Administrator Approval for Conferences Exceeding $500K

Purpose

Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD) is requesting a waiver for 338 participants to attend the AIAA
Aviation 2014 conference which is proposed to be held on June 16 - 20, 2014 in Atlanta, GA. This conference is
estimated to exceed $500,000 in net NASA expenses. The cumulative Agency participation is projected as 338
employees, at an estimated cost of approximately $953,889.

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

Expand the frontiers of knowledge, capability, and opportunity in space.
2. Advance understanding of Earth and develop technologies to improve the quality of life on our home planet.
3. Serve the American public and accomplish our Mission by effectively managing our people, technical
capabilities, and infrastructure.

Conference Background

The AIAA Aviation 2014 conference will build on the foundation of Aviation 2013 to stimulate thought provoking
conversations among government and industry leaders and the engineering and technical professionals who develop and
operate aviation systems to address pressing opportunities and challenges for the aviation industry. In addition to stand
alone Aviation 2014 sessions, this forum has been expanded to include 18 co-located technical conferences across a wide
range of disciplines, incorporating for the first time several recurring AIAA fluids-related conferences and an international
conference which rotates annually between the United States and Europe. Aviation 2014 represents a further step in the
consolidation of ALAA conferences to reduce overall costs to organizers and participants who have interest in
related/complementary fields of study.

Conference Explanation

AIAA Aviation 2014 serves as a mission critical event for aeronautics research. NASA’s involvement in Aviation 2014
supports all three of the Agency’s strategic goals, and ARMD’s strategic goal to “Advance aeronautics research for
societal benefits.” Planned sessions directly related to research and operations being accomplished within NASA’s
programs, and NASA’s participation in these sessions aids in the communication and dissemination of technical
information to both industry and the general public.

Disapprove:

Date of Approval: 5/23/2014


Purpose: The 2014 annual American Meteorological Society meeting is critical to NASA’s drive to
advance science, technology, and exploration to enhance knowledge, education, innovation,
economic vitality, and stewardship of Earth. This meeting enables information sharing on recent
scientific discoveries and advances the professional applications of various science disciplines.

Conference Location Start End Date | Total Cost | NASA Paid
Date Attendees

Human Research
Program (HRP)

Investigators Galveston,
Workshop TM 2/10/2014 | 2/14/2014 $170,317 46

Web site Link: http://www.hrpiws2013.com/

Purpose: This workshop provides an informal, collegial atmosphere for cross-disciplinary interaction
between HRP grantees, management, and stakeholders in the field of human space flight research.
The meeting includes oral and poster presentations, tutorials and panel discussions to address
research progress, opportunities, processes, resources, and strategies to optimize HRP research.

Conference Location Start End Date | Total Cost | NASA Paid
Date Attendees

Institute of Electrical
and Electronics
Engineers (IEEE)
Aerospace Conference | Big Sky, MT 3/1/2014 | 3/8/2014 $278,801 77

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

Purpose: The IEEE Aerospace Conference promotes interdisciplinary understanding of aerospace
systems, their underlying science and technology, and their application to government and
commercial endeavors by providing a working environment that encourages collaboration and
interaction.

Conference Location Start End Date | Total Cost | NASA Paid
Date Attendees

South X Southwest

2014 Austin, Texas | 3/9/2014 | 3/12/2014 $124,784 24

Web site Link: www.sxsw.com

Purpose: The South X Southwest 2014 conference is an annual set of film, interactive, and music
festivals and conferences that take place every spring in Austin, TX. This conference assists in
providing NASA the opportunity to meet its strategic goal to “share NASA with the public, educators,
and students to provide opportunities to participate in our Mission, foster innovation and contribute
to a strong national economy.” Additionally, participation in this event will allowed the Office of



Administrator Approval for Conferences Exceeding $500K

Purpose

Langley Research Center (LaRC) is requesting a waiver for 203 participants to attend the AIAA Science and Technology
Forum and Exposition (SciTech) conference which is proposed to be held on January 13 - 17, 2014 in National Harbor,
MD. The cumulative Agency participation is projected as 272 employees at an estimated cost of approximately $693,000.

The following strategic goals will be addressed through NASA’s attendance at the AIAA SciTech 2014:

1. Expand the frontiers of knowledge, capability, and opportunity in space
2. Advance understanding of Earth and develop technologies to improve the quality of life on our home planet.

Conference Background

SciTech 2014 brings together engineers and educators, researchers and designers, scientists and students, managers and
executives in sharing lessons learned across many organizations and disciplines, advancing technological innovation,
education, economic progress, and national security. The event will explore how new technologies and new approaches
can influence system affordability and environmental impact to enable the aerospace missions of tomorrow.

Conference Explanation

This is the largest event for aerospace research, development, and technology organized by the American Institute of
Aeronautics and Astronautics, and is a consolidation of 11 previously separate technical events. This event will provide
extensive access to a wide range of the latest in research and development within specific areas of expertise and across
technological boundaries. The value to NASA from this event is high; this conference covers many areas that are vital to
strengthen core capabilities that cut across missions and offers discipline integration expertise.

In addition to the conferences with a high number of NASA participants in the table above, AIAA is co-locating the
following additional conferences at SciTech 2014:

AIAA Atmospheric Flight Mechanics Conference

AIAA Spacecraft Structures Conference (formerly the AIAA Gossamer Systems Forum)
AIAA Modeling and Simulation Technologies Conference

10th AIAA Multidisciplinary Design Optimization Specialist Conference

16th AIAA Non-Deterministic Approaches Conference

7th Symposium on Space Resource Utilization
32nd ASME Wind Energy Symposium ~

Decision and Signature:
Korot I ‘ )-|

Disapprove:

Date of Approval: 12/3/2013


universe. The SPIE conference also fosters NASA's "Overarching Strategies" to "invest in next
generation technologies" and to "Expand partnerships with international, intergovernmental,
academic, industrial, and entrepreneurial communities. The SPIE conference will be attended by
scientists and engineers from academia, industry, federal labs (NASA, NSF, NIST), FFRDCs, and Other
Government agencies.

Conference Location Start End Date | Total Cost | NASA Paid
Date Attendees

AMS 14" Atmospheric
Radiation Conference
and Associated

Conference Boston, MA 7/7/2014 | 7/11/2014 $149,947 57

Web site Link: http://www.ametsoc.org/meet/fainst/201414atrad.html

Purpose: The 14" Conference on Atmospheric Radiation includes all areas of the atmospheric
radiation spanning radiative transfer theory. This joint conference provides a focus on scientific
topics that are key to studying the Earth’s changing climate system. More specifically, this
conference provides a forum for presenting research as well as guiding the direction of future
research priorities which aligns with NASA’s goal of understanding the climate system.

Conference Location Start End Date | Total Cost | NASA Paid
Date Attendees

2014 Institute of
Electrical and
Electronics Engineers
(IEEE) International
Geoscience and
Remote Sensing Quebec City
Symposium Canada 7/13/2014 | 7/18/2014 $294,041 48

Web site Link: http://www. igarss2014.org

Purpose: This IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium directly aligns with the
Earth Science Division’s flight programs and the use of Earth observation data for societal benefit
and environmental monitoring. The conference is attended by senior science, engineering and
program management personnel from the major space agencies participating in Earth science
satellite remote sensing. This event brings together the flight program management from the major
international earth observing space agencies, enabling focused and substantive discussions on future
collaboration approaches and joint missions.

Conference Location Start End Date | Total Cost | NASA Paid
Date Attendees

44" International
Conference on Tucson, AZ 7/13/2014 | 7/17/2014 $127,804 59

10


Purpose: This event stimulates family interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and

Mathematics (STEM) education in keeping with the President's initiative to graduate a million
students in STEM fields at the end of the decade. This event is one of the eight major events
designed by the Communications Coordinating Committee (CCC) for NASA participation in FY14. One
of the objectives of this event was to present the really “cool” things that NASA does that will inspire
students to STEM subject matter.

Conference Location Start End Date | Total Cost | NASA Paid
Date Attendees

European Geosciences

Union General Vienna

Assembly Austria 4/27/2014 | 5/02/2014 $203,408 46

Web site Link: http://www.egu2014.eu/

Purpose: The EGU meeting brings together NASA employees and contractors working on various
Earth science missions and projects, such as the Earth Observing System (EOS) Mission, the Global
Precipitation Mission (GPM), the Suomi-NPP (National Polar-orbiting Partnership), ICESAT-2, and
SMAP among others, to interact with international colleagues from various space agencies, such as
European Space Agency (ESA) and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).

Conference Location Start End Date | Total Cost | NASA Paid
Date Attendees

Space Mission

Operations and Ground
Data Systems Pasadena,
(SpaceOps) CA 5/5/2014 | 5/9/2014 $339,858 213

Web site Link: https://www.aiaa.org/spaceops2014,

Purpose: The SpaceOps conference is designed to exchange information about mission operations
disciplines in order to leverage the world space operations community’s resources and increase the
chances of mission success. Since its inception, all of NASA’s core missions have benefited from the
lessons learned, technical information and best practices communicated and relationships incubated
within the SpaceOps community.

Conference Location Start Date | EndDate | Total Cost | NASA Paid
Attendees

42TM Aerospace Baltimore, 5/14/2014 | 5/16/2014 | $111,788 79

Mechanisms MD

Symposium (AMS)

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

Purpose: The 42nd AMS is concerned with the problems of design, fabrication, test, and operational
use of aerospace mechanisms. Emphasis is on hardware developments. The symposium provides



Communications to meet its goals to 1.) Participate in events that attract large numbers of the
general public; and 2.) Target venues and events to reach beyond space enthusiasts and the science-
attentive public.

Conference Location Start End Date | Total Cost | NASA Paid
Date Attendees

45" Lunar and

Planetary Science Woodlands,

Conference TX 3/17/2014 | 3/21/2014 $327,882 103

Web site Link: http://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/Ipsc2014/

Purpose: The Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (LPSC) is the primary conference where
researchers from around the world present results from a variety of topic areas of specific interest to
NASA's Planetary Science Division with special sessions chosen each year to highlight timely issues
such as results from new planetary missions or emerging new fields of study. This conference began
as the forum for presenting results from the Apollo program and continues as the major forum for
first results from most of NASA's planetary missions. Previous total attendance from all communities
has been over 2,000.

Conference Location Start End Date | Total Cost | NASA Paid
Date Attendees

MaterialsLAB

Workshop Arlington, VA | 4/15/2014 | 4/17/2014 $ 112,584 128

Web site Link: http://www.cvent.com/events/nasa-materials-lab-workshop/event-summary-
f0ee4d29123a453b94c511ab660b81fa.aspx

Purpose: The MaterialsLAB workshop focuses on the successful implementation of Open Source
Science Campaigns designed to enable multiple researcher’s simultaneous, open-source, access to
synergistically build upon International Space System (ISS) data. The MaterialsLAB is the first
implementation of the innovative, open-source science campaign concept. This workshop supports
NASA's strategic goal of extending and sustaining human activities across the solar system by
sustaining the operation and full use of the ISS. MaterialsLAB will provide the scientific and
engineering guidance for developing and implementing the MaterialsLAB series of experiments
covering ten topical areas in materials science.

Conference Location Start '| End Date | Total Cost | NASA Paid
Date Attendees

USA Science and Washington,

Engineering Festival DC 4/24/2014 | 4/24/2014 $281,353 | 92

Web site Link: www.usasciencefestival.org



Purpose: The 3% Annual ISS R&D conference is the premier 2014 event on ISS science and
technology development. It is dedicated to the full breadth of ISS science and technology utilization.
The conference features a large contingent of government and industry panel sessions and cover all
of the ISS R&D disciplines. Potential non-NASA users of the ISS, investigators and new sources of
research funding, including industrialist academics and other government agency researchers will
have an opportunity to learn about current research being conducted on ISS.

Conference Location Start End Date | Total Cost | NASA Paid
Date Attendees

American Institute of

Aeronautics (AIAA)

Aviation 2014 Atlanta, GA 6/16/2014 | 6/20/2014 $614,976 255

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

Purpose: Aviation 2014 builds on the foundation of Aviation 2013 to stimulate thought provoking
conversations among government and industry leaders and the engineering and technical
professionals who develop and operate aviation systems to address pressing opportunities and
challenges for the aviation industry.

Conference Location Start End Date | Total Cost | NASA Paid
Date Attendees

11" International
Planetary Probe
Workshop (IPPW) Pasadena, CA | 6/16/2014 | 6/20/2014 $114,216 71

Web site Link: http://www.hou.ursa.edu/meetings/ippw20

Purpose: IPPW is the primary meeting where new technology and findings in the field of Entry,
Descent, and Landing (EDL) are shared. It is essential to preserving the Nation’s core competency in
the field of EDL. This is the only conference that brings together planetary scientists and mission
designers to discuss issues that are specific to entry probes. This workshop brings together an
international group of engineers and scientists to collaborate and share ideas on the future of
planetary exploration.

Conference Location Start End Date | Total Cost | NASA Paid
Date Attendees

Society of Photographic
Instrumentation
Engineers (SPIE)
Astronomical
Telescopes Montreal,
Instrumentation 2014 Canada 6/22/2014 | 6/24/2014 $166,646 49

Web site Link: http://spie.org/x13662.xml

Purpose: The SPIE meeting on Astronomical Telescopes and Instrumentation is about exchanging
information on new technologies to further science and innovation -- to allow NASA to explore the



FY 2014 Report on NASA Large Conferences

January 2015


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

Purpose: The 24th Annual AIAA/USU Conference on Small Satellites’ creates innovative new space
technologies for our exploration, science, and economic future. Attendees participate in formal and
informal knowledge and information sharing, and provide opportunities for NASA to interact with
key Small Satellite developers and hardware providers, and other Small Satellites missions, to
discuss fundamental technologies, and resolve issues essential to advancing NASA’s current and
future Small Satellite missions.

Conference Location Start End Date | Total Cost | NASA Paid
Date Attendees

American Institute of

Aeronautics (AIAA) San Diego,

Space 2014 CA 8/4/2014 | 8/7/2014 $341,528 44

Web site link: http://www.aiaa-space.org/

Purpose: Since 2000, NASA, USAF and Industry jointly have organized the premier AIAA space
conference and exposition event on the West Coast, providing an annual forum for exchange of
information and discussions critical for the future exploration of Space. On an average, over 1,200
attendees from more than 100 organizations in the space industry have attended this event in an
exchange of information.

Conference Location Start End Date | Total Cost | NASA Paid
Date Attendees

Thermal Fluids Analysis | Cleveland,
Workshop OH 8/4/2014 | 8/8/2014 $133,216 46

Web site Link: http://tfaws.nasa.gov/TFAWS13/Index.html

Purpose: This conference advances the Agency’s core mission through the exchange of knowledge
and information, and by enhancing collaboration between NASA Centers and the passive thermal,
active thermal, fluids and aerothermal disciplines. The Agency’s core mission is directly supported
through the offering of various courses on fundamental theory and hands-on training for the key
analytical tools utilized by the agency for these disciplines. This sharing of expertise between
Centers and with other Agencies, industry, and academia invigorates the communication, teamwork,
and excellence are integral to NASA’s core values.

Conference Location Start End Date | Total Cost | NASA Paid
Date Attendees

Society of Photographic
Instrumentation

Engineers (SPIE) Optics
& Photonics San Diego,
Conference CA 8/17/2014 | 8/21/2014 $124,791 49

Web site Link: http://spie.org

12


Environmental Systems
(ICES)

Web site Link: http://www.depts.ttu.edu/ceweb/ices,

Purpose: ICES addresses the disciplines of Environmental Control and Life Support, Thermal
Control, and ExtraVehicular Activity (ETE) which have all been identified as critical fields to address in
developing future spacecraft and conducting exploration missions. The ICES provides a forum to tell
colleagues from around the world about the progress being made in space and to hear about
progress being made in other parts of the space ETE community.

Conference Location Start End Date | Total Cost | NASA Paid
Date Attendees

50th

AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Cleveland,

JPC IECEC OH 7/28/2014 | 7/30/2014 $445,344 299

Web site Link: http://www.aiaa.org/EventDetail.aspx?id=18584

Purpose: The Joint Propulsion Conference (JPC) and the International Energy Conversion
Engineering Conference (IECEC) holds special panel sessions that will focus on advanced system
applications that can be used to showcase propulsion systems and components, and the
technologies that enable them.

Conference Location Start End Date | Total Cost | NASA Paid
Date Attendees

Aisa Ocenia Geosciences
Societ (AOGS) 11" Annual | Sapporo,
Meeting Japan 7/28/2014 | 8/01/2014 $215,363 43

Web site Link: http://www.asiaoceania.org/aogs2014/public.asp?page=home.htm

Purpose: The AGOS meeting is one of the most important Asian meetings in heliophysics research.
AOGS is focused on the geosciences with an emphasis on global issues. It enables researchers to
interact with a population of researchers that are not otherwise readily available for scientific
discussions. This conference is a forum used to expose and disseminate the latest results from NASA
missions and provide access to state-of-the-art simulations and correlative data sets from foreign
space missions.

Conference Location Start Date | End Date | Total Cost | NASA Paid
Attendees

24" American Institute
of Aeronautics
(AIAA)/Utah State
University (USU)
Conference on Small
Satellites Logan, UT 8/2/2014 8/7/2014 $238,065 100

11



both a technical and social forum for personnel active in the field of mechanisms technology, as well
as providing a source of information for others with an interest in this field. Topical sessions for this
symposium encompasses appendage deployment systems, bearings and tribology, MARS exploration
tools, separations systems, testing, motors and gears, pumps and valves and small satellite
mechanisms.

Conference Location Start End Date | Total Cost | NASA Paid
Date Attendees

Joint Army Navy NASA | Charleston,
Air Force (JANNAF) Sc 5/19/2014 | 5/22/2014 $ 104,631 39

Web site Link: https://www2/.cpiac.jhu.edu/meetings/May

Purpose: JANNAF is the overall coordinator for the 61st JANNAF Propulsion Meeting, 42" Structures
and Mechanical Behavior, 38" Propellant and Explosives Development and Characterization, 29"
Rocket Nozzle Technology and the 27* Safety and Environmental Protection Joint Subcommittee
which will all take place during this time.

The JANNAF Interagency Propulsion Committee coordinates fundamental research, exploratory
development, and advanced development programs and accomplishes problem solving in the areas
of joint agency interest on propulsion systems for missiles, rockets, boosters, spacecraft, satellites,
and guns.

Conference Location Start End Date | Total Cost | NASA Paid
Date Attendees

224 American
Astronomical Society
(AAS) Boston, MA 6/1/2014 | 6/5/2014 $409,925 156

Web site Link: https://aas.org/meeting/aas

Purpose: The primary object of the AAS is to promote the advancement of astronomy and closely
related branches of science, while at the same time enhancing astronomy education and providing a
political voice for its members through lobbying and grassroots activities. The AAS has over 7,000
members and maintains six scientific divisions: The Division for Planetary Sciences, the Division on
Dynamical Astronomy, the High Energy Astrophysics Division, the Solar Physics Division (with which
the meeting is jointly held), the Historical Astronomy Division, and the Laboratory Astrophysics
Division.

Conference Location Start End Date | Total Cost | NASA Paid
Date Attendees

3" Annual ISS R&D
Conference Chicago, IL 6/17/2014 | 6/19/2014 $176,588 96

Web site Link: http://astronautical.org



Conference Location Start End Date | Total Cost | NASA Paid
Date Attendees

American Geophysical | San
Union (AGU) Francisco, CA | 12/9/2013 | 12/13/2013 | $ 1,735,459 645

Web site Link: http://fallmeeting.agu.org/2013

Purpose: The AGU conference is the largest worldwide meeting in the geophysical sciences. It is the
premier event for scientists and engineers from Earth Science, Heliophysics and Planetary Science.
AGU is the best opportunity for NASA scientists and engineers to interact with their respective
communities, and the interactions often grow into proposals for NASA research announcements.

Conference Location Start End Date | Total Cost | NASA Paid
Date Attendees

223" American

Astronomical Society National

(AAS) Harbor, MD 1/5/2014 | 1/9/2014 $255,440 130

Web site Link: http://aas.org/meetings/223rd-aas-meeting-washington-dc

Purpose: The primary objective of the AAS is to promote the advancement of astronomy and closely
related branches of science, while at the same time enhancing astronomy education and providing a
political voice for its members through lobbying and grassroots activities.

Conference Location Start End Date | Total Cost | NASA Paid
Date Attendees

American Institute of

Aeronautics (AIAA)

Science and

Technology Forum and | National

Exposition (SciTech) Harbor, MD | 1/13/2014 | 1/17/2014 $ 523,888 247

Web site Link: http://www.aiaa.org/scitech2014/

Purpose: SciTech 2014 brings together engineers and educators, researchers and designers,
scientists and students, managers and executives in sharing lessons learned across many
organizations and disciplines, advancing technological innovation, education, economic progress,
and national security. The event explores how new technologies and new approaches can influence
system affordability and environmental impact to enable the aerospace missions of tomorrow.

Conference Location Start Date | End Date | TotalCost | NASA Paid
Attendees

“2014 American

Meteorological Society | Atlanta, GA 2/2/2014 | 2/6/2014 $189,571 93

Web site Link: http://annual.ametsoc.org/2014/



Request for Conference Exceeding $500K

Purpose

Glenn Research Center (GRC) is requesting a waiver to hold the 50th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion
Conference (JPC) and 12th International Energy Conversion Engineering Conference (IECEC) which is proposed
to be held on July 28 — 30, 2014 in Cleveland, Ohio. The cumulative Agency participation is projected as 357 employees
at an estimated cost of approximately $623,794.

The following strategic goals will be addressed through NASA’s attendance at the 50 AIAA/ASME:

1. Expand the frontiers of knowledge, capability, and opportunity in space.
3. Serve the American public and accomplish our Mission by effectively managing our people, technical
capabilities, and infrastructure.

Conference Background

Both the Joint Propulsion Conference (JPC) and the International Energy Conversion Engineering Conference (IECEC)
will hold special panel sessions that will focus on advanced system applications that can be used to showcase propulsion
systems and components, and the technologies that enable them. These conferences directly address the mission of the
Agency to “drive advances in science, technology, and exploration to enhance knowledge, education, innovation,
economic vitality, and stewardship of the Earth.” The focus is on aerospace propulsion and energy conversion
technology, advanced energy and power systems, devices for terrestrial energy systems and aerospace application. The
aforementioned focus directly addresses strategic goal 1, “Expand the frontiers of knowledge, capability, and opportunity
in space” and strategic goal 3 to “Serve the American public and accomplish our Mission by effectively managing our
people, technical capabilities, and infrastructure.”

Conference Explanation

The forum will provide representatives from eight NASA Centers and NASA Headquarters the opportunity to discuss
propulsion and energy conversion technologies and applications with leaders in industry, government and academia. This
conference covers many areas that are vitally important to strengthen core capabilities that cut across missions and offers
discipline integration expertise which can bring innovative and affordable solutions to address NASA mission challenges.

The co-located JPC and IECEC conferences will include presentations of more than 1,500 papers in over 30 technical
tracks; 229 of the NASA employees projected to attend will be presenting papers, with many others serving as session
chairs, organizers, technical committee and panel members. Included in the program will be two special, 3 hour sessions
highlighting the accomplishments of the GRC over the past 70 years.

RECOMMENDATION:

Disapprove:

Date of Approval: 3/12/2014


Administrator Approval for Conferences Exceeding $500K

Purpose -

Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) is requesting a waiver for 218 participants to attend the AIAA Space 2014 conference
which is proposed to be held on August 4 -7, 2014 in San Diego, CA. The cumulative Agency participation is projected
as 188 employees at an estimated cost of approximately $543,105.

Conference Background

Since 2000, NASA, USAF and Industry jointly have organized this premier AIAA Space conference and exposition event
on the West Coast and providing an annual forum for exchange of information and discussions critical for the future
exploration of Space. On an average, over 1,200 attendees from more than 100 organizations in the space industry have
attended this event. Even though planning leadership has been with the JPL and the Goddard Space Flight Center, there
has been active participation from NASA HQ, JSC, Ames, LaRC, Stennis, and KSC. International space bearing nations
have a strong presence at this event. This has provided opportunities for NASA to foster internationally funded space
research efforts.

The following strategic goals will be addressed through NASA’s attendance at the AIAA Space 2014:

1. Expand the frontiers of knowledge, capability, and opportunity in space.
2. Advance understanding of Earth and develop technologies to improve the quality of life on our home planet.

Conference Explanation

The scope of the AIAA SPACE 2014 conference draws innovative ideas and a broad cross section of participants from
across NASA. The conference also features three specific disciplines:

¢ AIAA/AAS Astrodynamics Specialist Conference
+ AIAA Complex Aerospace Systems Exchange
* 32nd AIAA International Communications Satellite Systems Conference

The conference features a broad contingent of NASA participants. Travel and accommodation expenditures are justified
based on historic levels of participation of NASA leaders, Astrodynamics specialists and other agency experts at similar
conferences.

Decision and Signature:

Disapprove:

Date of Approval: 7/22/2014


Conference Location Start Date | End Date | Total Cost | NASA Paid
Attendees

American
Astronomical Society
(AAS) Division for
Planetary Sciences
(DPS) Denver, CO 10/06/2013 | 10/11/2013 $109,726 49

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

Purpose: DPS is the world’s largest professional organization dedicated to solar system exploration
and is the highlight conference for presenting solar system research. This research includes missions
such as Messenger, Curiosity, Cassini, Kepler and research and analysis for general planetary
missions.

Conference Location Start Date | End Date | Total Cost | NASA Paid
Attendees
American Society for Orlando, FL | 11/3/2013 | 11/8/2013 | $215,953 107

Gravitational and
Space Research
(ASGSR)

Web site Link: https://asgsr.org

Purpose: The ASGSR’s goal is to explore the response of biology and physical systems to novel
environments, and to understand biological and physical phenomena associated with changes in
gravitational signals - especially those associated with spaceflight and analogues for extra-terrestrial
environments.

Conference Location Start Date | End Date | Total Cost | NASA Paid
Attendees
Supercomputing 2013 _| Denver, CO 11/17/2013 | 11/22/2013 $217,031 42

Web site Link: http://sc13.supercomputing.org/

Purpose: The Supercomputing (SC13) conference serves as the crossroads for the entire High-
Performance Computing community, including users; program managers; colleagues; vendors;
government; private industry and academia. SC13 provides unparalleled cooperation, unequaled
collaboration, and unmatched exposure. Spotlighting the most advanced scientific and technical
applications in the world, SC13 brings together the international supercomputing community for an
exceptional program of technical papers, tutorials and timely research posters. The SC13 Exhibition
Hall featured exhibits of the latest and greatest technologies from industry, academia and
government research organizations.



FY 2014 Report on NASA Sponsored Large Conferences

Qverview: In accordance with Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Memorandum M-12-
12, Section 2 — Conferences, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is
providing this report on conferences. This report provides a summary of conference activities by
NASA in Fiscal Year (FY) 2014. It includes a brief overview of some of the value roles that
conferences play, such as in key dissemination and exchange of cutting edge scientific and
technological knowledge.

The Space Act of 1958 requires NASA to “provide for the widest practicable and appropriate
dissemination of information concerning its activities and the results thereof.” Conferences
provide an important vehicle for accomplishing this mandate. NASA scientists, engineers, and
leaders present scientific and technical papers and participate in interchanges on leading-edge
research and technology with peers in the Federal Government, academia, the science
community, the aeronautics and aerospace industries, and international partners at conferences.
NASA attended and sponsored conferences address a broad and diverse range of scientific and
engineering challenges faced in carrying out its missions, including Earth science research,
advanced aeronautics, and the cutting-edge technologies needed for both current and planned
robotic and human space flight programs.

In addition to facilitating the dissemination and advancement of scientific research, conferences
also serve as a cost-effective way for NASA to carry out other mission-related purposes, such as
educational outreach and program development, planning, and information gathering. For
example, conferences on program management provide opportunities for examination of current
trends in aerospace project and engineering management; offering forums for the exchange and
dissemination of best practices, new ideas, and training for managers across NASA to help the
Agency cost-effectively meet the toughest challenges in space exploration today.

FY 2014 Conferences: Net conference expenses for the 2014 fiscal year, for conferences held by
NASA and which cost the Agency more than $20,000 and all conference events costing the Agency more
than $100,000, totaled $9.1 million. NASA participated in 33 large conferences in FY 2014 for
which it spent more than $100,000. Detailed information on the events approved under the
justification and approval process under OMB M-12-12 follows.

Changes in FY 2014: FY 2014 saw numerous changes in the conference review and approval
process. At the start of the fiscal year, NASA required NASA sponsored conferences greater
than $20,000 to be centrally reviewed and approved by the Agency Chief Financial Officer
(CFO) and those over $100,000 by NASA’s Deputy Administrator. Midway through the fiscal
year, in light of the FY14 and FY15 budget agreement, NASA suspended CFO approval for
events costing the Agency less than $75,000.


Purpose: The SPIE Optics and Photonics Conference is held once every two years, and is the key
showplace conference for NASA to represent and present current technologies, current mission
data, and interact with the international community in fields of Optics, Detectors, Systems
Engineering, Contamination Engineering, Materials, Nanotechnology, and many other critical
technical fields. NASA’s involvement in this conference enables interaction with peers in the
community, and increase our knowledge in these technical areas, which aid in improving NASA’s
technical abilities to meet Agency goals.

Conference Location Start End Date | Total Cost | NASA Paid
Date Attendees

2014 EUMETSAT

Meteorological Geneva

Satellite Switzerland 9/22/2014 | 9/26/2014 $110,242 17

Web site Link:
http://www.eumetsat.int/website/home/News/ConferencesandEvents/DAT_2076129.html

Purpose: Traditionally EUMETSAT aimed to give special emphasis to one of the many topical themes
challenging meteorologists the world over. In 2014, the focus of the conference will be the use of
satellite data for forecasting and in studying atmospheric processes. The ISS-RapidScat mission is one
of three NASA Earth observation missions launched in 2014. This conference offers the chance to
present the mission to the international community containing the main users for the operational
community in Europe, as well as providing a chance to talk to the RapidScat.

Conference Location Start End Date | Total Cost | NASA Paid
Date Attendees

65" International
Astronautical Congress | Toronto,
(IAC) Canada 9/29/2014 | 10/3/2014 $229;271 50

Web site Link: http://www.iac2014.org/

Purpose: The IAC is the preeminent annual global space conference organized by the International
Astronautical Federation (IAF), which has 246 members from 60 countries. IAC acts as both as a
forum for public space diplomacy and high level consultations, involving NASA’s most senior leaders
and space agency leaders from around the world, as a substantive academic conference covering
the full breadth and depth of NASA’s activities across all mission directorates and scientific
disciplines.

13


Administrator Approval for Conferences Exceeding $500K

Purpose

Science Mission Directorate (SMD) is requesting a waiver for 752 participants to attend the Fall American
Geophysical Union (AGU) conference which is proposed to be held on December 9 -13, 2013 in San
Francisco, CA. The cumulative Agency participation is projected as 752 employees at an estimated cost of
approximately $2,233,500.

The following strategic goals will be addressed through NASA’s attendance at the Fall American Geophysical
Union conference:

1. Expand the frontiers of knowledge, capability, and opportunity in space.
2. Advance understanding of Earth and develop technologies to improve the quality of life on our home
planet.

Conference Background

The AGU conference is the premier event for scientists and engineers from Earth Science, Heliophysics and
Planetary Science. AGU is the best opportunity for NASA scientists and engineers to interact with their
respective communities, and the interactions often grow into proposals for NASA research announcements.

Conference Explanation

AGU serves as a mission critical event for inspiring future scientists and engineers. AGU is attended by several
hundred teachers and students. AGU provides the perfect opportunity for NASA to inspire prospective future
employees, or as a minimum, excite students to purse a STEM career. NASA is one of the Nation’s, if not the
Worlds, greatest champion in implementing highly successful STEM activities. AGU provides us the ideal
forum to reach and inspire future scientists and engineers for NASA and more importantly — our Nation. AGU
is one of those mission-critical events that NASA should make every effort to attend to preserve and grow the
knowledge and capabilities of our scientists and engineers.

Disapprove:

Date of Approval: 10/29/2013