilities are the definition and execution of a robust and well-understood 

methodology and process for the application of the safety, reliability, and quality in defining the level of 
Safety, Security, and Mission Services: Agency Management and Operations 

SAFETY AND MISSION SUCCESS

SSMS-23 

risk. SMA conducts a schedule of reviews and assessments that focus on the life cycle decision 

milestones for crucial NASA programs and projects as well as for safety, reliability, and quality 

processes. Embodied in this program is a structured development of methodology and investigation into 

system attributes that improve the probability of mission success. 

The NASA Safety Center is an important component of SMA and is responsible for consolidating 

Agency-wide SMA efforts in four key areas: SMA technical excellence, knowledge management, audits 

and assessments, and mishap investigation support.

OFFICE OF THE CHIEF ENGINEER

OCE establishes and maintains program/project management and engineering policy and technical 

standards, creating the foundation for excellence of the Agency’s program and project management and 

engineering workforce, system-engineering methodology, and the Agency’s system of engineering 

standards. The office manages the NESC, which is responsible for enabling rapid, cross-Agency response 

to mission critical engineering, and safety issues at NASA and for improving the state of practice in 

critical engineering disciplines. Established in FY 2003 in response to the recommendations of the Space 

Shuttle Columbia Accident Investigation Board, the NESC performs independent testing, analysis, and 

assessments of NASA’s high-risk projects to ensure safety and mission success. SMS funding provides 

for the core NESC organization of senior engineering experts from across the Agency, including the 

NASA Technical Fellows and technical discipline teams. As an Agency-wide resource with a reporting 

path that is independent of the Mission Directorates and independently funded from OCE, the NESC 

helps ensure safety and objective technical results for NASA. 

OCE sponsors the Academy of Program/Project and Engineering Leadership to develop program and 

project management and systems engineering skills. This academy provides a formal professional 

development curriculum designed to address four career levels from recent college graduate to executive. 

The OCE professional development programs directly support project teams in the field through 

workshops, coaching, interactions with technical experts, training, forums, and publications. The office 

enables technical collaboration and information sharing through the NASA Engineering Network. The 

NASA Engineering Network is an Agency-wide capability providing single point access to technical 

standards, communities of practice, and lessons learned in a secure operating environment. The 

engineering standards program maintains compliance with Office of Management and Budget Circular A119 and offers a centralized source of required engineering standards for NASA programs and projects at 

one-fourth the cost of a decentralized approach. 

OFFICE OF THE CHIEF HEALTH AND MEDICAL OFFICER

OCHMO promulgates Agency health and medical policy, standards, and requirements, to support the 

medical technical capabilities of the Agency. It assures the physical and mental health and well-being of 

the NASA workforce, and assures the safe and ethical conduct of NASA-sponsored human and animal 

research. The office monitors the implementation of health and medical related requirements and 

standards in all developmental human space flight programs through designated discipline experts at 

NASA Centers. The office provides oversight of medical and health related activities in operational 

human space flight through Center-based discipline experts and clinical boards. Annual certified 

continuing medical education activities and flight surgeon education support ongoing medical and health 

discipline professionalism and licensure. To maintain clinical currency, OCHMO sponsors university-
Safety, Security, and Mission Services: Agency Management and Operations 

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SSMS-24 

based physician training programs. NASA’s biomedical research programs, in support of human space 

flight, are guided by NASA-developed health and medical standards. 

INDEPENDENT VERIFICATION AND VALIDATION

Software on NASA’s missions is extremely critical. IV&V is a proven means of making sure this critical 

software works properly. Because IV&Vs can identify software problems as early as possible, it can help 

minimize the cost of software development and potential rework. 

The NASA IV&V Program provides software expertise, services, and resources to improve the likelihood 

for safety and mission success for NASA’s programs, projects, and operations. The IV&V Program 

analyzes mission software, independently from the developing organization, on NASA’s most critical 

software systems to assure safety and mission success of those systems. 

IV&V applies state of the art analytical methods and techniques, complemented with effective software 

engineering tools and best practices, to evaluate the correctness and quality of critical and complex 

software systems throughout the project’s system development life cycle. 

IV&V provides resources and software expertise to other SMA elements in support of independent 

evaluations of software related approaches and processes. The IV&V Program supports sustaining 

software technical excellence in the SMA community, sustaining software domain knowledge within the 

SMA organization, and formulating software development improvement recommendations to the Agency. 

IV&V performs independent testing of critical system software to enhance the likelihood of discovering 

the most difficult kinds of problems in mission software early in the development lifecycle. Critical 

system software problems can surface because of multiple complex interactions, under specific 

environmental and operational conditions, and under unique software configurations. The IV&V 

program’s independent test capability enables:









Advanced testing and simulations of NASA’s mission and safety critical software;

Testing and evaluation of robotics and intelligent systems; 

Capability development within the systems engineering disciplines; and 

Training and education for workforce and students. 
Safety, Security, and Mission Services: Agency Management and Operations 

AGENCY IT SERVICES (AITS) 

SSMS-25 

FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

IT Management 14.6 -- 20.0 17.4 18.8 20.4 25.2 

Applications 62.8 -- 58.0 59.6 61.2 62.6 63.7 

Infrastructure 98.0 -- 166.3 172.1 155.6 157.3 156.1 

Total Budget 175.5 -- 244.3 249.1 235.6 240.3 245.0 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. FY 

2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

Network Transformation: Agency leadership reconfirmed 

its commitment to improving the way NASA manages its 

networks by shifting management of network and 

communications services from a Center-centric approach 

to a more efficient enterprise model. 

The AITS program provides secure, effective, 

and affordable information technologies and 

services to enable NASA’s mission. In 

alignment with the 2014 NASA Strategic Plan, 

NASA published the 2014 Information 

Resources Management Strategic Plan with 

three Information Resource Management goals 

and underlying objectives. These goals include 

providing mission-enabling IT capabilities, riskbased cyber security, and a sustainable 

management approach to support NASA’s 

diverse mission needs. The AITS program, 

through the Office of the Chief Information 

Officer (OCIO), provides effective and efficient 

IT solutions and innovations to assist NASA’s 

scientists, engineers, and analysts in achieving 

mission success. The program also improves 

citizen access to NASA scientific data and 

increases citizen participation in NASA 

activities. 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017

Funding is reallocated within SSMS and from Missions to Agency Information Technology Services to 

consolidate network transformation, operations, and voice services under the Agency CIO. Through the 

Mission Backbone Transition activities, the Agency will complete the migration of all mission customers 

with routed data to the next generation mission network. This will enable opportunities to reinvest 

operations and maintenance (O&M) cost savings when NASA decommissions the legacy mission 

network infrastructure. In addition, NASA will deploy the Network Access Control activity adding 

endpoint interrogation, network zoning, and automatic placement of users and devices in appropriate 

network zones. The Agency expects to make further use of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) 

technology. 
Safety, Security, and Mission Services: Agency Management and Operations 

AGENCY IT SERVICES (AITS) 

SSMS-26 

To develop critical IT infrastructure and enterprise solutions, $20 million is requested for an IT 

Investment Fund to modernize Agency systems, increase automation, and optimize delivery of enterprisewide IT service solutions. Consolidating funding for Agency IT investments in AMO/AITS improves the 

Agency CIO’s ability to comply with the IG Audit and FITARA recommendations by providing visibility 

and involvement of the Agency CIO in the management and oversight of IT resources across the Agency. 

ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2015

IT MANAGEMENT

NASA conducted a strategic BSA in FY 2015 to evaluate IT services and assess whether NASA’s IT 

program operates effectively and efficiently while meeting requirements. The BSA promotes the 

understanding and management of IT services in relation to other NASA services and capabilities. 

Through the BSA, the Agency committed to improving the way NASA manages IT. For example, NASA 

is transforming the management of network and communications services from Center-centric approaches 

to an enterprise model that improves efficiency and network security. The Agency further enabled 

network transformation via the BSA by realigning certain communications funding from individually 

managed Center budgets to the NASA CIO’s budget in the AITS Program effective in FY 2016 to 

facilitate management of these services using an end-to-end enterprise approach. NASA plans to build 

from these initial steps in FY 2016 and FY 2017. 

NASA is working to implement FITARA and the BSA on IT services is helping with that 

implementation. The BSA concluded with recommendations that align with the FITARA requirements. 

Therefore, a significant portion of NASA’s FITARA implementation is embedded in the BSA-driven 

implementation of NASA’s new IT governance structure and functional changes. The BSA found that 

roles including the NASA CIO, Chief Enterprise Architect, and Program Executives required greater 

authority in order to obtain broader visibility and exercise greater influence over IT investing. FITARA 

mandates the Agency CIO be held accountable for the effective and efficient management of IT resources 

across the Agency by granting approval authority over all IT spend, while increasing the CIO’s 

responsibility in IT procurement processes. Further, NASA needed a simpler IT governance structure to 

implement and oversee the policies that guide these functions. NASA has a series of BSA-driven 

activities over the next two years that will implement increased IT investment visibility and 

accountability. 

APPLICATIONS

NASA completed the implementation of the E-Gov Travel Services 2 (ETS2) system. The Electronic 

Forms Initiative (EFI) transitioned to MSFC for ongoing operations and maintenance and ARC retired the 

Agency’s legacy electronic forms solutions. 

INFRASTRUCTURE

IT Security: NASA met the OMB-mandated goal of 100 percent PIV smartcard use for privileged account 

access and enabled 76.7 percent (exceeding the OMB goal of 75 percent) PIV use for non-privileged 

access. NASA completed upgrades for the SOC at ARC. These upgrades spanned 27 Intrusion Detection 

Systems (IDS) that increased the Agency’s readiness to combat cyber threats. 
Safety, Security, and Mission Services: Agency Management and Operations 

AGENCY IT SERVICES (AITS) 

SSMS-27 

NASA implemented the first phase of Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation (CDM) with the 

Department of Homeland Security (DHS). CDM improves information system security and risk 

management through continuous control monitoring and ongoing authorization methods. In parallel, the 

project team developed a plan to implement the Risk Information Security Compliance System (RISCS), 

which will integrate cybersecurity data sources and provide a risk-based view of NASA’s IT systems and 

operating environments. NASA established the Agency IT Risk Management (AITRM) program to 

manage these capabilities and oversee execution of the IT security risk management strategy. AITRM 

marks NASA’s shift toward use of a risk-based approach to secure IT services. 

Communications: In FY 2015, NASA continued the implementation of an external network border to 

include enterprise-level firewalls, remote access, web proxy, and content filtering and to implement an 

internal network environment to include a NAC and zoned architecture solution to authenticate, assess, 

validate, and place network-connected endpoints and users into the appropriate security zone. NASA 

improved the management and operations of Agency network systems and services by implementing an 

enterprise Network Operations Center (NOC) and migrating monitoring and configuration of routers, 

switches, and firewalls from multiple Center-centric approaches to an enterprise approach. 

Computing: In FY 2015, NASA migrated its web services environment into the cloud framework. NASA 

used an enterprise cloud computing approach to minimize adoption costs, realize volume purchase 

benefits, and drive consistent security and technical integration with NASA’s infrastructure. NASA 

launched a cloud environment for general-purpose users and an environment for the NASA team that 

provides business services. NASA has approximately 40 projects in the general-purpose environment, 

with adopters spanning all NASA Centers and mission areas as well as users with institutional 

requirements. As of the end of FY 2015, NASA had closed 29 of 59 data centers since the beginning of 

the data center consolidation effort, resulting in 37,769 square feet of space closed for disposal or 

repurposing. NASA completed three data center closures in FY 2015. 

Web Services: NASA migrated over 15 websites into a Drupal-as-a-Service environment in the public 

cloud to enable users to publish websites easily and effectively using minimal programming. NASA also 

transitioned to a free, open source cloud-based search technology that is driving a 50 percent reduction in 

infrastructure and licensing cost with an estimated one million dollar cost avoidance over the next five 

years. 

End User Services: NASA designed and deployed the first phase of enterprise Mobile Device 

Management (MDM) during FY 2015 and initiated the enrollment of all NASA devices into the system. 

This capability provides a single enterprise tool to manage all NASA mobile devices, improving the 

accuracy of our inventory and the protection of NASA data. 

Information Management: In partnership with the National Institutes of Health (NIH), NASA 

implemented the use of NIH’s PubMed Central for NASA’s peer-reviewed publications. NASA released 

over 30,000 datasets and 40 application-programming interfaces (APIs) during FY 2015 through its 

public online portal at https://data.nasa.gov/, supporting the Federal Cross-Agency Priority Goal to open 

government data. The government-wide Web site, http://www.data.gov/, lists all datasets available on 

NASA’s data portal.
Safety, Security, and Mission Services: Agency Management and Operations 

AGENCY IT SERVICES (AITS) 

SSMS-28 

WORK IN PROGRESS IN FY 2016 

IT MANAGEMENT

Information Management: NASA is currently implementing an Agency Data Strategy that includes the 

data fellows and data stewards programs and the data analytics lab. NASA is complying with the open 

data and open government mandates to enable high quality digital assets and a data set publication 

process within NASA, while exploring the Internet of Things to provide opportunities to leverage existing 

technologies and data trends. 

APPLICATIONS

NASA is upgrading the business systems infrastructure to ensure Agency business systems performance, 

stability, and efficiency. NASA is completing the Phase-3 Operations Readiness Review (ORR) of the 

NASA Aircraft Management Information System - Logistic Upgrade (NAMIS-LU). This upgrade is 

replacing obsolete IT that is no longer supported by the vendor. 

INFRASTRUCTURE

IT Security: NASA is implementing the second phase of the CDM program. CDM provides NASA with 

the capabilities needed to identify IT security risks on an ongoing basis, prioritize these risks, and enable 

IT security personnel to mitigate the most significant problems first. CDM also provides IT security tools, 

Federal and Agency dashboards, integration support, and strategic sourcing. NASA is using an antiphishing solution to reduce the number of incidents that result from malware infections and acquired 

licenses to expand anti-phishing exercises Agency-wide to support awareness training. NASA continues 

to develop the AITRM program, which will integrate technical solutions and data, processes, roles and 

responsibilities, and reporting essential to mitigating risk, enabling risk-based decision making, and 

improving NASA’s risk posture. NASA is developing an Information Security Continuous Monitoring 

(ISCM) Concept of Operations to support a risk-based IT security program.

The Identity, Credentials, and Access Management (ICAM) community will increase the number of 

systems that provide PIV smartcard authentication, including physical access for all users. This includes a 

collaboration with the ISS users to develop a Federation solution for NASA’s partners to allow data 

sharing. Based on recommendations from the National Academy of Public Administration, NASA is 

implementing several security and procedural enhancements to the Foreign National Access Program. 

Communications: NASA will complete the Consolidated Network Operations System Project, which will 

standardize network operations processes and procedures across the CSO Corporate Networks into Center 

operations and processes. This standardization ensures operational efficiencies by using enterprise best 

practices to consolidate network services and reduce duplication of effort, while improving overall endto-end visibility of CSO-managed networks. 

NASA is currently generating target architectures, gap assessments, and capital improvement plans for 

enterprise communications services including WAN, LAN, voice, and cable plant systems. The Agency is 

implementing enterprise processes with accommodation for Center, mission, and location-specific needs. 

To enhance the Agency’s security posture, NASA continues to re-architect the WANs to establish a 

defensible Agency network perimeter. Enhancements include improved network security with an 

enterprise approach to perimeter control and maintenance, (e.g., planning Enterprise Firewall and Web 
Safety, Security, and Mission Services: Agency Management and Operations 

AGENCY IT SERVICES (AITS) 

SSMS-29 

Content Filter projects), planning to deploy NAC systems inside NASA’s networks, and designing an 

enterprise PIV-enabled remote access system to replace Center Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). 

Computing: NASA is launching two additional communities within the Agency’s cloud environment in

FY 2016. NASA has initiated the enterprise management of Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) providing a 

framework for secure use of SaaS across the Agency. This improves NASA’s overall security posture and 

helps protect the Agency from data leakage. 

Web Services: NASA will provide Recovery-as-a-Service for cost-effective storage that extends disaster 

recovery and tiered access storage needs. NASA will also provide the ability to achieve disaster recovery 

requirements and test disaster recovery scenarios in an isolated sandbox environment as well as provide 

Backup-as-a-Service. NASA will provide Legacy-Web-Site-as-a-Service and migrate 300 web sites into 

this cloud-based environment, enabling a low-cost cloud service for web sites that are not frequently 

updated, supporting Data Center Consolidation and Cloud-first while reducing NASA’s IT footprint. 

End User Services: NASA continues to build out Mobile Device Management capabilities. The Agency 

will accommodate the enrollment of personal mobile devices that access NASA data and add certificatebased access to encrypted email on iOS and Android devices. NASA is deploying a new Software 

Refresh Portal solution that will allow NASA employees to leverage a self-service application and 

software deployment capability, enabling employees to automatically download and install approved 

software and patches without requiring a desk-side visit from a support technician. NASA will develop an 

implementation plan to migrate email and calendaring capabilities to a cloud-based infrastructure. 

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS PLANNED FOR FY 2017 

IT MANAGEMENT

The FY 2017 budget includes $3.8M of funding for a Digital Service team. This team is responsible for 

driving the efficiency and effectiveness of the agency’s highest-impact digital services. These digital 

service experts will bring best practices in the disciplines of design, software engineering, and product 

management to bear on the agency’s most important services.

APPLICATIONS

NASA will complete the activities for the Contract Management Transformation (CMT), which will 

position the Agency for increased transparency and efficiency by enabling the Agency’s ability to meet 

regulatory reporting and data management requirements. The NEACC will transition the financial 

Business Warehouse (BW) on High-Performance Analytic Appliance (HANA) Project, which includes a 

Disaster Recovery Site at the KSC in Florida. At the completion of this transition, NASA will 

decommission the Business Warehouse Accelerator (BWA). Implemented in 2008, BWA is now reaching 

end-of-life support and is not on the vendor’s current roadmap.

In FY 2017, the Scientific and Technical Information (STI) Program will focus on enhancements to fully 

automate the Agency’s STI review and approval system and extend the process to all NASA Centers, 

transitioning into an enterprise solution that will replace the existing Center-based approach. 
Safety, Security, and Mission Services: Agency Management and Operations 

AGENCY IT SERVICES (AITS) 

SSMS-30 

INFRASTRUCTURE

IT Security: Implementation of CDM Phase 2 in FY 2017 will be a key cybersecurity priority. NASA will 

plan, design, develop, implement, and maintain this capability over the upcoming years. NASA will 

improve its risk management through the development of the AITRM Program, which will provide a 

more comprehensive understanding of the cyber risks faced by the Agency. The AITRM program will 

allow NASA to identify IT security risks on an ongoing basis, prioritize risks based on potential impacts, 

and mitigate the most significant problems first. 

Communications: In FY 2017, NASA will continue its network transformation by transitioning to a single 

NASA enterprise network and use the bandwidth of the CSO backbone for both corporate and mission 

data. NASA currently operates two entirely separate backbone infrastructures. One backbone 

infrastructure is for critical spacecraft/science operations and the other is for Agency corporate services. 

This unified approach enables a more efficient use of available capacity while improving performance 

with no degradation to mission services. NASA’s mission services will begin transitioning to the new 

communications backbone, allowing for decommission of legacy transport services, resulting in cost 

avoidances and efficiencies. 

The Agency will improve its network security with an enterprise approach to perimeter control and 

maintenance, including implementation of the Enterprise Firewall and Web Content Filter, deployment of 

NAC systems inside NASA’s networks, and replacement of Center VPNs with an enterprise enabled 

solution. NASA will realize efficiencies through additional standardization of network and 

telecommunications architectures, improvements to service deployment and management processes, and 

the transition to centralized monitoring and management of Center networks from an enterprise NOC. 

Computing: In alignment with the CAP goal for Smarter IT Delivery, NASA will continue to support the 

Administration’s mandate of “Cloud First” when making new or life cycle investments. NASA will add 

two communities to its cloud environment while providing support in its general-purpose environment for 

individual users and projects. NASA will continue consolidating data centers in FY 2017 in alignment 

with the Agency’s Construction of facilities plans. 

Web Services: NASA plans to implement Secure System Development Life Cycle (S-SDLC) across the 

Web Application development methodology guidance. The OCIO will partner with mission application 

development teams to expand the use of Cloud Service Providers for mission applications. 

End User Services: NASA will deploy the final MDM service that will incorporate a suite of managed 

mobile applications available to enrolled NASA and personal devices. The Agency will migrate email and 

calendaring capabilities to a cloud-based infrastructure. 

Information Management: NASA plans to increase the OMB-mandated inventory of open datasets from 

32,000 in FY 2015 to 75,000 in FY 2017. NASA plans to increase the number of hosted datasets on 

data.nasa.gov from 16,000 in FY 2015 to 50,000 in FY 2017 while increasing the number of Application 

Protocol Interfaces (APIs) hosted on api.nasa.gov from 39 in FY 2015 to 55 in FY 2017. By the end of 

FY 2017, NASA estimates that it will have 10,000 publications for public consumption on PubMed 

Central. 
Safety, Security, and Mission Services: Agency Management and Operations 

AGENCY IT SERVICES (AITS) 

SSMS-31 

IT INVESTMENTS

IT investment funds enable NASA to implement projects focused on modernizing old Agency systems, 

improving cybersecurity risk posture, increasing automation, delivering affordable enterprise-wide IT 

service solutions, strengthening technical capabilities and achieving cost avoidances/savings through 

strategic investing/divesting. These investments will enable the Agency CIO to comply with IG audit and 

FITARA recommendations in the management and oversight of IT resources across the Agency. The 

projects that comprise this request are of the highest enterprise solution priority. During the year, planned 

projects may change to accommodate changing priorities. Projects include Mission Network/Security 

Modernization, Corporate Network Obsolescence, and Enterprise Collaboration Tools. The Mission 

Network/Security Modernization project will reduce carrier costs and improve the implementation of the 

mission network modernization for the remaining mission data and voice services. The Corporate 

Network Obsolescence project will allow the OCIO to make strategic risk-based network refresh 

decisions at the enterprise level while reducing redundancies and inefficiencies. The Enterprise 

Collaboration Tools project will standardize and establish a collaborative tool suite that addresses 

institutional and mission requirements, creates a Capital investment wedge to introduce new technology 

to support end-user services, and improves strategic sourcing initiatives. 

Program Elements 

IT MANAGEMENT 

The IT Management project provides Agency-level capabilities for managing IT and meeting internal and 

external requirements relative to Agency CIO responsibilities. This project includes the budget for the 

NASA Office of the CIO to meet OMB guidance, Executive Orders, laws, and regulations. The Agency 

provides funding for the E-Government activities and Federal CIO Council Committees in which NASA 

participates. The IT Management project also supports digital services to improve interactions with 

stakeholders who contribute to or support NASA’s scientific and technical research.

APPLICATIONS

The Applications project provides upgrades and operations for NASA's business and management 

systems such as the Core Financial System (SAP), Integrated Asset Management System, the Human 

Capital Information Environment, and the NASA Aircraft Management Information System. The project 

also includes NASA’s Center for Internal Mobile Applications (CIMA) to create or host mobile 

applications. The project provides STI services for the Agency and supports the implementation of 

specific E-Government initiatives across NASA such as E-Government Travel Services 2 (ETS2). 

INFRASTRUCTURE 

The IT Infrastructure project provides core infrastructure capabilities across the Agency, including 

enterprise-wide e-mail, calendaring, directory services, software management, and the corporate network 

as well as PIV card systems required for identity and credential management for logical access control. 

The project also provides the NASA public Web portal, data center and cloud computing services, and 

enterprise licensing management. To protect the Agency’s vast information assets, the IT Infrastructure 

project provides enterprise cybersecurity capabilities such as the SOC, continuous monitoring, third-party 
Safety, Security, and Mission Services: Agency Management and Operations 

AGENCY IT SERVICES (AITS) 

SSMS-32 

penetration testing, vulnerability scanning, patch management, and other threat detection and prevention 

services. 

IT INVESTMENTS 

IT investment funds enable NASA to implement projects focused on modernizing old Agency systems, 

improving cybersecurity risk posture, increasing automation, delivering affordable enterprise-wide IT 

service solutions, strengthening technical capabilities and achieving cost avoidances/savings through 

strategic investing/divesting. These investments will enable the Agency CIO to comply with IG audit and 

FITARA recommendations in the management and oversight of IT resources across the Agency. The 

projects that comprise this request are of the highest enterprise solution priority. During the year, planned 

projects may change to accommodate changing priorities. Projects include Mission Network/Security 

Modernization, Corporate Network Obsolescence, Enterprise Unified Communication/Voice over Internet 

Protocol (VoIP), and Enterprise Collaboration Tools. The Mission Network/Security Modernization 

project will reduce carrier costs and improve the implementation of the mission network modernization 

for the remaining mission data and voice services. The Corporate Network Obsolescence project will 

allow the OCIO to make strategic risk-based network refresh decisions at the enterprise level while 

reducing redundancies and inefficiencies. The Enterprise Unified Communication/Voice over Internet 

Protocol (VoIP) project will ensure that a standard, enterprise voice communications architecture is used. 

The Enterprise Collaboration Tools project will standardize and establish a collaborative tool suite that 

addresses institutional and mission requirements, creates a Capital investment wedge to introduce new 

technology to support end-user services, and improves strategic sourcing initiatives. 
Safety, Security, and Mission Services: Agency Management and Operations 

STRATEGIC CAPABILITIES ASSET PROGRAM

SSMS-33 

FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Total Budget 26.9 -- 27.0 27.5 28.3 28.9 29.5 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. FY 

2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

Heating simulation testing of an Adaptive Deployable 

Entry and Placement Technology model under conditions 

akin to entering the Martian atmosphere at the Arc Jet 

Complex, located at NASA’s ARC, Moffett Field, 

California. The Arc Jet Complex is used to simulate the 

aerothermodynamic heating that a spacecraft endures 

throughout atmospheric entry. NASA’s unique 

aerothermodynamic testing capability is critical to the 

design, development, and qualification of spacecraft 

thermal protection systems (TPS) for space exploration 

and scientific missions. 

SCAP ensures that select critical test facilities 

are in a state of readiness. SCAP maintains the 

skilled workforce and performs essential 

preventative maintenance to keep these facilities 

available to meet program requirements. Core 

capabilities that SCAP supports include: thermal 

vacuum chambers, simulators, and the Arc Jet 

Facility. 

SCAP manages assets across all Centers, makes 

recommendations on the disposition of 

capabilities no longer required, identifies reinvestment/re-capitalization requirements within 

and among classes of assets, and implements 

changes. SCAP reviews the Agency’s assets and 

capabilities each year to ensure the requirements 

for the facilities continue to be valid. 

SCAP ensures maximum benefit across the 

Government by broadening its alliances outside 

the Agency for capabilities (e.g., thermal 

vacuum chambers). A collaborative working 

group consisting of the Space Environment Test 

Alliance Group, including NASA, the 

Department of Defense (DoD), and other partner 

entities, facilitates this effort. The group members gain awareness of capabilities across agencies, 

academia, and industry; share best practices; provide technical support; and refer test programs to 

facilities best suited to meet test requirements. 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017

None 
Safety, Security, and Mission Services: Agency Management and Operations 

STRATEGIC CAPABILITIES ASSET PROGRAM

SSMS-34 

ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2015

SCAP ensured that the asset capabilities identified as essential by the Agency were maintained in a state 

of readiness. SCAP maintained the skilled workforce and performed essential preventative maintenance 

necessary to keep these asset capabilities available to meet current and future program requirements. 

The Ames Arc Jet Complex supported testing for Orion, Science Mission Directorate, Space Technology 

Mission Directorate, and DoD. Testing was also completed for Orion Avcoat architecture down select and 

CCT Boeing TPS design and launch critical TPS validation of OSIRIS-REx and INSIGHT missions. 

SCAP’s thermal-vacuum test facility Chamber A supported the completion of the testing for the Webb 

Optical Ground Support Equipment (OGSE). 

The GRC Space Power Facility supported the completion of the checkout and testing of Mechanical 

Vibration Facility (MVF) table and adapter and Orion backshell acoustic testing. 

SCAP’s Simulators supported the completion of the modeling and simulation of Interval Management 

Alternative Clearances (IMACS), Autonomous Aerial Cargo/Utility System development for the Navy, 

and continued to support the UAS-NAS simulation. 

SCAP completed the condition and health assessment for the thermal vacuum capability at MSFC. 

WORK IN PROGRESS IN FY 2016 

SCAP’s Space Power Facility will prepare and support the Orion Service Module testing, and Orbital 

Science small fairing testing. 

SCAP’s thermal-vacuum test facility Chamber A will continue to support Webb and prepare for its 

Pathfinder test series. SCAP’s thermal-vacuum test facility Chamber B will continue to support Z2 space 

suit testing. 

SCAP plans to review and identify high-risk areas for the thermal vacuum capability at Jet Propulsion 

Laboratory (JPL) to assess the condition and health of the assets. 

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS PLANNED FOR FY 2017 

SCAP will continue to sustain the strategic technical capabilities needed by NASA to achieve successful 

missions. 

The SCAP program’s Space Power Facility will continue to support Orion in thermal vacuum and

acoustic testing; SCAP’s thermal-vacuum test facility Chamber A will continue to support Webb testing. 

SCAP asset capabilities will continue to support the development, testing, verification, and validation for 

NASA, DoD, NOAA, and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), in the following areas: 

 Simulators: air traffic management technology demonstration, Unmanned Aerial System 

airworthiness standards and guidelines, motion cueing, loss of control and recovery, enhanced 

stall modeling and other ongoing development and testing; 
Safety, Security, and Mission Services: Agency Management and Operations 

STRATEGIC CAPABILITIES ASSET PROGRAM

SSMS-35 





Thermal vacuum and acoustic chambers: Orion, Webb, Mars2020, Commercial Crew and Cargo 

launch program testing, and other space environmental testing; and 

Arc jet: thermal protection materials, system development, and qualification testing.

Program Elements 

SCAP maintains the skilled workforce and performs the maintenance required to keep essential NASA 

assets available to meet program requirements. 

SIMULATORS

Simulators are critical components of the success of NASA’s aeronautics research in the areas of 

fundamental aeronautics and aviation safety. These capabilities provide scientists and engineers with tools 

to explore, define, and resolve issues in both vehicle design and missions operations. 

This capability includes an array of research and development crewed flight simulator assets that are in 

the operations phase and includes: 





A Vertical Motion Simulator and its associated laboratories and equipment located at ARC; and 

A Cockpit Motion Facility and its supporting suite of simulators (the differential maneuvering 

simulator and the visual motion simulator) and central support facilities for aeronautics and 

spaceflight vehicle research located at LaRC. 

THERMAL VACUUM, VACUUM, AND ACOUSTIC CHAMBERS

This capability includes several assets located at NASA facilities (GRC, GSFC, JPL, JSC, KSC, and 

MSFC) that simulate conditions during launch and in space environments. These assets have a minimum 

outline dimension of 10 feet by 10 feet and can accommodate a complete spacecraft. These chambers 

have the capability of producing pressures down to 0.01 torr or lower and thermal shrouds capable of 

liquid nitrogen temperatures (-321 degrees Fahrenheit) or lower. Acoustic chambers are capable of 

generating approximately 150 decibels at frequencies in the range of 25 to 1,000 Hz. 

These chambers are used to perform significant risk mitigation for most NASA payloads launched into 

space, as well as many payloads in other government agencies, such as NOAA and DoD. Testing 

performed in these chambers ensures the assembled spacecraft will meet the strict requirements of harsh 

launch and space environments. Recent successful space vehicles tested in thermal vacuum and acoustic 

chambers include Magnetospheric Multi-Scale (MMS), Ariane, and SpaceX payload fairing separations. 
Safety, Security, and Mission Services: Agency Management and Operations 

STRATEGIC CAPABILITIES ASSET PROGRAM

SSMS-36 

ARC JET

This capability includes assets that provide simulated high-temperature, high-velocity environments and 

support the design, development, test, and evaluation activities of thermal protection materials, vehicle 

structures, aerothermodynamics, and hypersonic aerodynamics. A gas (typically air) is heated and 

accelerated to supersonic/hypersonic speeds using a continuous electrical arc. This high-temperature gas 

passes over a test sample and produces an approximation of the surface temperature and pressure 

environments experienced by a vehicle on atmospheric entry. 
Safety, Security, and Mission Services: Agency Management and Operations 

HEADQUARTERS BUDGET BY OFFICE

SSMS-37 

AGENCY MANAGEMENT BUDGET BY HEADQUARTERS OFFICE

Actual Estimate Request Notional 

($ in millions in full cost) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Aeronautics Research 6.5 6.7 6.8 7.0 7.2 7.4 7.6 

Human Exploration and 

Operations 25.9 26.6 28.0 28.6 29.4 30.4 31.2 

Science 28.9 29.7 30.8 31.4 32.3 33.4 34.3 

Space Technology 1.3 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.5 1.5 1.6 

Mission Directorates 62.6 64.4 67.0 68.4 70.4 72.7 74.7 

Office of the Administrator 8.8 7.8 8.6 8.7 8.9 9.0 9.2 

Office of Evaluation 16.0 12.5 12.0 11.9 12.7 12.3 13.7 

Chief Engineer 3.9 4.0 4.1 4.1 4.3 4.4 4.5 

Chief Financial Office 25.7 24.9 25.9 27.3 29.8 30.5 31.0 

Chief Health and Medical 

Office 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.9 1.9 2.0 2.1 

Chief Information Office 8.3 8.4 8.6 8.8 9.0 9.3 9.6 

Chief Scientist 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.7 1.7 

Chief Technologist 4.9 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.5 5.6 

Communications 13.5 14.0 14.8 15.4 15.7 16.1 16.3 

Diversity and Equal 

Opportunity 4.1 4.1 4.6 4.7 4.7 4.9 4.9 

Education 3.1 2.9 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.3 

General Counsel 9.4 9.3 9.8 9.9 10.2 10.4 10.7 

International and 

Interagency Relations 12.7 12.4 13.2 13.4 13.7 14.0 14.3 

Legislative and 

Intergovernmental Affairs 3.9 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 

Safety and Mission 

Assurance 7.1 7.3 7.4 7.6 7.8 8.0 8.3 

Small Business Programs 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.9 1.9 2.0 2.0 

Staff Offices 126.6 121.8 126.4 129.7 135.0 137.8 141.7 

NASA Management Office 

at JPL 8.0 8.0 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.4 8.5 

Human Capital 

Management 16.7 15.5 15.4 15.7 16.4 16.4 16.6 

Headquarters Operations 94.8 97.9 103.2 105.0 107.5 108.9 109.8 
Safety, Security, and Mission Services: Agency Management and Operations 

HEADQUARTERS BUDGET BY OFFICE

SSMS-38 

Actual Estimate Request Notional 

($ in millions in full cost) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Strategic Infrastructure 15.1 14.7 15.7 16.0 16.3 16.6 16.9 

Procurement 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 

Mission Support 

Directorate Front Office 10.9 11.1 11.3 11.5 11.6 11.9 12.1 

NASA Shared Services 

Center 2.9 3.2 3.4 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 

Protective Services 7.0 6.5 6.7 6.9 7.1 7.4 7.5 

Mission Support 19.1 19.5 20.5 20.4 19.8 20.0 20.2 

Total, Agency 

Management 174.5 176.4 184.2 187.0 190.4 193.2 195.3 
Safety, Security, and Mission Services: Agency Management and Operations 

HEADQUARTERS TRAVEL BUDGET BY OFFICE

SSMS-39 

HEADQUARTERS TRAVEL BUDGET BY OFFICE

Actual Estimated Request 

($ in millions in full cost) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 

Aeronautics Research* 0.6 0.7 0.7 

Human Exploration and Operations* 2.2 2.3 2.3 

Science* 2.7 2.7 2.7 

Space Technology* 2.0 2.0 2.0 

Mission Directorates 7.5 7.7 7.7 

Office of the Administrator 0.8 0.9 0.9 

Office of Evaluation 0.7 0.6 0.6 

Chief Engineer 0.5 0.7 0.7 

Chief Financial Office 0.5 0.4 0.4 

Chief Health and Medical Office 0.1 0.1 0.1 

Chief Information Office 0.3 0.3 0.4 

Chief Scientist 0.1 0.2 0.2 

Chief Technologist 0.2 0.2 0.2 

Communications 0.2 0.2 0.2 

Diversity and Equal Opportunity 0.0 0.1 0.1 

Education* 0.3 0.3 0.3 

General Counsel 0.1 0.1 0.1 

International and Interagency 

Relations 0.6 0.5 0.5 

Legislative and Intergovernmental 

Affairs 0.1 0.1 0.1 

Safety and Mission Assurance 0.4 0.4 0.4 

Small Business Programs 0.1 0.1 0.1 

Staff Offices 5.0 5.2 5.3 

NASA Management Office at JPL 0.2 0.1 0.1 

Human Capital Management 0.7 1.0 1.0 

Headquarters Operations 0.1 0.1 0.1 

Strategic Infrastructure 0.4 0.4 0.4 

Procurement 0.0 0.0 0.0 

Mission Support Directorate Front 

Office 0.5 0.2 0.2 
Safety, Security, and Mission Services: Agency Management and Operations 

HEADQUARTERS TRAVEL BUDGET BY OFFICE

SSMS-40 

Actual Estimated Request 

($ in millions in full cost) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 

Protective Services 0.2 0.1 0.1 

Mission Support 0.2 0.2 0.2 

Total, Agency Management 2.3 2.1 2.1 

*Travel for the Mission Directorates and Education are funded from their respective appropriation accounts. This 

chart represents the total travel funding at Headquarters (not just in the SSMS Agency Management program 

account). 
Safety, Security, and Mission Services: Agency Management and Operations 

HEADQUARTERS WORKFORCE BY OFFICE

SSMS-41 

HEADQUARTERS WORKFORCE BY OFFICE

Actual Estimated Request 

FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 

FTE SES NC* WYE FTE SES NC* WYE FTE SES NC* WYE 

Aeronautics Research 35 7 0 11 35 7 0 11 35 7 0 11

Human Exploration and 

Operations 137 18 0 75 137 19 0 75 141 19 0 75

Science 147 22 1 98 147 24 1 98 149 24 1 98

Space Technology 7 2 0 11 7 2 0 11 7 2 0 11

Mission Directorates 326 48 1 195 326 52 1 195 332 52 1 195

Office of the Administrator 24 4 8 14 24 5 9 14 24 5 9 14

Office of Evaluation 27 3 1 13 27 3 0 4 27 3 0 4 

Chief Engineer 20 7 1 18 20 9 1 18 20 9 1 18

Chief Financial Office 102 8 2 34 102 10 2 34 102 10 2 34

Chief Health and Medical Office 10 2 0 1 10 2 0 1 10 2 0 1 

Chief Information Office 43 5 0 67 43 5 0 67 43 5 0 67

Chief Scientist 6 1 0 1 6 2 0 1 6 2 0 1 

Chief Technologist 26 1 2 3 26 1 2 3 26 1 2 3 

Communications 51 1 7 27 51 1 7 27 51 1 7 27

Diversity and Equal Opportunity 14 2 0 18 14 3 0 18 16 3 0 18

Education 17 3 0 1 17 3 0 1 17 3 0 1 

General Counsel 41 5 2 0 41 6 2 0 41 6 2 0 

International and Interagency 

Relations 52 8 1 9 52 8 1 9 52 8 1 9 

Legislative and Intergovernmental 

Affairs 27 1 4 1 27 1 4 1 27 1 4 1 

Safety and Mission Assurance 35 11 0 8 35 11 0 8 35 11 0 8 

Small Business Programs 5 1 0 4 5 1 0 4 5 1 0 4 

Staff Offices 500 63 28 219 500 71 28 210 502 71 28 210

NASA Management Office at JPL 23 1 1 2 23 1 0 2 23 1 0 2 

Human Capital Management 33 5 0 14 33 4 0 14 33 4 0 14

Headquarters Operations 96 4 0 339 95 4 0 339 97 4 0 339

Strategic Infrastructure 53 4 0 2 53 4 0 2 53 4 0 2 

Procurement 32 3 0 0 32 4 0 0 32 4 0 0 

Mission Support Directorate Front 

Office 14 4 0 2 14 5 0 2 14 5 0 2 

Protective Services 46 3 0 8 46 3 0 8 48 3 0 8 

Mission Support 296 24 1 367 296 25 367 300 25 0 367
Safety, Security, and Mission Services: Agency Management and Operations 

HEADQUARTERS WORKFORCE BY OFFICE

SSMS-42 

Actual Estimated Request 

FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 

FTE SES NC* WYE FTE SES NC* WYE FTE SES NC* WYE 

Total Agency Management 835 80 16 802 834 84 14 802 844 84 14 802

*NC is Non-Career 
 

CONSTRUCTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE AND 

RESTORATION

CECR-1 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Construction of Facilities 374.4 -- 328.0 297.9 303.8 310.1 317.9 

Environmental Compliance and Restoration 71.7 -- 91.8 92.3 94.2 95.9 96.2 

Total Budget 446.1 388.9 419.8 390.2 398.0 406.0 414.1 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. FY 

2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

Construction and Environmental Compliance and 

Restoration ....................................................................... CECR-2

Construction of Facilities ............................................................................. CECR-6 

INSTITUTIONAL COF ......................................................................................... CECR-8 

EXPLORATION COF ..........................................................................................CECR-21

SPACE OPERATIONS COF ...............................................................................CECR-24

Environmental Compliance and Restoration............................................ CECR-27
 

CONSTRUCTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE AND 

RESTORATION

CECR-2 

FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Construction of Facilities 374.4 -- 328.0 297.9 303.8 310.1 317.9 

Environmental Compliance and Restoration 71.7 -- 91.8 92.3 94.2 95.9 96.2 

Total Budget 446.1 388.9 419.8 390.2 398.0 406.0 414.1 

Change from FY 2016 30.9 

Percentage change from FY 2016 7.9% 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. FY 

2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

Office Building 4220 at MSFC received Leadership in 

Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver 

certification in 2015. NASA’s inventory of sustainable 

facilities now exceeds 2.8 million square feet. 

NASA designs and implements its construction 

of facilities projects, facility demolition projects, 

and environmental compliance and restoration 

activities through its Construction and 

Environmental Compliance and Restoration 

(CECR) account.

Construction of Facilities (CoF) makes capital 

repairs and improvements to NASA’s 

infrastructure and provides NASA projects and 

programs with the test, research, and operational 

facilities required to accomplish their missions. 

About 82 percent of NASA’s infrastructure and 

facilities are beyond their constructed design 

life, thus posing elevated and rising risk to 

current and future missions. Aging, Apollo-era 

legacy infrastructure is inefficient and costly to 

maintain and operate, and assets over 40 years old pose a significant risk to NASA’s unique research and 

development mission. To address these challenges, NASA’s CoF program focuses on reducing and 

modernizing NASA’s infrastructure into fewer, more efficient sustainable facilities.

Environmental Compliance and Restoration (ECR) projects clean up pollutants released into the 

environment during past activities. NASA prioritizes these cleanups to protect human health and the 

environment, and preserve natural resources for future missions. 

Together, these construction and remediation activities help ensure that NASA’s assets are ready, 

available, and appropriately sized to conduct NASA’s missions.

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017 

None. 
 

CONSTRUCTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE AND 

RESTORATION

CECR-3 

ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2015

NASA completed significant infrastructure repair projects, including the Repair Electrical Distribution 

and Control Systems Phase 1 at the Glenn Research Center (GRC), Refurbish North Wing Building 45 at 

Johnson Space Center (JSC), Rehab Central Steam Facility at the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), 

Revitalize/Repair of Central Chilled Water Systems also at MSFC, and Upgrade/Repair Critical 16.5 

kilovolt (kV) Electrical Distribution System at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). 

NASA initiated projects to repair and revitalize its aging infrastructure. Significant projects include: 

Replace Electrical Reliability of Agency Telecom Gateway (Building N254) at the Ames Research Center 

(ARC), Replace Varnished Cambric Lead Cables also at ARC, Repair by Replacement Human Health and 

Performance Laboratory at JSC, and Rehabilitate Site-wide High Pressure gaseous helium (GHe), gaseous 

nitrogen (GN) and Air Distribution Phase 1 at the Stennis Space Center (SSC). 

To reduce the Agency’s footprint, NASA demolished approximately 100,000 square feet of office and 

warehouse space. 

NASA continued the Energy Savings Investments portion of Institutional CoF by beginning construction 

of a Chilled Water Thermal Energy Storage System at Kennedy Space Center (KSC). When this project is 

completed, chilled water production in the industrial area will shift to off-peak electricity rates resulting in 

reduced energy costs. 

Programmatic CoF activities continued to focus on meeting the requirements of the Space Launch System 

(SLS) program. Projects included restoration of the B-2 test stand at SSC; work in the Vehicle Assembly 

Building (VAB) and Launch Complex 39-B (LC-39B) at the KSC, and construction on the two structural 

test stands at MSFC. Additionally, workers at Michoud Assembly Facility (MAF) completed construction 

to support manufacturing of the SLS core stage. 

Within the ECR program: 

 Santa Susana Field Laboratory (SSFL) began demolition of buildings not associated with test stands 

and continued development of work plans for soil cleanup, continued soil, and groundwater cleanup 

treatability studies, groundwater field investigations, operations of groundwater treatment system and 

long-term monitoring of groundwater. Cultural resource actions were prepared per the Programmatic 

Agreement with the State Historic Preservation Office, Native Americans and consulting parties. 

MSFC completed cleanup activities at the former Stauffer Chemical Plant site, a time critical removal 

for the Industrial Sewer operable unit and an interim remedial action at the Source Area 2 

Groundwater site and began design activities for the cleanup of petroleum-contaminated sites at the 

Center. 

White Sands Test Facility (WSTF) continued to operate the plume front and mid-plume front 

treatment systems to capture and treat contaminated groundwater. They also continued source area 

investigations and closure activities of the sewage lagoon. 

KSC installed several new groundwater treatment systems, completed extensive contaminated soil 

removal at various sites, continued sampling of over 400 monitoring wells, and continued operations 

of existing groundwater cleanup systems. 






 

CONSTRUCTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE AND 

RESTORATION

CECR-4 

 At the JPL, the program continued to operate and maintain systems to clean up contaminated 

groundwater emanating from JPL, as well as operations and system upgrades to the Lincoln Avenue 

and Monk Hill drinking water treatment systems. 

WORK IN PROGRESS IN FY 2016 

Planned Institutional CoF projects will protect the Agency’s critical assets, improve mission assurance, 

reduce mission risk, and maintain mission essential capabilities. These include utility system repairs and 

replacement of obsolete buildings. Construction will begin on the Measurement Systems Laboratory to 

consolidate existing aging laboratories into a smaller efficient and modern research facility. This project 

will make progress toward correcting deficiencies noted by the National Academies and support core 

NASA research efforts. Other on-going projects include the Repair by Replacement Building 4221 at 

MSFC and KSC’s Central Campus Phase 1.

Energy Savings Investments projects continue to focus on achieving Federal energy requirements, which 

result in utility cost avoidance. 

Exploration CoF activities in FY 2016 include completing the restoration and initiating activation for the 

B-2 test stand at SSC, and completing and activating the two structural test stands at MSFC in order to 

qualify test the liquid oxygen and hydrogen tanks for the SLS Launch Vehicle. Work continues at the 

VAB and LC 39-B at KSC. 

To support Space Operations activities, work will continue on the 21st Century Launch Complex at KSC 

to upgrade various mechanical and lighting systems as well as initiating a project to replace the roof at the 

Launch Equipment Shop. Additionally, work will continue on the 34-meter Beam Wave Guide (BWG) 

antenna systems that support Deep Space Network (DSN) at Canberra, Madrid, and Goldstone. 

NASA’s ECR program includes cleanup activities at all NASA Centers, with priority given to protecting 

human health and the environment in balance with Environmental Protection Agency and state regulatory 

agreements and requirements. This priority is demonstrated at the Santa Susana Field Laboratory where 

NASA is continuing its investigation of contaminated groundwater, completing treatability studies and 

preparing plans for remediation of soils, and demolition of facilities in accordance with the State of 

California consent order. 

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS PLANNED FOR FY 2017 

Planned construction and environmental activities include: 

 Major repair and replacement projects that address some deficiencies noted by the National 

Academies and support core NASA research efforts. 

Commence construction of the Biosciences Collaborative Facility that will consolidate and modernize 

existing aging technical facilities at ARC. The new complex will support biological research and 

development initiatives unique to the Agency in support of Fundamental Space Biology, 

Astrobiology/Exobiology, and Synthetic Biology. 


 

CONSTRUCTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE AND 

RESTORATION

CECR-5 

 Repairs and upgrades at all Centers to mitigate near-term risk to missions by revitalizing electrical, 

mechanical, life safety, sanitary sewer and water systems. 

Investments to reduce energy cost and consumption to increase progress toward Federal energy 

requirements. 

Demolition to help eliminate obsolete facilities. 

Continued cleanup of ground water contamination and investigation of soil contamination at WSTF, 

to include completion of closure activities, implementation of source area facility investigations, 

long-term monitoring of groundwater, and continued operation of the plume front and mid-plume 

ground water treatment systems. 

Continuing investigation and cleanup of groundwater and soil contamination at KSC in accordance 

with State of Florida requirements. Key activities planned include the installation of new groundwater 

treatment systems, removal of contaminated soils, investigation of additional sites for potential 

contamination, continued sampling of over 400 monitoring wells, and continued operations of 

groundwater cleanup systems. 

Operating and maintaining systems to clean up contaminated groundwater emanating from JPL and 

continued operations of the Lincoln Avenue and Monk Hill drinking water treatment systems; 

Continuing cleanup of contaminated groundwater and soil removal, operations of groundwater 

treatment systems, and continued long term monitoring of the groundwater at SSFL in accordance 

with the consent order with the State of California. 

Continuing cleanup activities and long-term monitoring at ARC, MSFC, and MAF. 

Continuing operations of treatment systems and monitoring at AFRC, GRC, Goddard Space Flight 

Center (GSFC), LaRC, SSC, and Wallops Flight Facility (WFF). 

21st Century will initiate a minor project to Replace the Logistics Center Roof at KSC. 


















Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration 

CONSTRUCTION OF FACILITIES 

CECR-6 

FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Institutional CoF 276.5 -- 290.7 297.9 303.8 310.1 317.9 

Exploration CoF 67.9 -- 8.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 

Space Operations CoF 19.3 -- 28.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 

Aeronautics CoF 9.0 -- 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 

Science CoF 1.7 -- 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 

Total Budget 374.4 -- 328.0 297.9 303.8 310.1 317.9 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. FY 

2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

The Integrated Engineering Services Building at Langley 

Research Center received LEED Gold certification in 

2015. 

NASA’s CoF program includes programmatic 

and non-programmatic construction projects that 

reduce facility-related risk to mission success 

and increase sustainability. 

The Institutional CoF program provides for the 

design and construction of facilities projects that 

enable NASA’s infrastructure to meet mission 

needs. Utility system repairs and replacements 

improve the reliability of NASA’s systems and 

reduce operational consumption of energy. 

Refurbishment or repair- by-replacement 

projects replace inefficient, deteriorated 

buildings with efficient high-performance facilities. Demolition projects eliminate facilities that are no 

longer needed. Together these activities reduce operating costs, reduce the Agency footprint, and develop 

an energy efficient infrastructure to enable NASA’s missions. 

Programmatic CoF provides specialized capabilities in testing and development that directly support 

NASA’s current missions. These projects enable NASA to provide critical technical capabilities to 

manufacture, test, process, or operate hardware for NASA programs. 

Minor revitalization and construction projects are those with initial cost estimates between $1 and $10 

million. Discrete construction projects refer to those with initial cost estimates of $10 million or greater. 

Centers accomplish routine day-to-day facility maintenance and repair activities with estimates of $1 

million or less within program and Center Management and Operations budgets. 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017

The FY 2017 request for CoF includes funding transferred from Exploration and Space Operations 

accounts to achieve SLS, and Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) requirements. Funding 
Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration 

CONSTRUCTION OF FACILITIES 

CECR-7 

associated with all program designs and out-year programmatic construction activities remains in program 

accounts. 
Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration: Construction of Facilities 

INSTITUTIONAL COF

CECR-8 

FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Total Budget 276.5 -- 290.7 297.9 303.8 310.1 317.9 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. FY 

2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

Projects such as the Reduce Seismic Risk to Unitary Plan 

Wind Tunnel Make-Up Air System at ARC upgrade aging 

piping infrastructure with code compliant, safer, more 

resilient systems. 

NASA’s Institutional CoF program includes 

projects to reduce risk, increase efficiency, and 

reduce operational costs 

CoF projects that repair and/or improve NASA’s 

existing facilities reduce facility-related risks to 

mission success, property, and personnel. NASA 

prioritizes these projects using a risk-informed 

process. Projects to increase efficiency support 

NASA’s core capabilities within a smaller, more 

efficient footprint. These include replacement of 

old, obsolete, costly facilities with new, highperformance facilities that consolidate core 

functions and improve flexibility over the life of 

the facilities. These replacement facilities are 

flexible so they can address programmatic 

requirements, both known and still evolving 

over the next 40 years. 

NASA’s demolition program eliminates obsolete, unneeded infrastructure to improve efficiency and 

eliminate safety and environmental risks. 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017

None. 

ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2015

NASA constructs sustainable facilities with cost effective and life-cycle analytic design methods in order 

to meet current Federal requirements. In FY 2015, NASA constructed or modified six facilities, providing 

nearly 550,000 square feet of sustainable area. Renovation of the WFF for Engineering, a 55,000 square 

foot laboratory and office mixed use facility earned the building a Silver rating for Existing Buildings 

(LEED – EB). NASA received sustainable certifications for five newly constructed facilities (LEED NC). 

These facilities vary in use including: a space station processing laboratory (KSC, LEED Silver); a 

110,000 square feet shipping/receiving warehouse (GSFC, LEED Silver); the app. 90,000 square feet 

Orbiter Display Facility (KSC, LEED Silver); a 150,000 square feet office building (MSFC, LEED 
Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration: Construction of Facilities 

INSTITUTIONAL COF

CECR-9 

Silver) that replaces aged and inefficient operated buildings, and a 133,000 square feet multi-engineering 

support facility (LaRC, LEED Gold). 

During FY 2015, NASA: 

 Completed the demolition of 70 structures at various sites. Demolition of inactive and obsolete 

facilities eliminates the cost of maintaining old, abandoned facilities in a safe and secure 

condition. Significant completed demolition projects include: 

o Storage Warehouse totaling 14,000 square feet, ARC; 

Continued demolition of the Shuttle Mate, Demate Facility support facilities (Phase 2) at 

Armstrong Flight Research Center (AFRC); 

Maintenance and Operations North Wing totaling 50,000 square feet, KSC; and 

Building 1192 Office Complex totaling 31,000 square feet, LaRC. 

o

o

o

 Began construction of the following critical projects: 

o Replace Electrical Reliability of Agency Telecom Gateway (Building N254) ARC; 

Replace Varnished Cambric Lead Cables, ARC; 

Repair By Replacement Human Health and Performance Laboratory, JSC; and 

Rehab Site-wide HPG He, GN and Air Distribution, Phase 1, SSC. 

o

o

o

 Completed construction of the following essential projects: 

o Repair Electrical Distribution and Control Systems, Phase 1GRC; 

Refurbish North Wing Building 45, JSC; 

Rehab Central Steam Facility, MSFC; 

Revitalize/Repair of Central Chilled Water Systems (4473), MSFC; and 

Upgrade/Repair Critical 16.5kV Electrical Distribution System, JPL. 

o

o

o

o

 Continued the Energy Savings Investments portion of Institutional CoF by beginning construction 

of a Chilled Water Thermal Energy Storage System at KSC. When this project is completed, 

chilled water production in the industrial area will shift to off-peak electricity rates resulting in 

reduced energy expenditures. 

WORK IN PROGRESS IN FY 2016 

Significant work in progress includes award to begin construction of the major recapitalization project, 

the Measurements Sciences Laboratory, LaRC, and continued construction and outfitting of the Human 

Health and Performance Laboratory, JSC. These projects will correct deficiencies noted by the National 

Research Council and support core NASA research efforts. Additionally, there is a major repair for the 

airfield at GSFC/WFF. 

Completed sustainable-rated facilities expected in FY 2016 include KSC 200,000 square foot modified 

OSB II (LEED EB) and the 100,000 square feet GSFC Flight Projects Building (LEED NC). The 

completion of these facilities and others currently in construction will allow NASA to exceed 3,000,000 

square feet and 50 facilities of energy efficient, environment friendly, sustainable working facilities. 

In the Energy Savings Investments, NASA awarded the Central Campus Solar Plant Addition at KSC. 

When completed, this additional solar photovoltaic system will enable KSC’s Central Campus to operate 

as a net-zero energy building, reducing energy costs for KSC. 
Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration: Construction of Facilities 

INSTITUTIONAL COF

CECR-10 

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS PLANNED FOR FY 2017 

NASA will complete several infrastructure repair projects, including reliability improvement 

modifications to Repair Center Heating and Cooling Plant Deteriorated Underground Piping at JSC, 

Revitalize Waste and Waste Water Systems at KSC, provide Electrical Distribution System Upgrades at 

LARC, Repair Site-wide Natural Gas at SSC, Repair Steam Distribution at GRC, Replace Substation 

115kV High Voltage Cables at ARC, and Reduce Risk Seismic Risk to Various Buildings at ARC. 

NASA will initiate several projects to repair and revitalize its aging infrastructure. These include 

electrical and mechanical projects that support NASA research facilities such as the Biosciences 

Collaborative Facility at ARC, the Vehicle and Aircraft Ground Equipment Maintenance Facility at 

AFRC, the Steam Distribution Replacement Phase 1 at MSFC, the Rehabilitate Site-wide High Pressure 

GHe, GN and Air Distribution Phase 2 at SSC, the Repair Emergency Power System for Mission Control 

Center (MCC) at JSC, and Compressor Station Upgrades Phase 2 at LaRC. 

NASA plans to continue Energy Savings Investments that reduce energy cost and consumption in 

response to the more stringent Federal energy requirements. 

Institutional Discrete Construction of Facility Projects 

Discrete construction of facilities projects have initial cost estimates of $10 million or greater. 

BIOSCIENCES COLLABORATIVE FACILITY 

Location: Ames Research Center, Mountain View, CA 

FY 2017 Estimate: $47.0 million Total Project FY2017 is $47.0 million 

Scope/Description 

The construction of a 38,000 square foot modern science laboratory facility will support biological 

research to the NASA mission. This new facility will consolidate Center wide laboratories and 

researchers in Fundamental Space Biology, Astrobiology/Exobiology, and Synthetic Biology to improve 

collaboration and foster an environment for innovation and breakthrough science and help meet energy 

efficiency goals. The new Biosciences Collaborative Facility will consist primarily of laboratory and 

laboratory support spaces. Open plan laboratories will optimize collaboration, flexibility, and efficiency. 

A small number of conference collaborative rooms and enclosed offices will meet acoustic and security 

requirements. The majority of the offices will be open cubicles to promote collaboration and interaction 

among research teams. 

Basis of Need 

ARC is the Agency leader in Fundamental Space Biology, Astrobiology/Exobiology, and Synthetic 

Biology. The foundational research conducted in these areas will respond to the priorities of the National 

Research Council’s inaugural Decade Survey for Life and Physical Sciences, and will contribute directly 

to the Agency’s strategic objectives in exploration, science, and technology. This laboratory will replace 

existing dispersed and deteriorated lab spaces that have numerous health and safety issues. Construction 

of this facility will reduce Current Replacement Value by thirty per cent and will aggregate scientists, 

researchers, and technicians from throughout the Center into one facility. The facility will also bring 
Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration: Construction of Facilities 

INSTITUTIONAL COF

CECR-11 

together world-class researchers and will be specifically designed to help them work together to achieve 

even greater discoveries in the future. 

Other Related 

Costs Amount 

Studies/Design $4.7M 

Related Equipment N/A 

Activation N/A 

Other N/A 

Estimated 

Schedule Start Complete 

Design Feb 2014 Aug 2015 

Construction Jan 2016 June 2017 

Activation July 2017 Nov 2017 

Operational Dec 2017 Dec 2017 

RESEARCH SUPPORT BUILDING 

Location: Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, OH

FY 2017 Estimate: $2.0 million; Total Project FY 2017 to FY 2018 is $36.5 million 

Scope/Description 

The construction of a 75,000 square foot energy efficient research support building, which is the second 

major step in the approved GRC Master Plan toward the new campus Center, will allow the consolidation 

of research offices across the Center into the Glenn Downtown area and to replace the aging Engineering 

& Supply Building No. 21 and part of the Edward Sharp Employee Center Building No.15. Open plan 

spaces will optimize collaboration, flexibility, and efficiency. A small number of conference collaborative 

rooms and enclosed offices will be provided where acoustic and security issues dominate. The majority of 

the offices will be open cubicles to promote collaboration and interaction among teams. The FY 2017 

work provides for demolition and site preparation.

Basis of Need 

The approved GRC Master Plan places a high priority on investing in new, smaller, and more efficient 

facilities to replace existing high-maintenance and inefficient buildings. This project is an essential step in 

the sequence of demolition and replacement projects and the GRC Master Plan initiative cannot move 

forward without it. The original Engineering & Supply Building No. 21, built in 1944 and 

renovated/expanded in 1968, is inefficient and beyond its useful life. The HVAC system is antiquated, 

and the indoor air quality is deficient. Mold problems in portions of the building pose health concerns for 

occupants. The building does not have a fire suppression system. 

Other Related 

Costs Amount 

Studies/Design $2.96M 

Activation N/A 

Other N/A 

Estimated 

Schedule Start Complete 

Design Jan 2015 Apr 2017 

Construction Jan 2018 Sep 2019 

Activation Oct 2019 Jan 2020 
Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration: Construction of Facilities 

INSTITUTIONAL COF

CECR-12 

REPAIR EMERGENCY POWER SYSTEM FOR MISSION CONTROL CENTER 

Location: Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX 

FY 2017 Estimate: $15.0 million; Total Project is $15.0 million 

Scope/Description 

This project replaces the obsolete and failing back up power generation system in building 48, Mission 

Control Power Plant. Building 48 emergency power systems provides back up power to the MCC and 

also to the chillers in building 48 that provides primary cooling to the MCC. 

This project will revitalize the Mission Control Power Plant to improve the reliability of the power 

supplied to this mission critical facility by consolidating, replacing and upgrading the generators, 

controls, and associated electrical components. It will install two 12,470V 2,500 kW diesel generators to 

provide sustaining power for both the critical power and the essential but interruptible facility loads such 

as chillers, lights, air handlers, and elevators. The project repairs, updates or replaces switchgear, 

electrical equipment, power monitoring, controls, and mechanical equipment (radiator, day tank, fans, 

louvers, AC units, and sound attenuators); two new 480V 1000kW flywheel based UPS systems with 

associated switchgear, electrical equipment, power monitoring and controls for critical power support; 

and, a new control room. This project also includes compartmentalization/fire walls between the 

equipment to improve the safety and reliability of the overall facility. 

Basis of Need 

The Building 48 Emergency Power Plant provides uninterruptible reliable back up power to support the 

critical functions of the Building 30 MCC. The generators also provide power to Building 48 chillers that 

provide chill water to the MCC. Un-interruptible power supports equipment needed to operate the 

International Space Station (ISS) and other major programs that support manned flights. NASA flight 

controllers and ISS Deputy Program Managers have re-validated the requirement for reliable 

uninterruptible emergency power to the MCC. The NASA MCC flight controller stated that the ISS is 

“flown from the ground” and the MCC issues approximately 3,000 commands a month to control the ISS. 

Any down time to the MCC is an increase in risk to the crew, and if a power outage occurs during 

complex or critical operations, major program complications arise. The Russian controls also are 

commanded through the Building 30 MCC. Critical and complex phase periods declared by the ISS 

program require available back up power to ensure no interruption in power and cooling. Interruptions of 

these services will result in loss of capability to support on orbit operations such as docking, EVAs and 

other crucial maneuvers supported by the MCC. 

The existing Building 48 emergency power plant has five main issues that affect the overall reliability of 

the system: 1) Equipment Age: The most critical equipment has reached the end of its service life, and is 

experiencing increasing failure rates as it ages; 2) Operating Restrictions Due to Environmental Air 

Quality Regulations on Emissions; 3) System Configuration Contains Single Points of Failure; 4) Lack of 

Compartmentalization, and; 5) Equipment Voltage: The emergency power system currently operates on 

two different voltages, 6,900V and 480V making the operation of the system complicated, and the two 

generator systems cannot back each other up. 
Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration: Construction of Facilities 

INSTITUTIONAL COF

CECR-13 

Other Related 

Costs Amount 

Studies/Design $1.05M 

Outfitting N/A 

Activation N/A 

Other N/A 

Estimated 

Schedule Start Complete 

Design Jul 2012 Feb 2014 

Construction Dec 2017 Dec 2019 

Activation N/A N/A 

COMPRESSOR STATION UPGRADES, PHASE 2 OF 4 

Location: Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA 

FY 2017 Estimate: $12.1 million; Total Project FY 2015 to FY 2024 is $51 million 

Scope/Description 

Replacing B1247E Compressor #4 system will improve performance, reliability, operational availability, 

and maintainability of the Compressor Station. The project will replace the Compressor #4 system, 

associated foundations, and ancillary air-drying, backpressure control, power, coolant, lubricant, air, vent, 

and instrumentation systems with a new 8 lb/sec (minimum) compressor system rated at 6,000 psi. The 

new compressor system and ancillary systems will be designed and sized to operate efficiently and 

reliably. 

Basis of Need 

The B1247E Compressor Station is a critical asset that provides high-pressure air to approximately 25 

research facilities (wind tunnels) at the Center. The Compressor Station provides a dependable supply of 

high-pressure air on a daily basis in sufficient quantity and quality to support research/operations. A 

significant increase in demand for high-pressure air is expected over the next few years. In 2004, 

significant repair corrected serious issues with the compressors and their infrastructure. The scope, 

duration, and expense of this refurbishment expanded as the work progressed and more issues were 

uncovered. The NASA Safety Center (NSC) performed an independent assessment of the operational 

reliability of the Compressor Station to determine the merits of continuing to refurbish the existing 

compressors and infrastructure or immediately begin a repair-by-replacement campaign. The NSC 

recommended replacing all of the compressors and the respective ancillary support systems since they are 

well beyond their design life. Based on the NSC recommendation, LaRC is pursuing the cost-effective 

approach of replacing the compressors and associated ancillary systems. This approach will increase 

system performance, reliability, operational availability, and maintainability enabling the Center to satisfy 

researcher high-pressure air demand in support of high-priority Agency programs. 
Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration: Construction of Facilities 

INSTITUTIONAL COF

CECR-14 

 Other Related 

Costs Amount 

Studies/Design $1.07M 

Related Equipment N/A 

Activation $0.1M 

Other N/A 

Estimated 

Schedule Start Complete 

Preliminary 

Engineering 

Report 

N/A N/A 

Design Mar 2015 Aug 2016

Construction Mar 2017 Jun.2018

Activation Jun 2018 Dec 2018

REPLACE/REVITALIZE FIRE PROTECTION AND ALARM NODE SYSTEM 

Location: Marshall Space Flight Center 

FY 2017 Estimate: $15 million; Total project cost is $15 million 

Scope/Description 

Replace/Revitalize the failing MSFC emergency reporting and notification infrastructure (node system) to 

bring the system into compliance with current NASA and industry standards. This work includes repair or 

replacement of Center-wide facility safety systems and components in electrical, mechanical, 

civil/structural, and architectural disciplines as required. 

Basis of Need 

Much of the propulsion work done throughout MSFC involves highly flammable liquids and gases 

including hypergolic fluids and propellant mixtures (flammable and oxidizer). These, and similar 

substances, create an environment that has a greater incident of fire ignition than a typical manufacturing 

environment. The energy requirement for ignition in many of these environments is a static spark. MSFC 

has had multiple fire incidents in or near these lab or critical asset areas in the last two years. Research 

and Development with propellant and other hazardous materials results in a higher-than-normal incident 

rate. MSFC recently replaced a large number signaling panels, but continues to struggle with the 

infrastructure tying these assets together. 

The nodal system has a sufficient number of constant faults to make the reporting system unreliable for 

transmission of alarms and off-normal conditions. These conditions must be centrally monitored and 

maintained to establish a reliable and robust fire protection system and meet NASA STD 8719.11 and 

NFPA 72 requirements 
Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration: Construction of Facilities 

INSTITUTIONAL COF

CECR-15 

Other Related 

Costs Amount 

Studies/Design $900K

Related Equipment N/A 

Activation N/A 

Other N/A 

Estimated 

Schedule Start Complete 

Preliminary 

Engineering 

Report 

N/A N/A 

Design Sep 24, 2015 Sep 24, 2016 

Construction Jan 15, 2017 Jul 15, 2018 

REVITALIZE BUILDING 4708 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 

Location: Marshall Space Flight Center 

FY 2017 Estimate: $10.3 million; Total Project cost is $10.3 million 

Scope/Description 

Building 4708 (Engineering & Development Laboratory) continues its legacy as one of MSFC’s critical 

facilities. Revitalization of electrical building distribution systems in Building 4708 is required to reduce 

the risk of building power loss. Additional benefits of this project will be to improve the building safety 

and energy of a 57-year-old building. Electrical system revitalization shall include but not be limited to 

the replacement, removal, and modification of building electrical substations, bus ducts, panels, 

transformers, motor control centers, switchgear, starters, fire alarm systems, detection systems, and 

control boxes. These modifications will also resize electrical service demand to appropriate levels 

(considering the new insulated roof and siding) and thereby conserve energy. This work will focus on 

electrical systems with support work in mechanical, structural, and architectural disciplines as required. 

This project will be planned, designed, and constructed incorporating sustainable design principles to 

reduce life-cycle costs, implement pollution prevention, minimize impact on natural resources, and 

maximize occupant health, safety, and productivity to the maximum extent possible. 

Basis of Need 

Obsolete switchboards, buss systems, and panel boards installed in 1958 supply the majority of the 

electrical power to the Building 4708 multi-program support equipment. . In most cases, direct 

replacement parts are no longer available or are difficult to acquire and have long lead times of 8 to 12 

weeks. While it is feasible to provide a work around for individual component failure, these measures are 

temporary in nature, violate UL listing and present safety hazards, which must be mitigated during their 

use. Two 2000 amp, 480 volt service entrance buss systems have failed in the past three years in building 

4708 and identical systems have failed in other buildings at MSFC in the past year, e.g., building 4619. A 

systematic approach to replace the electrical system is necessary to ensure there are no impacts to 

multiple projects supported in this mission critical facility. The most recent facility condition assessment 

identified that most system components high on the priority list have an average facility age of 50+ years 

old with over 74 percent rated in the Poor or Replace condition. The assessment also identified 151 

lighting and receptacle panel boards that are in Poor or Replace condition. The Facilities Deferred 

Maintenance report issued in FY 2011 indicates a need to replace or upgrade aged and degraded electrical 

equipment to meet code requirements, to provide reliable services, and to ensure life safety conditions. 
Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration: Construction of Facilities 

INSTITUTIONAL COF

CECR-16 

The facilities within this building support programs such as Advanced Exploration Systems, Orion, SLS, 

and Chandra X-Ray Observatory along with programs with private partnerships, universities, industry, 

and other NASA Centers. This facility serves the Center in many ways: supporting multiple functions or 

missions, proving for large number of personnel, ensuring continued functionality of the Center or a 

special one-of-a-kind need. 

This project will also contribute toward MSFC’s requirements to operate at or below the established 2010 

energy-efficiency goals and to upgrade aged systems that are safety issues. Continuous use of the 

facilities in this on-going project, in their current functions, is consistent with the MSFC Master Plan and 

established energy-efficiency goals and design standards. 

Other Related 

Costs Amount 

Studies/Design $930K

Related Equipment N/A 

Activation N/A 

Other N/A 

Estimated 

Schedule Start Complete 

Preliminary 

Engineering 

Report 

N/A N/A 

Design Jan 15, 2015 Aug 30, 2016 

Construction Jan 15, 2017 Jan 15, 2019 

REHABILITATE SITE-WIDE HIGH PRESSURE GAS, HE, GN, AND AIR

DISTRIBUTION, PHASE 2 OF 2 

Location: Stennis Space Center 

FY 2017 Estimate: $12.0 million; Total Project FY 2015 to FY 2017 is $22.0 million 

Scope/Description 

This project will replace and refurbish the High Pressure Gas Piping system conveying GN, GHe, and 

high-pressure air (HPA), to the various end user locations on site in order to address aging infrastructure, 

increased maintenance costs, and operational issues. This project will address the replacement and 

refurbishment of GN, GHe, and HPA piping on the test complex side of SSC and includes all associated 

piping, valves, instrumentation, controls, and ancillary materials required to safely distribute high 

pressure GN, GHe, and HPA to test stands and facilities site-wide. This phased project will extend the life 

of the site-wide gaseous distribution system and provide NASA and SSC’s test stands the capability to 

support rocket propulsion testing programs. All environmental aspects were addressed and a NEPA 

Record of Environmental Consideration has been issued. 

Basis of Need 

The existing site-wide underground piping system distributing GN, GHe, and HPA is rapidly approaching 

the end of its useful life as evidenced by the numerous outages over the past several years to repair leaks 

within the system. External corrosion is the main cause of the degradation of the piping and components 

in the High Pressure Gas system. One of the main sources of external corrosion is the valve pits for the 

underground piping system. These valve pits fill up with water and accelerate the external corrosion 
Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration: Construction of Facilities 

INSTITUTIONAL COF

CECR-17 

process on pipe and components in that valve pit. By bringing all piping above ground on the test 

complex side, we are eliminating the need for valve pits. The capability to distribute high pressure GN, 

GHe, and HPA across the site is critical to support rocket propulsion testing at SSC. Therefore, it is 

imperative that we replace and refurbish the site-wide High Pressure Gas System at SSC. 

Other Related 

Costs Amount 

Studies/Design N/A 

Related Equipment N/A 

Activation N/A 

Other N/A 

Estimated 

Schedule Start Complete 

Preliminary 

Engineering 

Report 

N/A N/A 

Design Jul 31, 2015 Jul 31, 2016 

Construction Jan 15, 2017 Jul 15, 2019 

STEAM DISTRIBUTION REPLACEMENT, PHASE 1 OF 2 

Location: Marshall Space Flight Center 

FY 2017 Estimate: $16.2 million; Total Project FY 2017 to FY 2018 is $32.5 million 

Scope/Description 

This project will convert buildings from steam heat to a more efficient and maintainable systems 

including natural gas, electricity, biomass, solar thermal, solar electrical, and combinations thereof. 

Basis of Need 

MSFC presently receives steam to heat the Center’s North Campus, which includes buildings and 

facilities north of Fowler Road MSFC is currently metered at the MSFC boundary and not at the 

individual buildings. At the steam delivery pressure the steam is approximately 400 degrees Fahrenheit, 

which leads to great line losses and thermodynamic inefficiencies. The most cost efficient way to upgrade 

the system is to replace the steam heat with other forms of heat, electric, natural gas, solar thermal, solar 

electrical or combinations thereof. This will eliminate distribution inefficiencies of the steam lines and 

reduce operating and maintenance costs. 
Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration: Construction of Facilities 

INSTITUTIONAL COF

CECR-18 

Other Related 

Costs Amount 

Studies/Design $1.18M 

Related Equipment N/A 

Activation N/A 

Other N/A 

Estimated 

Schedule Start Complete 

Preliminary 

Engineering 

Report 

N/A N/A 

Design Jul 15, 2014 Jul 31, 2015 

Construction Jan 30, 2017 Jun 30, 2018 

Minor Revitalization and Construction of Facilities 

Minor revitalization and construction of facilities projects have initial cost estimates between $1 million 

and $10 million. These projects revitalize and construct facilities at NASA facility installations and 

government-owned industrial plants. Revitalization and modernization projects provide for the repair, 

modernization, and/or upgrade of facilities and collateral equipment. Repair projects restore facilities and 

components to a condition equivalent to the originally intended and designed capability. Repair and 

modernization work includes the equivalent replacement of utility systems and collateral equipment 

necessitated by incipient or actual breakdown. Modernization and upgrade projects include restoration of 

current functional capability and enhancement of the condition of a facility so that it can more effectively 

accomplish its designated purpose, increase its functional capability, or meet new building, fire, and 

accessibility codes. 

The minor revitalization and construction projects that comprise this request are of the highest priority, 

based on relative urgency, and expected return on investment. The focus is on projects that reduce 

building square footage or eliminate excess building systems, provide long-term savings, and reduce the 

Agency’s maintenance backlog. During the year, planned projects may change to accommodate changing 

priorities. 

MINOR REVITALIZATION AND CONSTRUCTION OF FACILITIES BY CENTER, 

$100.3 MILLION 

Ames Research Center, $18.5 million 

 Replace Arc Jet Diffusers 

Reduce Seismic Risk to Buildings N226, N240, N244, and N245 

Replace Substation 115kV High Voltage Cables 





Armstrong Flight Research Center, $18.1 million 

 Revitalize Industrial/Potable Water Distribution System 

 Repair by Replacement, Vehicle & Aircraft Ground Equipment Maintenance Facility

Glenn Research Center, $9.0 million 

 GRC Repair Steam Distribution, Phase 3 

Goddard Space Flight Center, $2.8 million 

 Replace WFF South Island Electrical Infrastructure

Jet Propulsion Laboratory, $5.0 million 
Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration: Construction of Facilities 

INSTITUTIONAL COF

CECR-19 

 Continue LN2 Storage and Distribution Upgrade 

Johnson Space Center, $12.5 million 

 Repair Central Heating and Cooling Plant Deteriorated Underground Piping (B24) JSC 

 Repair Sanitary Sewer System, JSC

Kennedy Space Center, $11.6 million 

 Revitalize Water & Waste Water Systems, Various Locations, Phase 5 of 6 

 Revitalize Water and Waste Water Systems, Phase 6 of 6

Langley Research Center, $11.8 million 

 B1293 Electrical Upgrades 

Electrical Distribution System Upgrades, Part 1 of 6 

Electrical Distribution System Upgrades, Part 2 of 6 





Stennis Space Center, $11.0 million 

 Refurbish HPA Dryer System 

 Rehabilitate/Repair Site-wide Natural Gas System 

Energy Savings Investments 

These important projects are focused on improving systems efficiencies and reducing utility costs. The 

projects that comprise this request are of the highest priority based on expected return on investment or 

contribution to Federal energy mandates. The group of projects listed below include the simple payback 

period – the amount of time it will take to recover the initial investment in energy savings. During the 

year, planned projects may change to accommodate changing priorities. 

ENERGY SAVINGS INVESTMENTS PROJECTS BY CENTER, $12.2 MILLION 

Glenn Research Center 

 Expand Energy Monitoring and Control System, Various Buildings; 6.9 year simple payback 

Jet Propulsion Laboratory 

 Install Solar Photovoltaic System on Parking Structure; 21.3 year simple payback 

Johnson Space Center 

 Implement Energy Conservation Measures and Retro-Commissioning, Various Buildings; 7.2 

year simple payback

 Replace Window Walls, Mall Area Buildings; 10.2 year simple payback 

Demolition of Facilities 

FY 2017 Estimate: $14.7 million 

NASA continues to meet its national fiduciary responsibilities, fully leveraging Agency retained assets to 

increase their functionality in support of mission success while disposing of unneeded federal real estateincreasing the use of under-utilized assets, minimizing operating costs, and improving energy efficiency. 

NASA will use the requested funding to eliminate inactive and obsolete facilities that are no longer 

required for NASA’s Mission. Abandoned facilities pose potential safety and environmental liabilities 
Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration: Construction of Facilities 

INSTITUTIONAL COF

CECR-20 

and are eyesores at the Centers. The Agency must maintain these facilities at minimal levels to prevent 

increasing safety and environmental hazards, and these recurring maintenance costs impose a drain on the 

maintenance dollars available at the Centers. Demolishing these abandoned facilities allows the Agency 

to avoid non-productive operating costs required to keep abandoned facilities safe and secure. 

Furthermore, demolition is the most cost-effective way to reduce the Agency deferred maintenance. 

NASA identifies facilities for the demolition program through special studies to determine if the facility is 

required for current or future missions. Facilities that are no longer needed are included in a five-year 

demolition plan that sets project schedules based on last need, annual costs avoided, potential liability, 

and project execution factors. 

Facility Planning and Design 

FY 2017 Estimate: $33.8 million 

Facility planning and design funds provide for advance planning and design activities, special engineering 

studies, facility engineering research, preliminary engineering efforts required to initiate design-build 

projects, preparation of final designs, construction plans, specifications, and associated cost estimates 

associated with non-programmatic construction projects. This includes master planning, value 

engineering studies, design and construction management studies, facility operation and maintenance 

studies, facilities utilization analyses, engineering support for facilities management systems, and capital 

leveraging research activities. Funding also supports participation in facilities-related professional 

engineering associations and organizations. 

The facilities planning and design activity is crucial to the implementation of NASA recapitalization 

strategy. These projects are necessary to make progress toward required sustainability, energy, and 

stewardship goals. 
Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration: Construction of Facilities 

EXPLORATION COF

CECR-21 

FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Total Budget 67.9 -- 8.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. FY 

2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

Platform K in the KSC VAB High Bay 4 being prepared 

for final fabrication prior to installation in High Bay-3.

Exploration CoF provides construction required 

to support SLS, Orion, and Exploration Grounds 

Systems program activities. Funds required for 

the planning and design of out-year 

programmatic construction remain in the 

applicable program accounts. 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES 

IN FY 2017 

None. 

ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2015

During FY 2015, NASA continued transitioning 

from the Space Shuttle and Constellation 

programs to Exploration. At KSC, construction continued in the VAB and at LC-39B. In the VAB, 

construction continued on building the access platforms in High Bay 3 to support SLS launch vehicle 

integration. Both halves of platform K were delivered to the VAB, load tested and prepared for final 

build-up and installation. At LC-39B, major construction efforts continued on the environmental control 

systems to support the SLS launch vehicle and Orion, as well as the major undertaking of replacing the 

Space Shuttle main flame deflector with a shingled steel plate flame deflector for the SLS launch vehicle 

and other potential users. 

The SLS Program continued progress on the build-out of the B-2 test stand at SSC in preparation for the 

SLS Green Run core stage testing. Work packages 1, and 2 were completed and contractually closed out 

finishing all restoration aspects of the SLS Green Run Project. 

At the MAF, modifications continued to transition from legacy tooling and manufacturing of the Space 

Shuttle External Tank to tooling and manufacturing necessary for the SLS core stage. Modifications were 

completed to Building 131 to support thermal protections system application, as well as the cleaning and 

priming of the liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen tanks. Modifications were also completed to Building 

451 to support the liquid hydrogen tank proof testing and to Building 110 (Cells B & C) to support the 

vertical welding of core stage elements and (Cells E & F) for cleaning the core stage tank. Repairs to the 

Building 103 Apron were initiated and completed, as were the modifications to Saturn Boulevard at the 

Levee Crossing and Barge Dock Repairs to support SLS transportation. 
Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration: Construction of Facilities 

EXPLORATION COF

CECR-22 

At MSFC, construction of the two structural test stands to support SLS core stage qualification testing 

continued with the foundations complete, cranes on-site, and the vertical erection of steel in progress. On 

Test Stand 4693 being constructed to test the core stage Liquid Hydrogen (LH2) tank, several key 

accomplishments were completed, to include the completion of the foundation with structural rebar and 

anchor rods as well as the vertical erection of four tiers on both twin steel towers. Electrical and fluid 

lines have been worked and ready for final finish once erection is complete. On Test Stand 4697 being 

constructed for the core stage Liquid Oxygen (LOX) tank, accomplishments include completing the 

foundation with structural rebar and anchor threaded holes and rods in preparation for vertical steel 

erection. 

WORK IN PROGRESS IN FY 2016 

Exploration construction activities in FY 2016 support the three programs within the Exploration Systems 

Division. At KSC, the main effort continues to be the fabrication and installation of the platforms in High 

Bay 3 of the VAB and the installation of the main flame detector and restoration of the flame trench wall 

and floor at LC-39B. Other work at LC-39B includes continuing the modifications to the environmental 

control system, as well as completing the third phase of the water system upgrades and the installation of 

the ignition over pressure and sound suppression post-liftoff bypass valves. The Orion program is also 

commencing the third, and final, phase project at KSC to modify the Launch Abort System Facility to 

support launch abort system integration to the Orion crew module. 

Construction of Test Stand 4693 continues with the Tier 5 up to Tier 7 (21 floors), elevators, electrical 

site utilities, Liquid Nitrogen (LN2) piping installation, crosshead construction/install and final finishes. 

Construction of Test Stand 4697 also continues with the start of pre-assembly and vertical steel erection 

of the three Tiers, elevators installation and final utility finishes. Both Test Stands will finish up with the 

test and checkout of test stands systems and equipment along with inspections and final corrections. Test 

Stand 4697 is projected to be completed in mid-July of 2016 followed by Test Stand 4693 completion 

with cross-head installation by the end of FY 2016. 

The B-2 Test Stand Work Package 5 was awarded in early FY 2016. Work package 5 is the last major 

procurement, and includes umbilical support structures, installation of the activation spools, installation of 

the Environmental Control Systems and the final electrical boxes and connections for the SLS core stage 

systems. The Tarmac, Work Package 3, Work Package 4, Work Package 5, Electrical Build-out, Tubing 

installation, and the High Pressure Supplemental Pump work will all be completed prior to the end of FY 

2016; thus, completing construction activities of the B-2 Test Stand. The program will begin activating all 

the major systems this year in preparation of the SLS Green Run Testing. All construction activities on 

the High Pressure Industrial Water at SSC will be completed by the end of the first quarter of FY 2016. 

At MAF, work will continue on modifications to Building 103, Building 110, Building 131, and Building 

451 to support SLS Core Stage manufacturing. Modifications also continue in Building 103 to support the 

Final Integration of the SLS Core Stage. Replacement of the Building 103 sanitary piping will be 

accomplished, as will the work in Building 103 for final Integration on the Helium System and air 

handling unit modifications. Work will commence on repairing and replacing the chilled water systems, 

refurbishing the 50 PSI steam distribution piping, replacing Chiller #3 and Chiller #6, installing 

containment liners, phase I of replacing Purlins Phase I, and refurbishment of Substations 20A, 43, 63, 

and 64. 
Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration: Construction of Facilities 

EXPLORATION COF

CECR-23 

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS PLANNED FOR FY 2017 

In FY 2017, Exploration construction will consist of three minor projects. One will replace the roof of the 

Turn Basin Wharf Modifications at KSC and the other two are at MAF for the second phase of replacing 

the Roof Purlins Building 103 and the replacement of Substation 1. 

Minor Revitalization and Construction of Facilities 

Construction projects with initial cost estimates between $1 million and $10 million are included as minor 

revitalization and construction projects. These projects provide for the repair, modernization, or upgrade 

of facilities and collateral equipment required by Exploration activities. Repair projects restore facilities 

and components to a condition substantially equivalent to the originally intended and designed capability. 

Repair and modernization work includes the substantially equivalent replacement of utility systems and 

collateral equipment necessitated by incipient or actual breakdown. Modernization and upgrade projects 

include both restoration of current functional capability and enhancement of the condition of a facility, so 

that it can more effectively serve its designated purpose, increase its functional capability, or meet new 

building, fire, and accessibility codes. 

MINOR REVITALIZATION AND CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS BY CENTER, $8.8 

MILLION 

Marshall Space Flight Center, $5.8 million 

 Replace Roof Purlins, Building 103, Phase 2 MAF 

 Replace Substation 1, MAF 

Kennedy Space Center, $3.0 million 

 Turn Basin Wharf Modifications, Phase 2 
Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration: Construction of Facilities 

SPACE OPERATIONS COF

CECR-24 

FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Total Budget 19.3 -- 28.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. FY 

2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.

The main reflector lift for Deep Space Station 

(DSS)-36 at Canberra Deep Space 

Communications Complex, readies NASA for 

deep space communications operations for the 

next decade. 

Space Operations CoF provides construction to support 

Space Communication and Navigation (SCaN), 21st 

Century Launch Complex, the ISS program and Launch 

Services Program (LSP). Funds required for the planning 

and design of out-year programmatic construction remain 

in the applicable program accounts. 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY

2017

None. 

ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2015

Significant work commenced on the Deep Space Network 

(DSN) DSS-36 34-meter antenna in Canberra Australia 

with the completion of the pedestal, structural assembly, 

and the execution of the critical lift for integrating the main 

reflector structure onto the supporting alidade structure. 

Facilities work inside of the antenna pedestal, such as 

HVAC and fire suppression were nearing completion. 

Construction was well underway for three 21st Century 

Launch Complex projects at the WFF, the modifications 

and repairs to building X-75, relocation of Pad 1, and 

replacement of the island primary electrical feeder. 

WORK IN PROGRESS IN FY 2016 

The SCaN discrete project to construct DSS-36, a 34-meter antenna in Canberra Australia will continue, 

with expected completion and commissioning of the antenna at the end of FY 2016. 

SCaN will also begin construction of a multi-year funded discrete project to construct two new 34-meter 

BWG DSS Antennas, DSS-56 and DSS-53, at the Madrid Deep Space Communications Complex 

(MDSCC). During FY 2016, the construction phase will begin with the start of site work in Madrid. 

Activity for FY 2016 will include the completion of the excavation efforts for both antenna locations. 
Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration: Construction of Facilities 

SPACE OPERATIONS COF

CECR-25 

Additionally, construction and fabrication of the DSS-56 antenna pedestal and structure should be well 

underway. 

All three 21 Century Launch Complex projects at WFF, modifications and repairs to building X-75, 

relocation of Pad 1, and replacement of the island primary electrical feeder will be completed prior to the 

end of FY 2016. Additionally, 21st Century Launch Complex is replacing the roof on the on the launch 

equipment shop at KSC. 

The ISS program commenced a project to replace the roof of the SSPF building at KSC. 

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS PLANNED FOR FY 2017 

SCaN will continue its efforts for the construction of a multi-year funded discrete project to construct two 

new 34 meter BWG DSS Antennas MDSCC in Spain. In FY 2017, the first antenna pedestal at DSS-56 

will be completed. Steel fabrication of the antenna structure will also be completed and delivered to the 

site by the selected vendor(s). On-site assembly will commence and continue throughout 2017. 

Additionally, the DSS-53 antenna pedestal work will commence and progress throughout FY 2017. Four 

projects totaling $5.5M dollars will be initiated in FY 2017 for LSP, SCAN and 21st Century. 

Space Operations Discrete Construction of Facility Projects 

Discrete construction of facilities projects have initial cost estimates of $10 million or greater. 

CONSTRUCTION OF 34 METER BEAM WAVE GUIDE ANTENNAS - MADRID 

Location: Madrid Deep Space Communications Complex, Madrid, Spain. 

FY 2017 Construction Estimate: $23.0 million; Total Project FY 2015 to FY 2019 is $57.75 million. 

Scope/Description 

This project constructs two new 34-meter BWG antennas at the MDSCC, provides for the construction of 

DSS-56 and DSS-53. The project is divided into three contracts: excavation and roads, site infrastructure, 

and antenna related facilities. The funding for fiscal year 2017 is $23.0 million of the total $57.75 million. 

The project includes the fabrication and installation of the antenna structures, panels, gearboxes, bearings, 

electric drives, encoders, BWG mirrors, sub-reflectors and positioners, and related servomotors. The 

project also includes the construction of the pedestals, as well as all facilities in and around the antennas, 

including the paved access roads, trenches, drainage, flood control devices, water main and distribution 

system, antenna apron, perimeter security fence, HVAC systems, electrical power distribution, fire 

detection and suppression system, and surveillance system assembly. 
Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration: Construction of Facilities 

SPACE OPERATIONS COF

CECR-26 

Basis of Need 

The construction of the 34-meter BWG antennas at Madrid was planned as Phase 2 of the SCaN DSN 

Aperture Enhancement Project (DAEP) and originally scheduled to begin after completion of the third 34-

meter BWG antenna at Canberra. However, the two existing antennas at Madrid, DSS-63 70-meter and 

DSS-54 34-meter, were showing considerable concrete degradation in their pedestals. Thus, NASA 

decided to begin construction of the two 34-meter BWG antennas at Madrid in FY 2015 to mitigate future 

long-term maintenance downtimes of the existing 70-meter and 34-meter antennas. 

Other Related 

Costs Amount 

Studies/Design $0.5M 

Related Equipment N/A 

Activation N/A 

Other N/A 

Estimated Schedule Start Complete 

Design Oct 2013 Sep 2014

Construction, DSS-56 Dec 2015 Oct 2018

Activation, DSS-56 Dec 2017 Oct. 2019

Construction, DSS-53 Sep 2017 Dec 2020

Activation, DSS-53 Dec 2019 Dec 2021

Minor Revitalization and Construction of Facilities 

Construction projects with initial cost estimates between $1 million and $10 million are included as minor 

revitalization and construction projects. These projects provide for the repair, modernization, or upgrade 

of facilities and collateral equipment required by Space Operations activities. Repair projects restore 

facilities and components to a condition substantially equivalent to the originally intended and designed 

capability. Repair and modernization work includes the substantially equivalent replacement of utility 

systems and collateral equipment necessitated by incipient or actual breakdown. Modernization and 

upgrade projects include both restoration of current functional capability and enhancement of the 

condition of a facility, so that it can more effectively serve its designated purpose, increase its functional 

capability, or so that it can meet new building, fire, and accessibility codes. 

MINOR REVITALIZATION AND CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS BY CENTER, $5.5 MILLION

Jet Propulsion Laboratory, $1.0 million 

 DSS63 Apron and Subsurface Remediation, Madrid 

Kennedy Space Center, $4.5 million 

 Logistics Facility Roof Replacement 

 Building 836/839/840 Parking Repair and Lighting, Vandenberg Air Force Base
Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration 

ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE AND RESTORATION

CECR-27 

FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Total Budget 71.7 -- 91.8 92.3 94.2 95.9 96.2 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. FY 

2016 funding levels are subject to change pending finalization of the FY 2016 Operating Plan.



Removal of soil contaminated with PCBs, PAHs, and 

dieldrin at MSFC, Building 4241. In this area, up to 2 feet 

of surface soil was removed and disposed. Completed in 

August 2015. 

NASA’s ECR program cleans up hazardous 

materials and wastes that have been released to 

the surface or groundwater at NASA 

installations, NASA-owned industrial plants 

supporting NASA activities, current or former 

sites where NASA operations have contributed 

to environmental problems, and other sites 

where the Agency is legally obligated to address 

hazardous pollutants. ECR program activities 

include projects, studies, assessments, 

investigations, sampling, plans, designs, 

construction, related engineering, program 

support, monitoring, and regulatory Agency 

oversight. Funding also covers land acquisitions 

necessary to ensure operation of remedial 

treatment processes and sites as part of 

remediation and cleanup measures. 

For additional information concerning NASA’s 

ECR program, go to: 

http://www.nasa.gov/offices/emd/home/ecr.html. 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017

None. 

ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2015

NASA continued to execute restoration activities at all NASA Centers and facilities. Most notably, the 

following restoration activities were accomplished in FY 2015: 

SSFL began demolition of buildings not associated with test stands and development of work 

plans for soil cleanup, continued soil and groundwater cleanup treatability studies, groundwater 

field investigations, operations of groundwater treatment system and long-term monitoring of 

groundwater. Prepared cultural resource actions per the Programmatic Agreement with State 
Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration 

ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE AND RESTORATION

CECR-28 

Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), Native Americans and consulting parties and continued to 

Support California in its CEQA work and the National Parks Service documenting historic 

structures and possible monument analysis. 

MSFC completed cleanup activities at the former Stauffer Chemical Plant site, a time critical 

removal for the Industrial Sewer operable unit and an interim remedial action at the Source Area 

2 Groundwater site and began design activities for the cleanup of petroleum-contaminated sites at 

the Center. 

WSTF continued to operate the plume front and mid-plume front treatment systems to capture 

and treat contaminated groundwater. They also continued source area investigations and closure 

activities of the sewage lagoon. 

KSC installed several new groundwater treatment systems, completed extensive contaminated 

soil removal at various sites, continued sampling of over 400 monitoring wells, and continued 

operations of existing groundwater cleanup systems. 

At JPL, the program continued to operate and maintain systems to clean up contaminated 

groundwater emanating from JPL, as well as operations and system upgrades to the Lincoln 

Avenue and Monk Hill drinking water treatment systems. 









WORK IN PROGRESS IN FY 2016 

 Continue demolition, development of soil cleanup plans, operation of groundwater treatment 

system and groundwater monitoring at SSFL. Complete groundwater investigation field work, 

Burro Flats delineation, Extended Phase 1 survey, and Ethnographic study per Programmatic 

Agreement with SHPO, Native Americans and consulting parties and support California in its 

CEQA work; 

Continue operations and maintenance of systems to clean up contaminated groundwater 

emanating from JPL, install second new recovery wells, connect existing backwash system to the 

treatment facility, and continue operations of the Lincoln Avenue and Monk Hill drinking water 

treatment systems; 

Continue investigation and cleanup of groundwater and soil contamination at KSC in accordance 

with State of Florida requirements. Actions planned include the installation of new groundwater 

treatment systems, extensive contaminated soil removal, investigation of additional sites for 

potential contamination, continued sampling of over 400 monitoring wells, and continued 

operations of groundwater cleanup systems; 

Continue cleanup of ground water contamination and investigation of soil contamination at in the 

WSTF, to comply with the facility permit issued by the State of New Mexico. Key achievements 

include closure activities, implementation of source area facility investigations, and continued 

operation of the plume front and mid-plume ground water treatment systems; and 

Continue studies, investigations, and begin the cleanup of the peninsula solid waste disposal site 

at ARC. 








Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration 

ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE AND RESTORATION

CECR-29 

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS PLANNED FOR FY 2017 

Key projects and achievements in the FY 2017 request include: 

 $38.0 million for cleanup of contaminated groundwater and soil removal, operations of 

groundwater treatment systems, and continued long term monitoring of the groundwater at SSFL 

in accordance with the consent order with the State of California; 

$10.5 million for continued cleanup of ground water contamination and investigation of soil 

contamination at WSTF, to comply with the facility permit issued by the State of New Mexico. 

Key achievements include completion of closure activities, implementation of source area facility 

investigations, long term monitoring of groundwater, and continued operation of the plume front 

and mid-plume ground water treatment systems; 

$13.5 million for continued investigation and cleanup of groundwater and soil contamination at 

KSC in accordance with State of Florida requirements. Key achievements planned include the 

installation of new groundwater treatment systems, removal of contaminated soils, investigation 

of additional sites for potential contamination, continued sampling of over 400 monitoring wells, 

and continued operations of groundwater cleanup systems; and 

$10.0 million to operate and maintain systems to clean up contaminated groundwater emanating 

from JPL and operations of the Lincoln Avenue and Monk Hill drinking water treatment systems. 







Program Elements 

RESTORATION

Restoration projects address cleanup liabilities at all NASA Centers and component facilities. As of the 

start of FY 2016, known liabilities totaled $1.2 billion with many of the individual cleanup projects 

estimated to take more than 30 years to complete. NASA policy is to address these liabilities using a 

“worst first” approach to ensure human health and the environment are protected and to facilitate mission 

readiness. Plans for FY 2017 are based on a prioritized, risk-based approach for incrementally addressing 

NASA’s cleanup portfolio. Projects are ranked according to the relative urgency and the potential health 

and safety hazards related to each individual cleanup. As studies, assessments, investigations, plans, 

regulatory approvals, and designs progress, and as new discoveries or regulatory requirements change, 

NASA expects that program priorities may change. 

ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE AND FUNCTIONAL LEADERSHIP

Environmental Compliance and Functional Leadership projects invest in environmental methods and risk 

reduction practices that ensure NASA may continue to carry out its scientific and engineering missions. 

This includes methodologies for sustainably reducing energy intensity and greenhouse gas emissions, and 

supporting operational activities by ensuring that advances in chemical risk management are incorporated 

early in mission design phases. For example, NASA is working with the European Space Agency on an 

international agreement to investigate methods of increasing energy and water resiliency in critical space 

mission supporting infrastructure, thus increasing that infrastructure reliability. 
 

INSPECTOR GENERAL

IG-1 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Total Budget 37.0 37.4 38.1 38.9 39.6 40.4 41.2 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016.

Inspector General ................................................................... IG-2
 

INSPECTOR GENERAL

IG-2 

FY 2017 Budget 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

Budget Authority (in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Total Budget 37.0 37.4 38.1 38.9 39.6 40.4 41.2 

Change from FY 2016 0.7 

Percentage change from FY 2016 1.9% 

FY 2015 reflects funding amounts specified in the September 2015 Operating Plan per Public Law 113-235.

FY 2016 reflects only funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016.

For FY 2017, the NASA Office of Inspector General (OIG) requests $38.1 million to support the work of 

192 auditors, investigators, analysts, specialists, lawyers, and support staff located at NASA Headquarters 

in Washington, DC, and 12 other locations throughout the United States. 

The OIG conducts audits, investigations, and reviews of NASA programs to prevent and detect fraud, 

waste, abuse, and mismanagement and to assist NASA management in promoting economy, efficiency, 

and effectiveness in its programs and operations. Our operational offices are the Office of Audits (OA) 

and the Office of Investigations (OI). 

OA conducts independent and objective audits of NASA programs, projects, operations, and contractor 

activities and oversees the work of the independent public accounting firm that conducts the annual audit 

of NASA’s financial statements. In its work, OA targets high-risk areas and NASA’s top management 

challenges. OIG audits provide independent assessments and actionable recommendations that help 

NASA achieve its space exploration, scientific, and aeronautics research missions. 

OI pursues allegations of cybercrime, fraud, waste, abuse, and misconduct related to NASA programs, 

projects, personnel, operations, and resources. OI refers its findings to the Department of Justice for 

criminal prosecution and civil litigation or to NASA management for administrative action. Through its 

investigations, OI develops recommendations to reduce the Agency’s vulnerability to criminal activity or 

administrative inefficiency. Given that NASA spends approximately 79 percent of its budget on contracts 

and grants, OI targets its resources to maintaining the integrity of NASA’s procurement process and the 

security of NASA’s mission and information systems. In the procurement area, OI’s caseload includes 

investigations of suspected false claims submitted by NASA contractors, product substitution and 

counterfeit parts, and conflict of interest cases that involve NASA employees who place private gain 

before public service. 

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FY 2017 

No major changes. 

ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2015

In FY 2015, the OIG issued 24 audit products and identified approximately $98.9 million in potential 

savings for NASA. Audit products included reports examining NASA’s:
 

INSPECTOR GENERAL

IG-3 

 Response to Orbital’s October 2014 Launch Failure; 

Oversight of International Space Station Operations and Maintenance Contracts; 

Implementation of the Joint Cost and Confidence Level Process; 

Management of the Deep Space Network; 

Pressure Vessels and Pressurized Systems Program; and 

Efforts to Prevent Excessive Incurred Costs on Cost-type Contracts. 











In FY 2015, OI investigated a wide variety of criminal and administrative matters involving procurement 

fraud, theft, counterfeit parts, ethics violations, and computer intrusions leading to more than $86 million 

in criminal, civil, and administrative penalties and settlements. More than $10.3 million of these funds 

were returned directly to NASA. Overall, OI’s efforts in FY 2015 resulted in 30 indictments, 29 

convictions, 10 civil settlements, 26 administrative actions, and 33 suspensions or debarments. 

 Examples of OI’s work over the past year include:

A husband and wife were sentenced to 15 and 13 years’ imprisonment, respectively, and ordered 

to pay $10.7 million in restitution after being convicted of fraudulently obtaining more than $10 

million in Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contracts from NASA and other Federal 

agencies. The couple submitted research proposals using stolen identities in order to create false 

endorsements for their proposed contracts and lied about facilities, costs, the principal 

investigator on some of the contracts, and certifications included in the proposals; 

A business owner was convicted of seven counts of wire fraud following a joint investigation 

conducted by the NASA OIG, the National Science Foundation OIG, and the U.S. Secret Service. 

The investigation revealed the owner received nearly $800,000 in grant funds and spent the funds 

almost entirely on personal expenses such as mortgage payments, private school tuition for his 

children, vacations, shopping, and wire transfers to family and friends overseas; 

The CEO of a NASA contractor conducting business at the Johnson Space Center was sentenced 

to 3 years’ imprisonment and 1 year of supervised release for making false statements on a 

federal income tax return. As part of a plea agreement, the CEO agreed to make restitution of 

$294,300 related to the tax violations and to pay NASA $99,000 as reimbursement for questioned 

consulting services; 

Another CEO agreed to pay $4.5 million to settle a civil claim after being found guilty of 

fraudulently obtaining Government contracts set aside for small businesses; and 

Three Estonian nationals were sentenced to 40 months in prison and ordered to forfeit between $1 

million and $2.5 million each for their role in a fraud scheme that caused malware to infect 

NASA computer systems and millions of additional systems worldwide. 











WORK IN PROGRESS IN FY 2016 

During FY 2016, the OIG will continue to conduct audits, reviews, and investigations of NASA programs 

and operations to prevent and detect fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement and to assist NASA in 

promoting economy, efficiency, and effectiveness. Projects on which our auditors are currently working 

include NASA’s management of the Orion Crew Vehicle and Commercial Crew Programs, its response to 

the SpaceX June 2015 launch failure, and its management of its Earth science portfolio. 

Ongoing OI work includes proactive initiatives designed to identify a variety of common acquisition and 

procurement fraud schemes. Additionally, representatives from both OI and OA are working together to 
 

INSPECTOR GENERAL

IG-4 

use data analytics and information technology resources as a means of identifying indicators of potential 

fraudulent activity. 

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS PLANNED FOR FY 2017 

Going forward, the OIG will continue to focus its audit work in the areas the OIG identifies as NASA’s 

top management and performance challenges. In a November 2015 report, we listed those challenges as: 

 Space Flight Operations in Low Earth Orbit: Managing the International Space Station and the 

Commercial Cargo and Crew Programs; 

Positioning NASA for Deep Space Exploration: Developing the Space Launch System, Orion 

Capsule, and associated Ground Systems, and Mitigating Health and Performance Risks for 

Extended Human Missions; 

Managing NASA’s Science Portfolio;

Ensuring the Continued Efficacy of the Space Communications Networks; 

Overhauling NASA’s Information Technology Governance;

Securing NASA’s Information Technology Systems and Data; 

Managing NASA’s Aging Infrastructure and Facilities; and

Ensuring the Integrity of the Agency’s Contracting and Grants Processes.















The OIG’s FY 2017 request is $38.1 million, and includes the following: 

 $32.3 million (85 percent) for personnel and related costs, including salaries, benefits, monetary 

awards, worker’s compensation, permanent change of station costs, and Government 

contributions for Social Security, Medicare, health and life insurance, retirement accounts, and 

Thrift Savings Plan accounts. Salaries include the required additional 25 percent law enforcement 

availability pay (LEAP) for criminal investigators; 

$1.1 million (3 percent) for travel, per diem, and related expenses; 

$2.3 million (6 percent) to fund the required annual audit of NASA’s financial statements: The 

cost of the annual audit was reduced by $0.7 million from the prior year due to a change in 

service provider; and 

$2.4 million (6 percent) for equipment, training, government vehicles, special equipment for 

criminal investigators, transit subsidies, and IT equipment unique to the OIG.1





 

1 This number includes $500,000 for staff training and $100,000 to support the Council of Inspectors General on 

Economy and Efficiency (CIGIE). In accordance with Public Law 110-409, the Inspector General Reform Act of 

2008, the Inspector General certifies that these amounts are sufficient to satisfy all training requirements and 

contributions to CIGI.
SUPPORTING DATA

SD-1 

Supporting Data

Funds Distribution by Installation ....................................................................SD-2 

Civil Service Full Time Equivalent Distribution ...............................................SD-5 

Working Capital Fund ........................................................................................SD-7 

Budget by Object Class ................................................................................... SD-10

Status of Unobligated Funds .......................................................................... SD-12

Reimbursable Estimates ................................................................................. SD-13

Enhanced Use Leasing .................................................................................... SD-14

National Historic Preservation Act ................................................................. SD-16

Budget for Microgravity Science .................................................................... SD-18

Budget for Safety Oversight ........................................................................... SD-20

Physicians’ Comparability Allowance............................................................ SD-22

Budget for Public Relations ............................................................................ SD-26 

Consulting Services ........................................................................................ SD-27

E-Gov Initiatives and Benefits ........................................................................ SD-28

Comparability Adjustment Tables .................................................................. SD-36
Supporting Data 

FUNDS DISTRIBUTION BY INSTALLATION

SD-2 

FUNDS BY MISSION BY NASA CENTER

Budget Authority ($ in millions) FY 2017* 

Science 207.9 

Aeronautics 133.6 

Space Technology 42.9 

Exploration 55.4 

Space Operations 25.7 

Education 0.9 

Safety, Security, and Mission Services 217.0 

Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration 66.2 

Ames Research Center (ARC) Total 749.7 

Science 66.4 

Aeronautics 84.0

Space Technology 16.6 

Exploration 25.3 

Space Operations 0.1 

Education 0.8 

Safety, Security, and Mission Services 61.8 

Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration 18.4 

Armstrong Flight Research Center (AFRC) Total 273.4

Science 28.2 

Aeronautics 135.8 

Space Technology 89.3 

Exploration 57.8 

Space Operations 57.4 

Education 1.0 

Safety, Security, and Mission Services 212.3 

Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration 15.9 

Glenn Research Center (GRC) Total 597.7 

Science 2,429.2

Space Technology 160.7 

Exploration 23.3 

Space Operations 248.7 

Education 1.4 

Safety, Security, and Mission Services 408.1 

Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration 3.7 

Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) Total 3,275.1
Supporting Data 

FUNDS DISTRIBUTION BY INSTALLATION

SD-3 

Budget Authority ($ in millions) FY 2017* 

Science 1,148.5 

Space Technology 34.9 

Exploration 51.7 

Space Operations 172.9 

Education 2.0 

Safety, Security, and Mission Services 15.4 

Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration 37.0 

Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) Total 1,462.5 

Science 22.9 

Space Technology 18.0 

Exploration 1,212.5 

Space Operations 2,858.9 

Education 1.3 

Safety, Security, and Mission Services 361.9 

Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration 37.0 

Johnson Space Center (JSC) Total 4,512.5 

Science 313.6 

Space Technology 9.3 

Exploration 437.2 

Space Operations 1,338.6 

Education 1.1 

Safety, Security, and Mission Services 347.0 

Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration 27.0 

Kennedy Space Center (KSC) Total 2,473.8 

Science 196.6 

Aeronautics 182.1 

Space Technology 32.4 

Exploration 49.4 

Space Operations 2.0 

Education 1.3 

Safety, Security, and Mission Services 281.1 

Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration 24.0 

Langley Research Center (LaRC) Total 768.6 
Supporting Data 

FUNDS DISTRIBUTION BY INSTALLATION

SD-4 

Budget Authority ($ in millions) FY 2017* 

Science 134.3 

Space Technology 27.2 

Exploration 1,241.8 

Space Operations 205.7 

Education 1.1 

Safety, Security, and Mission Services 429.9 

Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration 96.8 

Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) Total 2,136.9 

Science** 1,050.7 

Aeronautics 254.8

Space Technology** 393.7 

Exploration 141.4 

Space Operations 130.4 

Education 88.5 

Safety, Security, and Mission Services 449.6 

Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration 69.7 

Office of Inspector General 38.1 

NASA Headquarters (HQ) and Inspector General (IG) Total 2,619.0

Science 0.2 

Space Technology 1.7 

Exploration 41.1 

Space Operations 35.6 

Education 0.7 

Safety, Security, and Mission Services 52.7 

Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration 24.1 

Stennis Space Center (SSC) Total 156.0 

Total 19,025.1 

*Totals may not add due to rounding. 

**Funds will not be fully distributed to Centers until after final acquisition decisions are made. Thus, Center FY 

2017 allocations should not be considered final or directly comparable to prior year allocations.
Supporting Data 

CIVIL SERVICE FULL-TIME EQUIVALENT DISTRIBUTION

SD-5 

NASA’s workforce continues to be one of its greatest assets for enabling missions in space and on Earth. 

The Agency remains committed to applying this asset to benefit society, address contemporary 

environmental and social issues, lead or participate in emerging technology opportunities, collaborate and 

strengthen the capabilities of commercial partners, and communicate the challenges and results of Agency 

programs and activities. The civil service staffing levels proposed in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 budget 

support NASA’s scientists, engineers, researchers, managers, technicians, and business operations 

workforce. It includes civil service personnel at NASA Centers, Headquarters, and NASA-operated 

facilities. However, the mix of skills and distribution of workforce across the Agency is necessarily 

changing. 

NASA continues to adjust its workforce size and mix of skills to address changing mission priorities, with 

an emphasis on industry and academic partnerships, transferring work in-house from on- and near-site 

support contracts, and operating in a leaner fiscal environment. A civil service workforce is critical for 

conducting mission-essential work in research and technology. As NASA continues to seek to have the 

right workforce to meet its requirements, some reduction to workforce levels is necessary. NASA will 

make modest reductions to the size of the civil service workforce with a decrease of more than 50 fulltime equivalents from FY 2016 to FY 2017, bringing the civil service workforce to approximately 17,150 

full-time equivalents (FTEs). 

NASA will continue to explore opportunities across the Agency to insource work and find efficiencies in 

workforce productivity, especially in mission support functional areas. The Agency will apply the valued 

civil service workforce to priority mission work, adjusting the mix of skills where appropriate. Centers 

will explore cross-mission retraining opportunities for employees whenever possible, offer targeted 

buyouts in selected surplus skill areas, and continue to identify, recruit, and retain a multi-generational 

workforce of employees who possess skills critical to the Agency. 

CIVIL SERVICE FULL-TIME EQUIVALENT DISTRIBUTION BY CENTER

 Actual Estimate Request Notional 

FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

ARC 1,154 1,165 1,160 1,160 1,160 1,160 1,160

AFRC 536 538 537 538 538 538 538

GRC 1,548 1,546 1,539 1,543 1,543 1,543 1,543

GSFC 3,189 3,265 3,262 3,260 3,262 3,262 3,262

JSC 2,974 2,979 2,961 2,963 2,962 2,962 2,962

KSC 1,952 1,976 1,967 1,957 1,957 1,957 1,957

LaRC 1,859 1,821 1,809 1,809 1,809 1,809 1,809

MSFC 2,351 2,334 2,323 2,328 2,327 2,327 2,327

SSC 304 311 304 305 305 305 305

HQ 1,112.8 1,145 1,154 1,154 1,154 1,154 1,154

NSSC 128.9 141 140 140 140 140 140

NASA Total* 17,108 17,220 17,156 17,157 17,157 17,157 17,157 

OIG 194 213 213 213 213 213 213

*Totals may not add due to rounding. All actuals and estimates include direct-funded and reimbursable FTE. 

**Funds will not be fully distributed to Centers until after final acquisition decisions are made. Thus, Center FY 

2017 allocations should not be considered final or directly comparable to prior year allocations. 
Supporting Data 

CIVIL SERVICE FULL-TIME EQUIVALENT DISTRIBUTION

SD-6 

FY 2017 FTE DISTRIBUTION BY ACCOUNT BY CENTER Science Aeronautics Space Technology Exploration Space Operations Education 

Safety, Security, and Mission Services Reimbursable / Working Capital Fund** NASA-Funded Total Agency TOTAL 

ARC 135 235 96 99 25 6 542 22 1,138 1,160

AFRC 100 169 13 21 1 5 213 15 522 537

GRC 76 362 135 196 150 7 611 3 1,536 1,539

GSFC 1,181 0 138 17 130 7 1,569 219 3,043 3,262

JSC 31 0 64 736 1,268 7 855 0 2,961 2,961

KSC 1 0 50 569 478 7 856 7 1,960 1,967

LaRC 209 489 117 130 7 8 834 15 1,794 1,809

MSFC 130 0 97 853 227 7 1,009 0 2,323 2,323

SSC 0 0 5 68 40 5 151 36 269 304

HQ 12 0 7 0 0 0 1,135 0 1,154 1,154

NSSC 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 140 0 140

NASA Total* 1,875 1,255 722 2,688 2,325 60 7,775 457 16,699 17,156 

OIG 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 213

*Totals may not add due to rounding. 

**Includes 140 FTE funded by Working Capital Fund; and 317 FTE funded by reimbursable customers. 

***Funds will not be fully distributed to Centers until after final acquisition decisions are made. Thus, Center FY 

2017 allocations should not be considered final or directly comparable to prior year allocations. 
Supporting Data 

WORKING CAPITAL FUND

SD-7 

NASA established the Working Capital Fund (WCF) to satisfy specific recurring needs for goods and 

services through use of a business-like buyer and seller approach under which NASA’s WCF entities 

provide goods or services pursuant to contracts and agreements with their customers. The overarching 

aim of WCF is to promote economy, efficiency, and accountability with fully reimbursed rates by 

focusing on streamlining operations, extending resources, measuring performance, and improving 

customer satisfaction. 

NASA’s WCF is comprised of three entities:

 NASA Shared Services Center (NSSC); 

Solutions for Enterprise-Wide Procurement (SEWP) Government-Wide Acquisition Contract; 

and 

Information Technology (IT) Infrastructure Integration Program (I3P). 





WORKING CAPITAL FUNDS BUDGET SUMMARY

Spending Authority from Offsetting 

Collections ($ millions) 

Actual Estimate Request 

FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 

NSSC 76 75 88

SEWP 11 17 17

I3P 332 373 356

Total Spending Authority 419 465 460

Unobligated Brought Forward, Oct. 1 11 10 3 

Recoveries of Prior Yr. Unpaid 

Obligations 0 4 0 

Total Budgetary Resources 430 479 463

NSSC 77 87 88

SEWP 11 15 14

I3P 332 375 356

Total Obligations 420 477 458

Unobligated Balance (end-of-year)* 10 3 6 

*Unobligated balance end-of-year is budgetary resources less obligation 

NASA SHARED SERVICES CENTER (NSSC) 

NSSC opened in March 2006 to provide centralized administrative processing services and customer 

contact center operations for support of human resources, procurement, financial management, Agency 

IT, and Agency business support services. NASA established NSSC, a function under the NASA 

Headquarters Mission Support Directorate, as a public/private partnership. NSSC has awarded its major 

business management and IT services contract to Computer Sciences Corporation. Typical expenditures 

are related to civil service workforce, support contractor, other direct procurements, and Agency training 

purchases. 
Supporting Data 

WORKING CAPITAL FUND

SD-8 

NSSC is located on the grounds of SSC and operates in a manner that provides for transparency and 

accountability of costs and services. NASA has reduced its administrative costs through centralized 

processing at NSSC. The work performed by NSSC reduces duplicative efforts and increases cost 

efficiencies. 

NSSC’s revenue streams include funding from the NASA Centers, mission directorates, and various 

NASA mission support offices. During FY 2017, NSSC will continue to offer similar services as in FY 

2016 with no significant scope changes anticipated. 

SOLUTIONS FOR ENTERPRISE-WIDE PROCUREMENT (SEWP) 

SEWP refers to operations related to the Government-Wide Acquisition Contract that was established 

under the authority of section 5112 of the Information Technology Management Reform Act (40 U.S.C. 

1412(e)), enacted in 1996, under which NASA is designated by the Office of Management and Budget 

(OMB) as a Federal Government Executive Agent for SEWP contracts. 

SEWP was established as a WCF entity to allow all Federal agencies use of a best value tool to purchase 

IT product solutions and services. Under this approach, the buying power of Federal Agencies is 

combined to acquire best value for IT products and services more efficiently. Typical acquisitions include 

a wide range of advanced technologies such as UNIX-Linux and Windows-based desktops and servers, 

along with peripherals, network equipment, storage devices, security tools, software, and other IT 

products and product-based solutions. 

SEWP promotes aggressive pricing using online tools to obtain multiple, competitive quotes from 

vendors. On average for FY 2016, SEWP quotes have a 20-percent savings for any Federal customer 

using SEWP contracts. In addition, SEWP offers a low surcharge to recover NASA’s costs to operate the 

program with an average 0.39 percent fee as compared to the Government standard of 0.75 percent. 

SEWP revenue is generated solely from the surcharge fees on all transactions processed. For FY 2016, the 

Federal Government is projected to save about $8.7 million in service fees, based on the difference 

between General Services Administration (GSA) and SEWP surcharge fees. 

IT INFRASTRUCTURE INTEGRATION PROGRAM (I3P) 

WCF operations supporting I3P began in early FY 2012. WCF enables I3P to improve the efficiency and 

economy in which contract services and management are provided to support NASA’s IT strategic 

initiatives and to increase visibility into NASA’s IT budget and expenditures. Under I3P, NASA has 

consolidated 19 separately managed contracts into 4 centrally managed ones described as follows: 

 The Enterprise Applications Service Technologies contract supports NASA Enterprise 

Applications Competency Center (NEACC) applications hosted by MSFC. The NEACC operates 

and maintains a broad spectrum of NASA’s enterprise applications, with an emphasis on fully 

integrating business process expertise with application and technical knowledge. A small team of 

civil servants and support contractors sustain operations, implement new applications and 

capabilities, and provide business readiness support to the stakeholders and end-users. 

The NASA Integrated Communications Services contract provides wide and local area network, 

telecommunications, video, and data services hosted at MSFC. 


Supporting Data 

WORKING CAPITAL FUND

SD-9 

 The Web Enterprise Service Technologies contract provides public Web site hosting, Web 

content management and integration, and search services. GSFC and ARC host these services. 

The Agency Consolidated End-User Services contract provides program management, 

provisioning, and support of desktops, laptops, cell phones, personal digital assistants, office 

automation software, and video conferencing. NSSC hosts these services. 



I3P’s consolidated contracting approach benefits NASA by providing cost saving opportunities, such as 

the reduction in administrative burden involved with the business management of contracts and a 

significant reduction in procurement request transaction volume. Other I3P benefits include the 

streamlining budgeting, funding, and costing of I3P services; achieving transparency through the 

provision of detailed customer monthly billings; and providing consolidated, consistent reporting of 

Agency-wide consumption of I3P-related goods and services. 

I3P is unique in that revenue streams and expenditures are limited to contract costs for its four service 

contracts. Revenue streams include funding from the NASA Centers, NASA Mission Directorates, and 

various NASA mission support offices. As reflected in the FY 2017 anticipated funding level, the I3P 

WCF will continue to offer similar services as in FY 2016.
Supporting Data 

BUDGET BY OBJECT CLASS

SD-10

FY 2017 Estimated Direct 

Discretionary and Mandatory 

Obligations 

($ millions) 

Code Object Class 

Science Aeronautics Space Technology Exploration Space Operations Education Safety, Security, and Mission Services Construction & Environmental Compliance & Restoration Office of Inspector General NASA Total 

11.1 Full-time permanent 249 156 87 380 262 7 989 0 24 2,154

11.3 Other than full-time 

permanent 4 3 1 2 2 0 19 0 0 33

11.5 Other personnel compensation 2 0 0 1 1 0 25 0 0 31

11.8 Special personal service 

payments 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 2 

11.9 Subtotal Personnel 

Compensation 255 160 89 384 266 7 1,034 0 25 2,220

12.1 Civilian personnel benefits 75 47 27 119 81 2 302 0 10 663

13.0 Benefits to former personnel 0 0 0 1 1 0 3 0 0 6 

Total Personnel 

Compensation & Benefits 331 207 116 504 348 10 1,339 0 35 2,888

21.0 Travel & transport. of persons 24 8 5 16 12 0 2 0 0 67

22.0 Transportation of things 12 1 2 8 1,187 0 4 0 0 1,214

23.1 Rental payments to GSA 0 0 0 0 0 0 35 0 0 35

23.2 Rental payments to others 5 0 0 0 3 0 4 0 0 12

23.3 Communications, utilities & 

misc. 

4 3 0 4 2 0 67 2 0 82

24.0 Printing & reproduction 2 0 0 0 1 0 4 0 0 7 

25.1 Advisory & assistance 

services 87 12 25 325 73 7 185 20 0 734

25.2 Other services 202 32 33 40 99 9 282 40 2 739

25.3 

Other purchases of goods & 

services from Government 

accounts 

153 8 9 48 25 0 45 16 1 305

25.4 Operation & maintenance. of 

facilities 

17 34 2 115 51 0 153 38 0 410

25.5 Research & development 

contracts 3,959 354 622 1,977 2,912 9 158 20 0 9,248

25.6 Medical care 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 1 0 9 

25.7 Operation & maintenance of 

equipment 

81 37 8 109 282 4 446 1 0 968

26.0 Supplies & materials 31 14 3 22 16 0 19 0 0 105
Supporting Data 

BUDGET BY OBJECT CLASS

SD-11 

FY 2017 Estimated Direct 

Discretionary and Mandatory 

Obligations 

($ millions) 

Code Object Class 

Science Aeronautics Space Technology Exploration Space Operations Education Safety, Security, and Mission Services Construction & Environmental Compliance & Restoration Office of Inspector General NASA Total 

31.0 Equipment 49 33 2 62 18 0 37 0 0 201

32.0 Land & structures 0 2 0 33 0 0 27 282 0 344

41.0 Grants, subsidies, & 

contributions 

643 45 0 74 49 61 22 0 0 894

99.5 Below reporting threshold 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 

Other Object Classes 5,269 583 711 2,833 4,728 90 1,498 420 3 16,137 

NASA Total, Direct* 5,600 790 827 3,337 5,076 100 2,837 420 38 19,025 

*Totals may not add due to rounding
Supporting Data 

STATUS OF UNOBLIGATED FUNDS

SD-12 

The table below displays actual and estimated unobligated balances of direct discretionary budget 

authority in each NASA appropriation account at the end of each fiscal year. The data is non-comparable, 

or based solely on an appropriation account’s activity or projected activity with no adjustment to the 

FY 2015 or FY 2016 amounts to make them comparable to the budget structure underlying the FY 2017 

request. 

UNOBLIGATED FUNDS SUMMARY BY APPROPRIATIONS ACCOUNT

Budget Authority ($ millions) 

Unobligated 

Balances 

 FY 2015 

Estimated 

Unobligated 

Balances 

 FY 2016 

Estimated 

Unobligated 

Balances 

FY 2017 

Science 338 287 288

Aeronautics 25 21 26

Space Technology 57 34 41

Exploration 40 58 48

Space Operations 171 184 185

Education 33 24 21

Safety, Security, and Mission Services 29 21 22

Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration 113 98 106

Science, Exploration, and Aeronautics 0 0 0 

Office of Inspector General 1 1 1 

NASA Total* 808 728 738

*Totals may not add due to rounding
Supporting Data 

REIMBURSABLE ESTIMATES

SD-13 

Reimbursable agreements are agreements where the NASA costs associated with the undertaking are 

borne by the non-NASA partner. NASA undertakes reimbursable agreements when it has equipment, 

facilities, and services that it can make available to others in a manner that does not interfere with NASA 

mission requirements. As most reimbursable requests to NASA do not occur until the year of execution, 

the FY 2016 to FY 2017 estimates are based on an annual survey of Centers’ anticipated reimbursable 

agreements. NASA separately budgets for and executes the three categories of reimbursable agreements 

listed below. Supporting data for Enhanced Use Leasing is provided on pages SD-14 to SD-15 of this 

section. 

REIMBURSABLE ESTIMATES BY APPROPRIATIONS ACCOUNT

Spending Authority from 

Offsetting Collections 

($ millions)

Actual Estimate Request 

FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017

Safety, Security, and Mission 

Services (non-EUL) 2,382.0 2,692.0 2,544.0

Safety, Security, and Mission 

Services (EUL) 7.5 17.4 13.2 

Safety, Security, and Mission 

Services (NHPA) 5.5 12.7 12.7 

Office of Inspector General 1.0 1.2 1.2 

Total 2,315.0 2,723.3 2,571.1 
Supporting Data 

ENHANCED USE LEASING

SD-14 

In 2003, Congress authorized NASA to demonstrate leasing authority and collections at two Centers. In 

2007 and 2008, Congress amended that authority such that NASA may enter into leasing arrangements at 

all Centers. The EUL authority includes a sunset provision (enacted as part of the FY 2009 Omnibus 

Appropriations Act (P.L. 110-161)) under which NASA’s authority will expire on December 26, 2017. 

NASA has requested in the draft 2017 appropriation language that the sunset provision language be 

deleted in its entirety so as to make its EUL authority permanent. EUL authority provides NASA the 

ability to maintain critical facilities and address deferred maintenance challenges as well as support 

Centers’ revitalization plans. Additionally, NASA’s EUL Authority supports important relationships with 

industry, academia, and non-profit organizations. 

After deducting the costs of administering the leases, Centers are then permitted to retain 65 percent of 

net receipt revenue, and the balance is made available Agency-wide for NASA. These funds are in 

addition to annual appropriations. To ensure annual oversight and review, the 2010 Consolidated 

Appropriations Act, P.L. 111-117 contains a provision that requires NASA to submit an estimate of gross 

receipts and collections and proposed use of all funds collected in the annual budget justification 

submission to Congress. The table below depicts the estimated FY 2017 EUL expenses and revenues. The 

amounts identified under Capital Asset Account Expenditures may be adjusted between projects listed 

based on actual contract award. There are no civil servants funded from Enhanced Use Leasing (EUL) 

income. 

SUMMARY OF FY 2017 EUL ACTIVITY

FY 2017 EUL Expenses and 

Revenues ($ thousands) ARC GSFC JPL 

(NMO) KSC MSFC SSC Agency Total 

Base Rent 6,423.7 31.8 96.4 101.0 262.7 86.9 3,621.1 10,623.6 

Institutional Support Income 1,963.1 5.0 0.0 12.8 0.0 8.6 0.0 1,989.5 

Additional Reimbursable 

Demand Services Requested 

by Lessees (including 

overhead) 

4,122.2 0.0 0.0 49.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 4,171.5 

Total Lease Income 12,509.0 36.8 96.4 163.1 262.7 95.5 3,621.1 16,784.6 

Institutional Support Costs (1,963.1) (5.0) 0.0 (12.8) 0.0 (7.0) 0.0 (1,987.9) 

Lease Management and 

Administration (881.3) 0.0 0.0 0.0 (6.9) (1.6) 0.0 (889.8) 

Tenant Building 

Maintenance and Repair (1,102.2) 0.0 0.0 0.0 (127.5) 0.0 0.0 (1,229.7) 

Cost to Fulfill Reimbursable 

Demand Services (including 

overhead) 

(4,122.2) 0.0 0.0 (49.3) 0.0 0.0 0.0 (4,171.5) 

Total Cost Associated with 

Leases (8,068.8) (5.0) 0.0 (62.1) (134.4) (8.6) 0.0 (8,278.9) 

Net Revenue from Lease 

Activity 4,440.2 31.8 96.4 101.0 128.3 86.9 3,621.1 8,505.7 

Beginning Balance, Capital 

Asset Account 240.0 0.0 61.0 29.7 0.0 187.5 2,800.0 3,318.2 

Net Revenue from Lease 

Activity Retained at Center 2,886.1 20.7 62.7 65.7 83.4 56.5 2,977.0 6,152.1 

Total Available, Capital 

Assets Account 3,126.1 20.7 123.7 95.4 83.4 244.0 5,777.0 9,470.3 
Supporting Data 

ENHANCED USE LEASING

SD-15 

FY 2017 EUL Expenses and 

Revenues ($ thousands) ARC GSFC JPL 

(NMO) KSC MSFC SSC Agency Total 

Planned Maintenance, 

Various Buildings (1,966.9) 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 (1,966.9) 

Replace Roofs on Various 

Buildings (918.2) 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 (918.2) 

Replace Exhaust Fan, B4 

Mechanical Room 0.0 (20.7) 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 (20.7) 

Rehab. of Vacant Areas to 

Lease 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 (83.4) 0.0 0.0 (83.4) 

Replace Severely Corroded 

Piping & Fitting at Riser and 

at Loading Dock, East End 

0.0 0.0 0.0 (63.1) 0.0 0.0 0.0 (63.1) 

Energy Enhancements 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 (150.0) 0.0 (150.0) 

Energy and Sustainability 

Upgrades, Various Buildings 

(Various Centers) 

0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 (3,000.0) (3,000.0) 

Capital Asset Account 

Expenditures (2,885.1) (20.7) 0.0 (63.1) (83.4) (150.0) (3,000.0) (6,202.3) 

Capital Asset Account 

Ending Balance 241.0 0.0 123.7 32.3 0.0 94.0 2,777.0 3,268.0 

In Kind Activity 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 

DEFINITIONS

Base Rent 

Revenue collected from tenant for rent of land or buildings. 

Institutional Support Costs 

Cost for institutional shared services, such as fire, security, first responder, communications, common 

grounds, road, and infrastructure maintenance, and routine administrative support and management 

oversight (e.g., environmental). 

Total Rental Income 

Total gross proceeds from EUL activities for expenses due to renting NASA property. 

In-Kind 

Consideration accepted in lieu of rent payment (only applies to selected leases signed prior to January 1, 

2009). 

Reimbursable Demand Services 

Services such as janitorial, communications, and maintenance that solely benefit the tenant and are 

provided for their convenience. There is no net income received by NASA, as these payments may only 

cover the costs of NASA and its vendors providing these services.
Supporting Data 

NATIONAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION ACT

SD-16 

In FY 2014, NASA established a new fund based upon the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 

1966. The Act provides the authority to administer, operate, manage, lease and maintain property, and 

demolish or remove buildings or space in buildings owned by NASA. It also allows any funds received 

from leasing the properties, buildings, or space in buildings to be deposited to the credit of a special 

receipt account and expended for purposes of operating, maintaining, and managing the properties and 

demolishing or removing the buildings. Agreements or contracts with public or private agencies, 

corporations, or persons, upon such terms and conditions are allowed. There are no civil servants funded 

from the NHPA Fund. The NHPA activities will be maintained under NHPA authority under Section 111. 

These funds are in addition to annual appropriations. 

The table below depicts the estimated amounts of anticipated NHPA expenses and revenues for FY 2017. 

NASA currently expects total rental income of $12.7 million. Of the total rental income of $12.7 million, 

$4.5 million represents net revenue from lease activities. The net revenue amount of $4.5 million will be 

used for historic building maintenance and repairs for historic properties at ARC, as well as for other 

properties throughout the Agency. 

FY 2017 EUL Expenses and Revenues ($ thousands) ARC

Base Rent 10,250.0 

Institutional Support Income 2,481.9 

Total Rental Income 12,731.9 

Institutional Support Costs (7,844.4) 

Total Cost Associated with Leases (343.3) 

Net Revenue from Lease Activity (8,187.7) 

Beginning Balance, Capital Asset Account 4,544.2 

Net Revenue from Lease Activity 0.0 

Historic Buildings Maintenance and Repair (ARC) 4,544.2 

Historic Buildings Maintenance and Repair (Agency) (1,471.0) 

Capital Asset Account Expenditures (400.9) 

Capital Asset Account Ending Balance (2,672.3) 

Additional Reimbursable Demand Services Requested 

by Lessees (4,544.2) 

Cost to Fulfill Reimbursable Demand Services 0.0 

Net activity due to Reimbursable Demand Services 4,520.1 

In-Kind Activity (4,520.1) 
Supporting Data 

NATIONAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION ACT

SD-17

DEFINITIONS

Base Rent 

Revenue collected from tenant for rent of land or buildings. 

Institutional Support Costs 

Cost for institutional shared services such as fire, security, first responder, communications, common 

grounds, road, and infrastructure maintenance, and routine administrative support and management 

oversight (e.g., environmental). 

Total Rental Income 

Total gross proceeds from EUL activities for expenses due to renting NASA property. 

In-Kind 

Consideration accepted in lieu of rent payment (only applies to selected leases signed prior to January 1, 

2009). 

Reimbursable Demand Services 

Services such as janitorial, communications, and maintenance that solely benefit the tenant and are 

provided for their convenience. There is no net income received by NASA, as these payments may only 

cover the costs of NASA and its vendors providing these services.
Supporting Data 

BUDGET FOR MICROGRAVITY SCIENCES

SD-18

BUDGET FOR INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION (ISS) RESEARCH

The Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate supports research which takes advantage of 

the unique environment of reduced gravity on the International Space Station (ISS). ISS Research is 

conducted in two broad categories: Exploration ISS Research and Non-Exploration ISS Research. 

Actual Estimate Request Notional 

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

Exploration ISS Research 162 173 162 158 172 171 170

Non-Exploration ISS Research 175 197 191 183 200 207 213

Total 337 370 353 341 372 378 383

Percent of Non-Exploration to 

Total 52 53 54 54 54 55 56

The amounts included for FY 2015 reflect actual, FY 2016 through FY 2021 are reflective of the NASA outyear 

planning. 

Exploration ISS Research 

Exploration ISS Research supports the Agency’s need for improved knowledge about working and living 

in space to enable future long-duration human exploration missions. 

The Human Research Program provides research results that reduce risks to crew health and performance 

from prolonged exposure to reduced gravity, space radiation, and isolation during exploration missions. 

Research on the ISS is mitigating risks to humans in space and on Earth by conducting research in human 

health countermeasures, space human factors and habitability, behavioral health and performance, and 

exploration medicine, tools, and technologies. 

ISS Research investigates the underlying gravity-dependent phenomena in the following areas: fire 

prevention, detection, and suppression; boiling; multiphase flow of fluids; and capillary driven flow. 

These applied research investigations will provide the necessary data for the future design of the 

following technology areas: life support systems, propellant storage, power generation, thermal control, 

and advanced environmental monitoring and control. 

Funding for the Multi-User System Support (MUSS), which supports Exploration ISS Research, is 

included in the table above. The MUSS function is responsible for the integration of all ISS payloads 

including NASA, international partners, and non-NASA users. This includes coordinating payload 

completion schedules, ISS mission schedules, and the space available on the launch vehicles. 

Non-Exploration ISS Research 

NASA allocates at least 15 percent of the funds budgeted for ISS research to ground-based, free-flyer, and 

ISS life and physical science research that is not directly related to supporting the human space 

exploration program, in accordance with Section 204 of the NASA Authorization Act of 2005. The 

purpose is to ensure the capacity to support ground-based research leading to space-based basic and 

applied scientific research in a variety of disciplines with potential direct national benefits and 

applications that can be advanced significantly from the uniqueness of microgravity and the space 

environment. In addition, this allocation allows basic ISS research in fields, including physiological 

research, basic fluid physics, combustion science, cellular biotechnology, low-temperature physics, 
Supporting Data

BUDGET FOR MICROGRAVITY SCIENCES

SD-19

cellular research, materials science, and plant research, to be carried out to the maximum extent possible. 

This research helps to sustain existing U.S. scientific expertise and capability in microgravity research.

The Non-Exploration ISS Research line in the previous table also includes the Alpha Magnetic 

Spectrometer (AMS) and costs for MUSS support. The AMS is a particle physics and astrophysics 

experiment, planned for the ISS, which is searching for dark matter, anti-matter, and strange matter.

Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS)

The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) is the organization selected by NASA to 

manage non-NASA use of the ISS National Laboratory in conformance with direction in the 2010 NASA 

Authorization Act. The Center continues to build momentum in the private sector, and is actively working 

with leading companies that include Merck, Eli Lilly, COBRA PUMA Golf, Proctor & Gamble, and 

Novartis. CASIS awarded 39 research and technology projects that include a wide diversity in discipline 

and application.

CASIS continues to explore new opportunities to develop new research concepts for the ISS, and to 

implement a value-driven utilization program that brings new users to the ISS research community.

CASIS implemented a new research procurement strategy, termed “Sponsored Programs” or solicitations 

for ISS research, which is financially supported by a sponsor organization focused on solving a specific 

terrestrial problem. Sponsored programs generate external funding from other outlets and leverage 

CASIS’s ability to apportion ISS National Lab flight opportunities as an essential conduit to research and 

innovation. Two sponsored programs in FY 2015 included partnerships with Boeing and the 

Massachusetts Life Science Center, respectively.
Supporting Data 

BUDGET FOR SAFETY OVERSIGHT

SD-20

The following table provides the safety and mission assurance budget request. This includes the Agencywide safety oversight functions, as well as the project specific safety, reliability, maintainability, and 

quality assurance elements embedded within individual projects. NASA does not have a single safety 

oversight budget line item, but instead amounts are embedded in program, project, and mission support 

budgets. 

BUDGET SUMMARY FOR SAFETY OVERSIGHT

Actual Estimate Request Notional

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 

2015

FY 

2016

FY 

2017

FY 

2018

FY 

2019

FY 

2020

FY 

2021

Safety and Mission Assurance 

(AMO) 48.7 49.7 51.2 52.2 53.6 54.7 55.8 

Institutional Operational Safety 

(CMO) 33.3 32.6 36.8 38.2 38.9 39.6 40.2 

SMA Technical Authority (CMO) 52.2 48.2 51.4 52.7 53.9 55.1 56.2 

Agency-wide Safety Oversight 134.2 130.5 139.4 143.1 146.4 149.4 152.2 

Program Specific 300.0 300.0 300.0 300.0 300.0 300.0 300.0 

NASA Total, Safety 434.2 430.5 439.4 443.1 446.4 449.4 452.2 

Agency-Wide Safety Oversight – Agency-level programs and activities that support the overarching 

NASA Safety and Mission Success program. 

Safety and Mission Assurance (S&MA) – The S&MA program administers and refines the pertinent 

policies, procedural requirements, and technical safety standards. The program participate in forums that 

provide advice to the Administrator, Mission Directorates, Program Managers, and Center Directors who 

are ultimately accountable for the safety and mission success of all NASA programs, projects, and 

operations. Specific program responsibility includes, among other activities, managing NASA’s Orbital 

Debris program, NASA’s Electronic Parts program, and the NASA Safety Center. 

Institutional Operational Safety – NASA’s institutional operational safety program is driven by 

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 1960, 

OSHA Standards, NASA Procedural Requirement (NPR) 8715.1, NASA Safety and Health Handbook 

Occupational Safety and Health Programs, NPR 8715.3, and NASA’s general safety program 

requirements. The program includes construction safety, mishap prevention program including reporting 

and investigations, safety training, safety awareness, the voluntary protection program, safety metrics and 

trend analysis, contractor insight/oversight, support to safety boards and committees, support to 

emergency preparedness and fire safety program, aviation safety, explosives and propellants safety, 

nuclear safety requirements, radiation safety protection, confined space entry, fall protection, lifting 

devices, pressure vessel safety, hazard reporting and abatement systems, cryogenic safety, electrical 

safety requirements (lock out/tag out), facility systems safety, risk management, institutional safety policy 

development, visitor and public safety, and institutional safety engineering. The institutional operational 

safety program requires significant federal state and local coordination. 

S&MA Technical Authority and S&MA Support – The S&MA technical authority program only 

includes travel and labor for all S&MA supervisors, branch chiefs, or above and designated deputies. In 

addition, whereas the principal job function of a non-supervisory S&MA person consists of rendering 
Supporting Data 

BUDGET FOR SAFETY OVERSIGHT

SD-21

authoritative decisions on S&MA requirements matters that relate to the design or operation of a program 

or project, that person’s salary is included. These positions often are the lead S&MA manager positions 

for large programs in which the decision-making process is nearly a full time demand. This category does 

not include salary for those whose work only occasionally falls as an authority task. This includes travel 

funds in direct support of these individuals. 

S&MA is mission support, including administrative support, which cannot be directly charged to a 

program. This budget includes policy development across the programs, range safety, payload safety 

(ground processing), independent assessments, metrology and calibration (for center), reliability and 

maintainability policy, center-wide S&MA program integration and analysis, business and administrative 

support to S&MA Directorates, and quality assurance for facilities and ground support hardware. 

Program Specific – Project-specific S&MA costs are included in individual project budgets. These costs 

include the technical and management efforts of directing and controlling the safety and mission 

assurance elements of the project. This incorporates the design, development, review, and verification of 

practices and procedures and mission success criteria intended to ensure that the delivered spacecraft, 

ground systems, mission operations, and payload(s) meet performance requirements and function for their 

intended lifetimes. 
Supporting Data 

PHYSICIAN’S COMPARABILITY ALLOWANCE

SD-22

The Physicians’ Comparability Program permits agencies to provide allowances to certain Federal 

physicians who enter into service agreements with their agencies to address recruitment and retention 

problems. Physicians’ comparability allowances (PCAs) are critical to NASA’s ability to retain flight 

surgeons and physicians, as well as support NASA’s goal of maintaining a stable, high quality physician 

workforce. NASA’s physicians are required to acquire and maintain specialized experience vital to 

supporting the Agency’s missions on the ISS. JSC, NASA’s primary user of PCAs is located in Houston, 

Texas and competes with some of the best medical facilities in the country. The following report 

summarizes NASA’s use of this authority.

PHYSICIAN’S COMPARABILITY ALLOWANCE (PCA) DATA SUMMARY

Actual Estimate Request 

FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017* 

1) Number of Physicians Receiving PCAs 24 25 26 

2) Number of Physicians with One-Year PCA Agreements 24 25 26 

3) Number of Physicians with Multi-Year PCA Agreements 0 0 0 

4) Average Annual PCA Physician Pay (without PCA payment) $158,569 $160,630** $162,236*** 

5) Average Annual PCA Payment $19,850 $19,789 $19,795 

6) Number of Physicians 

Receiving PCAs by 

Category (non-add) 

Category I Clinical Position 21 22 23

Category II Research Position 0 0 0 

Category III Occupational Health 0 0 0 

Category IV-A Disability Evaluation 0 0 0 

Category IV-B Health and Medical 

Admin. 3 3 3 

*FY 2017 data will be approved during the FY 2018 Budget cycle 

**Based on estimated 1.3 percent pay increases in 2016 

***Based on estimated 1.0 percent pay increase in 2017 

MAXIMUM ANNUAL PCA AMOUNT PAID TO EACH CATEGORY OF PHYSICIAN

The allowance amount authorized will be the minimum amount necessary to address the recruitment and 

retention problems, noted below, and will be determined by considering the factors listed in Code of 

Federal Resources Title 5 CFR 595.105(a). Allowance amounts may not exceed: 

 $14,000 per annum if the employee has served as a Government physician for 24 months or less; 

$24,000 per annum if the employee has served as a Government physician for 24 to 48 months; or 

$30,000 per annum if the employee has served as a Government physician for more than 48 

months. 




Supporting Data 

PHYSICIAN’S COMPARABILITY ALLOWANCE

SD-23

RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION ISSUES

Category 1 Clinical Positions 

NASA currently has 21 physicians in this category, all located at JSC in Houston, TX. There are 

a number of recruitment and retention challenges at JSC: 

 The Houston area has world-renowned medical facilities. Physician salaries in the Houston area 

and across the country continue to rise and compensation at JSC must remain competitive in 

order to attract and retain high quality physicians. 

JSC’s clinical resources continue to focus on support of the International Space Station crew 

(operating 24/7), support of the active astronaut corps and the operation of the Lifetime 

Surveillance of Astronaut Health program (which includes all retired astronauts). Physicians at 

JSC are also using their expertise in aerospace medicine to develop requirements for both the 

Commercial Crew Program and the Orion Spacecraft development program. 

Physicians who are board-certified in Aerospace Medicine and who have operational experience 

are a rare and valuable commodity. There is a shortage of aerospace medicine specialists’

nationwide and other government and military organizations are actively recruiting qualified 

physicians. 

Many JSC physicians with aerospace medicine training and experience are also board-certified in 

other clinical specialties including internal medicine, emergency medicine, and psychiatry. The 

double board-certified physicians are an especially rare commodity and their dual areas of 

expertise are extraordinarily valuable to NASA. The training period after medical school, 

including on-the-job training at NASA after hire, is nearly a full decade. Retaining such 

physicians after they are hired and have completed NASA Flight Surgeon training requirements is 

critical to the success of the human space flight program. PCA plays a key part in retaining them. 







JSC filled two clinical positions in FY 2015 and the ability to offer PCA continues to be a critical factor 

in the candidate’s decision to accept the employment offer. PCA is an important tool in recruiting new 

physicians, as the General Schedule salary offered is consistently lower than salaries in the private sector. 

JSC is planning to hire 2-3 physicians in the next two years in order to meet the Agency’s needs.

Currently, 32 percent of JSC’s physicians are retirement eligible and in the next 5 years, 50 percent will 

become eligible. JSC must continue to concentrate on retaining physicians and having the capability to fill 

positions that may become vacant due to resignations and/or retirements. Being able to offer PCA has 

become increasingly critical to NASA in competing with the private sector for the most qualified 

physicians. 

Category IV-B Health and Medical Administration 

NASA currently has three physicians in this category receiving PCA: two at KSC and one at 

Headquarters. KSC is not currently experiencing retention issues and has been gradually 

reducing the PCA amounts with the intent to phase out PCA for the two physicians. 

Recruiting and retaining physicians in the Washington, DC area requires NASA to compete with 

several major medical schools in the Washington, DC area, as well as other Federal agencies 

such as the National Institutes of Health, Department of Defense, Veterans Administration, 

Department of Homeland Security, and the Federal Aviation Administration. Physician 
Supporting Data 

PHYSICIAN’S COMPARABILITY ALLOWANCE

SD-24

compensation is commensurately high in this location and competition for qualified physicians is 

intense. Additionally, attracting physicians from outside the area is difficult due to commuting 

challenges and the high cost of living. 

The Headquarters position is a medical leadership and oversight position that is largely 

administrative with little opportunity for clinical practice. Many aerospace medicine physicians 

prefer clinical practice to a medical leadership position. Clinical currency, which is required for 

licensure and renewal of professional certification, is difficult to maintain while serving in this 

position. This position is responsible for the success of the medical care system supporting 

human space flight in the United States and internationally, with significant travel obligations 

and other pressures associated with this position. These factors also present additional 

recruitment and retention challenges.

HOW PCA ALLEVIATES RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION PROBLEMS

PCA continues to be an effective tool at NASA. It has been used successfully at JSC to recruit 

and retain highly qualified physicians. During FY 2014, JSC had one physician retire and one 

resign, and these individuals indicated that different professional opportunities, rather than 

salary, were the main reason for leaving. In FY 15, JSC was able to fill two critical physician 

positions and experienced no losses because PCA enabled JSC to compete with higher salaries in 

the private sector. For example, several JSC physicians are board-certified in both aerospace 

medicine and emergency medicine. These physicians are especially valuable in developing 

responses to potential medical emergencies during spaceflight or mission training. According to 

the September 2014 Medical Journal-Houston, the average starting compensation for emergency 

physicians in the Houston area was $293,729. PCA is used successfully to bridge the widening 

compensation gap between the private sector and Federal government for such uniquely qualified 

physicians. 

KSC is not currently experiencing retention issues with the two physicians employed there. KSC 

plans to decrease the current PCA amounts in FY 2016 and phase out PCA in FY 2017 to 

prevent a negative impact on the income of the two physicians currently receiving PCA. 
Supporting Data 

PHYSICIAN’S COMPARABILITY ALLOWANCE

SD-25

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Retaining essential Civil Service physicians will become increasingly critical to maintaining core 

competencies and fulfilling mission objectives. The multi-year Federal pay freeze caused the gap 

between Federal and private physician salaries to widen and become more evident. Significantly 

higher physician pay scales under Title 38 in the Veterans Administration and Department of 

Defense provide a potential incentive for NASA physicians to continue their government service 

and receive higher pay by transferring to those agencies. All of these factors affect NASA’s 

ability to attract and retain qualified physicians. PCA is a means to lessen the impact of these 

factors and provide NASA the ability to continue attracting and retaining qualified physicians.
Supporting Data 

BUDGET FOR PUBLIC RELATIONS

SD-26 

The NASA budget for Public Affairs is funded within Safety, Security, and Mission Services under 

Center Management and Operations and Agency Management and Operations. All the Installations listed 

below, except for Headquarters, are in the Center Management and Operations account and the 

Headquarters budget is in the Agency Management and Operations account. 

These budgets include dissemination of information to the news media and the public concerning NASA 

programs. Content includes support for public affairs/public relations, center newsletters, internal 

communications, guest operations (including bus transportation), public inquiries, NASA TV, the 

http://www.nasa.gov portal, and other multimedia support. 

NASA PAO BUDGET SUMMARY, BY CENTER

Actual Estimate Request Notional 

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 

ARC 2.5 2.5 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.6 

AFRC 1.3 1.3 1.4 1.4 1.5 1.5 1.5 

GRC 2.9 2.9 3.0 3.1 3.1 3.2 3.2 

GSFC 5.8 5.8 5.9 6.0 6.0 6.1 6.2 

HQ 13.5 14.0 14.9 15.4 15.7 16.1 16.3 

JSC 7.5 7.6 7.7 7.7 7.7 7.7 7.7 

KSC 7.1 7.6 7.8 8.0 8.3 8.6 8.8 

LaRC 2.7 3.1 3.1 3.2 3.2 3.3 3.3 

MSFC 5 5 5.0 5.1 5.1 5.1 5.2 

SSC 1.7 1.6 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.8 1.8 

NASA Total 50.0 51.4 53.1 54.2 54.9 56.0 56.6 

Public Affairs per baseline service level definition as part of the Safety, Security, and Mission Services Budget
Supporting Data 

CONSULTING SERVICES

SD-27

NASA uses paid experts and consultants to provide advice and expertise beyond that which is available 

from its in-house civil service workforce. Management controls ensure that there is ample justification for 

consulting services before these services are obtained. Much of the Agency’s expert and consultant 

support is for the NASA Advisory Council and the Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel. NASA uses experts 

and consultants to provide expertise on the selection of experiments for future space missions. The use of 

these experts and consultants provides the Agency with an independent view that assures the selection of 

experiments likely to have the greatest scientific merit. Other individuals provide independent views of 

technical and functional problems in order to provide senior management with the widest possible range 

of information to support making major decisions. Historically, each Mission Directorate engages a few 

consultants supporting primarily programmatic and Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel issues. 

NASA CONSULTING SERVICES BUDGET SUMMARY

Actual Estimate Request 

(Cost in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 

Number of Paid Experts and Consultants 34.0 34.0 34.0 

Annual FTE Usage 7.4 7.4 7.4 

Salaries $0.9 $0.9 $0.9 

Total Salary and Benefits Costs $1.0 $1.0 $1.0 

Travel Costs $0.2 $0.2 $0.2 

Total Costs $1.2 $1.2 $1.2 

FY 2015 are actual obligations. FY 2016 and FY 2017 are estimated Budget Authority 

A broader definition of consulting services could include the total object class “Advisory and Assistance 

Services” as shown in the Supporting Data Budget by Object Class section of this volume. “Advisory and 

Assistance Services” include 1) Management and Professional Support Services, 2) Studies, Analysis, and 

Evaluations, and 3) Engineering and Technical Services. 

Actual Estimate Request 

(Cost in $ millions) FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 

Advisory and Assistance Services 739.0 722.0 734.0 

DEFINITIONS

Consultant – A person who can provide valuable and pertinent advice generally drawn from a high 

degree of broad administrative, professional, or technical knowledge or experience. When an agency 

requires public advisory participation, a consultant also may be a person who is affected by a particular 

program and can provide useful views from personal experience. 

Expert – A person who is specially qualified by education and experience to perform difficult and 

challenging tasks in a particular field beyond the usual range of achievement of competent persons in that 

field. An expert is regarded by other persons in the field as an authority or practitioner of unusual 

competence and skill in a professional, scientific, technical, or other activity. 
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These definitions are located under 5 CFR 304.102. The appointments are made under 5 U.S.C. 3109, and the use of 

this authority is reported to Office of Personnel Management (OPM) annually.
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E-GOVERNMENT FUNDING CONTRIBUTIONS AND SERVICE FEES BY INITIATIVE

NASA is providing funding contributions in FY 2017 for each of the following E-Government initiatives: 

Initiative 

2017 Contributions 

(Includes In-Kind) 2017 Service Fees*

E-Rulemaking 0 $10,000 

Grants.gov $107,516 0 

E-Training 0 $1,537,500 

Recruitment One-Stop 0 $115,317 

Enterprise Human Resources Integration (EHRI) 0 $293,615 

E-Payroll 0 $3,950,075 

E-Travel 0 $89,520 

Integrated Acquisition Environment (IAE) 0 $857,210 

Financial Management Lines of Business (LoB) $124,236 0 

Human Resources Management LoB $65,217 0 

Geospatial LoB $225,000 0 

Budget Formulation and Execution LoB** $110,000 0 

NASA Total $631,969 $7,203,237 

*Service fees are estimates as provided by the E-Government initiative managing partners 

**Final FY 2017 commitments have yet to be finalized by Managing Partners (OMB MAX) 

After submission of the budget, NASA will post FY 2017 Exhibit 300 IT business cases on the IT 

Dashboard, located at: http://it.usaspending.gov/. 

The E-Government initiatives serve citizens, businesses, and federal employees by delivering high quality 

services more efficiently at a lower price. Instead of expensive “stove-piped” operations, agencies work 

together to develop common solutions that achieve mission requirements at reduced cost, thereby making 

resources available for higher priority needs. Benefits realized using these initiatives for NASA in FY 

2017 are described in the following. 

eRulemaking (Managing Partner Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)) FY 2017

Benefits 

NASA’s benefits from the eRulemaking initiative are largely focused on providing the public benefits by 

providing one-stop access to the Agency’s information on rulemakings and non-rulemaking activities via 

the Regulations.gov website. 

NASA uses the Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) to post its rulemakings in order for the 

public to gain access to review and comment on these rulemakings. NASA relies on Regulations.gov to 

retrieve public comments on its rulemakings. NASA’s use of the FDMS and Regulations.gov 

substantially improves the transparency of its rulemaking actions as this use increases public participation 

in the regulatory process. Direct budget cost savings and cost avoidance result from NASA’s transition to 

FDMS and Regulations.gov, enabling the Agency to discontinue efforts to develop, deploy, and operate 
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specific individual online docket and public comment systems. Over a five-year period, NASA is 

estimated to save over $700,000 over alternative options that would provide similar services. 

Grants.gov (Managing Partner HHS) FY 2017 Benefits 

The Grants.gov initiative benefits NASA and its grant programs by providing a single location with 

broader exposure to publish grant (funding) opportunities and application packages, making the process 

easier for applicants to apply to multiple agencies. All 26 major Federal grant-making agencies posted 

100 percent of their synopses for discretionary funding opportunity announcements on Grants.gov. 

In addition, Grants.gov provides a single site for the grantee community to apply for grants using a 

standard set of forms, processes, and systems giving greater access and ability to apply for Federal 

funding. Using Grants.gov, NASA is able to reduce operating costs associated with online posting and 

application of grants. Additionally, the Agency is able to improve operational effectiveness using 

Grants.gov by increasing data accuracy and reducing processing cycle times. 

e-Training (Managing Partner Office of Personnel Management (OPM)) FY 2017 Benefits 

The e-Training initiative provides access to premier electronic training systems and tools that support the 

training and development of the Federal workforce. The initiative supports agency missions through 

efficient one-stop access to e-Training products and services. The availability of an electronic training 

environment enhances the ability of the Federal government and NASA to attract, retain, manage, and 

develop highly skilled professionals needed for a flexible and high-performing government workforce. 

The e-Training initiative benefits NASA by reducing redundancies and achieving economies of scale in 

the purchase and development of e-learning content and in the purchase of learning technology 

infrastructure. The System for Administration, Training, and Educational Resources at NASA (SATERN) 

is a web-based talent management tool that serves as NASA’s training system of record. This centralized 

approach allows NASA to reduce and leverage training costs by eliminating unique systems, 

standardizing training processes, and valid data. 

Through SATERN, employees can view required training, launch online content, view training history, 

and self-register for approved courses and conferences. In addition, the system allows NASA officials to 

identify groups and individuals who have not met basic training requirements and ensure accountability 

for mission critical and federally mandated training and development. SATERN also offers employees 

access to career planning tools, individual development plans, and competency management assistance. 

Currently, SATERN offers learners access to more than 2,500 online courses and 18,000 online books 

and training videos. SATERN is available at all times and can be accessed from work or at home. 

Recruitment One-Stop (Managing Partner OPM) FY 2017 Benefits 

USAJOBS simplifies the Federal Job Search Process for Job Seekers and Agencies. The USAJOBS.gov 

Web site provides a place where citizens can search for employment opportunities throughout the Federal 

Government. USAJOBS is a fully operational, state of the art recruitment system that simplifies the 

Federal job search process for job seekers and agencies. Through USAJOBS.gov, users have access to: 

 A centralized repository for all competitive service; 

Job vacancies; 

A resume repository used by agencies to identify critical skills; 

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 A standardized online recruitment tool and services; 

A standard application Process; and 

Intuitive job searches including e-mail notifications for jobs of interest. 

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Integration with Recruitment One-Stop allows NASA to better attract individuals who can accomplish the 

Agency’s mission. The USAJOBS interface allows job seekers to view and apply for all NASA 

employment opportunities, as well as those from other federal agencies. 

NASA adopted the USAJOBS resume as the basic application document for all NASA positions, except 

for astronaut positions (in 2005). To date NASA has not identified any specific savings in terms of 

budgeted savings or cost avoidance. Although the Agency believes that implementation of Recruitment 

One-Stop has resulted in significant intangible benefits in terms of providing better vacancy information 

to applicants, it has not resulted in any specific cost savings to NASA. However, the numerous intangible 

benefits Recruitment One-Stop provides to NASA and other agencies include: 

 Decreasing hiring time for managers; 

Providing an integrated solution to agency applicant assessment systems; 

Providing a cost effective marketing and recruitment tool; 

Realizing cost savings over commercial job posting boards; 

Reducing the delay associated with filling critical agency vacancies; and 

Enhancing competition with the private sector for the best and brightest talent for Federal service. 

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Enterprise Human Resources Integration (EHRI) (Managing Partner OPM) FY 2017 

Benefits 

The EHRI program supports the strategic management of human capital by providing agency customers 

with access to timely and accurate federal workforce data. In support of this objective, EHRI has the 

following goals: 1) Streamline and automate the exchange of federal employee human resources (HR) 

information Government-wide; 2) Provide comprehensive knowledge management and workforce 

analysis, forecasting, and reporting across the Executive Branch; 3) Maximize cost savings captured 

through automation; and 4) Enhance retirement processing throughout the Executive Branch. 

A key initiative of EHRI is the electronic Official Personnel Folder (eOPF), a web-based application 

capable of storing, processing, and displaying the OPFs of all current, separated, and retired Federal 

Employees. When fully implemented, the eOPF will cover the entire Executive Branch as well as other 

Federal and Local Governments with a total user population of more than 1.9 million. The system will 

replace the existing manual process by automating the Federal Government’s HR processes and thereby 

creating a streamlined Federal HR system for all Federal Employees. The initiative is achieving cost 

savings that are recognized on a per-folder basis. The total cost avoidance per folder is estimated at 

$55.56. 

Specific EHRI/eOPF benefits to NASA include improved convenience in searching, better security and 

safety to electronic files, more economical, streamlined business processes, and the ability to have a 

central repository of OPF records for the Agency. During FY 2010, NASA also deployed the eOPF 

capability of electronic transfer of eOPFs between agencies. Specific NASA employee benefits include 

secure online access to OPFs, automatic notification when documents are added, exchange of retirement 

and HR data across agencies and systems, and the elimination of duplicate and repetitive personnel data 

in personnel folders. NASA completed its implementation to eOPF in March 2008, and transitioned 

personnel actions processing to the NASA Shared Service Center. 
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E-Payroll FY 2017 Benefits 

The E-Payroll Initiative standardizes and consolidates government-wide federal civilian payroll services 

and processes by simplifying and standardizing HR/payroll policies and procedures and better integrating 

payroll, HR, and finance functions. Prior to beginning the initiative, 26 federal agencies provided payroll 

services. Four providers were selected to furnish payroll services for the Executive branch. Since 2004, 

the Department of Interior (DOI) has served as NASA’s payroll provider, using their system, the Federal 

Personnel and Payroll System (FPPS), to process NASA’s HR and Payroll transactions and supply all key 

delivery aspects of its payroll operation functions. The E-Payroll initiative benefits NASA by permitting 

the Agency to focus on its mission related activities, rather than on administrative payroll functions. 

Payroll processing costs are reduced through economies of scale and avoiding the cost of duplicative 

capital system modernization activities. The initiative also promotes standardization of business processes 

and practices as well as unified service delivery. 

E-Travel (Managing Partner General Services Administration (GSA)) FY 2017 Benefits 

NASA completed migration of its travel services to E-Gov Travel Service 2 (ETS2) - Concur 

Government Edition (CGE) (formerly HP Enterprise Services (FedTraveler)). Completing this migration 

after implementation the summer of 2014 has allowed NASA to provide more efficient and effective 

travel management services. ETS2 is a streamlined, adaptable world-class travel management service that 

continually applies commercial best practices to realize travel efficiencies and deliver a transparent, 

accountable, and sustainable service that yields exceptional customer satisfaction. 

ETS2 builds on the success of the first generation ETS, and will continue to take advantage of advances 

to help the government further consolidate online travel booking services and expense management 

platforms, driving additional cost savings and efficiencies while delivering a transparent service for 

improved accountability and reduced waste. ETS2 serves as the gateway to optimize the Government’s 

scale and full market leverage to lower travel costs. ETS has served as the backbone of GSA’s managed 

travel programs, providing access to air, car and lodging, as well as the foundation for implementing a 

shared service for civilian agency travel management. 

ETS2’s new benefits and features include:

 Improved usability and optimized online travel planning; 

Increased navigation and ease-of-use, enabling informed cost and sustainability decisions at 

point-of-sale; and 

Strengthened operational environment, improving management by adopting commercial best 

practices in software development, data transparency and improved security controls. 

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

ETS2 will enable the government to further consolidate travel services, platforms, and channels, improve 

the leverage of government travel spending, increase transparency for improved accountability, and 

reduce waste. This directly aligns and supports the recent OMB Memo M-12-12 regarding Promoting 

Efficient Spending to Support Agency Operations with respect to travel. 

Integrated Acquisition Environment (Managing Partner GSA) FY 2017 Benefits 

The Integrated Acquisition Environment (IAE) initiative is designed to streamline the process of reporting 

on subcontracting plans and provide agencies with access to analytical data on subcontracting 

performance. Use of the IAE common services allows agencies to focus on agency-specific needs such as 

strategy, operations, and management while leveraging shared services for common functions. 
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Furthermore, use of a government-wide business focused service environment reduces funding and 

resources for technical services and support for acquisition systems originally housed by individual 

agencies. 

IAE facilitates and supports cost-effective acquisition of goods and services by agencies. The IAE 

initiative provides common acquisition functions and shared services that benefit all agencies, such as the 

maintenance of information about business-partner organizations (e.g., banking, certifications, business 

types, capabilities, performance). IAE provides benefits to the government and business-partner 

organizations by improving cross-agency coordination that helps to improve the government’s buying 

power, while providing business partners maximum visibility and transparency into the process. IAE 

provides various services, tools, and capabilities that can be leveraged by the acquisition community 

including buyers, sellers, and the public to conduct business across the federal government space. 

Government buyers can: 

 Search for commercial and government sources; 

Post synopses and solicitations; 

Securely post sensitive solicitation documents; 

Access reports on vendors’ performance; 

Retrieve vendor data validated by Small Business Administration (SBA) and Internal Revenue 

Service (IRS); 

Identify excluded parties; and 

Report contract awards. 

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Business suppliers can: 

 Search business opportunities by product, service, agency, or location; 

Receive e-mail notification of solicitations based on specific criteria; 

Register to do business with the Federal Government; 

Enter representations and certifications one time; 

Revalidate registration data annually; and 

Report subcontracting accomplishments. 

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Citizens can: 

 Retrieve data on contract awards; 

Track federal spending; 

Search to find registered businesses; and 

Monitor business opportunities. 

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Through adoption of the tools and services provided by IAE, NASA improves its ability to make 

informed and efficient purchasing decisions and allows it to replace manual processes. If NASA did not 

use IAE systems, the Agency would need to build and maintain separate systems to record vendor and 

contract information, and to post procurement opportunities. Agency purchasing officials would not have 

access to databases of important information from other agencies on vendor performance and could not 

use systems to replace paper-based and labor-intensive work efforts. 
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Integrated Acquisition Environment – Loans and Grants FY 2017 Benefits 

All agencies participating in the posting and/or awarding of Contracts and Grants & Loans are required by 

the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) of 2006 as well as the American 

Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) reporting requirements to disclose award information 

on a publicly accessible Web site. FFATA requires OMB to lead the development of a single, searchable 

Web site through which the public can readily access information about grants and contracts provided by 

Federal government agencies1.

Based on the recommendations of the Transparency Act Taskforce, the Web site leverages functionality 

provided by the Integrated Acquisition Environment (IAE) initiative to provide Data Universal 

Numbering System (DUNS) numbers as the unique identifier. An existing IAE Dun and Bradstreet 

(D&B) transaction-based contract for the contract community was expanded to provide government-wide 

D&B services for the Grants & Loans community. These services include parent linkage, help desk 

support, world database lookup, business validation and linkage monitoring, matching services, as well as 

the use of DUNS numbers. The enterprise D&B contract provides substantial savings to the participating 

agencies over their previous agency transaction-based D&B contracts. 

On December 14, 2007, OMB launched www.USASpending.gov to meet FFATA statutory requirements, 

ahead of schedule. Since that launch, OMB has and will continue to work with agencies to improve the 

quality, timeliness, and accuracy of their data submissions and has released a series of enhancements to 

the site. USASpending.gov complements other Web sites providing the public Federal program 

performance information (e.g., USA.gov, Results.gov, and ExpectMore.gov). 

USASpending.gov provides: 

 The name of the entity receiving the award; 

The amount of the award; 

Information on the award including transaction type, funding agency, etc.; 

The location of the entity receiving the award; and 

A unique identifier of the entity receiving the award. 

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All agencies participating in the posting and/or awarding of Contracts and Grants & Loans are required by 

the FFATA as well as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) reporting 

requirements to disclose award information on a publicly accessible Web site. Cross-government 

cooperation with OMB’s Integrated Acquisition Environment initiative allows agencies and contributing 

bureaus to meet the requirements of the FFATA by assigning a unique identifier, determining corporate 

hierarchy, and validating and cleaning up incorrect or incomplete data. 

The FY 2014 funding requirements as it relates to the IAE – Loans and Grants funding line supports the 

FFATA for the relationship with D&B and DUNS support services. In addition to provision of DUNS 

numbers, D&B is now providing business and linkage data seamlessly, and the business arrangement 

 

1

 More information on the development of this Web site can be found at: http://www.federalspending.gov. 
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supports the quality of data by real-time updates. NASA and other agencies will leverage the linkages to 

corporate organizational rollups based on parental and subsidiary relationships. 

LINES OF BUSINESS

Financial Management Lines of Business (FMLoB) (Managing Partners Department of 

Energy (DOE) and Department of Labor (DOL)) FY 2017 Benefits 

Treasury’s Office of Financial Innovation and Transformation (FIT) served as Managing Partner and the 

Program Management Office (PMO) for the Financial Management Lines of Business (FMLoB). In 

accordance with OMB’s guidance on shared services (the Federal IT Shared Services Strategy), the 

Treasury’s FIT will lead efforts to transform Federal financial management, reduce costs, increase 

transparency, and improve delivery of agencies’ missions by operating at scale, relying on common 

standards, shared services, and using state-of-the-art technology. Under the guidance of the CFOC and 

COFAR, partner agencies will work with the FMLoB’s support to standardize core financial business 

processes (including financial assistance) and data elements across the Federal Government to provide: 

(1) reliable and accessible financial data to the public; (2) adequate training and development resources to 

agency workforces; and (3) strong oversight of Federal programs using tools such as the Single Audit. 

The FMLoB will also play a role in implementing OMB’s Memorandum M-13-08, Improving Financial 

Systems Through Shared Services. NASA benefits from the FM LoB because it provides a forum in 

which federal agencies can share information and weigh pros and cons of various initiatives (for example, 

shared services). 

Human Resources Management LoB (HR LoB) (Managing Partner OPM) FY 2017 

Benefits 

The Human Resources Management Lines of Business (HR LoB) vision is to create government-wide, 

modern, cost-effective, standardized, and interoperable HR solutions to provide common core 

functionality to support the strategic management of Human Resources through the establishment of 

Shared Service Centers (SSCs). Driven from a business perspective, the solutions will address distinct 

business improvements enhancing the government’s performance of HR and payroll services in support 

of agency missions delivering services to citizens. The HR LoB concept of operations calls for agencies 

to receive core services from an HR LoB provider. These core services are defined as personnel action 

processing, compensation management (payroll) and benefits management. Leveraging shared services 

solutions will allow the HR LoB to significantly improve HR and payroll service delivery, save taxpayer 

dollars, and reduce administrative burdens. 

NASA works in partnership with one of the approved service providers, the Department of Interior’s 

National Business Center. Through this partnership, NASA shares and receives "best-in-class" HR 

solutions. The National Business Center delivers NASA-developed solutions to their customer agencies, 

enabling improved efficiencies and system integrations at a fraction of the cost and delivery time than 

similar solutions could have been produced by National Business Center. NASA achieves the benefits of 

“best-in-class” HR solutions through implementation and integration of National Business Center and 

NASA-developed HR solutions. NASA’s participation in HR LoB provides the Agency opportunities to 

implement modern HR solutions and benefit from best practices government-wide strategic HR 

management. NASA participates in the ongoing development of a 10-year Federal Human Resources 

Strategic Plan with the HR LoB managing partner (OPM) and member agencies. 
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Geospatial LoB (Managing Partner DOL) FY 2017 Benefits 

The Geospatial LoB will better serve the agencies’ missions and the Nation’s interests developing a more 

strategic, coordinated, and leveraged approach to producing, maintaining, and using geospatial data and 

services across the Federal government. Specific goals of the Geospatial LoB include establishing a 

collaborative governance mechanism, coordinating a government-wide planning and investment strategy, 

and optimizing and standardizing geospatial data and services. 

Contributing agencies and bureaus will receive value from the development of the LoB primarily through 

improved business performance and cost savings. Enhanced governance processes, improved business 

planning and investment strategies, and optimization and standardization of geospatial business data and 

services will produce the following results: 

 Collaborative management of geospatial investments will be made more adaptable, proactive and 

inclusive; 

Enterprise business needs and Agency core mission requirements will be identified, planned, 

budgeted, and exploited in a geospatial context; 

Long-term costs of geo-information delivery and access will be reduced while minimizing 

duplicative development efforts; 

Effective, yet less costly commercial off the shelf systems and contractual business support 

operations will replace legacy geospatial applications; and 

Business processes will be optimized and knowledge management capabilities will exist for 

locating geospatial data and obtaining services. 

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As a science agency, the work of NASA’s science and mission professionals is inherently different from 

duties and functions performed by operational agencies. These differences lead NASA to organize and 

manage data to best facilitate science activities rather than a central focus of data dissemination. Scientific 

inquiry often leads scientist to use different schemas for analyzing data and information produced from 

remote sensing data (e.g. a common grid or projection). NASA will continue to apply the elements of 

Federal Geographic Data Committee standards where these are appropriate. In FY 2008, NASA signed an 

MOU with the Department of Labor to continue its active participation in the Geospatial LoB. 

Budget Formulation and Execution LoB (BFELoB) (Managing Partner Education) FY 

2017 Benefits 

The Budget Formulation and Execution LoB (BFELoB) provides significant benefits to NASA and other 

partner agencies by encouraging best practices crossing all aspects of Federal budgeting – from budget 

formulation and execution to performance to human capital needs. To benefit all agencies, BFELoB 

continues to support the idea of shared service budget systems. As NASA currently has its own budgeting 

tools, the Agency has not chosen to move to a new budget system; however, a shared service budget 

system is an option moving forward. 

BFELoB’s “MAX Federal Community,” a secure government-only collaborative Web site, provides 

significant benefits for collaboration across and within agencies, as well as knowledge management. The 

Community site is commonly used for sharing information, collaboratively drafting documents (including 

the direct editing of documents posted on the site).
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COMPARABILITY ADJUSTMENT TABLES

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Supporting Data 

COMPARABILITY ADJUSTMENT TABLES

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*The FY 2016 Operating Plan pending finalization at the time of Agency budget roll-out. 
COST AND SCHEDULE PERFORMANCE SUMMARY

CS-1 

2016 MAJOR PROGRAM ANNUAL REPORT (MPAR) SUMMARY

The 2016 Major Program Annual Report (MPAR) is provided to meet the requirements of section 103 of 

the NASA Authorization Act of 2005 (P.L. 109-155; 42 U.S.C. 16613). The 2016 MPAR consists of this 

summary and fiscal year (FY) 2017 Congressional Justification pages designated as “Projects in 

Development,” for the projects outlined below. These project pages constitute each project’s annual 

report, or if this is the first year for which it is in reporting, the baseline report. The MPAR summary also 

includes the confidence level of achieving the commitments, as requested in the Conference Report 

accompanying the FY 2010 Consolidated Appropriations Act (P.L. 111-117). 

CHANGES IN MPAR COMPOSITION SINCE THE FY 2016 NASA BUDGET 

ESTIMATES

There is one new project with an estimated lifecycle costs greater than $250 million that received 

authority to proceed into the development phase since NASA submitted its 2015 MPAR in the FY 2016 

NASA Congressional Justification: 

 Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle with a baseline development cost of $6,768.4 million at a 

joint confidence level of 70 percent. 

The 2015 MPAR in the FY 2016 NASA Congressional Justification included three projects 

(Magnetospheric Multiscale [MMS], Soil Moisture Active Passive [SMAP], and Space Network Ground 

Segment Sustainment [SGSS]) that are no longer in MPAR reporting. NASA successfully launched the 

MMS spacecraft on March 12, 2015 and the SMAP spacecraft on January 31, 2015. The SMAP 

spacecraft launched approximately -6 percent below the baseline development cost due to favorable cost 

performance while the MMS spacecraft launched approximately 2 percent over the baseline development 

cost. 

As part of the recent SGSS replan evaluation, NASA determined that SGSS is more in line with a 

sustainment project of the existing Space Network rather than a separate development project. The reevaluation determined SGSS is a sustainment project since it is maintaining the current Space Network by 

replacing aging and outdated equipment and systems at the ground terminals. As such, SGSS is a level of 

effort project that will reported as part of Space Communications Networks. 

CHANGES IN COST AND SCHEDULE ESTIMATES FROM THE 2015 MPAR 

Eight projects had no changes in their cost or schedule estimates over the last year. Additionally, two 

projects (Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security - Regolith Explorer 

[OSIRIS-REx] and Solar Probe Plus [SPP]) experienced development cost decreases of -10 percent and -1 

percent respectively from their baselines. Due to cancellation of the March 2016 launch opportunity, 

plans for InSight are currently under development. 
COST AND SCHEDULE PERFORMANCE SUMMARY

CS-2 

MPAR SUMMARY TABLE

Figure 1 provides cost, schedule, and confidence level information for NASA projects currently in 

development with lifecycle cost estimates of $250 million or more. NASA records the estimated 

development cost and a key schedule milestone and then measures changes from them. NASA tracks one 

of several key milestones, listed below, for reporting purposes: 

 Launch Readiness Date (LRD); 

Full operational capability (FOC); 

Initial operating capability (IOC); or 

Launch Readiness for Exploration Mission (EM)-1 or EM-2. 

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As a note for clarification, LRD schedule milestones, as reported here, are not typically the launch dates 

on the NASA launch manifest, but are the desired launch dates as determined by the payload mission and 

approved by the NASA Flight Planning Board (FPB). A launch manifest is a dynamic schedule that is 

affected by real world operational activities conducted by NASA and multiple other entities. It reflects the 

results of a complex process that requires the coordination and cooperation by multiple users for the use 

of launch range and launch contractor assets. The launch dates shown on the NASA FPB launch manifest 

are a mixture of confirmed range dates for missions launching within approximately six months and 

contractual/planning dates for the missions beyond six months from launch. The NASA FPB launch 

manifest date is typically earlier than the reported schedule dates reported here, thereby allowing for the 

operationally driven fluctuations to the launch schedule that may be outside of the Project’s control. The 

NASA FPB launch manifest is updated on a periodic basis throughout the year. 

The confidence level (CL) estimates reflect an evolving process as NASA improves its probabilistic 

estimation techniques and processes. Each estimate reflects the practices and policies at the time it was 

developed. Estimates that include combined cost and schedule risks are denoted as Joint Confidence 

Level (JCL) estimates; all other CLs reflect cost confidence without necessarily factoring the potential 

impacts of schedule changes on cost. 

Additional explanations for the data in the summary table are provided here: 

 James Webb Space Telescope (Webb): Cost Estimate includes Construction of Facilities funds. 

Solar Orbiter Collaboration (SOC): Two instruments are below the $250M life cycle cost (LCC) 

threshold for JCL. Independent cost and schedule estimates completed by Aerospace and 

Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) Resource Analysis Office with each instrument had 

confidence levels for cost and schedule that were 70 percent when the start of development was 

approved (at Key Decision Point [KDP]-C). 

Exploration Ground Systems-Ground Systems Development and Operations Program Office 

(EGS-GSDO): The 80 percent JCL is inferred from analysis based on FY 2014 President’s 

Budget Request (PBR) including FY 2014 Appropriation changes. JCL analysis was completed 

prior to the release of the FY 2015 PBR. The ABC is informed by the 80 percent JCL and 

adjusted to reflect the FY 2015 PBR budget reduction. 

Due to cancellation of the March 2016 launch opportunity, plans for InSight are currently under 

development. Potential budget impacts are not well understood at this time and therefore are not 

reflected in the table below. 

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COST AND SCHEDULE PERFORMANCE SUMMARY

CS-3 

Additional information on the projects shown in the table below can be found in their individual program 

and project pages in the main body of the Congressional Justification. 

Figure 1: MPAR Summary and Confidence Levels 

Project 

Base 

Year 

JCL 

(%) 

Development Cost 

Estimate ($M) 

Cost 

Change 

(%) 

Key 

Milestone 

Key Milestone 

Schedule 

Change 

Base 2016 Base 2016 (months) 

EGS-GSDO* 2015 80 1,843.5 1,847.1 0% LR for EM-1 Nov 2018 Nov 2018 0 

GRACE-FO 2015 70 264.0 263.4 0% LRD Feb 2018 Feb 2018 0 

ICESat-2 2015 70 763.7 763.7 0% LRD Jun 2018 Jun 2018 0 

ICON 2015 70 196.0 195.8 0% LRD Oct 2017 Oct 2017 0 

InSight 2014 70 541.8 541.8 0% LRD Mar 2016 TBD N/A

Orion 2016 70 6,768.4 6,612.0 -2% LR for EM-2 Apr 2023 Apr 2023 0 

OSIRIS-REx 2014 70 778.6 700.4 -10% LRD Oct 2016 Oct 2016 0 

SLS 2015 70 7,021.4 7,021.4 0% LR for EM-1 Nov 2018 Nov 2018 0 

SOC 2014 N/A 376.9 320.0 -15% LRD Oct 2018 Oct 2018 0 

SPP 2015 70 1,055.7 1,050.3 -1% LRD Aug 2018 Aug 2018 0 

TESS 2015 70 323.2 296.4 -8% LRD Jun 2018 Jun 2018 0 

Webb 2012 66 6,197.9 6,188.8 0% LRD Oct 2018 Oct 2018 0 

*The 80 percent JCL is inferred from analysis based on FY14 President’s Budget Request (PBR) including FY14 

Appropriation changes. JCL analysis was completed prior to the release of the FY15 PBR. The ABC is informed by 

the 80 percent JCL and adjusted to reflect the FY15 PBR budget reduction. 

Final Acceptance Review (FAR) Launch Readiness (LR) Launch Readiness Date (LRD) Exploration Mission (EM) 
 

National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

Report Regarding 

Basic Research for Fiscal Year 2017 

Pursuant to 

Section 1008(c) of the America Competes Act (P.L. 110-69)
 

BASIC RESEARCH

BR-1 

BACKGROUND

Section 1008(c) of the American COMPETES Act (P.L. 110-69) directs that each Executive agency shall 

submit to the Congress each year, together with documents in support of the budget of the President, a 

report that outlines agency funding for “high-risk, high-reward” basic research projects. Specifically, the 

report shall describe whether a funding goal has been established that: (1) meets fundamental 

technological or scientific challenges; (2) involves multidisciplinary work; and (3) involves a high degree 

of novelty. The Act further stipulates that basic research shall be defined in accordance with Office of 

Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-11. 

The information requested in section 1008(c) is provided herein. 

OMB Circular A-11 defines basic research as systematic study directed toward fuller knowledge or 

understanding of the fundamental aspects of phenomena and of observable facts without specific 

application towards processes or products in mind. Basic research, however, may include activities with 

broad applications in mind. 

REPORT

The total Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 NASA budget request is $19.0 billion. The NASA Research and 

Development (R&D) budget consists of 19 percent basic research, 14 percent applied research, and 34 

percent development as defined by OMB circular A-11. 

Because much of NASA’s work revolves around the creation of one-of-a-kind missions, a relatively large 

portion of its R&D activities involve high-risk, high-reward research and development—from basic 

research through applications and technology development. In addition, NASA is a leader in using 

innovative research approaches, such as science competitions and prizes, as well as multidisciplinary 

approaches. However, since the majority of these activities do not fall within the OMB definition of basic 

research, they are excluded from this report. 

NASA conducts basic research under three accounts: (1) Science Investments, (2) the International Space 

Station (ISS), and (3) Exploration Research. 

Based on the FY 2017 budget request, NASA expects that 34 percent of its basic research in FY 2017 will 

be for high-risk, high-reward fundamental, technical, and scientific challenges that are novel and 

multidisciplinary. NASA is budgeting $1.225 billion for high-risk, high-reward basic research. 

Description of Basic Research Activities 

(1) Science Investments: NASA conducts basic research in four theme areas: 

 Astrophysics: Study of the origin, evolution, and fate of the universe, and the search for 

exoplanets; 

Earth Science: Study of the Earth, its interior, oceans, atmosphere, and fundamental processes 

within and interactions among those areas, including long-term climate change; 

Heliophysics: Study of the Sun, its interior, corona, solar wind, and the heliosphere, specifically 

including interactions with planetary magnetospheres; and 




 

BASIC RESEARCH

BR-2 

 Planetary Science: Study of the planets, moons, comets, asteroids and other bodies within our 

own solar system, including their interiors, surfaces, atmospheres, magnetospheres, etc. and their 

interactions. 

Many of NASA’s missions are inherently risky when launched on rockets into space and perform 

missions in the airless, weightless, high-radiation environment of space or near or on the surface of other 

planets. In addition, like other high-risk research, the outcomes of the research are often far from clear. 

However, the rewards can also be great. The following are examples of high-risk, high-reward science 

projects: 

Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) 

Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) launched March 12, 2015 and is investigating the Sun’s and Earth’s 

magnetic fields including how they connect and disconnect by explosively transferring energy from one 

to the other in a process known as magnetic reconnection. Reconnection limits the performance of fusion 

reactors and is the final governor of space weather that affects modern technological systems, such as 

telecommunications networks, global positioning system navigation, and electrical power grids. 

Therefore, understanding reconnection has high potential reward. The four identically instrumented MMS 

spacecraft fly in an adjustable pyramid-like formation that allows them to observe the three-dimensional 

structure of magnetic reconnection. MMS sensors measure charged particle velocities, as well as electric 

and magnetic fields, with unprecedented (milliseconds) time resolution and accuracy needed to capture 

the elusively thin and fast-moving electron diffusion region. In October 2015, the four spacecraft 

maneuvered into the tightest multi-spacecraft formation ever flown in orbit, just six miles apart, flying in 

a tetrahedral formation, with each spacecraft at the tip of a four-sided pyramid. This tight formation will 

allow NASA to achieve the science goals of the mission, enabling returns from the more than one billion 

dollars invested to date. For more information, go to http://mms.gsfc.nasa.gov.

Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security - Regolith Explorer 

(OSIRIS-REx) 

Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security - Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx) 

is scheduled for launch in September or October 2016 and will travel to a near-Earth carbonaceous 

asteroid named Bennu, study the asteroid in detail, and bring back a sample to Earth. Asteroids are 

leftovers formed from the cloud of gas and dust—the solar nebula—that collapsed to form our Sun and 

the planets about 4.5 billion years ago. As such, they contain the original material from the solar nebula, 

which can tell us about the conditions of our solar system’s birth. By sampling Bennu, OSIRIS-REx will 

be opening a time capsule from the birth of our solar system. The mission will also measure the 

Yarkovsky effect, a small force caused by the Sun on an asteroid as it absorbs sunlight and re-emits that 

energy as heat. The small force adds up over time, affecting the asteroid’s orbit, but it is uneven due to an 

asteroid’s shape, wobble, surface composition, and rotation. For scientists to predict an Earth-approaching 

asteroid’s path, they must understand how the effect will change its orbit, and OSIRIS-REx will shed 

light on this important problem. For more information, go to http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/osirisrex. 

(2) ISS: NASA’s research goals for ISS are driven by the NASA Authorization Act of 2010 and 

recommendations from the National Research Council. These goals focus on the following areas: human 

health and exploration, technology development and demonstration, physical sciences research, biology 

and biotechnology research, earth and space science research, education, and enabling the development of 
 

BASIC RESEARCH

BR-3 

market driven commercial research and applications in low Earth orbit. For more information, go to 

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/index.html. 

NASA will be initiating its first GeneLab flight experiments in 2016. Through GeneLab in space biology, 

and MaterialsLab, CombustionLab, and FluidsLab counterparts in the physical sciences, NASA is 

experimenting with a new approach to research that is intended to allow greater, more diverse 

participation in space research than was possible with the historical approach of experiments defined by a 

single principal investigator. The new approach will begin with the definition of comprehensive 

experiments by representatives of the research community who will also oversee the execution of the 

experiment. Following the acquisition of all relevant experimental data, the data will be made available to 

the community, and competitive awards will be made to scientists to explore and analyze the data. It is 

expected that through community participation in experiment definition and enhanced access to 

experimental results under a new Open Science interface, we will see more engagement of the research 

community in space research, and a greater impact of space research in the progress of science. 

(3) Exploration: NASA’s Human Research Program (HRP) is dedicated to discovering the best methods 

and technologies to support safe, productive human space exploration. The major areas of HRP’s 

physiological research include bone health, muscle function, cardiovascular response, sensorimotor 

systems, immunology, behavioral health, biomedical technology, and space radiation effects. One 

example of this high-risk, high-reward research is in the area of applications of genetics to personalized 

medicine. 

Scott Kelly, returning from a year in orbit in March 2016, is participating in a set of pioneering 

experiments that are examining his genetics, changes to his genetics, and how they correlate to his health. 

Personalized medicine is a burgeoning field, particularly in cancer treatment, especially when there are 

sufficient data available to support studies associated genetic variants with particular conditions or 

responses. Astronauts present a unique challenge for these association studies because the number of 

subjects available for the study of genetic factors in space-related medical conditions is inherently low. 

The work sponsored by HRP to apply genetics to space medicine will need to overcome this statistical 

challenge, and may serve as a paradigm for applying genomic information to medicine in other situations 

where the number of subjects is small. For more information, go to 

http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/humanresearch. 

SUMMARY

The NASA 2017 budget supports an extensive program of high-risk, high-reward basic research that is 

novel, multidisciplinary, and of fundamental scientific or technological interest. NASA expects 34

percent of its basic research to be high-risk, high-reward. 
 

FY 2017 PROPOSED APPROPRIATIONS LANGUAGE

PAL-1 

SCIENCE

For necessary expenses, not otherwise provided for, in the conduct and support of science research and 

development activities, including research, development, operations, support, and services; maintenance 

and repair, facility planning and design; space flight, spacecraft control, and communications activities; 

program management; personnel and related costs, including uniforms or allowances therefor, as 

authorized by sections 5901 and 5902 of title 5, United States Code; travel expenses; purchase and hire of 

passenger motor vehicles; and purchase, lease, charter, maintenance, and operation of mission and 

administrative aircraft, [$5,589,400,000]$5,302,500,000, to remain available until September 30, [2017] 

2018. (Science Appropriations Act, 2016.) 

AERONAUTICS

For necessary expenses, not otherwise provided for, in the conduct and support of aeronautics research 

and development activities, including research, development, operations, support, and services; 

maintenance and repair, facility planning and design; space flight, spacecraft control, and 

communications activities; program management; personnel and related costs, including uniforms or 

allowances therefor, as authorized by sections 5901 and 5902 of title 5, United States Code; travel 

expenses; purchase and hire of passenger motor vehicles; and purchase, lease, charter, maintenance, and 

operation of mission and administrative aircraft, [$640,000,000], $634,500,000 to remain available until 

September 30, [2017] 2018. (Science Appropriations Act, 2016.) 

SPACE TECHNOLOGY

For necessary expenses, not otherwise provided for, in the conduct and support of space technology 

research and development activities, including research, development, operations, support, and services; 

maintenance and repair, facility planning and design; space flight, spacecraft control, and 

communications activities; program management; personnel and related costs, including uniforms or 

allowances therefor, as authorized by sections 5901 and 5902 of title 5, United States Code; travel 

expenses; purchase and hire of passenger motor vehicles; and purchase, lease, charter, maintenance, and 

operation of mission and administrative aircraft, [$686,500,000] $690,600,000, to remain available until 

September 30, [2017] 2018. (Science Appropriations Act, 2016.) 

EXPLORATION

For necessary expenses, not otherwise provided for, in the conduct and support of exploration research 

and development activities, including research, development, operations, support, and services; 

maintenance and repair, facility planning and design; space flight, spacecraft control, and 

communications activities; program management; personnel and related costs, including uniforms or 

allowances therefor, as authorized by sections 5901 and 5902 of title 5, United States Code; travel 

expenses; purchase and hire of passenger motor vehicles; and purchase, lease, charter, maintenance, and 

operation of mission and administrative aircraft, [$4,030,000,000] $3,158,077,000, to remain available 

until September 30, [2017] 2018. (Science Appropriations Act, 2016.)
 

FY 2017 PROPOSED APPROPRIATIONS LANGUAGE

PAL-2 

SPACE OPERATIONS

For necessary expenses, not otherwise provided for, in the conduct and support of space operations 

research and development activities, including research, development, operations, support and services; 

space flight, spacecraft control and communications activities, including operations, production, and 

services; maintenance and repair, facility planning and design; program management; personnel and 

related costs, including uniforms or allowances therefor, as authorized by sections 5901 and 5902 of title 

5, United States Code; travel expenses; purchase and hire of passenger motor vehicles; and purchase, 

lease, charter, maintenance and operation of mission and administrative aircraft, [$5,029,200,000] 

$5,081,623,000, to remain available until September 30, [2017] 2018. (Science Appropriations Act, 

2016.) 

EDUCATION

For necessary expenses, not otherwise provided for, in the conduct and support of aerospace and 

aeronautical education research and development activities, including research, development, operations, 

support, and services; program management; personnel and related costs, including uniforms or 

allowances therefor, as authorized by sections 5901 and 5902 of title 5, United States Code; travel 

expenses; purchase and hire of passenger motor vehicles; and purchase, lease, charter, maintenance, and 

operation of mission and administrative aircraft, [$115,000,000] $100,100,000, to remain available until 

September 30, [2017] 2018. (Science Appropriations Act, 2016.)

SAFETY, SECURITY, AND MISSION SERVICES

For necessary expenses, not otherwise provided for, in the conduct and support of science, aeronautics, 

space technology, exploration, space operations and education research and development activities, 

including research, development, operations, support, and services; maintenance and repair, facility 

planning and design; space flight, spacecraft control, and communications activities; program 

management; personnel and related costs, including uniforms or allowances therefor, as authorized by 

sections 5901 and 5902 of title 5, United States Code; travel expenses; purchase and hire of passenger 

motor vehicles; not to exceed $63,000 for official reception and representation expenses; and purchase, 

lease, charter, maintenance, and operation of mission and administrative aircraft, [$2,768,600,000] 

$2,836,800,000, to remain available until September 30, [2017] 2018. (Science Appropriations Act, 

2016.) 

CONSTRUCTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE AND RESTORATION

For necessary expenses for construction of facilities including repair, rehabilitation, revitalization, and 

modification of facilities, construction of new facilities and additions to existing facilities, facility 

planning and design, and restoration, and acquisition or condemnation of real property, as authorized by 

law, and environmental compliance and restoration, [$388,900,000] $419,800,000, to remain available 

until September 30, [2021] 2022: Provided, That proceeds from leases deposited into this account shall be 

available for a period of 5 years. Provided further, That each annual budget request shall include an 

annual estimate of gross receipts and collections and proposed use of all funds collected pursuant to 

section 20145 of title 51, United States Code. (Science Appropriations Act, 2016.) 
 

FY 2017 PROPOSED APPROPRIATIONS LANGUAGE

PAL-3 

INSPECTOR GENERAL

For necessary expenses of the Office of Inspector General in carrying out the Inspector General Act of 

1978, [$37,400,000] $38,100,000, of which $500,000 shall remain available until September 30, [2017] 

2018. (Science Appropriations Act, 2016.)

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

Funds for any announced prize otherwise authorized shall remain available, without fiscal year limitation, 

until a prize is claimed or the offer is withdrawn. 

Not to exceed 5 percent of any appropriation made available for the current fiscal year for the National 

Aeronautics and Space Administration in this Act may be transferred between such appropriations, but no 

such appropriation, except as otherwise specifically provided, shall be increased by more than 10 percent 

by any such transfers. Balances so transferred shall be merged with and available for the same purposes 

and the same time period as the appropriations to which transferred. Any transfer pursuant to this 

provision shall be treated as a reprogramming of funds under section 505 of this Act and shall not be 

available for obligation except in compliance with the procedures set forth in that section. 

The spending plan required by this Act shall be provided by NASA at the theme, program, project, and 

activity level. The spending plan, as well as any subsequent change of an amount established in that 

spending plan that meets the notification requirements of section 505 of this Act, shall be treated as a 

reprogramming under section 505 of this Act and shall not be available for obligation or expenditure 

except in compliance with the procedures set forth in that section. 

The unexpired balances for Commercial Spaceflight Activities contained within the Exploration account 

may be transferred to the Space Operations account for such activities. Balances so transferred shall be 

merged with the funds in the Space Operations account and shall be available under the same terms, 

conditions and period of time as previously appropriated. 

For the closeout of all Space Shuttle contracts and associated programs, amounts that have expired but 

have not been cancelled in the Exploration, Space Operations, Human Space Flight, Space Flight 

Capabilities, and Exploration Capabilities appropriations accounts shall remain available through fiscal 

year 2025. 

Subsection (g) (‘Sunset’) of Section 20145 of Title 51 (51 U.S.C. § 20145(g)) is hereby deleted in its 

entirety. (Science Appropriations Act, 2016.) 
Reference

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

REF-1 

$K Dollars in thousands 

$M Dollars in millions 

21CCLC 21st Century Community Learning Center 

21CSLC 21st Century Space Launch Complex 

2MASS Two Micron All Sky Survey 

3U 3-unit 

45SW 45th Space Wing 

AA Ascent Abort Test (HEOMD) 

AA Associates of Art (Education) 

AANAPISI Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions 

AAVP Advanced Air Vehicles Program 

ABC Agency Baseline Commitment 

ABoVE Arctic – Boreal Vulnerability Experiment 

ACC Advanced Composites Consortium 

ACCESS Advancing Collaborative Connections for Earth System Science 

ACCESS-II Alternative Fuel Effects on Contrails and Cruise Emissions II 

ACE Advanced Composition Explorer (Heliophysics) 

ACE-T-1 Advanced Colloids Experiment-Temperature control-1 

ACME Advanced Combustion via Microgravity Experiments 

ACRIMSat Active Cavity Radiometer Irradiance Monitor Satellite 

ACTE adaptive compliant trailing-edge technology 

ADAP Astrophysics Data Analysis Program 

ADCAR Astrophysics Data Curation and Archival Research 

ADS-B Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast 

ADSM Astrophysics Decadal Strategic Mission 

AEDL Advanced Entry Descent and Landing 

AES Advanced Exploration Systems 

AFO Altimetry Follow-On

AFRC Armstrong Flight Research Center 

AFRL Air Force Research Laboratory 

AFTA Astrophysics Focused Telescope Assets 

AGSM Advanced Ground Systems Maintenance 

AIANSI American Indian and Alaskan Native Serving Institutions 

AIDA Asteroid Impact and Deflection Assessment 

AIM Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere 

AirMOSS Airborne Microwave Observatory of Subcanopy and Subsurface 

AIRS Atmospheric Infrared Sounder 

AIST Advanced Information Systems Technology 

AIT Accident Investigation Team 

AITS Agency Information Technology Services 
Reference

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

REF-2 

AITT Airborne Instrument Technology Transition 

ALI Advanced Land Imager 

AMMOS Advanced Multi-Mission Operations System 

AMO Agency Management and Operations 

AMOC Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation 

AMR Advanced Microwave Radiometer 

AMSIR-E Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer - Earth Observing System 

AMSU Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit 

AO Announcement of Opportunity 

AOSP Airspace Operations and Safety Program 

APEX-05 Advanced Plant Experiments 5 

APH Advanced Plant Habitat 

APL Applied Physics Laboratory 

APMC Agency Project Management Council 

AR Advanced Radiometer 

ARC Ames Research Center 

ARCD Aerospace Research and Career Development 

ARM Asteroid Redirect Mission 

ARMD Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate 

ARRA American Recovery and Reinvestment Act 

ARRM Asteroid Redirect Robotic Mission 

ARSET Applied Remote Sensing Training 

ARTEMIS 

Acceleration, Reconnection, Turbulence and Electrodynamics of the 

Moon's Interaction with the Sun 

ASAP Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel 

ASCENDS Active Sensing of CO2 Emissions over Nights, Days, and Seasons 

ASDM Astrophysics Decadal Strategic Mission 

ASI Agenzia Spaziale Italiana 

ASIAS Aviation Safety Information and Sharing System 

ASPERA Analyzer of Space Plasmas and Energetic Atoms 

ASTER Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer 

ATCC A-Complex Test Control Center 

ATD ATM Technology Demonstrations 

ATLAS Advanced Topographic Laser Altimeter System 

ATM Air Traffic Management 

ATTREX Airborne Tropical TRopopause Experiment 

AU Astronomical Unit 

AURA Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy 

BAA Broad Agency Announcement 

BARREL Balloon Array for Radiation-belt Relativistic Electron Losses 
Reference

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

REF-3 

BASS-M Burning and Suppression of Solids – Milliken 

BEAM Bigelow Expandable Activity Module 

BFELoB Budget Formulation & Execution Lines of Business 

BPS Biological and Physical Sciences 

BWG Beam Wave Guide 

C/NOFS Communication/Navigation Outage Forecast System 

CAL Cold Atom Laboratory 

CALIPSO Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations 

CAMMEE 

Committee on Aerospace Medicine and the Medicine of Extreme 

Environments 

CAP Cross-Agency Priority 

CARVE Carbon in Arctic Reservoirs Vulnerability Experiment 

CAS Convergent Aeronautics Solutions 

CASIS Center for the Advancement of Science in Space 

CAST Commercial Aviation Safety Team 

CATALYST Cargo Transportation and Landing by Soft Touchdown 

CATS Cloud Aerosol Transport System 

CBT Computer-Based Training 

CC/TS Community Colleges and Technical Schools 

CCAFS Cape Canaveral Air Force Station 

CCD charge-coupled device 

CCDev2 Commercial Crew Development Round 2 

CCiCap Commercial Crew Integrated Capability 

CCM Camera Control Module 

CCMC Community Coordinated Modeling Center 

CCP Commercial Crew Program 

CCtCap Commercial Crew transportation Capabilities 

CDC Centers for Disease Control 

CDI Climate Data Initiative 

CDM Continuous Diagnostic Mitigation 

CDR Critical Design Review 

CDS Cascade Distiller System 

CDTI Center for the Development of Industrial Technology 

CECR Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration 

CEQA California Environmental Quality Act 

CERES Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy Systems 

CFD Computational Fluid Dynamics 

CFE Capillary Flow Experiment 

CFOC Chief Financial Officer’s Council

CGE Concur Government Edition 
Reference

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

REF-4 

CHAMPSTM CubeSat High-Impulse Adaptable Modular Propulsion SystemTM 

CHS Crew Health and Safety 

CIBER Cosmic Infrared Background ExpeRiment 

CIF Center Innovation Fund 

CINDI Coupled Ion-Neutral Dynamics Investigations 

CIR Combustion Integrated Rack 

CIRs co-rotating interaction regions 

CL confidence level 

CLARREO Climate Absolute Radiance and Refractivity Observatory 

CM Crew Module 

CMA Crew Module Adapter 

CMC ceramic matrix composites 

CME Coronal Mass Ejection 

CMO Center Management and Operations 

CMS Carbon Monitoring System 

CNES Centre National d'Etudes' Spatiales 

CoECI Center of Excellence for Collaborative Innovation 

CoF Construction of Facilities 

COFAR Council on Financial Assistance Reform 

Comet C-S Comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko 

COR Cosmic Origins 

CORAL COral Reef Airborne Laboratory 

COSI Compton Spectrometer and Imager 

CoSTEM committee on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics 

COTS Commercial Off-The-Shelf 

CPC Certification Products Contracts 

CPOD CubeSat Proximity Operations Demonstration 

CREAM Cosmic Ray Energetics and Mass 

CRP Commercialization Readiness Program 

CRS Commercial Resupply Services 

CRT Climate Resilience Toolkit 

CRV current replacement value 

CSA Canadian Space Agency 

CSBF Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility 

CSC Computer Sciences Corporation 

CSL Belgian Centre Spatial de Liège 

CSO Communications Services Office 

CSTD Crosscutting Space Technology Development 

CTS Crew Transportation System 

CYGNSS Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System 
Reference

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

REF-5 

D&B Dun and Bradstreet 

DAAC Distributed Active Archive Center 

DAEP DSN Aperture Enhancement Project 

DART Double Asteroid Redirection Test 

DATA Digital Accountability and Transparency Act 

DAVINCI 

Deep Atmosphere Venus Investigation of Noble Gases, Chemistry, and 

Imaging 

DCAA Defense Contract Audit Agency 

DCT Development to Certification Timeline 

DEP distributed electric propulsion 

DESDynI Deformation, Ecosystem Structure, and Dynamics of Ice 

DHS Department of Homeland Security 

DISCOVER-AQ

Deriving Information on Surface Conditions from COlumn and VERtically 

Resolved Observations Relevant to Air Quality 

DLP Data Loss Prevention 

DLR German Aerospace Center 

DLS Deployable Launch System 

DNA Deoxyribonucleic acid 

DoD Department of Defense 

DOE Department of Energy 

DOI Department of Interior 

DOJ Department of Justice 

DOL Department of Labor 

DORIS Doppler Orbitography and Radiopositioning Integrated by Satellite 

DPMC Directorate Program Management Council 

DPR Dual-frequency Precipitation Radar 

DRE discrete roughness elements 

DRIVE Diversify, Realize, Integrate, Venture, Educate 

DSAC Deep Space Atomic Clock 

DSCC Deep Space Communications Complex 

DSCOVR Deep Space Climate Observatory 

DSI Deutsches SOFIA Institute 

DSN Deep Space Network 

DSOC Deep Space Optical Communication 

DSS Deep Space Station 

DSX Demonstration and Space Experiments 

DTN Disruption Tolerant Networking 

DUNS Data Universal Numbering System 

EB existing building 

ECAST Expert and Citizen Assessment of Science and Technology 
Reference

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

REF-6 

ECOSTRESS Ecosystem Spaceborne Thermal Radiometer Experiment on Space Station 

ECR Environmental Compliance and Restoration 

eCryo Evolvable Cryogenics 

EDL Entry, Descent, and Landing 

EFT Exploration Flight Test 

EGS Exploration Ground Systems 

EHRI Enterprise HR Integration 

EHRS Electronic Health Records System 

EICC EPSCoR Interagency Coordinating Committee 

ELM Electrical Model 

ELV Expendable Launch Vehicle 

ELVIS Expendable Launch Vehicle Integrated Support 

EM Exploration Mission 

EO-1 Earth Observing 1 

EONS Education Opportunities in NASA STEM 

EONS Educational Opportunities in NASA STEM 

eOPF electronic Official Personnel Folder 

EOS Earth Observation Systems 

EOSDIS Earth Observing System Data and Information System 

EPA Environmental Protection Agency 

EPIC Earth Poly-Chromatic Imaging Camera 

EPSCoR Experimental Project To Stimulate Competitive Research 

EQM Engineering Qualification Model 

ERA Environmentally Responsible Aviation 

ERBS Earth Radiation Budget Science 

ERD Exploration Research and Development 

EROS Earth Resources Observation and Science 

ESA European Space Agency 

ESDN Edison Demonstration of Smallsat Networks 

ESM Earth Systematic Missions (Earth Science) 

ESM European Service Module (HEOMD) 

ESSP Earth System Science Pathfinder 

E-STA ESM Structural Test Article 

ESTEEM Earth Systems, Technology and Energy Education for MUREP 

ESTO Earth Science Technology Office 

ESTP Earth Science Technology Program 

ETA engineering test article 

ETB Engineering Testbed 

ETD Exploration Technology Development 

ETS2 E-Gov Travel Service 2 
Reference

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

REF-7 

EUL Enhanced Use Leasing 

EUMETSAT European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meterological Satellites 

EUS Exploration Upper Stage 

EVA extravehicular activity 

EVI Earth Venture Instruments 

EVM Earth Venture small Missions 

EVS Earth Venture Suborbital 

EX Explorers 

FAA Federal Aviation Administration 

FAR Federal Acquisition Regulation 

FDC Flight Demonstrations and Capabilities 

FDMS Federal Docket Management System 

FFATA Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act 

FFI Forsvarets Forskning Institute 

FGS Fine Guidance Sensor 

FIRST For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology 

FIT Financial Innovation and Transformation 

FMLoB Financial Management Lines of Business 

FO Follow-On

FOALS Fuel Optimal and Accurate Landing System 

FOC full operational capability 

FPB Flight Planning Board 

FPI Fast Plasma Investigation 

FPPS Federal Personnel and Payroll System 

FRR Flight Readiness Review 

FY fiscal year 

GALEX Galaxy Evolution Explorer 

GCD Game Changing Development 

GCIS Global Change Information System 

GCOM-W1 Global Change Observation Mission 1st - Water 

GCR Grand Challenge Research 

GEDI Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation 

GEMS Gravity and Extreme Magnetism 

GEO-CAPE GEOstationary Coastal and Air Pollution Events 

GEOGLAM Global Agricultural Monitoring 

GeoSTAR Geostationary Thinned Aperture Radiometer 

GFAST Ground Flight Application Software Team 

GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences 

GHe gaseous helium 

GIS Geographic Information System 
Reference

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

REF-8 

GLOBE Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment 

GMAO Global Modeling and Assimilation Office 

GMI GPM Microwave Imager 

GN gaseous nitrogen 

GNC Guidance, Navigation, and Control 

GO Guest Observer 

GOES-R Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-R 

GOLD Global-scale Observations of the Limb and Disk 

GPIM Green Propellant Infusion Mission 

GPM Global Precipitation Measurement 

GPS Global Positioning System 

GPSP Global Positioning System-Payload 

GRACE Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment 

GRACE-FO Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow-On

GRAIL Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory 

GRC Glenn Research Center 

GRC-PBS Glenn Research Center Plum Brook Station 

GRIFEX GEO-CAPE Readout Integrated Circuit Experiment 

GRIPS Gamma-Ray Imager/Polarimeter for Solar Flares 

GrOAWL Green OAWL 

GSA General Services Administration 

GSDO Ground Systems Development and Operations 

GSE Ground Support Equipment 

GSFC Goddard Space Flight Center 

GSI Ground Systems Implementation 

GSLV Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle 

GSRT GSFC System Review Team 

HAWC+ High-resolution Airborne Wideband Camera 

HBCU Historically Black Colleges and Universities 

HCl hydrochloric acid 

HECC High End Computing Capability 

HEEET Heat shield for Extreme Entry Environment Technology 

HEO Human Exploration and Operations 

HEOMD Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate 

HERA Human Exploration Research Analog 

HF High Frequency 

HFC hydrofluorocarbon 

HHS Department of Health and Human Services 

HIAD Hypersonic Inflatable Aeroshell Decelerator 

HICO Hyperspectral Imager for the Coastal Ocean 
Reference

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

REF-9 

HIS Heavy Ion Sensor 

HITL human-in-the-loop 

HMI Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager 

HMTA Health and Medical Technical Authority 

HMV Heavy Maintenance Visit 

HP3 Heat Flow and Physical Properties Package 

HPA high-pressure air 

HQ Headquarters 

HR Human resources 

HRP Human Research Program 

HS-3 Hurricane and Severe Storm Sentinel 

HSFO Human Space Flight Operations 

HSI Hispanic-Serving Institutions 

HT Hypersonics Technology 

HTV H-II Transfer Vehicle 

HVAC Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning 

HWB Hybrid Wing Body 

HyspIRI Hyperspectral Infrared Imager 

I&T Integration & Test 

I3P Infrastructure Integration Program 

IAA Interagency Agreement 

IADS Integrated Arrival/Departure/Surface 

IAE Integrated Acquisition Environment 

IASP Integrated Aviation Systems Program 

IBEX Interstellar Boundary Explorer 

IBR Integrated Baseline Review 

IC Institutional Committee 

ICESat Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite 

ICESat-2 Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite-2 

ICON Ionospheric Connection Explorer 

ICPS Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage 

ICRP Independent Comprehensive Review Panel 

IDIQ indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity 

IDS Intrusion Detection Systems 

IIP Instrument Incubator Program 

ILT Instructor-Led Training 

IMBIE Ice sheet Mass Balance Inter-comparison Exercise 

IMC International Mission Contributions 

IMERG Integrated Multi-satellite Retrievals for GPM 
Reference

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

REF-10 

InSight 

Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat 

Transport 

INTA National Institute of Aerospace Technology 

InVEST In-space Validation of Earth Science Technology 

IOC initial operating capability 

IPAO Independent Program Assessment Office 

IPCC Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 

IR infrared 

i-RFI internal-to-NASA request for information 

IRIS Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph 

IRS Internal Revenue Service 

IRSA Infrared Science Archive 

IRT Independent Review Team 

IRTF InfraRed Telescope Facility 

ISARA Integrated Solar Array and Reflectarray Antenna 

ISAS Institute of Space and Astronautical Science 

ISCM Information Security Continuous Monitoring 

ISERV ISS SERVIR Environmental Research and Visualization System 

ISIM Integrated Science Instrument Module 

ISIS Integrated Science Investigation of the Sun 

ISRO Indian Space Research Organisation 

ISRS In-Space Robotic Servicing 

ISRU in-situ resource utilization 

ISS International Space Station 

IT information technology 

ITAR International Traffic in Arms Regulations 

ITD Integrated Technology Demonstration 

I-trek I turn research into empowerment and knowledge 

ITSEC-EDW IT Security Enterprise Data Warehouse 

IV&V Independent Verification and Validation 

JAXA Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency 

JCL Joint Confidence Level 

JEL jacking, equalizing, and leveling 

JEM-EF Japanese Experiment Module – Exposed Facility 

JHU Johns Hopkins University 

JPL Jet Propulsion Laboratory 

JPSS Joint Polar Satellite System 

JRC Joint Research Centre 

JSC Johnson Space Center 

JUICE Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer 
Reference

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

REF-11 

KaBOOM Ka-Band Objects Observation and Monitoring 

KaRIn Ka-band Radar Interferometer 

KBOs Kuiper Belt objects 

KDP Key Decision Point 

KH Kelvin-Helmholtz 

KOA Keck Observatory Archive 

KSC Kennedy Space Center 

kV kilovolt 

kW kilowatt 

LADEE Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer 

LaRC Langley Research Center 

LAS Launch Abort System 

LBFD Low Boom Flight Demonstrator 

LBTI Large Binocular Telescope Interferometer 

LC Launch Complex 

LCC life cycle cost 

LCPSO Land Cover Project Science Office 

LDAS Land Data Assimilation System 

LDCM Landsat Data Continuity Mission 

LDSD Low Density Supersonic Decelerator 

LEARN Leading Edge Aeronautics Research for NASA 

LED Light-Emitting Diode 

LEED Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design 

LIDAR light detection and ranging 

LIS Land Information System 

LISA Laser Inferferometer Space Antenna 

LLCD Lunar Laser Communication Demonstration 

LMSAL Lockheed Martin Solar and Astrophysics Laboratory 

LMSSC Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company 

LoB Lines of Business 

LOB Line of Business 

LOLA Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter 

LOX liquid oxygen 

LRA Laser Retroreflector Assembly 

LRCD Laser Communication Relay Demonstration 

LRD Launch Readiness Date 

LRO Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter 

LRR Launch Readiness Review 

LSP Launch Services Provider 

Lunar CATALYST Lunar Cargo Transportation and Landing by Soft Touchdown 
Reference

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

REF-12 

LVC-DE Live Virtual Constructive-Distributed Environment 

LVIS Land, Vegetation, and Ice Sensor 

LWS Living With a Star 

MAA MUREP Aerospace Academy 

MAF Michoud Assembly Facility 

MAIANSE MUREP for American Indian and Alaskan Native STEM Engagement 

MARS Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport 

MARSIS Mars Advanced Radar for Subsurface and Ionospheric Sounding 

MAV Mars Ascent Vehicle 

MAVEN Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN 

MC3I MUREP Community College Curriculum Improvement 

MCC Mission Control Center 

MCI 

Minority University Research and Education Program Community College 

Curriculum Improvement 

MCR Mission Concept Review 

MDR Mission Definition Review 

MDSCC Madrid Deep Space Communications Complex 

MEaSUREs Making Earth System data records for Use in Research Environments 

MEDLI Mars Entry, Descent, and Landing Instrumentation 

MEI Minority University Research and Education Program Educator Institute 

MEI MUREP Educator Institute 

MER Mars Exploration Rover 

MERLIN Mesoscale Eastern Range Lightning Information Network 

MERRA Modern Era Retrospective-analysis for Research and Applications 

MESSENGER MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging 

MIDEX Medium Explorers 

MIRI Mid-Infrared Instrument 

MIRO MUREP Institutional Research Opportunity 

MIs minority institutions 

MISR Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer 

MIT Massachusetts Institute of Technology 

ML Mobile Launcher 

MLCC multi-layer ceramic capacitor 

MLS Microwave Limb Sounder 

MLTI mesosphere-lower thermosphere-ionosphere 

MMO Multi-Mission Operations 

MMOD MicroMeteoroid and Orbital Debris 

MMS Magnetospheric Multiscale 

MMT Mission Management Team 

MO Mission of Opportunity 
Reference

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

REF-13 

MO&I Mission Operations and Integration 

MODIS Aqua Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer 

MOMA-MS Mars Organic Molecule Analyzer Mass Spectrometer 

MOO Multi-Mission Operations 

MOPITT Measurements Of Pollution In The Troposphere 

MOPS Minimum Operating Performance Standards 

MOXIE Mars Oxygen ISRU Experiment 

MPAR Major Program Annual Report 

MPPF Multi-Payload Processing Facility 

MPRAT Mission Profile Risk Assessment Test 

MRO Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter 

MRR Mission Readiness Review 

MSE MUREP STEM Engagement 

MSFC Marshall Space Flight Center 

MSI Minority-Serving Institutions 

MSL Measurement Systems Laboratory 

mths months 

MUREP Minority University Research and Education Program 

MUSES Multi-User System for Earth Sensing 

MUSS multi-user systems support 

N/A Not Applicable 

NAC National Agency Check 

NAH New Aviation Horizons 

NAS National Airspace System 

NASA National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

NAVO NASA Astronomical Virtual Observatory 

NCCS NASA Center for Climate Simulations 

NCRP National Council on Radiation Protection 

NEACC NASA Enterprise Applications Competency Center 

NED NASA Extragalactic Database 

NEEMO NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operations 

NEN Near Earth Network 

NEO near Earth object 

NEOCam Near Earth Object Camera 

NEOO Near Earth Object Observations 

NEOWISE Near Earth Object Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer 

NEPA National Environmental Policy Act 

NESC NASA Engineering and Safety Center 

NextGen Next Generation Air Transportation System 

NextSTEP Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships 
Reference

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

REF-14 

NFPA National Fire Protection Association 

NGAS Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems 

NHPA National Historic Preservation Act 

NIAC NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts 

NICER Neutron-star Interior Composition Explorer 

NIFS NASA Internship, Fellowship, and Scholarship 

NIH National Institutes of Health 

NIRCam Near Infrared Camera 

NIRISS Near Infrared Imager and Slitless Spectrograph 

NIRSpec Near Infrared Spectrograph 

NISAR NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar 

NISN NASA Integrated Services Network 

NIST National Institute of Standards and Technology 

NISTAR NIST Advanced Radiometer 

NLCs noctilucent clouds 

NLS NASA Launch Services 

NMO NASA Management Office 

NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 

NODES Network & Operation Demonstration Satellite 

NOx mono nitrogen oxide 

NPP National Polar-orbiting Partnership 

NRA NASA Research Announcement 

NRC National Research Council 

NREP NanoRacks Exposure Platform 

NRPTA National Rocket Propulsion Test Alliance 

NSBRI National Space Biomedical Research Institute 

NSC NASA Safety Center 

NSF National Science Foundation 

NSSC NASA Shared Services Center 

NSSDC National Space Science Data Center 

NSTP PPD National Space Policy Launch Infrastructure and Modernization Plan 

NTL NASA Tournament Lab 

NuSTAR Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array 

O&M operations and maintenance 

OA Orbital ATK 

OAWL Optical Autocovariance Wind Lidar 

OCAMS OSIRIS-REx Camera Suite 

OCHMO Office of Chief Health Medical Officer 

OCO Orbiting Carbon Observatory 

OCSD Optical Communications and Sensor Demonstration 
Reference

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

REF-15 

OCT Office of the Chief Technologist 

OE Office of Education 

OGLE Optical Gravitational Lensing Experiment 

OI Office of Investigations 

OIG Office of Inspector General 

OLA OSIRIS-REx Laser Altimeter 

OLI Operational Land Imager 

OMB Office of Management and Budget 

OMDA Other Missions and Data Analysis 

OMI Ozone Monitoring Instrument 

OMPS Ozone Mapping and Profiler Suite 

OMPS-L Ozone Mapping and Profiler Suite Limb Sounder 

ONERA Office National d’Etudes et Recherches Aérospatiales

OP&E Operation Planning and Execution 

OPeNDAP Open Source Project for a Network Data Access Protocol 

OPM Office of Personnel Management 

Orb-# Orbital Sciences Commercial Resupply Services # 

ORR Operational Readiness Review 

OSC Orbital Sciences Corporation 

OSCAR Optical Science Center for Applied Research 

OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration 

OSIRIS-REx

Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security - 

Regolith Explorer 

OSMA Office of Safety and Mission Assurance 

OSTM Ocean Surface Topography Mission 

OSTST Ocean Surface Topography Science Team 

OTE Optical Telescope Element 

OTES OSIRIS-REx Thermal Emission Spectrometer 

OTIS Optical Telescope element/Integrated 

OVIRS OSIRIS-REx Visible and Infrared Spectrometer 

OVWST Ocean Vector Winds Science Team 

OWST Ocean Winds Science Team 

P.L. Public Law 

PACE Pre-Aerosol, Clouds, and ocean Ecosystem 

PAH polyaromatic hydrocarbons 

PAMSS Planetary Atmosphere Minor Species Sensor 

Pan-STARRS Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Reporting System 

PARASOL 

Polarization and Anisotropy of Reflectances for Atmospheric Sciences 

coupled with Observations from a Lidar 

PB President’s Budget

PBI Predominantly Black Institution 
Reference

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

REF-16 

PBRE Packed Bed Reactor Experiment 

PCA Physicians’ comparability allowance

PCB polychlorinated biphenyls 

PCM Post Certification Mission 

PCOS Physics of the Cosmos 

PDA progressive damage analysis 

PDR Preliminary Design Review 

PDS Planetary Data System 

PEA Program Element Appendix 

PEA-P Program Element Appendix 

PEP Particle Environment Package 

PI Principle Investigator 

PIR Program Implementation Review 

PIV Personal Identity Verification 

PLSS Portable Life Support System 

POWER Protecting Our Workers and Ensuring Reemployment 

PP/CC Planetary Protection/Contamination Control 

PPS Precipitation Processing System 

PSI Physical Sciences Informatics 

PSL Propulsion Systems Laboratory 

PTRR Program Transition Readiness Review 

Pu plutonium 

PUFFER Pop Up Flat Folding Exploration Robots 

PV Planetary Ventures, LLC 

PVT Psychomotor Vigilance Task 

QM-1 qualification motor 1 

QuikSCAT Quick Scatterometer 

R&A Research and Analysis 

R&D research and development 

R&T Research and Technology 

RAD Radiation Assessment Detector 

RAIF Research Aircraft Integration Facility 

RAO Right Anterior Oblique 

RAP Robotics Alliance Project 

RBA Reflector Boom Assembly 

RBI Radiation Budget Instrument 

RCA Rapid Cycle Amine 

RCC Range Control Center 

RCO reduced crew operations 

REDD Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation 
Reference

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

REF-17 

RESOLVE 

Regolith and Environment Science and Oxygen and Lunar Volatiles 

Extraction 

REXIS Regolith X-ray Imaging Spectrometer 

RF radio frequency 

RFC Regenerative Fuel Cell 

RFI request for information 

RFP request for proposal 

RFU Radio Frequency Unit 

RHESSI Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager 

RID Research Infrastructure Development 

RIME Radar for Icy Moons Exploration 

RISE Revolutionize the ISS for Science and Exploration (HEOMD) 

RISE Rotation and Interior Structure Experiment (Earth Science) 

ROD Record of Decision 

ROIC Read-Out Integrated Circuit 

ROSA Roll-Out Solar Array 

ROSES Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences 

RPM revolutions per minute 

RPO rendezvous and proximity operations 

RPS Radioisotope Power Systems 

RPT Rocket Propulsion Test 

RRM Robotic Refueling Mission 

RRS Research Range Services 

RS reflected solar 

RTCA Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics 

RTG Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator 

RVLT Revolutionary Vertical Lift Technology 

SAA Space Act Agreement 

SAC-D Satellite for Scientific Applications-D 

SAFFIRE Spacecraft Fire Experiment 

SAGE Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment 

Sage III Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment III 

SALMON-2 Second Stand Alone Missions of Opportunity Notice 

SAM Sample Analysis at Mars (Planetary Science) 

SAM I Stratospheric Aerosol Measurement 

SAO Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory 

SAR Synthetic Aperture Radar 

SARDA Spot and Runway Departure Advisor 

SASO Safe Autonomous Systems Operations 

SBA Small Business Administration 
Reference

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

REF-18 

SBIR Small Business Innovation Research 

SCaN Space Communications and Navigation 

SCAP Strategic Capabilities Asset Program 

SCCS Spaceport Command and Control System 

SDO Solar Dynamics Observatory 

SDR System Definition Review 

SDS Space Debris Sensor 

SDSS Sloan Digital Sky Survey 

SEAP STEM Education and Accountability Projects 

SeaWiFS Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-View Sensor 

SEIS Seismic Experiment for Interior Structure 

SEO Science Enhancement Option 

SEP solar energetic particles (Heliophysics) 

SEP solar electric propulsion (HEOMD/STMD) 

SERENA Search for Exospheric Refilling and Emitted Natural Abundances 

SET Space Environment Testbeds 

SETAG Space Environmental Testing Assets Group 

SEWP Solutions for Enterprise-Wide Procurement 

SEXTANT Station Explorer for X-ray Timing and Navigation Technology 

SFCO Space Flight Crew Operations 

SFS Space and Flight Support 

SGP Space Geodesy Project 

SGSS Space Network Ground Segment Sustainment 

SHPO State Historic Preservation Office 

SIM Spectral Irradiance Monitor 

SIP Strategic Implementation Plan 

SIPS Science Investigator-led Processing Systems 

SIR System Integration Review 

SL-8 SpaceLoft-8 

SLD super-cooled large droplet 

SLI Sustainable Land Imaging 

SLPSRA Space Life and Physical Sciences Research and Applications 

SLPSRAD Space, Life, and Physical Sciences Research and Applications Division 

SLS Space Launch System 

SMA Safety and Mission Assurance 

SMAP Soil Moisture Active Passive 

SMART-NAS 

Shadow Mode Assessments Using Realistic Technologies for the National 

Airspace System 

SMD Science Mission Directorate 

SMEX Small Explorers 
Reference

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

REF-19 

SMOS Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity 

SMS Safety and Mission Success 

SNC Sierra Nevada Corporation 

SOC Solar Orbiter Collaboration 

SOFIA Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy 

SOHO Solar and Heliospheric Observatory 

SoloHI Solar Orbiter Heliospheric Imager 

SORCE Solar Radiation and Climate Experiment 

SOST Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology 

SOT Solar Optical Telescope 

Space Grant National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program 

SpaceX Space Exploration Technologies Corporation 

SPB Solar Pressure Balloon 

SPDF Space Physics Data Facility 

SPHERES Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, Reorient, and Experimental Satellites 

SPHERES-Halo 

Synchronized Position, Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellites –

Halo 

SPIDER Suborbital Polarimeter for Inflation Dust and the Epoch of Reionization 

SPOC Science Processing and Operations Center 

SPoRT Short-term Prediction Research and Transition 

SPP Solar Probe Plus 

SpX-# 

Space Exploration Technologies Company Commercial Resupply Services 

# 

SR&T Strategic Research and Technology 

SRB Standing Review Board 

SRC Sample Return Capsule 

SRFO Student Research Flight Opportunity 

sRLV Suborbital Reusable Launch Vehicle 

SRP supersonic retrorocket propulsion 

SRR System Requirements Review 

SRR Sample Return Robot (Space Tech) 

SSC Stennis Space Center 

SSERVI Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute 

SSFL Santa Susana Field Laboratory 

SSL Space Systems Loral 

SSMS Safety, Security, and Mission Services 

SST Small Spacecraft Technology 

ST Space Technology 

STD standard 

STEM Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics 

STEREO Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory 
Reference

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

REF-20 

STIP Strategic Technology Investment Plan 

STMD Space Technology Mission Directorate 

STP Solar Terrestrial Probes 

STP H-5 LIS Space Test Program Houston-5 Lightning Imaging System 

STPH-5 LIS Space Test Program Houston-5 Lightning Imaging System 

STR&D Space Technology Research and Development 

STRG Space Technology Research Grants 

STScI Space Telescope Science Institute 

STTR Small Business Technology Transfer 

SUBSA Solidification Using a Baffle in Sealed Ampoules 

Suomi NPP Suomi National Polar-Orbiting Partnership 

SWEAP Solar Wind Electrons Alphas and Protons 

SWIR shortwave infrared 

SWOT Surface Water Ocean Topography 

SwRI Southwest Research Institute 

SXS Soft X-Ray Spectrometer 

TACP Transformative Aeronautics Concepts Program 

TAGSAM Touch and Go Sample Acquisition Mechanism 

TASEAS Technologies for Assuring Safe Energy and Attitude State 

TBD to be determined 

TBO Trajectory Based Operations 

TBW Truss Braced Wing 

TCL technical capability level 

TCTE Total Solar Irradiance Calibration Transfer Experiment 

TCU Tribal Colleges and Universities 

TDM Technology Demonstration Missions 

TDRS Tracking and Data Relay Satellite 

TDRSS TDRS System 

TDT Transonic Dynamics Tunnel 

TechPort Technology Portfolio System 

TEMPEST-D Temporal Experiment for Storms and Tropical Systems-Demonstrator 

TEMPO Tropospheric Emissions: Monitoring of Pollution 

TES Tropospheric Emission Spectrometer 

TESS Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite 

TFM Traffic Flow Management 

TGO Trace Gas Orbiter 

THEMIS Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms 

THOR Terrestrial HIAD Orbital Reentry 

TIM Total Irradiance Monitor 

TIMED Thermosphere Ionosphere Mesosphere Energetics and Dynamics 
Reference

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

REF-21 

TIR-FFD Thermal-Infrared Free-Flyer 

TIRS Thermal Infrared Sensor 

TMC Technical, Management, and Cost 

TMPA TRMM Multi-satellite Precipitation Analysis 

TOC Total Organic Carbon 

TPS Thermal Protection System 

TR&T Targeted Research & Testing 

TrACE Tri-Agency Climate Education 

TRACT Transport Rotorcraft Airframe Crash Testbed 

TRL Technology Readiness Level 

TRMM Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission 

TRN Terrain Relative Navigation 

TSAS Terminal Sequencing and Spacing 

TSI total solar irradiance 

TSIS Total and Spectral Solar Irradiance Sensor 

TSIS-1 Total Solar Irradiance Sensor-1 

TSIS-2 Total Solar Irradiance Sensor-2 

TSS Terminal Sequencing and Spacing 

TTT Transformational Tools and Technologies 

TWINS Two Wide-angle Imaging Neutral-atom Spectrometers 

U.S.C. United States Code 

UAS Unmanned Aircraft Systems 

UAVSAR Uninhabited Aerial Vehicle Synthetic Aperture Radar 

UEST ultra-efficient subsonic transport 

UHB ultra-high bypass 

UHF ultra high frequency 

UKSA United Kingdom Space Agency 

UL Underwriter's Laboratory 

ULA United Launch Alliance 

ULS United Launch Services 

UN United Nations 

UNEX University-Class Explorers 

upGREAT Upgraded German REceiver for Astronomy at Terahertz Frequencies 

UPS uninterrupted power supply 

UPSS Universal Propellant Servicing System 

UPTWT Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel 

USAF U.S. Air Force 

USAID United States Agency for International Development 

USDA U.S. Department of Agriculture 

USGCRP U.S. Global Change Research Program 
Reference

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

REF-22 

USGS U.S. Geological Survey 

USIP Undergraduate Student Information Project 

USRA Universities Space Research Association 

UTM UAS Traffic Management 

UTRC United Technologies Research Center 

UVS Ultraviolet Spectrograph 

VAB Vehicle Assembly Building 

VAC Vertical Assembly Center 

VAFB Vandenberg Air Force Base 

VCLS Venture Class Launch Service 

VEGGIE Vegetable Production System 

VERITAS Venus Emissivity, Radio Science, InSAR, Topography, and Spectroscopy 

VIIP visual impairment and intracranial pressure 

VIIRS Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite 

VIL Vehicle Integration and Launch 

VLT Very Large Telescope 

VSPT Variable-Speed Power Turbine 

WANs Wide Area Networks 

WASP Web Application Security Program 

WBS work breakdown structure 

WCF Working Capital Fund 

Webb James Webb Space Telescope 

WFA Work from Anywhere 

WFF Wallops Flight Facility 

WFIRST Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope 

WISE Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer 

WISPR Wide-Field Imager for Solar Probe Plus 

WIYN 

Wisconsin–Madison, Indiana University, Yale University, and National 

Optical Astronomy Observatory 

WSTF White Sands Test Facility 

XMM-Newton X-ray Multi-Mirror Mission 

ZBOT Zero Boil-Off Tank