National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

President’s FY 2012 Budget Request Detail Full Cost View 

Actual 

FY2010

CR

FY 2011 

Auth 

Act

FY2011 Budget Authority, $ in million FY2012 FY2013 FY2014 FY2015 FY2016

Science 4,497.6 4,469.0 5,005.6 5,016.8 5,016.8 5,016.8 5,016.8 5,016.8

Earth Science 1,439.3 1,801.8 1,797.4 1,821.7 1,818.5 1,858.2 1,915.4

Planetary Science 1,364.4 1,485.7 1,540.7 1,429.3 1,394.7 1,344.2 1,256.8

Astrophysics 647.3 1,076.3 682.7 758.1 775.5 779.8 810.9

James Webb Space Telescope 438.7 373.7 375.0 375.0 375.0 375.0

Heliophysics 608.0 641.9 622.3 632.7 653.0 659.7 658.7

Aeronautics 497.0 501.0 579.6 569.4 569.4 569.4 569.4 569.4

Space Technology 275.2 327.2 512.0 1,024.2 1,024.2 1,024.2 1,024.2 1,024.2

Exploration 3,625.8 3,594.3 3,706.0 3,948.7 3,948.7 3,948.7 3,948.7 3,948.7

Human Exploration 

Capabilities 3,287.5 2,751.0 2,810.2 2,810.2 2,810.2 2,810.2 2,810.2

Commercial Spaceflight 39.1 612.0 850.0 850.0 850.0 850.0 850.0

Exploration Research and 

Development 299.2 343.0 288.5 288.5 288.5 288.5 288.5

Space Operations 6,141.8 6,146.8 5,508.5 4,346.9 4,346.9 4,346.9 4,346.9 4,346.9

Space Shuttle 3,101.4 1,609.7 664.9 79.7 0.8 0.8 0.9

International Space Station 2,312.7 2,779.8 2,841.5 2,960.4 3,005.4 3,098.0 3,174.8

Space and Flight Support 

(SFS) 727.7 1,119.0 840.6 1,306.8 1,340.7 1,248.1 1,171.2

Education 180.1 182.5 145.8 138.4 138.4 138.4 138.4 138.4

Cross-Agency Support 3,017.6 3,018.8 3,111.4 3,192.0 3,192.0 3,192.0 3,192.0 3,192.0

Center Management and 

Operations 2,161.2 2,402.9 2,402.9 2,402.9 2,402.9 2,402.9

Agency Management and 

Operations 766.2 789.1 789.1 789.1 789.1 789.1

Institutional Investments 27.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Congressionally Directed 

Items 63.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Construction and 

Environmental Compliance 

and Restoration

452.8 448.3 394.3 450.4 450.4 450.4 450.4 450.4

Construction of Facilities 389.4 397.9 384.0 359.5 362.9 360.0

Environmental Compliance 

and Restoration 63.4 52.5 66.4 90.9 87.5 90.4

Inspector General 36.4 36.4 37.0 37.5 37.5 37.5 37.5 37.5

NASA FY 2011 18,724.3 18,724.3 19,000.0 18,724.3 18,724.3 18,724.3 18,724.3 18,724.3
National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

President’s FY 2012 Budget Request Detail Separate Labor Allocations 

Actual 

FY2010

CR

FY 2011 

Auth 

Act

FY2011 Budget Authority, $ in million FY2012 FY2013 FY2014 FY2015 FY2016

Science 4,497.6 4,469.0 5,005.6 5,016.8 5,016.8 5,016.8 5,016.8 5,016.8

Earth Science 1,439.3 1,801.8 1,653.0 1,679.2 1,665.3 1,691.4 1,727.3

Planetary Science 1,364.4 1,485.7 1,488.9 1,365.7 1,326.4 1,271.0 1,188.9

Astrophysics 647.3 1,076.3 637.7 708.3 721.0 713.5 741.9

James Webb Space Telescope 438.7 354.6 359.3 365.3 371.6 371.6

Heliophysics 608.0 641.9 577.9 591.0 612.4 627.2 628.6

SMD Civil Service Labor and 

Expenses 304.7 313.2 326.5 342.2 358.6

Aeronautics 497.0 501.0 579.6 569.4 569.4 569.4 569.4 569.4

Space Technology 275.2 327.2 512.0 1,024.2 1,024.2 1,024.2 1,024.2 1,024.2

Exploration 3,625.8 3,594.3 3,706.0 3,948.7 3,948.7 3,948.7 3,948.7 3,948.7

Human Exploration 

Capabilities 3,287.5 2,751.0 2,605.8 2,591.2 2,581.4 2,570.4 2,560.2

Commercial Spaceflight 39.1 612.0 792.8 795.0 792.5 789.9 785.5

Exploration Research and 

Development 299.2 343.0 211.4 214.3 211.2 207.5 203.7

ESMD Civil Service Labor and 

Expenses 338.7 348.2 363.6 381.1 399.4

Space Operations 6,141.8 6,146.8 5,508.5 4,346.9 4,346.9 4,346.9 4,346.9 4,346.9

Space Shuttle 3,101.4 1,609.7 636.8 65.8 0.0 0.0 0.0

International Space Station 2,312.7 2,779.8 2,667.0 2,775.8 2,818.0 2,847.3 2,883.8

Space and Flight Support 

(SFS) 727.7 1,119.0 699.8 1,156.8 1,168.7 1,122.2 1,067.5

SOMD Civil Service Labor and 

Expenses 343.4 348.5 360.2 377.5 395.6

Education 180.1 182.5 145.8 138.4 138.4 138.4 138.4 138.4

Cross-Agency Support 3,017.6 3,018.8 3,111.4 3,192.0 3,192.0 3,192.0 3,192.0 3,192.0

Center Management and 

Operations 2,161.2 2,402.9 2,402.9 2,402.9 2,402.9 2,402.9

Agency Management and 

Operations 766.2 789.1 789.1 789.1 789.1 789.1

Institutional Investments 27.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Congressionally Directed 

Items 63.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Construction and 

Environmental Compliance 

and Restoration

452.8 448.3 394.3 450.4 450.4 450.4 450.4 450.4

Construction of Facilities 389.4 397.9 384.0 359.5 362.9 360.0

Environmental Compliance 

and Restoration 63.4 52.5 66.4 90.9 87.5 90.4

Inspector General 36.4 36.4 37.0 37.5 37.5 37.5 37.5 37.5

NASA FY 2011 18,724.3 18,724.3 19,000.0 18,724.3 18,724.3 18,724.3 18,724.3 18,724.3
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS & SPACE ADMINISTRATION

President's FY 2012 Budget Request Detail Full Cost

Budget Authority, $ in millions Actual 

FY2010

Ann. CR 

FY2011 FY2012 FY2013 FY2014 FY2015 FY2016

Science $4,497.6 $4,469.0 $5,016.8 $5,016.8 $5,016.8 $5,016.8 $5,016.8

Earth Science $1,439.3 $1,797.4 $1,821.7 $1,818.5 $1,858.2 $1,915.4

Earth Science Research $375.8 $450.4 $464.0 $475.3 $487.4 $499.0

Earth Science Research and Analysis $275.7 $338.2 $349.3 $357.3 $367.4 $377.4

Computing and Management $100.1 $112.2 $114.6 $118.0 $120.1 $121.6

Earth Systematic Missions $705.2 $900.0 $914.6 $844.5 $855.7 $920.3

Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) $155.0 $98.4 $83.6 $47.5 $30.6 $21.5

Glory Mission $31.8 $5.8 $4.3 $6.4 $5.9 $6.0

Landsat Data Continuity Mission (LDCM) $106.0 $159.3 $67.9 $2.2 $2.2 $2.3

NPOESS Preparatory Project (NPP) $82.1 $16.1 $7.3 $7.2 $6.9 $6.4

Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite 

(ICESat-II)

$38.9 $113.4 $170.8 $138.7 $90.1 $32.6

Soil Moisture Active and Passive (SMAP) $70.0 $137.3 $172.8 $31.5 $29.7 $14.5

Other Missions and Data Analysis $221.5 $369.6 $408.0 $611.0 $690.3 $837.1

Earth System Science Pathfinder $128.4 $190.9 $184.0 $232.8 $241.7 $216.8

Aquarius $22.3 $5.4 $5.1 $5.2 $5.1 $5.2

OCO-2 $62.0 $91.0 $41.0 $13.0 $4.0 $0.0

Venture Class Missions $6.3 $62.1 $104.8 $180.6 $197.5 $175.7

Other Missions and Data Analysis $37.9 $32.4 $33.1 $34.0 $35.1 $35.9

Earth Science Multi-Mission Operations $149.0 $168.5 $167.5 $168.1 $172.1 $176.4

Earth Science Multi-Mission Operations $149.0 $168.5 $167.5 $168.1 $172.1 $176.4

Earth Science Technology $45.6 $51.2 $53.6 $58.4 $60.5 $61.7

Earth Science Technology $45.6 $51.2 $53.6 $58.4 $60.5 $61.7

Applied Sciences $35.3 $36.4 $38.0 $39.4 $40.7 $41.1

Pathways $35.3 $36.4 $38.0 $39.4 $40.7 $41.1

Planetary Science $1,364.4 $1,540.7 $1,429.3 $1,394.7 $1,344.2 $1,256.8

Planetary Science Research $161.6 $192.1 $205.1 $218.2 $218.5 $221.3

Planetary Science Research and Analysis $131.5 $140.9 $142.4 $147.5 $150.7 $158.2

Other Missions and Data Analysis $21.3 $25.3 $27.2 $33.6 $30.1 $25.2

Education and Directorate Management $3.0 $5.4 $15.0 $16.6 $17.0 $16.8

Near Earth Object Observations $5.8 $20.4 $20.5 $20.6 $20.7 $21.1

Lunar Quest Program $94.5 $129.6 $97.7 $54.8 $34.3 $26.2

Lunar Science $31.4 $54.4 $50.3 $51.4 $30.7 $22.4

Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment 

Explorer $48.2 $71.8 $44.2 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

International Lunar Network $14.9 $3.4 $3.3 $3.4 $3.6 $3.8

Discovery $184.5 $179.1 $207.2 $260.4 $284.7 $258.3

Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory 

(GRAIL)

$124.1 $40.8 $4.7 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

Other Missions and Data Analysis $60.4 $138.3 $202.5 $260.4 $284.7 $258.3

New Frontiers $279.6 $181.8 $273.2 $257.2 $305.9 $315.7

Juno $257.1 $31.4 $17.8 $18.1 $16.8 $29.9

Other Missions and Data Analysis $22.4 $150.4 $255.4 $239.1 $289.0 $285.8

Mars Exploration $438.2 $602.2 $441.4 $414.0 $311.9 $247.2

2009 Mars Science Lab $258.4 $138.0 $42.0 $38.5 $0.0 $0.0

MAVEN $48.1 $245.7 $146.4 $37.6 $17.3 $5.3

BUD-1
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS & SPACE ADMINISTRATION

President's FY 2012 Budget Request Detail Full Cost

Budget Authority, $ in millions Actual 

FY2010

Ann. CR 

FY2011 FY2012 FY2013 FY2014 FY2015 FY2016

Planetary Science (continued)

Other Missions and Data Analysis $131.7 $218.6 $253.0 $337.9 $294.6 $241.9

Outer Planets $100.6 $122.1 $88.7 $91.8 $91.6 $89.9

Outer Planets $100.6 $122.1 $88.7 $91.8 $91.6 $89.9

Technology $105.5 $133.9 $115.9 $98.4 $97.2 $98.3

Technology $105.5 $133.9 $115.9 $98.4 $97.2 $98.3

Astrophysics $647.3 $682.7 $758.1 $775.5 $779.8 $810.9

Astrophysics Research $149.1 $168.7 $208.0 $220.3 $238.3 $248.4

Astrophysics Research and Analysis $59.6 $67.6 $86.4 $87.8 $89.3 $92.7

Balloon Project $28.2 $32.1 $35.7 $36.6 $37.3 $38.7

Other Missions and Data Analysis $61.3 $69.1 $86.0 $95.9 $111.7 $117.0

Cosmic Origins $225.3 $239.7 $244.5 $233.3 $216.1 $206.3

Hubble Space Telescope (HST) $100.8 $98.3 $98.0 $98.0 $94.0 $90.0

Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared 

Astronomy (SOFIA)

$73.6 $84.2 $85.5 $88.0 $88.0 $86.0

Other Missions And Data Analysis $50.9 $57.2 $61.0 $47.3 $34.1 $30.3

Physics of the Cosmos $116.0 $106.0 $118.4 $122.0 $115.7 $121.8

Other Missions and Data Analysis $116.0 $106.0 $118.4 $122.0 $115.7 $121.8

Exoplanet Exploration $43.4 $50.0 $67.0 $63.8 $62.1 $69.8

Other Missions and Data Analysis $43.4 $50.0 $67.0 $63.8 $62.1 $69.8

Astrophysics Explorer $113.5 $118.3 $120.2 $136.1 $147.5 $164.5

Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array 

(NuStar)

$56.2 $11.9 $4.2 $1.2 $0.0 $0.0

Gravity and Extreme Magnetism $3.1 $74.1 $44.5 $23.1 $2.0 $0.0

Other Missions and Data Analysis $54.2 $32.4 $71.5 $111.8 $145.5 $164.5

James Webb Space Telescope $438.7 $373.7 $375.0 $375.0 $375.0 $375.0

James Webb Space Telescope $438.7 $373.7 $375.0 $375.0 $375.0 $375.0

James Webb Space Telescope $438.7 $373.7 $375.0 $375.0 $375.0 $375.0

Heliophysics $608.0 $622.3 $632.7 $653.0 $659.7 $658.7

Heliophysics Research $171.8 $159.2 $162.9 $165.7 $167.0 $169.5

Heliophysics Research and Analysis $30.4 $31.1 $32.9 $33.8 $34.6 $35.0

Sounding Rockets $48.7 $49.7 $51.0 $52.0 $52.7 $53.5

Research Range $18.9 $20.3 $20.7 $21.2 $21.5 $21.8

Other Missions and Data Analysis $73.8 $58.0 $58.3 $58.7 $58.3 $59.2

Living with a Star $221.9 $211.0 $208.7 $207.5 $342.7 $360.0

Radiation Belt Storm Probes (RBSP) $121.0 $92.2 $30.2 $22.0 $9.1 $0.0

Solar Probe Plus $40.0 $52.7 $104.0 $104.1 $147.8 $233.7

Other Missions and Data Analysis $60.9 $66.2 $74.5 $81.5 $185.8 $126.3

Solar Terrestrial Probes $148.0 $182.2 $186.5 $185.8 $55.1 $40.7

Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) $130.1 $164.3 $168.3 $166.0 $34.5 $20.4

Other Missions and Data Analysis $17.9 $18.0 $18.1 $19.7 $20.6 $20.3

Heliophysics Explorer Program $65.1 $69.8 $74.7 $94.0 $94.8 $88.4

IRIS $41.1 $39.1 $12.1 $7.3 $1.2 $0.0

Other Missions and Data Analysis $24.0 $30.7 $62.6 $86.7 $93.6 $88.4

New Millennium $1.2 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

New Millennium $1.2 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

BUD-2
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS & SPACE ADMINISTRATION

President's FY 2012 Budget Request Detail Full Cost

Budget Authority, $ in millions Actual 

FY2010

Ann. CR 

FY2011 FY2012 FY2013 FY2014 FY2015 FY2016

Aeronautics $497.0 $501.0 $569.4 $569.4 $569.4 $569.4 $569.4

Aeronautics $497.0 $569.4 $569.4 $569.4 $569.4 $569.4

Aviation Safety $74.0 $79.6 $79.8 $80.0 $80.3 $80.6

Aviation Safety $74.0 $79.6 $79.8 $80.0 $80.3 $80.6

Airspace Systems $79.0 $92.7 $92.3 $91.7 $90.9 $90.1

Airspace Systems $79.0 $92.7 $92.3 $91.7 $90.9 $90.1

Fundamental Aeronautics $199.0 $186.3 $187.3 $189.0 $190.9 $193.0

Fundamental Aeronautics $199.0 $186.3 $187.3 $189.0 $190.9 $193.0

Aeronautics Test $65.6 $79.4 $79.4 $79.5 $79.6 $79.7

Aeronautics Test $65.6 $79.4 $79.4 $79.5 $79.6 $79.7

Integrated Systems Research $56.9 $104.2 $103.7 $102.7 $101.7 $100.6

Environmentally Responsible Aviation $56.9 $73.6 $72.6 $71.3 $70.2 $68.0

UAS Integration in the NAS $0.0 $30.6 $31.0 $31.4 $31.5 $32.6

Aeronautics Strategy and Management $22.6 $27.2 $26.9 $26.5 $26.0 $25.4

Aeronautics Strategy and Management $22.6

$327.2

$27.2

$1,024.2

$26.9

$1,024.2

$26.5

$1,024.2

$26.0

$1,024.2

$25.4

Space Technology $275.2 $1,024.2

Space Technology $275.2 $1,024.2 $1,024.2 $1,024.2 $1,024.2 $1,024.2

SBIR and STTR $96.0 $184.1 $184.1 $184.1 $184.1 $184.1

SBIR and STTR $96.0 $184.1 $184.1 $184.1 $184.1 $184.1

Partnerships Dev & Strategic Integration $20.3 $33.0 $33.0 $33.0 $33.0 $33.0

Partnership Development and Strategic 

Integration

$20.3 $33.0 $33.0 $33.0 $33.0 $33.0

Crosscutting Space Tech Development $7.5 $497.1 $497.1 $497.1 $497.1 $497.1

Crosscutting Space Tech Development $7.5 $497.1 $497.1 $497.1 $497.1 $497.1

Exploration Technology Development $151.4 $310.0 $310.0 $310.0 $310.0 $310.0

Exploration Technology Development $151.4

$3,594.3

$310.0

$3,948.7

$310.0

$3,948.7

$310.0

$3,948.7

$310.0

$3,948.7

$310.0

Exploration $3,625.8 $3,948.7

Human Exploration Capabilities $3,287.5 $2,810.2 $2,810.2 $2,810.2 $2,810.2 $2,810.2

Multi Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV) $1,010.2

Multi Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV) $1,010.2

Space Launch Systems (SLS) $1,800.0

Space Launch System (SLS) $1,800.0

Commercial Spaceflight $39.1 $850.0 $850.0 $850.0 $850.0 $850.0

Commercial Cargo $39.1 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

Commercial Orbital Transportation Services $39.1 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

Commercial Crew $0.0 $850.0 $850.0 $850.0 $850.0 $850.0

Commercial Crew $0.0 $850.0 $850.0 $850.0 $850.0 $850.0

Exploration Research and Development $299.2 $288.5 $288.5 $288.5 $288.5 $288.5

Human Research Program $146.3 $164.1 $164.1 $164.1 $164.1 $164.1

Human Research Program $146.3 $164.1 $164.1 $164.1 $164.1 $164.1

Advanced Explorations Systems $152.9 $124.4 $124.4 $124.4 $124.4 $124.4

Advanced Explorations Systems $152.9 $124.4 $124.4 $124.4 $124.4 $124.4

BUD-3
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS & SPACE ADMINISTRATION

President's FY 2012 Budget Request Detail Full Cost

Budget Authority, $ in millions Actual 

FY2010

Ann. CR 

FY2011 FY2012 FY2013 FY2014 FY2015 FY2016

Space Operations $6,141.8 $6,146.8 $4,346.9 $4,346.9 $4,346.9 $4,346.9 $4,346.9

Space Shuttle $3,101.4 $664.9 $79.7 $0.8 $0.8 $0.9

Space Shuttle Program $3,101.4 $664.9 $79.7 $0.8 $0.8 $0.9

SPOC Pension Liability $0.0 $547.9 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

Program Integration $627.2 $38.8 $28.3 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

Flight and Ground Operations $1,115.4 $40.6 $23.1 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

Flight Hardware $1,358.8 $37.6 $28.3 $0.8 $0.8 $0.9

International Space Station $2,312.7 $2,841.5 $2,960.4 $3,005.4 $3,098.0 $3,174.8

International Space Station Program $2,312.7 $2,841.5 $2,960.4 $3,005.4 $3,098.0 $3,174.8

ISS Systems Operations and Maintenance $1,555.2 $1,434.6 $1,576.1 $1,538.1 $1,665.3 $1,782.8

ISS Research $129.5 $221.1 $210.7 $213.2 $221.1 $223.5

ISS Crew and Cargo Transportation $628.0 $1,185.7 $1,173.6 $1,254.1 $1,211.6 $1,168.5

Space and Flight Support (SFS) $727.7 $840.6 $1,306.8 $1,340.7 $1,248.1 $1,171.2

21st Century Space Launch Complex $0.0 $168.0 $175.3 $168.1 $54.8 $42.9

21st Century Space Launch Complex $0.0 $168.0 $175.3 $168.1 $54.8 $42.9

Space Communications and Navigation $482.3 $436.0 $477.5 $484.5 $483.6 $481.9

Space Communications Networks $363.3 $364.5 $398.2 $417.9 $425.2 $423.2

Space Communications Support $93.5 $66.3 $65.7 $66.6 $58.4 $58.7

TDRS Replenishment $25.4 $5.1 $13.7 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

Human Space Flight Operations $104.0 $111.4 $112.5 $112.6 $115.8 $116.4

Human Space Flight Operations $104.0 $111.4 $112.5 $112.6 $115.8 $116.4

Mission Operations Sustainment $0.0 $0.0 $415.2 $443.8 $459.1 $391.4

Mission Operations Sustainment $0.0 $0.0 $415.2 $443.8 $459.1 $391.4

Launch Services $89.4 $81.3 $80.3 $84.6 $87.0 $90.4

Launch Services $89.4 $81.3 $80.3 $84.6 $87.0 $90.4

Rocket Propulsion Test $43.3 $43.9 $46.0 $47.1 $47.8 $48.2

Rocket Propulsion Testing $43.3 $43.9 $46.0 $47.1 $47.8 $48.2

Crew Health & Safety $8.8 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

Crew Health and Safety $8.8

$182.5

$0.0

$138.4

$0.0

$138.4

$0.0

$138.4

$0.0

$138.4

$0.0

Education $180.1 $138.4

Education $180.1 $138.4 $138.4 $138.4 $138.4 $138.4

Aerospace Rsch. and Career Development $70.6 $35.9 $35.6 $35.6 $35.6 $35.6

NASA Space Grant $45.6 $26.7 $26.5 $26.5 $26.5 $26.5

Experimental Program to Stimulate 

Competetive Research

STEM Education and Accountability

$25.0

$0.0

$9.2

$102.5

$9.1

$102.8

$9.1

$102.8

$9.1

$102.8

$9.1

$102.8

Minority University Research Education 

Program

$0.0 $31.4 $28.0 $28.0 $28.0 $28.0

STEM Education and Accountability Projects $0.0 $71.1 $74.8 $74.8 $74.8 $74.8

Higher Ed. STEM Education $49.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

STEM Opportunities (Higher Education) $8.4 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

Minority University Research & Education 

Program

$30.6 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

BUD-4
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS & SPACE ADMINISTRATION

President's FY 2012 Budget Request Detail Full Cost

Budget Authority, $ in millions Actual 

FY2010

Ann. CR 

FY2011 FY2012 FY2013 FY2014 FY2015 FY2016

Education (continued)

Global Climate Change Education $10.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

K-12 STEM Education $45.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

STEM Student Opportunities (K-12) $15.5 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

STEM Teacher Development (K-12) $16.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

K-12 Competitive Educational Grant Program $13.5 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

Informal STEM Education $15.5 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

Science Museums and Planetarium Grants $7.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

NASA Visitor Centers $7.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

NASA Informal Education Opportunities $1.5

$3,018.8

$0.0

$3,192.0

$0.0

$3,192.0

$0.0

$3,192.0

$0.0

$3,192.0

$0.0

Cross-Agency Support $3,017.6 $3,192.0

Center Management and Operations $2,161.2 $2,402.9 $2,402.9 $2,402.9 $2,402.9 $2,402.9

Center Management and Operations $2,161.2 $2,367.7 $2,367.7 $2,367.7 $2,367.7 $2,367.7

Center Institutional Capabilities $1,678.3 $1,766.3 $1,766.3 $1,766.3 $1,766.3 $1,766.3

Center Programmatic Capabilities $482.9 $601.4 $601.4 $601.4 $601.4 $601.4

CMO Civil Service Labor and Expenses $0.0 $35.2 $35.2 $35.2 $35.2 $35.2

Center-wide Training and Other Personnel 

Cost

$0.0 $35.2 $35.2 $35.2 $35.2 $35.2

Agency Management and Operations $766.2 $789.1 $789.1 $789.1 $789.1 $789.1

Agency Management $395.5 $397.5 $397.5 $397.5 $397.5 $397.5

Agency Management $395.5 $397.5 $397.5 $397.5 $397.5 $397.5

Safety and Mission Success $196.0 $192.9 $192.9 $192.9 $192.9 $192.9

Safety and Mission Assurance $51.3 $50.3 $50.3 $50.3 $50.3 $50.3

Chief Engineer $101.1 $106.5 $106.5 $106.5 $106.5 $106.5

Chief Health and Medical Officer $3.6 $4.1 $4.1 $4.1 $4.1 $4.1

Independent Verification and Validation $40.0 $32.0 $32.0 $32.0 $32.0 $32.0

Agency IT Services (AITS) $145.3 $150.2 $150.2 $150.2 $150.2 $150.2

IT Management $15.0 $13.6 $13.6 $13.6 $13.6 $13.6

Applications $75.4 $67.2 $67.2 $67.2 $67.2 $67.2

Infrastructure $54.9 $69.5 $69.5 $69.5 $69.5 $69.5

Strategic Capabilities Assets Program $29.4 $29.7 $29.7 $29.7 $29.7 $29.7

Strategic Capabilities Assets Program $29.4 $29.7 $29.7 $29.7 $29.7 $29.7

AMO Civil Service Labor and Expenses $0.0 $18.7 $18.7 $18.7 $18.7 $18.7

Agency/HQ Training and Other Personnel Cost $0.0 $18.7 $18.7 $18.7 $18.7 $18.7

Institutional Investments $27.2 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

Institutional Construction of Facilities $23.4 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

Institutional Construction Of Facilities $23.4 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

Environmental Compliance and Restoration $3.8 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

Environmental Compliance and Restoration $3.8 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

Congressionally Directed Items $63.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

Congressionally Directed Items $63.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

Congressionally Directed Items $63.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

BUD-5
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS & SPACE ADMINISTRATION

President's FY 2012 Budget Request Detail Full Cost

Budget Authority, $ in millions Actual 

FY2010

Ann. CR 

FY2011 FY2012 FY2013 FY2014 FY2015 FY2016

Construction and Environmental Compliance and Remediation $452.8 $448.3 $450.4 $450.4 $450.4 $450.4 $450.4

Construction of Facilities $389.4 $397.9 $384.0 $359.5 $362.9 $360.0

Institutional CoF $249.3 $368.0 $384.0 $359.5 $362.9 $360.0

Institutional CoF $249.3 $368.0 $384.0 $359.5 $362.9 $360.0

Science CoF $37.8 $1.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

Science CoF $37.8 $1.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

Exploration CoF $72.6 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

Exploration CoF $72.6 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

Space Operations CoF $26.9 $28.9 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

Space Operations CoF $26.9 $28.9 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

Aeronautics CoF $2.8 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

Aeronautics CoF $2.8 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

Environmental Compliance and Restoration $63.4 $52.5 $66.4 $90.9 $87.5 $90.4

Environmental Compliance and Restoration $63.4 $52.5 $66.4 $90.9 $87.5 $90.4

Environmental Compliance and Restoration $63.4

$36.4

$52.5

$37.5

$66.4

$37.5

$90.9

$37.5

$87.5

$37.5

$90.4

Inspector General $36.4 $37.5

Inspector General $36.4 $36.4 $37.5 $37.5 $37.5 $37.5 $37.5

IG Program $36.4 $36.4 $37.5 $37.5 $37.5 $37.5 $37.5

Inspector General $36.4 $36.4 $37.5 $37.5 $37.5 $37.5 $37.5

NASA FY 2012 $18,724.3 $18,724.3 $18,724.3 $18,724.3 $18,724.3 $18,724.3 $18,724.3

BUD-6
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS & SPACE ADMINISTRATION

President's FY 2012 Budget Request Detail Separate Labor Allocations

Budget Authority, $ in millions Actual 

FY2010

Ann. CR 

FY2011 FY2012 FY2013 FY2014 FY2015 FY2016

Science $4,497.6 $4,469.0 $5,016.8 $5,016.8 $5,016.8 $5,016.8 $5,016.8

Earth Science $1,439.3 $1,653.0 $1,679.2 $1,665.3 $1,691.4 $1,727.3

Earth Science Research $375.8 $409.6 $419.0 $427.3 $436.7 $444.6

Earth Science Research and Analysis $275.7 $304.0 $311.1 $316.6 $324.2 $330.9

Computing and Management $100.1 $105.7 $107.8 $110.8 $112.5 $113.7

Earth Systematic Missions $705.2 $816.5 $838.7 $761.6 $763.2 $810.7

Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) $155.0 $83.8 $68.7 $41.4 $27.2 $20.1

Glory Mission $31.8 $5.3 $3.8 $6.1 $5.9 $6.0

Landsat Data Continuity Mission (LDCM) $106.0 $152.0 $64.1 $1.5 $1.5 $1.6

NPOESS Preparatory Project (NPP) $82.1 $13.6 $6.4 $6.3 $6.0 $5.5

Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite 

(ICESat-II) $38.9 $102.1 $159.4 $128.8 $83.1 $28.6

Soil Moisture Active and Passive (SMAP) $70.0 $135.2 $172.3 $31.1 $29.6 $14.5

Other Missions and Data Analysis $221.5 $324.6 $364.0 $546.4 $609.9 $734.5

Earth System Science Pathfinder $128.4 $187.8 $180.6 $229.5 $238.4 $214.3

Aquarius $22.3 $4.9 $4.6 $4.9 $5.1 $5.2

OCO-2 $62.0 $91.0 $41.0 $13.0 $4.0 $0.0

Venture Class Missions $6.3 $61.5 $103.9 $179.7 $196.6 $175.7

Other Missions and Data Analysis $37.9 $30.5 $31.1 $31.9 $32.7 $33.4

Earth Science Multi-Mission Operations $149.0 $159.9 $158.8 $159.4 $162.9 $166.6

Earth Science Multi-Mission Operations $149.0 $159.9 $158.8 $159.4 $162.9 $166.6

Earth Science Technology $45.6 $46.1 $47.9 $51.9 $53.6 $54.2

Earth Science Technology $45.6 $46.1 $47.9 $51.9 $53.6 $54.2

Applied Sciences $35.3 $33.1 $34.3 $35.5 $36.7 $36.9

Pathways $35.3 $33.1 $34.3 $35.5 $36.7 $36.9

Planetary Science $1,364.4 $1,488.9 $1,365.7 $1,326.4 $1,271.0 $1,188.9

Planetary Science Research $161.6 $183.9 $196.0 $208.6 $208.4 $210.5

Planetary Science Research and Analysis $131.5 $134.6 $135.3 $140.0 $142.8 $149.8

Other Missions and Data Analysis $21.3 $23.7 $25.5 $31.7 $28.2 $23.0

Education and Directorate Management $3.0 $5.1 $14.7 $16.3 $16.7 $16.5

Near Earth Object Observations $5.8 $20.4 $20.5 $20.6 $20.7 $21.1

Lunar Quest Program $94.5 $114.5 $81.2 $48.9 $28.1 $19.5

Lunar Science $31.4 $50.9 $48.1 $48.9 $28.1 $19.5

Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment 

Explorer

International Lunar Network

$48.2

$14.9

$63.2

$0.3

$33.1

$0.0

$0.0

$0.0

$0.0

$0.0

$0.0

$0.0

Discovery 

Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory 

(GRAIL)

Other Missions and Data Analysis

$184.5

$124.1

$60.4

$175.6

$40.5

$135.1

$205.1

$4.4

$200.6

$245.7

$0.0

$245.7

$265.5

$0.0

$265.5

$242.8

$0.0

$242.8

New Frontiers $279.6 $176.9 $265.8 $245.5 $291.1 $296.3

Juno $257.1 $31.2 $17.6 $17.9 $16.7 $29.6

Other Missions and Data Analysis

BUD-7
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS & SPACE ADMINISTRATION

President's FY 2012 Budget Request Detail Separate Labor Allocations

Budget Authority, $ in millions Actual 

FY2010

Ann. CR 

FY2011 FY2012 FY2013 FY2014 FY2015 FY2016

Planetary Science (continued)

Mars Exploration $438.2 $594.4 $433.1 $408.7 $309.0 $245.9

2009 Mars Science Lab $258.4 $136.4 $40.5 $37.0 $0.0 $0.0

MAVEN $48.1 $240.3 $140.6 $34.9 $15.4 $4.7

Other Missions and Data Analysis $131.7 $217.7 $252.0 $336.8 $293.5 $241.1

Outer Planets $100.6 $120.8 $80.5 $82.2 $84.1 $88.5

Outer Planets $100.6 $120.8 $80.5 $82.2 $84.1 $88.5

Technology $105.5 $122.9 $104.1 $86.6 $84.9 $85.4

Technology $105.5 $122.9 $104.1 $86.6 $84.9 $85.4

Astrophysics $647.3 $637.7 $708.3 $721.0 $713.5 $741.9

Astrophysics Research $149.1 $161.6 $200.1 $211.8 $229.3 $238.6

Astrophysics Research and Analysis $59.6 $64.3 $82.8 $83.9 $85.1 $88.0

Balloon Project $28.2 $29.3 $32.8 $33.6 $34.1 $35.3

Other Missions and Data Analysis $61.3 $67.9 $84.5 $94.3 $110.1 $115.4

Cosmic Origins $225.3 $219.7 $219.4 $209.9 $195.2 $184.5

Hubble Space Telescope (HST)

Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared 

Astronomy (SOFIA)

$100.8

$73.6

$94.0

$71.4

$93.4

$73.3

$93.1

$77.2

$88.8

$77.4

$84.5

$75.0

Other Missions And Data Analysis $50.9 $54.4 $52.7 $39.6 $28.9 $25.0

Physics of the Cosmos $116.0 $100.3 $112.4 $111.9 $98.1 $96.8

Other Missions and Data Analysis $116.0 $100.3 $112.4 $111.9 $98.1 $96.8

Exoplanet Exploration $43.4 $48.2 $65.5 $63.6 $62.1 $69.8

Other Missions and Data Analysis $43.4 $48.2 $65.5 $63.6 $62.1 $69.8

Astrophysics Explorer 

Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array 

(NuStar)

$113.5

$56.2

$107.8

$11.4

$110.9

$4.0

$123.7

$1.1

$128.7

$0.0

$152.0

$0.0

Gravity and Extreme Magnetism $3.1 $69.4 $41.0 $20.8 $1.4 $0.0

Other Missions and Data Analysis $54.2 $27.0 $65.9 $101.8 $127.3 $152.0

James Webb Space Telescope $438.7 $354.6 $359.3 $365.3 $371.6 $371.6

James Webb Space Telescope $438.7 $354.6 $359.3 $365.3 $371.6 $371.6

James Webb Space Telescope $438.7 $354.6 $359.3 $365.3 $371.6 $371.6

Heliophysics $608.0 $577.9 $591.0 $612.4 $627.2 $628.6

Heliophysics Research $171.8 $144.5 $147.5 $149.3 $149.5 $150.8

Heliophysics Research and Analysis $30.4 $30.0 $31.6 $32.3 $32.7 $33.0

Sounding Rockets $48.7 $45.5 $46.5 $47.3 $47.8 $48.2

Research Range $18.9 $18.7 $18.9 $19.3 $19.6 $19.7

Other Missions and Data Analysis $73.8 $50.4 $50.4 $50.3 $49.5 $49.8

Living with a Star $221.9 $204.7 $202.2 $200.9 $336.3 $354.9

Radiation Belt Storm Probes (RBSP) $121.0 $91.2 $29.7 $21.5 $8.7 $0.0

Solar Probe Plus $40.0 $51.8 $103.0 $103.0 $146.7 $232.5

Other Missions and Data Analysis $60.9 $61.6 $69.5 $76.5 $181.0 $122.4

Solar Terrestrial Probes $148.0 $163.5 $170.4 $171.9 $50.2 $38.0

Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) $130.1 $146.2 $153.0 $153.0 $30.5 $18.6

BUD-8
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS & SPACE ADMINISTRATION

President's FY 2012 Budget Request Detail Separate Labor Allocations

Budget Authority, $ in millions Actual 

FY2010

Ann. CR 

FY2011 FY2012 FY2013 FY2014 FY2015 FY2016

Heliophysics (continued)

Other Missions and Data Analysis $17.9 $17.3 $17.4 $18.9 $19.7 $19.4

Heliophysics Explorer Program $65.1 $65.2 $70.8 $90.2 $91.1 $84.9

IRIS $41.1 $37.5 $11.2 $6.8 $1.1 $0.0

Other Missions and Data Analysis $24.0 $27.7 $59.7 $83.4 $90.1 $84.9

New Millennium $1.2 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

New Millennium $1.2 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

SCMD Civil Service Labor and Expenses $0.0 $304.7 $313.2 $326.5 $342.2 $358.6

SCMD Civil Service Labor and Expenses $0.0 $304.7 $313.2 $326.5 $342.2 $358.6

SCMD Civil Service Labor and Expenses $0.0

$501.0

$304.7

$569.4

$313.2

$569.4

$326.5

$569.4

$342.2

$569.4

$358.6

Aeronautics $497.0 $569.4

Aeronautics Research $497.0 $569.4 $569.4 $569.4 $569.4 $569.4

Aviation Safety $74.0 $48.5 $47.8 $46.7 $45.4 $44.0

Aviation Safety $74.0 $48.5 $47.8 $46.7 $45.4 $44.0

Airspace Systems $79.0 $70.3 $69.4 $67.7 $65.8 $63.8

Airspace Systems $79.0 $70.3 $69.4 $67.7 $65.8 $63.8

Fundamental Aeronautics $199.0 $97.2 $95.9 $93.6 $90.9 $88.2

Fundamental Aeronautics $199.0 $97.2 $95.9 $93.6 $90.9 $88.2

Aeronautics Test $65.6 $50.7 $50.0 $48.8 $47.4 $46.0

Aeronautics Test $65.6 $50.7 $50.0 $48.8 $47.4 $46.0

Integrated Systems Research $56.9 $81.7 $80.6 $78.6 $76.4 $74.1

Environmentally Responsible Aviation $56.9 $58.4 $57.0 $55.1 $53.1 $50.1

UAS Integration in the NAS $0.0 $23.3 $23.6 $23.6 $23.3 $24.0

Aeronautics Strategy and Management $22.6 $24.3 $24.0 $23.4 $22.8 $22.1

Aeronautics Strategy and Management $22.6 $24.3 $24.0 $23.4 $22.8 $22.1

ARMD Civil Service Labor and Expenses $0.0 $196.7 $201.7 $210.6 $220.7 $231.3

ARMD Civil Service Labor and Expenses $0.0

$327.2

$196.7

$1,024.2

$201.7

$1,024.2

$210.6

$1,024.2

$220.7

$1,024.2

$231.3

Space Technology $275.2 $1,024.2

Space Technology $275.2 $1,024.2 $1,024.2 $1,024.2 $1,024.2 $1,024.2

SBIR and STTR $96.0 $177.3 $176.8 $175.6 $174.3 $172.8

SBIR and STTR $96.0 $177.3 $176.8 $175.6 $174.3 $172.8

Partnerships Dev & Strategic Integration

Partnership Development and Strategic 

Integration

$20.3

$20.3

$19.5

$19.5

$19.4

$19.4

$19.3

$19.3

$19.1

$19.1

$19.0

$19.0

Crosscutting Space Tech Development $7.5 $433.3 $432.1 $429.2 $425.8 $422.4

Crosscutting Space Tech Development $7.5 $433.3 $432.1 $429.2 $425.8 $422.4

Exploration Technology Development $151.4 $261.3 $259.3 $257.5 $255.5 $253.4

Exploration Technology Development $151.4 $261.3 $259.3 $257.5 $255.5 $253.4

ST Civil Service Labor and Expenses $0.0 $132.9 $136.6 $142.6 $149.5 $156.6

ST Civil Service Labor and Expenses $0.0 $132.9 $136.6 $142.6 $149.5 $156.6

BUD-9
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS & SPACE ADMINISTRATION

President's FY 2012 Budget Request Detail Separate Labor Allocations

Budget Authority, $ in millions Actual 

FY2010

Ann. CR 

FY2011 FY2012 FY2013 FY2014 FY2015 FY2016

Exploration $3,625.8 $3,594.3 $3,948.7 $3,948.7 $3,948.7 $3,948.7 $3,948.7

Human Exploration Capabilities $3,287.5 $2,605.8 $2,591.2 $2,581.4 $2,570.4 $2,560.2

Multi Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV) $916.3

Multi Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV) $916.3

Space Launch Systems (SLS) $1,689.5

Space Launch System (SLS) $1,689.5

Commercial Spaceflight $39.1 $792.8 $795.0 $792.5 $789.7 $785.5

Commercial Cargo $39.1 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

Commercial Orbital Transportation Services $39.1 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

Commercial Crew $0.0 $792.8 $795.0 $792.5 $789.7 $785.5

Commercial Crew $0.0 $792.8 $795.0 $792.5 $789.7 $785.5

Exploration Research and Development $299.2 $211.4 $214.3 $211.2 $207.5 $203.7

Human Research Program $146.3 $143.3 $143.8 $143.0 $142.0 $140.9

Human Research Program $146.3 $143.3 $143.8 $143.0 $142.0 $140.9

Advanced Explorations Systems $152.9 $68.1 $70.5 $68.2 $65.5 $62.8

Advanced Explorations Systems $152.9 $68.1 $70.5 $68.2 $65.5 $62.8

ESMD Civil Service Labor and Expenses $0.0 $338.7 $348.2 $363.6 $381.1 $399.4

ESMD Civil Service Labor and Expenses $0.0 $338.7 $348.2 $363.6 $381.1 $399.4

ESMD Civil Service Labor and Expenses $0.0

$6,146.8

$338.7

$4,346.9

$348.2

$4,346.9

$363.6

$4,346.9

$381.1

$4,346.9

$399.4

Space Operations $6,141.8 $4,346.9

Space Shuttle $3,101.4 $636.8 $65.8 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

Space Shuttle Program $3,101.4 $636.8 $65.8 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

SPOC Pension Liability $0.0 $547.9 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

Program Integration $627.2 $24.8 $21.3 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

Flight and Ground Operations $1,115.4 $27.9 $17.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

Flight Hardware $1,358.8 $36.1 $27.6 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

International Space Station $2,312.7 $2,667.0 $2,775.8 $2,818.0 $2,847.3 $2,883.8

International Space Station Program $2,312.7 $2,667.0 $2,775.8 $2,818.0 $2,847.3 $2,883.8

ISS Systems Operations and Maintenance $1,555.2 $1,291.4 $1,425.3 $1,385.1 $1,449.6 $1,526.3

ISS Research $129.5 $189.8 $176.9 $178.8 $186.1 $189.1

ISS Crew and Cargo Transportation $628.0 $1,185.7 $1,173.6 $1,254.1 $1,211.6 $1,168.5

Space and Flight Support $727.7 $699.8 $1,156.8 $1,168.7 $1,122.2 $1,067.5

21st Century Space Launch Complex $0.0 $128.0 $139.1 $130.2 $31.0 $42.9

21st Century Space Launch Complex $0.0 $128.0 $139.1 $130.2 $31.0 $42.9

Space Communications and Navigation $482.3 $404.8 $450.2 $460.9 $460.8 $460.8

Space Communications Networks $363.3 $348.7 $382.5 $401.8 $408.9 $408.3

Space Communications Support $93.5 $55.1 $56.3 $59.1 $51.9 $52.4

TDRS Replenishment $25.4 $1.0 $11.4 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

BUD-10
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS & SPACE ADMINISTRATION

President's FY 2012 Budget Request Detail Separate Labor Allocations

Budget Authority, $ in millions Actual 

FY2010

Ann. CR 

FY2011 FY2012 FY2013 FY2014 FY2015 FY2016

Space and Flight Support (continued)

Human Space Flight Operations $104.0 $84.1 $85.5 $85.0 $87.3 $87.4

Human Space Flight Operations $104.0 $84.1 $85.5 $85.0 $87.3 $87.4

Mission Operations Sustainment $0.0 $0.0 $400.4 $409.4 $459.1 $391.4

Mission Operations Sustainment $0.0 $0.0 $400.4 $409.4 $459.1 $391.4

Launch Services $89.4 $46.0 $43.1 $44.1 $44.6 $45.7

Launch Services $89.4 $46.0 $43.1 $44.1 $44.6 $45.7

Rocket Propulsion Test $43.3 $36.8 $38.4 $39.0 $39.4 $39.4

Rocket Propulsion Testing $43.3 $36.8 $38.4 $39.0 $39.4 $39.4

Crew Health & Safety $8.8 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

Crew Health and Safety $8.8 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

SOMD Civil Service Labor and Expenses SOMD Civil Service Labor and Expenses $0.0 $343.4 $348.5 $360.2 $377.5 $395.6 $348.5 $360.2 $377.5 $395.6

SOMD Civil Service Labor and Expenses $0.0 $343.4 $348.5 $360.2 $377.5 $395.6

SOMD Civil Service Labor and Expenses $0.0 $343.4 $348.5 $360.2 $377.5 $395.6

Education $180.1 $182.5 $138.4 $138.4 $138.4 $138.4 $138.4

Education $180.1 $138.4 $138.4 $138.4 $138.4 $138.4

Aerospace Rsch. and Career Development $70.6 $35.7 $35.7 $35.7 $35.7 $35.7

NASA Space Grant $45.6 $26.6 $26.6 $26.6 $26.6 $26.6

Experimental Program to Stimulate 

Competitive Research $25.0 $9.1 $9.1 $9.1 $9.1 $9.1

STEM Education and Accountability $0.0 $94.4 $94.2 $93.8 $93.4 $92.9

Minority University Research Education 

Program $0.0 $28.0 $28.0 $28.0 $28.0 $28.0

STEM Education and Accountability Projects $0.0 $66.4 $66.2 $65.8 $65.4 $64.9

Higher Ed. STEM Education $49.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

STEM Opportunities (Higher Education) $8.4 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

Minority University Research & Education 

Program $30.6 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

Global Climate Change Education $10.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

K-12 STEM Education $45.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

STEM Student Opportunities (K-12) $15.5 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

STEM Teacher Development (K-12) $16.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

K-12 Competitive Educational Grant Program $13.5 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

Informal STEM Education $15.5 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

Science Museums and Planetarium Grants $7.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

NASA Visitor Centers $7.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

NASA Informal Education Opportunities $1.5 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

ED Civil Service Labor And Expenses $0.0 $8.3 $8.5 $8.9 $9.3 $9.8

ED Civil Service Labor and Expenses $0.0 $8.3 $8.5 $8.9 $9.3 $9.8

BUD-11
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS & SPACE ADMINISTRATION

President's FY 2012 Budget Request Detail Separate Labor Allocations

Budget Authority, $ in millions Actual 

FY2010

Ann. CR 

FY2011 FY2012 FY2013 FY2014 FY2015 FY2016

Cross-Agency Support $3,017.6 $3,018.8 $3,192.0 $3,192.0 $3,192.0 $3,192.0 $3,192.0

Center Management and Operations $2,161.2 $2,402.9 $2,402.9 $2,402.9 $2,402.9 $2,402.9

Center Management and Operations $2,161.2 $1,319.6 $1,305.7 $1,257.6 $1,204.3 $1,148.5

Center Institutional Capabilities $1,678.3 $1,162.1 $1,149.2 $1,106.7 $1,059.6 $1,010.2

Center Programmatic Capabilities $482.9 $157.5 $156.5 $151.0 $144.8 $138.3

CMO Civil Service Labor and Expenses $0.0 $1,083.3 $1,097.2 $1,145.3 $1,198.6 $1,254.4

Civil Service Labor and Expenses $0.0 $1,083.3 $1,097.2 $1,145.3 $1,198.6 $1,254.4

Agency Management and Operations $766.2 $789.1 $789.1 $789.1 $789.1 $789.1

Agency Management $395.5 $182.9 $179.7 $170.4 $159.9 $148.9

Agency Management $395.5 $182.9 $179.7 $170.4 $159.9 $148.9

Safety and Mission Success $196.0 $144.5 $143.7 $141.3 $138.5 $135.6

Safety and Mission Assurance $51.3 $38.9 $38.7 $38.1 $37.5 $36.8

Chief Engineer $101.1 $76.4 $75.9 $74.4 $72.7 $70.9

Chief Health and Medical Officer $3.6 $4.1 $4.1 $4.1 $4.1 $4.1

Independent Verification and Validation $40.0 $25.1 $25.0 $24.6 $24.3 $23.9

Agency IT Services (AITS) $145.3 $136.4 $136.2 $135.5 $134.7 $133.8

IT Management $15.0 $13.1 $13.1 $13.1 $13.1 $13.0

Applications $75.4 $57.6 $57.5 $57.0 $56.4 $55.8

Infrastructure $54.9 $65.7 $65.6 $65.4 $65.2 $65.0

Strategic Capabilities Assets Program $29.4 $20.4 $20.2 $19.8 $19.3 $18.7

Strategic Capabilities Assets Program $29.4 $20.4 $20.2 $19.8 $19.3 $18.7

AMO Civil Service Labor and Expenses $0.0 $304.9 $309.3 $322.2 $336.8 $352.0

AMO Civil Service Labor and Expenses $0.0 $304.9 $309.3 $322.2 $336.8 $352.0

Institutional Investments $27.2 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

Institutional Construction of Facilities $23.4 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

Institutional Construction Of Facilities $23.4 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

Environmental Compliance and Restoration $3.8 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

Environmental Compliance and Restoration $3.8 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

Congressionally Directed Items $63.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

Congressionally Directed Items $63.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

Congressionally Directed Items $63.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

Construction and Environmental Compliance and Remediation $452.8 $448.3 $450.4 $450.4 $450.4 $450.4 $450.4

Construction of Facilities $389.4 $397.9 $384.0 $359.5 $362.9 $360.0

Institutional CoF $249.3 $368.0 $384.0 $359.5 $362.9 $360.0

Institutional CoF $249.3 $368.0 $384.0 $359.5 $362.9 $360.0

Science CoF $37.8 $1.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

Science CoF $37.8 $1.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

Exploration CoF $72.6 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

Exploration CoF $72.6 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

BUD-12
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS & SPACE ADMINISTRATION

President's FY 2012 Budget Request Detail Separate Labor Allocations

Budget Authority, $ in millions Actual 

FY2010

Ann. CR 

FY2011 FY2012 FY2013 FY2014 FY2015 FY2016

Construction of Facilities (continued)

Space Operations CoF $26.9 $28.9 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

Space Operations CoF $26.9 $28.9 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

Aeronautics CoF $2.8 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

Aeronautics CoF $2.8 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

Environmental Compliance and Restoration $63.4 $52.5 $66.4 $90.9 $87.5 $90.4

Environmental Compliance and Restoration $63.4 $52.5 $66.4 $90.9 $87.5 $90.4

Environmental Compliance and Restoration $63.4

$36.4

$52.5

$37.5

$66.4

$37.5

$90.9

$37.5

$87.5

$37.5

$90.4

Inspector General $36.4 $37.5

Inspector General $36.4 $36.4 $37.5 $37.5 $37.5 $37.5 $37.5

IG Program $36.4 $36.4 $37.5 $37.5 $37.5 $37.5 $37.5

Inspector General $36.4 $36.4 $37.5 $37.5 $37.5 $37.5 $37.5

NASA FY 2012 $18,724.3 $18,724.3 $18,724.3 $18,724.3 $18,724.3 $18,724.3 $18,724.3

BUD-13
Table of Contents 

FY 2012 Budget Request Summary 

Message from the Administrator SUM-1 

Science 

Science Overview SCI-1 

 Earth Science ... ES-1 

 Earth Science Research, ES-15 

 Earth Systematic Missions, ES-23

 Glory Mission [Development] 

NPOESS Preparatory Project (NPP) [Development] 

Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) [Development] 

Landsat Data Continuity Mission (LDCM) [Development] 

Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite-2 (ICESat-2) [Formulation] 

Soil Moisture Active and Passive (SMAP) [Formulation] 

 

 

 

 

 

 Earth System Science Pathfinder, ES-62 

 Aquarius [Development] 

 Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 (OCO-2) [Development] 

 Earth Science Multi-Mission Operations, ES-74 

Earth Science Technology, ES-81

Applied Sciences, ES-86 

 

 

 Planetary Science PS-1 

 Planetary Science Research, PS-12 

 Lunar Quest Program PS-18 

 Lunar Atmosphere & Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE) [Development]

 Discovery, PS-27 

 Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) [Development] 

 New Frontiers, PS-39 

 Juno [Development]

 Mars Exploration, PS-50 

 2009 Mars Science Lab (MSL) [Development] 

 Mars Atmosphere &Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) [Development] 

 Outer Planets, PS-69 

 Technology, PS-72 

Astrophysics ASTRO-1 

 Astrophysics Research, ASTRO-9 

 Cosmic Origins, ASTRO-15

 Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) [Development]

 Physics of the Cosmos, ASTRO-26 

Exoplanet Exploration, ASTRO-31

Astrophysics Explorer, ASTRO-36

 

 

 Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) [Development] 

 Gravity Extreme Magnetism (SMEX 13) (GEMS) [Formulation] 

TOC-1
Table of Contents 

James Webb Space Telescope JWST-1 

 James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), [Development] 

Heliophysics HELIO-1 

 Heliophysics Research, HELIO-8

 Living with a Star, HELIO-14 

 Radiation Belt Storm Probes (RBSP) [Development] 

 Solar Probe Plus [Formulation] 

 Solar Terrestrial Probes, HELIO-26

 Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) [Development] 

 Heliophysics Explorer, HELIO-35

 Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS) [Development] 

SMD Civil Service Labor and Expenses SMD CSLE-1 

 

Aeronautics Research 

Aeronautics Research Overview AERO-1 

 Aviation Safety, AERO-11 

Airspace Systems, AERO-18 

Fundamental Aeronautics, AERO-24 

Aeronautics Test, AERO-32 

Integrated Systems Research, AERO-37 

Aeronautics Strategy and Management, AERO-44 

 

 

 

 

 

 ARMD Civil Service Labor and Expenses AERO-46 

 

Space Technology 

Space Technology Overview TECH-1 

 SBIR and STTR, TECH-16 

Partnership Development and Strategic Integration, TECH-19 

Crosscutting Space Technology Development, TECH-23 

Exploration Technology Development, TECH-30 

 

 

 

 Space Technology Civil Service Labor and Expenses TECH-35 

 

Exploration 

Exploration Overview ESMD-1 

 Human Exploration Capabilities ESMD-5 

 Space Launch Systems (SLS), ESMD-9 

 Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV), ESMD-12 

 Commercial Spaceflight ESMD-14 

 Commercial Crew, ESMD-19 

 Exploration Research and Development ESMD-23 

 Human Research Program, ESMD-28 

 Advanced Explorations Systems, ESMD-34 

 ESMD Civil Service Labor and Expenses ESMD-39 

 

TOC-2
Table of Contents 

Space Operations 

Space Operations Overview SOMD-1 

 Space Shuttle SOMD-5 

 Space Shuttle Program 

 International Space Station .. SOMD-13 

 International Space Station 

 Space and Flight Support ........................................................... SOMD-28 

21st Century Space Launch Complex, SOMD-35 

Space Communications and Navigation, SOMD-38 

 

 

 TDRS Replenishment [Development] 

 Human Space Flight Operations, SOMD-49 

Mission Operations Sustainment, SOMD-53 

Launch Services, SOMD-55 

Rocket Propulsion Test, SOMD-61 

 

 

 

 SOMD Civil Service Labor and Expenses SOMD-64

 

Education 

Education Overview EDU-1 

 Aerospace Research and Career Development, EDU-14 

 STEM Education and Accountability, EDU-18 

 ED Civil Service Labor and Expenses EDU-24 

 

Cross-Agency Support 

Cross-Agency Support Overview CAS-1 

 Center Management and Operations CAS-5 

 Center Management and Operations 

 CMO Civil Service Labor and Expenses CAS-10

 Agency Management and Operations CAS-11

 Agency Management, CAS-20 

Safety and Mission Success, CAS-28 

Agency IT Services, CAS-34 

Strategic Capabilities Assets Program, CAS-39 

 

 

 

 AMO Civil Service Labor and Expenses CAS-37 

 

Construction and Environment Compliance and Restoration 

Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration Overview .. CECR-1 

 Construction of Facilities CECR-7 

 Institutional and Programmatic Construction of Facilities

 Environmental Compliance and Restoration CECR-20 

 Environmental Compliance and Restoration 

 

TOC-3
Table of Contents 

Inspector General 

Inspector General Overview

Supporting Data 

Supporting Data Table of Contents

 Funds Distribution by Installation, SD-2 

Civil Service Full-Time Equivalent Distribution by Center, SD-5 

Budget for FY 2012 by Object Class, SD-6 

Status of Unobligated Funds, SD-7 

Reimbursable Estimates, SD-8 

Enhanced Use Leasing, SD-9 

Budget for Microgravity Science, SD-11 

Budget for Safety Oversight, SD-13 

Budget for Public Relations, SD-15 

Consulting Services, SD-16 

E-Gov Initiatives and Benefits, SD-17 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Management and Performance 

Management and Performance Overview

2011 Major Program Annual Report Summary and MPAR Project in 

 Development Pages 

 FY 2011 Annual Performance Plan 

 FY 2012 Annual Performance Plan 

 FY11 Strategic Plan Objectives Multi-Year Ratings 

 

Proposed Appropriations Language 

FY 2012 Proposed Appropriations Language

 

Reference 

Acronyms and Abbreviations .........................................................

TOC-4

..................

IG-1 

SD-1 

MP-1 

MP-4

FY 11 APP-1

FY 12 APP-1

MP OBJ-1

PAL-1 

REF-1 
NASA FY 2012 Budget Request Executive Summary 

Message from the Administrator

It is my privilege to submit President Obama's Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 budget request of $18.7 billion for 

NASA. Even in these difficult fiscal times, this budget supports all elements of the bipartisan NASA 

Authorization Act of 2010, along with the President’s agenda of innovation, education, and 

infrastructure. However, tough choices had to be made. That is why this budget prioritizes urgent 

needs, while continuing the Agency's focus on a reinvigorated path of exploration, innovation, and 

technological development leading to an array of challenging destinations and missions. Today, we 

begin to win the future. 

The dedicated NASA workforce across the Nation is energized to continue our missions throughout the 

cosmos and here on Earth. The Agency continues to develop a capability-driven framework for 

affordable, sustainable, and realistic exploration, and this budget aligns our plans with the Authorization 

Act in a long-term, affordable, and sustainable manner. 

Our priorities are to: safely fly out the Space Shuttle this year and maintain safe access for humans to 

low Earth orbit as we fully utilize the International Space Station; facilitate safe, reliable, and cost 

effective U.S.-provided commercial access to low Earth orbit for crew and cargo as soon as possible; 

begin to lay the ground work for expanding human presence into deep space through development of a 

powerful rocket and modern crew capsule; and pursue technology development to carry humans farther 

into the solar system even as we extend our reach with robots and observatories and make the most of 

technological breakthroughs to improve life here at home.

Building on President Obama's charge to all Federal agencies, we will carry out programs of innovation 

to support long-term job growth and a dynamic economy by increasing investment in research and 

technology. We will educate the next generation of technology leaders through vital programs in 

science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education. We will build the future through those 

investments in American industry to create a new job-producing engine for the U.S. economy while we 

remain committed to Federal goals to be stewards of our communities and make progress in our use of 

clean energy at our facilities. 

The FY 2012 budget sets ambitious but achievable goals that foster America's continued leadership in 

space and forges deeper and more effective partnerships with the growing number of nations that are 

taking part in the space exploration enterprise. The space program remains a great value for the 

American taxpayer. The Agency's FY 2012 budget helps NASA to be more nimble and responsive to 

opportunity and encourages us to embrace a crosscutting approach to our thinking and planning that 

builds on the connections between our diverse missions. 

NASA is at the forefront of a bright future for America—a future in which we challenge ourselves to 

create a global space enterprise with positive ramifications across the world. The FY 2012 budget 

provides the resources for NASA to innovate and discover on many fronts, and we look forward to 

implementing it. 

Charles F. Bolden Jr. 

NASA Administrator 

 

 

 

SUM-1
NASA FY 2012 Budget Request Executive Summary 

Agency Summary

For more than 50 years, NASA has envisioned the future, making the impossible possible. Since 1958,

the Agency has made giant leaps in exploring the cosmos and Earth, designed and built some of the 

greatest machines ever made, enabled people to walk on the Moon, and imaged the vastness of deep 

space, providing clues to the origin of the universe. NASA’s Earth observing satellites and remote 

sensing systems have helped to identify natural and human-induced environmental changes that may 

impact climate, weather, and the health of the planet. The aeronautics research done by NASA has 

advanced air travel, making it possible for millions of people to fly the skies each day, moving quickly 

and safely across the globe. NASA also engineered the development, construction, and international 

cooperation efforts necessary to make a permanently crewed outpost in space, the International Space 

Station (ISS), a reality. The ISS provides scientists the opportunity to conduct cutting-edge research in 

a microgravity environment and also serves as an unprecedented model for international cooperation 

and human goodwill. What NASA does enables people to reach new heights and reveal the unknown 

for the benefit all humankind.

In FY 2012, NASA will strengthen the Nation’s human space flight activities by transitioning from an 

engineering focus on building the ISS to an emphasis on scientific research and technology 

development—essential building blocks for a long-term human space exploration program. The ISS is 

the centerpiece of NASA’s planning for extended space missions, as it serves as a research laboratory 

and technology test bed for basic and advanced studies in life sciences, human health, material 

sciences, Earth science, and fundamental physics. A new independent non-profit organization is being 

established to coordinate and oversee all of these research and technology efforts.

Technologies conceived by the world’s greatest innovators will be tested in the space environment, 

proving their potential value in advancing exploration, and sparking ideas for products and services that 

benefit society here on Earth. These technologies will spur economic growth as new markets are 

developed, creating new jobs, and expanding international trade. Advances in scientific research, 

successful solutions to engineering challenges, and new technologies will help ignite student interest in 

science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) academic disciplines and careers. Industry 

and government employers will increase demand for skilled workers as the U.S. repositions itself for 

technological leadership on a global scale.

NASA actively seeks the engagement of industry in this achievable strategy for exploration. NASA 

plans to stimulate a competitive commercial market in which academia, non-profit research 

organizations, and corporations develop and mature aerospace-related technologies, processes, and 

services. Economic principles of supply, demand, and competition will drive this commercial market and 

ultimately result in reliable, low cost options for access to, and operations in, space. Public and private 

partnerships, collaborations with Federal agencies and other nations, and Federal grant awards to 

innovators at U.S. universities and research centers will initially help to strengthen competition and 

drive innovation in the aerospace industry. As part of this strategy, NASA will continue architecture 

planning for a Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV) capable of taking human explorers to distant 

locations throughout the inner solar system. The Space Launch System (SLS) Program will develop the 

heavy lift vehicle that will launch the MPCV, other modules, and cargo for these missions. 

NASA will continue to expand the scientific understanding of Earth and the universe by pursuing the 

answers to humankind’s most profound science questions. NASA uses the priorities set by the Nation’s 

best scientific minds through the National Academies’ decadal surveys in Earth science, heliophysics, 

planetary science, and astronomy and astrophysics to develop, operate, and mine data from science 

missions that will have a global impact on humanity’s understanding of the universe. NASA’s portfolio of 

space missions and mission-enabling programs includes suborbital missions, technology development, 

research and analysis, and data archival and distribution to sustain progress toward the Agency’s

SUM-2
NASA FY 2012 Budget Request Executive Summary 

science goals. We will make investment choices based on scientific merit through open competition and 

peer review for both space mission development and research tasks.

NASA’s aeronautics research focuses on the most appropriate cutting-edge research and technologies 

to overcome aeronautics challenges that affect the Nation’s current and future air transportation 

system. The Agency addresses these challenges by exploring early-stage concepts and ideas, 

developing new technologies and operational procedures through foundational research, and 

demonstrating the potential of promising new vehicles, operations, and safety technology for air 

transportation. The advances made through aeronautics research will expand airspace capacity, enable 

fuel-efficient flight planning, reduce the overall environmental footprint of aviation, diminish delays on 

the ground and in the sky, and improve the ability of aircraft to operate safely in all weather conditions.

NASA strives for sound budgeting and scheduling for all missions and programs since realistic planning 

is the foundation on which success is built. Schedules and budgets must include a complete cost 

analysis from concept design to the end of the life cycle. To the greatest extent possible, development 

risks must be identified, planning impacts assessed, and resources to mitigate the risks and impacts 

must be available when they are needed. Aggressive management controls and oversight, a full 

understanding of costs and benefits, and improved coordination and communication at all support 

levels will lessen risks and improve the likelihood of mission success within cost and funding 

allowances. Increasing the Agency’s accountability and transparency will help reassure the public that 

NASA remains a good steward of taxpayer dollars. 

SUM-3
NASA FY 2012 Budget Request Executive Summary 

FY 2012 Budget Highlights

NASA works to solve the questions and challenges of global science and engineering communities. 

These organizations envision and make real the otherwise unimaginable scientific missions and 

engineering feats for which the Agency is known. They actively engage with research communities, 

develop plans of action, build essential instruments and equipment, implement flight missions, and 

complete the cycle by communicating results back to researchers. The workforce, facilities, and 

missions of the organizations in the following descriptions represent NASA doing what it does best—

exploring, discovering, enhancing the technological leadership of the United States, safeguarding the 

future for the Earth and generations to come, and, as always, pursuing excellence in all that the Agency 

does.

Answers to enduring questions about space

NASA’s Science Mission Directorate works to expand human scientific understanding of Earth, the Sun, 

the solar system, and the universe. This knowledge helps identify and predict global climate change, 

space weather, the origins of the universe, and the likelihood of life elsewhere. The FY 2012 budget 

request for the Science Mission Directorate is $5,016.8 million.

Using a fleet of spacecraft equipped with radar and lasers, spectrophotometers, radiometers, 

magnetometers, telescopes, and other sophisticated instruments, NASA’s science missions gather 

information to help researchers understand and respond to national and international disasters, develop 

innovative technologies that energize the national economy, and inspire the next generation of 

scientists and engineers. 

In FY 2012, NASA will launch the NPOESS Preparatory Project (NPP), the Mars Science Laboratory 

(MSL), the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR), and the Radiation Belt Storm Probes 

(RBSP). NuSTAR and Swift will continue the search for black holes, and the Great Observatories 

(Hubble, Chandra, and Spitzer), along with Fermi, will map out the earliest and most interesting 

structures of the universe. NASA will begin new studies of the Martian surface with the MSL rover, a 

mobile suite of sophisticated scientific instruments designed to collect data on the environment and 

geologic history of Earth’s nearest neighbor. Radiation Belt Storm Probes (RBSP) will examine Earth’s 

radiation belts to help understand how the Sun affects life on Earth. NASA will add to its fleet of climatemonitoring spacecraft by beginning operations of Glory, Aquarius, and NPP. The Glory mission will 

provide scientists with data to enable better weather and climate predictions. Data from these missions 

will inform strategies and policy discussions on global climate change and possibly help to identify ways 

to mitigate human impacts on the environment that may affect climate. Under the restructured civilian 

portion of the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) now called 

the Joint Polar Satellite System, NASA will be working as NOAA’s acquisition agent to develop and 

launch the satellite system necessary for civil weather and climate measurements. Similarly, NASA will 

support the Landsat program at USGS, to help ensure the continuity of this historic and valuable 

national resource.

Air transportation for today and tomorrow 

Aeronautics research advances the safety, capacity, and efficiency of air travel. The FY 2012 budget 

request for the Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate is $569.4 million.

Through fundamental and applied research, NASA continues to lead improvements in aviation, 

including safety, air traffic capacity, optimized flight procedures, and aircraft design. Research includes 

strategies and designs that reduce fuel consumption, air pollution, and noise, making aviation more 

environmentally responsible. A major initiative is re-envisioning a next generation air transportation 

SUM-4
NASA FY 2012 Budget Request Executive Summary 

system, or NextGen, which will enable more capacity than the current system. Lost capacity equals 

fewer flights and less revenue, increased operating costs, impaired consumer confidence, and lack of

job growth. NASA and its partners in the interagency Joint Planning and Development Office will 

continue to work together on the next generation air transportation system. 

Technology enabling exploration and discovery

Space Technology creates new space technologies that enable exploration, scientific discovery, and a 

stronger economic future. The FY 2012 budget request for Space Technology is $1,024.2 million.

Technology improves our lives every day, and yet, U.S. leadership in technology development is under 

attack, a fact that has serious implications for the Nation’s global competiveness and economy. 

Recognizing that a technology-based economy is a robust one, the President has challenged Federal 

agencies to strengthen their investments in new technology development and innovation. NASA’s 

Space Technology develops critical space technologies through multi-phased technology development 

efforts, demonstrations, competitive opportunities, and partnerships. These strategies engage the 

creativity and problem-solving nature of the Nation’s brightest minds, whether they work in 

Government, industry, academia, or a backyard workshop. Space Technology provides the 

technological advances required for NASA's future missions in science and exploration while also 

creating advances that can lower costs and improve capabilities of other government agency and 

commercial space activities. These investments will stimulate the economy and build the Nation's 

global economic competitiveness through the creation of new products and services, new business and 

industries, and high-quality, sustainable jobs.

NASA history of technology transfer proves that that space-derived technologies, tools, and processes 

have applications for commercial markets. NASA’s Small Business Innovation Research and Small 

Business Technology Transfer programs encourage small businesses to participate in the Agency’s 

technology research and development work. In FY 2012, NASA will increase maximum award levels to 

$150,000 for Phase 1 research, and to $1 million for Phase 2 activities. This increased Agency 

commitment to engaging small business in research and development will encourage creativity and 

innovation in companies that might not otherwise be drawn to NASA and space exploration. Increased 

engagement by U.S. industry will improve the technological position of the U.S. and help to build a 

robust space commercial market. 

Humanity’s destiny in space

Space Operations and Exploration lead the Nation’s current and future human space exploration efforts 

while encouraging development and growth of a commercial launch capability. The FY 2012 budget 

request for the Space Operations Mission Directorate is $4,346.9 million and the request for the 

Exploration Systems Mission Directorate is $3,948.7 million.

Supporting basic and applied research by government, private, and academic organizations, the ISS is 

set to take center stage in NASA’s plans for long-duration human space flight beyond low Earth orbit. 

NASA will use the unique environment and research equipment of the ISS to advance knowledge of 

human health risks in space and appropriate countermeasures, materials science, fundamental 

physics, and other disciplines essential for space travel. The ISS will also provide a test bed for testing 

exploration-enabling technologies as they mature. As an orbiting, fully crewed National Laboratory, 

NASA’s portion of the ISS will support the research interests of other Federal agencies, private, and 

academic organizations. 

To oversee and coordinate this research, NASA is pursuing a plan for managing ISS research through 

an independent non-profit organization, or NPO. In FY 2011, NASA will award a cooperative agreement 

SUM-5
NASA FY 2012 Budget Request Executive Summary 

for the NPO to further develop national uses of the ISS and oversee all research involving organizations 

other than NASA. Transfer of current NASA research to the NPO will occur in future years, as Space 

Operations oversight of existing research projects is phased out. Specifically, the NPO will co-select

and manage new peer-reviewed projects. As NASA research project offices complete ongoing work in 

future years, extension/renewal decisions will be made exclusively by the NPO. In this way, the NPO 

will create opportunities and facilitate planning for organizations that successfully propose to conduct 

experiments using the resources on the ISS. 

NASA is reaching out to industry for support of a human space flight program that meets both near- and 

far-term objectives and provides flexibility in missions that expand the human presence across the solar 

system. This strategy for human space flight capitalizes on the ability of industry to be “nimble,” 

leveraging it with the steady methodical development approaches used by NASA. Research, 

development, and operational activities are balanced, in terms of work done by NASA and the 

commercial sector, to be responsive to priorities outlined in the NASA Authorization Act of 2010. In FY 

2012, NASA will continue architecture planning for a Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV) capable of 

taking human explorers to distant locations throughout the inner solar system. The Space Launch 

System (SLS) Program will develop the heavy lift vehicle that will launch the MPCV, other modules, and 

cargo for these missions. NASA will invest nearly $3 billion in FY 2012 on MPCV and SLS, combined.

NASA will also continue to stimulate the development of commercial crew and cargo transportation 

systems to the ISS and other future destinations. The Administration supports enabling this new 

industrial market, as it will provide a realistic solution to the challenges of acquiring affordable and 

reliable access to space. 

After nearly forty years of service, the Space Shuttle will complete its mission and the program will 

retire. Space Shuttle transition and retirement activities will accelerate in FY 2012, as the Agency 

continues transitioning key workforce, technology, facilities, and operational experience to a new 

generation of human space flight and exploration activities. The disposition of most of the Space 

Shuttle assets will be completed in FY 2012.

Education essential to a strong future workforce and economy

Education programs capitalize on NASA’s missions to inspire students, educators, and the public. The 

FY 2012 budget request for Education is $138.4 million.

NASA has a long history of supporting STEM education. The Agency provides materials and resources 

that help teachers improve their STEM knowledge and inspire their students. Hands-on experiences 

enable students, throughout the pipeline from elementary school to graduate school, to question, 

reason, test, analyze, and communicate their findings. Educational investments in higher education, 

such as the National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program, the Experimental Program to 

Stimulate Competitive Research, and the Minority University Research and Education Program, 

support the preparation of a highly skilled and well-trained STEM workforce for the Agency and the 

Nation. Projects like the Summer of Innovation support Administrative initiatives, like “Educate to 

Innovate,” and “Race to the Top.” In FY 2012, NASA will respond to the recommendations of the

Agency’s Education Design Team, by strengthening partnerships with national, state, and local 

education providers, to better meet the needs of schools, teachers, students, and communities. 

Organizational changes within the Agency’s Education Theme will enhance the Agency’s ability to 

make programmatic adjustments based on needs analysis, changing customer demand, and 

assessments of program effectiveness.

SUM-6
NASA FY 2012 Budget Request Executive Summary 

Excellence in operations for mission success 

NASA’s investments in Cross-Agency Support, and Construction and Environmental Compliance and 

Restoration provide essential institutional operations and facilities necessary for conducting aeronautics 

and space activities. The FY 2012 budget request for Cross-Agency Support is $3,192.0 million, and

the request for Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration is $450.4 million.

Cross-Agency Support delivers a diverse range of services, including business operations, technical 

and safety oversight, facilities, and tools and resources that allow NASA to share with the public the 

challenges, results, and successes of the Agency’s missions. In FY 2012, NASA will continue aligning 

the skill mix of the Agency’s workforce with changing mission requirements. Further, planned operating 

system upgrades will improve the utility of information technology services, electronic business 

applications, the NASA Web portal, and improve NASA’s participation in E-Government and 

transparency initiatives.

Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration ensures that mission essential facilities 

are built, revitalized, or decommissioned; and manages environmental compliance and restoration 

activities. In FY 2012, NASA will install a new 34-meter antenna at the Canberra Communications 

Complex of the Deep Space Network, improving communications with data sensing satellites. Three 

major environmental cleanups will continue, including soil and water remediation at the Santa Susana 

Field Laboratory so that the property can be dispositioned responsibly.

Operational efficiencies

NASA facilities cover 124,494 acres and the Agency directly employs approximately 18,500 civil 

servants. In keeping with broader Administration themes, the NASA’s budget request supports a 

number of efforts to make NASA operate more efficiently. Today, over 80 percent of NASA’s buildings 

are beyond their design life. The FY 2012 budget request strengthens the Agency's recapitalization 

fund, enabling NASA to replace or modernize inefficient buildings, and to eliminate or demolish others, 

providing jobs to local communities, and leading to increasingly efficient use of taxpayer dollars. In FY 

2012, NASA will continue to implement energy savings initiatives, consolidate activities, and streamline

or defer some Center Management Operations activities.

The Agency’s FY 2012 budget request proposes new authority for NASA to enter into innovative 

partnerships with utility companies to provide clean energy to NASA Centers and the communities that 

surround them. NASA is working to meet energy intensity reduction requirements of three percent per 

year and 30 percent by 2015, from the FY 2003 baseline. To assist Centers with administering their 

energy management programs, NASA Headquarters annually conducts Energy and Water 

Management Functional Reviews at a third of NASA Centers to help Centers improve their 

management systems and identify and implement energy conservation measures. 

In addition to facilities-related savings, the FY 2012 budget request proposes to save over $100 million 

in administrative costs by streamlining Agency operations. Streamlining efforts will focus on areas such 

as travel and printing costs. 

Moreover, the Agency is improving the skills base in its workforce through certain hiring limitations and 

an increased focus on attracting new talent in the early stages of their careers. 

SUM-7
NASA FY 2012 Budget Request Executive Summary 

Notes on NASA’s Budget Request

With the direction provided in the bipartisan 2010 NASA Authorization Act (P.L. 111-267), NASA has 

begun to implement the key elements of this important law, as is reflected in the NASA FY 2012 budget 

request. Additionally, the FY 2012 budget proposes several structural adjustments and workload 

balance measures to improve the management of Agency resources, better align the Agency’s work,

and provide increased efficiencies and instruments. These items are discussed in greater detail below. 

Budget Implications Related to NASA’s 2010 Authorization Act

Congress passed the 2010 NASA Authorization Act in September 2010, after the submission of the FY

2011 President’s Budget. In addition, at the time of printing of NASA’s FY 2012 budget, there is no final 

appropriation for FY 2011. Therefore, NASA’s budget request provides implementation of the key 

elements of the Authorization Act, while accounting for the uncertainties surrounding the FY2011 

appropriation. All tables in the FY 2012 NASA budget request include a column for FY 2011 reflecting 

the annualized level provided by the current Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242) and an additional 

column reflecting the FY 2011 column of the 2010 NASA Authorization Act. In addition, In accordance 

with the President’s proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, 

budget figures shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding 

decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

The 2010 NASA Authorization Act calls for robust programs in science, exploration, aeronautics, 

technology development, commercial launch capabilities development, and education. NASA has 

embraced the guidance set forth in the Act and has moved forward with plans to carry out its direction. 

With respect to human space flight and exploration, the Agency will fly the STS-135 Shuttle flight if 

funding is available and is developing plans and processes to ensure use of the ISS through 2020, 

including allocating research capability as part of a new National Laboratory. NASA is developing heavy 

lift capabilities and a Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle capable of supporting exploration beyond low Earth 

orbit to a variety of destinations. Planning and support for development of commercial providers for 

crew and cargo transportation services to the ISS is underway, as the Act specifies that the “United 

States must develop, as rapidly as possible, replacement vehicles capable of providing both human 

and cargo launch capability to low-Earth orbit and to destinations beyond low-Earth orbit.” 

Merger of Space Operations and Exploration Systems Mission Directorates

To promote more effective and efficient development and operation of NASA’s human space flight goal

to extend and sustain human activities across the solar system, planning is underway to merge the 

Space Operations and Exploration Systems Mission Directorates. The new, integrated organization will 

be able to more effectively implement NASA’s human space flight goals to achieve a safe, reliable, and 

affordable program that will sustain human space exploration efforts over the long term. By combining 

the efforts of these two human space flight organizations, NASA will ensure that knowledge and 

lessons learned from current Space Shuttle and ISS activities and contracted services (Space 

Operations) are leveraged with the Agency’s forward-looking engineering design and capabilities 

development (Exploration Systems). Benefits of the merger will include integrated commercial 

transportation programs for the ISS; simplified external relationships with industry and international 

partners, including integrated global cooperation in human space exploration; and streamlined internal 

efforts between NASA Centers for more efficient operations. The new organization will realize improved 

human capital and infrastructure management as NASA transitions from the Space Shuttle and 

Constellation Systems to new human space flight programs. Restructuring the current budget will be 

evaluated and proposed, if appropriate, in a future NASA budget request. 

SUM-8
NASA FY 2012 Budget Request Executive Summary 

Exploration’s Technology Development Program Moved to Space Technology

NASA’s FY 2012 budget for Space Technology reflects a $310 million transfer from the Exploration 

Systems Mission Directorate budget. This realignment of funds is due to the movement of a significant 

portion of the Exploration Technology Development (ETD) Program to Space Technology. Exploration 

Systems will focus on the development of the Space Launch System, Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle, and 

commercial crew and cargo capabilities. The technology objectives of ETD will be largely incorporated 

into the overall Agency technology development portfolio, better leveraging the practices, readiness 

assessments, integration, and acquisition strategies established within Space Technology. For 

traceability, the transferred activities have been consolidated into a specific budgetary element within 

Space Technology. Some elements of exploration technology efforts, such as life support, 

extravehicular activity, and habitation development, will remain in Exploration Systems due to their 

engineering development nature and strong coupling to exploration crew vehicle systems.

In addition, in the FY 2012 budget request, NASA has proposed a distinct account for Space 

Technology as specified under the 2010 NASA Authorization Act. Previously, Space Technology was

included in the Aeronautics Research account.

Separate Allocations for Civil Service Labor and Expenses

The FY 2012 NASA budget is presented both using the full-cost method of allocating all costs and with 

labor funding for the Agency’s civil service workforce consolidated within eight theme- or program-level 

labor allocations titled “Civil Service Labor and Expenses (CSLE).” At present, with the exception of 

employees performing administrative or institutional functions, NASA allocates funds for its civil service 

workforce to the projects that use that labor (the “full-cost” method). Going forward, however, NASA 

intends to administer labor funding in a new manner, consolidating those funds within a labor allocation

in each of the appropriations. With this change, employees working on (for example) aeronautics 

projects would be funded by the consolidated Aeronautics CSLE theme in the Aeronautics account. 

NASA has initiated this change in administration of labor funding because NASA’s current approach 

can be difficult to administer during the year of execution, especially as employees move from project to 

project. Consolidated accounts also provide some Center flexibility to redeploy workforce across 

projects within an appropriation account in response to new or changing requirements. Moreover, as 

NASA now transitions from its current portfolio of programs to the new direction authorized in the NASA 

Authorization Act of 2010, it may become especially difficult to ensure that all workforce and labor 

funding is properly allocated to individual projects as the project portfolio changes over time. By 

contrast, a consolidated labor account structure ensures that sufficient labor funding is accessible to 

fund the workforce and allows managers greater flexibility to assign workforce, allocate labor, and 

match skills with project work.

At the same time, NASA remains committed to tracking utilization of workforce and CSLE funding at the 

project level. The Agency will collect information on actual CSLE project funding through NASA’s 

employee time and attendance system, and formulate all project plans both with, and without, CSLE 

expenditures. NASA also remains committed to tracking the full cost of all major projects.

SUM-9
NASA FY 2012 Budget Request Executive Summary 

Explanation of Budget Tables

NASA works to achieve the best display of the information in this budget request to enhance reader 

understanding. For most of the tables in this budget and where authorized levels were specific, an 

additional column for FY 2011 is included to provide comparability. The following assumptions have 

been made:

− The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time the FY 2012 Request was 

prepared; therefore, NASA is operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111–242, as 

amended). The amounts in all tables included for FY 2011 reflect the annualized level provided 

by the Continuing Resolution. 

The “Auth. Act FY 2011” column in all tables represents FY 2011 authorized funding from the 

NASA Authorization Act of 2010 (P.L. 111-267).

In accordance with the President’s proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary 

spending freeze, budget figures shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent 

policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis. 

The FY 2010 actual column reflects NASA’s last FY 2010 Operating Plan, submitted July 21, 

2010. 

Adjustments were made in all years to reflect the movement of the Innovative Partnerships 

Program and most Exploration Technology Development activities into Space Technology. 

−

−

−

−

Within the body of NASA’s budget submission, budget tables are presented in tiers, aligned to NASA’s 

programmatic management, from the top-level Mission Directorate, to increasingly detailed levels of 

Theme, Program, Projects in Development, and Projects in Formulation. Within NASA’s budget 

submission, column contents may take on slightly different meanings depending on the management 

tier. Table footnotes applied at one level (e.g., Mission Directorate) are consistent throughout the 

document. However, footnotes may vary between management levels within the same Mission 

Directorate. Readers are advised to review footnotes when reviewing tables.

SUM-10
Mission Directorate: Science

-

-

-

-

-

Overview

NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD) conducts scientific exploration enabled by the use of 

space observatories and space probes that view the Earth from space, observe and visit other bodies 

in the solar system, and gaze out into our galaxy and beyond. NASA's science program seeks 

answers to profound questions that touch us all:

 How and why are Earth's climate and the environment changing?

 How and why does the Sun vary and 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?

From space, NASA satellites can view the Earth as a planet and enable its study as a complex, 

dynamic system with diverse components: the oceans, atmosphere, continents, ice sheets, and life 

itself. The Nation's scientific community can thereby observe and track global-scale changes, 

connecting causes to effects. They 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 craft environmental policy. 

NASA extends humankind's virtual presence throughout the solar system via robotic space probes to 

other planets and their moons, to asteroids and comets, and to the icy bodies of the outer solar 

system. SMD is completing humankind's first basic reconnaissance of the solar system by sending one 

mission to fly by Pluto and another that will visit two planet-sized asteroids, Ceres and Vesta. SMD is 

also in the midst of a large-scale investigation of Mars, launching a series of ever more capable 

orbiters, landers, and rovers, with the long-term goal of a sample return mission and eventual human 

exploration. In addition, SMD is focusing on certain moons of the giant planets where current NASA 

missions see intriguing signs of surface activity and of liquid water within, knowing that on Earth, 

where there is water and an energy source there is also life.

The solar system is governed by the Sun, a main-sequence star midway through its life. The Sun's 

influence is wielded through its gravity, radiation, solar wind, and magnetic fields, all of which interact 

with the masses, fields, and atmospheres of planetary and small bodies. Through the eyes of multiple 

spacecraft, the scientific community sees the solar system as a "heliosphere," another kind of 

interconnected system with diverse components. Using a fleet of sensors on various spacecraft in 

Earth orbit and throughout the solar system, SMD seeks to understand how and why the Sun varies, 

how planetary systems respond, and how human activities are affected. The science of heliophysics 

enables the space weather predictions necessary to safeguard the outward journeys of human and 

robotic explorers.

Some of the greatest minds of the last century discovered wondrous things about the physical 

universe: the Big Bang and black holes, dark matter and dark energy, and the interrelated nature of 

space and time. Their theories challenge scientists and NASA to use observations from space to test 

the limits of our understanding of fundamental physics. Having measured the age of the universe, the 

scientific community now seeks to explore its ultimate extremes: its birth, the edges of space and time 

near black holes, and the mysterious dark energy filling the entire universe. Scientists also seek to 

understand the relationship between the smallest of subatomic particles and the vast expanse of the 

cosmos. With hundreds of planets around other stars now known, scientists are using current NASA

SMD-1
Mission Directorate: Science

missions in conjunction with ground-based telescopes to seek Earth-like planets in other solar 

systems.

This is NASA's science vision: to achieve a deep scientific understanding of Earth, other planets and 

solar system bodies, our star system in its entirety, and the universe beyond. SMD lays the intellectual 

foundation for the robotic and human expeditions of the future while meeting today's needs for 

scientific information to address national concerns on global change, space weather, and education.

For over 40 years, NASA has also developed satellites on a reimbursable basis for other civilian 

Federal agencies. In FY 2012, NASA will continue development of the Geostationary Operational 

Environmental Satellite weather satellites, the Joint Polar Satellite System weather satellites and 

ground system, instruments for the Jason 3 sea surface monitoring satellite, and will begin 

development of the Landsat 9 satellite. These activities are included in the Department of Commerce 

and Department of the Interior budget requests.

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

FY 2011

Auth Act

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

4,497.6 4,469.0 5,005.7 5,016.8 5,016.8 5,016.8 5,016.8 5,016.8

Earth Science 1,439.3 - - 1,653.0 1,679.2 1,665.3 1,691.4 1,727.3

Planetary Science 1,364.4 - - 1,488.9 1,365.7 1,326.4 1,271.0 1,188.9

Astrophysics 647.3 - - 637.7 708.3 721.0 713.5 741.9

James Webb Space Telescope 438.7 - - 354.6 359.3 365.3 371.6 371.6

Heliophysics 608.0 - - 577.9 591.0 612.4 627.2 628.6

SCMD Civil Service Labor and 

Expenses

0.0 - - 304.7 313.2 326.5 342.2 358.6

Note: The budget request table reflects the elevation of the James Webb Space Telescope to a separate theme within SMD, 

rather than a project within the Astrophysics theme.

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

The "Auth. Act FY 2011" column represents FY 2011 authorized funding from the NASA Authorization Act of 2010 (P.L. 111-

267).

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

SMD-2
Mission Directorate: Science

Plans for FY 2012

Science

Earth Science

New Initiatives:

No new initiatives are included.

Major Changes:

Continued funding for the global climate initiative, a major addition in the President's FY 2011 

budget proposal, is included at a reduced level.

Major Highlights for FY 2012

The National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) Preparatory 

Project (NPP) is scheduled to launch in early FY 2012, continuing selected climate data records 

and becoming an integral part of the Nation's operational meteorological satellite system for 

weather prediction.

Release of the second Venture Class Announcement of Opportunity in FY 2011 will lead to 

selection of new science instruments and small missions in FY 2012.

The Glory mission will release its first global set of calibrated and validated aerosol measurements.

The first A-Train fusion data products integrating Glory data with measurements from the rest of 

the A-Train will be produced.

The Aquarius instrument on the Argentine SAC-D mission will deliver its first global ocean salinity 

measurements to the science community.

The Orbiting Carbon Observatory 2 (OCO-2), Landsat Data Continuity Mission (LDCM), and the 

Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) missions will be conducting integration and testing, in 

preparation for planned launches in FY 2013.

The first two decadal survey missions, Soil Moisture Active/Passive (SMAP) and the Ice, Cloud, 

and land Elevation Satellite-2 (ICESat-2), will both enter into development.

The budget supports robust Research and Analysis, Applied Science, and Technology programs.

SMD-3
Mission Directorate: Science

Planetary Science

New Initiatives:

No new initiatives are included.

Major Changes:

There are no major programmatic changes. In early 2011, NASA is expecting the results from the 

next National Academies' Decadal Survey for Planetary Science. This may lead to changes in 

planning and preparation for next year's FY 2013 budget proposal.

Major Highlights for FY 2012

The Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) will launch in early FY 2012 and arrive at Mars in August 

2012.

The Juno mission, following launch in August 2011, will continue towards arrival at Jupiter in 2016.

The Gravity Recovery And Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) mission, following launch in September 

2011, will enter lunar orbit and complete its prime mission. GRAIL will help determine the structure 

of the lunar interior from crust to core, and advance understanding of the thermal evolution of the 

Moon. As a secondary objective, GRAIL will enable scientists to extend knowledge gained from the 

Moon to the other terrestrial planets.

The MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry and Ranging (MESSENGER) mission 

will complete its first year in Mercury orbit in March 2012. MESSENGER's instruments will map 

nearly the entire planet in color, image the surface in high resolution, and measure the composition 

of the surface, atmosphere, and nature of the magnetic field and magnetosphere. 

The Discovery Program supports low-cost missions that enhance our understanding of the solar 

system by exploring the planets, their moons, and small bodies such as comets and asteroids. 

Following a Discovery Announcement of Opportunity released in June 2010, and a step 1 or 

concept study selection in early 2011, NASA will make final mission selection(s) in the summer of 

2012.

The budget supports robust Research and Analysis and Technology programs.

SMD-4
Mission Directorate: Science

New Initiatives:

Astrophysics

No new initiatives are included.

Major Changes:

The budget for the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is now carried under its own Theme.

This is consistent with management changes implemented in FY 2011 to improve management 

oversight and control over the project, following release of the Independent Comprehensive 

Review Panel's (ICRP) report in November 2010.

The budget reflects the scientific priorities of the National Academies' decadal survey for 

astronomy and astrophysics. Specifically, early technology funding for missions beyond JWST is 

included, while work on the Space Interferometry Mission (SIM) and Joint Dark Energy Mission 

(JDEM) has been terminated. The budget includes additional funding for the Explorer mission 

selection planned for 2012, and increased investments in research and technology as 

recommended by the decadal survey.

Major Highlights for FY 2012

The Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) will complete its open door flight 

testing and conduct the first competed science observations.

The Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) mission will launch in early 2012. 

The budget supports robust Research and Analysis and Scientific Balloon programs.

James Webb Space Telescope

New Initiatives:

No new initiatives are included.

Major Changes:

JWST was elevated to its own Theme to reflect management changes implemented in FY 2011 to 

improve oversight and control over the project in response to the release of the Independent 

Comprehensive Review Panel's (ICRP) report in November 2010. The project, which was 

previously managed within the Science Mission Directorate's Astrophysics Division within NASA 

Headquarters, as part of the Cosmic Origins Program, is now managed via a separate program 

office also at NASA Headquarters. The Program Manager of JWST at Headquarters now reports 

directly to NASA's Associate Administrator and the Associate Administrator of the Science Mission 

Directorate (SMD). The lead Center for developing JWST, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) 

has also implemented changes, with project management now reporting directly to the Center 

Director.

Note that the technical content of the JWST project has not changed as a result of any of these 

management changes, and in fact the changes have been made in recognition of the high 

importance of this mission for the Agency and the astrophysics community.

SMD-5
Mission Directorate: Science

Major Highlights for FY 2012

JWST was again included as a high priority in the most recently released National Academies 

decadal survey for astronomy and astrophysics entitled "New Worlds, New Horizons in Astronomy 

and Astrophysics" (National Academies, 2010). The project remains an integral part of the Science 

Mission Directorate's portfolio of bold new Astrophysics initiatives that open the universe to reveal 

new discoveries. JWST was the top priority of earlier decadal surveys, and helps to provide the 

foundational science upon which the new projects of the latest survey depend.

During 2010, JWST identified cost growth and schedule issues, which resulted in the formation of 

the Independent Comprehensive Review Panel (ICRP). The ICRP charter was to determine the 

technical, management and budgetary root causes of cost growth and schedule delay on JWST, to 

estimate the minimum cost to launch JWST, and to assess the associated launch date and budget 

profile. The ICRP report concluded that the problems causing cost growth and schedule delays on 

the JWST project are associated with cost estimation and program management. The panel 

recommended several managerial changes at Headquarters and GSFC, and some of these have 

already been implemented. The JWST project budget and schedule will be re-evaluated as part of 

a re-planning activity and a new plan is expected in 2011. The results of this re-planning activity 

will be presented to Congress immediately upon completion of the work. In addition, NASA will 

keep Congress apprised of progress during development of the new baseline.

Heliophysics

New Initiatives:

No new initiatives are included.

Major Changes:

Funding for the next Explorer mission selection, planned for 2012, has been increased to enable 

selection of up to two full missions, as well as (potentially) instruments to fly on non-Explorer 

spacecraft. Half of the available funding has been transferred to the Astrophysics Explorer 

Program, reflecting the potential selection of one full mission from each Theme.

Major Highlights for FY 2012

The Radiation Belt Storm Probe (RBSP) mission will launch.

The Solar Probe Plus mission will enter into preliminary design (Phase B).

The budget supports robust Research and Analysis, and Sounding Rocket operations programs.

SMD-6
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Theme Overview

NASA's Earth Science Theme advances knowledge of the integrated Earth system, the global 

atmosphere, oceans (including sea ice), land surfaces, ecosystems, and interactions between all 

elements, including the impacts of humans. Sustained, simultaneous observations of many quantities 

are needed to unravel the complexity of the global Earth system. Maintaining balance continues to be 

a hallmark of NASA's Earth Science Theme: Flight Programs develop satellite missions and provide 

observations; Research redeems the investment in flight by analyses to increase scientific 

understanding and identify the foci for future missions; Technology develops new measurement 

approaches; and Applied Sciences provides direct societal benefit by advancing the use of Earth 

science measurements and scientific understanding to undergird environmental policy decisions. 

 

The President's Budget advances key elements of the program established in NASA's 2010 Climate 

Initiative. The budget enables launch of the first two Tier 1 decadal survey missions, Soil Moisture 

Active-Passive (SMAP) and Ice, Cloud, and Land Elevation Satellite (ICESat)-2, by CY 2016 and 

expands the Venture-class competitive program with annual solicitations for facility-class instruments 

and alternating biannual solicitations for small missions and airborne investigations. The budget 

supports continued development of options for the decadal survey's Tier-1 Deformation, Ecosystem 

Structure, and Dynamics of Ice (DESDynI) Radar satellite. Two climate-focused Tier-2 decadal survey 

missions--Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) for insight into the movement and 

distribution of fresh surface water, and Active Sensing of Carbon dioxide Emissions over Nights, Days 

and Seasons (ASCENDS) for atmospheric column carbon dioxide (CO2) abundance--have been 

initiated for launch in 2019-2020. Recognizing the broad societal and policy impact of NASA's Earth 

observations, NASA will continue to develop the Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO)-2 for launch in 

2013, begin building OCO-3 as a mission of opportunity, and initiate missions to continue climate time 

series. NASA will refurbish a Stratospheric Aerosols and Gas Experiment III (SAGE III) instrument for 

flight on the ISS as early as 2014, develop the Pre-Aerosols, Carbon and Ecosystems (PACE) mission 

for ocean color, and initiate a Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) Follow-on gap-filler 

mission for launch in 2016 (in collaboration with the German space agency, DLR) to continue the 

measurements, including observations of changes in terrestrial water storage and ice mass, now 

made by the aging GRACE mission. 

 

NASA Earth Science operates 13 satellite missions making calibrated global observations with high 

spatial and temporal resolution. Two missions (ICESat, QuikSCAT) recently ended their main scientific 

missions after extended lifetimes. The ICESat spacecraft was deorbited flawlessly, including a 

successful experiment to acquire GPS data during its descent. More than 11 years after launch, 

QuikSCAT is still being used as a transfer standard to enhance the utility of data from international 

scatterometers. NASA has seven missions in formulation and development, of which Glory, Aquarius, 

and the NPOESS Preparatory Project (NPP) are scheduled for launch in 2011. 

 

NASA aircraft and surface instruments calibrate, complement, and expand the value of satellite 

measurements. NASA supports computing capability and capacity for Earth system modeling. NASA 

missions produce nearly 4 terabytes of data daily, and NASA maintains the world's largest scientific 

data and information system for processing, archiving, and distributing Earth system data to worldwide 

users. International collaborations including collaborative space missions, joint research efforts, and 

information/education programs such as Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the 

Environment (GLOBE) and SERVIR are essential for the Earth Science Theme.

ES-1
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

FY 2012 Budget Request

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010

Ann CR.

FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

Earth Science Research

Earth Systematic Missions

Earth System Science Pathfinder

Earth Science Multi-Mission 

Operations

Earth Science Technology

Applied Sciences

1,439.3 -

375.8 -

705.2 -

128.4 -

149.0 -

45.6 -

35.3 -

1,653.0

409.6

816.5

187.8

159.9

46.1

33.1

1,679.2

419.0

838.7

180.6

158.8

47.9

34.3

1,665.3

427.3

761.6

229.5

159.4

51.9

35.5

1,691.4

436.7

763.2

238.4

162.9

53.6

36.7

1,727.3

444.6

810.7

214.3

166.6

54.2

36.9

Note: The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated account in 

each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the program amounts shown above. The allocation to each program is reflected 

in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 2010 and FY 

2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

ES-2
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Plans for FY 2012

Earth Science Research

SMD will issue Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Science 2011 (ROSES-11), a research 

announcement covering all of its planned solicitations, including Earth Science Research. The FY 

2012 budget will fund research competitively selected in FY 2011 under this ROSES call. About 33 

percent of the Earth Science Research budget is competed each year through ROSES, with 

successful investigations funded usually through three-year grants. Thus many of the research 

activities carried out in FY 2012 will be tasks initiated in FY 2010 and FY 2011 based on 

solicitations included in ROSES-09 and ROSES-10. Selections based on ROSES-09 and -10 

solicitations are on-going and are addressing diverse Earth Science research areas, including 

biodiversity, ocean salinity, hurricane and precipitation science, remote sensing of water quality, 

atmospheric composition, and interdisciplinary science. 

 

NASA will continue implementation of the airborne IceBridge campaign to acquire essential polar 

ice data during the gap between the ICESat and ICESat-2 missions. This activity, focusing on 

changes in Greenland and Arctic ice, will continue in FY 2012 and each year until ICESat-2's launch 

in 2016. 

 

In addition, the Research Program develops and tests experimental techniques and algorithms that 

contribute to future satellite missions. The FY 2012 President's Budget enhances support for 

interdisciplinary science and NASA observational- and model-based contributions to national and 

international climate assessments, as well as provides increased key investments in scientific 

computing and space geodesy.

ES-3
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Plans for FY 2012

Earth Systematic Missions

In FY 2012, the President's Budget accelerates or initiates Systematic Missions recommended by 

the National Academies' 2007 decadal survey. Implementation of SMAP and ICESat-2 missions will 

continue with launches in late CY 2014 and CY 2016, respectively. Phase A formulation activities 

will be completed for the DESDynI mission, with the NASA effort focusing on the radar satellite 

while seeking partner contributions for the Lidar element. The DESDynI launch date will be 

determined based on Phase A studies conducted in FY 2011. Pre-Phase A studies will continue for 

the remaining Tier-1 decadal survey mission, the Climate Absolute Radiance and Refractivity 

Observatory (CLARREO). In addition, in conjunction with the U.S. Global Change Research 

Program (USGCRP), NASA has identified two key climate-related Tier-2 decadal survey missions 

and will continue pre-formulation activities toward a CY 2019 launch. 

 

The following other activities will be undertaken or accomplished in FY 2012: 

 

- The Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) project will complete its Systems Integration 

Review (SIR) and Key Decision Point (KDP)-D; 

 

- The NPOESS (National Polar-orbiting Operational Satellite System) Preparatory Project (NPP) 

will complete all pre-launch activities, launch, and conduct the initial on-orbit check out and 

instrument calibration and validation; 

 

- The Glory spacecraft will complete its on-orbit check out and deliver the first calibrated and 

validated Aerosol Polarimetry Sensor (APS) data products; 

 

- The Landsat Data Continuity Mission (LDCM) will complete the Flight Operations Review (FOR); 

 

- LDCM will complete the integration and testing of the observatory and the observatory Pre-Ship 

Review; 

 

- Soil Moisture Active and Passive (SMAP) will complete the mission Critical Design Review (CDR); 

 

- ICESat-2 will complete KDP-B and initiate the spacecraft contract; 

 

- DESDynI will complete its Phase A formulation activities; 

 

- The new Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) Follow-on continuity mission will 

complete a pre-formulation phase and enter into Phase A formulation; 

 

- The Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment (SAGE) III instrument will complete its 

International Space Station (ISS) accommodation assessment and initial instrument refurbishment; 

 

- The Tier II missions Surface Water Ocean Topography (SWOT) and Active Sensing of CO2 

Emissions over Nights, Days, and Seasons (ASCENDS) will complete their pre-Phase A activities 

and enter into formulation with the completion of KDP-A for each; and 

 

- The 13 operating missions will implement the direction from the Senior Review conducted in FY 

2011.

ES-4
Mission Directorate: Science

 

Theme: Earth Science

Plans for FY 2012

Earth System Science Pathfinder

The Earth System Science Pathfinder (ESSP) Program plans for FY 2012 include: 

- The Aquarius/ Satellite de Aplicaciones Cientificas (SAC)-D mission will complete its on orbit 

checkout and begin sustained observations; 

 

- The OCO-2 mission will see delivery of the spacecraft and the completion of the mission SIR, 

leading to a target launch readiness date of February 2013; 

 

- Continuation of the Earth Venture-class (EV)-1 sustained airborne science campaigns; 

 

- Selection of the winning proposals for EV-2, the first complete small mission Announcement of 

Opportunity (AO) (following release of the EV-2 AO in FY 2011); 

 

- Release of the first EV-Instrument AO for a facility class Earth Science Instrument of Opportunity 

and selection of the winning proposal(s); and 

 

- Continued on-orbit operation of GRACE, Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite 

Observations (CALIPSO), and CloudSat as determined by the 2011 Senior Review.

Earth Science Multi-Mission Operations

The Earth Science Multi-Mission Operations Program will continue to operate the Earth Observing 

System Data and Information System (EOSDIS), the Distributed Active Archive Centers (DAACs) 

and their accompanying functions, as well as Core System Science Data Processing Systems. The 

maintenance and operations of these systems are important to the collection of data from Earth 

Science satellites in orbit, as well as to the continuity of Earth science research efforts. NASA plans 

to continue support of the EOSDIS Evolution efforts to enable a service-oriented architecture 

between now and FY 2015, and to enable incorporation of the new, developing, and planned 

missions and Venture class aircraft investigations. 

 

Five-year Making Earth Science Data Records for Use in Research Environments (MEaSUREs) 

Projects began work in FY 2008 to continue NASA support of the development of multi-instrument 

Earth System Data Records, including Climate Data Records. An Advanced Collaborative 

Connections for Earth System Science (ACCESS) solicitation was released in ROSES-09, and 

ACCESS projects begun in FY 2010 will be completed in 2012. A new program, Earth System Data 

Records Uncertainty Analysis, has projects that are beginning in FY 2011. These Cooperative 

Agreements are proving valuable for keeping research and modeling communities actively involved 

with the EOSDIS architecture and informing core infrastructure evolution decisions.

ES-5
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Plans for FY 2012

Earth Science Technology

The Earth Science Technology Program (ESTP) will plan and implement development of new 

remote-sensing and information systems technologies for infusion into future science missions in 

order to enable, or dramatically enhance, measurements and data system capabilities. A key goal 

of the program is to support the core Earth Science missions as defined by the decadal survey, 

along with other climate-monitoring missions that are part of the architecture plan. ESTP will identify 

technology needs based upon measurement priorities established by the science community, 

leading to systematically developed technology requirements and assessments of risk. The 

program may conduct studies to assess measurement options for meeting technology performance 

requirements. Ideas to address technology requirements will be solicited through an open, 

competitive process. The program provides rigorous management of the tasks selected for award 

such that costs and risks are minimized. There are three technology focus areas supported by 

ESTP: Instrument Incubator, Advanced Information Systems, and Advanced Technology Initiatives. 

The FY 2012 President's Budget supports expansion of currently planned activities. 

 

For FY 2012, ongoing investigations will be managed in the Instrument Incubator, Advanced 

Information Systems Technology, and Advanced Component Technology areas. These 

investigations resulted from ROSES solicitations that occurred during FY 2010 and FY 2011. Each 

solicitation supported the expanded and accelerated mission set enabled by the President's Budget, 

including the Climate Initiative.

Applied Sciences

In FY 2012, the Applied Sciences Program will continue or initiate projects across a range of 

application areas, including health and air quality, water resources, disasters, and ecological 

forecasting. These projects are competitively selected through NASA's ROSES solicitations. In FY 

2012, the program will pursue increased joint projects with end-user organizations, representation 

in satellite mission teams, and continuation of capacity building efforts to build skills and capabilities 

for accessing and applying Earth observations data to benefit society. The FY 2012 President's 

Budget enables the program to initiate new solicitations, improve end-user involvement in early 

phase mission planning, support services provided by the NASA/USAID joint-funded SERVIR 

network, and improve the communication of results.

ES-6
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Relevance

Relevance to national priorities, relevant fields, and customer needs:

NASA's Earth Science Program uses unique capabilities in global Earth observations and models to 

discover scientific knowledge about the integrated Earth system. NASA provides the bulk of the 

global observations and research of USGCRP,and much of the observations and research that forms 

the basis for international scientific assessments of climate change. NASA activities contribute 

substantially to three Presidential initiatives (Integrated Global Earth Observations, the Ocean Policy 

Task Force, and the Climate Change Adaptation Task Force), three Congressional Initiatives 

(National Oceanographic Partnership Program, Global Change Research Act, and Clean Air Act 

Amendments), and two United Nations Assessments (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 

and Ozone Depletion). NASA is the largest funding contributor to the 13-agency USGCRP and a 

participating agency in the National Climate Assessments. NASA is working to implement 

recommendations made in the National Academies' decadal survey report, "Earth Observations and 

Applications from Space: National Imperatives for the Next Decade and Beyond" (2007), which 

expresses the priorities of the U.S. science community. 

 

NASA coordinates with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) on LDCM, a partnership that is evolving 

in keeping with the maturity of land cover remote sensing. Future Landsat missions will be funded 

through the USGS, with NASA serving as its acquisition agent. Similarly, NASA is a long-term partner 

with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for building and launching U.S. 

civilian weather satellites under reimbursable agreements. With the President's FY 2011 budget 

request, the Administration announced a restructuring of the NPOESS program. NASA and NOAA 

will take responsibility for the satellites operating in the afternoon orbit. The new Joint Polar Satellite 

System (JPSS) will be funded by NOAA, with NASA serving as the acquisition agency. NASA is also 

collaborating with NOAA to acquire key climate measurements and transition them into the 

operational satellite system.

Relevance to the NASA Mission and Strategic Goals:

Earth Science research supports NASA's Strategic Goal 2, to "Expand scientific understanding of the 

Earth and the universe in which we live."

ES-7
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Relevance to education and public benefits:

NASA consistently supports and develops programs to improve public understanding of the 

complexity of the global integrated Earth system and educate and train the next generation of 

scientists and engineers to ensure a robust workforce for this national endeavor. NASA is the largest 

contributor to GLOBE, an international program that involves students in making hands-on 

observations of Earth's environment and sharing them as part of an international community of 

learners. Infusing NASA Earth observations and scientific results, NASA supports innovative projects 

in formal and informal education to stimulate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics 

(STEM) learning in schools and engage the public. The DEVELOP Program (not an acronym) is a 

national high school and university student-led, student-run internship activity. NASA's Earth System 

Science Fellowship Program trains graduate students, while the New Investigator Program targets 

early-career scientists and engineers. NASA Earth science discoveries are reported almost daily 

through the world's media to engage students and the public to appreciate the complexity of the Earth 

system and global environment. 

 

Guided primarily by the 2007 National Academies' decadal survey for Earth science, NASA is 

executing an ambitious plan to answer questions regarding why and how the environment is 

changing, define the impacts of environmental change on humans, and identify how humans can 

mitigate the impact of environmental hazards. Through its work with other Federal agencies to 

improve their operational services, NASA Earth science advances capabilities in such areas as 

weather and air quality forecasting, climate prediction, and natural hazard and land use assessment.

ES-8
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Performance

Performance Commitments:

Measure # Description Contributing

Program (s)

Strategic Goal 2 Expand scientific understanding of the Earth and the 

universe in which we live.

Outcome 2.1 Advance Earth system science to meet the challenges of 

climate and environmental change.

Objective 2.1.1 Improve understanding of and improve the predictive 

capability for changes in the ozone layer, climate forcing, 

and air quality associated with changes in atmospheric 

composition.

Performance Goal 2.1.1.1 Provide national scientific capabilities through 

necessary skilled researchers and supporting knowledge 

base.

APG 

2.1.1.1: ES-12-1

Demonstrate planned progress in understanding and 

improving predictive capability for changes in the ozone layer, 

climate forcing, and air quality associated with changes in 

atmospheric composition. Progress relative to the objectives 

in NASA's 2010 Science Plan will be evaluated by external 

expert review.

Multiple Programs

Performance Goal 2.1.1.2 By 2015, launch at least two missions in support of this 

objective.

APG 

2.1.1.2: ES-12-2

Complete the Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 (OCO-2) 

Systems Integration Review.

Earth System 

Science Pathfinder

APG 

2.1.1.2: ES-12-3

Complete the Earth Venture 1 (EV-1) Investigation Readiness 

Reviews (IRR) and begin initial field campaigns.

Earth System 

Science Pathfinder

Objective 2.1.2 Enable improved predictive capability for weather and 

extreme weather events.

Performance Goal 2.1.2.1 Provide national scientific capabilities through 

necessary skilled researchers and supporting knowledge 

base.

APG 

2.1.2.1: ES-12-4

Demonstrate planned progress in enabling improved 

predictive capability for weather and extreme weather events. 

Progress relative to the objectives in NASA's 2010 Science 

Plan will be evaluated by external expert review.

Multiple Programs

Performance Goal 2.1.2.2 By 2015, launch at least two missions in support of this 

objective.

APG 

2.1.2.2 ES-12-5

Complete the Global Precipitation Mission (GPM) PreEnvironmental Review.

Earth Systematic 

Missions

APG 

2.1.2.2: ES-12-3

Complete the EV-1 Investigation Readiness Reviews (IRR) 

and begin initial field campaigns.

Earth System 

Science Pathfinder

ES-9
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Performance

Performance Commitments:

Measure # Description Contributing

Program (s)

Objective 2.1.3 Quantify, understand, and predict changes in Earth's 

ecosystems and biogeochemical cycles, including the 

global carbon cycle, land cover, and biodiversity.

Performance Goal 2.1.3.1 Provide national scientific capabilities through 

necessary skilled researchers and supporting knowledge 

base.

APG 

2.1.3.1: ES-12-6

Demonstrate planned progress in quantifying, understanding, 

and predicting changes in Earth's ecosystems and 

biogeochemical cycles, including the global carbon cycle, 

land cover, and biodiversity. Progress relative to the 

objectives in NASA's 2010 Science Plan will be evaluated by 

external expert review.

Multiple Programs

Performance Goal 2.1.3.2 By 2015, launch at least two missions in support of this 

objective.

APG 

2.1.3.2 ES-12-7

Complete the Landsat Data Continuity Mission (LDCM) 

Systems Integration Review.

Earth Systematic 

Missions

APG 

2.1.3.2: ES-12-2

Complete the Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 (OCO-2) 

Systems Integration Review.

Earth System 

Science Pathfinder

APG 

2.1.3.2: ES-12-3

Complete the Earth Venture 1 (EV-1) Investigation Readiness 

Reviews (IRR) and begin initial field campaigns.

Earth System 

Science Pathfinder

Objective 2.1.4 Quantify the key reservoirs and fluxes in the global water 

cycle and assess water cycle change and water quality.

Performance Goal 2.1.4.1 Provide national scientific capabilities through 

necessary skilled researchers and supporting knowledge 

base.

APG 

2.1.4.1: ES-12-8

Demonstrate planned progress in quantifying the key 

reservoirs and fluxes in the global water cycle and assessing 

water cycle change and water quality. Progress relative to the 

objectives in NASA's 2010 Science Plan will be evaluated by 

external expert review.

Multiple Programs

Performance Goal 2.1.4.2 By 2015, launch at least two missions in support of this 

objective.

APG 

2.1.4.2: ES-12-5

Complete the Global Precipitation Mission (GPM) PreEnvironmental Review.

Earth Systematic 

Missions

APG 

2.1.4.2: ES-12-9

Successfully complete the Soil Moisture Active-Passive 

(SMAP) Critical Design Review.

Earth Systematic 

Missions

Objective 2.1.5 Improve understanding of the roles of the ocean, 

atmosphere, land and ice in the climate system and 

improve predictive capability for its future evolution.

Performance Goal 2.1.5.1 Provide national scientific capabilities through 

necessary skilled researchers and supporting knowledge 

base.

APG 

2.1.5.1: ES-12-10

Demonstrate planned progress in understanding the roles of 

ocean, atmosphere, land, and ice in the climate system and 

improving predictive capability for future evolution. Progress 

relative to the objectives in NASA's 2010 Science Plan will be 

evaluated by external expert review.

Multiple Programs

APG 

2.1.5.1: ES-12-11

Achieve mission success criteria for the Ocean Surface 

Topography Mission (OSTM).

Earth Systematic 

Missions

ES-10
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Performance

Performance Commitments:

Measure # Description Contributing

Program (s)

Performance Goal 2.1.5.2 HPPG: Study Earth from space to understand climate 

change, weather, and human impact on our planet by 

launching at least two missions by 2015.

APG 

2.1.5.2: ES-12-12

Launch the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental 

Satellite System (NPOESS) Preparatory Project (NPP).

Earth Systematic 

Missions

Performance Goal 2.1.5.3 By 2015, launch at least three missions in support of this 

objective.

APG 

2.1.5.3: ES-12-13

Complete the ICESat-2 Preliminary Design Review. Earth System 

Science Pathfinder

APG 

2.1.5.3: ES-12-2

Complete the Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 (OCO-2) 

Systems Integration Review.

Earth System 

Science Pathfinder

Objective 2.1.6 Characterize the dynamics of Earth's surface and interior 

and form the scientific basis for the assessment and 

mitigation of natural hazards and response to rare and 

extreme events.

Performance Goal 2.1.6.1 Provide national scientific capabilities through 

necessary skilled researchers and supporting knowledge 

base.

APG 

2.1.6.1: ES-12-14

Demonstrate planned progress in characterizing the 

dynamics of 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. Progress 

relative to the objectives in NASA's 2010 Science Plan will be 

evaluated by external expert review.

Multiple Programs

Performance Goal 2.1.6.2 By 2015, launch at least one mission in support of this 

objective.

APG 

2.1.6.2: ES-12-7

Complete the Landsat Data Continuity Mission (LDCM) 

Systems Integration Review.

Earth Systematic 

Missions

Objective 2.1.7 Enable the broad use of Earth system science 

observations and results in decision-making activities 

for societal benefits.

Performance Goal 2.1.7.1 Provide national scientific capabilities through 

necessary skilled researchers and supporting knowledge 

base.

APG 

2.1.7.1: ES-12-15

Advance at least 25 percent of decision-support projects at 

least one Applications Readiness Level.

Applied Sciences

APG 

2.1.7.1: ES-12-16

Increase the number of science data products delivered to 

Earth Observing System Data and Information System 

(EOSDIS) users.

Earth Science 

Research

APG 

2.1.7.1: ES-12-17

Maintain a high level of customer satisfaction, as measured 

by exceeding the most recently available federal government 

average rating of the Customer Satisfaction Index.

Earth Science 

Research

ES-11
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Uniform and Efficiency Measures:

Measure # Description

Earth Science Theme

APG 

EFF 2.1.7.1: ES-12-16

Increase the number of science data products delivered to Earth Observing 

System Data and Information System (EOSDIS) users.

APG 

EFF 2.1.7.1: ES-12-17

Maintain a high level of customer satisfaction, as measured by exceeding the 

most recently available federal government average rating of the Customer 

Satisfaction Index.

APG 

EFF: ES-12-20

Complete all development projects within 110 percent of the cost and schedule 

baseline.

APG 

EFF: ES-12-21

Deliver at least 90 percent of scheduled operating hours for all operations and 

research facilities.

APG 

EFF: ES-12-22

Peer-review and competitively award at least 90 percent, by budget, of research 

projects.

Reduce time within which 80 percent of NASA Research Announcement (NRA) 

grants are awarded, from proposal due date to selection, by four percent per year, 

with a goal of 180 days.

APG 

EFF: ES-12-23

ES-12
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Performance Achievement Highlights:

Using nearly a decade of NASA satellite ocean measurements from the Sea-viewing Wide Field-ofview Sensor (SeaWiFS), a study appearing in the April issue of Ecology showed that the classic North 

Atlantic bloom, an explosive ocean plant growth, does not begin in the spring, as thought for 100 

years, but rather in the middle of winter, and is the result of ocean mixing interfering with predator-prey 

interactions of marine ecosystems. The massive high-latitude phytoplankton blooms supporting 

fisheries and ocean uptake of CO2 have been discovered to begin in midwinter when low light, low 

temperatures, and severe storms make growing conditions poorest. Stormy winter conditions initiate 

biological productivity and may be dampened by climate change, thus reducing ocean CO2 uptake 

and impacting fisheries. This finding overturns a century-old paradigm on blooms, and suggests that 

future climate warming could be devastating to these economically and environmentally important 

ocean regions. 

 

Researchers have analyzed time series data from Terra's Moderate Resolution Imaging 

Spectroradiometer (MODIS) in combination with climate data and reported a slight ten-year decline in 

global terrestrial plant productivity of one percent from 2000 through 2009 (a six percent increase was 

reported for 1982 through 1999 in 2003). The analysis shows that since 2000, high-latitude northern 

hemisphere forests have continued to benefit from warmer temperatures and a longer growing 

season. However, warming-associated drought limited growth in the southern hemisphere and offset 

the increases in the northern hemisphere, resulting in a net global loss of productivity. A continued 

decline in global productivity will weaken the terrestrial carbon sink and intensify the pressures on 

ecosystems for food, fiber, and biofuel production. Continued monitoring will be essential to explain 

whether this new trend is an example of decadal variability or a turning point to overall declines in 

productivity. 

 

During an airborne campaign in spring 2010, nicknamed GloPac, NASA's Global Hawk unmanned 

aerial system (UAS) carried 11 instruments to sample the chemical composition of air in Earth's two 

lowest atmospheric layers (the stratosphere and troposphere), profile the dynamics and meteorology 

of both, and observe the distribution of clouds and aerosol particles. The instruments are operated by 

scientists and technicians from seven science institutions and are funded by NASA and the NOAA. 

The GloPac mission showed that the Global Hawk aircraft is a revolutionary tool for Earth science 

research, proven to be a science platform that can fly to altitudes of 65,000 feet for long-duration 

flights approaching 30 hours. This successful experiment was followed by another equally successful 

mission called the Genesis and Rapid Intensification Processes (GRIP) experiment, designed to bring 

new insight into how hurricanes form and intensify. NASA enjoyed a historic day for its hurricane 

research on September 2, 2010, as flew the Global Hawk over hurricane Earl, marking the first time 

the unmanned drone flew over a fully formed hurricane. The Global Hawk was piloted and based from 

NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center (DFRC), in Palmdale, California, while flying for up to 20 hours 

in the vicinity of hurricanes in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. The GRIP campaign was the first multiplatform field campaign using a UAS; other platforms included the NASA WB-57F and DC-8, as well 

as aircraft from other agencies flown in coordination with NASA's. In order to determine how a tropical 

cyclone will behave, the instruments gathered data to analyze many factors, including cloud droplet 

and aerosol concentrations, air temperature, wind speed and direction in storms and on the ocean's 

surface, air pressure, humidity, lightning, aerosols, and water vapor. The data both complement and 

validate the observations from NASA's satellites.

ES-13
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Independent Reviews:

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review

Relevance NASA 

Advisory 

Council (NAC)

09/2010 NASA Advisory Council (NAC) Science 

Committee - Review science strategy and 

implementation strategy for the Earth Science 

programs.

2011

Relevance National 

Academies

N/A National Academies - per Authorization Act of 

2005, perform a quinquennial review of scientific 

progress against decadal survey 

recommendations.

2011

Relevance National 

Academies

01/2007 National Academies - Decadal survey of 

effectiveness and quality of the Earth Science 

programs. First time a decadal survey was 

developed for Earth science. For more 

information: http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?

record_id=11820.

2016

ES-14
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Program: Earth Science Research

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

375.8 - 409.6 419.0 427.3 436.7 444.6

Earth Science Research and 

Analysis

275.7 - 304.0 311.1 316.6 324.2 330.9

Computing and Management 100.1 - 105.7 107.8 110.8 112.5 113.7

Note:

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated 

account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project amounts shown above. The allocation to each project

is reflected in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 

2010 and FY 2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

Program Overview

The Earth Science Research Program aims to advance understanding of the Earth system, its 

components and their interactions, its changes, and the consequences of these changes for life. 

Earth system processes occur on a continuum of spatial and temporal scales and affect weather, 

climate, air quality, water resources, biodiversity, and other environmental aspects. The program 

pioneers the use of remote sensing data, primarily space-based, in new and innovative ways, and 

leverages NASA's unique capabilities in global Earth observation. 

 

Earth Science Research sponsors basic disciplinary and interdisciplinary research, Earth system 

modeling efforts, the Airborne Science project (which provides access to aircraft and unmanned 

aircraft systems), and supercomputing efforts supporting a variety of programs, as well as education 

and outreach. 

 

For more information, please see http://nasascience.nasa.gov/earth-science/.

ES-15
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Program: Earth Science Research

Plans For FY 2012

The Research and Analysis (R&A) project constitutes the core of the program and accounts for about 

half of its total budget. It is mostly competed via the annual SMD ROSES solicitations. ROSES-11, 

released in February 2011, will result in grants funded with FY 2012 funding and two subsequent 

years. The project will also continue funding research tasks solicited in ROSES-10 and ROSES-09 as 

they progress into their second and third years, respectively. The research portfolio includes the 

Interdisciplinary Science project, also competed in ROSES, with a focus on research in 

interdisciplinary areas such as sea level change, water and energy cycle impacts of biomass burning, 

and integrated Earth system responses to extreme disturbances. Other competitive grant projects are 

the carbon cycle science team and the Earth science education and outreach activity. The remaining 

activities include directed funding to NASA Centers for Space Geodesy (for development and 

operation of the geodetic networks), high-end computing and scientific computing, and global 

modeling and data assimilation. 

 

The FY 2012 President's Budget enhances support for interdisciplinary science, for observational and 

model-based contributions to national and international climate assessments, for work towards a 

Carbon Monitoring System (CMS), specifically the development of two pilot products, and for a 

scoping study and increased investment in scientific computing and space geodesy. The two pilot 

products from CMS are a terrestrial biomass pilot product and an integrated emission/uptake (flux) 

pilot product. The terrestrial biomass pilot product utilizes satellite and in situ data, produces national 

quantitative estimates (and uncertainties) of above-ground terrestrial vegetation biomass and 

assesses the ability of these results to meet the nation's need for monitoring carbon storage and 

sequestration. NASA will demonstrate how well biomass can be quantified with high quality remotely 

sensed data (e.g., airborne lidar) taken at fine spatial resolution for selected sites representative of 

U.S. forest types and conditions. Sites with intensive inventory measurements will be selected so that 

comparisons with county, state, and national carbon and biomass inventory products can be made. 

The accuracy of and uncertainties within the national biomass map product will be evaluated using 

these high-resolution products for validation. The integrated emission/uptake (flux) pilot product 

combines satellite data with modeled atmospheric transport initiated by observationally constrained 

terrestrial and oceanic models to tie the atmospheric observations to surface exchange processes 

and estimates the atmosphere-biosphere CO2 exchange processes.

ES-16
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Program: Earth Science Research

Project Descriptions and Explanation of Changes

Earth Science Research and Analysis

The Earth Science Research Program area consists of multiple projects and science teams that 

support the diverse R&A goals. 

 

Research and Analysis: The Earth Science project is the core of the research program and funds the 

analysis and interpretation of data from NASA's satellites, as well as a full range of underlying 

scientific activity needed to establish a rigorous base for the satellite data and their use in 

computational models (for both assimilation and forecasting). The complexity of the Earth system, in 

which spatial and temporal variability exists on a range of scales, requires an organized approach for 

addressing complex, interdisciplinary problems, taking care to recognize the objective of integrating 

science across the programmatic elements towards a comprehensive understanding of the Earth 

system. The resulting structure comprises six interdisciplinary and interrelated science focus areas: 

climate variability and change; atmospheric composition; carbon cycle, ecosystems, and 

biogeochemistry; water and energy cycles; weather; and Earth surface and interior. Additionally, the 

R&A project addresses the Earth system and the interactions between its components, 

characterizing them on a broad range of spatial and temporal scales to understand the naturally 

occurring and human-induced processes that drive the overall system. 

 

Airborne Science: Airborne Science funds NASA's Earth science manned and unmanned aircraft. 

The project supports the operation of a range of NASA-owned and leased aircraft, including the ER2, DC-8, WB-57, P-3, Twin Otter, B-200, and the Global Hawk and other UAS. These assets are 

deployed in campaigns conducted around the world to investigate extreme weather events (e.g., 

hurricanes), observe Earth system processes, obtain data for Earth science modeling activities, and 

calibrate instruments flying aboard Earth science spacecraft. NASA will continue IceBridge, an 

Airborne Science campaign, conducted to bridge the gap between ICESat and ICESat-2 

observations. This activity, focusing on changes in Greenland, Arctic, and Antarctic ice, will continue 

each year until ICESat-2's launch in 2016. 

 

Interdisciplinary Science: Interdisciplinary Science supports science investigations and calibration 

and validation activities that ensure the utility of spaceborne measurements. In addition, it supports 

focused field work (e.g., airborne campaigns) and specific facility instruments that are heavily relied 

upon in field work. 

 

Carbon Cycle Science: The Carbon Cycle Science project funds research on the distribution and 

cycling of carbon among the Earth's active land, ocean, and atmospheric reservoirs. 

 

Global Modeling and Assimilation Office: The Global Modeling and Assimilation Office, located at 

Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), creates global climate and Earth system component models 

using data from Earth science satellites and aircraft. These products can then be used by 

investigators worldwide to further their research. 

 

Ozone Trends Science: The Ozone Trends Science project has the overall goal of producing a 

consistent, calibrated ozone time series that can be used for trend analyses and other studies.

ES-17
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Program: Earth Science Research

Earth Science Research and Analysis (continued)

Education and Outreach Activity: The Education and Outreach Activity supports NASA's educational 

goals and communicate the results from Earth science missions and research. It also continues the 

worldwide implementation and U.S. coordination of the GLOBE Program. 

 

Fellowships and New Investigators: The Fellowships and New Investigators project supports 

graduate and early-career research, respectively, that is relevant of Earth system research and 

applied science. 

 

Space Geodesy: The Space Geodesy project provides global geodetic positioning and supports the 

establishment of needed geodetic reference frames in support of climate change and geohazards 

research and applications and their associated missions. The FY 2012 President's Budget will 

support the construction of the prototype for the next generation ground station for this network, 

whose development has been underway for several years.

Computing and Management

The Computing and Management area consists of three projects: 

 

High-End Computing Capability - The High-End Computing Capability (HECC) project at Ames 

Research Center is focused around the Columbia and Pleiades supercomputer systems and the 

associated network connectivity, data storage, data analysis, visualization, and application software 

support. SMD currently funds and manages HECC resources, which serve the supercomputing 

needs of all NASA Mission Directorates as well as principal investigators at universities. SMD 

funding supports the operation, maintenance, and upgrade of NASA's supercomputing capability, 

while the Strategic Capabilities Assets Program exercises oversight and insight functions. In 2010, 

approximately 29,000 processors were added to the Pleiades supercomputer system. This system, 

with a total of about 82,000 processors, supports NASA's aeronautics, exploration, space operation,

and science missions. 

 

Scientific Computing - Scientific Computing funds NASA's Earth Science "Discover" computing 

system, software engineering, and user interface projects at GSFC, including assessment modeling 

carried out at the Goddard Institute for Space Studies. Scientific Computing supports Earth science 

modeling activities based on data collected by Earth science spacecraft. An additional 14,400 

processors were added to the Discover cluster to accommodate increasing requirements in modeling 

and data analysis. The FY 2012 President's Budget provides increased support for hardware 

procurement and development of software systems designed to facilitate use of NASA computational 

hardware. 

 

Directorate Support - The Directorate Support project contributes to the SMD institutional budget. It 

funds Directorate cross-cutting activities (i.e., National Academies, NASA Peer Review, printing and 

graphics, IT budget, NASA Postdoctoral program, working group support, independent assessment 

studies, and other Directorate administrative tasks).

ES-18
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Program: Earth Science Research

Program Commitments

Commitment/Output

FY 2012

Program/Project Changes from

FY 2011 PB Request

Issue competed, peer-reviewed research 

awards.

Research and Analysis; Airborne 

Science (flight opportunities)

Maximize resource utilization (i.e., computing 

cycles) in supercomputer projects.

Scientific Computing; HECC

Competitively selected airborne mission teams. Continue operation ICEBridge

Competitively selected shipborne mission team. ICEScape (deployment #2)

Competitively selected airborne mission teams. Mid-latitude Airborne Cirrus Properties 

Experiment (MACPEX)

Support National Climate Assessments Support data products, investigators 

and workshops

Increase the number of science data products 

delivered to Earth Observing System Data and 

Information System (EOSDIS) users.

Earth Science Research

Maintain a high level of customer satisfaction, as 

measured by exceeding the most recently 

available federal government average rating of 

Earth Science Research

the Customer Satisfaction Index.

ES-19
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Program:

HECC Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Jan-05

Sep-05

Aug-05

Dec-23

Form

Scientific Computing Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Jan-95 Dec-23

Form

Airborne Science Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Jan-90 Dec-23

Form

R&A, IDS Science, 

Carbon Cycle Science, 

Ozone Trends, Global 

Modeling and 

Assimilation Office, 

Space Geodesy, 

Education and 

Outreach, Fellowships 

and New Investigators 

(all ongoing research 

efforts)

Tech

Dev

Ops

Res Jan-90 Dec-23

Form

Development (Dev)

Formulation (Form)

Represents a period of no activity for the Project

Operations (Ops)

Research (Res)

Tech & Adv Concepts (Tech)

Earth Science Research

Implementation Schedule

Prior 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Beg End

Project Schedule by Fiscal Year Phase Dates

ES-20
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Program: Earth Science Research

Program Management

The Earth Science Theme manages the research program. GSFC implements scientific computing 

and the Ames Research Center (ARC) implements HECC.

Project Management

Responsibility

NASA Center 

Performers

Cost-Sharing Partners

R&A Earth Science Theme, 

Science Mission 

Directorate

Mostly competitive 

awards

USGCRP participating agencies and 

Subcommittee on Ocean Science and 

Technology (SOST) participating 

agencies

Interdisciplinary Science Earth Science Theme, 

Science Mission 

Directorate

Mostly competitive 

awards

USGCRP participating agencies and 

SOST participating agencies

Carbon Cycle Science Team Earth Science Theme, 

Science Mission 

Directorate

GSFC, Jet 

Propulsion 

Laboratory (JPL), 

ARC

USGCRP participating agencies and 

SOST participating agencies

Ozone Trends Science Earth Science Theme, 

Science Mission 

Directorate

GSFC and Langley 

Research Center 

(LaRC)

USGCRP participating agencies and 

SOST participating agencies

Airborne Science Earth Science Theme, 

Science Mission 

Directorate

GSFC/Wallops 

Flight Facility, 

DFRC, and ARC are 

the primary Centers 

involved in this 

project.

The Federal Aviation Administration, 

the Department of Defense, the 

Department of Energy, the National 

Science Foundation, and NOAA 

(Department of Commerce)

High-End Computing Capability Earth Science Theme, 

Science Mission 

Directorate

NASA Advanced 

Supercomputing, 

ARC

Department of Energy and the 

Department of Defense

Scientific Computing Earth Science Theme, 

Science Mission 

Directorate

NASA Center for 

Computational 

Sciences, GSFC

Department of Energy and the 

Department of Defense

Global Modeling and 

Assimilation Office (formerly 

Data Assimilation Office)

Earth Science Theme, 

Science Mission 

Directorate

GSFC None

Space Geodesy Earth Science Theme, 

Science Mission 

Directorate

GSFC, JPL None

Earth Science Education and 

Outreach Activity

Science Mission 

Directorate

N/A (various nonNASA organizations)National Science Foundation's 

Component of the Global Learning and 

Observations to Benefit the 

Environment (GLOBE)

Fellowships and New 

Investigators

Science Mission 

Directorate

N/A (various nonNASA organizations)None

Acquisition Strategy

The Earth Science Research Program is based on full and open competition. Proposals in response 

to NASA ROSES and other related announcements are peer reviewed and selected based on 

defined criteria.

ES-21
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Program: Earth Science Research

Independent Reviews

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review

Relevance NAC Earth 

Science 

Subcommittee 

(ESS)

2011 The NASA Advisory Council ESS reviews 

progress towards Earth Science objectives in 

the NASA Strategic Plan annually. 

During its 2010 meeting, the ESS reviewed and 

rated the ESD science metrics based on 

submitted accomplishments and peer-reviewed 

publications for FY 2010 in support of reporting 

requirements of the Government Performance 

and Results Act of 1993. All six science focus 

areas were rated "green" as documented in the 

FY 2010 Performance and Accountability 

Report.

2012

ES-22
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Program: Earth Systematic Missions

FY 2012 Budget Request

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010

Ann CR.

FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

Global Precipitation Measurement 

(GPM)

Glory Mission

Landsat Data Continuity Mission 

(LDCM)

NPOESS Preparatory Project 

(NPP)

Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation 

Satellite (ICESat-II)

Soil Moisture Active and Passive 

(SMAP)

Other Missions and Data Analysis

705.2 -

155.0 -

31.8 -

106.0 -

82.1 -

38.9 -

70.0 -

221.5 -

816.5

83.8

5.3

152.0

13.6

102.1

135.2

324.6

838.7

68.7

3.8

64.1

6.4

159.4

172.3

364.0

761.6

41.4

6.1

1.5

6.3

128.8

31.1

546.4

763.2

27.2

5.9

1.5

6.0

83.1

29.6

609.9

810.7

20.1

6.0

1.6

5.5

28.6

14.5

734.5

Note: The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, 

NASA is operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column 

reflect the annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated 

account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project amounts shown above. The allocation to each project

is reflected in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 

2010 and FY 2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

ES-23
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Program: Earth Systematic Missions

Program Overview

The Earth Systematic Missions Program (ESMP) is responsible for developing facility (non-Principal 

Investigator (PI)-led) Earth observing research satellite missions, supporting and overseeing the 

operation of NASA facility research missions once on orbit, and producing standard mission products 

in support of NASA and national research, applications, and policy communities. In contrast with the 

PI-led missions in the Earth System Science Pathfinder (ESSP) Program, which are generally smaller 

and have highly focused scientific objectives, Earth Systematic Missions are designed to provide 

measurements and support for a wide a range of NASA science foci. Eight of the 13 presently onorbit research missions for which NASA had development responsibility are operated under ESMP 

oversight (the U.S. Geological Survey operates Landsat-7, operational responsibility for OSTM/Jason-2

was transferred to NOAA as planned during FY 2009, and the Earth System Science Pathfinder 

(ESSP) program manages GRACE, CloudSat, and CALIPSO). Four of the five foundational missions 

presently in development are in the Earth Systematic Mission program (Glory, NPP, LDCM, and 

GPM). The National Academies' Earth science and applications decadal survey identifies 15 

additional systematic NASA research missions that will be developed in the ESMP. Of these decadal 

survey missions, the President's FY 2012 budget provides funds for developing the first two Tier-1 

systematic missions, SMAP and ICESat-2, for launch in 2014 and 2016, respectively. A third Tier I 

mission, DESDynI, will complete its pre-formulation pre-Phase A analysis of developmental option in 

FY 2012, during this time NASA will determine the most effective implementation approach for the 

combined Radar + Lidar mission. NASA will continue pre-phase A studies for the remaining Tier I 

mission, CLARREO, Additionally, the President's Budget allows expansion of the ESMP mission 

portfolio to include the development of the SAGE-III instrument for observing from the ISS (flightready in 2014), the development and launch of a GRACE-FO (follow-on) gapfiller mission in 

collaboration with DLR (2016 launch), the development and launch by FY 2020 of the PACE ocean 

color and aerosol mission, and advancement of twoTier-II Decadal Survey missions, SWOT and 

ASCENDS, selected for acceleration by NASA in consultation with USGCRP. 

 

Interagency and international partnerships play key roles in the ESMP. Seven of the on-orbit missions 

provide data products in near-real time for use by U.S. and international meteorological agencies and 

disaster responders. Five of the on-orbit missions involved significant international or interagency 

collaboration in development, and the five-satellite A-Train formation-flying constellation (Aqua, 

CloudSat, CALIPSO, Aura, Polarization & Anisotropy of Reflectances for Atmospheric Sciences 

coupled with Observations from a Lidar (PARASOL)) consists of both NASA and international 

missions. Two of the four ESMP foundational missions presently in development involve interagency 

collaboration (NPP, LDCM), while GPM is a joint development between NASA and the Japanese 

Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). Finally, the upcoming climate missions GRACE FO and PreAerosol, Clouds, and ocean Ecosystem (PACE), and SWOT, a Tier II decadal survey mission, include 

significant international collaboration, as well. Partnering opportunities for DESDynl will be examined. 

 

For more information, see http://science.hq.nasa.gov/missions/earth.html.

ES-24
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Program:

 

Earth Systematic Missions

Plans For FY 2012

The President's Budget enables a wide range of ESMP activities during FY 2012. The Glory mission 

will be conducting its initial on-orbit checkout and validation in FY 2012, including the integration of 

the satellite into the A-Train constellation and the first evaluation of merged constellation data 

products and observations with Glory. The NPP mission will launch at the start of FY 2012 (October 

2011) and will complete its initial on-orbit check out and calibration and validation activities. The Tier-1

decadal survey missions will pursue pre-formulation, formulation and implementation activities and 

milestone reviews targeting launches in November 2014 for SMAP and 2016 for ICESat-2. The 

launch plans for the DESDynI mission will be informed by the critical Phase A trade studies focused 

on implementation options and partnership possibilities. Increases in ESMP activities will be 

consistent with the focused expansion of the mission portfolio enabled by the budget, including 

initiation of the GRACE follow-on (GRACE FO) mission (2016 launch target), the PACE ocean color 

mission (FY 2020 target), and refurbishment activities to allow the SAGE-III instrument to be ready for 

flight on the ISS by CY 2014). The ASCENDS and SWOT Tier II decadal survey and selected 

continuity missions identified by NASA and the U.S. Global Change Research program for 

accelerated launches in the CY 2017-2020 time frame will also be entering into formulation in FY 

2012. 

 

The following specific activities will be undertaken or accomplished in FY 2012: 

- Glory will complete its checkout and scientific validations, and begin routine data acquisition; 

- GPM will complete its PER, SIR, and KDP-D and begin observatory level environmental testing; 

- NPP is scheduled to launch October 2011 and will complete its initial on-orbit validation; 

- LDCM will complete its spacecraft integration and test, and the Thermal Infrared Sensor (TIRS) and 

Operational Land Imager (OLI) instruments will be delivered to the spacecraft and KDP-D will be held; 

- LDCM will conduct the majority of the Observatory level environmental testing and the FOR; 

- SMAP will complete CDR; 

- ICESat-2 will complete its mission Preliminary Design Review (PDR) and complete its confirmation 

review; 

- DESDynI will complete its pre-Phase A activities; 

- The GRACE FO mission will complete its Phase A formulation period and KDP-B; 

- The SAGE III instrument will complete ISS accommodation assessment and will begin 

refurbishment; 

- The PACE mission will complete pre-formulation activities and enter into Phase A; 

- The decadal survey Tier-II SWOT mission will complete its pre-formulation activities and enter into 

Phase A early in FY2012; 

- The decadal survey Tier II ASCENDS mission will complete its pre-formulation activities and enter 

into Phase A at the end of FY 2012; and 

- The operating missions will continue with operations as directed following the FY 2011 bi-annual 

Senior Review.

ES-25
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Program: Earth Systematic Missions

Project Descriptions and Explanation of Changes

Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Mission

Extending precipitation measurements beyond the current TRMM, the foundational mission GPM will 

provide detailed, frequent measurements of precipitation including rain rates and droplet size 

distributions. A joint mission between NASA and JAXA, GPM's two instruments will make valuable 

direct precipitation measurements and allow precise characterization of many other on-orbit NASA 

and partner instruments, enabling first-ever, accurate, near-global precipitation maps to be produced. 

GPM data will contribute to improved operational meteorological predictions, as well as to advances 

in the NASA science focus areas of climate variability and change, water and energy cycles, and 

weather. Additional GPM information is available under the Project in Development section of this 

document.

Glory Mission

Glory will provide unique measurements of the global distributions and scattering properties of 

natural and anthropogenic aerosols, as well as continue the nearly 30-year time series of total solar 

irradiance measurements. The NASA science focus areas advanced by Glory data include: 

atmospheric composition; carbon cycle, ecosystems, and biogeochemistry; climate variability, and 

change; and water and energy cycles. Additional Glory information is available under the Project in 

Development section of this document.

Landsat Data Continuity Mission (LDCM)

LDCM, a collaboration between NASA and the U.S. Geological Survey, will provide moderateresolution (15-120 meter, depending on spectral frequency) measurements of Earth's terrestrial 

and polar regions in the visible, near-infrared, and thermal infrared. LDCM will provide continuity with 

the 38-year long Landsat land imaging data set. In addition to widespread routine use for water use 

monitoring, land use planning and monitoring on regional to local scales, and support of disaster 

response and evaluations, LDCM measurements directly serve NASA research in Earth surface 

and interior, and carbon cycle, ecosystems, water cycle, and biogeochemistry focus areas. NASA's 

LDCM responsibilities include development of the LDCM visible/near-infrared and thermal infrared 

instruments, provision of the spacecraft and launch vehicle, and design/implementation of the USGSfunded Mission Operations Element. LDCM is being managed to a target December 2012 launch 

date, while reporting an external commitment date of June 2013. Additional LDCM information is 

available under the Project in Development section of this document.

NPOESS Preparatory Project (NPP)

NPP is a NASA research mission involving a collaboration between NASA, NOAA, and DoD, 

designed to extend selected scientific data sets initiated by the NASA Earth Observing System and 

to serve as risk reduction demonstrations for key instruments to be used in the Nation's future 

operational meteorological satellite systems. NPP is scheduled to launch in October 2011 and will 

ensure critical continuity in the nation's operational meteorological measurements from the afternoon 

orbit. The five instruments on NPP will 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 NPP will include: atmospheric composition; climate 

variability and change; carbon cycle, ecosystems, and biogeochemistry; water and energy cycles; 

and weather. Additional NPP information is available under the Project in Development section of 

this document.

ES-26
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Program: Earth Systematic Missions

Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite-2 (ICESat-2)

ICESat-2, a Tier-1 decadal survey mission that entered into formulation in FY 2010 and is being 

developed for a target launch in 2016, will continue the time series of precision ice topography 

measurements initiated by ICESat and extended in selected areas by the IceBridge campaigns. Time 

series of land ice topography in particular address a key open issue in climate modeling and 

prediction, the detailed mechanisms controlling ice sheet dynamics, and how these may change with 

changing climate. ICESat-2 measurements of land ice topography, sea ice extent and freeboard, and 

vegetation canopy height will address a range of NASA science investigations in the areas of 

cryospheric science; climate variability and change; and carbon cycle, ecosystems, and 

biogeochemistry. ICESat-2 is the planned follow-on mission to ICESat, measuring elements of icesheet mass balance and land surface topography to quantify the contribution to the current and 

recent sea level changes from changes in ice quantities and to establish linkages to climate change. 

Additional ICESat-2 information is available under the Project in Formulation section of this 

document.

Soil Moisture Active and Passive (SMAP)

The SMAP mission, a Tier-1 decadal survey mission, will provide new global measurements of soil 

moisture and land its freeze/thaw state at high latitudes, enabling new advances in hydrospheric 

science and applications. Direct measurements of soil moisture and freeze/thaw state are needed to 

improve understanding of regional and global water cycles, terrestrial ecosystems, and the 

processes that link the water, energy, and carbon cycles. Soil moisture and freeze/thaw information 

provided by SMAP will lead to improved weather forecasts, flood and drought forecasts, and 

predictions of agricultural productivity and climate change, as well as improved understanding of the 

sources and sinks of carbon. Additional SMAP information is available under the Project in 

Formulation section.

Deformation, Ecosystem Structure, and Dynamics of Ice (DESDynI)

The DESDynI mission is a Tier-1 decadal survey mission that is intended to make global 

measurements using an L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) instrument and a vegetation lidar 

on two separate spacecraft. The overall DESDynI radar/lidar mission will greatly advance studies 

and understanding of climate through measurements of ice sheet velocities and quantification of 

terrestrial vegetation biomass, critically important for closing the global carbon cycle. The mission's 

interferometric SAR data will be vital to investigation of solid Earth processes and natural hazards 

such as earthquakes and volcanoes by observing accumulated stresses in the solid Earth. The 

President's FY 2012 Budget supports continued pre-formulation activities for the DESDynI mission, 

with the studies focused on defining an appropriate collaboration mission utilizing a NASA radar 

satellite and a partner-contributed lidar satellite. The mission launch readiness date (LRD) target and 

initial implementation approach will be determined by the end of FY 2012.

Climate Absolute Radiance and Refractivity Observatory (CLARREO)

The CLARREO mission, a Tier-1 decadal survey mission, is intended to make precision, stable 

measurements of the Earth's radiation budget for detection of long-term changes in the climate 

system and its radiation-related feedback mechanisms during the mission lifetime. The President's 

FY 2012 Budget provides for an extended Phase A period for the mission definition. During this 

extended Phase A the mission and science team will work to identify implementation options for 

obtaining elements of the measurement suite outside of a dedicated series of CLARREO satellites.

ES-27
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Program: Earth Systematic Missions

Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT)

The SWOT mission is a Tier II decadal survey mission that will revolutionize knowledge of the 

surface water inventory on the continents by precisely measuring of water levels in some three 

million lakes and water bodies and the discharge of all major rivers. Likewise, SWOT sea surface 

topography data will illuminate ocean circulation as never before, aiding climate modeling and 

prediction. SWOT is a partnership mission with CNES, the French space agency. In FY 2012 NASA 

will complete the pre-formulation activities and enter in Phase A formulation.

Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment (SAGE III) on the ISS

The SAGE III instrument is an existing grating spectrometer that measures ultraviolet/visible energy. 

In 2009, the SAGE-III instrument was removed from storage and successfully passed initial aliveness 

tests. The President's FY 2012 Budget provides an opportunity to refurbish and recalibrate the 

instrument for possible flight on the ISS by CY 2014. Observing from the ISS, SAGE III will provide 

near-global, long-term measurements of key components of the 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 will also provide unique stratospheric and 

mesospheric temperature measurements of temperature in the stratosphere and mesosphere and 

profiles of trace gases such as water vapor and nitrogen dioxide that play significant roles in 

atmospheric radiative and chemical processes. In FY 2012 NASA will complete an ISS 

accommodation assessment and initial instrument refurbishment.

Active Sensing of CO2 Emissions over Nights, Days, and Seasons (ASCENDS)

The ASCENDS mission was recommended by the National Academies' Earth Science decadal 

survey as the next technological advancement of CO2 observations from space after the operation 

of OCO. ASCENDS is designed to sample the total column abundance of CO2 around the planet 

with precision and accuracy sufficient to improve our understanding of the sources and sinks of 

atmospheric CO2. ASCENDS is an active system, currently being designed to use the same spectral 

channels used on OCO-2, using on-board lasers as the light source, and measuring the back 

reflectance of the laser signals to monitor changes in CO2. The measurements from the active 

ASCENDS instruments will continue and complement the OCO-2 measurements. In FY2012, NASA 

will continue the pre-Phase A work started in FY 2011 and will define the acquisition and 

implementation strategy with the completion of the Acquisition Strategy Planning Meeting.

Pre-Aerosol, Clouds, and Ecosystem Mission (PACE)

The 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, as well as polarimetry 

measurements to provide extended data records on clouds and aerosols. Global ocean color 

measurements will be made by a radiometer instrument while a polarimeter instrument will extend 

data records on aerosols and clouds using the approach begun by the French PARASOL mission. 

The President's FY 2012 budget request enables PACE's development for launch by about 2020. 

The mission will extend key climate data records.

ES-28
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Program: Earth Systematic Missions

Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment - Follow On (GRACE FO)

The GRACE mission, launched in March 2002, has acquired precision measurements of the Earth's 

time-varying gravitational field with a precision that led to great discoveries in understanding the 

Earth system including significant keys to climate change research and future climate adaptation. 

GRACE FO will continue to map the Earth's gravitational field and its monthly variability by making 

accurate measurements of the distance between its two satellites, using GPS and a microwave 

ranging system. It is being designed and developed as a NASA-DLR partnership, following the 

successful approach used to launch and operate the original GRACE mission. In FY 2011, the 

GRACE FO mission will complete its Acquisition Strategy Planning Meeting and its pre-Phase A 

activities. It will complete its KDP-A gate review and enter into formulation in FY 2012, completing 

the KDP-B transition at the end of FY 2012.

Other Missions and Data Analysis

Ocean Surface Topography Mission (OSTM) (also known as Jason-2) - OSTM measures sea 

surface height to an accuracy of less than four centimeters every ten days. The science focus areas 

served by OSTM include climate variability and change and water and energy cycles. This mission is 

a follow-on to Jason, and is currently in its prime phase through June 2011. 

 

Terra - Terra collects global data on the state of the atmosphere, land, and oceans, as well as their 

interactions with solar radiation and with one another. The science focus areas served by Terra 

include: atmospheric composition; carbon cycle, ecosystems, and biogeochemistry; climate 

variability and change; Earth's surface and interior; water and energy cycles; and weather. Terra is 

a joint mission with Japan and Canada. 

 

Aqua - Aqua monitors atmospheric, land, ocean, and ice variables for improved understanding of 

Earth's water cycle and improved understanding of the intricacies of the climate system. The science 

focus areas served by Aqua include: atmospheric composition; carbon cycle, ecosystems, and 

biogeochemistry; climate variability and change; water and energy cycles; and weather. Aqua is a 

joint mission with Brazil and Japan. 

 

Aura - Aura measures atmospheric chemical composition, tropospheric/stratospheric exchange of 

energy and chemicals, chemistry-climate interactions, and air quality. The science focus areas 

served by Aura include: atmospheric composition; climate variability and change; and weather. Aura 

is a joint mission with the Netherlands, Finland, and the United Kingdom. 

 

TRMM - TRMM measures precipitation, clouds, lightning, and radiation processes over tropical 

regions. TRMM is one of several spacecraft currently extending the long-term radiation budget 

record begun in the mid-1980s. The science focus areas served by TRMM include: climate variability 

and change; water and energy cycles; and weather. TRMM is a joint mission with Japan.

ES-29
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Program: Earth Systematic Missions

Other Missions and Data Analysis (continued)

Active Cavity Radiometer Irradiance Monitor Satellite (ACRIMSat) - ACRIMSat monitors total solar 

irradiance. The science focus areas served by ACRIMSat include: climate variability and change; 

and water and energy cycles. Because ACRIMSAT has continued to operate beyond its original 

planned base mission, it now provides similar measurements to its operating follow-on mission, the 

Solar Radiation and Climate Experiment (SORCE). 

 

Quick Scatterometer (QuikSCAT) - QuikSCAT measures global radar backscatter and ocean surface 

wind speed and direction under nearly all-weather conditions, using the SeaWinds instrument. 

QuikSCAT is now more than five years beyond its design life, and the rotating antenna has stalled 

due to normal aging of the lubricant and bearings of the spin mechanism. Even with the antenna 

stalled, backscatter cross-section data are still being collected for several research investigations in 

the areas of climate variability and change and weather, although no vector wind measurements are 

possible. The on-orbit attitude of the QuikSCAT spacecraft has been modified slightly to match the 

geometry of the QuikSCAT radar backscatter measurements with those of newly launched Indian 

Space Agency's OSCAT scatterometer instrument, which operates at the same frequency as 

QuikSCAT; QuikSCAT is thus also serving as the transfer standard to allow the calibration of OSCAT 

and to provide a consistent, multi-mission climate data record. 

 

Earth Observing-1 (EO-1) - The EO-1 spacecraft collects data to allow paired scene comparisons 

between the EO-1 Advanced Land Imager (ALI) and the Landsat-7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus 

(ETM+). The science focus areas served by EO-1 include: carbon cycle, ecosystems, and 

biogeochemistry; and Earth surface and interior. 

 

Jason-1 - The Jason-1 mission (and OSTM/Jason-2, as well) makes precise measurements of ocean 

height to support the study of ocean circulation and sea level rise. The science focus areas served 

by both Jason missions include: climate variability and change; and water and energy cycles. The 

Jason missions are collaborations between NASA, NOAA, the Centre National d'Études Spatiales 

(CNES), and (for Jason-2) EUMETSAT. 

 

SORCE - SORCE measures the total and spectral solar irradiance incident at the top of Earth's 

atmosphere. The science focus areas served by SORCE include atmospheric composition, climate 

variability and change, and water and energy cycles. 

 

Instrument and mission Science Teams - Instrument science teams help define the scientific 

requirements for their respective instruments and generate the algorithms used to process the data 

into useful data products for the investigations. Additionally, the science teams are responsible for 

validating their own algorithms and data products. ESMP is supported by the Precipitation Science 

Team, the Ocean Winds Science Team, and the Landsat Science Project Office. 

 

Earth Systematic Missions Senior Review - NASA's Earth Science Division uses senior reviews, 

which are held every two years, to assess the continued science value of missions in operation. 

These reviews are comprehensive, evaluating the technical status of the satellites and the value and 

quality of the data they produce. The senior review helps inform decisions related to extending the 

missions into the future and the funding level appropriate for each. 

 

Earth Science Program Management - Provides program management support for Earth Science 

missions, investigations, and activities. Additionally, it provides funding for the ESMP Office and 

ESSP Program Office, which assist in the overall management and execution of the Earth Science 

missions.

ES-30
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Program: Earth Systematic Missions

Earth Observation Systems (EOS) Research - The EOS research project funds science for the EOS 

missions, currently Terra, Aqua, Aura, ICESat, and Landsat missions. These individual investigator, 

competitively selected research projects analyze data from the missions to address related science 

questions. Some funded projects continue algorithm improvement and validation for the EOS 

Instruments data products, while overall the selected activities focus on science data analyses and 

the development of Earth System Data Records (ESDRs), including Climate Data Records (CDRs), 

relevant to NASA's research program. Studies using ICESat and CryoSat-2 were solicited in the 

ROSES 2009 sub-element. 

 

Earth Systematic Missions (ESM) Research - The ESM Research project funds science teams for 

the Earth Systematic missions, currently the NPP and Glory missions. These are individual 

investigator competitively selected research to analyze data from the missions to address related 

science questions. In particular, the NPP science investigations are focused on developing climate 

data records from EOS observations continued by the NPOESS operational observing system. 

 

Ocean Vector Winds Science Team (OVWST) - This project utilizes scientific data received from the 

QuikSCAT (Quick Scatterometer) satellite which measures ocean surface wind vectors by sensing 

ripples caused by winds near the ocean's surface. From these data, scientists can compute the 

winds' speed and direction, acquiring hundreds of times more observations of surface wind velocity 

each day than can ships and buoys. Previously, this project was associated with the Earth 

Systematic Mission area wherein the QuikSCAT mission is managed. 

 

Ocean Surface Topography Science Team (OSTST) - This project utilizes scientific data received 

from the OSTM satellite, which measures global sea surface height. Previously this project was 

associated with the ESM area wherein the OSTM mission is managed. 

 

Precipitation Science Team - This project utilizes scientific data received from the TRMM satellite to 

improve the forecasting of weather and severe storm events. Previously this project was associated 

with the ESM area wherein the TRMM is managed. This science team also supports development of 

supporting algorithms for the GPM mission.

Program Commitments

Commitment/Output

FY 2012

Program/Project Changes from

FY 2011 PB Request

Complete planned operations of currently 

operating missions.

Operating missions No change

Complete the Glory Launch Readiness Review. Glory Launch in FY 2011

Launch NPP. NPP Launch in FY 2012

Achieve mission success criteria for OSTM. OSTM

Successfully complete the SMAP Critical Design 

Review.

SMAP

Complete the GPM Pre-Environmental Review. GPM

Complete the LDCM Systems Integration 

Review.

LDCM

ES-31
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Program:

Quick Scatterometer 

(QuikSCAT)

Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Jun-99 Sep-11

Sep-11

Form

Active Cavity 

Radiometer Irradiance 

Monitor Satellite 

(ACRIMSat)

Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Dec-99 Sep-09

Sep-11

Form

Tropical Rainfall 

Measuring Mission 

(TRMM)

Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Nov-97 Sep-11

Sep-11

Form

Aura Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Jul-04 Sep-11

Sep-11

Form

Aqua Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

May-02 Sep-11

Sep-11

Form

Terra Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Oct-99 Sep-11

Sep-11

Form

NPOESS Preparatory 

Project (NPP)

Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Dec-03

Oct-11

Oct-11

Jan-16

Form Mar-00 Nov-03

Ocean Surface 

Topography Mission 

(OSTM)

Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Mar-06

Jul-08

Jun-08

Jul-11

Form Dec-02 Mar-06

ICESat-2 Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

May-12

Jan-16

Oct-15

Jan-19

Form Dec-09 Apr-12

SMAP Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Dec-11

Dec-14

Nov-14

Dec-17

Form Sep-08 Nov-10

Landsat Data 

Continuity Mission 

(LDCM)

Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Dec-09

Jun-13

Jun-13

Jun-18

Form Oct-03 Nov-09

Glory Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Nov-05

Feb-11

Feb-11

Feb-14

Form Oct-03 Nov-05

Global Precipitation 

Measurement Mission 

(GPM)

Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Dec-09

Jul-13

Jun-13

Jul-16

Form Jul-02 Nov-09

Earth Systematic Missions

Implementation Schedule

Prior 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Beg End

Project Schedule by Fiscal Year Phase Dates

ES-32
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Program:

Solar Radiation and 

Climate Experiment 

(SORCE)

Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Jan-03 Sep-11

Form

Ice, Clouds, and Land 

Elevation Satellite 

(ICESat)

Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Jan-03 Sep-11

Sep-11

Form

Jason Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Dec-01 Sep-11

Form

Earth Observing-1 (EO1)

Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Nov-00 Sep-11

Form

Represents a period of no activity for the Project

Formulation (Form)

Research (Res)

Development (Dev)

Operations (Ops)

Tech & Adv Concepts (Tech)

Earth Systematic Missions

ES-33
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Program: Earth Systematic Missions

Program Management

GSFC manages NPP, LDCM, Glory, GPM, Terra, Aqua, Aura, TRMM, EO-1, SORCE, ICESat, and 

ICESat-2. JPL manages OSTM, ACRIMSat, SMAP, QuikSCAT, DESDynI, CLARREO, and Jason.

Project Management

Responsibility

NASA Center 

Performers

Cost-Sharing Partners

GPM GSFC GSFC JAXA - provides the dual frequency 

precipitation radar and a launch 

vehicle for GPM.

Glory GSFC GSFC None.

LDCM GSFC GSFC USGS - provides data 

processing/distribution and on-orbit 

operations for LDCM.

SMAP JPL JPL/GSFC TBD

ICESat-2 GSFC GSFC TBD

DESDynI JPL JPL, GSFC TBD

CLARREO LaRC LaRC, GSFC TBD

OSTM JPL JPL CNES - provides spacecraft, 2 core 

instruments, and data processing for 

OSTM. NOAA provides data 

processing/distribution, ground 

stations, and on-orbit operations. 

EUMETSAT provides a ground station 

and data processing/distribution.

NPP GSFC GSFC NOAA/IPO - provides 3 of 4 

instruments and ground system for 

NPP.

Terra GSFC GSFC Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade 

and Industry (METI) provided the 

Advanced Spaceborne Thermal 

Emission and Reflection Radiometer 

(ASTER). The Canadian Space 

Agency provided the Measurements of 

Pollution in The Troposphere 

(MOPITT) instrument.

Aqua GSFC GSFC The National Space Development 

Agency (NASDA, now part of the 

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, 

or JAXA) provided the Advanced 

Microwave Scanning Radiometer for 

the Earth Observing System (AMSRE) instrument. Brazil's Instituto 

Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais 

(INPE, the Brazilian Institute for Space 

Research) provided the Humidity 

Sounder for Brazil (HSB) instrument.

ES-34
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Program: Earth Systematic Missions

Project Management

Responsibility

NASA Center 

Performers

Cost-Sharing Partners

Aura GSFC GSFC The National Environmental Research 

Council of the United Kingdom funded 

the High Resolution Dynamics Limb 

Sounder (HIRDLS); the instrument 

was designed by universities and 

laboratories in the U.K. and the U.S., 

including the University of Colorado, 

Oxford University, the National Center 

for Atmospheric Research (U.S.), and 

the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory 

(U.K.). The University of Edinburgh 

(U.K.) contributed to data processing 

algorithms and validation for the 

Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS). The 

Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) 

was built by Dutch Space and TNO 

TPD in the Netherlands in cooperation 

with Finnish VTT and Patria Advanced 

Solutions Ltd. KNMI (Royal 

Netherlands Meteorological Institute) is 

the Principal Investigator Institute. 

Overall responsibility for OMI lies with 

the Netherlands Agency for Aerospace 

Programmes (NIVR), with the 

participation of the Finnish 

Meteorological Institute (FMI).

TRMM GSFC GSFC The Japan Aerospace Exploration 

Agency (JAXA) provided the 

Precipitation Radar (PR) instrument 

and the launch vehicle (an H-II F6).

ACRIMSat JPL JPL None.

QuikSCAT JPL JPL None.

EO-1 GSFC GSFC None.

Jason-1 JPL JPL The French Centre National d'Etudes 

Spatiales (CNES, the National Center 

for Space Studies) is responsible for 

the Doppler Orbitography and 

Radiopositioning Integrated by 

Satellite (DORIS) instrument; THALES 

built the instrument, and SMP provided 

the ground beacons. The CNES is 

also responsible for the Poseidon-2 

nadir-viewing radar altimeter; Alcatel 

Space Industries was prime contractor 

for the instrument.

ICESat GSFC GSFC None.

SORCE GSFC GSFC None.

ES-35
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Program:

 

 

Earth Systematic Missions

Acquisition Strategy

The LDCM instrument was selected through open competition in FY 2007. The Ball Aerospace and 

Technologies Corporation is building the Operational Land Imaging (OLI) instrument for LDCM. 

LDCM spacecraft used Rapid Spacecraft Development Office (RSDO) selection, and selected 

General Dynamics (now Orbital Sciences Corp). The Thermal Infrared Sensor (TIRS) instrument was 

a directed development, assigned to the GSFC and being built in-house at GSFC. 

 

NPP: Spacecraft, ATMS, and CERES were procured competitively. The VIIRS, OMPS, and CrIS 

were procured competitively via the NPOESS Integrated Program Office. The procurement award for 

each element was as follows: 

- Ball Aerospace: Spacecraft and Ozone Mapping Profile Suite (OMPS) Development; 

- NG Electronic Systems: Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder (ATMS) Development; 

- ITT Aerospace: Cross-track Infrared Sounder (CrIS) Development; 

- Raytheon: Visible/Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) Development; 

- NG Space Technology: Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) Development; 

and 

- Raytheon: Ground systems and operations. 

The GPM instrument was selected through open competition in FY 2005. The Ball Aerospace and 

Technologies Corporation is building the GPM Microwave Imager (GMI) instrument for GPM. The 

GPM Core Spacecraft is an in-house development at GSFC. The Dual-frequency Precipitation Radar 

(DPR) instrument and launch vehicle for the Core Spacecraft will be provided by a foreign partner, 

JAXA. 

 

The SMAP mission and spacecraft is being developed in house at JPL, with an instrument 

component developed at by GSFC. 

 

The ICESat-2 mission is being developed with an in-house GSFC instrument, with elements of the 

instrument to be procured. The spacecraft is expected to be an RSDO procured bus. 

 

Senior Reviews are held every two years to assess the continued science value of missions in 

operation past their prime mission phase. Preparations are underway for the 2013 Senior Reviews in 

which all missions then in operation (currently 13) will be evaluated. 

 

The SWOT mission acquisition approach will be defined in FY 2011 and codified in the Acquisition 

Strategy Meeting completed at the start of FY 2012. 

 

The ASCENDS acquisition approach will be developed in FY 2011 and codified in the Acquisition 

Strategy Meeting completed by the end of FY 2012.

Independent Reviews

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review

Quality Senior Review 

Panel

4/2011 To determine whether Earth Systematic 

Missions should enter or continue as an 

extended mission.

04/2013

ES-36
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Program: Earth Systematic Missions

Project In Development: Glory Mission

FY 2012 Budget Request

Budget Authority

($ millions)

Ann CR.

Prior FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's 

Budget Request

356.4 31.8 - 5.3 3.8 6.1 5.9 6.0

Note: For the FY 2012 Budget Request, project life cycle estimates, required to meet the requirements of section 103 of the 

NASA Authorization Act of 2005 (P.L. 109-155; 42 U.S.C. 16613), have been consolidated in the Management and Performance 

Section of this document. This consolidation provides for a comparative analysis across projects, and the inclusion of corrective 

action plans for the projects that have exceeded their original baseline estimates by greater than fifteen percent.

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated 

account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project amounts shown above. The allocation to each project

is reflected in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 

2010 and FY 2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

Explanation of Project Changes

In spring 2009, a problem with the Maxwell-supplied spacecraft computer had emerged and NASA 

changed the baseline Maxwell computer to a BAE Rad750 Single Board Computer, delaying the 

Glory launch readiness date to November 2010. By May 2010, the BAE unit was delivered and 

successfully integrated to the Glory Observatory. 

 

The November 2010 LRD was replanned for February 2011 to allow for completion of the Taurus XL 

launch vehicle's Return to Flight activities, further risk reduction related to spacecraft subsystems, 

and resolution of launch range manifest conflicts with other scheduled launches. The approved life 

cycle cost remained the same and costs associated with the LRD change were covered within the 

project's existing cost reserves. 

 

The mission was also impacted by the repair of a Solar Array Drive Assembly. In August 2010, an 

inspection revealed excessive wear to its slip ring assembly and it was deemed not flight-worthy. By 

November 2010, the SADA was repaired, tested, and successfully integrated to the Glory 

observatory. The November 2010 LRD was changed to February 23, 2011. 

 

The risk associated with the readiness of the Taurus XL launch vehicle was retired following 

conclusion of the Mishap Investigation Board (MIB) that reviewed the failure of the Taurus XL fairing 

system, which resulted in the loss of the Orbiting Carbon Observatory. NASA developed a corrective 

action plan that incorporated the Mishap Investigation Board recommendations. Once all corrective 

actions had been closed out, NASA's Flight Planning Board approved the Taurus XL for Return to 

Flight. By this time, however, the LRD was delayed. The new LRD of February 23, 2011, 

accommodated this delay concurrent with the spacecraft's solar array drive assembly recovery.

ES-37
Mission Directorate:

Theme:

Science

Earth Science

Program: Earth Systematic Missions

Project In Development: Glory Mission

The Glory mission will contribute to NASA's research on atmospheric conditions that influence climate 

and will improve understanding of the natural and human-made factors that contribute to climate 

change. It will also enable a greater understanding of the seasonal variability of aerosol properties. 

Both advances are essential components of predicting climate change. Aerosols interact with 

atmospheric conditions in complex ways that can have large effects on climate. 

 

The mission will also provide precision measurements of the solar irradiance; solar radiation is the 

dominant, direct energy input into the terrestrial ecosystem, affecting all physical, chemical, and 

biological processes. 

 

Glory's science objectives are specifically to: 

 

- Determine the global distribution, microphysical properties, and chemical composition of natural 

and anthropogenic aerosols and clouds with accuracy and coverage sufficient for a reliable 

quantification of the aerosol direct and indirect effects on climate; and 

 

- Continue measurement of the total solar irradiance to determine the Sun's direct and indirect effect 

on Earth's climate. 

 

For more on the scientific questions addressed by Glory, visit http://glory.gsfc.nasa.gov/.

Project Purpose

ES-38
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Program: Earth Systematic Missions

Project In Development: Glory Mission

Project Parameters

The Glory mission will operate two scientific instruments aboard a modified, preexisting NASA 

spacecraft. It will fly in NASA's low Earth orbit Afternoon, or A-Train, constellation to enhance the utility 

of the mission data through synergistic observations from the other satellites. The A-Train 

constellation currently includes five spacecraft flying in close temporal proximity to each other. The 

Glory spacecraft will be the sixth satellite in the A-Train when it joins the constellation in FY 2011. 

 

The APS is an advanced polarimeter that will provide measurements to increase our understanding of 

black carbon soot and other aerosols as causes of climate change. The APS will provide 

unprecedented measurements of the global distribution of natural and anthropogenic aerosols and 

clouds with accuracy and coverage sufficient for a reliable quantification of the direct and indirect 

effects of aerosols on climate. The APS was developed by Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems in 

El Segundo, CA. As of March 2009, the APS was delivered and successfully integrated to the Glory 

Observatory. 

 

The TIM instrument provides continuity for the 31-year solar irradiance data record by extending the 

measurement currently provided by (SORCE. University of Colorado's Laboratory for Atmospheric and 

Space Physics is developing the TIM sensor, the instrument's Sun pointing platform, and the TIM 

science operations center. 

 

Orbital Science Corporation in Dulles, VA, is developing the spacecraft and the ground 

system/mission operations center, and integrated the instruments. Orbital also provides mission 

systems engineering support and performs mission operations. 

 

Kennedy Space Center is responsible for Glory launch services. The mission will launch on a Taurus 

XL from Vandenberg Air Force Base, CA.

ES-39
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Program: Earth Systematic Missions

Project In Development: Glory Mission

Project Commitments

Glory will launch in February 2011 to begin a three-year prime mission (with a five-year goal) to 

gather scientific measurements of atmospheric aerosols and solar irradiance.

Project Element Provider Description FY 2011 PB 

Request

FY 2012 PB 

Request

APS Raytheon

Provide unprecedented 

measurements of the 

global distribution of natural 

and anthropogenic 

aerosols

Same Same

TIM U of Colorado LASP Maintain an uninterrupted 

solar irradiance data record Same Same

Spacecraft Orbital

Refurbishment of the 

Vegetation Canopy Lidar 

(VCL) mission bus

Same Same

Launch vehicle Orbital Taurus XL Same Same

Ground System Ops, 

TIM Science Ops, APS 

Science Ops

Orbital / Colorado 

University-Boulder 

LASP /GSFC Institute for 

Space Studies

Combination of the 

commercial ground stations 

and the networks that 

connect them

APS: full data 

processing for 1 yr 

w/ 2 addt'l yrs of 

archiving. TIM: full 

data processing for 

3 yrs

Same

Mission Ops Orbital

Operations of the 

spacecraft and the 

generation of command 

uplink

Same Same

Data Archive

GSFC Earth Science 

Distributed Active 

Archive Center (GES 

DAAC)

Archival and distribution of 

mission data Same Same

Schedule Commitments

Glory was confirmed for development on December 13, 2005.

Milestone Name Confirmation

Baseline

FY 2011 PB 

Request

FY 2012 PB 

Request

Development

Mission Confirmation Review 12/2005 12/2005 12/2005

Mission Pre-ship review 8/2008 7/2010 12/2010

Launch 12/2008 11/2010 2/2011

ES-40
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Program: Earth Systematic Missions

Project In Development: Glory Mission

Project Management

Goddard Space Flight Center has project management responsibility. The Science Mission 

Directorate Program Management Council has program oversight responsibility. 

 

The Earth Science Division Director is the responsible official for this project.

Project Element Project Management 

Responsibility NASA Center Performers Cost-Sharing Partners

APS GSFC GSFC None

TIM GSFC GSFC None

Acquisition Strategy

All major procurements for the directed Glory mission were sole-source awarded to meet the 

objective for an accelerated mission: 

 

Aerosol Polarimetry Sensor: Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems; 

 

Total Irradiance Monitor: University of Colorado Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics; and 

 

Spacecraft/spacecraft support: Orbital Science Corporation. 

 

There are no remaining major procurements, as all instrument and spacecraft contracts are in place.

Independent Reviews

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review

Performance NASA HQ N/A

Mission Readiness Review (MRR) - Final preflight review of the operational readiness of the 

mission

02/2011

Performance NASA HQ N/A Launch Readiness Review (LRR) - Final prelaunch review of the launch vehicle readiness 02/2011

Project Risk Management

Title Risk Statement Risk Management Approach and Plan

In October 2010, NASA's Flight Planning Board approved the 

closure of the KSC/Launch Services program's Return to 

Flight activities. At this point, the Return to Flight activities 

had impacted the November 22, 2010 launch readiness date 

 by two months. The new LRD of February 22, 2011, 

accommodated this delay concurrent with the spacecraft's 

SADA recovery.

Launch Services Impact of 

Taurus XL Launch Failure on

Glory

If Taurus T-8 (used on OCO 

 mission) launch failure 

findings and / or corrective 

actions impact T-9 (Glory) 

schedule, then the Glory LRD

will be impacted.

ES-41
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Program: Earth Systematic Missions

Project In Development: NPOESS Preparatory Project (NPP)

FY 2012 Budget Request

Budget Authority

($ millions)

Ann CR.

Prior FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's 

Budget Request

631.2 82.1 - 13.6 6.4 6.3 6.0 5.5

Note: For the FY 2012 Budget Request, project life cycle estimates, required to meet the requirements of section 103 of the 

NASA Authorization Act of 2005 (P.L. 109-155; 42 U.S.C. 16613), have been consolidated in the Management and Performance 

Section of this document. This consolidation provides for a comparative analysis across projects, and the inclusion of corrective 

action plans for the projects that have exceeded their original baseline estimates by greater than fifteen percent.

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated 

account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project amounts shown above. The allocation to each project

is reflected in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 

2010 and FY 2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

Explanation of Project Changes

The changes to the NPP budget are due to the launch delay from September 2011 until October 2011 

caused by late delivery to NASA of the VIIRS instrument and CrIS by the NPOESS Integrated 

Program Office.

ES-42
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Program: Earth Systematic Missions

Project In Development: NPOESS Preparatory Project (NPP)

Project Purpose

NPP is a joint mission with NOAA and the U.S. Air Force to extend key environmental measurements 

for weather prediction and research. The satellite will measure atmospheric and sea surface 

temperatures, humidity profiles, land and ocean biological productivity, cloud and aerosol properties, 

and earth radiation budget quantities. 

 

The NPP mission has two objectives: Provide a continuation of select global change observations 

following the Earth Observing System missions Terra and Aqua; and provide the Nation's operational 

meteorological satellite system with risk-reduction demonstration and validation for critical sensors, 

algorithms, and ground processing. Due to NPOESS program delays propagated to the successor 

Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS; see "Project Management") program, NPP data will be used 

operationally to avoid gaps in operational weather data. 

 

For more information, please visit: http://jointmission.gsfc.nasa.gov.

Project Parameters

The NPP spacecraft is based on a modified Ball Commercial Platform 2000 bus with a five-year 

design life. The NPP orbit is a polar, Sun-synchronous orbit at a nominal altitude of 824 kilometers. 

Four of the instruments are newly developed sensors based on heritage NASA sensors. The ATMS 

has been developed by NASA, and three of the instruments (VIIRS, CrIS, and OMPS) were developed 

by the NPOESS Integrated Program Office (IPO). A fifth sensor, CERES was a spare sensor 

developed by NASA for the EOS Program.

ES-43
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Program: Earth Systematic Missions

Project In Development: NPOESS Preparatory Project (NPP)

Project Commitments

NPP is being managed for a target launch in October 2011 and will undertake the following scientific 

measurements over its five-year operating life: atmospheric and sea surface temperatures, humidity 

soundings, land and ocean biological productivity, cloud and aerosol properties, and Earth radiation 

budget measurements. NASA's commitment is for an LRD of February 2012 including an additional 

$35 million mission development costs. The commitment launch readiness date, lifecycle cost, and 

development cost reflect residual uncertainty with the NPP partner-provided instruments and the 

ground system development. The commitment LRD considers as well the effects of the crowded 

launch manifest in late 2011, should an LRD slip be required. Funds will not be reprogrammed unless 

the actual launch date slips beyond the internal date.

Project Element Provider Description FY 2011 PB 

Request

FY 2012 PB 

Request

VIIRS Raytheon SBRS

Provide global imagery in 

visible and infrared 

frequency bands: 0.3 to 14 

microns / 400 m resolution.

Same Same

OMPS Ball Aerospace

Collection of total column 

and vertical profile ozone 

data with 300-380 nm / 

LIMB 290-1000 nm .

Same Same

CrIS ITT Aerospace

Temperature and moisture 

profiles at 3.9-15.4 

microns.

Same Same

ATMS NG Electronic Systems

Temperature and moisture 

profiles at 22 channels / 23-

183 ghz.

Same Same

CERES NG Space Technology

Provide Earth radiation 

budget measurements in 

shortwave (0.3-5micron) 

and longwave (8-12 

micron) bands

Same Same

Spacecraft Ball Aerospace

5-year design life, mass is 

2228 kg, Power 1400 

watts.

Same Same

Launch vehicle Boeing Delta II 7920. Same Same

Ground system Raytheon

Command, Control, and 

Communication Segment 

(C3S) and Interface Data 

Processing Segment 

(IDPS).

Same Same

ES-44
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Program: Earth Systematic Missions

Project In Development: NPOESS Preparatory Project (NPP)

Schedule Commitments

Milestone Name Confirmation

Baseline

FY 2011 PB 

Request

FY 2012 PB 

Request

Development

CrIS Flight Model Delivery Oct 2005 June 2010 Same

ATMS Flight Model Delivery Apr 2005 Oct 2005 Same

OMPS Flight Model Delivery Sep 2005 Aug 2008 Same

VIIRS Flight Model Delivery Nov 2005 Dec 2009 Same

CERES Flight Model Delivery N/A Oct 2008 Same

Operations Readiness Review Jun 2006 Apr 2011 Same

Launch Oct 2006 Sep 2011 Oct 2011

ES-45
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Program: Earth Systematic Missions

Project In Development: NPOESS Preparatory Project (NPP)

Project Management

GSFC is responsible for NPP project management. Agency PMC has program oversight 

responsibility. NOAA/DOD IPO is responsible for managing development of OMPS, CrIS, and VIIRS 

instruments. Responsible official is the Earth Science Division Director.

Project Element Project Management 

Responsibility NASA Center Performers Cost-Sharing Partners

Spacecraft GSFC None None

ATMS Development GSFC None None

OMPS Development NPOESS-IPO None NOAA / DoD (NPOESS-IPO)

CrIS Development NPOESS-IPO None NOAA / DoD (NPOESS-IPO)

VIIRS Development NPOESS-IPO None NOAA / DoD (NPOESS-IPO)

CERES Refurbishment GSFC LaRC NOAA

Data archive and storage GSFC None NOAA

Ground Systems and Ops NPOESS-IPO None NOAA

Acquisition Strategy

Spacecraft, ATMS, and CERES were procured competitively. The VIIRS, OMPS, and CrIS were 

procured competitively via the NPOESS Integrated Program Office. 

 

The procurement award for each element was as follows: 

- Ball Aerospace: Spacecraft and OMPS Development; 

- NG Electronic Systems: ATMS Development; 

- ITT Aerospace: CrIS Development; 

- Raytheon: VIIRS Development; 

- NG Space Technology: CERES; and 

- Raytheon: Ground systems and operations.

Independent Reviews

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review

Performance NPP IRT N/A Operations Readiness Review 4/2011

Project Risk Management

Title Risk Statement Risk Management Approach and Plan

Command, Control, and 

Communcation Segment 

(C3S) Ground System 

Development Delay

If the C3S is not ready to 

support satellite testing, a 

launch delay may result.

Coordinate closely with partner (NOAA) to ensure all 

necessary resources are applied to complete C3S 

development in parallel with satellite testing.

ES-46
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Program: Earth Systematic Missions

Project In Development: Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM)

FY 2012 Budget Request

Budget Authority

($ millions)

Ann CR.

Prior FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's 

Budget Request

349.2 155.0 - 83.8 68.7 41.4 27.2 20.1

Note: For the FY 2012 Budget Request, project life cycle estimates, required to meet the requirements of section 103 of the 

NASA Authorization Act of 2005 (P.L. 109-155; 42 U.S.C. 16613), have been consolidated in the Management and Performance 

Section of this document. This consolidation provides for a comparative analysis across projects, and the inclusion of corrective 

action plans for the projects that have exceeded their original baseline estimates by greater than fifteen percent.

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated 

account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project amounts shown above. The allocation to each project

is reflected in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 

2010 and FY 2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

Explanation of Project Changes

The changes to the project's budget reflect the deletion of a second GPM Microwave Imager (GMI-2), 

which would have been available to fly on a future Low-Inclination Observatory (LIO).

ES-47
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Program: Earth Systematic Missions

Project In Development: Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM)

 

Project Purpose

The GPM mission will advance the measurement of global precipitation, making possible high spatial 

resolution precipitation measurements available at a three-hour or less refresh rate over much of the 

globe. 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 released) across 

tropic, mid-latitude, and polar regions. 

 

The GPM mission has the following scientific objectives: 

- Advance precipitation measurement capability from space through combined use of active and 

passive remote-sensing techniques. These advanced measurements will be used to calibrate 

dedicated and operational passive microwave sensors, with the goal of achieving global sampling; 

 

- Advance understanding of global water/energy cycle variability and fresh water availability. 

Improved measurements of the space-time variability of global precipitation will substantially close the 

water/energy budget and elucidate the interactions between precipitation and other climate 

parameters; 

 

- 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 (NWP) skills through more accurate and frequent 

measurements of instantaneous rain rates with better error characterizations, and the development of 

improved assimilation methods; and 

 

- Improve flood-hazard and fresh-water-resource prediction capabilities through better temporal 

sampling and wider spatial coverage of high-resolution precipitation measurements, and innovative 

designs in hydro-meteorological modeling. 

 

For more information see http://gpm.gsfc.nasa.gov/.

ES-48
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Program: Earth Systematic Missions

Project In Development: Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM)

Project Parameters

The GPM project includes a Core Observatory Spacecraft and a robust set of spare GMI instrument 

subsystems to ensure the GMI instrument, NASA's instrument contribution to the Core Observatory, is 

ready on schedule. The Core Observatory will leverage passive microwave measurements from other 

operating and planned "satellites of opportunity" by calibrating their measurements to its own. The 

resulting sampling rate over different areas of the globe will depend on the number and orbits of the 

satellites of opportunity, but given the prevalence of passive microwave instruments on operational 

satellite systems, the global sampling will be robust. 

 

The NASA Core Observatory will fly in a 65 degree inclined orbit at an altitude of 407 kilometers; the 

65 degree orbit provides improved latitude coverage over TRMM (whose orbit was inclined 35 

degrees). The Core Observatory's two scientific instruments will provide active and passive microwave 

measurements of precipitation. 

 

The JAXA-supplied Dual-frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR) instrument has cross-track swath 

widths of 245 and 120 kilometers, in Ku-band and Ka-band, providing three-dimensional observation 

of rain and an accurate estimation of rainfall rate. The KuPR (13.6 GHz) subsystem of the DPR is an 

updated version of the highly successful radar flown on TRMM. 

 

The GMI instrument is a conically-scanning radiometer that will provide significantly improved spatial 

resolution compared to the TRMM Microwave Imager (TMI). 

 

The Core Observatory Spacecraft will be launched from Tanegashima Space Center, Japan, on an HIIA launch vehicle. The DPR and GMI data will be relayed using the TDRSS multiple access and 

single access service.

ES-49
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Program: Earth Systematic Missions

Project In Development: Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM)

Project Commitments

The GPM Core Observatory is planned for a launch in July 2013 to begin a three-year prime mission 

(five-year goal). When calibrated with existing and planned passive microwave measurements from 

other satellites, GPM will provide global measurements of precipitation with a sampling frequency of 

three hours or less over much of the globe.

Project Element Provider Description FY 2011 PB 

Request

FY 2012 PB 

Request

Core Observatory GSFC

Provides platform for the 

GMI and JAXA-supplied 

DPR instruments.

Same Same

Low-Inclination 

Observatory N/A N/A Changed to be partner-provided

Second GMI 

instrument deleted

Dual-frequency 

Precipitation Radar 

(DPR)

JAXA

Provides cross-track swath 

widths of 245 and 120 

kilometers, for the Ku 

precipitation radar (KuPR) 

and Ka-band precipitation 

radar (KaPR).

Same Same

GMI GSFC

Provides 13 microwave 

channels ranging in 

frequency from 10 GHz to 

183 GHz; four high 

frequency, millimeter-wave, 

channels about 166 GHz 

and 183 GHz. 1.2 meter 

diameter antenna.

Same Same

Launch Vehicle JAXA H-IIA Same Same

Schedule Commitments

GPM entered formulation in July 2002. The below milestone dates reflect the December 2009 KDP-C 

commitments.

Milestone Name Confirmation

Baseline

FY 2011 PB 

Request

FY 2012 PB 

Request

Development

KDP-C Dec 2009 Dec 2009 Dec 2009

Core Observatory LRD Jul 2013 Jul 2013 Jul 2013

ES-50
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Program: Earth Systematic Missions

Project In Development: Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM)

Project Management

GSFC has project management responsibility. The Agency Program Management Council has 

program oversight responsibility. 

 

The Earth Sciences Division Director is the responsible official for this project.

Project Element Project Management 

Responsibility NASA Center Performers Cost-Sharing Partners

Core Observatory GSFC GSFC None

Core Observatory: GMI GSFC GSFC None

Core Observatory: DPR GSFC GSFC JAXA

Launch vehicle and 

services: Core Observatory GSFC None JAXA

Ground Systems GSFC GSFC None

Acquisition Strategy

The GPM instrument was selected through open competition in FY 2005. The Ball Aerospace and 

Technologies Corporation (BATC) will build the GMI instrument for GPM. The GPM core spacecraft 

will be an in-house development at GSFC. The DPR instrument and launch vehicle for the Core 

Observatory will be provided by a foreign partner (JAXA).

Independent Reviews

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review

Performance HQ and GSFC 12/2009 System Integration Review (SIR) 5/2011

Project Risk Management

Title Risk Statement Risk Management Approach and Plan

Non-NASA Constellation 

elements

Expanded global sampling 

depends on data from 

"spacecraft of opportunity" 

that are not part of this 

project.

NASA is developing data algorithms that allow GPM to make 

the broadest possible use of microwave instruments on other 

spacecraft; NASA participates in interagency and 

international planning processes for operational Earth 

observation measurements to maximize the leverage 

opportunities for GPM.

ES-51
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Program: Earth Systematic Missions

Project In Development: Landsat Data Continuity Mission (LDCM)

FY 2012 Budget Request

Budget Authority

($ millions)

Ann CR.

Prior FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's 

Budget Request

434.5 106.0 - 152.0 64.1 1.5 1.5 1.6

Note: For the FY 2012 Budget Request, project life cycle estimates, required to meet the requirements of section 103 of the 

NASA Authorization Act of 2005 (P.L. 109-155; 42 U.S.C. 16613), have been consolidated in the Management and Performance 

Section of this document. This consolidation provides for a comparative analysis across projects, and the inclusion of corrective 

action plans for the projects that have exceeded their original baseline estimates by greater than fifteen percent.

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated 

account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project amounts shown above. The allocation to each project

is reflected in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 

2010 and FY 2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

Explanation of Project Changes

The LDCM project, which was approved to proceed with development in December 2009, now has a 

fully integrated budget including the development and accommodation of TIRS.

ES-52
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Program: Earth Systematic Missions

Project In Development: Landsat Data Continuity Mission (LDCM)

Project Purpose

Unprecedented changes in land cover and use are having profound consequences for weather and 

climate change, ecosystem function and services, carbon cycling and sequestration, resource 

management, the national and global economy, human health, and society. The Landsat data series, 

begun in 1972, is the longest continuous record of changes in Earth's surface as seen from space and 

the only satellite system designed and operated to repeatedly observe the global land surface at 

moderate resolution. Landsat data are available at an affordable cost, providing a unique resource for 

people who work in agriculture, geology, forestry, regional planning, education, mapping, and global 

change research. 

 

The purpose of LDCM is to extend the record of multi-spectral, moderate resolution Landsat-quality 

data, and to meet U.S. Government operational and scientific requirements for observing land use and 

land change. 

 

For additional information, visit the LDCM mission Home Page: http://ldcm.nasa.gov/.

Project Parameters

LDCM is being developed for an LRD that will minimize a potential data gap in the archive due to the 

fuel-limited life of Landsat-7. Recent analyses by the USGS and NASA have estimated the Landsat-7 

mission should continue to operate through at least the end of 2012. The LDCM mission completed its 

Confirmation Review on November 30, 2009, and its KDP-C transition review on December 16, 2009. 

Due to the high national importance of the mission and the need to maintain the continuity of the 

Landsat data record, NASA and USGS will implement the LDCM mission for a December 2012 

launch, providing necessary budget and other resources to ensure all mission elements are ready for 

this launch date. A probabilistic analysis has determined that the launch date could move as far as 

June 2013, driven by the late addition of the TIRS instrument. However, the LDCM project has been 

directed to execute all necessary contracts and actions to accomplish the December 2012 Launch 

Readiness Date. 

 

LDCM consists of a two science instruments (the Operational Land Imager and the Thermal Infrared 

Sensor), a spacecraft, and a mission operations element. The LDCM is in implementation and system 

level requirements are baselined to provide the following system-level performance parameters: 

 

- Earth Spatial-Temporal Coverage: 16-day repeat coverage of the global land mass; 

 

- Spatial Resolution: 30 meters (visible, NIR, SWIR), 120 meters (thermal); 15 meters (panchromatic); 

 

- Radiometric Performance: accuracy, dynamic range, and precision sufficient to detect land cover 

change using historic Landsat data; 

 

- Data: 185-kilometer cross track-by-180-kilometer along track multi-spectral image of Earth's surface; 

and 

 

- Mission Life: five years.

ES-53
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Program: Earth Systematic Missions

Project In Development: Landsat Data Continuity Mission (LDCM)

Project Commitments

After launch, the spacecraft and OLI instrument will operate for a minimum of five years. The TIRS 

instrument will operate for a minimum of three years.

Project Element Provider Description FY 2011 PB 

Request

FY 2012 PB 

Request

OLI Ball Aerospace and 

Technology Corporation

Provide Landsat-equivalent 

data to extend the Landsat 

data of Earth's land surface 

for five years.

Same Same

TIRS GSFC

Provide Landsat-equivalent 

thermal data to extend the 

Landsat data of Earth's 

land surface for three 

New Same

years.

Spacecraft General Dynamics

Provide performance and 

reliability commensurate 

with OLI and TIRS data 

requirements.

Same Same

Launch Vehicle ULA Provide launch service 

access to space. Same Same

Mission Operations 

Element Hammers Corporation

Provide capability for 

command and control, 

mission scheduling, longterm trending and analysis, 

and flight dynamics 

analysis.

Same Same

Schedule Commitments

LDCM completed its spacecraft CDR and mission CDR in FY 2010. Due to the high national 

importance of the mission and the need to maintain continuity of the Landsat data record, NASA and 

USGS will strive to launch LDCM in December 2012. The LDCM project has been directed to execute 

all necessary contracts and actions to accomplish the December 2012 launch. Consistent with NASA 

policies regarding commitments to cost and schedule, the LDCM launch shall be no later than June 

2013.

Milestone Name Confirmation

Baseline

FY 2011 PB 

Request

FY 2012 PB 

Request

Development

Formulation

Award OLI contract July 2007 July 2007 July 2007

Confirmation Review Dec 2009 Dec 2009 Dec 2009

Critical Design Review (CDR) Apr 2010 Apr 2010 Apr 2010

PSR Sep 2012 Sep 2012 Sep 2012

Launch Jun 2013 Jun 2013 Jun 2013

Handover of Operations to USGS Sep 2013 Sep 2013 Sep 2013

ES-54
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Program: Earth Systematic Missions

Project In Development: Landsat Data Continuity Mission (LDCM)

Project Management

LDCM is under the Earth Systematic Missions program within the Earth Science Division (ESD) of 

SMD. The NASA Associate Administrator (AA) is the decision authority; the ESD Director is the 

responsible official; and GSFC is the lead management organization.

Project Element Project Management 

Responsibility NASA Center Performers Cost-Sharing Partners

Operational Land Imager GSFC GSFC None

Thermal Infrared Sensor GSFC GSFC None

Spacecraft GSFC GSFC None

Ground System GSFC GSFC U.S. Department of Interior-U.S. 

Geological Survey

Mission Operations GSFC GSFC U.S. Department of Interior-U.S. 

Geological Survey

Acquisition Strategy

NASA's acquisition plan includes acquiring separate elements of the LDCM mission through open 

competition, with GSFC acting as the mission integrator and leading the element source selections. 

NASA has issued competitively selected contracts for the following major elements: Ball Aerospace 

and Technology Corporation for the development of the Operational Land Imager in July 2007; 

General Dynamics Corporation for the development of the spacecraft in April 2008; and Hammers 

Corporation for the development of the Mission Operations Element (MOE) in September 2008. The 

Thermal Infrared Sensor will be designed and built in-house at GSFC utilizing civil servants and 

support contractor personnel.

Independent Reviews

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review

Performance HQ and GSFC 9/2008 Systems Requirement Review - Successful N/A

Performance HQ and GSFC 7/2009 Mission Preliminary Design Review - Successful N/A

Performance HQ and GSFC 5/2010 Mission Critical Design Review N/A

Performance HQ and GSFC N/A Systems Integration Review 08/2011

Project Risk Management

Title Risk Statement Risk Management Approach and Plan

Thermal Infrared Sensor 

(TIRS) development risk

The TIRS instrument has an 

aggressive development 

schedule due to late addition 

to the instrument complement 

and there is a risk that TIRS 

will not be delivered on 

schedule to meet the LDCM 

launch readiness date.

The LDCM project will develop alternative observatory 

integration and test scenarios to allow for late arrival of TIRS. 

In the event that TIRS cannot be delivered in time to meet the 

LDCM launch date, a flyable mass model will be developed.

ES-55
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Program: Earth Systematic Missions

Project In Formulation: Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite-2

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

38.9 - 102.1 159.4 128.8 83.1 28.6

Note:

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated 

account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project amounts shown above. The allocation to each project

is reflected in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 

2010 and FY 2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

Project Purpose

ICESat-2 will continue the measurements begun with the ICESat mission, measuring elements of icesheet mass balance, sea ice freeboard and large-scale biomass to quantify polar ice sheet 

contributions to current and recent sea level change and linkages to the climate state. In addition 

ICESat-2 will quantify regional ice sheet changes to assess mechanisms driving that change and 

improve predictive ice sheet models. The science focus areas served by ICESat-2 include climate 

variability and change, Earth surface and interior, and water and energy cycles. The ICESat-2 mission 

is one of four first-tier missions recommended by the National Academies' decadal survey, titled 

"Earth Science and Applications from Space: National Imperatives for the Next Decade and Beyond." 

The ICESat-2 mission will draw lessons learned from the original ICESat satellite launched in FY 2003 

and operated through CY 2009. 

 

For more information see http://nasascience.nasa.gov/missions/icesat-ii.

Project Preliminary Parameters

The ICESat-2 observatory employs a dedicated spacecraft with a multi-beam photon-counting surface 

elevation lidar. It will be launched into a 450 kilometer, 94-degree, 91-day repeat orbit. 

 

Pursuant to Senate Report 111-34, incorporated by reference into the Statement Accompanying the 

Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2010 (PL 111-117) and as required by NASA standard project 

formulation processes, the ICESat-2 project is working toward a mature [Technology Readiness Level 

- 6] baseline instrument concept in preparation for formal mission confirmation at the end of FY 2012. 

This includes the photon-counting approach to provide cross-track measurement capabilities identified 

in Senate Report 111-34. As part of this engineering process, the project will use an airborne 

instrument to simulate the space-based measurements to optimize the final instrument design and to 

develop algorithms to meet all Level 1 requirements. Based on cost and schedule analysis of the 

ICESat-2 preliminary design, a baseline budget and launch readiness date will be established at 

mission confirmation.

ES-56
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Program: Earth Systematic Missions

Project In Formulation: Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite-2

Estimated Project Deliverables

ICESat-2 is in formulation and does not yet have an official launch date; however, the Phase A target 

launch date is January 2016 with a notional three-year prime mission.

Project Element Provider Description FY 2011 PB 

Request

FY 2012 PB 

Request

Spacecraft TBD Competitively selected Same Same

Lidar Instrument TBD

Multi-beam micro-pulse 

laser with photon-counting 

detector

New Same

Launch Vehicle TBD Competitively selected Same Same

Estimated Project Schedule

ICESat-2 is in formulation. Milestone dates beyond the formulation phase are preliminary estimates 

pending completion of formulation.

Milestone Name

Formulation

Agreement

Estimate

FY 2011 PB 

Request

FY 2012 PB 

Request

Formulation

Formulation

KDP-A N/A September 2009 December 2009

Launch readiness date (LRD) N/A Late 2014/Early 

2015 January 2016

Project Management

GSFC has project management responsibility. The Science Mission Directorate Program 

Management Council has programmatic oversight. The Earth Sciences Division Director is the 

responsible official for this project.

Project Element Project Management 

Responsibility NASA Center Performers Cost-Sharing Partners

Spacecraft GSFC TBD TBD

Lidar GSFC GSFC None

Mission Operations GSFC TBD TBD

Launch Vehicle GSFC TBD TBD

Acquisition Strategy

The ICESat-2 lidar instrument will be designed and tested at GSFC using component procurements 

from industry. The spacecraft vendor will be competitively selected. The approach for the mission 

operations element has not yet been determined. The source and selection method for launch 

services will be determined during formulation.

ES-57
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Program: Earth Systematic Missions

Project In Formulation: Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite-2

Independent Reviews

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review

Performance

ICESat-2 

Independent 

Review Team

02/2009 Mission Concept Review/Requires Delta Review 11/2009

Performance

ICESat-2 

Independent 

Review Team

11/2009 Mission Concept Review /Successfully 

completed

Performance Standing 

Review Board N/A System Requirements Review (SRR) and Mission Definition Review (MDR) 03/2011

ES-58
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Program: Earth Systematic Missions

Project In Formulation: Soil Moisture Active and Passive (SMAP)

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

70.0 - 135.2 172.3 31.1 29.6 14.5

Note:

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated 

account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project amounts shown above. The allocation to each project

is reflected in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 

2010 and FY 2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

Project Purpose

The SMAP mission will provide unique information on global soil moisture and its freeze/thaw states to 

enable advances in hydrospheric science/applications and climate research. It is one of the four Tier-1 

NASA missions recommended by the Earth science and applications decadal survey. Direct 

measurements of soil moisture and freeze/thaw states are needed to improve understanding of 

regional and global water cycles, terrestrial ecosystems, and the processes that link the water, energy, 

and carbon cycles. Obtaining global soil moisture measurements every three days, SMAP's data will 

lead to improved weather forecasts, flood and drought forecasts, and predictions of agricultural 

productivity and climate change, as well as improved understanding of the sources and sinks of 

carbon. SMAP mission data will contribute to the goals of four Earth Science focus areas (carbon 

cycle, ecosystem, weather, and climate). SMAP is based on the soil moisture and freeze/thaw mission 

concept developed under the ESS) Program Hydrosphere State (Hydros) project and builds on the 

Hydros formulation and technology risk mitigation studies conducted in 2003 through 2005. 

 

For more information see http://nasascience.nasa.gov/missions/smap.

Project Preliminary Parameters

The SMAP observatory employs a dedicated spacecraft and will be launched into a near-polar, sunsynchronous orbit on an expendable launch vehicle. The baseline SMAP instrument suite includes a 

radiometer and a synthetic aperture radar operating in the L-band range (1.20-1.41 GHz) designed to 

make coincident measurements of soil emission and backscatter to sense the top five centimeters of 

soil through moderate vegetation cover. These measurements will be analyzed to yield estimates of 

soil moisture and freeze/thaw state. Data will be acquired for a period of three years and a 

comprehensive validation program will be used to assess random errors and regional biases in the 

soil moisture and freeze/thaw estimates.

ES-59
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Program: Earth Systematic Missions

Project In Formulation: Soil Moisture Active and Passive (SMAP)

Estimated Project Deliverables

SMAP is planned for a launch in November 2014 for a three-year prime mission. SMAP will make soil 

moisture measurements around the entire Earth every three days.

Project Element Provider Description FY 2011 PB 

Request

FY 2012 PB 

Request

Spacecraft JPL Provides platform for the 

instrument Same Same

Combined with Radiometer 

provides soil moisture 

measurements in the top 5 

cm of soil through 

moderate vegetation cover

L-Band SAR JPL Same Same

Combined with SAR 

provides soil moisture 

measurements in the top 5 

cm of soil through 

moderate vegetation cover

L-Band Radiometer GSFC Same Same

Launch Vehicle TBD TBD Same Same

Estimated Project Schedule

Milestone Name

Formulation

Agreement

Estimate

FY 2011 PB 

Request

FY 2012 PB 

Request

Formulation

Formulation

KDP-C April 2010 December 2010 Mid-to-Late 2011

Launch readiness date (LRD) Mid CY 2015 November 2014

ES-60
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Program: Earth Systematic Missions

Project In Formulation: Soil Moisture Active and Passive (SMAP)

Project Management

JPL has project management responsibility for SMAP. The Science Mission Directorate Program 

Management Council has program oversight responsibility. 

 

The Earth Sciences Division Director is the responsible official.

Project Element Project Management 

Responsibility NASA Center Performers Cost-Sharing Partners

Spacecraft JPL JPL None

L-Band SAR JPL JPL None

L-Band Radiometer JPL GSFC None

Launch Vehicle JPL To be determined To be determined

Acquisition Strategy

The SMAP spacecraft will be built in-house at JPL. The SMAP instrument, combining the SAR and 

radiometer, will be integrated by JPL. The SAR will be built by JPL and the radiometer by GSFC. The 

deployable antenna/boom and instrument spin assemblies will be procured through open competition. 

The source and selection method for launch services will be determined later in formulation.

Independent Reviews

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review

Performance

SMAP 

Standing 

Review Board 

(SRB)

05/2009 Mission Design Review-successfully completed. Mid 2011

ES-61
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Program: Earth System Science Pathfinder

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

128.4 - 187.8 180.6 229.5 238.4 214.3

Aquarius 22.3 - 4.9 4.6 4.9 5.1 5.2

OCO-2 62.0 - 91.0 41.0 13.0 4.0 0.0

Venture Class Missions 6.3 - 61.5 103.9 179.7 196.6 175.7

Other Missions and Data Analysis 37.9 - 30.5 31.1 31.9 32.7 33.4

Note:

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated 

account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project amounts shown above. The allocation to each project

is reflected in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 

2010 and FY 2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

Program Overview

ESSP includes a series of relatively low-to-moderate cost, small-to-medium sized, competitively 

selected, PI-led missions. These missions complement the larger and more broadly capable missions 

in ESMP. ESSP missions have focused scientific objectives to support a selected subset of studies of 

the atmosphere, oceans, land surface, polar ice regions, or solid Earth. Investigations include 

development and operation of remote-sensing instruments and the conduct of investigations using 

data from these instruments. In FY 2012, NASA will continue the accelerated development of an 

Orbiting Carbon Observatory reflight mission (OCO-2) with the objective to launch in February 2013. 

With the successful OCO-2 progress, NASA will begin the initial design phase of the OCO-3 

instrument mission of opportunity, culminating in a KDP-B gate review transition for OCO-3 by the 

end of FY 2012. In FY 2012, NASA will continue the five airborne science investigations selected 

through the initial Venture Class solicitation (EV-1) in FY 2010 and started in FY 2011. ESSP will 

complete the evaluation and selection of winning proposals from two additional Earth Venture AO 

calls. The second Earth Venture AO call, EV-2, for small complete satellite missions will be released 

in FY 2011, and the initial annual call (EV-Instrument) for instruments of opportunity in support of the 

Climate Initiative will be released early in FY 2012. The winning proposals for each call will be 

selected during FY 2012. The target small mission launch date will be no more than five years after 

selection, and the anticipated instrument delivery as early as FY 2016 or FY 2017 (depending on the 

complexity of the instrument selected). Annual EV-Instrument calls are an integral part of the Climate 

Initiative and are supported in the President's Budget. The ESSP currently has two missions in 

development, OCO-2 and Aquarius; three operating missions, GRACE, CloudSat, and CALIPSO; and 

five EV-1 airborne science investigations underway. 

 

For more information see http://earth.nasa.gov.

ES-62
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Program:

 

Earth System Science Pathfinder

Plans For FY 2012

The ESSP Program plans for FY 2012 include: 

- On orbit checkout and calibration/validation of the Aquarius/SAC-D mission; 

 

- Completion of the OCO-2 Phase C and the KDP-D transition of this mission into Acceptance, Test, 

and Launch Operations (ATLO) activities; 

 

- Completion of the initial design phase of the OCO-3 instrument mission of opportunity, culminating 

in a KDP-B phase transition by the end of FY 2012; 

 

- Initial science data acquisitions from the selected EV-1 investigations; 

 

- Evaluation and selection of the winning proposal from the EV-2 small-mission AO; 

 

- Evaluation and selection of the winning proposal(s) from the first annual EV-Instrument AO, 

soliciting significant Earth-observing instruments for flights of opportunity; and 

 

- Continued operations of the GRACE, CloudSat, and CALIPSO missions based on the direction of 

the 2011 Senior Review.

ES-63
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Program: Earth System Science Pathfinder

Project Descriptions and Explanation of Changes

 

Aquarius

Aquarius will observe and model seasonal and year-to-year variations of sea-surface salinity and 

how these variations relate to changes in the water cycle and ocean circulation. The science focus 

areas served by Aquarius will include: climate variability and change; and water and energy cycles. 

Aquarius is currently in Phase D with a manifested launch date of June 2011 and three years of 

prime mission life. Additional detail can be found in the Aquarius development section of this 

document.

Orbiting Carbon Observatory - 2

OCO-2 is a replacement for the original OCO, which failed to reach orbit in February 2009 due to a 

launch vehicle anomaly. OCO-2 will utilize OCO's implementation approach to the greatest degree 

practical to reduce mission development risk. The OCO-2 mission objectives are identical to those 

for OCO. OCO-2 employs a dedicated spacecraft with a single instrument, designed to measure 

CO2 and O2 near-infrared absorptions from reflected sunlight. Additional detail can be found in the 

OCO-2 section of this document.

Venture Class Missions

"Venture-class" Earth System Science Pathfinder missions have been established in response to the 

National Academies' Earth science decadal survey. Venture-class missions will be small, competed 

science investigations, and will include suborbital payloads; instruments to be flown as missions of 

opportunity on host spacecraft (e.g., non-NASA spacecraft or ISS); and small, focused satellites.

Other Missions and Data Analysis

Included in this line item are three operating spacecraft: 

- GRACE, launched in FY 2002, measures Earth's gravity field and its variations with time; 

- CloudSat, launched in FY 2006, measures cloud characteristics to increase understanding of the 

role of optically thick clouds in Earth's radiation budget; and 

- The CALIPSO mission, launched in FY 2006, measures the vertical distribution of clouds and 

aerosols in the atmosphere. 

In addition, this line includes the ESSP research project providing funds for the science teams for the 

ESSP missions. The science teams are comprised of competitively selected individual investigators 

who analyze data from the missions to address the related science questions.

Orbiting Carbon Observatory-3 Instrument

OCO-3 is an instrument to be built from the spare parts residual from the OCO-2 instrument and 

mission development. The instrument will be modified from the OCO-2 design to allow it to be 

compatible with multiple possible payloads. The OCO-3 instrument capabilities will be consistent with 

those of the OCO-2 instrument and mission.

ES-64
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Program: Earth System Science Pathfinder

Program Commitments

Cloud-Aerosol Lidar 

and Infrared Pathfinder 

Satellite (CALIPSO)

Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Apr-06 Sep-11

Form

CloudSat Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Apr-06 Sep-11

Form

Gravity Recovery and 

Climate Experiment 

(GRACE)

Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Mar-02 Sep-11

Form

Orbiting Carbon 

Observatory - 2

Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Oct-10

Feb-13

Jan-13

Feb-15

Form Feb-10 Sep-10

Aquarius Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Oct-05

Jun-11

Jun-11

Jul-14

Form Oct-03 Sep-05

Development (Dev)

Formulation (Form)

Represents a period of no activity for the Project

Operations (Ops)

Research (Res)

Tech & Adv Concepts (Tech)

Commitment/Output

FY 2012

Program/Project Changes from

FY 2011 PB Request

Complete Senior Reviews (SRs) to make 

recommendations on mission extensions.

GRACE, CloudSat, and CALIPSO

Complete the Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 

(OCO-2) Systems Integration Review.

OCO-2

Complete the ICESat-2 Preliminary Design 

Review.

ICESat-2

Complete the Earth Venture 1 (EV-1) 

Investigation Readiness Reviews (IRR) and 

begin initial field campaigns.

Earth System Science Pathfinder

Implementation Schedule

Prior 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Beg End

Project Schedule by Fiscal Year Phase Dates

ES-65
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Program: Earth System Science Pathfinder

Program Management

The Agency Program Management Council has program oversight responsibility. The Earth Science 

Division Director is responsible for program oversight.

Project Management

Responsibility

NASA Center 

Performers

Cost-Sharing Partners

Aquarius JPL JPL Argentina's Comision Nacional De 

Actividades Espaciales (CONAE), 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration, Naval Research 

Laboratory, National Center for 

Atmospheric Research.

Orbiting Carbon Observatory - 2 JPL JPL N/A

GRACE Earth Science Division JPL Deutches Zentrum fur Luft- und 

Raumfahrt (DLR, the German 

Aerospace Center); Office National 

d'Etudes et de Recherches 

Aerospatiale (ONERA) of France; 

GeoForschungsZentrum (German 

National Research Centre for 

Geosciences); National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration; National 

Geospatial-Intelligence Agency.

CloudSat Earth Science Division JPL Canadian Space Agency; U.S. Air 

Force; Department of Energy.

CALIPSO Earth Science Division LaRC France's Centre National d'Etudes 

Spatiales (CNES, the National Center 

for Space Studies) and Alcatel; 

SODERN; Institut Pierre Simon 

Laplace, France.

Acquisition Strategy

ESSP Program missions are selected competitively via AO. The AO process uses peer review for the 

science content of the proposed missions, as well as thorough independent review of their technical, 

management, and cost elements. Evaluations and selections will be completed for the second 

Venture Class call, EV-2, and for the first instrument only AO, EV-I1. OCO-2 is a NASA-directed 

mission, but remains under the ESSP Program, as the original OCO was selected under an AO. 

NASA will seek to duplicate the OCO acquisition strategy to the greatest degree practical.

Independent Reviews

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review

Quality Senior Review 

Panel

05/2009 CALIPSO, GRACE, and CloudSat were 

reviewed as part of the Earth Science biennial 

Senior Review process. All three missions were 

approved for extended operations through the 

end of FY 2011.

04/2011

Performance SRB 09/2010 OCO-2 will be subject to a KDP-C Confirmation 

Review to establish the mission development 

baseline.

02/2012

ES-66
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Program: Earth System Science Pathfinder

Project In Development: Aquarius

FY 2012 Budget Request

Budget Authority

($ millions)

Ann CR.

Prior FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's 

Budget Request

221.5 22.3 - 4.9 4.6 4.9 5.1 5.2

Note: For the FY 2012 Budget Request, project life cycle estimates, required to meet the requirements of section 103 of the 

NASA Authorization Act of 2005 (P.L. 109-155; 42 U.S.C. 16613), have been consolidated in the Management and Performance 

Section of this document. This consolidation provides for a comparative analysis across projects, and the inclusion of corrective 

action plans for the projects that have exceeded their original baseline estimates by greater than fifteen percent.

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated 

account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project amounts shown above. The allocation to each project

is reflected in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 

2010 and FY 2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

Explanation of Project Changes

The FY 2011 budget for Aquarius reflected the cost for a launch no earlier than December 2010. 

Spacecraft development delays at NASA's foreign partner, Argentina's National Committee of Space 

Activities (CONAE) spacecraft have set the launch to no earlier than June 2011.

Project Purpose

The Aquarius mission will investigate the links between the global water cycle, ocean circulation, and 

climate. It will observe and model variations of sea surface salinity, and how these relate to changes in 

the water cycle and ocean circulation. This will yield an unprecedented view of the oceans' role in 

climate and weather. For more information visit: http://aquarius.gsfc.nasa.gov/.

Project Parameters

Aquarius is an instrument on Argentina's CONAE spacecraft, Satellite de Aplicaciones Cientificas-D 

(SAC-D). The combined NASA and CONAE instruments and spacecraft form the Aquarius/SAC-D 

observatory. This observatory will be launched into a polar, Sun-synchronous orbit that allows global 

coverage of ice-free ocean surfaces consistent with Aquarius/SAC-D science observational targets. 

The Aquarius instrument includes an L-band microwave radiometer (1.413 GHz) and scatterometer 

(1.26 GHz). The radiometer will measure the surface brightness temperature, which is related to the 

surface emissivity and physical temperature of the seawater. The surface emissivity is determined by 

the dielectric constant of seawater, which is related to salinity. The scatterometer is required to 

provide coincident information of sea surface roughness, a critical correction term for retrieval of sea 

surface salinity.

ES-67
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Program: Earth System Science Pathfinder

Project In Development: Aquarius

Project Commitments

Aquarius is manifested to launch no earlier than June 2011 to begin a three-year prime mission to 

measure sea surface salinity with the precision, resolution, and coverage needed to characterize 

salinity variations and investigate the linkage between ocean circulation, Earth's water cycle, and 

climate variability.

Project Element Provider Description FY 2011 PB 

Request

FY 2012 PB 

Request

L-band microwave 

radiometer at 1.413 GHz; 

scatterometer at 1.26 GHz; 

SSS measurements with 

root-mean-sq random 

errors and systematic 

biases <= 0.2 psu on 150 

km sq scales over ice-free 

oceans.

Aquarius Instrument 

(integrated radiometer/ 

scatterometer)

JPL Same Same

Spacecraft CONAE SAC-D Same Same

Launch Vehicle Boeing Delta II Same Same

Data Management GSFC N/A Same Same

Operations CONAE Command and telemetry Same Same

Schedule Commitments

The Aquarius mission entered a Risk Mitigation Phase (RMP) in July 2002. Following the RMP, the 

project was authorized to proceed to a formulation phase in December 2003. The Aquarius mission 

was authorized by the NASA Science Mission Directorate to proceed to development on October 12, 

2005. In November 2007, the NASA Science Mission Directorate Program Management Council 

approved a replan of Aquarius, including a launch delay to May 2010. In December 2009, the 

NASA Science Mission Directorate Program Management Council approved another replan of 

Aquarius, including a launch delay manifesting the Aquarius/SAC-D mission for a January 2011 

launch. In September 2010, NASA, in coordination with CONAE, made the decision to delay the 

launch readiness date to June 2011 based on the progress on SAC-D testing and assessment of the 

remaining schedule. The replan of the Aquarius project for this change is scheduled to take place 

in March 2011.

Milestone Name Confirmation

Baseline

FY 2011 PB 

Request

FY 2012 PB 

Request

Development

Mission Confirmation Review September 2005 September 2005 September 2005

Mission CDR August 2007 July 2008 July 2008

Aquarius Instrument Pre-ship Review [FY 2008 APG] May 2008 May 2009 May 2009

Launch March 2009 January 2011 June 2011

ES-68
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Program: Earth System Science Pathfinder

Project In Development: Aquarius

Project Management

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory is responsible for project management. The Science Mission 

Directorate Program Management Council is responsible for program oversight. The Earth Science 

Division Director is the responsible official for this project.

Project Element Project Management 

Responsibility NASA Center Performers Cost-Sharing Partners

Launch Vehicle KSC KSC None

Ground System JPL GSFC None

Aquarius Instrument JPL JPL None

Spacecraft CONAE None CONAE

Radiometer JPL GSFC None

Data management GSFC GSFC/JPL None

Mission operations CONAE None CONAE

Acquisition Strategy

Aquarius was competitively selected from proposals submitted in response to ESSP AO 3. All 

elements of the project were included in that selection, and there are no other planned major 

procurements. 

 

The launch vehicle procurement was awarded to Boeing. GSFC and JPL were selected for the 

remaining project elements not provided by CONAE.

Independent Reviews

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review

Performance

Aquarius 

Standing 

Review Board

7/2010

Aquarius Replan Review -- Determined 

readiness of Aquarius instrument integration 

with the SAC-D Observatory (Phase D). 

Recommendation to proceed to Phase D.

3/2011

Project Risk Management

Title Risk Statement Risk Management Approach and Plan

Spacecraft Development 

Delays

Further delays could impact 

launch date.

Monitor Comision Nacional De Actividades Espaciales 

(CONAE) progress and confirm commitments; reassess 

available schedule reserves.

ES-69
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Program: Earth System Science Pathfinder

Project In Development: Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 (OCO-2)

FY 2012 Budget Request

Budget Authority

($ millions)

Ann CR.

Prior FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's 

Budget Request

29.1 62.0 - 91.0 41.0 13.0 4.0 0.0

Note: For the FY 2012 Budget Request, project life cycle estimates, required to meet the requirements of section 103 of the 

NASA Authorization Act of 2005 (P.L. 109-155; 42 U.S.C. 16613), have been consolidated in the Management and Performance 

Section of this document. This consolidation provides for a comparative analysis across projects, and the inclusion of corrective 

action plans for the projects that have exceeded their original baseline estimates by greater than fifteen percent.

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated 

account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project amounts shown above. The allocation to each project

is reflected in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 

2010 and FY 2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

ES-70
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Program: Earth System Science Pathfinder

Project In Development: Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 (OCO-2)

Project Purpose

Data received from OCO-2 will support climate research by enabling an improved understanding of 

natural, distributed CO2 sources and sinks and ocean/atmosphere and land/atmosphere CO2 

exchange processes. OCO-2 measurements will initiate a global time series of atmospheric CO2 for 

direct support of policy development and verification of regulations and environmental treaties. Rapid 

development and launch of OCO-2 is a key element of the President's Budget. 

 

OCO-2 replaces the original OCO, which failed to reach orbit in February 2009 due to a launch vehicle 

anomaly. OCO-2 will utilize OCO's detailed design and implementation approach to the greatest 

possible degree to reduce risk. The mission objectives of OCO and OCO-2 are identical.

Project Parameters

The OCO-2 mission consists of a dedicated spacecraft with a single instrument, flying in a near-polar, 

Sun-synchronous orbit launched by an expendable launch vehicle. The orbit's early afternoon equator 

crossing time maximizes the available signal and minimizes diurnal biases in CO2 measurements 

associated with photosynthesis. The OCO-2 flight system uses hardware components, software, and 

processes with space flight heritage, in particular drawing from the spacecraft and mission design 

implemented for the OCO mission. The spacecraft structure is made of honeycomb panels that form a 

hexagonal shape. This structure houses the instrument and the spacecraft bus components. Panels 

with solar cells are attached and stowed such that the whole structure fits inside the small fairing of 

the Taurus XL launch vehicle. For the OCO-2 mission, the spacecraft has been elongated to 

accommodate the instrument, and the instrument has been embedded into the structure of the 

spacecraft, exactly as was done for the OCO spacecraft. The instrument consists of a single telescope 

feeding three high-resolution grating spectrometers. The optics will be cooled to approximately 270 

Kelvin (K) and the Focal Plane Arrays (FPAs) to approximately 120 K. The instrument will measure 

CO2 and O2 near-infrared absorptions from reflected sunlight. Remote sensing retrieval algorithms 

will process these data to yield estimates of the column-averaged CO2 dry air mole fraction, XCO2. 

The total weight of the observatory is about 530 kilograms. The original OCO successfully completed 

qualification of this configuration prior to launch.

Project Commitments

The OCO-2 is planned to launch in February 2013 to begin a two-year mission. OCO-2 will provide 

atmospheric CO2 measurements with near global coverage of the sunlit portion of Earth on a 16-day 

repeat cycle.

Project Element Provider Description FY 2011 PB 

Request

FY 2012 PB 

Request

Spacecraft Orbital Sciences Corp Provides platform for the 

instrument New Same

Three channel, highresolution grating 

spectrometer measuring 

CO2 and O2 near-infrared 

absorptions from reflected 

sunlight

OCO-2 Instrument JPL New Same

Launch Vehicle Orbital Sciences Corp Taurus XL New Same

ES-71
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Program: Earth System Science Pathfinder

Project In Development: Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 (OCO-2)

Schedule Commitments

Based on design maturity due to the heritage of OCO, OCO-2 entered Formulation in February 2010. 

Completion of KDP-C and transition to Development occurred in September 2010.

Milestone Name Confirmation

Baseline

FY 2011 PB 

Request

FY 2012 PB 

Request

Development

KDP-C N/A December 2010 September 2010

LRD N/A February 2013 February 2013

Error: Subreport could not be shown.

Project Management

JPL has project management responsibility for OCO-2. The Science Mission Directorate Program 

Management Council has program oversight responsibility. The Earth Sciences Division Director is 

the responsible official.

Project Element Project Management 

Responsibility NASA Center Performers Cost-Sharing Partners

Spacecraft JPL None None

Instrument JPL JPL None

Ground System JPL JPL None

Launch Vehicle JPL KSC None

Acquisition Strategy

The OCO-2 spacecraft will be built by Orbital Sciences Corporation. A sole source procurement is 

being pursued to maintain the same configuration as OCO. The OCO-2 instrument will be built inhouse at JPL.

Independent Reviews

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review

Performance OCO-2 SRB 09/2010

OCO-2 will complete a KDP-C Confirmation 

Review, to establish the mission development 

baseline.

02/2012

ES-72
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Program: Earth System Science Pathfinder

Project In Development: Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 (OCO-2)

Project Risk Management

Title Risk Statement Risk Management Approach and Plan

Launch Vehicle Failure If Taurus XL launch vehicle 

failure occurs, then there will 

be a loss of mission.

NASA is employing a rigorous Return-to-Flight program on 

the Taurus XL launch vehicle for the Glory mission. The 

OCO team is being provided insight into these results.

Single String Component 

Failure

If an OCO-2 single string (i.e. 

no redundancy) component 

fails, then there may be a loss 

of mission.

OCO-2 (based on the competed OCO design) was designed 

to have some single string components. Thorough analyses 

and testing is being performed to mitigate this risk as much 

as possible.

ES-73
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Program: Earth Science Multi-Mission Operations

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

149.0 - 159.9 158.8 159.4 162.9 166.6

Earth Science Multi-Mission 

Operations

149.0 - 159.9 158.8 159.4 162.9 166.6

Note:

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated 

account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project amounts shown above. The allocation to each project

is reflected in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 

2010 and FY 2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

ES-74
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Program: Earth Science Multi-Mission Operations

Program Overview

The Earth Science Multi-Mission Operations program acquires, preserves, and distributes 

observational data to support Earth Science focus areas in conformance with national science 

objectives. The Earth Science focus areas are: climate variability and change; atmospheric 

composition; carbon cycle, ecosystems, and biogeochemistry; water and energy cycles; weather; 

and Earth surface and interior. Facilities involved in this undertaking include data handling, data 

processing, and archiving systems. 

 

NASA's principal Earth Science information system is EOSDIS, which has been operational since 

August 1994. EOSDIS acquires, processes, archives, and distributes Earth science data and 

information products created from satellite data, which arrive at the rate of more than four trillion bytes 

(four terabytes) per day. Having successfully created this system, NASA is using advances in 

information technology to expand its capabilities while providing continuous service to the user 

community. The successful completion of the Evolution of EOSDIS Elements (EEE) effort has 

increased efficiency and operability and increased data usability by the research, application, and 

modeling communities. EOSDIS provides services and tools to enable use of NASA's Earth science 

data in next-decadal models, research results, and decision support system benchmarking and 

improved support for end users. The budget request for FY 2012 incorporates cost savings that result 

from this effort and supports upcoming missions including GLORY, OCO-2, and GPM. EOSDIS 

project management is working with decadal survey mission teams to understand their mission data 

characteristics and guide further improvements and system evolution. A system plan for 2015 and 

beyond will take into account evolution needs for new missions being developed in response to the 

National Academies' decadal survey. Small investments will enable the system to keep 

technologically current, and incorporate new research data and services. 

 

NASA Earth science information is archived at eight Distributed Active Archive Centers (DAACs) 

located across the United States. The DAACs specialize by topic area, and make their data available 

to researchers around the world. For more information, please see http://eos.nasa.gov/eosdis. 

 

Research opportunities related to EOSDIS are available through ACCESS at http://accessprojects.gsfc.nasa.gov/. 

 

MEaSUREs is available at http://measures-projects.gsfc.nasa.gov/. Participants in these programs 

are solicited through the ROSES opportunities.

ES-75
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Program: Earth Science Multi-Mission Operations

Plans For FY 2012

The Earth Science Multi-Mission Operations program will continue operation of EOSDIS, the DAACs 

and their accompanying functions, and Core System Science Data Processing Systems. The 

maintenance of these systems is important to collection of data from Earth Science satellites in orbit, 

as well as the continuity of Earth science research efforts. 

 

NASA plans to continue supporting the EEE effort to enable a service-oriented architecture between 

now and 2015. EOSDIS personnel will continue working with decadal survey mission team data and 

mission operations representatives. 

 

Five-year MEaSUREs projects began work in FY 2008 to continue development of multi-instrument 

Earth System Data Records, including Climate Data Records. An ACCESS solicitation will be 

released in NASA's ROSES-2011 and selections for new ACCESS Projects are planned in FY 2012. 

Projects from the third program solicitation, Earth System Data Records Uncertainty, will be in their 

second year. These projects, performed under Cooperative Agreements are proving very valuable for 

maintaining active involvement of the research and modeling communities involved with the EOSDIS 

architecture and informing core infrastructure evolution decisions.

ES-76
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Program: Earth Science Multi-Mission Operations

Project Descriptions and Explanation of Changes

EOSDIS

EOSDIS is the central data handling system for NASA's Earth science efforts. EOSDIS components 

funded in the project include: 

 

- Production of EOS standard science data products, using algorithms and software developed by 

EOS investigators; 

 

- Active archive of all NASA Earth science data, as well as ordering, distribution, and data 

management, ensuring also the preservation of data, products, related algorithms, and systemconfiguration history; 

 

- Information management, enabling researchers to rapidly locate and retrieve data critical to their 

work; and 

 

- User support for research scientists, educators, students, and users in public agencies responsible 

for operational applications of the data, as well as for the general public. 

 

The Precipitation Processing System (PPS) is a measurement-based data and information system at 

GSFC that evolved from the TRMM Science Data and Information System (TSDIS). PPS continues 

to support the TRMM Science Team with analyzed rainfall data from TRMM as well as data from 

other precipitation instruments, and is also developing further to support the upcoming GPM mission 

to be launched in FY 2013. PPS, beginning with the core software architecture of TSDIS, is being 

generalized from a system coded for a single mission to one capable of processing data from 

multiple satellites. The level 1 algorithm code from TRMM is being extended and enhanced to work 

with GPM Microwave Imager. Tasks, such as unique GPM packet de-segmentation and multiple 

precipitation instruments near-real-time, are being added. To support long-term precipitation needs; 

extendibility, flexibility, and portability are being added to the base architecture.

ES-77
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Program: Earth Science Multi-Mission Operations

Earth Science Multi-Mission Operations

This project funds the Elements of EOSDIS Evolution, aimed at improving the efficiency and 

effectiveness of EOSDIS while reducing the cost, and the Distributed Active Archive Centers, which 

collect, disseminate, and archive Earth science data at eight centers across the Nation: 

 

- The Alaska SAR Facility, which collects Synthetic Aperture Radar 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 Langley Research Center DAAC, which collects data on Earth's radiation budget, clouds, 

aerosols, and tropospheric chemistry; 

 

- The Land Processes DAAC, which collects land processes data; 

 

- The National Snow and Ice Data Center, which collects snow and ice data, as well as information 

about the cryosphere and climate; 

 

- The Oak Ridge National Laboratory DAAC, which collects data on biogeochemical dynamics and 

ecological data for studying environmental processes; 

 

- The Physical Oceanography DAAC, which collects information on oceanic processes and air-sea 

interactions; and 

 

- The Socioeconomic Data and Applications Center, covering population, sustainability, multilateral 

environmental agreements, natural hazards, and poverty.

Program Commitments

Commitment/Output

FY 2012

Program/Project Changes from

FY 2011 PB Request

Provide services and tools for use of NASA's 

Earth Science data in next-decadal models, 

research results, and decision support system 

benchmarking.

EOSDIS and DAACs None

Increase the number of science data products 

delivered to Earth Observing System Data and 

Information System (EOSDIS) users.

Earth Science Efficiency Measure None

Maintain a high level of customer satisfaction, as 

measured by exceeding the most recently 

available federal government average rating of 

the Customer Satisfaction Index.

Earth Science Efficiency Measure None

ES-78
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Program:

Elements of EOSDIS 

Evolution (phased startup beginning in FY 

2008)

Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Dec-05

Apr-08

Mar-08

Dec-20

Form Nov-04 Nov-05

EOSDIS and MultiMission Operations 

(including DAACs)

Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Aug-94 Dec-15

Form

Formulation (Form)

Development (Dev)

Represents a period of no activity for the Project

Research (Res)

Operations (Ops)

Tech & Adv Concepts (Tech)

Earth Science Multi-Mission Operations

Implementation Schedule

Prior 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Beg End

Project Schedule by Fiscal Year Phase Dates

Program Management

The Science Mission Directorate and the Program Management Council have oversight responsibility 

for this program. The Earth Science Data and Information System Project Office at GSFC has primary 

responsibility for the program.

Project Management

Responsibility

NASA Center 

Performers

Cost-Sharing Partners

PPS GSFC GSFC NASA operates and is further 

developing the PPS to provide 

analyzed data from the TRMM and 

GPM missions. Both TRMM and GPM 

are joint missions of NASA and JAXA, 

a key stakeholder.

ACCESS, MEaSUREs, Earth 

System Data Records 

Uncertainty Analysis (peerreviewed data research

SMD NASA Headquarters None.

Multi-Mission Operations 

(operations and maintenance of 

Core EOSDIS systems; DAACs, 

Evolution of EOSDIS

GSFC Earth Science Data 

and Information 

Systems Office, 

Goddard Space 

Flight Center

Key participants in the Multi-Mission 

Operations project include the space 

agencies of Europe, Canada, 

Germany, France, and Japan. Other 

U.S. agency partners include the 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration (Department of 

Commerce), U.S. Geological Survey 

(Department of the Interior), and the 

Department of Defense.

Acquisition Strategy

The EOSDIS Core System is a high-performance software system that provides science data ingest, 

archive and distribution capabilities for a multitude of Earth science instruments. Maintenance and 

operations for this system, utilized by three DAAC's post-Step 1 EEE, is performed under contract 

procured by GSFC.

ES-79
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Program: Earth Science Multi-Mission Operations

Independent Reviews

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review

Other Earth Science 

Subcommittee

10/2009 The Earth Science Subcommittee reported that 

they were impressed by the success and clear 

sense of direction of this program.

TBD

Quality DAAC Data 

Priority 

Workshops

ongoing DAAC archive holdings peer reviewed for 

scientific merit. Multiple reviews related to 

individual research areas, all successful; several 

recommendations in work.

annual

ES-80
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Program: Earth Science Technology

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

45.6 - 46.1 47.9 51.9 53.6 54.2

Earth Science Technology 45.6 - 46.1 47.9 51.9 53.6 54.2

Note: The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, 

NASA is operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column 

reflect the annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated 

account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project amounts shown above. The allocation to each project

is reflected in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 

2010 and FY 2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

Program Overview

Advanced technology plays a major role in enabling Earth research and applications programs by 

advancing our technical capabilities for improving understanding of the total Earth system and its 

effects of natural and human-induced changes on the global environment. The Earth Science 

Technology Program (ESTP) supports the Earth Science Division by enabling previously unforeseen 

and infeasible science investigations, enhancing existing measurement capabilities, and reducing the 

cost, risk, and development times of Earth science measurements. The Earth Science Technology 

Office (ESTO) coordinates with the new Agency-wide technology program through the Science 

Mission Directorate's Assistant Director for Innovation and Technology; this person is a member of 

the NASA Technology Executive Council hosted by the Office of the Chief Technologist. 

 

ESTO manages ESTP to provide strategic, science-driven technology assessments and 

requirements development. The office implements a science-focused technology program by 

pursuing promising scientific and engineering concepts through open competition solicitations. 

 

For more information, please see: http://esto.nasa.gov.

ES-81
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Program: Earth Science Technology

Plans For FY 2012

ESTP will plan and develop new remote-sensing and information systems technologies for infusion 

into future science missions in order to enable, or dramatically enhance, measurements, and data 

system capabilities. Planning will start with measurement priorities established by the science 

community, leading to systematically developed technology requirements and priorities. Studies may 

be conducted to assess measurement options for meeting technology performance requirements. 

Implementation will be performed by selecting and funding tasks from competed solicitations in the 

three project areas: Instrument Incubator, Advanced Information Systems, and Advanced Technology 

Initiatives. Ongoing activities in these areas are described in more detail in the project description 

section of this document. 

 

For FY 2012, ongoing investigations will be managed in the Instrument Incubator, Advanced 

Information Systems Technology, and Advanced Component Technology program elements. These 

investigations resulted from FY 2010 and 2011 ROSES solicitations. Both solicitations supported the 

expanded and accelerated mission set enabled by the President's Budget including the Climate 

Initiative.

ES-82
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Program: Earth Science Technology

Project Descriptions and Explanation of Changes

Instrument Incubator

This element develops new and innovative instruments and measurement techniques at the system 

level, including laboratory development and airborne validation. 

 

A solicitation for new instrument technologies was released in FY 2010 and resulted in 16 new 

awards for sensors measuring atmospheric trace gases, aerosols, clouds, gravity fields, ocean 

topography, tropospheric winds, thermal land imaging, Earth radiation balance, precipitation, ocean 

color, snow, and vegetation. Instrument technologies include imagers, spectrometers, lidars, 

microwave sounders, and radars. These projects began in FY 2011 and will continue through FY 

2014. 

 

Among the 35 projects already ongoing in FY 2010, notable Instrument Incubator projects included 

the development of an instrument for highly accurate measurements of carbon dioxide, which will 

benefit future decadal survey missions. Another project made significant progress for measurements 

in a broad spectral range from ultraviolet to visible to infrared. The program also supported the 

development of a unique type of lidar that could one day be used to make three-dimensional wind 

measurements.

Advanced Information Systems Technology

This element develops end-to-end information technologies that enable new Earth-observation 

measurements and information products. The technologies are used to process, archive, access, 

visualize, communicate, and understand science data. The next solicitation is part of ROSES-11, 

with selections expected in the first quarter of FY 2012. 

 

The earlier solicitation released in June 2008 awarded 20 projects that began in early FY 2009, 

focused on three areas needed to support future Earth science measurements: Sensor System 

Support (to incorporate autonomy and rapid response in the sensing process and improve the 

science value of data); Advanced Data Processing (to improve or enhance the information extracted 

from the data stream); and Data Services Management (to better manage the growing body of Earth 

science data and allow for efficient exchange). 

 

For example, one project team developed techniques for validating space-borne soil moisture 

measurements that will be used by a future decadal survey mission. The Real-Time Mission Monitor, 

a science decision support tool that uses cutting-edge information technology, was deployed in the 

GRIP field campaign. Also in support of a future mission, a project team is streamlining data 

acquisition to reduce downlink data volume through the use of on-board processing.

ES-83
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Program: Earth Science Technology

Advanced Technology Initiatives

The Advanced Technology Initiatives element provides for the development of critical component 

and subsystem technologies for instruments and platforms, mostly in support of the Earth science 

decadal survey. The most recent solicitation for advanced component technologies occurred under 

ROSES-10 and focused on such areas as space-qualified laser transmitters, passive optical 

technologies, and microwave and calibration technologies. 

 

During FY 2010 there were 16 active projects. One notable investment was development of a new 

approach for mirror telescope arrays. An unconventional type of material was introduced that 

substantially reduced the cost and turnaround time for the development of the mirror. This 

technology will likely prove useful for a number of planned flight missions that make use of lidars. 

Another successful project was development of a radiometer receiver module that will enable 

efficient space-borne ocean altimeters. 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.

Program Commitments

Commitment/Output

FY 2012

Program/Project Changes from

FY 2011 PB Request

Annually advance a portion of funded technology 

developments by one technology readiness 

level.

ESTP None

Annually mature several technologies to the 

point of readiness for demonstration.

ESTP None

Annually enable or improve one new science 

measurement capability.

ESTP None

Program Management

The Earth Science Division within the Science Mission Directorate has oversight responsibility of the 

technology program office.

Project Management

Responsibility

NASA Center 

Performers

Cost-Sharing Partners

Instrument Incubator ESTO GSFC, JPL, LaRC, 

ARC, GRC , JSC

None.

Advanced Info Systems ESTO GSFC, JPL, LaRC, 

ARC, GRC, MSFC

None.

Advanced Tech Initiatives ESTO GSFC, JPL, LaRC None.

Acquisition Strategy

Tasks are procured primarily through full and open competition, such as the annual ROSES 

announcements.

ES-84
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Program: Earth Science Technology

Independent Reviews

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review

Relevance NAC - Earth 

Science Sub 

Committee

10/2009 The Earth Science Subcommittee reviewed the 

Earth Science Technology program for infusion 

of new technologies and participation of 

universities in developing the new generation of 

technologists. The committee was overall 

pleased with the technology program; it wanted 

to ensure that tasks focus on being able to 

reduce cost in missions and are directed 

towards enabling/enhancing specific 

measurements.

10/2012

ES-85
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Program: Applied Sciences

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

35.3 - 33.1 34.3 35.5 36.7 36.9

Pathways 35.3 - 33.1 34.3 35.5 36.7 36.9

Note:

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated 

account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project amounts shown above. The allocation to each project

is reflected in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 

2010 and FY 2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

Program Overview

The NASA Applied Sciences Program leverages NASA Earth Science satellite measurements and 

new scientific knowledge to enable innovative and practical uses by public and private sector 

organizations. The Applied Sciences program supports applied research and applications projects to 

enable near-term uses of Earth science knowledge, discover and demonstrate new applications, and 

facilitate adoption of applications by non-NASA stakeholder organizations. Applied research and 

applications projects are designed to improve decision-making 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 include improved public health tracking systems for infectious diseases with the Centers for 

Disease Control; advances in accuracy of volcanic ash advisories for airplane pilots with the National 

Weather Service and the Federal Aviation Administration; improved wildfire smoke predictions with 

the U.S. Forest Service to reduce downwind public exposure; advances in assessing impacts of 

climate change on U.S. National Park ecosystems and improving land management strategies; 

improved assessment of flooding and landslide conditions with International Red Cross to plan 

mitigation and response activities; development of drought indicators with National Drought Mitigation 

Center to support end users' conservation and agriculture decisions; and international disaster 

management support with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The program's 

primary outcomes are the routine, sustained uses of NASA Earth science products in user 

organizations' policy, business, and management decisions to serve society; the impacts are the 

resulting socioeconomic benefits from the improved decisions. The program enables operational users 

to imagine and anticipate possible applications from upcoming satellite missions and to provide input 

to mission development teams to increase the societal benefits of NASA missions. 

 

For more information, please see: http://AppliedSciences.nasa.gov.

ES-86
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Program: Applied Sciences

Plans For FY 2012

In FY 2012, the Applied Sciences Program will continue or initiate projects across a range of 

application themes, including health and air quality, water resources, disasters, and ecological 

forecasting. These projects are competitively selected each year through NASA's ROSES 

solicitations. In FY 2012, the program will feature joint solicitations with research and end-user 

organizations, contributions to mission science teams to ensure consideration and incorporation of 

applications requirements throughout the mission design process, and continuation of efforts to build 

skills and capabilities for accessing and applying Earth observations data to benefit society. The FY 

2012 President's Budget enables the program to initiate new solicitations, strengthen end-user 

involvement in early-phase mission planning, improve the communication of results, and support 

products and services provided by the NASA/USAID jointly funded SERVIR network.

ES-87
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Earth Science

Program: Applied Sciences

Project Descriptions and Explanation of Changes

Applied Sciences

In FY 2012, the Applied Sciences Program will sponsor several solicitations and competitivelyselected projects across the range of applications themes described above, including topics that cut 

across these themes: 

 

- Decision Support projects: These are three- to four-year projects that are carried out collaboratively 

with end user organizations to integrate Earth observations data into their decision-making activities 

and enable the organizations' sustained use of the Earth observations data. 

 

- Applications Feasibility projects: These are short-term, proof-of-concept projects to generate and 

test preliminary ideas for applications of Earth science products to determine their potential value 

and readiness for a more in-depth project. 

 

- Applied Sciences Teams: These are multiple-year efforts by teams of applications specialists and 

scientists to address key applications-oriented challenges and develop critical data products needed 

by the applied community and end users. 

 

The program supports joint solicitations with the Earth Science Research Program and supports 

some applications-oriented projects that are identified in solicitations managed by the research 

program's science focus areas, especially science mission teams. The projects also include a small 

number of activities that cut across and support such tasks, including capacity building projects, 

workshops, and outreach activities. 

 

In FY 2012, the Applied Sciences Program will continue the expanded SERVIR network and 

enhance both its scientific capabilities across a broader set of NASA Earth science products and its 

service as a test bed for innovative applications.

Performance Evaluation

In FY 2012, the Applied Sciences Program will use an Applications Readiness Level metric to assess 

the performance of the program's aggregate activities. The Applications Readiness Level is a ninepoint scale that articulates the expected maturation of an application along a continuum from basic 

research to use in an operational setting. The program will begin to use this metric to assess the 

difficulty of individual stages as a way to identify critical success factors for applications projects.

ES-88
Mission Directorate:

Theme:

Science

Earth Science

Program: Applied Sciences

The Earth Science Applications program is based on full and open competition. Grants are peer 

reviewed and selected based on NASA Research Announcements and other related 

announcements. The program emphasizes cost-sharing in projects, especially decision support 

projects.

Acquisition Strategy

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review

Relevance National 

Academies

10/2007 The Applied Sciences program strategy and 

implementation.

2013

Relevance Applied 

Sciences 

Analysis 

Group

11/2010 Applied Sciences program strategy and 

implementation.

11/2011

Independent Reviews

Commitment/Output

FY 2012

Program/Project Changes from

FY 2011 PB Request

Issue competed peer reviewed research awards. Applied Sciences None

Maximize resource utilization through 

streamlining processes and operations across 

the program.

Applied Sciences None

Conduct impact evaluation on mature projects. Applied Sciences None

Advance at least 25 percent of decision-support 

projects at least one Applications Readiness 

Level.

Applied Sciences None

Program Commitments

Program Management

Project Management

Responsibility

NASA Center 

Performers

Cost-Sharing Partners

EPA, NOAA, USDA, FAA, DOE, DOI, 

CDC, USAID ; state agencies, and 

regional organizations such as the 

Western Governors Association, 

American Water Resources 

Association, Gulf of Mexico Alliance. 

Private sector and universities. NonProfit and intergovernmental 

organizations, such as United Nations 

Food and Agriculture Organization.

Earth Science Applications NASA HQ GSFC, LaRC, SSC, 

JPL, MSFC, and 

ARC

Applied Sciences program responsibility resides within the Earth Science Division of the Science 

Mission Directorate.

ES-89
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Planetary Science

Theme Overview

Planetary Science ascertains the content, origin, and evolution of the solar system and the potential 

for life elsewhere. The scientific imperative for Planetary Science, the quest to understand our origins, 

is universal. How did we get here? Are we alone? What does the future hold? These overarching 

questions lead to more focused, fundamental science questions about our solar system: How did the 

Sun's family of planets, satellites, and minor bodies originate and evolve? What are the characteristics 

of the solar system that lead to habitable environments? How and where could life begin and evolve in 

the solar system? What are the characteristics of small bodies and planetary environments and what 

potential hazards or resources do they hold? 

 

To address these science questions, NASA relies on various flight missions, research and analysis, 

and technology development. Seven Planetary Science programs support an integrated and missionbalanced strategy. 

 

- The Research Program supports planetary Research & Analysis (R&A) including sample curation; 

data archiving; dissemination and analysis; Near-Earth Object Observation; and Rosetta, instruments 

operating on the European Space Agency (ESA) comet-bound spacecraft. 

- The Lunar Quest Program includes an operating mission, Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO); 

one mission in development, the Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE); and 

potential future small spacecraft missions, the Lunar Science Institute, and lunar-related R&A. 

- The Discovery Program has two spacecraft in prime mission operations, MErcury Surface, Space 

ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging (MESSENGER) and Dawn; an instrument operating on an 

ESA Mars Express mission, the Analyzer of Space Plasma and Energetic Atoms (ASPERA-3); a 

mission in development through September 2011, the Gravity Recovery And Interior Laboratory 

(GRAIL); one mission of opportunity, Strofio; one investigation using re-purposed spacecraft, New 

Exploration of Comet Tempel 1 (NExT), hosted on the Stardust; and Discovery 12, currently in the 

evaluation and selection process. 

- The New Frontiers Program includes: one currently operating spacecraft, New Horizons; Juno, 

which will begin its operations phase in September 2011; and the soon-to-be-selected New Frontiers 3 

mission. 

- The Mars Exploration Program comprises two orbiting spacecraft, Odyssey and Mars 

Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO), and two rovers, Spirit and Opportunity, all in operation; two missions 

in development phase, Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) and Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN 

(MAVEN); and R&A and program management. Additionally, the NASA/ESA 2016 ExoMars Trace 

Gas Orbiter (EMTGO) is in pre-formulation phase. 

- The Outer Planets Program includes research, one operating mission, Cassini, and an Outer 

Planets flagship mission study and formulation. 

- The Technology Program includes In-Space Propulsion (ISP) systems, advanced power generation, 

NASA-Department of Energy (DOE) cost sharing of Plutonium Restart, and the Advanced MultiMission Operations System (AMMOS). 

 

Planetary Science data furthers NASA's exploration agenda. Science data from many Planetary 

missions provides critical information for future human missions. Robotic Mars orbiters are mapping 

resources (e.g., water and minerals) on or near Mars' surface. In its hunt for asteroids that are 

potential impact hazards to Earth, the NEO Observations program will find and characterize a subset 

of these NEOs, those that present the best targets for human exploration. NASA's human Exploration 

Program has occasionally provided experiments to be flown on robotic planetary spacecraft. Such 

experiments address requirements unique to human exploration, such as measuring the radiation 

environment at Mars. Planetary Science continues to work closely with the Human Exploration 

Program to enhance and enable future human expansion into the solar system.

PS-1
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Planetary Science

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

1,364.4 - 1,488.9 1,365.7 1,326.4 1,271.0 1,188.9

Planetary Science Research 161.6 - 183.9 196.0 208.6 208.4 210.5

Lunar Quest Program 94.5 - 114.5 81.2 48.9 28.1 19.5

Discovery 184.5 - 175.6 205.1 245.7 265.5 242.8

New Frontiers 279.6 - 176.9 265.8 245.5 291.1 296.3

Mars Exploration 438.2 - 594.4 433.1 408.7 309.0 245.9

Outer Planets 100.6 - 120.8 80.5 82.2 84.1 88.5

Technology 105.5 - 122.9 104.1 86.6 84.9 85.4

Note: The new Planetary Science decadal survey, developed by the National Academies, will be released in March 2011. 

The decadal survey is designed to broadly canvas the field of planetary science to determine the current state of knowledge and

then identify and prioritize the most important scientific questions and associated missions during the 2013-2022. NASA will reexamine all elements of the Planetary Science program and may modify future budget and content to better align with the findings 

and recommendations of the report. 

 

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution. 

 

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis. 

 

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated account in 

each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the program amounts shown above. The allocation to each program is reflected 

in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 2010 and FY 

2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

PS-2
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Planetary Science

Plans for FY 2012

Planetary Science Research

The Research and Analysis (R&A) program will continue to release research announcements and 

make research project and grant selections. The Planetary Data System will continue to archive 

and release planetary science data to the science community in a timely manner, enabling further 

scientific analysis. The Astromaterial Curation project will continue its efforts on curation and 

distribution of solar system samples returned by NASA planetary missions such as Stardust and 

Genesis. The Rosetta project will continue toward its arrival at comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko 

(January 2014). The expanded Near-Earth Orbit Observation (NEOO) program will improve and 

increase its efforts to detect Earth approaching asteroids and comets that may provide resources 

for our exploration of the inner solar system, or could become potential impact hazards to the Earth. 

It will also expand efforts to characterize their nature, both to better understand their composition 

and provide information for study of potential hazard mitigation techniques.

Lunar Quest Program

LADEE was confirmed to proceed into implementation (Phase C) in August 2010. It is scheduled to 

complete its Critical Design Review (CDR) in fiscal year (FY) 2011, and will start assembly, test, 

and launch operations in FY 2012. LRO has been successfully transitioned from the Exploration 

Systems Mission Directorate, and it will continue to perform science and measurements throughout 

FY 2012. The Surface Science Lander Technology project will continue its risk reduction efforts 

during FY 2012. Research announcements for Lunar Research and Analysis will be released 

annually, to be followed by selections and awards.

Discovery

MESSENGER Mercury orbit insertion is scheduled for March 2011, and will make measurements 

and perform data analyses throughout FY 2012. The Dawn spacecraft is scheduled for Vesta orbit 

insertion in July 2011, where it will spend a year at Vesta, performing data collection and analysis. It 

will then continue onto Ceres. ASPERA-3, an instrument on the ESA Mars Express spacecraft, will 

continue to collect data throughout FY 2012. Stardust NexT will encounter Tempel 1 in February 

2011 and enable comparative analysis of the recent findings to those of the 2005 Deep Impact 

mission. GRAIL is currently scheduled to launch in September 2011. The spacecraft will perform 

lunar orbit insertion in January 2012, to be followed by science measurement and data analysis. 

Strofio, an instrument selected to fly on ESA's BepiColombo spacecraft is scheduled to launch in 

2014, and will complete CDR by the end of FY 2012. NASA plans to make concept study selections 

in late FY 2011, to be followed by a down-selection to one mission in FY 2012.

New Frontiers

Juno is currently scheduled to launch in August 2011. The spacecraft will spend five years cruising 

and performing periodic deep space maneuver as it makes its way to Jupiter. The New Horizons 

mission will continue on its course toward Pluto and its moons, with periodic spacecraft and 

instrument checkouts as it cruises. New Frontiers 3 mission is scheduled to be down-selected in 

late CY 2011, and will proceed into Phase B in FY 2012.

PS-3
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Planetary Science

Plans for FY 2012

Mars Exploration

MSL is currently scheduled to launch in November 2011. The rover, named Curiosity, will land on 

the surface of Mars in August 2012 and will start surface operations and measurements. MAVEN 

was confirmed to proceed into implementation phase in October 2010. It will complete CDR by the 

end of FY 2011, and will enter into ATLO phase by the end of FY 2012. Odyssey has been 

successfully moved to its new orbit and will continue to detect minerals on the surface of Mars while 

conducting relay operations for the Spirit and Opportunity Mars rovers. MRO will continue with hiresolution imaging and, if technically possible, both Spirit and Opportunity rovers, will continue to 

explore and perform data analysis throughout FY 2012. Having successfully finalized the 

negotiation with ESA on the 2016 ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (EMTGO), the project will complete 

PDR by the end of FY 2011, to be followed by a CDR by the end of FY 2012, and ESA has already 

passed their system-level PDR in December 2010.

Outer Planets

NASA Cassini project completed its Equinox mission in July 2010, and started the Solstice mission 

in August 2010. The Cassini project will operate through Saturn's northern summer solstice and will 

perform data analysis through March 31, 2018. The Agency will continue to negotiate the details of 

potential partnerships with ESA and other international partners for future outer planet missions.

Technology

The ISP will continue toward completion of the NASA's Evolutionary Xenon Thruster (NEXT) 

electric propulsion life validation, and will initiate technology study and feasibility on the Mars 

Ascend Vehicle (MAV). The Radioisotope Power Systems (RPS) program, working with the DOE, 

will start the flight development of the Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator (ARSG) that would 

support a flight in 2016 or 2017. The AMMOS project will continue to provide and develop multimission software tools for spacecraft navigation and mission planning throughout FY 2012. NASA 

will continue work, in partnership with the Department of Energy, to re-establish a domestic 

capability to produce plutonium-238 for use in radioisotope power systems.

PS-4
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Planetary Science

Relevance

Relevance to national priorities, relevant fields, and customer needs:

The Planetary Science program is guided by the 1958 National Aeronautics Space Act, subsequent 

legislation, U.S. National Space Policy, and related policies that call on NASA to conduct robotic 

missions throughout the solar system. The program follows NASA's tradition of establishing its 

science priorities through consultation with world-class experts via the National Academies' decadal 

survey process. The most recent planetary science decadal survey was published in 2002, and the 

next one is scheduled for release in March 2011. Planetary Science also receives tactical-level advice 

from the external science community via the Planetary Science Subcommittee of the NASA Advisory 

Council. 

 

Planetary Science seeks to achieve both near and long-term science goals by studying solar system 

objects and phenomena primarily in situ, but also by returning samples for study in laboratories on 

Earth. Planets and satellites of the solar system and the ancient icy bodies far from the Sun are 

effectively "Rosetta stones," or objects that facilitate interpretation. The Rosetta stones of interest to 

NASA can tell unique stories about the origin and evolution of the solar system. As researchers learn 

more about the origins of living organisms on Earth and about the solar system's planets and moons, 

they may learn if life has arisen in places beyond Earth. 

 

Robotic explorers gather data to help scientists understand the nature and evolution of asteroids, 

comets and other small bodies in the solar system, how the planets formed, what triggered different 

evolutionary paths among planets, and how Earth formed, evolved, and became habitable. To search 

for evidence of life beyond Earth, scientists use these data to map zones of habitability, study the 

chemistry of alien worlds, and unveil the processes that lead to conditions necessary for life. Robotic 

exploration will generate knowledge about the elements of our solar system--information needed to 

identify the most promising human exploration missions. This knowledge will help enable safer 

human space exploration in the forbidding environments they will encounter and may aid in the 

mitigation of hazards to life here on Earth.

Relevance to the NASA Mission and Strategic Goals:

Planetary Science programs support NASA's achievement of Strategic Plan 2, to "Expand scientific 

understanding of the Earth and the universe in which we live." 

 

Emphasis is on the Agency objective, to "Ascertain the content, origin, and evolution of the solar 

system and the potential for life elsewhere."

PS-5
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Planetary Science

Relevance to education and public benefits:

Planetary Science uses its missions, research programs, and the human resources of the space 

science community to enhance the quality of American science, technology, engineering, and 

mathematics (STEM) education. As an example, many of our missions are using mission data to 

create authentic education experiences and engage students from secondary school through 

graduate school. Additionally, the Robotics Alliance project (RAP) provides students the opportunity 

to engage with government, industry and university experts for hands-on, realistic exposure to 

engineering and technical professions, and it serves as a concrete example of the Planetary Science 

program's contribution to education. NASA's Planetary Science theme is dedicated to sharing the 

excitement of discoveries and knowledge generated by space science missions and research with the 

public, thus contributing to educating and inspiring the next generation of STEM employees needed 

for the 21st century. 

 

The innovative nature of planetary science projects also creates an impetus for new techniques and 

technologies that later benefit the public. Public benefits from Planetary Science include a growing 

understanding of the solar system and Earth's significance within it. Comparative planetology leads to 

an understanding of Earth's past geologic history and potential future environment; for example, 

Venus has undergone a runaway greenhouse effect, and Mars, which was once much warmer and 

wetter, is now cold and dry. 

 

NASA's robotic science missions are paving the way for understanding the origin and evolution of the 

solar system and working to identify past and present habitable locations.

PS-6
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Planetary Science

Performance

Performance Commitments:

Measure # Description Contributing 

Program (s)

Strategic Goal 2 Expand scientific understanding of the Earth and the 

universe in which we live.

Outcome 2.3 Ascertain the content, origin, and evolution of the solar 

system and the potential for life elsewhere.

Objective 2.3.1 Inventory solar system objects and identify the 

processes active in and among them.

Performance Goal 2.3.1.1 Provide national scientific capabilities through 

necessary skilled researchers and supporting knowledge 

base.

APG 

2.3.1.1: PS-12-1

Demonstrate planned progress in inventorying solar system 

objects and identifying the processes active in and among 

them. Progress relative to the objectives in NASA's 2010 

Science Plan will be evaluated by external expert review.

Multiple Programs

Performance Goal 2.3.1.2 By 2015, launch at least two missions in support of this 

outcome.

APG 

2.3.1.2: PS-12-2

Complete the mission concept studies for the New Frontiers 3 

mission.

New Frontiers

APG 

2.3.1.2: PS-12-3

Complete the Discovery 12 mission concept studies. Discovery

Objective 2.3.2 Improve understanding of how the Sun's family of 

planets, satellites, and minor bodies originated and 

evolved.

Performance Goal 2.3.2.1 Provide national scientific capabilities through 

necessary skilled researchers and supporting knowledge 

base.

APG 

2.3.2.1: PS-12-4

Demonstrate planned progress in understanding how the 

Sun's family of planets, satellites, and minor bodies originated 

and evolved. Progress relative to the objectives in NASA's 

2010 Science Plan will be evaluated by external expert 

review.

Multiple Programs

APG 

2.3.2.1: PS-12-5

Complete MESSENGER mission success criteria. Discovery

Performance Goal 2.3.2.2 By 2015, launch at least three missions in support of this 

outcome.

APG 

2.3.2.2: PS-12-2

Complete the mission concept studies for the New Frontiers 3 

mission.

New Frontiers

APG 

2.3.2.2: PS-12-6

Complete the Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment 

Explorer (LADEE) Systems Integration Review.

Lunar Quest 

Program

Objective 2.3.3 Improve understanding of the processes that determine 

the history and future of habitability of environments on 

Mars and other solar system bodies.

Performance Goal 2.3.3.1 Provide national scientific capabilities through 

necessary skilled researchers and supporting knowledge 

base.

APG 

2.3.3.1 : PS-12-7

Demonstrate planned progress in understanding the 

processes that determine the history and future of habitability 

of environments on Mars and other solar system bodies. 

Progress relative to the objectives in NASA's 2010 Science 

Plan will be evaluated by external expert review.

Multiple Programs

PS-7
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Planetary Science

Performance

Performance Commitments:

Measure # Description Contributing 

Program (s)

Performance Goal 2.3.3.2 By 2015, launch at least two missions in support of this 

outcome.

APG 

2.3.3.2: PS-12-10

Complete the Mars 16 Mission Confirmation Review. Mars Exploration

APG 

2.3.3.2: PS-12-8

Complete the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Launch 

Readiness Review.

Mars Exploration

APG 

2.3.3.2: PS-12-9

Complete the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN 

Mission (MAVEN) Systems Integration Review.

Mars Exploration

Objective 2.3.4 Improve understanding of the origin and evolution of 

Earth's life and biosphere to determine if there is or ever 

has been life elsewhere in the universe.

Performance Goal 2.3.4.1 Provide national scientific capabilities through 

necessary skilled researchers and supporting knowledge 

base.

APG 

2.3.4.1 : PS-12-11

Demonstrate planned progress in understanding the origin 

and evolution of life on Earth and throughout the biosphere to 

determine if there is or ever has been life elsewhere in the 

universe. Progress relative to the objectives in NASA's 2010 

Science Plan will be evaluated by external expert review.

Multiple Programs

Objective 2.3.5 Identify and characterize small bodies and the properties 

of planetary environments that pose a threat to terrestrial 

life or exploration or provide potentially exploitable 

resources.

Performance Goal 2.3.5.1 Provide national scientific capabilities through 

necessary skilled researchers and supporting knowledge 

base.

APG 

2.3.5.1: PS-12-12

Demonstrate planned progress in identifying and 

characterizing small bodies and the properties of planetary 

environments that pose a threat to terrestrial life or 

exploration or provide potentially exploitable resources. 

Progress relative to the objectives in NASA's 2010 Science 

Plan will be evaluated by external expert review.

Multiple Programs

Performance Goal 2.3.5.2 Return data for selection of destinations in order to lower 

risk for human space exploration beyond low Earth orbit.

APG 

2.3.5.2: PS-12-13

Demonstrate planned progress in characterizing potentially 

hazardous objects that are possible destinations for future 

human space exploration.

Multiple Programs

PS-8
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Planetary Science

Uniform and Efficiency Measures:

Measure # Description

Planetary Science Theme

APG 

EFF: PS-12-14

Complete all development projects within 110 percent of the cost and schedule 

baseline.

APG 

EFF: PS-12-15

Deliver at least 90 percent of scheduled operating hours for all operations and 

research facilities.

APG 

EFF: PS-12-16

Peer-review and competitively award at least 95 percent, by budget, of research 

projects.

Reduce time within which 80 percent of NASA Research Announcement (NRA) 

grants are awarded, from proposal due date to selection, by four percent per year, 

with a goal of 180 days.

APG 

EFF: PS-12-17

PS-9
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Planetary Science

Performance Achievement Highlights:

Data from NASA's two Mars rovers, along with orbiters Mars Odyssey, MRO, and the ESA/NASA 

Mars Express (all of which have continued to operate beyond their prime mission) show that the planet 

had a relatively wet environment. Evidence indicates that the climate evolved, with the planet passing 

through a major transition during which water on or near its surface became ephemeral and acidic. 

Early Mars produced diverse mineralogy deposits, such as clays, that may be evidence for ancient 

lakes, springs, or groundwater. MRO and the rover Spirit found carbonate deposits, which would have 

been destroyed by acidic conditions if acidity were globally prevalent. Another revelation, from radar 

and high-resolution imagery, has been the discovery of near subsurface ice at the mid-latitudes. This 

is evidence of episodic large-scale changes in the Martian climate. The purported variability in 

methane indicates that the planet is still very active, and may provide an environment for possible 

microbial life on Mars, even today. 

 

The concept of the Moon as a very dry destination shifted in 2010 with the confirmation of the 

presence of water by the M3 instrument aboard the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) 

Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft. Its data show hydroxyl and water molecules are present on the surface of 

the Moon in the polar regions at very small, but surprisingly high levels (based on current Lunar origin 

theories). Other observations, from LRO and M3 showed the entire lunar surface to be hydrated during 

some portions of the day. 

 

Near-Earth asteroids are often portrayed as impact hazards, massive rocks that destroy plant and 

animal life. However, life on Earth has persisted, despite asteroid bombardments throughout its 

history. Leading theories derived from NASA research show that asteroids and comets may have 

provided early Earth with the essential elements needed for the Earth to become a living planet. 

Recent findings of water ice on comets and some asteroids suggests that a period of asteroid 

bombardment delivered much of the water and other building blocks for life. 

 

New research on Europa and its oceans shows that tidal forces appear to push fresh ice upward from 

below in a cycle that forms double ridges on at least half of Europa's surface. As ridges pile on top of 

ridges, older oxygenated material gets buried, shoving oxygen-rich matter downward toward the liquid 

water. Scientists have estimated that after one or two billion years, this process could deliver enough 

oxygen-rich material to Europa's ocean to reach the same concentration levels as those of Earth's 

oceans. This oxygen could provide the necessary environment to nurture life. 

 

Cassini observations improve our understanding of Enceladus and Titan. Icy material is ejected from 

the vents of a near-surface of Enceladus, like cold versions of the Old Faithful geyser in Yellowstone 

National Park. Scientists discovered evidence of sodium salts in the ice grains comprising the plumes, 

representing evidence that there are liquid subsurface lakes or an ocean on tiny Enceladus. Cassini 

observations of Titan have found a major methane "hydrological" cycle in operation. Methane rain is 

currently falling from the southern hemisphere of Titan, contributing to the increase in size of the 

southern methane lakes. This cycle, along the discovery of ice volcanoes, shows that Titan is larger 

than the planet Mercury, may be an excellent "early-Earth" analog. 

 

Research in NASA's Astrobiology program may have found an alternative biochemistry of life, and 

opened up a new approach for life detection experiments on NASA's planetary missions. Microbes in 

California's Mono Lake were found to substitute arsenic for phosphorous in their DNA. Arsenic, which 

is chemically similar to phosphorus, is poisonous for most life on Earth. The implication is phosphorus 

may not be as essential for life as previously thought.

PS-10
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Planetary Science

Independent Reviews:

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review

Relevance NASA 

Advisory 

Council

07/2010 Reviews science and program implementation 

strategies and relevancies to the NASA 

strategies and goals. Findings from review 

included: NASA has made significant progress 

toward implementing the recommendations of 

the NRC's decadal survey and Mars architecture 

report; and that NASA's current planetary 

exploration program is highly productive, 

carrying out exciting missions and making 

fundamental discoveries.

2/2011

Relevance National 

Academies 

12/2003 Published priorities in a decadal report entitled 

"New Frontiers and the Solar System: An 

Integrated Exploration Strategy." The current 

decadal survey began in 2009 and it is to be 

completed by March 2011.

03/2011

PS-11
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Planetary Science

Program: Planetary Science Research

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

161.6 - 183.9 196.0 208.6 208.4 210.5

Planetary Science Research and 

Analysis

131.5 - 134.6 135.3 140.0 142.8 149.8

Other Missions and Data Analysis 21.3 - 23.7 25.5 31.7 28.2 23.0

Education and Directorate 

Management

3.0 - 5.1 14.7 16.3 16.7 16.5

Near Earth Object Observations 5.8 - 20.4 20.5 20.6 20.7 21.1

Note: The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, 

NASA is operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column 

reflect the annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution. 

 

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis. 

 

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated 

account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project amounts shown above. The allocation to each project

is reflected in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 

2010 and FY 2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

Program Overview

The Planetary Science Research Program is where the data retrieved from missions is combined with 

observations in ground-based laboratories to improve our understanding of the content, origin, and 

evolution of Earth's solar system and planetary systems in general. It does this by supporting the 

development of theoretical tools and laboratory data needed to analyze flight data, inventing new and 

better instruments to fly on future missions, and providing analysis of the data returned.The program 

represents an essential complement to flight missions, providing the scientific research and the 

theoretical foundation to allow the Nation to plan and fully utilize the unique data sets returned from 

the missions exploring the solar system. It is also NASA's primary interface with university faculty and 

graduate students in this field as well as the research community in general. The research program 

achieves this goal by supporting research grants solicited annually and subjected to a careful peer 

review before award. 

 

For further information see: http://nasascience.nasa.gov/planetary-science.

PS-12
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Planetary Science

Program: Planetary Science Research

Plans For FY 2012

In pursuit of fundamental science that guides planetary exploration, competitive announcements will 

again be released soliciting R&A proposals for selection. Planetary Science will continue data 

archiving and distribution of this vital data to the science community in a timely manner for further 

scientific analysis. Likewise, curation and distribution of solar system samples (astromaterials) 

returned by NASA planetary missions such as Stardust, Genesis, and Apollo will continue. 

 

Support will also continue for the Rosetta mission toward its arrival at comet ChuryumovGerasimenko (January 2014). The remaining data from the Hayabusa mission will be archived by the 

Planetary Data System, and curation of returned samples will be started in FY 2011. NASA will 

continue to expand Near Earth Object Observation (NEOO) efforts at finding and characterizing 

asteroids and comets approaching Earth that may be destinations and resources for our exploration 

of the solar system, or could become potential impact hazards to Earth.

PS-13
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Planetary Science

Program: Planetary Science Research

Project Descriptions and Explanation of Changes

Planetary Science Research and Analysis (R&A)

The scope of R&A is very broad, as the project provides the foundation for the formulation of new 

scientific questions and strategies, as well as maximizing the return on the investments the nation 

has already made in robotically exploring the solar system. R&A must provide new theories and 

instrumentation that enable the next generation of flight missions. Discoveries and concepts 

developed in the R&A project are the genesis of scientific priorities, missions, instrumentation, and 

investigations. R&A supports research tasks in areas such as: astrobiology and cosmochemistry; the 

origins and evolution of planetary systems; and the atmospheres, geology, and chemistry of the solar 

system's planets, other than Earth. R&A provides for instrument and measurement concepts, and 

supports the initial definition of mission concepts and development of instruments for future 

Discovery, New Frontiers, Mars, or outer planets missions.

Other Missions and Data Analysis

Rosetta, an comet rendezvous mission launched in March 2004 through a partnership between ESA 

and NASA, will arrive at comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko in FY 2014. Rosetta will enable study of 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 will be 

the first to undertake the long-term exploration of a comet at close quarters. It comprises a large 

orbiter, which is designed to operate for a decade at large distances from the Sun, and a small 

lander. Each of these elements carries a large complement of scientific experiments and 

examinations designed to complete the most detailed study of a comet ever attempted. Rosetta will 

allow scientists to look back 4,600 million years to a time when no planets existed and only a vast 

swarm of asteroids and comets surrounded the Sun. 

 

With its successful return to Earth in 2010, the Hayabusa (MUSES-C), a mission primarily operated 

by the Japanese space agency, JAXA, has completed its mission. The spacecraft launched in May of 

2003 and landed on the asteroid Itokawa in November 2005. Hayabusa observed Itokawa's shape, 

geographical features, reflectance, mineral composite, and gravity from an altitude of 3 to 20 km, and 

clarified Itokawa's structure as a "pile of rubble." In April 2007, the spacecraft began its return to 

Earth with an asteroid sample and successfully landed in the Australian Outback on June 14, 2010. 

The sample is now in curation and analysis to reveal the composition of the near-Earth asteroid, 

Itokawa. 

 

The Planetary Data Systems (PDS) and Astromaterials Curation projects support data archives; 

sample processing and storage facilities; and analysis tools needed to perform research. PDS is the 

active data archive for NASA's Planetary Science theme. The Astromaterials Curation Facility at 

Johnson Space Center provides services for all returned planetary materials that do not require 

planetary protection laboratories.

PS-14
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Planetary Science

Program: Planetary Science Research

Education and Directorate Management

The Directorate Management project supports SMD-wide administrative and programmatic 

requirements. 

 

The Robotics Alliance Project (RAP) is dedicated to increasing interest in STEM disciplines among 

youth in the United States. Annual activities and events expose students to challenging applications 

of engineering and science. RAP supports national robotic competitions in which high school students 

team with engineers from government, industry, and universities to gain hands-on experience and 

mentoring from engineering and technical professionals.

Near Earth Object Observations (NEOO)

The NEOO project detects and tracks at least 90 percent of the near Earth objects (NEOs)-- 

asteroids, and comets that come within 1.3 astronomical units of the Sun. It's long term goal is to find 

those of at least 140 meters in size that have any potential to collide with Earth and do significant 

damage to the planet. In the course of this effort, initial characterization of NEOs that could be viable 

targets for robotic and crewed exploration will also occur. In accordance with the findings and 

recommendations of the January 2010 NRC study on the NEO hazard, NEOO will continue to: 

 

- Collect, archive, and analyze the small body data collected by NASA's WISE mission, and support 

increased follow-up and analysis of this data; 

 

- Enable collection of NEO detection and characterization data by ground-based systems, including 

the U.S. Air Force's (USAF) Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Reporting System (PanSTARRS) and investigate the use of other USAF space surveillance assets for this mission; 

 

- Support the continued operation of planetary radar capabilities at the NSF's Arecibo and NASA's 

Goldstone facilities; and 

 

- Investigate both ground and space-based concepts for increasing capacity to detect, track and 

characterize potentially hazardous objects down to sizes 140 meters and below. 

 

More information on NASA's NEO program is available at http://neo.jpl.nasa.gov/.

PS-15
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Planetary Science

Program: Planetary Science Research

Program Commitments

NEOO Tech

Dev

Ops

Res Oct-07 Sep-24

Form

Rosetta Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Mar-04

Sep-08

Mar-04

Sep-17

Sep-17

Form

R&A, PDS, Curation Tech

Dev

Ops

Res Oct-68 Sep-24

Form

Formulation (Form)

Research (Res)

Represents a period of no activity for the Project

Development (Dev)

Operations (Ops)

Tech & Adv Concepts (Tech)

Commitment/Output

FY 2012

Program/Project Changes from

FY 2011 PB Request

Release of research announcements soliciting 

R&A proposals (annual selections)

Research and Analysis (R&A) Same

Meeting commitments to the international 

partners as agreed to in formal agreements

Hayabusa Missions completed

Meeting commitments to the international 

partners as agreed to in formal agreements

Rosetta Same

Archive and release mission data to the science 

community within six months of downlink

Planetary Data System (PDS) Same

Store new samples of astromaterials and 

distribute them as requests are approved by 

CAPTEM

Astromaterials Curations Same

Improve the search for hazardous NEOs, 

asteroids, and comets down to 140 meters in 

size that may pose an impact threat. Add 

elements for upgrading search and 

characterization of NEOs on NASA, NSF and 

USAF assets.

NEOO Same

Implementation Schedule

Prior 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Beg End

Project Schedule by Fiscal Year Phase Dates

PS-16
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Planetary Science

Program: Planetary Science Research

Program Management

NASA HQs is responsible for R&A. JPL is responsible for the operations of the NASA instruments in 

the ESA Rosetta spacecraft and the NEOO Program Office. GSFC is responsible for PDS project 

management. JSC is responsible for Astromaterial Curation.

Project Management

Responsibility

NASA Center 

Performers

Cost-Sharing Partners

Research & Analysis HQ Multiple (NASA 

Centers, 

Universities, 

industries, etc.)

n/a

Rosetta JPL JPL The European Space Agency (ESA) 

built the spacecraft, provided the 

launch vehicle, and operates the 

spacecraft.

Planetary Data System (PDS) GSFC JPL and ARC n/a

Astromaterials Curation JSC JSC and DFRC NSF and Smithsonian Institution for 

Antarctic meteorites.

NEOO HQ JPL and GSFC n/a

Acquisition Strategy

The R&A budget will fund competitively selected activities from the Research Opportunities in Space 

and Earth Science (ROSES) omnibus research announcement. All major acquisitions for Rosetta, 

PDS, and Astromaterials Curation are in place. NEOO data processing nodes are located at the 

Minor Planet Center (Cambridge, MA) and the Sentry high precision orbit determination node at JPL.

Independent Reviews

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review

Quality CAPTEM 

Panel

11/2010 Curation and Analysis Planning Team for 

Extraterrestrial Materials (CAPTEM) reviews 

ongoing curation activities and future plans. 

Curation of Genesis, Stardust, and Apollo lunar 

samples are on track and meeting distribution 

requests. The Curation project is performing well 

overall. The panel reviewed and approved 

distribution of samples; reviewed plans for the 

upgrade of JSC curation facilities; and efforts to 

work with Constellation on curation of samples 

on the Moon.

03/2011

PS-17
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Planetary Science

Program: Lunar Quest Program

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

94.5 - 114.5 81.2 48.9 28.1 19.5

Lunar Science 31.4 - 50.9 48.1 48.9 28.1 19.5

Lunar Atmosphere and Dust 

Environment Explorer

48.2 - 63.2 33.1 0.0 0.0 0.0

International Lunar Network 14.9 - 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Note: 

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution. 

 

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis. 

 

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated 

account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project amounts shown above. The allocation to each project

is reflected in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 

2010 and FY 2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

Program Overview

The Lunar Quest Program (LQP) addresses prioritized science objectives by conducting science 

exploration of the Moon through research and analysis and through the development of a series of 

small-medium satellite and possibly surface missions. LQP addresses the science priorities identified 

in the National Academies report, "The Scientific Context for Exploration of the Moon" (SCEM) and fits 

within NASA's Space Exploration Policy to scientifically explore the solar system. LQP complements 

other lunar missions sponsored by NASA and international agencies. LQP objectives are to: 

 

- Provide opportunities to conduct lunar-focused science missions and research; 

 

- Re-establish lunar science and a lunar science community; 

 

- Facilitate the application of enhancing or enabling technologies to support flight missions; and 

 

- Enhance science opportunities in the implementation of NASA's lunar exploration goals. 

 

LQP is a loosely coupled multi-element science program that includes both flight missions and 

research opportunities. Each LQP project is independent, but they have interrelated objectives and a 

common management and funding structure. LQP flight opportunities consist of small-medium robotic 

science spacecraft or landers.

PS-18
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Planetary Science

Program: Lunar Quest Program

Plans For FY 2012

LADEE has been confirmed to proceed into implementation phase (key decision point (KDP)-C or 

KDP-C). The project plans to successfully complete CDR by the end of FY 2011, and plans to start 

ATLO by the end of FY 2012. 

 

LRO has successfully completed its ESMD objectives and began its science mission in September 

2010. The project will continue its science operations and perform data analysis throughout FY 2012. 

 

The Science Mission Directorate/Planetary Science Division will continue to release lunar science 

research announcements and make research project and grant selections throughout FY 2012.

PS-19
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Planetary Science

Program: Lunar Quest Program

Project Descriptions and Explanation of Changes

Lunar Science

LQP management provides management and oversight of selected flight missions. 

 

Surface Science Lander Technology and International Lunar Network (ILN)/Decadal Priority consist 

of continued technology development associated with small lunar landers. 

 

The LRO Science mission will devote the capabilities of its instruments to five scientific topics: 

 

- The bombardment history of the Moon; 

 

- Lunar geologic processes and their role in the evolution of the crust and lithosphere; 

 

- the processes that have shaped the global lunar regolith; 

 

- The types, sources, sinks, and transfer mechanisms associated with volatiles on the Moon; and 

 

- How the space environment interacts with the lunar surface, in order to advance our understanding 

of the origin and evolution of the Moon. 

 

Lunar R&A will enhance participation and collaboration within the lunar science community. It is 

composed of competed research and analysis opportunities that include: 

 

- National Lunar Science Institute (NLSI), a virtual institute of geographically dispersed researchers 

and institutions, directed by the Ames Research Center (ARC) for management and implementation; 

 

- Lunar Advanced Science and Exploration Research (LASER), a lunar-only element in the ROSES 

NASA Research Announcement (NRA); and 

 

- Lunar Data, which supports lunar data archives and distribution to the science community for 

analysis.

Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE)

Currently in the implementation phase, LADEE, the first mission developed under LQP, is a 

cooperative effort between ARC and GSFC. The LADEE mission addresses high priority science 

goals as identified by the SCEM report, i.e., to determine the global density, composition, and time 

variability of the fragile lunar atmosphere. LADEE's measurements will also determine the size, 

charge, and spatial distribution of electrostatically transported dust grains. LADEE will carry the 

optical laser communications package to be provided by the Space Operations Mission Directorate 

(SOMD), which will technically demonstrate high bandwidth communication from the Moon. NASA 

plans to launch LADEE in November 2013. The nominal science mission is 100 days in length. 

Additional details can be found in the LADEE project development section of this document.

PS-20
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Planetary Science

Program: Lunar Quest Program

Program Commitments

Lunar Atmosphere and 

Dust Environment 

Explorer (LADEE)

Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Aug-10

Nov-13

Nov-13

Mar-14

Form Mar-08 Aug-10

Lunar Reconnaissance 

Orbiter (LRO) Science 

Mission

Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Sep-10

Sep-10

Sep-13

Mar-14

Form

Lunar Science (R&A) Tech

Dev

Ops

Res Oct-08 Sep-24

Form

Formulation (Form)

Research (Res)

Represents a period of no activity for the Project

Development (Dev)

Operations (Ops)

Tech & Adv Concepts (Tech)

Commitment/Output

FY 2012

Program/Project Changes from

FY 2011 PB Request

Conduct scientific investigations to achieve SMD 

lunar science goals and objectives in the 

"Scientific Context for Exploration of the Moon"

Lunar Quest Program Same

Complete the Lunar Atmosphere and Dust 

Environment Explorer (LADEE) Systems 

Integration Review.

LADEE

Implementation Schedule

Prior 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Beg End

Project Schedule by Fiscal Year Phase Dates

Program Management

Scientific mission priorities and assignment responsibilities reside with SMD. Marshall Space Flight 

Center (MSFC) has LQP management responsibility.

Project Management

Responsibility

NASA Center 

Performers

Cost-Sharing Partners

Research & Analysis HQ ARC, GSFC, MSFC, 

JPL, JSC

N/A

LRO Science Mission GSFC GSFC, JSC, JPL N/A

LADEE ARC ARC, GSFC/WFF, 

HQ/USAF

N/A

Surface Science Lander 

Technology/ILN/Future Decadal 

Priority

MSFC MSFC N/A

PS-21
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Planetary Science

Program: Lunar Quest Program

Acquisition Strategy

The LQP acquisition strategy is to direct development of flight projects including the spacecraft bus 

to NASA Centers and competitively select instruments and science team participation through the 

ROSES NRA, and the Stand Alone Missions of Opportunity (SALMON) NRA. 

 

Major acquisitions for the LADEE, the Surface Science Lander Technology, and the LRO science 

missions are in place. ARC and GSFC will provide the spacecraft for LADEE. Three science 

instruments have been selected for LADEE: Neutral Mass Spectrometer (NMS), UV Spectrometer 

(UVS), and Lunar Dust EXperiment (LDEX). The NMS instrument will be provided by GSFC; ARC 

will provide UVS; and the University of Colorado/ Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics 

(LASP) will provide LDEX. MIT/ Lincoln Laboratory (LL) and GSFC will provide the SOMD Lunar 

Laser Communications Demonstration (LLCD) contribution. USAF/Orbital Sciences will provide the 

launch services and vehicle. 

 

GSFC will continue to operate the LRO science mission, along with its performing partners (Johns 

Hopkins University-Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU-APL), JSC, and JPL).

Independent Reviews

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review

Performance IPAO 12/2009 Standing Review Board (SRB) was assigned to 

first perform a Program Acceptance Review 

(PAR) assessing the program's readiness to 

enter implementation. Following approval to 

enter implementation, the SRB will thereafter 

conduct biannual Program Implementation 

Reviews (PIRs) throughout implementation to 

assure the program is operating according to the 

program plan and that it is successfully meeting 

the program objectives.

02/2012

PS-22
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Planetary Science

Program: Lunar Quest Program

Project In Development: Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer

FY 2012 Budget Request

Budget Authority

($ millions)

Ann CR.

Prior FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's 

Budget Request

35.3 48.2 - 63.2 33.1 0.0 0.0 0.0

Note: Consistent with the August 23, 2010 KDP-C decision, funding for SOMD-sponsored Lunar Laser Communications 

Demonstration (LLCD), $65.3 million, is not included in the above number. 

 

For the FY 2012 Budget Request, project life cycle estimates, required to meet the requirements of section 103 of the NASA 

Authorization Act of 2005 (P.L. 109-155; 42 U.S.C. 16613), have been consolidated in the Management and Performance 

Section of this document. This consolidation provides for a comparative analysis across projects, and the inclusion of corrective 

action plans for the projects that have exceeded their original baseline estimates by greater than fifteen percent. 

 

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution. 

 

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis. 

 

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated 

account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project amounts shown above. The allocation to each project

is reflected in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 

2010 and FY 2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

Explanation of Project Changes

LADEE was confirmed to proceed into development phase on August 23, 2010, supporting a 

November 2013 launch date. The project's development and life cycle cost estimates and schedule in 

this document are consistent with the KDP-C memo and its baseline report.

Project Purpose

LADEE, the first mission developed within LQP, is a cooperative effort between ARC and GSFC. 

LADEE will address high-priority science goals, as identified by the NRC, that determine the global 

density, composition, and time variability of the fragile lunar atmosphere. LADEE's measurements will 

also determine the size, charge, and spatial distribution of electrostatically transported dust grains. 

LADEE will carry an optical laser communications demonstrator to be provided by SOMD. The optical 

laser will technically demonstrate high-bandwidth communication from the lunar orbit.

Project Parameters

The LADEE spacecraft design is based on a reusable common bus concept, and will be the first 

spacecraft based on this bus design.

PS-23
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Planetary Science

Program: Lunar Quest Program

Project In Development: Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer

Project Commitments

The spacecraft is planned a near circular, lunar equatorial orbit at approximately 50 km. After launch 

in November 2013, science operations are planned for 100 days.

Project Element Provider Description FY 2011 PB 

Request

FY 2012 PB 

Request

Spacecraft NASA ARC Small spacecraft based on 

reusable design New Same

Integrated Payload NASA GSFC 3 science Instruments 

(UVS, NMS, LDEX) New Same

Launch Vehicle

U.S. Air Force's 

Orbital/Suborbital 

Program (OSP) Orbital 

Sciences Corporation

Medium Class/Minotaur V New Nomenclature of 

rocket (IV+ to V)

Schedule Commitments

SMD announced the LADEE project in April 2008 and assigned leadership of the mission to ARC. 

The LADEE project was confirmed to proceed into development phase on August 23, 2010, 

supporting a November 2013 launch date.

Milestone Name Confirmation

Baseline

FY 2011 PB 

Request

FY 2012 PB 

Request

Development

KDP-C 08/23/2010 11/2010 08/23/2010

SIR 11/2012 N/A 11/2012

LRD/IOC/IC 11/2013 1/2013 11/2013

End of Prime Mission 03/2014 N/A 03/2014

PS-24
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Planetary Science

Program: Lunar Quest Program

Project In Development: Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer

Project Management

LADEE operates under the LQP of the SMD Planetary Science Division. The decision authority is the 

SMD Associate Administrator.

Project Element Project Management 

Responsibility NASA Center Performers Cost-Sharing Partners

Project Management Overall, day-to-day 

management ARC N/A

Spacecraft Design, build and deliver the 

spacecraft ARC N/A

Neutral Mass Spectrometer 

(NMS) Instrument

Design, build and deliver the 

NMS instrument. Also 

responsible for integrating of 

LDEX and UVS

GSFC N/A

UV Spectrometer (UVS) 

Instrument Design, build, and deliver ARC N/A

Lunar Dust EXperiment 

(LDEX) Instrument Design, build, and deliver University of Colorado, LASP N/A

Launch Vehicle Integrate vehicle and provide 

launch service TBD N/A

Acquisition Strategy

All major acquisitions are in place. The spacecraft bus was directed to ARC (UVS) in partnership with 

GSFC (NMS). LDEX was competitively selected through SALMON and awarded to the University of 

Colorado/LASP. The USAF Orbital/Suborbital Program and Orbital Sciences Corporation are 

providing the launch vehicle.

Independent Reviews

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review

Reviewed implementation plan, technical 

readiness, schedule, costs. Passed Preliminary 

Design Review (PDR), and confirmed to 

proceed into implementation phase (C). Critical 

Design Review (CDR) will be the next 

independent review.

Performance SRB 07/2010 08/2011

PS-25
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Planetary Science

Program: Lunar Quest Program

Project In Development: Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer

Project Risk Management

Title Risk Statement Risk Management Approach and Plan

Spacecraft design outgrows 

mass margin allocation

Spacecraft design may 

outgrow launch vehicle 

performance if alternative 

components are required in 

the spacecraft design as 

mass margins are extremely 

limited.

Mitigate through spacecraft design planning, including 

management of margins and contingencies per LADEE 

System Engineering Master Plan, carefully watch Min V 

performance margins through frequent updates from launch 

vehicle provider.

Minotaur V launch loads 

unknown

Delay of launch vehicle 

contract delayed coupled 

loads analysis which may 

impact CDR.

Coupled loads analysis is currently under contract for delivery 

immediately prior to CDR peer reviews. Small residual risk of 

short delay in CDR.

PS-26
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Planetary Science

Program:

 

Discovery

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

184.5 - 175.6 205.1 245.7 265.5 242.8

Gravity Recovery and Interior 

Laboratory (GRAIL)

124.1 - 40.5 4.4 0.0 0.0 0.0

Other Missions and Data Analysis 60.4 - 135.1 200.6 245.7 265.5 242.8

Note: 

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution. 

 

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis. 

 

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated 

account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project amounts shown above. The allocation to each project

is reflected in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 

2010 and FY 2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

Program Overview

Robotic space exploration holds tremendous opportunity for exploration and discovery. With the vast 

amount of knowledge gained since exploration of the solar system began, there come many 

unanswered questions about the origin and evolution of our own solar system. NASA's Discovery 

P rogram provides relatively frequent opportunities to utilize innovative missions that help explain the 

mysteries of the solar system. It provides highly focused planetary science investigations designed to 

increase our understanding of the solar system and its evolution. The Discovery Program offers the 

scientific community the opportunity to assemble and lead cross-functional teams to design and 

implement exciting science investigations that complement NASA's larger planetary science missions. 

 

Completed Discovery missions have achieved groundbreaking science, with each taking a unique 

approach to space exploration. Completed missions include: NEAR, Mars Pathfinder, Lunar 

Prospector, Deep Impact, Stardust, Genesis, Moon Mineralogy Mapper, and EPOXI. 

 

Current Discovery missions continue this approach and include: MESSENGER, Dawn, ASPERA-3, 

StardustNExT, Exospheric Sampling of Mercury's Surface Composition (Strofio), and Gravity 

Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL). 

 

For more information regarding the Discovery Program, see http://discovery.nasa.gov.

PS-27
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Planetary Science

Program: Discovery

Plans For FY 2012

The MESSENGER spacecraft completed its third flyby of Mercury in September 2009. It is preparing 

for its Mercury orbit insertion in March 2011 and will take measurements throughout FY 2012. 

 

The Dawn spacecraft will encounter and orbit Vesta for about ten months, starting in July 2011. 

 

ASPERA-3 continues to collect data on its extended mission aboard ESA Mars Express spacecraft. 

 

The repurposed Stardust NExT mission will approach and accomplish the re-encounter with comet 

Tempel 1 in February 2011 to detect any changes since the July 2005 Deep Impact mission. 

 

GRAIL will complete ATLO as it prepares for launch, scheduled in September 2011. GRAIL will 

perform lunar orbit insertion in January 2012, to be followed by science measurements and data 

analysis.

PS-28
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Planetary Science

Program: Discovery

Project Descriptions and Explanation of Changes

GRAIL

GRAIL was selected in December 2007 and given approval to proceed into its development phase 

(Phase C) on January 28, 2009. GRAIL continued its implementation phase through FY 2011, is 

scheduled to launch in September 2011, and will begin its operating phase during FY 2012. GRAIL 

consists of two spacecraft inserted in low lunar orbit in order to perform high-quality gravity field 

mapping of the Moon to determine its interior structure. This mission will provide the most accurate 

global gravity field to date for any planetary body in the solar system, including Earth. GRAIL will 

enable the public to directly interact with observations through cameras on each dedicated to public 

outreach and education. 

 

Additional details can be found in the GRAIL development section of this document.

PS-29
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Planetary Science

Program: Discovery

Other Missions and Data Analysis

The Dawn mission, now in its operational phase, is on its journey to the two largest and most 

massive asteroids in our solar system, Vesta and Ceres. Vesta's physical characteristics reflect 

those of the inner planets, whereas Ceres' are more like the icy moons of the outer planets. By 

studying these contrasts and comparing these two minor planets, scientists will develop an 

understanding of the transition from the rocky inner regions to the icy outer regions of the solar 

system. The Dawn mission marks the first time a spacecraft will orbit a body in the main asteroid belt 

and the first time a spacecraft will orbit two sequential targets, enabling a detailed and intensive 

study of both. Dawn launched in September 2007. The Dawn spacecraft will encounter and orbit 

Vesta for about ten months starting in July 2011, then after almost a year of Vesta orbit operations, it 

will travel an additional three years to reach and orbit Ceres. 

 

MESSENGER, a mission to orbit Mercury, launched on August 3, 2004, and will have completed its 

cruise operations phase and entered Mercury orbit in March 2011. During the three Mercury flybys 

that prepared the spacecraft for orbit insertion, it collected images that provide coverage of all but 

two percent of the planet. MESSENGER carries seven scientific instruments and a radio science 

experiment to accomplish an ambitious objective: return comprehensive data from Mercury orbit for 

the first time. The miniaturized payload, designed to work in the extreme environment near the Sun, 

will image all of Mercury for the first time, as well as gather data on the composition and structure of 

Mercury's crust, its geologic history, the nature of its active magnetosphere and thin atmosphere, and 

the makeup of its core and the materials near its poles. 

 

As a result of the 2006 Discovery missions of opportunity selected on June 19, 2007, Stardust 

spacecraft was repurposed for new science missions. The New Exploration of Tempel (NExT) will 

use the existing Stardust spacecraft for another flyby of comet Tempel 1 in February 2011 in order to 

image more of the comet's surface and evaluate the extent of surface erosion since the last flyby in 

FY 2005. The analysis of the returned data will continue through FY 2012. 

 

ASPERA-3, a mission of opportunity, is in a third extension of its operational phase. It is one of 

seven instruments aboard the ESA Mars Express spacecraft in orbit around Mars, with a goal to 

study the interaction of the solar wind and Martian atmosphere. The measurements taken by this 

instrument will help answer the question of how strongly the interplanetary plasma and 

electromagnetic fields affect the Martian atmosphere. 

 

The M3 project was part of the scientific payload for the ISRO Chandrayaan-1 mission, which 

launched October 2008 from India, and whose operations were terminated in August 2009. Primary 

objectives of M3 are to assess the mineral resources of the Moon and characterize and map the 

composition of the surface at high spatial resolution. The M3 science team will continue to process 

and analyze the data collected during the shortened mission through FY 2012.

PS-30
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Planetary Science

Program: Discovery

Other Missions & Data Analysis (Continued)

Strofio (Exospheric sampling of Mercury's surface composition), now in its implementation phase, will 

be part of the ESA mission to Mercury and BepiColombo. Strofio will provide valuable information 

about Mercury's exosphere and its interaction with the magnetosphere and surface. Strofio 

completed its confirmation review in May 2010 and is scheduled to deliver in early FY 2012 for 

launch in August 2014. 

 

The Discovery Research Program supports: Discovery Data Analysis program (DDAP) on archived 

data collected on Discovery missions; Laboratory Analysis of Returned Samples (LARS), which 

enables development of new instruments in terrestrial laboratories to analyze samples returned from 

NASA Planetary Science missions; and participating scientists for the MESSENGER and Dawn 

missions. 

 

DDAP enhances the scientific return of the completed Discovery missions by broadening the science 

participation in the analysis of data collected and samples returned. Specifically, the DDAP allows 

scientists not previously associated with Discovery missions an opportunity to perform analysis of the 

data archived in the PDS. Data access through Discovery Research allows a much broader, and 

perhaps more objective, analysis of the data and samples, and also allows research to continue for 

many years after the mission has been completed. Areas for additional data analyses are proposed 

by scientists throughout the U.S. planetary community and are competitively selected with major 

input from science community peer review. 

 

The Discovery Future budget provides funds for future Discovery flight missions to be selected via a 

competitive announcement of opportunity (AO). The Discovery 2010 AO process will result in 

selection of a new mission in FY 2012. 

 

Discovery program management provides for the management oversight of the portfolio of Discovery 

flight missions in implementation. This line also provides for the development of AOs and supports 

independent panel reviews and the mission selection process.

Program Commitments

Commitment/Output

FY 2012

Program/Project Changes from

FY 2011 PB Request

Launch an average of one mission per 24 

months

Discovery Program Same

Complete current prime and funded extended 

operating missions

Dawn, MESSENGER, ASPERA-3 and 

StardustNExT

M3 mission ended early due to 

loss of ISRO's spacecraft; 

EPOXI mission successfully 

completed

Complete design and begin spacecraft or 

instrument development and assembly

Strofio Same

Complete MESSENGER mission success 

criteria.

MESSENGER

Complete the Discovery 12 mission concept 

studies.

Discovery

PS-31
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Planetary Science

Program:

Discovery Research Tech

Dev

Ops

Res Oct-99 Sep-24

Form

Discovery Management Tech

Dev

Ops

Res Oct-99 Sep-24

Form

Strofio Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Jul-10

Sep-14

Sep-14

Aug-20

Form May-09 Jul-10

GRAIL Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Mar-09

Oct-11

Sep-11

Jul-12

Form Oct-07 Mar-09

Stardust NExT Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Jun-07

Feb-11

Feb-11

Sep-12

Form

EPOXI Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Jun-07 Oct-11

Form

Moon Mineralogy 

Mapper (M3)

Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Mar-06

Mar-08

Aug-09

Mar-08

Aug-09

Sep-12

Form Mar-05 Feb-06

Dawn Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Feb-04

Sep-07

Sep-07

Nov-16

Form Dec-01

ASPERA-3 Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Sep-00

Jun-03

Jun-03

May-14

Form

MESSENGER Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Jun-01

Aug-04

Aug-04

Mar-13

Form Jul-99 Jun-01

Represents a period of no activity for the Project

Formulation (Form)

Research (Res)

Development (Dev)

Operations (Ops)

Tech & Adv Concepts (Tech)

Discovery

Implementation Schedule

Prior 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Beg End

Project Schedule by Fiscal Year Phase Dates

PS-32
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Planetary Science

Program: Discovery

Program Management

MSFC is responsible for Discovery program management. Scientific mission priorities and 

assignment of responsibilities reside with SMD.

Project Management

Responsibility

NASA Center 

Performers

Cost-Sharing Partners

MESSENGER Johns Hopkins UniversityApplied Physics Laboratory 

(JHU-APL)

GSFC, JPL None

ASPERA-3 South West Research 

(SwRI)

MSFC Sweden; European Space Agency 

(ESA)

Dawn JPL JPL German Aerospace Center (DLR); Los 

Alamos National Labs (LANL); Italian 

Space Agency; and Max-Planck

M3 JPL JPL ISRO Chandrayan spacecraft, USGS

Stardust-NExT (Stardust-New 

Exploration of Tempel)

JPL JPL None

GRAIL JPL GSFC, JPL, KSC None

Strofio SwRI GSFC European Space Agency (ESA) 

BepiColombo Spacecraft

Acquisition Strategy

The Discovery Program solicits proposals for full planetary missions and missions of opportunity. The 

proposals are put together by teams led by a principal investigator, or PI, and may include firms, 

small businesses, government and universities. The initial phase of each competitive selection is a 

concept study, and several missions and missions of opportunity are generally selected for this 

phase. At the completion of the study phase, one or more concepts may be selected for 

development, based on their continued scientific merit, technical, management and cost viability, and 

the availability of funding. 

 

With the exception of future NASA announcements of opportunity, all major acquisitions are in place. 

 

SwRI employs the PI and Lead Scientist for ASPERA-3 and Strofio. 

 

The University of California at Los Angeles sponsors the PI and lead scientist for the Dawn mission. 

 

Brown University sponsors the PI and lead scientist for M3. SAIC, University of Hawaii, and 

University of Tennessee are also participants. 

 

The Department of Terrestrial Magnetism at the Carnegie Institution of Washington employs the PI 

and lead scientist for MESSENGER. 

 

Cornell University employs the PI for the Stardust New Exploration of Tempel 1 (NExT) mission of 

opportunity. 

 

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) employs the PI and leads the GRAIL mission.

PS-33
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Planetary Science

Program: Discovery

Independent Reviews

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review

Performance IPAO 06/2010 Verified compliance with Agency requirements 

for program implementation and alignment with 

Agency strategic goals and objectives. Found 

that the Discovery program provides effective 

technical and schedule analysis support to the 

projects and continues to actively use risk-based 

insight as part of its oversight of the projects. 

The AO process has proven to be a welldefined, disciplined process that is viewed by 

the science community as fair and effective.

06/2013

PS-34
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Planetary Science

Program: Discovery

Project In Development: Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory

FY 2012 Budget Request

Budget Authority

($ millions)

Ann CR.

Prior FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's 

Budget Request

221.2 124.1 - 40.5 4.4 0.0 0.0 0.0

Note: For the FY 2012 Budget Request, project life cycle estimates, required to meet the requirements of section 103 of the 

NASA Authorization Act of 2005 (P.L. 109-155; 42 U.S.C. 16613), have been consolidated in the Management and Performance 

Section of this document. This consolidation provides for a comparative analysis across projects, and the inclusion of corrective 

action plans for the projects that have exceeded their original baseline estimates by greater than fifteen percent. 

 

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution. 

 

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis. 

 

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated 

account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project amounts shown above. The allocation to each project

is reflected in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 

2010 and FY 2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

Explanation of Project Changes

NASA confirmed GRAIL to proceed into implementation phase (KDP-C or Phase C/D) on January 28, 

2009, and entered ATLO in July 2010. GRAIL approved baseline development ($427 million) and the

life cycle cost ($496.2 million) numbers remain unchanged since KDP-C.

PS-35
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Planetary Science

Program: Discovery

Project In Development: Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory

Project Purpose

GRAIL was selected in December 2007 under the 2006 Discovery AO. The overarching scientific goal 

of the GRAIL mission is to determine the structure of the lunar interior from crust to core. The GRAIL 

mission will also advance our understanding of the thermal evolution of the Moon and extend our 

knowledge gained from the Moon to the other terrestrial-type planets. 

 

GRAIL has six lunar science objectives: 

 

- To map the structure of the crust and lithosphere; 

 

- To study the Moon's asymmetric thermal evolution; 

 

- To determine the subsurface structure of impact basins and the origin and of masons (i.e., highgravity areas); 

 

- To study the temporal evolution of crustal brecciation and magmatism; 

 

- To study affect on the structure of the deep lunar interior from lunar tides; and 

 

- To understand the size of the possible lunar inner core.

Project Parameters

GRAIL will achieve its science objectives by placing twin spacecraft in a nearly circular low altitude (50 

kilometer) polar orbit. The two spacecraft will perform high-precision range-rate measurements between 

them. Analysis of changes in the spacecraft-to-spacecraft range-rate data caused by gravitational 

differences will provide direct and high-precision measurements of the lunar gravity. GRAIL will 

ultimately provide a global, high-accuracy (<10 mGal), high-resolution (30 kilometer) gravity map of the 

moon. The instrument is based on the successful Earth orbiting Gravity Recovery and Climate 

Experiment (GRACE) mission.

Project Commitments

Project Element Provider Description FY 2011 PB 

Request

FY 2012 PB 

Request

Flight System Lockheed Martin

2 spacecraft with s/c 

separation of 175-225 km, 

conducting 90-day science 

phase

Same Same

Lunar Gravity Ranging 

System JPL

Ka-band ranging system 

determines the precise 

instantaneous relative 

range-rate of the two s/c

Same Same

E/PO MoonKam Sally Ride Science 

(SRS)

Taking images of the 

moon, the data will enrich 

the middle school space 

science education

Same Same

Launch Vehicle ULA CLIN23 - Delta II Heavy Same Same

PS-36
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Planetary Science

Program: Discovery

Project In Development: Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory

Schedule Commitments

Milestone Name Confirmation

Baseline

FY 2011 PB 

Request

FY 2012 PB 

Request

Development

Development (Phase C/D or KDP-C) January 28, 2009 Same Same

Critical Design Review (CDR) November 2009 Same Same

System Integration Review June 2010 June 2010 Same

Launch Readiness Review September 2011 Same Same

End of Prime Mission June 2012 same same

PS-37
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Planetary Science

Program: Discovery

Project In Development: Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory

Project Management

GRAIL is part of the Discovery program managed by MSFC. The PI from MIT has delegated day-today project management to JPL.

Acquisition Strategy

GRAIL was selected competitively on December 13, 2007, under a Discovery program AO (AONNH06ZDA001O).

Independent Reviews

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review

Performance SRB/IPAO 05/2010

Assess cost, schedule, and risk status of the 

project. The findings for the review showed that 

cost and schedule for the 2011 launch are 

consistent with the project's plans.

06/2011

Project Risk Management

Title Risk Statement Risk Management Approach and Plan

The mission is of relatively short duration and the single 

string risks are mitigated by use of proven designs, high 

reliability parts, and additional testing of critical systems, 

consistent with the cost and schedule constraints of the 

project.

Single String Spacecraft Both GRAIL spacecraft are 

primarily single string for 

major components. If there is 

an in flight failure, then there 

is no ability to switch over to a 

total redundant component.

PS-38
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Planetary Science

Program: New Frontiers

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

279.6 - 176.9 265.8 245.5 291.1 296.3

Juno 257.1 - 31.2 17.6 17.9 16.7 29.6

Other Missions and Data Analysis 22.4 - 145.7 248.2 227.6 274.4 266.7

Note: The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, 

NASA is operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column 

reflect the annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution. 

 

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis. 

 

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated 

account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project amounts shown above. The allocation to each project

is reflected in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 

2010 and FY 2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

Program Overview

The New Frontiers Program, comprised of medium to large-sized missions, constitutes a critical 

element of NASA's solar system exploration capability that will perform high-quality focused scientific 

investigations. Initiated in 2003, the New Frontiers program was defined to pursue high-quality 

planetary missions that require resources beyond those available in the Discovery Program. Unlike 

the Discovery Program, the choice of destinations and the science goals for each New Frontiers 

opportunity are limited to the NRC recommended science targets. The National Academiesrecommended science targets for the New Frontiers program include Pluto and the Kuiper Belt, 

Jupiter, Venus, Io, Ganymede, Trojan/Centaurs, and sample returns from Earth's Moon, an asteroid, 

and a comet nucleus. 

 

New Horizons is currently on its way to its primary target, Pluto, and is the first peer-review selected 

mission of the New Frontiers program. It will conduct reconnaissance of Pluto and its moons Charon, 

Nixa, and Hydra. The dwarf planet Pluto has been revealed to be a multi-object system of small and 

large moons, never before seen up close. This mission will tell us a lot about how the Kuiper belt 

orbits form and their role in the early formation of the solar system. 

 

Juno, the second New Frontiers mission with an overarching scientific goal to understand the origin 

and evolution of Jupiter and planetary formation, is currently under development. The third New 

Frontiers AO was released in April 2009. Three mission concept studies were awarded on December 

29, 2009. Selection of the final mission is expected by the end of CY 2011, allowing the New 

Frontiers 3 mission to proceed into Phase B in FY 2012. 

 

For more information on the New Frontiers program, see http://newfrontiers.nasa.gov/index.html.

PS-39
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Planetary Science

Program: New Frontiers

Plans For FY 2012

The Juno mission continues its ATLO (Phase D) phase. All Juno mission hardware will be fully tested 

and be delivered to Cape Canaveral in preparation for a launch in August 2011. The project will 

spend five years cruising toward Jupiter as it periodically performs deep space maneuvers and 

instrument checkouts. 

 

The New Horizons spacecraft remains on track for a July 2015 arrival at Pluto. The project will 

continue its cruise period throughout FY 2012. Work during the cruise period will include annual 

spacecraft and instrument checkouts and dress rehearsals for the Pluto flyby. 

 

The third New Frontiers AO was released in April 2009. Selection of New Frontiers 3 proposals for 

funded mission Phase A concept studies occurred on December 29, 2009. Down-selection of one 

mission to proceed to the subsequent phases is expected in third quarter to late CY 2011. The project 

will then proceed to Phase B in FY 2012.

PS-40
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Planetary Science

Program: New Frontiers

Project Descriptions and Explanation of Changes

Juno

Juno, now in ATLO (Phase D), is a mission to Jupiter scheduled to launch in August 2011. The Juno 

science goals are to: determine the oxygen to hydrogen ratio to determine water abundance and 

estimate core mass in order to decide among alternative theories of planetary origin; understand 

Jupiter's interior structure and dynamic properties, including internal convection and the size and 

mass of its core, through mapping of its gravitational and magnetic fields with unprecedented 

accuracy; map variations in atmospheric composition, temperature, cloud opacity and dynamics to 

depths greater than 100 bars at all latitudes; and characterize and explore the three-dimensional 

structure of Jupiter's polar magnetosphere and auroras. Juno uses a simple, spin-stabilized 

spacecraft in an elliptical polar orbit that minimizes radiation exposure by flying under Jupiter's 

radiation belts at perijove and outside them at apojove. Juno's baseline orbit remains continuously in 

sunlight, resulting in benign and stable thermal conditions. Spin stability eliminates complex, powerhungry attitude control components such as reaction wheels. 

Additional detail can be found in the Juno project development section of this document and at 

http://newfrontiers.nasa.gov/missions_juno.html.

Other Missions and Data Analysis

The New Frontiers Future project provides funds for future New Frontiers space missions to be 

selected via a competitive AO process. The third announcement of opportunity (NF-3) was released 

for competition in April 2009. The science targets for this NF-3 AO are those identified in the National

Academies' report, "Opening New Frontiers in Space: Choices for the Next New Frontiers 

Announcement of Opportunity" (2008). Three mission concept studies were awarded on December 

29, 2009. These concept missions probe the atmosphere and crust of Venus; return a piece of a 

near-Earth asteroid for analysis; or drop a robotic lander into a basin at the moon's south pole to 

return lunar rocks back to Earth for study. The 12-month studies began during 2010, and the selected 

mission must be ready for launch no later than December 30, 2018. Down-selection to one mission 

is currently planned for third quarter to late CY 2011. 

 

New Frontiers Research provides for the Jupiter Data Analysis project (JDAP), which broadens the 

science community participation in the analysis of mission data, and allows scientists outside the 

selected flight team to analyze the data from the mission, do research, and publish their findings. 

Data access through the New Frontiers Research project allows a much broader and perhaps more 

objective, analysis of data and samples. JDAP also facilitates new ideas and approaches, getting 

young people started in science, and broadening participation to get a critical mass of scientific talent 

working on mission data at the critical time. 

 

On January 19, 2006, the New Horizons mission successfully launched on an Atlas V launch vehicle. 

New Horizons will reach Pluto and its moons, Charon, Nixa, and Hydra, in July 2015. New Horizons 

will conduct a reconnaissance of the Pluto-Charon system, map their surface composition and 

surface temperatures, characterize their geology and the atmosphere of Pluto, search for any 

atmosphere around Charon, and search for rings and additional satellites around Pluto. The New 

Horizons spacecraft is now halfway between Earth and Pluto, on approach for a dramatic flight past 

the icy planet and its moons in July 2015. 

 

New Frontiers program management provides for management oversight of flight missions

in implementation, development of AOs, assessments for new missions, and independent 

management reviews.

PS-41
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Planetary Science

Program: New Frontiers

Program Commitments

New Frontiers 

Research

Tech

Dev

Ops

Res Oct-08 Sep-24

Form

Juno Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Aug-08

Aug-11

Aug-11

Aug-18

Form Jul-04 Aug-08

New Horizons Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Mar-03

Jan-06

Jan-06

Sep-17

Form Nov-01 Mar-03

Formulation (Form)

Research (Res)

Represents a period of no activity for the Project

Development (Dev)

Operations (Ops)

Tech & Adv Concepts (Tech)

Commitment/Output

FY 2012

Program/Project Changes from

FY 2011 PB Request

Launch an average of one mission per 52 

months

New Frontiers program same

Complete the mission concept studies for the 

New Frontiers 3 mission.

New Frontiers 3

Implementation Schedule

Prior 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Beg End

Project Schedule by Fiscal Year Phase Dates

Program Management

MSFC has New Frontiers program management responsibility. Scientific mission priorities and 

assignment of responsibilities reside with SMD.

Project Management

Responsibility

NASA Center 

Performers

Cost-Sharing Partners

New Horizons MSFC GSFC, JPL None

Juno MSFC JPL, KSC, GSFC Italian Space Agency (ASI)

New Frontiers Research HQ Multi-Center None

PS-42
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Planetary Science

Program: New Frontiers

Acquisition Strategy

Future acquisitions of New Frontiers missions occur under open AO competitions. The New Frontiers 

Program solicits proposals for an entire mission (including instruments). Proposals are put together 

by teams, led by a PI, and include contributions from industry, small businesses, government, and 

academia. 

 

Major acquisitions for the New Horizons (JHU-APL) and Juno (JPL) projects are in place. The PI for 

New Horizons is at SwRI in Boulder, CO. JHU-APL has project management responsibility. 

 

The Juno PI is from SwRI in San Antonio, TX. JPL provides mission project management and 

Lockheed Martin Space Systems is building the spacecraft. The Italian Space Agency, ASI, is 

contributing the Ka-band translator and infrared spectrometer instrument. 

 

New Frontiers Research will be competitively selected from proposals received in response to the 

ROSES NRA.

Independent Reviews

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review

Performance IPAO 06/2010 Verified compliance with Agency requirements 

for program implementation and alignment with 

Agency strategic goals and objectives. The 

findings from the review include: the program 

provides effective technical and schedule 

analysis support to the projects and continues to 

actively use risk-based insight as part of its 

oversight of the projects, and that the AO 

process has proven to be a well-defined, 

disciplined process that is viewed by the science 

community as fair and effective.

06/2013

PS-43
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Planetary Science

Program: New Frontiers

Project In Development: Juno

FY 2012 Budget Request

Budget Authority

($ millions)

Ann CR.

Prior FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's 

Budget Request

485.9 257.1 - 31.2 17.6 17.9 16.7 29.6

Note: Other than the rephasing adjustments, the project remains within its life cycle ($1,107 million) and development ($742.3

million) baseline cost estimates. 

 

For the FY 2012 Budget Request, project life cycle estimates, required to meet the requirements of section 103 of the NASA 

Authorization Act of 2005 (P.L. 109-155; 42 U.S.C. 16613), have been consolidated in the Management and Performance 

Section of this document. This consolidation provides for a comparative analysis across projects, and the inclusion of corrective 

action plans for the projects that have exceeded their original baseline estimates by greater than fifteen percent. 

 

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution. 

 

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis. 

 

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated 

account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project amounts shown above. The allocation to each project

is reflected in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 

2010 and FY 2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

Explanation of Project Changes

The funding profile has been modified consistent with NASA risk management plan and strategy. 

There are no changes to the Juno approved development ($742.3 million) nor the life cycle cost 

($1,107 million) baselines since KDP-C.

PS-44
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Planetary Science

Program: New Frontiers

Project In Development: Juno

Project Purpose

NASA selected Juno on July 15, 2005, under the New Frontiers AO. The overarching scientific goal of 

the Juno mission is to improve understanding of the origin and evolution of Jupiter. However, as the 

archetype of giant planets, Jupiter can also provide knowledge that will improve understanding of both 

the origin of our solar system and of planetary systems being discovered around other stars. The 

investigation focuses on four science objectives. 

 

Origin: Determine the oxygen-to-hydrogen ratio to determine water abundance and estimate core 

mass to decide among alternative theories of planetary origin. 

 

Interior: Understand Jupiter's interior structure and dynamic properties through mapping of its 

gravitational and magnetic fields with unprecedented accuracy, leading to observations of internal 

convection and the size and mass of its core. 

 

Atmosphere: Map variations in atmospheric composition, temperature, and cloud opacity and 

dynamics, to depths greater than 100 bars, at all latitudes. 

 

Magnetosphere: Characterize and explore the three-dimensional structure of Jupiter's polar 

magnetosphere and auroras. 

 

These objectives have been rated very highly in the National Academies' Solar System Exploration 

decadal survey and Sun-Earth Connections decadal survey. The Astrophysics decadal survey 

identified the study of star formation, their planetary systems, as well as giant and terrestrial planet 

birth and evolution as high priority. Juno fulfills key goals outlined in recent NASA and NRC studies.

Project Parameters

Juno achieves the science objectives by using a simple spinning, solar-powered spacecraft to make 

global maps of the gravity, magnetic fields, and atmospheric composition of Jupiter from a unique 

elliptical polar orbit with a close perijove. The spacecraft carries precise, high-sensitivity radiometers, 

magnetometers, and gravity science systems. Juno's 32 polar orbits extensively sample Jupiter's full 

range of latitudes and longitudes. From its polar perspective, Juno combines in-situ and remote 

sensing observations to explore the polar magnetosphere and determine the composition and 

phenomena of Jupiter's auroras.

PS-45
Mission Directorate:

Theme:

Science

Planetary Science

Program: New Frontiers

Project In Development: Juno

Project Commitments

Project Element Provider Description FY 2011 PB 

Request

FY 2012 PB 

Request

Measures radio and 

plasma emissions; 4 m 

electric dipole and search 

coil

Waves University of Iowa Same Same

Jupiter Energetic 

particle Detector 

Instrument (JEDI)

John Hopkins Applied 

Physics Lab (JHU-APL)

Measures auroral 

distributions of electrons 

and ions; TOF vs. energy, 

and ion & electron sensors

Same Same

Maps Jupiter's gravitational 

field to determine structure 

of core; X and Ka-band 

precision Doppler

Gravity Science Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL) Same Same

Flux-Gate 

Magnetometer (FGM) GSFC Maps Jupiter's magnetic field (Vector) Same Same

Launch Vehicle KSC Atlas 551 Same Same

UV Spectrometer 

(UVS)

Southwest Research 

Institute (SwRI)

FUV spectral imager for 

auroral emissions Same Same

Microwave Radiometer 

(MWR) Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL)

6 wavelengths (1.3-50 cm); 

sounds atmosphere to 

determine water and 

ammonia abundances

Same Same

Spacecraft Lockheed Martin

Solar-powered, spinstabilized spacecraft in an 

elliptical polar orbit that 

minimizes radiation 

exposure

Same Same

Jovian Auroral 

Distributions 

Experiment (JADE)

Southwest Research 

Institute (SwRI)

Ion mass spectrometer and 

electron analyzers; 

measures auroral 

distributions of electrons 

and ions

Same Same

Juno Camera 

(JunoCam)

Malin Space Studies 

Institute

EPO instrument that will 

take auroral images and 

Jovian atmospheric activity

Same Same

The Juno launch date is August 2011. After a five-year cruise to Jupiter, Juno will enter Jupiter orbit 

insertion (JOI) during August 2016. Juno will perform one year of science operations.

PS-46
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Planetary Science

Program: New Frontiers

Project In Development: Juno

Schedule Commitments

Milestone Name Confirmation

Baseline

FY 2011 PB 

Request

FY 2012 PB 

Request

Formulation

PDR 5/2008 same same

Development

CDR 3/2009 4/2009 same

SIR (formerly ATLO) 3/2010 same 4/2010

FRR 7/2011 same same

Launch 8/2011 same same

End of Prime Mission 10/2017 same same

PS-47
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Planetary Science

Program: New Frontiers

Project In Development: Juno

Project Management

Juno is part of the New Frontiers program, with program management at MSFC. The PI, from SwRI, 

has delegated day-to-day Juno project management to JPL.

Project Element Project Management 

Responsibility NASA Center Performers Cost-Sharing Partners

Project Management Project Management and 

Oversight JPL N/A

Jupiter energetic particle 

instrument (JEDI) Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL) None None

Plasma Waves Experiment 

(WAVE) Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL) None None

Management; Microwave 

radiometer, and Gravity 

Science Experiment

MSFC/New Frontiers 

Program Office None

Vector Fluxgate 

Magnetometer (FGM) Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL) Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) None

UVS and JADE instruments JPL/Juno Project Office JPL None

Flight System, Integration 

and Test Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL) None None

Overall responsibility for 

the development, 

implementation, operation, 

and success of the mission

MSFC/New Frontiers 

Program Office None None

JunoCam Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL) None None

KaBand and IR science Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL) None Italian Space Agency (ASI)

Acquisition Strategy

All major acquisitions are in place. Juno was selected competitively on July 15, 2005 under the 

second New Frontiers program AO (AO-03-OSS-03).

Independent Reviews

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review

Assess cost, schedule, and risk status of 

project. The findings from the review showed 

that cost and schedule for the August 2011 

launch are consistent with the project's plans. 

The project received approval to proceed to 

ATLO.

Performance IPAO /SRB 03/2010 06/2011

PS-48
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Planetary Science

Program: New Frontiers

Project In Development: Juno

Project Risk Management

Title Risk Statement Risk Management Approach and Plan

Jupiter orbit insertion If Jupiter orbit insertion fails 

to put the spacecraft in the 

desired orbit, then science 

goals will not be obtainable.

Review baseline Phase E plan and compare with previously 

flown missions. Develop a recommended operational 

approach consistent with a Category 1, Class B mission to 

minimize the risk of an orbital insertion anomaly.

PS-49
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Planetary Science

Program: Mars Exploration

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

438.2 - 594.4 433.1 408.7 309.0 245.9

2009 Mars Science Lab 258.4 - 136.4 40.5 37.0 0.0 0.0

MAVEN 48.1 - 240.3 140.6 34.9 15.4 4.7

Other Missions and Data Analysis 131.7 - 217.7 252.0 336.8 293.5 241.1

Note: 

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution. 

 

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis. 

 

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated 

account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project amounts shown above. The allocation to each project

is reflected in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 

2010 and FY 2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

Program Overview

Mars is the most Earth-like planet in the solar system, with land mass approximately equivalent to the 

Earth's, and having familiar features such as riverbeds, past river deltas, and volcanoes. Mars has the 

best planetary record of the first billion years of our solar system and holds scientific clues to the 

development of the solar system, planets, and maybe life itself. The Mars Exploration Program has 

been developed to conduct a rigorous, incremental, discovery-driven exploration of Mars to determine 

the planet's physical, dynamic, and geological characteristics. 

 

The twin Mars rovers, Spirit and Opportunity, are seven years into their surface exploration of Mars, 

and they continue to return a wealth of new results. Opportunity has been moving south to Endurance 

Crater, twenty times larger than Victoria Crater. Spirit has been conducting further studies in the area 

of what remains of an ancient hydrothermal system. Although Spirit is hibernating, NASA has an in 

situ science plan should the rover survive the winter. The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) is in 

its extended mission operations phase and is continuing to return results highlighting areas showing 

morphological, and mineralogical evidence of interaction with liquid water, and characterizing landing 

sites for MSL and future missions. Mars Odyssey's Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS) has 

found new evidence of evaporites (salt deposits). Meanwhile, the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) 

mission continues to achieve technical and schedule progress toward the CY 2011 launch 

opportunity. MAVEN is the second Mars Scout mission and will study atmospheric processes that will 

lead to understanding the evolution of the Martian atmosphere. The 2016 ExoMars Trace Gas 

Orbiter (EMTGO), the first mission in the joint Mars Exploration program between ESA and NASA, 

will investigate the constituency, sources and processes of trace gases at Mars including methane, 

as well as refresh the existing telecommunications infrastructure at Mars for any orbital and surface 

missions to Mars after 2016. 

 

For more information, see http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov.

PS-50
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Planetary Science

Program: Mars Exploration

Plans For FY 2012

The MSL cruise stage and the rover are scheduled for delivery to the KSC in June to support a 

launch in November 2011. MSL will spend most of FY 2012 cruising toward its destination, and is 

scheduled to land on the surface of Mars in August 2012 where it will start surface science 

operations. 

 

MAVEN successfully completed PDR and has been confirmed to proceed into implementation phase 

(Phase C/D). Additionally, the project plans to complete CDR by the end of FY 2011. Project 

managers will work toward System Integration Review to enable approval to enter Phase D, including 

Operational and Flight Readiness Reviews, by the end of FY 2012. 

 

MER, MRO, Odyssey, and ESA's Mars Express will continue to operate, return science data and 

perform telecom and relay support throughout FY 2012. 

 

NASA selected four instruments to be included in the NASA/ESA 2016 EMTGO in August 2010.

The project plans to successfully complete NASA's PDR by end of FY 2011, and will work toward

achieving a successful CDR by the end of FY 2012.

PS-51
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Planetary Science

Program: Mars Exploration

Project Descriptions and Explanation of Changes

Mars Science Laboratory (MSL)

Currently in its implementation phase, MSL takes a major step forward in Mars exploration, both 

technically and scientifically, utilizing a new entry, descent, and landing system, a long-duration 

rover, and ten payload elements for definitive mineralogical and organics measurements. The 

primary scientific objective is to explore and quantitatively assess a local region on Mars as a 

potential habitat for life, and is the transitional mission from the "Follow the Water" theme to "Seeking 

the Signs of Life" theme. MSL will lay the groundwork for future scientific missions, including Mars 

Sample Return, and will provide key information for human exploration. Additional detail can be 

found in the MSL project development section of this document.

Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN)

NASA's second Mars Scout mission, MAVEN (openly competed, PI-led), was approved for 

implementation (Phase C) beginning November 2010. MAVEN, a robotic orbiter mission, will provide 

a comprehensive study of the Mars upper atmosphere, ionosphere, solar energetic drivers, and 

atmospheric losses. It will deliver key measurements addressing longstanding questions about the 

climate history and habitability of Mars. GSFC will manage the project. Lockheed Martin of Littleton, 

CO, will build the spacecraft based on designs from NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter and 2001 

Mars Odyssey missions. Additional detail can be found in the MAVEN project section of this 

document.

PS-52
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Planetary Science

Program: Mars Exploration

Other Missions & Data Analysis

In its extended mission operation phase, the primary scientific objectives of Odyssey include more 

sensitive measurement of the mineralogy of the surface, monitoring of inter-annual variations of Mars 

climate and surface processes, acquiring future mission landing site data, and continuing as a key 

telecommunications relay at Mars. 

 

Currently in their extended operation phase, both the Spirit and Opportunity rovers continue to 

explore geological settings on the surface of Mars using a suite of remote sensing and in-situ 

instruments. Their objective is to expand our understanding of the history and the geological 

processes that shaped Mars, particularly those involving water. 

 

Currently in its extended mission operation phase, the objective of the ESA and ISA Mars Express 

mission is to search for sub-surface water from orbit. NASA participates in the scientific analysis of 

mission data, including the recent investigations into the mysterious and perhaps the youngest 

deposits of the Medusae Fossae formation that have minimal radar signal. 

 

Currently in its extended operation phase, MRO's science objectives include: providing high 

resolution spectral maps and images for interpretation of the geology of the Martian crust; using 

ground-penetrating radar to map compositional discontinuities and layering under the surface; and 

creating planetary-scale maps of critical atmospheric properties. MRO has been critical in 

characterizing landing sites for MSL and will be instrumental in identifying them for future landed 

missions as well. MRO is also the key telecommunications relay for the first half of the next decade 

at Mars. 

 

Mars Mission Operations (MMO) provides management and leadership for the development and 

execution of Mars multi-mission operations. MMO supports and provides operational capabilities at a 

lower cost and risk to all current Mars projects. 

 

Once missions have concluded their primary mission phase, further funding for extended operations 

is allocated based on the findings of a senior review board. Their review of each mission enables 

them to make recommendations for the allocation of the extended operations budget based on 

scientific merit. 

 

NASA invests in 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.

PS-53
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Planetary Science

Program: Mars Exploration

Program Commitments

Mars R&A Tech

Dev

Ops

Res Oct-00 Sep-24

Form

The Mars Atmosphere 

and Volatile EvolutioN 

(MAVEN)

Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Sep-10

Nov-13

Dec-14

Nov-13

Dec-14

Jul-16

Form Sep-08 Sep-10

Mars Express Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Sep-00

Jun-03

Dec-05

Jun-03

Dec-05

May-14

Form Jan-00 Sep-00

Mars Science 

Laboratory (MSL)

Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Aug-06

Dec-11

Oct-13

Dec-11

Oct-13

Oct-17

Form Nov-03 Aug-06

Mars Reconnaissance 

Orbiter (MRO)

Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Jul-02

Aug-05

Oct-11

Aug-05

Sep-11

Sep-17

Form Jan-01 Jul-02

Mars Exploration 

Rovers (Spirit and 

Opportunity)

Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Aug-01

Jun-03

Jun-03

Sep-12

Form May-00 Aug-01

Mars Odyssey Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Apr-99

Apr-01

Apr-01

Sep-12

Form Apr-97 Apr-99

Represents a period of no activity for the Project

Formulation (Form)

Development (Dev)

Operations (Ops)

Research (Res)

Tech & Adv Concepts (Tech)

Commitment/Output

FY 2012

Program/Project Changes from

FY 2011 PB Request

MEP will provide continual operational presence 

on Mars

Mars Exploration Same

At least one Mars mission will be launched at 

every opportunity (every 26 months)

Mars Exploration Same

Complete the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) 

Launch Readiness Review.

MSL

Complete the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile 

EvolutioN Mission (MAVEN) Systems Integration 

Review.

MAVEN

Complete the Mars 16 Mission Confirmation 

Review.

Mars Exploration

Implementation Schedule

Prior 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Beg End

Project Schedule by Fiscal Year Phase Dates

PS-54
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Planetary Science

Program: Mars Exploration

Program Management

JPL has responsibility for implementation of the Mars Exploration program. Scientific mission 

priorities and assignment of responsibilities reside with SMD.

Project Management

Responsibility

NASA Center 

Performers

Cost-Sharing Partners

Mars Exploration Rovers (MER) JPL JPL, ARC, GRC, 

JSC, GSFC

None

Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter 

(MRO)

JPL JPL, ARC, GSFC, 

JSC, MSFC

Agenzia Spaziale Italiana (ASI)

Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) JPL JPL , ARC, GSFC, 

KSC, GRC, LaRC, 

JSC

Department of Energy; International 

partners include Canada, Spain, and 

Russia.

Mars Atmosphere and Volatile 

EvolutioN (MAVEN)

JPL GSFC, KSC, JPL Centre d'Etude Spatiale des 

Rayonnements (CESR)

Mars Odyssey JPL JPL, MSFC None

Mars Express (MEX) JPL JPL, GSFC European Space Agency (ESA)

2016 ExoMars Trace Gas 

Orbiter (EMTGO)

JPL JPL, ARC, LaRC, 

GSFC,KSC

European Space Agency (ESA)

Acquisition Strategy

The Mars Exploration program has set a goal of open competition for all missions. 

 

All major acquisitions for MSL are in place. Malin Space Systems, Honeybee Robotics, Lockheed 

Martin, and Aeroflex are providing support and hardware for the MSL mission. 

 

For the MAVEN mission, the PI is Dr. Bruce Jakosky of the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space 

Physics at the University of Colorado at Boulder. GSFC will manage the project, and Lockheed 

Martin of Littleton, CO, will build the spacecraft. 

 

All Mars research is procured through the ROSES announcement and a competitive, peer review 

selection process. 

 

Instruments for the 2016 EMTGO were competitively selected via an AO process. ESA will provide

the spacecraft, and NASA will provide the launch vehicle. JPL will provide project management

and implement the ESA/NASA contributions.

PS-55
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Planetary Science

Program: Mars Exploration

Independent Reviews

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review

Performance IPAO 10/2006 A Program Implementation Review was 

conducted in October 2006. Review determined 

the Mars program was functioning well and 

continuing to make important contributions to 

science, but was short on reserve funding. It 

also found that MSL is critical for future mission 

science and technology.

3/2011

All Senior Review 

Panel

03/2010 Comparative review of Mars operating missions. 

Missions are ranked in terms of science, 

engineering capability, and their programmatic 

roles as they relate to the Mars Exploration 

program. The findings lead to mission extension 

for Odyssey, MER, MEX, and MRO, with orbit 

time change for the Mars Odyssey mission.

03/2012

PS-56
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Planetary Science

Program: Mars Exploration

Project In Development: 2009 Mars Science Lab

FY 2012 Budget Request

Budget Authority

($ millions)

Ann CR.

Prior FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's 

Budget Request

1,744.4 258.4 - 136.4 40.5 37.0 0.0 0.0

Note: Consistent with the SRB, the Directorate Program Management Council and December 9, 2010 Aeropropulsion 

Management Council recommendations, this budget request includes additional funds to rebuild reserves to a level sufficient to 

assure the project will achieve its November Launch Readiness Date. This is required due to depletion of reserves in FY 2010, 

as the cost for final development of the MSL subsystem (avionics, mobility system and drill) and ensuring timely completion of

science instruments exceeded expectations. 

 

For the FY 2012 Budget Request, project life cycle estimates, required to meet the requirements of section 103 of the NASA 

Authorization Act of 2005 (P.L. 109-155; 42 U.S.C. 16613), have been consolidated in the Management and Performance 

Section of this document. This consolidation provides for a comparative analysis across projects, and the inclusion of corrective 

action plans for the projects that have exceeded their original baseline estimates by greater than fifteen percent. 

 

 

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution. 

 

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis. 

 

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated 

account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project amounts shown above. The allocation to each project

is reflected in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 

2010 and FY 2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

Explanation of Project Changes

The project continues to make technical, cost, and schedule progress. The Sample Analysis of Mars 

(SAM) instrument has been delivered to the project and difficulties are being resolved for Sample 

Acquisition, Processing, and Handling (SA/SPaH) drill. To ensure mission success, NASA continues 

to adopt more conservative posture consistent with NASA risk management plan and strategy. The 

current life cycle cost is estimated at $2,476.3 million. NASA anticipates reprogramming additional 

funds to MSL in the initial FY 2011 operating plan to address the technical problems and related 

issues that have occurred during assembly and testing. The project remains on track to meet its 

November 2011 launch readiness date (LRD).

PS-57
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Planetary Science

Program: Mars Exploration

Project In Development: 2009 Mars Science Lab

Project Purpose

The Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) mission is the most technologically challenging interplanetary 

rover ever designed. It will use new technologies to adjust its flight while descending through the 

Martian atmosphere, and to set the rover on the surface by lowering it on a tether from a hovering 

descent stage. Advanced research instruments make up a science payload ten times the mass of 

instruments on NASA's Spirit and Opportunity Mars rovers. MSL is engineered to drive longer 

distances over rougher terrain than previous rovers. It will also employ a new surface propulsion 

system. 

 

MSL will make detailed measurements of element composition, elemental isotopes and abundance, 

mineralogy, and organic compounds to determine if Mars has, or ever had an environment capable of 

supporting life within the regions explored by MSL. 

 

MSL has four science objectives: 

 

- Assess the biological potential of at least one selected site on Mars; 

 

- Characterize the geology and geochemistry of the landing region at all appropriate spatial scales; 

 

- Identify planetary processes relevant to past habitability; and 

 

- Characterize the broad spectrum of the Martian surface radiation environment. 

 

For more information, see the MSL homepage at 

http://marsprogram.jpl.nasa.gov/missions/future/msl.html.

Project Parameters

The MSL is a surface rover that will collect Martian soil and rock samples and analyze them for 

organic compounds and environmental conditions that could have supported microbial life now or in 

the past. MSL will be a long-duration (two years) roving science laboratory that will be twice as long 

and four times as heavy (900 kilograms) as the Mars Exploration Rovers, Spirit and Opportunity. 

 

Key technologies developed for MSL include: throttle-controlled, high-thrust engines, required during 

Martian entry, descent, and landing (EDL); sample acquisition and processing equipment used to 

acquire and distribute samples to the analytic instrument suite; and long-life, high-reliability, thermalcycle-resistant electronics for use in the rover. 

 

The EDL system will accommodate a wide range of possible latitude and altitude locations on Mars in 

order to be discovery-responsive and to have the capability to reach very promising, but difficult-toreach scientific sites.

PS-58
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Planetary Science

Program: Mars Exploration

Project In Development: 2009 Mars Science Lab

Project Commitments

MSL will be ready to launch in November 2011 and will arrive at Mars approximately nine months 

(August 2012) later. MSL will operate for two Earth years on the surface of Mars and will travel 

approximately 20 kilometers on the Martian surface.

Project Element Provider Description FY 2011 PB 

Request

FY 2012 PB 

Request

Rover JPL Travel 20 kilometers over 

the Martian surface. Same Same

Stereoscopic and 

microscopic cameras Malin Space Systems

Acquire color, stereo 

images with resolutions up 

to 0.2 mm/pixel at 2 m 

range.

Same Added MastCam 

zoom capability

Robotic arm tools Honeybee Robotics

Acquire, process and 

deliver 75 rock and soil 

samples to analytic 

instruments.

Changed the rock 

grinder to a brush, 

sample quantity 

unchanged acquired 

by drill.

Same

Chemistry camera 

(ChemCam)

Department of 

Energy/Los Alamos 

National Laboratory; 

France

Remotely measure 

elemental composition of 

rocks and soil up to 9m 

from rover.

Same Same

Alpha Particle X-ray 

Spectrometer Canada (CSA)

Measure with high 

precision the elemental 

composition of in situ rocks 

and soil.

Same Same

Rover Environmental 

Monitoring System 

(REMS)

Spain

Monitor key atmospheric 

measurements including 

temperature, pressure, 

wind speed/direction and 

humidity.

Same Same

Dynamic Albedo of 

Neutrons (DAN) Russia (IKI) Measure hydrogen content 

in subsurface deposits. Same Same

Cruise stage and entry 

system Lockheed Martin

Transport rover to Martian 

surface and land with 

impact speed below 1 m/s

Same Same

Mission operations and 

data archive JPL

Conduct one-year cruise 

and two-year rover primary 

mission with remotely 

located science team.

Same Same

Sample Analysis at 

Mars (SAM) NASA/GSFC

Analysis of elemental and 

isotopic composition of 

Mars samples

Same Same

Sample Cache ARC

Hockey puck-sized 

container will collect 

sample of Martian soil for 

possible later collection by 

a Mars sample return 

mission.

Deleted Same

Chemistry and 

Mineralogy Instrument 

(CheMin)

NASA/ARC

Analysis of mineral and 

chemical content of Mars 

samples

Same Same

PS-59
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Planetary Science

Program: Mars Exploration

Project In Development: 2009 Mars Science Lab

Schedule Commitments

MSL entered formulation phase in November 2004 and proceeded into implementation phase in 

August 2006. The project is currently scheduled for launch in November 2011, to be followed by 

landing and surface science operations beginning in August 2012.

Milestone Name Confirmation

Baseline

FY 2011 PB 

Request

FY 2012 PB 

Request

Development

Critical Design Review June 2007 June 2007 Same

System Integration Review (formerly ATLO) February 2008 February 2008 Same

Launch Readiness Review September 2009 4QTR CY 2011 Same

PS-60
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Planetary Science

Program: Mars Exploration

Project In Development: 2009 Mars Science Lab

Project Management

MSL is a JPL-managed in-house project. Instrument implementation has been assigned to JPL.

Project Element Project Management 

Responsibility NASA Center Performers Cost-Sharing Partners

Rover JPL JPL None

Stereoscopic and 

microscopic cameras JPL None None

Robotic arm tools JPL JPL None

Chemistry camera 

(ChemCam) JPL None Department of Energy and France

Alpha Particle X-ray 

Spectrometer JPL None Canada

Rover Environmental 

Monitoring System (REMS) JPL None Spain

Dynamic Albedo of 

Neutrons (DAN) JPL None Russia

Cruise stage and entry 

system JPL JPL, AMES, LaRC None

Spacecraft JPL JPL None

Sample Analysis at Mars 

(SAM) JPL GSFC CNES (France)

Chemistry and Mineralogy 

Instrument (CheMin) JPL ARC None

Acquisition Strategy

All major acquisitions are in place. All major instruments were competitively selected. Malin Space 

Systems, Honeybee Robotics, Lockheed Martin, and Aeroflex are providing support and hardware for 

the MSL mission.

Independent Reviews

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review

Assess maturity of MSL design, technical state, 

and adequacy of resources. Design was 

deemed adequate to achieve mission science 

goals, but project needs additional time and 

resources to work the technical problems and 

perform adequate testing. The finding resulted in 

an additional $82.11 million, consistent with 

NASA risk management plan and strategy, to 

resolve problems and to ensure mission 

success.

Performance HQ/SRB 11/2010 03/2011

PS-61
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Planetary Science

Program: Mars Exploration

Project In Development: 2009 Mars Science Lab

Project Risk Management

Title Risk Statement Risk Management Approach and Plan

To ensure success, conduct thorough verification and 

validation program that includes simulations of trajectory, 

approach, and landing operations to validate and refine 

procedures, and apply lessons learned from Phoenix and 

MER.

MSL Landing Risk If the MSL spacecraft does 

not successfully land on the 

Martian surface, then the 

science objectives will not be 

achieved.

PS-62
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Planetary Science

Program: Mars Exploration

Project In Development: Mars Atmosphere & Volatile EvolutioN

FY 2012 Budget Request

Budget Authority

($ millions)

Ann CR.

Prior FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's 

Budget Request

9.9 48.1 - 240.3 140.6 34.9 15.4 4.7

Note: For the FY 2012 Budget Request, project life cycle estimates, required to meet the requirements of section 103 of the 

NASA Authorization Act of 2005 (P.L. 109-155; 42 U.S.C. 16613), have been consolidated in the Management and Performance 

section of this document. This consolidation provides for a comparative analysis across projects, and the inclusion of corrective 

action plans for the projects that have exceeded their original baseline estimates by greater than fifteen percent. 

 

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution. 

 

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis. 

 

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated 

account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project amounts shown above. The allocation to each project

is reflected in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 

2010 and FY 2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

Explanation of Project Changes

MAVEN received KDP-C decision approval on October 4, 2010. The above funding estimate reflects 

the October 2010 KDP-C decision, which included Electra and the awarded launch vehicle costs.

PS-63
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Planetary Science

Program: Mars Exploration

Project In Development: Mars Atmosphere & Volatile EvolutioN

Project Purpose

Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) was selected in September 2008 under the 2006 

Mars Scout AO. The MAVEN mission will provide a comprehensive picture of the Mars upper 

atmosphere, ionosphere, solar energetic drivers, and atmospheric losses. MAVEN will deliver answers 

to long-standing questions regarding the loss of 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. 

 

Specific MAVEN science objectives are to: 

 

- Determine structure and composition of the atmosphere and ionosphere; 

 

- Determine the physical and chemical processes that control loss processes; 

 

- Determine escape rates of neutrals; 

 

- Determine escape rates of ions; 

 

- Determine the external inputs that control upper atmosphere and ionosphere structure and that drive 

escape; and 

 

- Determine the relative escape rates of the stable isotopes and the resulting isotopic fractionation. 

 

Additional information can be found at http://www.nasa.gov/maven.

Project Parameters

MAVEN will deliver its science using three instrument packages: a stand-alone neutral gas and ion 

mass spectrometer (NGIMS), capable of measuring thermal neutrals and ions; a stand-alone imaging 

ultraviolet spectrometer (IUVS); and the Particles and Fields package, consisting of six instruments 

measuring ionospheric properties, energetic ions, solar wind and solar energetic particles, magnetic 

fields, and solar extreme ultraviolet irradiance.

PS-64
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Planetary Science

Program: Mars Exploration

Project In Development: Mars Atmosphere & Volatile EvolutioN

Project Commitments

The MAVEN measurements will be made from an elliptical orbit with periapsis at 150 kilometers and 

apoapsis at 6220 kilometers (4.5-hour period). MAVEN will use a Sun-pointing, three-axis stabilized 

spacecraft, with a two-axis gimballed, Mars-pointing platform for the NGIMS, IUVS, and the 

SupraThermal And Thermal Ion Composition (STATIC) instruments. The spacecraft has a bodymounted high-gain antenna.

Project Element Provider Description FY 2011 PB 

Request

FY 2012 PB 

Request

Launch Services United Launch Services Atlas V Launch Service New

Same (reported as 

intermediate class 

launch service; Atlas 

V now selected)

Spacecraft Lockheed Martin

MRO-heritage spacecraft 

bus and avionic suite, with 

cross strapping and 

monopropellant propulsion 

system

New Same

Neutral Gas and Ion 

Mass Spectrometer 

(NGIMS)

GSFC Mass Spectrometry 

Instrument New Same

Supra Thermal and 

Thermal Ion 

Composition (STATIC)

SSL

Part of the MAVEN particle 

and fields instrument 

package

New Same

Solar Energetic 

Particles (SEP) SSL

Part of the MAVEN particle 

and fields instrument 

package

New Same

Solar Wind Electron 

Analyzer (SWEA) SSL

Part of the MAVEN particle 

and fields instrument 

package

New Same

Solar Wind Ion 

Analyzer (SWIA) SSL

Part of the MAVEN particle 

and fields instrument 

package

New Same

Lanamuir Probe and 

Waves and EUV 

(LPW/EUV)

LASP

Part of the MAVEN particle 

and fields instrument 

package

New Same

Magnetometer GSFC

Part of the MAVEN particle 

and fields instrument 

package

New Same

Imaging Ultraviolet 

Spectrometer (IUVS) LASP Remote-Sensing 

Instrument package New Same

Electra JPL UHF Data Relay payload New Same

PS-65
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Planetary Science

Program: Mars Exploration

Project In Development: Mars Atmosphere & Volatile EvolutioN

Schedule Commitments

NASA selected the second Mars Scout mission, MAVEN, for formulation on September 15, 2008. 

MAVEN was confirmed to proceed into implementation phase on October 4, 2010, with a November 

2013 launch date and arrival at Mars in September 2014.

Milestone Name Confirmation

Baseline

FY 2011 PB 

Request

FY 2012 PB 

Request

Formulation

PDR 07/2010 New Same

Development

CDR 07/2011 New Same

ATLO 07/2012 New Same

Launch 11/2013 New Same

Mars Orbit Insertion 09/2014 New Same

PS-66
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Planetary Science

Program: Mars Exploration

Project In Development: Mars Atmosphere & Volatile EvolutioN

Project Management

The MAVEN project is part of the Mars Exploration Program managed for NASA by the Mars 

Program Office at JPL. The PI for MAVEN is from the University of Colorado and has delegated the 

day-to-day management of the MAVEN Project to GSFC.

Project Element Project Management 

Responsibility NASA Center Performers Cost-Sharing Partners

Project management, 

mission systems 

engineering, safety and 

mission assurance, and 

project scientist

GSFC GSFC

Neutral gas and ion mass 

spectrometer (NGIMS) GSFC GSFC

Navigation, trajectory, and 

orbit maintenance analysis GSFC JPL

Magnetometer (MAG) - 

Measures interplanetary, 

solar wind, and ionospheric 

magnetic fields

GSFC GSFC

Payloads GSFC GSFC CNES

Spacecraft GSFC

Mission Operations GSFC

Launch Vehicle KSC KSC

Ground Systems GSFC

Systems Integration and 

Testing GSFC GSFC

E/PO HQ GSFC

Science HQ GSFC

Acquisition Strategy

All major acquisitions are in place. MAVEN was selected competitively on September 15, 2008, under 

the Mars Scout 2006 Announcement of Opportunity (AO-NNH06ZDA002O).

Independent Reviews

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review

Performance SRB 07/2010

The MAVEN Project passed the Preliminary 

Design Review (PDR)/Non-Advocacy Review 

(NAR) conducted by the independent Standing 

Review Board in July 2010.

07/2011

PS-67
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Planetary Science

Program: Mars Exploration

Project In Development: Mars Atmosphere & Volatile EvolutioN

Project Risk Management

Title Risk Statement Risk Management Approach and Plan

The project and Goddard Mission Assurance Office are 

identifying and understanding HEPS-specific manufacturing 

techniques; identifying all single point failures to inspect 

during assembly to mitigate against shorts; developing a plan 

for insight/oversight of the MAVEN-specific HEPS card build; 

and reviewing board requirements with an eye towards 

design robustness and remaining design requirements.

Single Point Failures on High 

Efficiency Power Supply 

(HEPS) Card

If single point failures on the 

input of the HEPS card occur, 

then permanent loss of 

spacecraft electrical power 

will result.

PS-68
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Planetary Science

Program: Outer Planets

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

100.6 - 120.8 80.5 82.2 84.1 88.5

Outer Planets 100.6 - 120.8 80.5 82.2 84.1 88.5

Note: 

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution. 

 

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis. 

 

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated 

account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project amounts shown above. The allocation to each project

is reflected in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 

2010 and FY 2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

Program Overview

The Outer Planets Program consists of three strategic elements: the ongoing Cassini mission to 

Saturn; Supporting Research and Technology (SR&T); and a pre-formulation study effort for a future 

outer planets mission. These elements enable science investigations across a broader array of 

disciplines and in more depth than smaller, tightly focused competed missions. The science 

discoveries made by these strategic missions are not expected to be easily displaced with time and 

are expected to overthrow previous paradigms and create new ones in their place.

Plans For FY 2012

The Senior Review Board recommended the Cassini Solstice mission, the project's third mission 

extension, to observe seasonal and temporal change in the Saturn system through March 2018. 

 

The recommendations of the next Planetary Science decadal survey, expected in March 2011, will 

determine the science priority for the next outer planets mission.

PS-69
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Planetary Science

Program: Outer Planets

Project Descriptions and Explanation of Changes

Outer Planets

Cassini-Huygens, in its extended operations phase, is an Outer Planets flagship mission to Saturn 

that has profoundly altered our understanding of that planet, its famous rings, magnetosphere, icy 

satellites, and particularly the moons, Titan and Enceladus. Cassini-Huygens is an international 

collaborative effort. It was launched in October 1997 and arrived at Saturn in July 2004 in order to 

explore the Saturn system in detail, including its rings and moons. A major focus is Saturn's largest 

moon, Titan, with its dense atmosphere, methane-based meteorology, and geologically active 

surface. Cassini completed its prime mission in July 2008, completed its Equinox mission in July 

2010, and began the Solstice mission in October 2010. The Solstice mission will observe seasonal 

and temporal change in the Saturn system, especially at Titan, to understand underlying processes, 

and prepare for future missions. The Cassini Solstice mission will continue to operate and conduct 

data analysis through March 2018. 

 

The SR&T effort dramatically increases the scientific return of NASA missions and guides current 

mission operations (e.g., selecting Cassini imaging targets), as well as future mission planning (e.g., 

mission concept studies for Titan missions). The competitive programs within the SR&T effort 

increase understanding of the outer solar system and broaden the science community participation in 

the analysis of data returned by Cassini, Galileo, and other missions.

Program Commitments

Research Data 

Analysis

Tech

Dev

Ops

Res Oct-97 Sep-24

Form

Cassini Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Oct-89

Oct-97

Oct-97

Oct-97

Sep-17

Sep-17

Form Sep-89

Formulation (Form)

Development (Dev)

Represents a period of no activity for the Project

Research (Res)

Operations (Ops)

Tech & Adv Concepts (Tech)

Commitment/Output

FY 2012

Program/Project Changes from

FY 2011 PB Request

Deliver science data to Planetary Data Systems 

(PDS) consistent with science archive plan (in 

increments within 6 - 9 months)

Cassini same

Release ROSES and make selections Research Data Analysis same

Implementation Schedule

Prior 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Beg End

Project Schedule by Fiscal Year Phase Dates

PS-70
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Planetary Science

Program: Outer Planets

Program Management

Management responsibility for the Cassini and pre-formulation of the Outer Planets future mission 

concept development resides at JPL. Scientific mission priorities for the program and the research 

efforts reside within SMD/Planetary Science Division.

Project Management

Responsibility

NASA Center 

Performers

Cost-Sharing Partners

Cassini JPL JPL The Italian Space Agency provided 

Cassini's high-gain communication 

antenna and the Huygens probe was 

built by the European Space Agency 

(ESA).

Outer Planets Pre-project 

Formulation

JPL JPL ESA

Research Data Analysis HQ Multi-Center None

Acquisition Strategy

All major acquisitions contracts for Cassini are in place. The acquisition strategy for future Outer 

Planets missions will be determined in Spring 2011 after receipt of the results of the Planetary 

decadal survey. The science payloads will be competitively selected for the Outer Planets future 

mission.

Independent Reviews

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review

Quality Senior Review 

Panel

02/2009 Cassini senior review for the Solstice extended 

mission recommended approval of the extended 

mission science.

02/2012

PS-71
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Planetary Science

Program: Technology

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

105.5 - 122.9 104.1 86.6 84.9 85.4

Technology 105.5 - 122.9 104.1 86.6 84.9 85.4

Note: 

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution. 

 

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis. 

 

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated 

account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project amounts shown above. The allocation to each project

is reflected in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 

2010 and FY 2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

Program Overview

Planetary Science missions demand advances in both power and propulsion systems to enable 

successful trips to harsh environments, far from the Sun, with highly challenging trajectories and 

operations. To meet these needs, the Planetary Science Technology program includes the In-Space 

Propulsion (ISP), Radioisotope Power Systems (RPS), and Advanced Multi-Mission Operations 

System (AMMOS) projects. 

 

The ISP project develops in-space propulsion technologies that can enable or benefit near- and midterm NASA missions. These technologies will enhance the performance of planetary science 

missions by allowing increased science payload mass, reduced launch costs, and decreased mission 

trip times. The RPS project advances the capabilities of spacecraft power systems, thereby making it 

possible for missions to travel to destinations distant from the sun, or where sunlight is obscured or 

infrequent. RPS is developing flight Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generators (ASRG) for the 2014 

time frame. AMMOS provides planetary science missions with a set of operations, navigation and 

design software tools and services for flight mission training, mission operations, space 

communications resources allocation, and improved space communication. NASA's portion of the 

budget for restarting the Nation's plutonium production capacity, shared with DOE, is also included in 

the program. 

 

In close cooperation with the Office of the Chief Technologist, these technology investments focus on 

the unique needs of robotic planetary missions, and leverage Agency cross-cutting efforts in space 

propulsion, power, and automation/operations technologies.

PS-72
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Planetary Science

Program: Technology

Plans For FY 2012

ISP completed the electric propulsion Hall thruster development task in FY 2011 and starts long 

duration testing in FY 2012. The Hall system power processing unit continues development in FY 

2012. The ISP project will complete electric propulsion life validation testing of NASA's Evolutionary 

Xenon Thruster (NEXT) in FY 2012. In FY 2012, the ISP project will continue propulsion system 

component development for a Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV) capability and will continue lightweight 

propellant tank development for the Skycrane. In FY 2012, the ISP project will complete the 

preliminary design of an Earth entry vehicle (EEV) concept and establish EEV heat shield micrometeoroid/orbital debris characteristics. 

 

In FY 2012, RPS will continue an extended performance testing of the Advanced Stirling 

Radioisotope Generator (ASRG) engineering unit, and continue the development of a qualification 

unit to enable delivery of one ASRG flight unit for the 2016-2017 Discovery flight opportunity. RPS will 

continue the development of advanced radioisotope thermoelectric generator couples by validating 

lifetime and four couple module power. RPS will also fund DOE safety testing to verify safety models 

for solid upper stages. 

 

AMMOS will continue to provide multi-mission operations software tools for spacecraft navigation and 

mission planning, efficient spacecraft communication, and data handling. 

 

In addition, this Planetary Science Technology Program will pursue complimentary collaborations with 

the new crosscutting Space Technology program within the Office of the Chief Technologist.

PS-73
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Planetary Science

Program: Technology

Project Descriptions and Explanation of Changes

Technology

ISP will enable access to more challenging and interesting science destinations, including enabling 

sample return missions. ISP continues to advance several propulsion technologies in support of 

future Flagship, Discovery, Mars, and New Frontiers missions. The ISP portfolio continues to invest 

in high-priority technology areas such as the electric propulsion and aerocapture/Earth entry, 

descent, and landing technologies identified in the Solar System Exploration Roadmap and the 2010 

SMD Science Plan. ISP will continue increasing its emphasis on sample return propulsion technology 

development. The foci will be: continuing propulsion component technology development for a MAV 

and preparing for MAV flight system development; completing EEV heat shield micrometeoroid/orbital debris characteristics studies, a preliminary design of a multi-mission Earth entry 

vehicle (MMEEV) concept and continuing MMEEV technology development; and initiating thruster 

long duration testing and continuing other subsystem technology developments for the High Voltage 

Hall Accelerator (HiVHAC) thruster technology applicable to Earth return vehicles (ERV), transfer 

stages, and low-cost electric propulsion systems for Discovery-class missions. The ISP project will 

be responsive to the Planetary 2011 decadal survey. 

 

RPS continues low-level investments in advanced Stirling, thermoelectric conversion, and thermal 

photovoltaic technologies in response to mission needs identified by the Planetary decadal survey. 

The RPS project also funds cross-cutting multi-mission activities to keep them off the critical path for 

future RPS mission, such as NEPA process development, multi-mission launch vehicle data book 

development, safety analysis and testing, and radiological contingency response process 

improvement. This work is critical to facilitate the application of RPS. RPS is structured to manage 

both the technology investments and systems development, such as the development and testing of 

the ASRG. The project transitions acquisition of flight units to a mission-specific user. The project 

also assumes responsibility for multi-mission RPS studies, sustaining capabilities, and crosscutting 

launch approval activities. However, funds are not included within the RPS budget for the 

procurement of nuclear material required to support missions in formulation, or the development of 

DOE capabilities to produce Plutonium-238. 

 

AMMOS provides multi-mission operations, navigation, design, and training tools for Planetary 

Science flight missions, and undertakes technology investments for improved communications and 

navigation technologies. 

 

NASA and DOE have initiated project pre-planning and activities for implementing a Pu-238 

production restart. NASA continues to assess the need and schedule for plutonium. Mission studies, 

conducted by the NASA Radioisotope Power System (RPS) program based on the Planetary 

decadal survey mission set have revalidated the need for additional Pu-238 supplies.

PS-74
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Planetary Science

Program: Technology

Program Commitments

Commitment/Output

FY 2012

Program/Project Changes from

FY 2011 PB Request

HiVHAC Engineering Model (EM) thruster long 

duration test will be initiated

ISP New

NEXT long duration test will be completed with a 

goal of achieving 750Kg of Xenon throughput

ISP New

Earth Entry Vehicle (EEV) preliminary design 

complete

ISP New

Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV) propulsion system 

technology development preliminary design 

complete

ISP New

Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator 

engineering model will demonstrate extended 

operations (14,000 hours)

RPS same

Provide standard interfaces in order to enable 

interoperability among missions

AMMOS same

Program Management

SMD provides overall oversight of the Technology program. GRC is responsible for the ISP and RPS 

projects. JPL is responsible for the AMMOS project.

Project Management

Responsibility

NASA Center 

Performers

Cost-Sharing Partners

ISP GRC GRC, MSFC, JPL, 

LARC, ARC

None

RPS GRC JPL, GRC, KSC Department of Energy

AMMOS JPL JPL None

Plutonium Restart HQ GRC DOE

Acquisition Strategy

Technology activities are solicited using NASA ROSES announcement, and selections are made 

using a competitive, peer-reviewed process. The Department of Energy completed an acquisition for 

ASRG flight system development (Lockheed Martin) for RPS. JPL provides management and the 

navigation and space communication software tools.

PS-75
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Planetary Science

Program: Technology

Independent Reviews

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review

Relevance National 

Academies

12/2010 Assessing the restart and sustainment of 

domestic production of radioisotope heat source 

material for deep space and other exploration 

missions. Assessing the development of and 

standards for flight certification of ASRG for 

flagship and other missions.

TBD

Performance SRB/IPAO 09/2010 Program Implementation Review. Based on the 

program readiness and SRB recommendation, 

subsequent Agency approval was granted to the 

RPS program on December 9, 2010, by the 

Agency Program Management Council (APMC).

09/2012

PS-76
Mission Directorate: Science

 

 

Theme: Astrophysics

Theme Overview

NASA's goal in astrophysics is to "Discover how the universe works, explore how the universe began 

and evolved, and search for Earth-like planets." Three broad scientific questions emanate from this 

goal. How do matter, energy, space, and time behave under the extraordinarily diverse conditions of 

the cosmos? How did the universe originate and evolve to produce the galaxies, stars, and planets we 

see today? What are the characteristics of planetary systems orbiting other stars, and do they harbor 

life? 

 

The Astrophysics Theme addresses these questions via an integrated strategy incorporating a robust 

research and technology program, at least nine operating missions and six flight projects in various 

stages of planning and execution. This year's Astrophysics programmatic strategy is informed by the 

National Academies' recently released decadal survey titled "New Worlds, New Horizons in 

Astronomy and Astrophysics." The Astrophysics Theme represents a balance between bold new 

initiatives that open the universe to new discoveries and support for activities that strengthen the 

foundations of the research enterprise that are essential to the cycle of discovery. 

 

The Astrophysics programs that support the integrated strategy are as follows: 

 - The Physics of the Cosmos (POCS) Program contains missions that explore the most fundamental 

and extreme physical conditions of the universe, from black holes and gravitational waves to dark 

matter and dark energy. These missions will enable the study of the building blocks of existence at the 

most basic level: matter, energy, space, and time; 

 

 - The Cosmic Origins Program comprises projects that enable the study of how galaxies, stars and 

planetary systems came into being, how they evolve, and ultimately how they end their lives; 

 

 - The Exoplanet Exploration Program contains missions that help search for Earth-like planets around 

other stars. These missions will explore the origin, structure, and evolution of other planetary systems 

as they search for other worlds; 

 

 - The Astrophysics Explorer Program conducts small principal investigator-led missions. Explorer 

missions are opportunities for innovative science that fill the scientific gaps between larger missions; 

and 

 

 - The Astrophysics Research Program prepares for the next generation of missions by supporting 

both theoretical research and applied technology investigations. These research activities use data 

from current missions and suborbital science investigations to advance NASA science goals, and 

provide hands-on workforce training of students and early-career scientists and engineers. 

The budget for the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is now carried under its own Theme. This 

is consistent with management changes implemented in FY 2011 to improve management oversight 

and control over the project, following release of the Independent Comprehensive Review Panel's 

(ICRP) report in November 2010. 

 

For more information, please see http://nasascience.nasa.gov/astrophysics.

ASTRO-1
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Astrophysics

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

647.3 - 637.7 708.3 721.0 713.5 741.9

Astrophysics Research 149.1 - 161.6 200.1 211.8 229.3 238.6

Cosmic Origins 225.3 - 219.7 219.4 209.9 195.2 184.5

Physics of the Cosmos 116.0 - 100.3 112.4 111.9 98.1 96.8

Exoplanet Exploration 43.4 - 48.2 65.5 63.6 62.1 69.8

Astrophysics Explorer 113.5 - 107.8 110.9 123.7 128.7 152.0

Note: The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated account in 

each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the program amounts shown above. The allocation to each program is reflected 

in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 2010 and FY 

2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

ASTRO-2
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Astrophysics

Plans for FY 2012

Astrophysics Research

A Senior Review for operating missions will be conducted in the spring of 2012. This review 

involves a comparative evaluation of all Astrophysics operating missions and is conducted every 

two years. An independent expert panel evaluates the science output of each operating mission 

and makes recommendations as to which missions should receive funding for extended operation. 

A comparative evaluation for all Astrophysics mission data archives will be conducted in 2011. 

 

The Astrophysics Research Program will continue to select peer-reviewed investigations for 

technology and detector development, suborbital missions, laboratory studies of astrophysical 

phenomena, theoretical studies and modeling of astrophysical phenomena targeted by past, 

current, and future missions, as well as limited ground-based observation in direct support of 

Astrophysics missions. A new program of postdoctoral fellowships will be initiated in FY 2012 for 

those working in astrophysics technology areas. 

 

The Balloons project will support 16-20 suborbital flights, and will continue development of the new 

super-pressure balloon, which will be used to carry large scientific experiments to the brink of space 

for up to 100 days or more.

Cosmic Origins

Hubble Space Telescope will continue operations. 

 

The Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) will continue to ramp up science 

flight hours and will complete open door flight testing. 

 

The Herschel Space Observatory will continue prime operations.

Physics of the Cosmos

The Planck mission will continue prime operations. The Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope will 

remain in its prime operations phase, and the Chandra X-ray Observatory will continue on in 

extended operations.

Exoplanet Exploration

The Kepler mission will continue prime operations. 

 

Large Binocular Telescope Interferometer (LBTI) scientific operations will start during FY 2011 and 

will continue during FY 2012.

Astrophysics Explorer

Astro-H (SXS) will be undergoing final assembly and test prior to shipment to Japan for final 

spacecraft integration and testing in early FY 2013. 

 

The Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) mission will launch in February 2012. 

 

The Gravity and Extreme Magnetism (GEMS) mission will complete mission Critical Design Review 

(CDR).

ASTRO-3
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Astrophysics

Relevance

Relevance to national priorities, relevant fields, and customer needs:

NASA's Astrophysics Theme is guided by the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 and 

subsequent legislation, the National Space Policy of the United States of America, and related 

policies that call on NASA to conduct space missions to advance scientific understanding of the 

universe. In doing so, NASA follows a long-standing tradition of establishing its science priorities 

through consultation with world-class experts via the National Academies' decadal survey process. 

The most recent astronomy and astrophysics decadal survey was released in August 2010. 

Astrophysics also receives tactical-level advice from the external science community via the 

Astrophysics Subcommittee of the NASA Advisory Council, and advice on cooperative activities from 

the Congressionally chartered, National Science Foundation (NSF)-managed Astronomy and 

Astrophysics Advisory Committee. 

 

NASA enables research to understand the structure, content, and evolution of the universe. This 

research provides information about humankind's origins and fundamental physics that govern the 

behavior of matter, energy, space, and time. NASA leads the world in space-based research on the 

most compelling questions of modern physics, such as the nature of dark matter and dark energy, 

high-energy cosmic rays, tests of gravity and general relativity, and insight into cosmic inflation during 

the very early universe. NASA works proactively with the NSF and Department of Energy (DoE) in 

exploring the interfaces between astronomy and physics, and in the search for life in the universe.

Relevance to the NASA Mission and Strategic Goals:

Astrophysics research supports NASA's Strategic Goal 2, to "Expand scientific understanding of the 

Earth and the universe in which we live."

Relevance to education and public benefits:

Stunning images produced from operating Astrophysics missions continue to inspire the public, 

revealing the beauty of the universe and the science behind those images. NASA provides the tools 

to translate science for the classroom and other learning venues in ways that meet educator needs. 

 

Hubble images are featured on the Space Telescope Science Institute's "Amazing Space" Web site, 

which provides curriculum support tools to classrooms in every state in the Nation. Spitzer's "Cool 

Cosmos" Web site offers explorations into the world of the infrared spectrum, and Chandra's Web site 

delivers authentic data sets to educators to enhance lessons by allowing students to use the same 

data that professional researchers use. 

 

Several of NASA's Astrophysics missions have been featured in a traveling museum exhibit, "Alien 

Earths," which informs and inspires the public on critical questions related to the search for life 

elsewhere in the universe. The Astrophysics Exoplanet Exploration Program, in conjunction with the 

Astronomical Society of the Pacific, has sponsored the creation of "Night Sky Network" amateur 

astronomy clubs around the Nation. NASA also provides toolkits and professional development 

training to support these groups of space enthusiasts as they help strengthen the public 

understanding of astronomy and space science.

ASTRO-4
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Astrophysics

Performance

Performance Commitments:

Measure # Description Contributing 

Program (s)

Strategic Goal 2 Expand scientific understanding of the Earth and the 

universe in which we live.

Outcome 2.4 Discover how the universe works, explore how it began 

and evolved, and search for Earth-like planets.

Objective 2.4.1 Improve understanding of the origin and destiny of the 

universe, and the nature of black holes, dark energy, 

dark matter, and gravity.

Performance Goal 2.4.1.1 Provide national scientific capabilities through 

necessary skilled researchers and supporting knowledge 

base.

APG 

2.4.1.1: AS-12-1

Demonstrate planned progress in understanding the origin 

and destiny of the universe, and the nature of black holes, 

dark energy, dark matter, and gravity. Progress relative to the 

objectives in NASA's 2010 Science Plan will be evaluated by 

external expert review.

Multiple Programs

Performance Goal 2.4.1.2 By 2015, launch at least one mission in support of this 

outcome.

APG 

2.4.1.2: AS-12-2

Complete the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array 

(NuSTAR) Launch Readiness Review.

Astrophysics 

Explorer

Objective 2.4.2 Improve understanding of the many phenomena and 

processes associated with galaxy, stellar, and planetary 

system formation and evolution from the earliest epochs 

to today.

Performance Goal 2.4.2.1 Provide national scientific capabilities through 

necessary skilled researchers and supporting knowledge 

base.

APG 

2.4.2.1: AS-12-3

Demonstrate planned progress in understanding the many 

phenomena and processes associated with galaxy, stellar, 

and planetary system formation and evolution from the 

earliest epochs to today. Progress relative to the objectives in 

NASA's 2010 Science Plan will be evaluated by external 

expert review.

Multiple Programs

Performance Goal 2.4.2.3 Develop and operate an airborne infrared astrophysics 

observatory.

APG 

2.4.2.3: AS-12-4

Initiate the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy 

(SOFIA) Segment 3 Aircraft modifications and upgrades.

Cosmic Origins

Objective 2.4.3 Generate a census of extra-solar planets and measure 

their properties.

Performance Goal 2.4.3.1 Provide national scientific capabilities through 

necessary skilled researchers and supporting knowledge 

base.

APG 

2.4.3.1: AS-12-5

Demonstrate planned progress in generating a census of 

extra-solar planets and measuring their properties. Progress 

relative to the objectives in NASA's 2010 Science Plan will be 

evaluated by external expert review.

Multiple Programs

ASTRO-5
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Astrophysics

Uniform and Efficiency Measures:

Measure # Description

Astrophysics Theme

APG 

EFF: AS-12-6

Complete all development projects within 110 percent of the cost and schedule 

baseline.

APG 

EFF: AS-12-7

Deliver at least 90 percent of scheduled operating hours for all operations and 

research facilities.

APG 

EFF: AS-12-8

Peer-review and competitively award at least 95 percent, by budget, of research 

projects.

Reduce time within which 80 percent of NASA Research Announcement (NRA) 

grants are awarded, from proposal due date to selection, by four percent per year, 

with a goal of 180 days.

APG 

EFF: AS-12-9

ASTRO-6
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Astrophysics

Performance Achievement Highlights:

The High-Resolution Soft X-Ray Spectrometer (SXS) instrument for the Astro-H mission completed its 

Preliminary Design Review (PDR) on May 20, 2010. This was followed by the confirmation review on 

June 21, 2010. Astro-H SXS was approved to proceed into the development phase (Phase C). 

A critical phase of SOFIA testing was successfully completed in FY 2010, when the SOFIA aircraft 

with the telescope installed was flight tested through a wide range of flight conditions and altitudes. No 

flight handling or acoustic anomalies were found in this flight testing, including up to the planned 

maximum flight altitude of 45,000 feet. Additionally, testing of telescope operations during this flight 

showed that telescope performance, including telescope pointing stability critical to astronomical 

observations, was as designed and required for astronomy. The first science instrument was 

integrated and flown in the SOFIA observatory in FY 2010, and obtained the "first light" image in May 

2010. 

 

Using data from the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope, scientists have recently discovered a 

gigantic, mysterious structure in this galaxy. This feature looks like a pair of bubbles extending above 

and below the center of the galaxy. Fermi has also provided rare experimental evidence that spacetime is as smooth as Einstein predicted. 

 

The Hubble Space Telescope saw past the distance limit for galaxies and uncovered a primordial 

population of compact and ultra-blue galaxies that have never been seen before. At least one of the 

newly discovered galaxies lies beyond a redshift of 8.5, or 13.1 billion light-years distant. These 

discoveries means that the known time of formation of the first galaxies is less than 600 million years 

after the Big Bang, earlier than previously thought. The deep observations also demonstrate the 

progressive buildup of galaxies and provide further support for the hierarchical model of galaxy 

assembly. In this model, small objects accrete mass, or merge, to form bigger objects over a smooth 

and steady, but still dramatic, process of collision and agglomeration, and these small building blocks 

fuse into the larger galaxies known today. 

 

The Herschel Space Observatory (Herschel) has made an unexpected discovery: a gaping hole in the 

clouds surrounding a batch of young stars. A cloud of bright reflective gas known to astronomers as 

NGC 1999 sits next to a black patch of sky. This patch looks black not because it is a dense pocket of 

gas but because it is truly empty space. Astronomers theorize that the hole must have been opened 

when the narrow jets of gas from some of the young stars in the region punctured the sheet of dust 

and gas that forms NGC 1999. The powerful radiation from a nearby adolescent star may also have 

helped to clear the hole. Whatever the precise chain of events, it could be an important glimpse into 

the way newborn stars rip apart their birth clouds. 

 

NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope (Spitzer) has discovered something odd about a distant planet: the 

planet lacks methane, an ingredient common to many of the planets in Earth's solar system. The 

discovery brings astronomers one step closer to probing the atmospheres of distant planets the size of 

Earth. Eventually, a larger space telescope could use the same kind of technique to search smaller, 

Earth-like worlds for methane and other chemical signs of life, such as water, oxygen, and carbon 

dioxide. The methane-free planet, called GJ 436b, is about the size of Neptune, making it the smallest 

distant planet that any telescope has successfully analyzed.

ASTRO-7
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Astrophysics

Independent Reviews:

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review

Relevance Senior Review 

Panel

04/2010 Comparative review of missions currently in 

operation to rank the scientific merit of their 

extended mission proposals. In the most recent 

review, Planck and Chandra missions ranked 

highest, while Integral and WISE ranked lowest. 

Results and the report can be found at 

http://science.nasa.gov/astrophysics/2010-

senior-review/.

04/2012

Performance National 

Research 

Council

05/2006 Congressionally mandated review by the 

National Academies. The resulting letter report 

found that "It is vital that the strong, balanced 

science program in astronomy and astrophysics 

that has served the Nation so well continue to 

be sustained as any new policy is implemented."

TBD

Relevance National 

Research 

Council

08/2010 Decadal survey to set science and mission 

priorities for NASA's Astrophysics Program. The 

report, "New Worlds, New Horizons," concluded 

that NASA's Astrophysics Program is properly 

structured to address the science questions 

identified by the science community, and 

provided a prioritized list of future Astrophysics 

missions.

08/2020

ASTRO-8
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Astrophysics

Program: Astrophysics Research

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

149.1 - 161.6 200.1 211.8 229.3 238.6

Astrophysics Research and 

Analysis

59.6 - 64.3 82.8 83.9 85.1 88.0

Balloon Project 28.2 - 29.3 32.8 33.6 34.1 35.3

Other Missions and Data Analysis 61.3 - 67.9 84.5 94.3 110.1 115.4

Note:

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated 

account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project amounts shown above. The allocation to each project

is reflected in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 

2010 and FY 2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

ASTRO-9
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Astrophysics

Program: Astrophysics Research

Program Overview

The Astrophysics Research Program supports the early development of new technologies for future 

missions and suborbital flights of experimental payloads on balloons and sounding rockets. It 

provides funding to analyze the data from NASA missions to understand astronomical events such as 

the explosion of a star, the birth of a distant galaxy, or the motion of planets around their parent stars. 

The program also supports basic research for scientists to work out the consequences of their 

theories, and to understand how they can best use data from NASA missions to develop new 

knowledge about the cosmos. 

 

The first step in developing new technologies for future NASA missions is to show that the technology 

can work in the laboratory. A new type of scientific instrument is often flown first on a high-altitude 

balloon mission, or on a sounding rocket flight that takes it briefly outside Earth's atmosphere. 

Instruments for balloons and sounding rockets are not as costly as those for an orbital mission, and 

they can be built quickly to respond to unexpected opportunities. The equipment is usually retrieved 

after the flightso that novel instruments can be tested, improved, and flown again. These suborbital 

flights are important in training the next generation of scientists and engineers to compete better in 

the 21st century, and to maintain U.S. leadership in science, engineering, and technology. 

 

NASA's policy is to make the data from its space science missions available freely to everyone. 

These data are archived at a few consolidated astrophysics data centers, from which users can 

download them. The centers also provide tools that enable users to combine different sets of data to 

examine how the appearance of the sky changes when it is observed with different kinds of light. For 

example, the remnant of an exploding star (a supernova) looks very different in pictures taken in 

visible light and in X-rays. More information can be found at 

http://nasascience.nasa.gov/astrophysics/astrophysics-data-centers. 

 

Over the years, NASA has invested heavily in the development and execution of an extensive array 

of space astrophysics missions. The magnitude and scope of the archival data from those missions 

enables science that transcends traditional wavelength regimes and allows researchers to answer 

questions that would be difficult, if not impossible, to address through an individual observing 

program. To capitalize on this invaluable asset and enhance the scientific return on NASA mission 

investments, the Astrophysics Data Analysis Program (ADAP) provides support for investigations 

whose focus is on the analysis of archival data from NASA space astrophysics missions. 

 

For more information on the Astrophysics Research Program, please see 

http://nasascience.nasa.gov/researchers/sara/.

ASTRO-10
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Astrophysics

Program: Astrophysics Research

Plans For FY 2012

The Astrophysics Research Program has made changes to address the need for technology 

development, as indicated by the 2010 decadal survey recommendations. Funding has been added 

to the Astrophysics Research and Enabling Technology program (APRET, formerly APRA, now 

renamed to indicate its focus more accurately) to enhance development of optics, detectors, and 

other key technologies, including addressing mid-technology readiness gap identified in the decadal 

survey. Another addition is to initiate a new postdoctoral fellowship for those working in Astrophysics 

instrumentation and technology areas. This fellowship would be analogous to the Hubble, Einstein, 

and Sagan fellowships but is funded for five years since technology development takes longer to 

complete. Three fellows would be selected each year and would receive up to $0.5 million for 

equipment purchases. 

 

The decadal survey recommended an increase in suborbital flights and a substantial increase to both 

the Astrophysics Theory program, and Laboratory Astrophysics funding. The Astrophysics Research 

Program plans to increase the budget in these two areas significantly over the budget horizon, to best 

respond to the decadal recommendations. 

 

In 2012, the Balloon program will conduct 16 to 20 flights, including two foreign campaigns. These will 

follow the corrective action plan developed to respond to the recommendations of the Mishap 

Investigation Board for the 2010 launch mishap in Australia. In particular, an independent Operations 

Safety Officer will be on-site throughout each campaign, and a Range Safety Officer will have the 

authority to terminate each launch at any stage. 

 

In 2012, in addition to the individual-investigator proposals that represent the core of the program, a 

new component will be introduced to the Laboratory Astrophysics program--consortium awards to 

support extended, multi-disciplinary teams of scientists that will address grand challenges in 

astrophysics. Solicitations will address wide-ranging topics that impact the entire field of astrophysics 

and which are sufficiently broad that they cannot be effectively addressed by individual investigators 

working independently. In 2012, NASA will solicit consortium proposals that address the grand 

challenge of understanding carbon and carbon-rich compounds in the universe. 

 

In 2012, the Spitzer Heritage Archive will be transferred into the NASA InfraRed Processing and 

Analysis Center (IPAC) InfraRed Science Archive (IRSA). All data collected by the Spitzer cryogenic 

mission will be distributed through IRSA. 

 

In addition to ongoing awards, the Education and Public Outreach project will competitively select 

approximately 40 new proposals for small awards averaging $10,000 a year, and approximately 15 

new proposals for mid-range awards averaging $160,000 a year.

ASTRO-11
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Astrophysics

Program: Astrophysics Research

Project Descriptions and Explanation of Changes

Astrophysics Research & Analysis (R&A)

This project solicits basic research proposals for investigations that are relevant to NASA's programs 

in astronomy and astrophysics, over the entire range of photon energies, gravitational waves, and 

particles of cosmic origin. The largest element of the R&A project is the Astrophysics Research and 

Enabling Technology (APRET) program. APRET supports research that addresses the best possible 

state-of-the-art detector and technology development for instruments that may be proposed as 

candidate experiments for future space flight opportunities; science and technology investigations 

with instruments flown on suborbital sounding rockets, stratospheric balloons, or other platforms; and 

laboratory research and (with restrictions) ground-based observations that are directly applicable to 

space astrophysics missions. 

 

The Astrophysics Theory Program (ATP) supports efforts to develop the basic theory for NASA's 

space astrophysics programs. Astrophysics Theory topics include: star formation, supernovae and 

gamma-ray bursts, large-scale cosmic structures and dark matter, dark energy and the cosmic 

microwave background, and gravitational wave astronomy. 

 

The 2010 decadal survey recommended substantially more opportunities for suborbital flights, and 

increased support for Laboratory Astrophysics and the Astrophysics Theory program. The 

Astrophysics Research Program plans significantly increased funding for technology development 

and suborbital payloads, and for both Laboratory Astrophysics and the Theory programs, including a 

new component for large computational networks. 

 

All R&A grants selected for funding by the Astrophysics Theme are broadly competed through 

NASA's Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences. Grant proposals must relate directly 

to both Agency and theme goals and objectives. All proposals are peer-reviewed by scientists and 

technologists from a mix of disciplines and are selected based upon merit.

Balloons

The Wallops Flight Facility manages the NASA Balloon project. The project offers inexpensive, highaltitude flight opportunities for scientists to conduct research and test new technologies prior to space 

flight application. Balloon experiments cover a wide range of disciplines in astrophysics, solar and 

heliospheric physics, as well as Earth upper-atmosphere chemistry. Observations from balloons 

have even detected echoes of the Big Bang, and probed the earliest galaxies. The Balloon project 

continues to work to increase balloon size and enhance capabilities, including an accurate pointing 

system to allow detection of planets around other stars, and a super-pressure balloon to allow much 

longer flight periods at high altitude. 

 

The Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility (CSBF) provides launch services for large (400 feet 

diameter), unmanned, high-altitude (120,000 feet) research balloons, tracking. On behalf of NASA 

Centers and universities all over the world, CSBF recovers the scientific experiments suspended 

beneath the balloons. Domestic flights are launched from Fort Sumner, New Mexico, and Palestine, 

Texas. Mid-latitude flights are launched from Australia. Balloons operating above the polar regions 

are deployed from Antarctica and Sweden. 

 

Additional funding has been added in FY 2013 to increase the balloon flight rate and to continue 

development of super-pressure ballooning.

ASTRO-12
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Astrophysics

Program:

 

Astrophysics Research

Other Missions and Data Analysis

Included in this line item are: 

- Astrophysics Data Curation and Archival Research (ADCAR): The Astrophysics Theme has 

established an archive structure beyond the scope of individual missions, to receive data and make 

them accessible by creating an ensemble of primarily wavelength-specific astrophysics archives. 

After the completion of a mission, all archive activities are taken over by the relevant active multimission archive. ADCAR covers the activities of the Astrophysics Data Centers and NASA's 

participation in the Virtual Astronomical Observatory. Priorities in FY 2012 and beyond will 

incorporate the recommendations of the Archival Senior Review that will take place in May 2011. For 

more information see http://nasascience.nasa.gov/astrophysics/astrophysics-data-centers. 

 

- Astrophysics Data Analysis Program (ADAP): ADAP solicits research whose primary emphasis is 

the analysis of NASA space astrophysics data that are archived in the public domain at one of 

NASA's Astrophysics Data Centers. Recent years have seen a dramatic growth in both the size and 

scope of the archival astronomical data available to ADAP researchers, including data from such 

major strategic missions as Spitzer and Kepler. These data are already bought and paid for. Every 

dollar invested in archival research using these data bring additional value to the Nation's investment 

in that NASA mission. The steady increase in the program budget in coming years is designed to 

ensure continued effective exploitation of this tremendous scientific resource as data holdings 

continue to grow. 

 

- Astrophysics Senior Review: This funding will extend the life of operating missions. The Senior 

Review is conducted every two years as a comparative evaluation of all operating missions (both 

Explorers and strategic missions) that are in or are about to enter an extended phase past their 

prime operations phase. A ranking based on science output determines which missions will continue 

to receive funding for extended operations. Additional funding has been added to ensure a robust 

suite of extended missions in FY 2013 and beyond. 

 

- Keck Single Aperture (KSA): KSA manages NASA time on the Keck Telescopes by issuing the 

proposal solicitation, conducting the peer review, communicating selections for investigations, and 

providing support to observers. KSA also manages the Keck archives for the High Resolution Echelle 

Spectrometer (HIRES), and the Near Infrared Spectrometer (NIRSPEC) instruments. The HIRES 

primarily measures the radial velocity data used to find and characterize exoplanets, and NIRSPEC 

is a general-purpose near-infrared spectrometer widely used by Keck observers. 

 

- Directorate Support, Space Science: This project funds Agency-level services provided to the 

Science Mission Directorate (SMD). These services include Defense Contract Audit Service contract 

administration, Defense Contract Audit Agency audit services, and NASA Contract Assurance 

Services for all of SMD's projects. 

 

- Education and Public Outreach: This project supports development and dissemination of new 

educational and outreach products based on SMD science discoveries, through competitively 

selected awards ranging from $10,000-$160,000 per year. Opportunities are provided for students 

and educators, citizen scientists, and the public to engage in authentic experiences working with 

NASA data and NASA research communities. The project also supports four science education and 

public outreach forums that foster engagement of the target audiences through interactive 

communication and public feedback.

ASTRO-13
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Astrophysics

Program: Astrophysics Research

Program Management

SMD provides program management, with individual projects managed at the Goddard Space Flight 

Center (GSFC) and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).

Independent Reviews

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review

Performance Mission 

Senior Review 

Panel

4/2010 A comparative evaluation of all the Astrophysics 

operating missions. A report ranking the 

operating missions was released.

4/2012

Quality Archival 

Senior Review 

Panel

05/2008 Comparative review of the efficiency and cost 

effectiveness of the archives. A report ranking 

the archives was released.

05/2011

ASTRO-14
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Astrophysics

Program: Cosmic Origins

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

225.3 - 219.7 219.4 209.9 195.2 184.5

Hubble Space Telescope (HST) 100.8 - 94.0 93.4 93.1 88.8 84.5

Stratospheric Observatory for 

Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA)

73.6 - 71.4 73.3 77.2 77.4 75.0

Other Missions And Data Analysis 50.9 - 54.4 52.7 39.6 28.9 25.0

Note:

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated 

account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project amounts shown above. The allocation to each project

is reflected in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 

2010 and FY 2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

ASTRO-15
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Astrophysics

Program: Cosmic Origins

Program Overview

The Cosmic Origins Program seeks to answer the fundamental question "how did we get here?" by 

investigating the evolution of the universe and its components, from the cosmic Big Bang to the 

present. Topics in Cosmic Origins research include the following: When did the first stars and galaxies 

form? How are stars and planets created? When did the universe first create elements critical for life? 

How do galaxies, stars and planets change with cosmic time? 

 

Missions within Cosmic Origins have and continue to make important advances on these fronts. 

Celebrating more than 20 years of operation, the Hubble Space Telescope continues to inspire youth 

through its exploration of the universe. Hubble images have enabled important discoveries in areas 

as diverse as the violent and ever-evolving state of the solar system, observing new asteroid 

collisions, and the universe-wide "warming" that occurred 11 billion years ago when fierce blasts of 

radiation from voracious black holes stunted the growth of some small galaxies for a stretch of 500 

million years. Through its annual call for observing proposals and online data archive, Hubble will 

serve thousands of astronomers with data over the full scope of Cosmic Origins questions. In 

addition, NASA's partnership with European Space Agency (ESA) on Herschel, the newest operating 

Cosmic Origins telescope, has yielded a critical finding about how water is formed in space. Analysis 

of Herschel data has revealed that ultraviolet starlight is the key ingredient for making water in space. 

Many more discoveries are expected over the next three years until Herschel's helium cryostat is 

depleted. 

 

The SOFIA airborne telescope is continuing its early science flights this year and promises to enable 

optical through far-infrared astronomy for decades. SOFIA is uniquely capable of studying the 

chemistry of the universe. It will help scientists study the chemical processes in star forming regions 

within this galaxy. SOFIA's far-infrared instruments will also study distant galaxies. Importantly, 

SOFIA will allow instrument upgrades through the coming years to take advantage of new 

technologies and new science aims. 

 

For more information, please see http://nasascience.nasa.gov/about-us/smdprograms/cosmicorigins.

Plans For FY 2012

Hubble Space Telescope (HST) will continue to support spacecraft and science operations, as well as 

robust Guest Observer grants. 

 

SOFIA will continue to ramp up science flight hours and will complete open door flight testing. The 

second generation of observatory instruments will be selected through a competitive Announcement 

of Opportunity.

Spitzer and Herschel will continue operations. 

 

Technology investments will support Hubble de-orbit studies, advanced infrared detectors, technology 

for possible future SOFIA instruments, and the definition of a future ultraviolet (UV)-optical space 

capability.

ASTRO-16
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Astrophysics

Program: Cosmic Origins

Project Descriptions and Explanation of Changes

James Webb Space Telescope

This project has been moved to its own theme within the Science Mission Directorate. See the JWST 

Theme pages for detailed project information.

Hubble Space Telescope (HST)

HHST launched in FY 1990 and is currently in an extended operations phase. The fourth servicing 

mission (SM4), completed in FY 2009, added new batteries, gyros and instruments to extend its life 

even further into the future. One of NASA's most successful and long-lasting science missions, HST 

has beamed hundreds of thousands of images back to Earth, shedding light on many of the great 

mysteries of astronomy. Its gaze has helped scientists determine the age of the universe, the identity 

of quasars, and the existence of dark energy. Development of the capability to de-orbit safely HST 

after its mission has concluded is underway within the Cosmic Origins Program. The timing for this 

activity will be determined by the status of the observatory and the orbital conditions that would drive 

an uncontrolled reentry. Funding in the HST budget in FY 2012 and out will support mission 

operations, systems engineering, software maintenance, ground systems support, and Guest 

Observer science grants. Efforts to reduce the costs of mission operations will continue, and Hubble 

will enter the Senior Review process in 2012.

Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA)

SOFIA, currently in development, is a Boeing 747SP airborne observatory with a 2.5-meter reflecting 

telescope that will enable the study of the universe in the infrared spectrum. Besides this contribution 

to science progress, SOFIA technologies will be a major contributor to the development of new 

observational techniques, new instrumentation and in the education of young scientists and teachers 

in the discipline of infrared astronomy. The project will be at full operational capability in CY 2014. 

The SOFIA budget in FY 2012 and out reflects investments in the new instrument selection schedule 

and science hours and funds risk reduction activities. See the project page of this document for more 

detail.

ASTRO-17
Mission Directorate:

Theme:

Science

Astrophysics

Program: Cosmic Origins

Included in this line item are: 

 

Other Missions and Data Analysis

 - The Spitzer Space Telescope, now in extended operations, is an infrared telescope utilizing two 

channels of the Infrared Array Camera instrument to study the atmosphere of exoplanets, looking for 

the earliest clusters of galaxies, near Earth asteroids and providing a 360 degree map of the galaxy. 

Spitzer completed its cryogenic mission in FY 2009, and warm operations have been extended 

through FY 2013, per the recommendation of the 2010 Senior Review but at reduced costs. 

 

 - The Herschel Space Observatory is a collaborative mission with ESA and launched on May 14, 

2009. It has the largest single mirror ever built for a space telescope and it will collect longwavelength radiation from some of the coldest and most distant objects in the universe. NASA has 

contributed to instruments onboard Herschel and will also host U.S. astronomer access to data 

through the NASA Herschel Science Center. 

 

 - Cosmic Origins Supporting Research and Technology supports Hubble fellowships and programspecific research and early technology development efforts. Budget increases have been made in FY 

2013 and out to support the study of a future UV-optical space capability and wide-field infrared 

imaging and spectroscopy, particularly in the area of advanced detector technology, in response to 

the decadal survey recommendations. 

 

- Cosmic Origins Future Missions funding has been moved to support JWST and future Explorer 

selections. 

 

- Cosmic Origins Program management provides programmatic, technical, and business 

management, as well as program science leadership and coordination for education and public 

outreach products and services. Funding has been increased to provide more robust program 

management of missions in development and formulation.

Program Commitments

Commitment/Output

FY 2012

Program/Project Changes from

FY 2011 PB Request

Initiate the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared

Astronomy (SOFIA) Segment 3 Aircraft 

modifications and upgrades.

SOFIA

ASTRO-18
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Astrophysics

Program:

Spitzer Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Aug-03 Sep-13

Form

Herschel Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Oct-01

May-09

May-09

May-15

Form Sep-97 Sep-01

SOFIA Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Dec-96

Dec-14

Dec-14

Dec-34

Form

HST Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Apr-90 Sep-16

Form

Development (Dev)

Formulation (Form)

Represents a period of no activity for the Project

Operations (Ops)

Research (Res)

Tech & Adv Concepts (Tech)

Cosmic Origins

Implementation Schedule

Prior 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Beg End

Project Schedule by Fiscal Year Phase Dates

Program Management

Cosmic Origins project management responsibility is as follows:

Project Management

Responsibility

NASA Center 

Performers

Cost-Sharing Partners

HST GSFC GSFC ESA

SOFIA DFRC DFRC, ARC German Space Agency (DLR)

Spitzer JPL JPL None

Herschel JPL JPL ESA

ASTRO-19
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Astrophysics

Program: Cosmic Origins

Acquisition Strategy

The HST Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) is run under contract to NASA by the 

Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy. STScI is responsible for the science program 

selection, planning, scheduling, science data processing and archiving, grant administration, and 

public outreach activities for HST. The basic period of the HST STScI contract with AURA ended on 

April 30, 2010, with the first of two contract options being exercised on May 1, 2010 and running 

through April 30, 2013. 

 

The HST mission operations functions (i.e., flight operations, observatory engineering analysis, and 

flight and ground software development) are performed under a separate contract. The HST mission 

operations contract will expire on June 30, 2011. A new five-year HST Missions Operations contract 

will be awarded to Lockheed Martin on July 1, 2011. 

 

The second generation of instruments for the SOFIA observatory will be solicited through a NASA 

Announcement of Opportunity. The solicitation will be released in FY 2011 with selections planned 

for early FY 2012.

ASTRO-20
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Astrophysics

Program: Cosmic Origins

Project In Development: Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA)

FY 2012 Budget Request

Budget Authority

($ millions)

Ann CR.

Prior FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's 

Budget Request

737.5 73.6 - 71.4 73.3 77.2 77.4 75.0

Note: For the FY 2012 Budget Request, project life cycle estimates, required to meet the requirements of section 103 of the 

NASA Authorization Act of 2005 (P.L. 109-155; 42 U.S.C. 16613), have been consolidated in the Management and Performance 

Section of this document. This consolidation provides for a comparative analysis across projects, and the inclusion of corrective 

action plans for the projects that have exceeded their original baseline estimates by greater than fifteen percent.

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated 

account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project amounts shown above. The allocation to each project

is reflected in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 

2010 and FY 2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

Explanation of Project Changes

Additional funds were added to the development budget to preserve the new instrument selection 

schedule and science hours and to fund risk reduction activities. The operations budget was 

decreased due to risk reduction activities previously planned for operations being moved into 

development. The SOFIA milestone Full Operational Capability (FOC) has been redefined as the 

capability to provide full science operational capability with four available instruments. Outyear 

budgets reflect NASA's intention to increase the efficiency of the science operations after FOC has 

been achieved.

ASTRO-21
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Astrophysics

Program: Cosmic Origins

Project In Development: Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA)

Project Purpose

NASA is developing SOFIA as a world-class airborne observatory that will complement the Hubble, 

Spitzer, Herschel and James Webb space telescopes, and major Earth-based telescopes. SOFIA 

features a German-built 2.5 meter (100-inch) diameter far-infrared telescope weighing 20 tons, and 

mounted in the rear fuselage of a highly modified Boeing 747SP aircraft. 

 

The SOFIA mission will study many different kinds of astronomical objects and phenomena, including: 

star birth and death, formation of new solar systems, identification of complex molecules in space, 

planets, comets and asteroids in this solar system, nebulae and dust in galaxies (i.e., ecosystems of 

galaxies), and black holes at the center of galaxies. The infrared light of these objects is only partially 

visible from the ground due to water vapor in Earth's atmosphere. However, at high altitudes, the 

influence of water vapor is negligible, allowing better observation of these astronomical objects. 

 

SOFIA'S reflecting telescope provides astronomers with access to the visible, infrared and submillimeter spectrum, with optimized performance in the mid-infrared to sub-millimeter range. During its 

20-year expected lifetime, SOFIA will be capable of enabling "Great Observatory" class astronomical 

science. 

 

SOFIA will be NASA's only far-infrared mission, as Spitzer cryogens have been depleted and 

Herschel's cryogens will be exhausted by 2013. It is the only mid-infrared mission until JWST 

becomes operational. SOFIA's ability to reconfigure and flexibility ensures the integration of cuttingedge technology and the ability to address emerging scientific questions. For more information, please 

see http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/SOFIA/index.html.

Project Parameters

SOFIA was designed as a highly modified Boeing 747SP aircraft with a large open-port cavity aft of 

the wings, housing a 2.5-meter telescope optimized for infrared andsub-millimeter wavelength 

astronomy. SOFIA will operate in flight at 41,000 feet, and at FOC will have four instruments, with 

additional instruments available after FOC. SOFIA will ramp up to 960 science hours per year, and 

flights will last six to eight hours on average. 

 

Germany has provided the telescope assembly and assists with mission operations. NASA has 

provided, refurbished, and modified the airplane, and provides the Science Operations Center. 

 

The U.S.-developed instruments include High-speed Imaging Photometer for Occultation (HIPO), First 

Light Infrared Test Experiment CAMera (FLITECAM), Faint Object InfrRed CAmera for the SOFIA 

Telescope (FORCAST), Echelon-Cross-Echelle Spectrograph (EXES), and High-resolution Airborne 

Wideband Camera (HAWC). The two German instruments are the German Receiver for Astronomy at 

Terahetz Frequencies (GREAT) and Field Imaging Far-Infrared Line Spectrometer (FIFI LS). 

 

Technology investments for possible future SOFIA instrumentation are made through the Cosmic 

Origins Supporting Research and Technology program.

ASTRO-22
Mission Directorate:

Theme:

Science

Astrophysics

Program: Cosmic Origins

Project In Development: Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA)

Project Commitments

Project Element Provider Description FY 2011 PB 

Request

FY 2012 PB 

Request

Platform DFRC/L3/MPC

Refurbished Boeing 747SP 

modified to accommodate 

telescope

Same Same

Science Operations 

Center ARC/USRA

Science Operations Center 

will schedule observations, 

and manage data 

acquisition and processing

Same Same

Telescope Germany (DLR) 2.5m diameter, dual mirror Same Same

Flight Operations DFRC/CSC DyneCorp Flight crew, maintenance, 

and fuel Same Same

HIPO Lowell Observatory

Simultaneous high-speed 

time-resolved imaging 

photometry at two optical 

wavelengths

Same Same

FLITECAM UCLA

Large field-of-view, narrowand broad-band 

photometric imaging and 

low-resolution 

spectroscopy from 1 to 5.5 

μm

Same Same

FORCAST Cornell University

Large field-of-view, narrowand broad-band 

photometric imaging and 

moderate-resolution 

spectroscopy from 4 to 42 

μm

Same Same

EXES ARC

Echelon Spectrometer, 5-

28 microns R=105, 104, or 

3000

Same Same

HAWC University of Chicago Far-Infrared Bolometer 

Camera, 50-240 microns Same Same

GREAT Germany (DLR)

Infrared heterodyne 

spectrometer, 60-200 

microns

Same Same

FIFI LS Germany (DLR) Imaging spectrometer, 42-

210 microns Same Same

SOFIA initiated science observations in December 2011 with the FORCAST instrument. Designed to 

work for 20 years, SOFIA will reach FOC as an airborne observatory in December 2014.

ASTRO-23
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Astrophysics

Program: Cosmic Origins

Project In Development: Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA)

Schedule Commitments

The development and test plan has been modified to enable earlier science observations by the 

science community, making it concurrent with the late phases of aircraft flight testing. Initial science 

observations with a subset of science instruments began in December 2011. Completion of the 

remaining science instruments and refinement of telescope performance will enable FOC in 

December 2014.

Milestone Name Confirmation

Baseline

FY 2011 PB 

Request

FY 2012 PB 

Request

Development

First Flight 2000 2007 2007

First Science (Early Science) N/A 2010 2011

FOC N/A 2014 2014

ASTRO-24
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Astrophysics

Program: Cosmic Origins

Project In Development: Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA)

Project Management

The overall SOFIA project and SOFIA airborne system are managed by Dryden Flight Research 

Center (DFRC). SOFIA science is managed by Ames Research Center (ARC).

Project Element Project Management 

Responsibility NASA Center Performers Cost-Sharing Partners

Platform DFRC DFRC Germany - DLR/DSI

Science ARC None Germany - DLR/DSI

Mission Operations and 

Data Analysis ARC None Germany - DLR/DSI

Instruments ARC None Germany - DLR/DSI

Acquisition Strategy

DFRC manages the program and the platform project (airframe and telescope). DFRC is working with 

L-3 Communications (Waco, Texas), and MPC Products Corporation (Skokie, Illinois) to support the 

completion of the development, integration, and test of the airborne platform system. L-3 modified the 

Boeing 747SP aircraft to install the telescope provided by Germany (DLR/DSI). MPC is developing 

the telescope cavity door drive system. DFRC is also working with CSC DynCorp (El Segundo, 

California) to provide aircraft maintenance support. 

 

ARC manages the science project. ARC is working with University Space Research Association 

(USRA) (Columbia, Maryland) for the SOFIA science planning, ground science facilities, science 

instrument and technology development, and education and public outreach. 

 

Second generation and later instruments will be solicited through an open competition using a NASA 

Announcement of Opportunity.

Independent Reviews

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review

Performance Standing 

Review Board 4/2010 Early science project review. The board determined that plan for early science had merit. 4/2012

Project Risk Management

Title Risk Statement Risk Management Approach and Plan

Report program accomplishments as they occur to keep the 

science community engaged and supportive. Reaction to 

recent program successes, including the first light 

accomplishment, has been very positive.

Loss of science community 

and DLR support due to late 

science

Loss of science community 

support due to delays in 

science continues to be a 

concern.

ASTRO-25
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Astrophysics

Program: Physics of the Cosmos

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

116.0 - 100.3 112.4 111.9 98.1 96.8

Other Missions and Data Analysis 116.0 - 100.3 112.4 111.9 98.1 96.8

Note:

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated 

account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project amounts shown above. The allocation to each project

is reflected in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 

2010 and FY 2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

ASTRO-26
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Astrophysics

Program: Physics of the Cosmos

Program Overview

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 did the universe begin? What 

is the universe composed of, and what is its ultimate fate? What are the fundamental laws that govern 

the workings of space, time, matter, and energy? The POCS Program is aimed at addressing these 

questions by exploring the most extreme physical conditions of the universe including black holes, 

dark energy, and the early moments of its creation. 

 

The operating missions within the POCS Program are just beginning to provide answers to these 

questions. The Fermi mission is searching for signs of new laws of physics and what composes the 

mysterious dark matter and will help explain how black holes accelerate immense jets of material to 

nearly the speed of light. Following in the footsteps of the very successful The Wilkinson Microwave 

Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) mission, Planck is observing the earliest moments of the universe and is 

providing a high-resolution map of the cosmic microwave background. XMM-Newton has helped 

scientists solve a number of cosmic mysteries, ranging from enigmatic black holes to the origins of 

the universe itself. Chandra continues to reveal new details of celestial X-ray phenomena such as the 

collisions of galaxies that directly detect the presence of dark matter, and has unveiled a population of 

faint, obscured massive black holes that may provide the early seeds for galaxy formation and 

growth. 

 

The POCS Program will actively pursue opportunities for vigorous mission partnership and 

technology investments, following the recommendations of the 2010 National Academies astronomy 

and astrophysics decadal survey. Also following the recommendations of the decadal survey, the 

POCS Program looks towards the next decade by continuing to support technology development for 

several highly ranked missions. Leading this charge is the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna 

(LISA) that will observe the universe using the completely unexplored spectrum of gravitational 

waves. Near-term support for LISA focuses on the NASA technology demonstrator payload ST-7 on 

the ESA-led LISA Pathfinder mission. Also highly recommended is support for the International X-ray 

Observatory (IXO) that will observe regions near the surfaces of super massive black holes. Finally, 

this program will develop the most promising technology to detect the imprint of gravitational waves 

on the cosmic microwave background produced during the first few moments of the universe. For 

more information see: http://nasascience.nasa.gov/about-us/smd-programs/physics-of-the-cosmos.

ASTRO-27
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Astrophysics

Program: Physics of the Cosmos

Plans For FY 2012

In FY 2012, funds allocated under the Exoplanet Exploration Program, discussed below, will support 

the early planning of the Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope (WFIRST), the top priority Large 

mission of the New Worlds New Horizons decadal survey. Understanding the nature of dark energy, 

using a variety of investigation techniques, is among WFIRST's recommended science objectives. In 

parallel, NASA is exploring a potential partnership with the European Space Agency (ESA) on its 

proposed Euclid dark energy mission that is currently competing in their Cosmic Vision process. 

NASA will consider partnerships with ESA that are in line with Option B (A Joint WFIRST/Euclid 

Mission) from the National Research Council's "Report of the Panel on Implementing 

Recommendations from the New Worlds, New Horizons Decadal Survey." 

In FY 2012, Planck will be in full science operations. Planck will complete the first full-sky survey of 

the cosmic microwave background and will process the science data to produce the first Planck 

science results. Then the second full-sky survey will provide critical refinement of cosmic microwave 

background and further science results. 

 

The Fermi Gamma Ray Space Telescope will continue its prime operations phase, making 

observations selected by peer review. 

 

Chandra will continue extended mission operations, making observations selected by peer review. 

 

Technology funding will support technical studies on the LISA and IXO mission concepts as well as 

cosmic inflation probe concepts, as recommended by the decadal survey. 

 

NASA will continue to support the spacecraft integration and testing of the ST-7 Disturbance 

Reduction System on the ESA-led LISA Pathfinder mission in preparation for a 2013 launch.

ASTRO-28
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Astrophysics

Program: Physics of the Cosmos

Included in this line item are: 

 

 - Planck, launched in May 2009, is an ESA-led mission with substantial NASA contributions. It will 

reveal the geometry and contents of the universe, how the universe grew immediately after its birth, 

and how the stage was set for the universe to evolve into structures that are seen today, such as 

galaxies. It will provide an order of magnitude increase in precision in its measurement of the cosmic 

microwave background. 

 

 - Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope is a joint NASA/DoE mission formerly called Gamma-ray 

Large Area Space Telescope. Fermi launched in June 2008 and is currently in operational phase. It 

is designed to detect the highest energy gamma-rays ever measured in a space-based mission and 

is providing a full-sky map filled with thousands of new and previously known gamma-ray sources, 

increasing the current tally by orders of magnitude. 

 

 - Chandra, a flagship X-ray observatory currently in extended operations, has allowed scientists to 

image complex systems in exquisite detail, and to determine the positions of thousands of distant Xray sources. Chandra has also provided unique information on diverse subjects ranging from the 

presence and amount of dark matter in the universe to phenomena occurring near the horizons of 

black holes. Outyear budget planning reflects NASA's efforts to maximize efficiency while achieving 

reduced operations costs. 

 

 - POCS Supporting Research and Technology (SR&T) supports Einstein Fellowships and programspecific research and early technology development effort including: 

 

 - Responsibility for the ST-7 project (previously under the Heliophysics New Millennium Program) 

has been transferred to the POCS Program and additional funding has been provided to 

accommodate the launch slip to the European Space Agency (ESA) LISA Pathfinder mission, now 

scheduled for 2013. The ST-7 project will validate system-level technologies required for use on 

future gravity-wave and formation flying missions, such as LISA. 

 

 -Early technical and mission concept activities that will continue on the Laser Interferometer 

Space Antenna (LISA), a joint mission with the ESA. LISA will provide a first view of the gravitational 

radiation spectrum from space providing a new and uniquely powerful probe of the extremes of 

space-time. 

 

 -Early technical and mission concept activities will continue on the IXO, an X-ray observatory with 

joint participation from NASA, ESA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). Science 

objectives are the study of black holes and matter under extreme conditions, and the life cycles of 

matter and energy in the universe. 

 

 -Early technical studies for cosmic inflation probe technology and mission concepts, as 

recommended in the 2010 decadal survey. 

 

 - POCS Program management provides programmatic, technical, and business management, as 

well as program science leadership and coordination for education and public outreach products and 

services. Funding has been increased to provide more robust program management of missions in 

development and formulation. 

 

 - POCS Future Missions funding has been partially moved to support future Astrophysics Explorer 

missions and the POCS SR&T activities.

ASTRO-29
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Astrophysics

Program: Physics of the Cosmos

- Support for the Joint Dark Energy mission has been terminated and redirected to other activities 

recommended by the 2010 decadal survey.

Chandra Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Jun-99 Sep-16

Form

Planck Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Oct-01

May-09

May-09

Dec-14

Form Sep-97 Sep-01

Fermi Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Jun-98 Dec-99

Dec-03

Jun-08

Jun-08

Aug-16

Form Dec-99 Dec-03

Formulation (Form)

Research (Res)

Represents a period of no activity for the Project

Development (Dev)

Operations (Ops)

Tech & Adv Concepts (Tech)

Implementation Schedule

Prior 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Beg End

Project Schedule by Fiscal Year Phase Dates

Program Management

GSFC has program management responsibility. Project management is as follows:

Project Management

Responsibility

NASA Center 

Performers

Cost-Sharing Partners

Fermi GSFC GSFC DOE, Japan, Italy, France, Sweden, 

and Germany

Planck (Instrumentation) JPL JPL ESA

Chandra MSFC MSFC None

Acquisition Strategy

No competitive acquisitions are planned at this time.

ASTRO-30
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Astrophysics

Program: Exoplanet Exploration

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

43.4 - 48.2 65.5 63.6 62.1 69.8

Other Missions and Data Analysis 43.4 - 48.2 65.5 63.6 62.1 69.8

Note:

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated 

account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project amounts shown above. The allocation to each project

is reflected in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 

2010 and FY 2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

ASTRO-31
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Astrophysics

Program: Exoplanet Exploration

Program Overview

Today humankind stands on the threshold of a voyage of unprecedented scope and ambition, 

promising insight into one of the most 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. 

During the last 15 years, astronomers have discovered over 500 planets orbiting nearby stars. Most 

of these planets are gas giants, similar in size to the four outer planets in this solar system, and orbit 

much closer to their parent stars than do the giant planets in this system. NASA's Exoplanet 

Exploration Program is taking the first steps along a path of discovery that will ultimately lead 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. 

 

To date, most of the known extrasolar planets, or simply exoplanets, have been discovered with 

ground-based telescopes. However, the 2009 launch of NASA's Kepler mission (the Agency's first 

mission dedicated to the study of extrasolar planets) has ushered in a new chapter in the search for 

planets around other stars. From its unique vantage point of space, Kepler is capable of detecting 

much smaller planets than are possible with even the most powerful ground based telescopes. Kepler 

has already shown us that small planets are more abundant than giant planets. Within two years of 

launch, Kepler will have doubled the number of known exoplanets, including many rocky planets only 

a few times larger than Earth. By the end of its prime mission, Kepler will enable the first 

measurements of just how common habitable, Earth-sized planets are in the galaxy. 

 

However, Kepler is just the first component of NASA's Exoplanet Exploration strategy. The technique 

that Kepler uses to detect exoplanets is most sensitive to large planets on small orbits around their 

host stars. Noting this measurement bias, the NWNH decadal survey included an exoplanet search 

using a complimentary detection technique "microlensing" as one of the key components in the 

science program of its top, large space mission recommendation: the Wide-Field InfraRed Survey 

Telescope (WFIRST). The microlensing technique is sensitive to small, rocky planets on larger orbits. 

Thus, together with the Kepler results, WFIRST will give us a clear view of how planetary systems are 

formed and evolve, and a much clearer understanding of the frequency of habitable, Earth-sized 

planets in the galaxy. 

 

The ultimate goal for NASA's Exoplanet Exploration Program, as articulated in the decadal survey, is 

a flagship "New Worlds Mission" that will be capable of imaging and spectroscopy of rocky planets in 

the habitable zones of stars in the solar neighborhood. This is the mission that will allow NASA to 

take the pivotal step from identifying an exoplanet as Earth-sized, to determining whether it is truly 

Earth-like, and possibly even if it bears the fingerprints of life. Recognizing that such an ambitious 

goal presents numerous significant technological challenges, the decadal survey made "New Worlds 

Technology Development" its top priority medium-class, space project for the decade. Consequently, 

an important component of the Exoplanet Exploration effort will be a robust technology development 

program focused on technologies that feed into the candidate architectures for a future directdetection mission, and, ultimately, the design and implementation of that mission. 

 

For more information, please see: http://exep.jpl.nasa.gov/.

ASTRO-32
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Astrophysics

Program: Exoplanet Exploration

Plans For FY 2012

The Exoplanet Exploration Program will continue the Technology Development for Exoplanet 

mission's activity to support the development of technologies that feed into candidate architectures for 

a future direct-detection mission, as recommended by the decadal survey. 

 

Keck Interferometer (KI) will be in its final year of NASA-supported operation, providing U.S. 

astronomers with access to this unique observational facility in support of NASA astrophysics science 

goals. 

Kepler will be in the third year of operations. The science team will continue to analyze mission data, 

conduct follow-up observations, and report results in the scientific literature and to the public as they 

become available. 

 

The Large Binocular Telescope Interferometer will complete integration and testing, and will begin 

key science operations.

ASTRO-33
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Astrophysics

Program: Exoplanet Exploration

Project Descriptions and Explanation of Changes

 

Other Missions and Data Analysis

This line item contains the following projects: 

- Kepler, launched in March 2009, is specifically designed to survey the distant stars in this 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 and smaller planets with longer and longer orbital 

periods will begin to emerge from the data. 

 

- Keck Operations is the NASA portion of the Keck Observatory partnership. NASA uses its share of 

observing time in support of all Astrophysics science programs: Exoplanet Exploration, Cosmic 

Origins and POCS. Observing time is competed, selected, and managed by the NASA Exoplanet 

Science Institute. A significant portion of the NASA Keck competed time has been awarded to Keper 

follow-up observations on potential planet candidates and radio-velocity observations for new 

exoplanet discoveries. 

 

- The KI is an instrument that connects the two Keck 10-meter telescopes as if they were pieces of a 

single, 85-meter telescope. With the KI, astronomers are able to study the origins of stars and 

galaxies, emissions from faint dust clouds around other stars, and the dust and planetary systems 

around nearby stars. NASA support for the KI has been extended into FY 2012 to allow for a smooth 

transition of operations from NASA to the California Association for Research in Astronomy (CARA). 

 

- Exoplanet Exploration SR&T supports the prestigious Sagan Postdoctoral Fellowships, programspecific scientific research, and technology development activities that support and enable future 

Exoplanet Exploration missions. The activities include maintaining a wide-field infrared imaging and 

spectroscopy capability relevant to the recommended The Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope 

mission and a New Worlds technology initiative. The objective of the latter of these efforts, as 

recommended in the 2010 decadal survey, is to achieve a level of maturity in the associated 

technologies sufficient to select the most promising architecture by the middle of the coming decade; 

focus subsequent technology investments on that architecture; and development of a robust mission 

concept by the end of the decade. 

 

- Exoplanet Exploration Program management provides programmatic, technical, and business 

management, as well as program science leadership and coordination for education and public 

outreach products and services. 

 

 - Exoplanet Exploration Future missions funding has been moved to support future Astrophysics 

Explorer missions and to the ExEP SR&T activities. The 2010 decadal survey did not prioritize the 

Space Interferometry Mission, so NASA support for that mission has been discontinued. 

 

 - The LBTI is the NASA portion of the Large Binocular Telescope (LBT) partnership. The instrument 

is currently under development, and will be ready for full science operations in FY 2012. LBTI will 

study the formation of solar systems and will be capable of directly detecting giant planets outside 

this solar system. The key science program of LBTI is to determine the amount of dust that is found 

in nearby planetary systems. This is an important factor to take into consideration for the 

development of a direct detection mission, one of the primary challenges identified in the astronomy 

and astrophysics 2010 decadal survey. Development and operation of this instrument have been 

funded through FY 2015.

ASTRO-34
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Astrophysics

Program:

Kepler Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

May-05

Mar-09

Nov-12

Mar-09

Nov-12

Nov-13

Form Dec-01 May-05

Development (Dev)

Formulation (Form)

Represents a period of no activity for the Project

Research (Res)

Operations (Ops)

Tech & Adv Concepts (Tech)

Exoplanet Exploration

Implementation Schedule

Prior 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Beg End

Project Schedule by Fiscal Year Phase Dates

Program Management

JPL is responsible for program management.

Project Management

Responsibility

NASA Center 

Performers

Cost-Sharing Partners

Kepler ARC ARC None

Acquisition Strategy

No competitive acquisitions are currently planned.

Independent Reviews

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review

Performance Exoplanet 

Task Force

01/2008 Determine planet-finding research and 

technology approach and prioritization leading 

up to the next decadal survey. Report and 

recommended strategy published and sent to 

respective agencies. For more information, 

please see: http://nasascience.nasa.gov/aboutus/NAC-subcommittees/nac-documents/2008-

01_APS_ExoPTF.pdf.

N/A

ASTRO-35
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Astrophysics

Program: Astrophysics Explorer

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

113.5 - 107.8 110.9 123.7 128.7 152.0

Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope 

Array (NuStar)

56.2 - 11.4 4.0 1.1 0.0 0.0

Gravity and Extreme Magnetism 3.1 - 69.4 41.0 20.8 1.4 0.0

Other Missions and Data Analysis 54.2 - 27.0 65.9 101.8 127.3 152.0

Note:

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated 

account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project amounts shown above. The allocation to each project

is reflected in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 

2010 and FY 2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

ASTRO-36
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Astrophysics

Program: Astrophysics Explorer

Program Overview

The aim of the Explorers Program is to provide frequent flight opportunities for world-class scientific 

investigations from space utilizing innovative, streamlined and efficient management approaches 

within the heliophysics and astrophysics science areas. Explorer missions are 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. Priorities are based on an 

open competition of concepts solicited from the scientific community. The program also enables 

participation in missions of opportunity provided by other U.S. or international agencies. The program 

emphasizes missions that can be accomplished under the control of the scientific research 

community within constrained mission life cycle costs. The program also seeks to enhance public 

awareness of space science by incorporating educational and public outreach activities into each 

mission. 

 

The standard Explorer (EX) missions are investigations characterized by definition, development, and 

mission operations and data analysis costs up to $200 million, not including launch services. Small 

Explorers (SMEX) may cost up to $120 million, not including launch services. Explorer Missions of 

Opportunity (MOs) have a total NASA cost of under $55 million and may be of several types. The 

most common are partner MOs, investigations characterized by being part of a non-NASA space 

mission (of any size). These missions are conducted on a no-exchange-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 missions of 

opportunity with each Announcement of Opportunity issued for EX and SMEX investigations, and 

perhaps more frequently. Beginning in FY 2012, funding for future Explorer missions (formerly 

managed in the Heliophysics Theme) is being split into two pieces. Astrophysics Theme will continue 

to coordinate with Heliophysics theme and the Explorer Program office at GSFC regarding mission 

management and future solicitations, but will have responsibility beginning in 2012 for managing its 

own budgetary resources for future selections to enable a diverse portfolio of stand-alone missions 

and MO. This split will help enable the implementation of the decadal survey's recommendation to 

augment the Explorer Program to provide more opportunities to respond rapidly to new science 

opportunities. 

 

For more information, please see Explorer Program at explorers.gsfc.nasa.gov/missions.html. 

 

Currently, there are two Explorer missions in development: NuSTAR, and the Astro-H Soft X-ray 

Spectrometer. GEMS is in formulation. Four previously launched Explorer missions are also 

supported in this program, as they continue to produce world-class science in their extended mission 

phases.

ASTRO-37
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Astrophysics

Program: Astrophysics Explorer

Plans For FY 2012

NuSTAR will be completing observatory integration and beginning integration to the Pegasus XL 

launch vehicle in preparation for a February 2012 launch from Kwajalein Island in the Republic of the 

Marshall Islands. 

 

The high-resolution SXS instrument for the JAXA-led Astro-H mission will be in the final stages of 

integration and test during FY 2012. Two major flight model subsystems (the x-ray telescope optics 

and the electrical harness) will be delivered to Japan during FY 2012 in order to facilitate early 

integration and test of those subsystems. The completed SXS instrument will be shipped to Japan for 

spacecraft integration and test either late in FY 2012 or early in FY 2013. 

 

The Gravity and Extreme Magnetism Critical Design Review is scheduled in March 2012.

ASTRO-38
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Astrophysics

Program: Astrophysics Explorer

Project Descriptions and Explanation of Changes

Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR)

NuSTAR, currently in development, is planned for launch in February 2012. NuSTAR will provide a 

greater capability for using high-energy X-rays to detect black holes than any currently existing 

instrument. NuSTAR has been designed to answer fundamental questions about the universe. How 

are black holes distributed through the cosmos? How were the elements of the universe created? 

What powers the most extreme active galaxies? This mission will expand the ability to understand 

the origin of cosmic rays and help predict the destinies of stars and galaxies.

Astro-H SXS

Astro-H SXS is a mission of opportunity, currently in development, in which NASA will provide the 

SXS instrument. Astro-H SXS is scheduled for a 2014 launch onboard the Japanese Astro-H 

spacecraft. The observatory will carry a suite of four science instruments spanning virtually the entire 

X-ray energy band. The SXS instrument is a cryogenically cooled high-resolution X-ray spectrometer 

that will allow the most detailed studies of the high-energy spectra of a wide range of astronomical 

systems from nearby stars to distant active galaxies. Utilizing 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 jets. 

 

Additional funding has been added in FY 2011 through 2014 based on a 70 percent joint cost and 

schedule analysis in order to assure adequate reserves through launch, consistent with the decision 

made by SMD at confirmation review.

Gravity and Extreme Magnetism SMEX (GEMS)

The GEMS mission is currently in formulation and will seek approval to enter development during FY 

2011. GEMS will use an X-ray telescope to explore the shape of space that has been distorted by a 

spinning black hole's gravity. It will probe the structure and effects of the formidable magnetic field 

around magnetars, dead stars with magnetic fields trillions of times stronger than Earth's. 

 

Funding has been increased in FY 2011 and 2012 (and reduced in the out years) in order to 

accommodate increased early payments for the launch vehicle.

ASTRO-39
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Astrophysics

Program:

 

Astrophysics Explorer

Other Missions and Data Analysis

Included in this line item are: 

- A Future Astrophysics Explorer Missions budget has been created in response to the astronomy 

and astrophysics 2010 decadal survey recommendation to accelerate the launch rate of Astrophysics 

Explorer missions. This funding, combined with a portion of future Explorer mission funding 

previously held in the Heliophysics Theme, will allow for more frequent selection and launch of 

Astrophysics Explorer missions and MOs. This will enable a rapid response to new discoveries and 

provide platforms for targeted investigations essential to the breadth of the Astrophysics program. 

Astrophysics will continue to coordinate with the Heliophysics Theme and Explorer Program office at 

GSFC regarding mission management and future solicitations, but will have responsibility beginning 

in 2012 for managing its own budgetary resources for future selections. 

 

- The Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) provided an all-sky survey of galaxies in the 

infrared light spectrum. During its six-month mission, WISE mapped the sky in infrared light, 

searching for the nearest and coolest stars, the origins of stellar and planetary systems, and the 

most luminous galaxies in the universe. WISE's infrared survey provided an essential catalog for 

JWST science program planning. 

 

- Swift is a multi-wavelength space-based observatory in extended operations phase that studies the 

position, brightness, and physical properties of gamma-ray bursts. Within seconds of detecting a 

burst, Swift relays the location of a burst to ground stations. This allows both ground-based and 

space-based telescopes around the world to observe the burst's afterglow. As a result of the Senior 

Review 2010, Swift has received additional funding to extend its operational life. Budget planning for 

Swift reflects reductions to some operating missions and plans to focus Swift observing campaigns 

on the highest impact activities. 

 

- WMAP studies the early universe by measuring the cosmic microwave background radiation over 

the full sky. WMAP produced the earliest "baby picture" of the universe, showing temperature 

variation of microwave light 379,000 years after the Big Bang, over 13 billion years ago. As a result 

of the Senior Review 2010, WMAP has received additional funding to extend its operational life. 

 

 - The Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX) and Suzaku missions will be terminated in FY 2011 and 

will complete any necessary mission closeout activities in FY 2012.

Program Commitments

Commitment/Output

FY 2012

Program/Project Changes from

FY 2011 PB Request

Complete the NuSTAR Launch Readiness 

Review.

NuSTAR

ASTRO-40
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Astrophysics

Program:

GEMS Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Jul-11

Apr-14

Apr-14

Jan-15

Form Jun-09 Jul-11

Astro-H Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Aug-09

Feb-14

Feb-14

Feb-16

Form Jun-08 Aug-09

NuSTAR Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Nov-09

Feb-12

Feb-12

Sep-14

Form Feb-08 Nov-09

GALEX Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Apr-03 Nov-11

Form

WMAP Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Jun-01 Sep-12

Form

Suzaku Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

May-05 Nov-11

Form

Swift Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Apr-04 Sep-14

Form

WISE Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Oct-06

Dec-09

Dec-09

Sep-12

Form Apr-02 Oct-06

Represents a period of no activity for the Project

Formulation (Form)

Research (Res)

Operations (Ops)

Development (Dev)

Tech & Adv Concepts (Tech)

Astrophysics Explorer

Implementation Schedule

Prior 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Beg End

Project Schedule by Fiscal Year Phase Dates

ASTRO-41
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Astrophysics

Program: Astrophysics Explorer

Program Management

Management of the Astrophysics Explorer Program is assigned to GSFC.

Project Management

Responsibility

NASA Center 

Performers

Cost-Sharing Partners

WISE GSFC JPL None

NuSTAR GSFC JPL None

Astro-H GSFC GSFC Japan (JAXA)

Swift GSFC N/A None

WMAP GSFC N/A None

GEMS GSFC GSFC None

Acquisition Strategy

Explorer projects are selected through competitive Announcements of Opportunity from which 

multiple investigations are selected for initial concept studies. This is followed by a competitive downselect to proceed to the next stage of formulation. Investigations are selected to proceed from one 

phase to the next through execution of contract options, based on successful technical, cost, and 

schedule performance in the previous phases. 

 

The most recent Explorer Announcement of Opportunity was released on November 1, 2010 with 

proposals due on February 16, 2011, and final selections expected in late 2012 or early 2013. From 

this solicitation, NASA expects that at least one full Explorer mission will be selected to proceed into 

Phase B and subsequent mission phases. The proposed Astrophysics Explorers budget is intended 

to support selection of one full mission and one or more missions of opportunity.

ASTRO-42
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Astrophysics

Program: Astrophysics Explorer

Project In Development: Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array

FY 2012 Budget Request

Budget Authority

($ millions)

Ann CR.

Prior FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's 

Budget Request

55.4 56.2 - 11.4 4.0 1.1 0.0 0.0

Note: The FY 2011 LCC number in the table above is overstated by $3.7 million due to the difference between the FY 2010 

enacted bill and the pending FY 2012 Passback. Assuming approval of the initial operating plan, the estimated life cycle cost will 

be $160.6 million, and the estimated development cost will be $109.9 million.

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was preparedFor the FY 2012 

Budget Request, project life cycle estimates, required to meet the requirements of section 103 of the NASA Authorization Act of

2005 (P.L. 109-155; 42 U.S.C. 16613), have been consolidated in the Management and Performance Section of this document. 

This consolidation provides for a comparative analysis across projects, and the inclusion of corrective action plans for the 

projects that have exceeded their original baseline estimates by greater than fifteen percent.

; therefore, NASA is operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" 

column reflect the annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated 

account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project amounts shown above. The allocation to each project

is reflected in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 

2010 and FY 2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

Explanation of Project Changes

NuSTAR launch has been delayed by one month (to February 2012) due to potential conflicts at the 

launch site. Funding has been increased slightly for education and public outreach activities. 

 

NuSTAR continues to reach its milestones and in FY 2012 will be completing observatory integration 

and beginning integration to the Pegasus XL launch vehicle in preparation for a subsequent February 

2012 air launch from Kwajalein Island in the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

ASTRO-43
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Astrophysics

Program: Astrophysics Explorer

Project In Development: Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array

Project Purpose

The NuSTAR mission will observe the universe at high X-ray energy levels. By focusing higher energy 

X-rays, NuSTAR will start to answer several fundamental questions about the universe. How are black 

holes distributed through the cosmos? How were heavy elements forged in the explosions of massive 

stars? What powers the most extreme active galaxies? 

 

NuSTAR's primary science goal is to make the first deep observations of regions of the sky in the high 

energy X-ray band in order to locate massive black holes in other galaxies; locate and examine the 

remnants of collapsed stars in this galaxy; observe selected very high energy gamma-ray sources; 

and observe any supernovae of opportunity in the local group of galaxies. NuSTAR's key science 

products will be sensitive high-energy X-ray survey maps of the celestial sky that will guide the X-ray 

astronomy community research for several years to come. In addition to its core science program, 

NuSTAR will offer opportunities for a broad range of science investigations, ranging from probing 

cosmic ray origins to studying the extreme physics around collapsed stars to mapping microflares on 

the surface of the Sun. NuSTAR will perform follow-up observations to discoveries made by Chandra 

and Spitzer, and will team with Fermi to make simultaneous observations. 

 

For more information see: http://www.nustar.caltech.edu/.

Project Parameters

NuSTAR will image the sky in the high- energy X-ray band (6-79 KeV) and the spacecraft will be three

-axis stabilized. The primary science instruments will be two identical focusing X-ray telescopes which 

utilize an extendable 10-meter mast. The launch vehicle will be a Pegasus XL.

Project Commitments

NuSTAR will be launched in February 2012 into a 550 by 600 kilometer orbit around Earth, with an 

orbital inclination currently planned for six degrees. The prime operations phase is two years.

Project Element Provider Description FY 2011 PB 

Request

FY 2012 PB 

Request

Spacecraft Orbital Sciences 

Corporation

Spacecraft design, 

fabrication and testing. N/A Same

Mission operations, 

focal plane assembly 

and instrument 

electronics

University of California, 

Berkeley

Aperture stop, active shield 

module and mechanical 

enclosures

N/A Same

X-ray optics

Columbia University, 

GSFC and the Danish 

Technical University

Overall optics assembly 

management and 

manufacturing

N/A Same

Mast, canister and 

instrument structure ATK

Delivery of mast, canister 

and instrument structure for 

the spacecraft

N/A Same

ASTRO-44
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Astrophysics

Program: Astrophysics Explorer

Project In Development: Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array

Schedule Commitments

NuSTAR was authorized for mission re-start in September 2007 and was authorized to proceed into 

Phase B in January 2008. Confirmation to proceed into Phase C (implementation) was approved in 

August 2009.

Milestone Name Confirmation

Baseline

FY 2011 PB 

Request

FY 2012 PB 

Request

Development

Preliminary Design Review June 2009 same same

Confirmation Review August 2009 same same

Critical Design Review February 2010 same same

Launch January 2012 January 2012 February 2012

ASTRO-45
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Astrophysics

Program: Astrophysics Explorer

Project In Development: Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array

Project Management

JPL is responsible for NuSTAR project management. The principal investigator at the California 

Institute of Technology is responsible for mission science.

Project Element Project Management 

Responsibility NASA Center Performers Cost-Sharing Partners

Mission Science JPL N/A N/A

Launch Vehicle KSC N/A N/A

Spacecraft, instruments, 

mast, optics JPL GSFC N/A

Acquisition Strategy

NuSTAR was selected via a NASA Explorers Announcement of Opportunity. The spacecraft is being 

developed by Orbital Sciences Corporation in Dulles, Virginia. The X-ray optics are being developed 

by Columbia University in New York City, New York; GSFC; and the Danish Technical University, 

Denmark. Launch vehicle acquisition is through Kennedy Space Center (KSC).

Independent Reviews

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review

Performance SRB 6/2009 Preliminary Design Review; received authority to 

enter Phase C N/A

Performance SRB 2/2010

Critical Design Review. NuSTAR design was 

deemed sufficiently mature to proceed with fullscale fabrication, assembly, integration and 

testing.

N/A

Performance SRB N/A

System Integration Review (SIR). Evaluates the 

readiness of the project to start flight assembly, 

test, and integration.

01/2011

Performance SRB N/A

Flight Readiness Review (FRR). Determines the 

overall system readiness for a safe and 

successful flight.

1/2012

Project Risk Management

Title Risk Statement Risk Management Approach and Plan

Remove shells from each coated mirror. This would free up 

about 6-10kg from the instrument.

Observatory Mass Margin The combined mass of the 

spacecraft and instrument 

forces design changes that 

tax project programmatic 

resources.

ASTRO-46
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Astrophysics

Program: Astrophysics Explorer

Project In Formulation: Gravity and Extreme Magnetism (SMEX 13)

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

3.1 - 69.4 41.0 20.8 1.4 0.0

Note:

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated 

account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project amounts shown above. The allocation to each project

is reflected in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 

2010 and FY 2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

Project Purpose

GEMS will use an X-ray telescope to explore the shape of space that has been distorted by a spinning 

black hole's gravity, and probe the structure and effects of the formidable magnetic field around 

magnetars--dead stars with magnetic fields trillions of times stronger than that of Earth. 

 

Current missions cannot accomplish the goals of GEMS because they are not capable of the required 

angular resolution or, in the case of magnetic field imaging, because magnetic fields are invisible. 

GEMS will use a new technique to accomplish what has been impossible until now. It will build up a 

picture indirectly by measuring the polarization of X-rays emitted from these violent regions. This will 

open new discovery space because GEMS is orders of magnitude more sensitive than previous X-ray 

polarization experiments. 

 

GEMS will answer some of the most exciting and fundamental questions in astrophysics. How does 

the spin of a black hole warp space time? What powers pulsars and magnetars? How are cosmic rays 

accelerated in supernova remnants? 

 

GEMS will be better able to tell the shapes of the X-ray-emitting matter trapped near black holes than 

existing missions. In particular, GEMS will be able to detect whether matter around a black hole is 

confined to a flat disk or puffed into a sphere or squirting out in a jet. Since X-rays are polarized by the 

space swirling around a spinning black hole, GEMS also provides a method of determining black hole 

spin independent of other techniques.

Project Preliminary Parameters

The nominal science mission is about one year in duration. The X-ray Polarimeter Instrument (XPI) 

consists of two or three identical, co-aligned telescopes, and will be sensitive from two to 10 kev to 

polarization amplitude and angle. It's orbit will be 575 kilometer with a 28.5degree inclination. It will 

have alaunch mass of 267 kilograms, solar arrays at 637 west, articulated, and stabilization on a three

-axis.

ASTRO-47
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Astrophysics

Program: Astrophysics Explorer

Project In Formulation: Gravity and Extreme Magnetism (SMEX 13)

Estimated Project Deliverables

GEMS will study 23 targets including stellar-mass, black holes, seyfert galaxies and quasars, blazars, 

neutron star pulsars, shell supernovae remnants, and pulsar wind nebulae. The GEMS satellite will 

be the first observatory to systematically measure X-ray polarization, encoding information about the 

structure of cosmic sources. Polarization measurements will allow scientists to study scattering 

magnetic fields and strong gravitational fields.

Project Element Provider Description FY 2011 PB 

Request

FY 2012 PB 

Request

Spacecraft Orbital Small spacecraft based on 

reusable design Same Same

Instrument Payload GSFC XPI Same Same

Launch Vehicle TBD Small Class Same Same

Estimated Project Schedule

The GEMS project was selected for formulation in October 2009.

Milestone Name

Formulation

Agreement

Estimate

FY 2011 PB 

Request

FY 2012 PB 

Request

Formulation

SRR (Mission) June 2010 June 2010 October 2010

KDP-C July 2011 July 2011 August 2011

Launch April 2014 Same Same

Project Management

GEMS is part of the Explorers Program managed by GSFC.

Project Element Project Management 

Responsibility NASA Center Performers Cost-Sharing Partners

Spacecraft GSFC None N/A

X-ray Polarimeter 

Instrument (XPI) GSFC GSFC N/A

Launch Vehicle KSC None N/A

Acquisition Strategy

The largest portion of the overall project effort has been awarded to Orbital Sciences Corporation. In 

Phases B/C/D/E, the contract with Orbital Sciences Corporation is of the cost-plus-award fee type.

ASTRO-48
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Astrophysics

Program: Astrophysics Explorer

Project In Formulation: Gravity and Extreme Magnetism (SMEX 13)

Independent Reviews

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review

Performance SRB N/A Preliminary Design Review; determine if the 

project is ready to proceed into development 07/2011

Project Risk Management

Title Risk Statement Risk Management Approach and Plan

If the Polarimeter does not 

meet the delivery date to the 

Instrument I&T, then the 

mission schedule will be 

impacted.

The project plans to develop an Engineering Test Unit of the 

Polarimeter to mature the technology and test before building 

the flight unit.

Late Polarimeter Delivery to 

Instrument I&T

ASTRO-49
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: James Webb Space Telescope

Theme Overview

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is a flagship mission and essential contributor to NASA's 

goal in astrophysics to "discover how the universe works, explore how the universe began and 

evolved, and search for Earth-like planets." JWST contributes to answering a broad scientific question 

emanating from this goal: How did the universe originate and evolve to produce the galaxies, stars, 

and planets we see today? By being able to look back into the history of the universe, to see the first 

light from the first stars, JWST enables the study of how galaxies, stars and planetary systems came 

into being, how they evolve, and ultimately how they end their lives. Additionally, the mission will make 

discoveries that will help scientists understand how matter, energy, space, and time behave under the 

extraordinarily diverse conditions of the cosmos, and the characteristics of planetary systems orbiting 

other stars. 

 

Because of the significance of the JWST, a new theme was created. The elevation of JWST to its own 

theme reflects management changes implemented in FY 2011 to improve oversight and control over 

the project in direct response to the Independent Comprehensive Review Panel's (ICRP) report in 

November 2010. The project, which was previously managed within the Science Mission Directorate's 

(SMD) Astrophysics Division within NASA Headquarters, and was part of the Cosmic Origins 

Program, is now managed via a separate program office at NASA Headquarters. The JWST Project 

Manager at Headquarters now reports directly to NASA's Associate Administrator and the Associate 

Administrator of SMD. The lead Center for JWST, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). has also 

implemented changes, with project management now reporting directly to the Center Director. 

 

Note that the technical content of the JWST project has not changed as a result of any of these 

management changes, and in fact the changes have been made in recognition of the high importance 

of this mission for the Agency and the astrophysics community. 

 

JWST was again included as a high priority in the most recently released National Academies decadal 

survey for astronomy and astrophysics entitled "New Worlds, New Horizons in Astronomy and 

Astrophysics" (National Academies, 2010). The project remains an integral part of SMD's portfolio of 

bold new Astrophysics initiatives that open the universe to reveal new discoveries. JWST was the top 

priority of earlier decadal surveys, and helps to provide the foundational science upon which the new 

projects of the latest survey depend. 

 

The JWST theme will achieve its objectives via the analysis of scientific data from a 6.5-meter 

cryogenic telescope launched to the Sun-Earth Lagrangian 2 (L2) point and operated for a minimum of 

five years. 

 

For more information, please see http://www.jwst.nasa.gov/.

JWST-1
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: James Webb Space Telescope

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

438.7 - 354.6 359.3 365.3 371.6 371.6

James Webb Space Telescope 438.7 - 354.6 359.3 365.3 371.6 371.6

Note: The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated account in 

each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the program amounts shown above. The allocation to each program is reflected 

in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 2010 and FY 

2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

Plans for FY 2012

James Webb Space Telescope

The James Webb Space Telescope will continue fabrication, integration, and testing in support of a 

launch date to be determined following a comprehensive re-planning of all project cost and 

schedule elements.

JWST-2
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: James Webb Space Telescope

Relevance

Relevance to national priorities, relevant fields, and customer needs:

JWST is guided by the Space Act and subsequent legislation, and by U.S. National Space Policy and 

related policies, which call on NASA to conduct space missions to advance scientific understanding of 

the universe. In doing so, NASA follows a long-standing tradition of establishing its science priorities 

through consultation with world-class experts via the National Academies decadal survey process. 

The most recent astrophysics decadal survey was released in August 2010, and includes JWST as 

part of its recommended set of missions. JWST also receives advice from the external science 

community via the Astrophysics Subcommittee of the NASA Advisory Council, and advice on 

cooperative activities from the Congressionally chartered, National Science Foundation (NSF)-

managed Astronomy and Astrophysics Advisory Committee. JWST remains a high priority within the 

astrophysics and broader science communities.

Relevance to the NASA Mission and Strategic Goals:

NASA's astrophysics missions seek to discover how the universe works, explore how it began and 

evolved, and search for Earth-like planets. JWST will contribute substantially to each of these 

strategic goals. JWST will improve estimates for the Hubble constant and thereby provide tighter 

constraints on the nature of dark energy. The infrared sensitivity of JWST will allow researchers to 

study the first stars and galaxies to form after the Big Bang. Using the combination of spectroscopy 

and coronographic imaging JWST will study exoplanets and their atmospheric compositions.

Relevance to education and public benefits:

JWST has a strong education and public outreach program. JWST is included in the consortium of 

Astrophysics missions featured in a traveling museum exhibit, "Alien Earths," that informs and 

inspires the public on critical questions related to the search for life elsewhere in our universe. In 

addition, JWST's website has educational materials for educators, including lesson plans, activities 

and programs that enable students to help solve real-world JWST problems, compare simple 

telescopes to JWST, learn about planets outside our solar system, solve space math problems, 

understand light and telescopes, learn how JWST's mirrors are built, and understand infrared energy. 

For more information, see http://www.jwst.nasa.gov/teachers.html.

JWST-3
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: James Webb Space Telescope

Performance

Performance Commitments:

Measure # Description Contributing

Program (s)

Strategic Goal 2 Expand scientific understanding of the Earth and the 

universe in which we live.

Outcome 2.4 Discover how the universe works, explore how it began 

and evolved, and search for Earth-like planets.

Objective 2.4.2 Improve understanding of the many phenomena and 

processes associated with galaxy, stellar, and planetary 

system formation and evolution from the earliest epochs 

to today.

Performance Goal 2.4.2.2 Design and assemble James Webb Space Telescope 

(JWST).

APG 

2.4.2.2: JWST-12-1

Begin integration of James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) 

flight optics into Optical Telescope Element (OTE).

James Webb Space 

Telescope

Performance Achievement Highlights:

JWST is making good technical progress. The JWST Program passed its mission Critical Design 

Review (CDR) in the Spring of 2010. This is a major milestone for the program and marks the 

transition into full manufacturing and assembly phase of observatory hardware. All 18 flight Primary 

Mirror segments have completed initial polishing, and several have completed final polishing and have 

received reflective coating. The flight Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) instrument successfully 

completed all vibration testing, and the flight Near Infrared Spectrograph (NIRSpec) instrument is 

completely assembled and has also successfully completed vibration testing. 

 

One of the recommendations from the CDR was to complete an in-depth evaluation of the integration 

and testing plan for JWST. The Test Assessment Team (TAT) identified a significant number of 

opportunities to optimize the Optical Telescope Element/ Integrated Science Module test plan at the 

Johnson Space Center (JSC) and the Integrated Science Instrument Module testing at GSFC that will 

better manage the overall technical and programmatic risk to the mission. The TAT also 

recommended that JWST should quickly establish a new integration and testing leadership position to 

optimize planning for the remaining tests, and this recommendation has now been implemented.

JWST-4
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: James Webb Space Telescope

Program: James Webb Space Telescope

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

438.7 - 354.6 359.3 365.3 371.6 371.6

James Webb Space Telescope 438.7 - 354.6 359.3 365.3 371.6 371.6

Note:

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated 

account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project amounts shown above. The allocation to each project

is reflected in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 

2010 and FY 2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

Project Descriptions and Explanation of Changes

James Webb Space Telescope

JWST is the only project within this Program and Theme, as a result of the recent changes in 

management structure to increase management oversight and control of the project. JWST is 

currently in development phase and will launch on a European Space Agency (ESA)-supplied Ariane 

5 rocket for a five-year science mission to study the origin and evolution of galaxies, stars, and 

planetary systems. The JWST spacecraft will have a large array of mirrors, 21.3 feet in diameter, and 

a sunshield the size of a tennis court. Neither the mirror assembly nor the sunshield fit into the rocket 

fully open, so both will fold up and open only after JWST is in space. JWST will reside in space at the 

Sun-Earth L2 point, which is about one million miles from Earth. The telescope and instruments 

will operate at cryogenic temperature in order to achieve infrared performance. 

 

Considering the Independent Comprehensive Review Panel's (ICRP) findings and recommendations, 

NASA is undertaking a re-planning activity to determine a feasible and appropriate the schedule for 

completing the remaining work on JWST given the budget provided. This new project schedule (and 

associated determination of a new JWST launch date) will be completed during FY 2011. Items to be 

highlighted in this revised schedule include a schedule for the remaining modifications to the thermal 

vacuum Chamber A at the Johnson Space Center (see the Construction of Facilities section for more 

detail on this project). Final decisions resulting from this replanning activity will be reflected in the 

President's FY 2013 budget.

JWST-5
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: James Webb Space Telescope

Program: James Webb Space Telescope

Program Management

The new NASA Headquarters JWST Program Director reports directly to the NASA Associate 

Administrator (AA) and Science AA. At GSFC, the project reports directly to the Center Director.

JWST-6
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: James Webb Space Telescope

Program: James Webb Space Telescope

Project In Development: James Webb Space Telescope

FY 2012 Budget Request

Budget Authority

($ millions)

Ann CR.

Prior FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's 

Budget Request

2,552.3 438.7 - 354.6 359.3 365.3 371.6 371.6

Note: The JWST budget total will be determined as part of the project replan to be completed in 2011.

For the FY 2012 Budget Request, project life cycle estimates, required to meet the requirements of section 103 of the NASA 

Authorization Act of 2005 (P.L. 109-155; 42 U.S.C. 16613), have been consolidated in the Management and Performance 

Section of this document. This consolidation provides for a comparative analysis across projects, and the inclusion of corrective 

action plans for the projects that have exceeded their original baseline estimates by greater than fifteen percent.

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated 

account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project amounts shown above. The allocation to each project

is reflected in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 

2010 and FY 2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

Explanation of Project Changes

During 2010, JWST identified cost growth and schedule issues, which resulted in the formation of the 

ICRP. The ICRP charter was to determine the technical, management, and budgetary root causes of 

cost growth and schedule delay on JWST, to estimate the minimum cost to launch JWST, and to 

assess the associated launch date and budget profile. The ICRP report concluded that the problems 

causing cost growth and schedule delays on the JWST project are primarily associated with cost 

estimation and program management. The panel recommended several managerial changes at 

Headquarters and GSFC and some of these have already been implemented. The schedule for 

completing the JWST project within the budget provided will be re-evaluated as part of a replanning 

activity and a new plan is expected in 2011. The results of this re-planning activity will be presented to 

Congress immediately upon completion of the work. In addition, NASA will keep Congress apprised 

of progress during development of the new baseline. 

 

As indicated in NASA's letter to Congress on October 28, 2010, it is certain that the JWST baseline 

development cost and launch readiness date will be exceeded by more than 15 percent and six 

months.

JWST-7
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: James Webb Space Telescope

Program: James Webb Space Telescope

Project In Development: James Webb Space Telescope

Project Purpose

JWST is a large, deployable, space-based infrared astronomical observatory. The mission is a logical 

successor to the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), extending beyond Hubble's discoveries by looking 

into the infrared spectrum, where the highly red-shifted early universe must be observed, where cool 

objects like protostars and protoplanetary disks emit infrared light strongly, and where dust obscures 

shorter wavelengths. 

 

The four main science goals are to: 

 

- 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 

 

- Measure the physical and chemical properties of planetary systems and investigate the potential for 

life in those systems. 

 

Hubble has greatly improved knowledge about distant objects, but its infrared coverage is limited. 

Light from distant galaxies is redshifted by the expansion of the universe into the infrared part of the 

spectrum (from the visible). By examining light redshifted beyond Hubble's sight, JWST will be able to 

observe things farther away, as their light has taken longer to reach us. Hence it will be looking back 

further in time. 

 

JWST will explore the mysterious epoch when the first luminous objects in the universe came into 

being after the Big Bang. The focus of scientific study will include first light of the universe, assembly 

of galaxies, origins of stars and planetary systems, and origins of the elements necessary for life. 

 

The telescope will launch from Kourou, French Guiana, on a ESA-supplied Ariane 5 rocket. Its 

operational location is the L2 point, which is about one million miles from Earth. 

 

For more information, please see: http://www.jwst.nasa.gov.

JWST-8
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: James Webb Space Telescope

Program: James Webb Space Telescope

Project In Development: James Webb Space Telescope

Project Parameters

JWST will be optimized for infrared astronomy, with some capability in the visible range. JWST's 

instruments are the Near Infrared Camera (NIRCam), MIRI, NIRSpec, and the Fine Guidance Sensor 

(FGS). 

 

NIRCam is an imager with a large field of view and high angular resolution. It covers a wavelength 

range of 0.6 - 5 micrometers and has 10 mercury-cadmium-telluride (HgCdTe) detector arrays. These 

are analogous to charge coupled devices found in ordinary digital cameras. NIRCam is a science 

instrument but also a wavefront sensor, which is used to align and focus the optical telescope. 

 

NIRSpec enables scientists to obtain simultaneous spectra of more than 100 objects in a 9-squarearcminute field of view. It provides medium-resolution spectroscopy over a wavelength range from 0.6 

- 5 micrometers. NIRSpec employs a micro-electromechanical system "microshutter array" for 

aperture control, and it has two HgCdTe detector arrays. 

 

MIRI is an imager/spectrograph that covers the wavelength range of 5 - 28 micrometers and it has 

three arsenic-doped silicon detector arrays. The camera module provides wide-field broadband 

imagery, and the spectrograph module provides medium-resolution spectroscopy over a smaller field 

of view compared to the imager. The nominal operating temperature for MIRI is 7 degrees above 

absolute zero, which is possible through an on-board cooling system. 

 

The FGS is a guider camera that is incorporated into the instrument payload in order to meet the 

image motion requirements of JWST. This sensor is used for both guide star acquisition and fine 

pointing. The sensor operates over a wavelength range of 1 - 5 micrometers and has two HgCdTe 

detector arrays. Its field of view provides a 95 percent probability of acquiring a guide star for any valid 

pointing direction. The FGS tunable filter camera is a wide-field, narrow-band camera that provides 

imagery over a wavelength range of 1.6 - 4.9 micrometers, via tunable Fabry-Perot etalons that are 

configured to illuminate the detector array with a single order of interference at a user-selected 

wavelength. The camera has a single HgCdTe detector array. 

 

The JWST ground operations, Science Support Center, and archives will be at the Space Telescope 

Science Institute in Baltimore, MD.

JWST-9
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: James Webb Space Telescope

Program: James Webb Space Telescope

Project In Development: James Webb Space Telescope

Project Commitments

After launch, JWST will complete six months of on-orbit checkout and commissioning and five years 

of prime mission operations. JWST has a goal of 10 years of operations.

Project Element Provider Description FY 2011 PB 

Request

FY 2012 PB 

Request

Includes Optical Telescope 

Element (OTE), Spacecraft, 

Sunshield, Observatory 

AI&T and commissioning. 

The Observatory shall be 

designed for at least a 5-

year lifetime.

Observatory

Northrop Grumman 

Aerospace Systems, 

Redondo Beach, 

California

Same Same

Contains the Science 

Instruments (SIs) and Fine 

Guidance Sensor (FGS). 

Provides structural, 

thermal, power, command 

and data handling 

resources to the SIs and 

FGS.

Integrated Science 

Instrument Module 

(ISIM)

NASA Goddard Space 

Flight Center Same Same

Near-Infrared Camera 

(NIRCam) instrument

University of Arizona; 

Lockheed Martin

Optimized for finding first 

light sources, and operating 

over the wavelength range 

0.6-5 microns.

Same Same

Near-Infrared 

Spectrometer 

(NIRSpec)

European Space Agency 

(ESA)

Operating over the 

wavelength range 0.6-5 

microns with three 

observing modes.

Same Same

Mid-Infrared 

Instrument (MIRI)

ESA; University of 

Arizona; Jet Propulsion 

Laboratory

Operating over the 

wavelength range 5-27 

microns, providing imaging, 

coronagraphy, and 

spectroscopy.

Same Same

Fine Guidance Sensor Canadian Space Agency 

(CSA)

Provides scientific target 

pointing information to the 

observatory's attitude 

control sub-system.

Same Same

Launch Vehicle European Space Agency 

(ESA) Ariane V ECA Same Same

Science Operations 

Center and Mission 

Operations

Space Telescope 

Science Institute (STScI)

Mission Operations and 

Science Operations Center Same Same

JWST-10
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: James Webb Space Telescope

Program: James Webb Space Telescope

Project In Development: James Webb Space Telescope

Schedule Commitments

JWST was approved to enter implementation in July 2008 and completed CDR in April 2010. 

 

The JWST project schedule, given the budget provided, is being re-evaluated as part of a re-planning 

activity and a new plan is expected in 2011. The results of this re-planning activity will be presented to 

Congress immediately upon completion of the work. In addition, NASA will keep Congress apprised 

of progress during development of the new baseline.

Milestone Name Confirmation

Baseline

FY 2011 PB 

Request

FY 2012 PB 

Request

Development

Non-Advocate Review/Preliminary Design Review March,2008 Same Same

Start phase C/Implementation July 2008 Same Same

Critical Design Review April 2010 Same Same

Systems Integration Review (SIR) May 2012 February 2013 TBD

Launch Readiness Date June 2014 Same TBD

Start Phase E December 2014 Same TBD

JWST-11
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: James Webb Space Telescope

Program: James Webb Space Telescope

Project In Development: James Webb Space Telescope

Project Management

Goddard Space Flight Center is responsible for JWST project management.

Project Element Project Management 

Responsibility NASA Center Performers Cost-Sharing Partners

Observatory GSFC GSFC None

Mission management and 

System Engineering GSFC GSFC None

Integrated Science 

Instrument Module (ISIM) GSFC GSFC None

NIRCam GSFC GSFC None

NIRSpec ESA None ESA

MIRI GSFC JPL, ARC ESA

Fine Guidance Sensor - 

Tunable Filter (FGS-TF) CSA None CSA

Ariane 5 ESA launch 

vehicle and launch 

operations

ESA None ESA

Ground control systems 

and science operations and 

control center

GSFC None None

Acquisition Strategy

JWST is being built by Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems (Redondo Beach, CA), with major 

subcontractors including Ball Aerospace (Boulder, CO), ITT (Rochester, NY), and Alliant 

Techsystems (Edina, MN). Selections were made via a NASA request for proposal. 

 

The Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI), in Baltimore, MD, is developing the Science and 

Operations Center and associated services. 

 

The Integrated Science Instrument Module (ISIM) is being provided by GSFC. 

 

The University of Arizona at Tucson is providing NIRCam, along with Lockheed Martin's Advanced 

Technology Center in Palo Alto, CA. The selection was made via a NASA announcement of 

opportunity. 

 

ESA is providing MIRI, with management and technical participation by ARC and JPL. ARC and JPL 

were selected for this role after an internal NASA competition. ESA is also providing NIRSpec and an 

Ariane 5 launch vehicle. 

 

The Canadian Space Agency is providing the Fine Guidance Sensor.

JWST-12
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: James Webb Space Telescope

Program: James Webb Space Telescope

Project In Development: James Webb Space Telescope

Independent Reviews

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review

Performance SRB 04/2010

Critical Design Review. SRB found that mission 

design is mature and recommended a more in 

depth review of the integration and testing plan.

TBD

Quality

Test 

Assessment 

Team

08/2010

The TAT evaluated JWST plans for integration 

and testing. The TAT recommended several 

changes to the test plan. See the full report at 

http://www.jwst.nasa.gov/publications.html.

n/a

Other

Independent 

Comprehensiv

e Review 

Panel

10/2010

The ICRP charter was to determine the 

technical, management and budgetary root 

causes of cost growth and schedule delay on 

JWST, and estimate the minimum cost to launch 

JWST, along with the associated launch date 

and budget profile, including adequate reserves. 

The report made 22 recommendations covering 

several areas of management and performance.

n/a

Performance SRB N/A Systems Integration Review TBD

Performance SRB N/A Flight Readiness Review TBD

Project Risk Management

Title Risk Statement Risk Management Approach and Plan

Project replan is underway and will be complete in 2011.

Full-scale deployment demonstration test bed will be used to 

verify all deployment designs. Extensive deployment testing 

will be conducted at temperature of all sunshield assemblies 

and components.

JWST Cost and Schedule 

Growth

Projected FY 2011 ISIM and 

Northrop Grumman 

Aerospace Systems cost 

growth will exceed available 

budget, resulting in a work 

delay, and delaying the LRD. 

Inclusion of SRBrecommended verification 

enhancements will further 

impact cost and schedule.

JWST Sunshield Deployment If the sunshield fails to deploy 

to its prescribed operational 

shape then mission science 

requirements cannot be met.

JWST-13
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Heliophysics

Theme Overview

Earth is immersed in a seemingly invisible yet exotic and inherently hostile environment. Above the 

protective cocoon of Earth's atmosphere is a plasma soup composed of electrified and magnetized 

matter entwined with penetrating radiation and energetic particles. The Sun's energy output, which 

varies on time scales from milliseconds to billions of years, forms an immense structure of complex 

magnetic fields. Inflated by the solar wind, this colossal bubble of magnetism, known as the 

heliosphere, stretches far beyond the orbit of Pluto. This extended atmosphere of the Sun drives some 

of the greatest changes in the local space environment, affecting the magnetosphere, ionosphere, 

atmosphere, and potentially, Earth's climate. 

 

Heliophysics seeks understanding of the interaction of the large, complex, coupled system comprising 

the Sun, Earth, and Moon, other planetary systems, the vast space within the solar system, and the 

interface with interstellar space. Heliophysics flight missions form a fleet of solar, heliospheric, and 

geospace spacecraft that operate simultaneously to understand the coupled Sun-Earth system. 

 

A robust heliophysics research program is critical to understanding how solar radiation drives the 

climate system and sustains the biosphere of Earth, and the environment faced by human and robotic 

explorers venturing into space. Solar particles and fields drive radiation belts, high-altitude winds, heat 

the ionosphere, and alter the ozone layer. The resulting space weather affects radio and radar 

transmissions, gas and oil pipelines, electrical power grids, and spacecraft electronics. As a result, 

scientific research in this area has the potential to return significant value to modern society. An 

effective research plan incorporates studying the Sun, heliosphere, and planetary environments as 

elements of a single interconnected system that contains dynamic space weather and evolves in 

response to solar, planetary, and interstellar conditions. NASA is working to advance this science that 

enables space weather prediction by answering fundamental questions about this system's behavior: 

 

- What causes the Sun to vary? 

 

- How do the Earth and the heliosphere respond? 

 

- What are the impacts on human society? 

 

Heliophysics strategic goals are achieved through four program lines: two strategic programs, one 

competed program, and a Research and Analysis program. Solar Terrestrial Probes, a strategic 

program, provides understanding of the fundamental processes inherent in astrophysical systems and 

their effects. Living With a Star, the other strategic program, emphasizes the science necessary to 

understand those aspects of the Sun and space environment that most directly affect life and society 

and that enable robotic and human exploration of the solar system. The Explorer Program consists of 

competitively selected small principal investigator-led missions that can be developed relatively 

quickly, providing frequent flight opportunities for world-class scientific investigations from space. The 

Heliophysics Research Program supports physics-based data analysis and modeling that has played 

an increasingly important role both in defining the missions and interpreting their observations.

HELIO-1
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Heliophysics

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

608.0 - 577.9 591.0 612.4 627.2 628.6

Heliophysics Research 171.8 - 144.5 147.5 149.3 149.5 150.8

Living with a Star 221.9 - 204.7 202.2 200.9 336.3 354.9

Solar Terrestrial Probes 148.0 - 163.5 170.4 171.9 50.2 38.0

Heliophysics Explorer Program 65.1 - 65.2 70.8 90.2 91.1 84.9

New Millennium 1.2 - 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Note:

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated account in 

each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the program amounts shown above. The allocation to each program is reflected 

in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 2010 and FY 

2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

Plans for FY 2012

Heliophysics Research

The research program will continue to operate 17 missions comprising 26 spacecraft through FY 

2012. Heliophysics data centers will continue to archive and distribute collected science data.

Living with a Star

Radiation Belt Storm Probes (RBSP) has completed its System Integration Review and begun 

integration and test in preparation for launch, scheduled in May 2012. Solar Probe Plus will 

continue Phase B activities in FY 2012. The Solar Orbiter collaboration will transition into Phase B 

of formulation depending upon European Space Agency (ESA) Class M mission selections. The 

Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) will continue mission operations.

Solar Terrestrial Probes

The Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission (MMS) will continue in implementation. System Integration 

Review is planned for January 2012, and Key Decision Point (KDP) D review will be held in April 

2012. STEREO and Hinode will continue extended mission operations.

Heliophysics Explorer Program

The Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS), a Small Explorers mission, held a successful 

Critical Design Review in FY 2011 and is continuing implementation. IRIS System Integration 

Review is scheduled for December 2011, and KDP D to follow in January 2012. The IBEX, CINDI, 

TWINS, AIM, and THEMIS missions will continue extended mission operations. An Announcement 

of Opportunity for the next Explorer missions was released in FY 2011. Assuming no impact to 

Explorer Program budget, select missions will continue formulation in FY 2012.

HELIO-2
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Heliophysics

Relevance

Relevance to national priorities, relevant fields, and customer needs:

The Heliophysics Theme is guided by U.S. National Space Policy and follows NASA's tradition of 

establishing its priorities through consultation with world-class experts. Heliophysics relies on two 

advisory bodies for scientific assessments and decadal surveys: the National Academies' Space 

Studies Board and the NASA Advisory Council. Heliophysics missions, such as the Advanced 

Composition Explorer, provide critical data to the Department of Defense (DOD), the Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), and the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration and help to 

guard the Nation against space weather impacts. The Living With a Star (LWS) Program targets 

research and technologies that are relevant to the operational needs of these agencies. The Nation's 

safety, security, and economy have become increasingly dependent on technologies that are 

susceptible to the extremes of space weather, i.e. severe disturbances of the upper atmosphere and 

of the near-Earth space environment that are driven by the magnetic activity of the Sun. Space 

weather events can damage satellites and power grids, and disrupt air traffic communications. 

Interagency activities are coordinated through the National Space Weather Program Council within 

the Office of the Federal Coordinator for Meteorology. Organizations around the world also access 

heliophysics data via the International Space Environment Service. 

 

Through the Solar Terrestrial Probes Program, Heliophysics is also working to improve understanding 

of magnetic reconnection, a process that occurs throughout the universe when stressed magnetic 

field lines suddenly transition to a new shape. The understanding of magnetic reconnection as 

studied in space can play a critical role in the Department of Energy's efforts to develop fusion energy 

in a laboratory setting.

Relevance to the NASA Mission and Strategic Goals:

Heliophysics research supports NASA's Strategic Goal 2, to "Expand scientific understanding of the 

Earth and the universe in which we live."

Relevance to education and public benefits:

Society is increasingly dependent on modern technology, including power grids, global positioning 

systems, weather forecasting, and satellite communications. The valuable assets that support these 

technologies are vulnerable to solar activity and space weather events, so the need to predict solar 

events and mitigate their effect is critical to the public's safety, security, and the Nation's economy. A 

2009 report by the National Academies titled "Severe Space Weather Events - Understanding 

Societal and Economic Impacts," for the first time attempted to quantify the effects of extreme space 

weather on the Nation. The report concludes that improving forecasting capabilities and raising public 

awareness are instrumental in mitigating severe consequences. The Heliophysics Program supports 

the rapid transition of research results, models, and data into operational products that benefit the 

public and other segments of the U.S. Government. 

 

Heliophysics education programs include the award-winning "Family Science Night" that introduces 

local communities to a wide range of heliophysics-related topics. The program takes a 

multidisciplinary approach to educating and informing the public about such topics as light and 

spectrum, the seasons, and solar power. The IBEX mission has partnered with Adler Planetarium in 

Chicago to develop a planetarium show that communicates the scientific goals and results of the 

IBEX mission. The STEREO mission regularly provides selected images and movies to over 250 

science centers through outreach programs and through the American Museum of National History in 

New York City. The Coordinated Modeling Center, a collaborative partnership with the National 

Science Foundation, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the U.S. Air Force , 

provides the Nation with validation of innovative space weather numerical models. Output is used 

internationally by a wide variety of research and applications groups.

HELIO-3
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Heliophysics

Performance

Performance Commitments:

Measure # Description Contributing

Program (s)

Strategic Goal 2 Expand scientific understanding of the Earth and the 

universe in which we live.

Outcome 2.2 Understand the Sun and its interactions with Earth and 

the solar system.

Objective 2.2.1 Improve understanding of the fundamental physical 

processes of the space environment from the Sun to 

Earth, to other planets, and beyond to the interstellar 

medium.

Performance Goal 2.2.1.1 Provide national scientific capabilities through 

necessary skilled researchers and supporting knowledge 

base.

APG 

2.2.1.1: HE-12-1

Demonstrate planned progress in understanding the 

fundamental physical processes of the space environment 

from the Sun to Earth, to other planets, and beyond to the 

interstellar medium. Progress relative to the objectives in 

NASA's 2010 Science Plan will be evaluated by external 

expert review.

Multiple Programs

Performance Goal 2.2.1.2 By 2015, launch two missions in support of this 

outcome.

APG 

2.2.1.2: HE-12-2

Complete the Magnetospheric MultiScale (MMS) Systems 

Integration Review.

Solar Terrestrial 

Probes

APG 

2.2.1.2: HE-12-3

Complete the Geospace Radiation Belt Storm Probes Launch 

Readiness Review.

Living with a Star

Objective 2.2.2 Improve understanding of how human society, 

technological systems, and the habitability of planets are 

affected by solar variability interacting with planetary 

magnetic fields and atmospheres.

Performance Goal 2.2.2.1 Provide national scientific capabilities through 

necessary skilled researchers and supporting knowledge 

base.

APG Demonstrate planned progress in understanding how human 

society, technological systems, and the habitability of planets 

are affected by solar variability interacting with planetary 

magnetic fields and atmospheres. Progress relative to the 

objectives in NASA's 2010 Science Plan will be evaluated by 

external expert review.

Multiple Programs

2.2.2.1: HE-12-4

Performance Goal 2.2.2.2 By 2015, launch two missions in support of this 

outcome.

APG 

2.2.2.2: HE-12-2

Complete the Magnetospheric MultiScale (MMS) Systems 

Integration Review.

Solar Terrestrial 

Probes

APG 

2.2.2.2: HE-12-3

Complete the Geospace Radiation Belt Storm Probes Launch 

Readiness Review.

Living with a Star

HELIO-4
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Heliophysics

Performance

Performance Commitments:

Measure # Description Contributing

Program (s)

Objective 2.2.3 Maximize the safety and productivity of human and 

robotic explorers by developing the capability to predict 

extreme and dynamic conditions in space.

Performance Goal 2.2.3.1 Provide national scientific capabilities through 

necessary skilled researchers and supporting knowledge 

base.

APG 

2.2.3.1: HE-12-5

Demonstrate planned progress in maximizing the safety and 

productivity of human and robotic explorers by developing the 

capability to predict the extreme and dynamic conditions in 

space. Progress relative to the objectives in NASA's 2010 

Science Plan will be evaluated by external expert review.

Multiple Programs

Performance Goal 2.2.3.2 By 2017, launch at least two missions in support of this 

outcome.

APG 

2.2.3.2: HE-12-3

Complete the Geospace Radiation Belt Storm Probes Launch 

Readiness Review.

Living with a Star

Uniform and Efficiency Measures:

Measure # Description

Heliophysics Theme

APG Complete all development projects within 110 percent of the cost and schedule 

EFF: HE-12-6 baseline.

APG 

EFF: HE-12-7

Deliver at least 90 percent of scheduled operating hours for all operations and 

research facilities.

APG Peer-review and competitively award at least 90 percent, by budget, of research 

EFF: HE-12-8 projects.

APG 

EFF: HE-12-9

Reduce time within which 80 percent of NASA Research Announcement (NRA) 

grants are awarded, from proposal due date to selection, by four percent per year, 

with a goal of 180 days.

HELIO-5
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Heliophysics

Performance Achievement Highlights:

Earth is affected by what happens on the Sun's surface even though Earth is 93 million miles away 

from the Sun. The Earth recently experienced an extended solar minimum and the Sun's magnetic 

activity is once again increasing. The Heliophysics fleet of 17 operating missions and the research and 

analysis (R&A) programs were coordinated to study this dynamic variation, enabling scientists around 

the world to investigate the behavior of the complex heliospheric system of systems. No 11-year solar 

cycle is exactly the same as another, and this research showed that sunspot activity during the 2007 - 

2009 minimum was surprisingly low compared to cycles of the last century. The NASA observations 

were incorporated into state-of-the-art prediction models, and it is now believed that the solar cycle 

currently underway will be significantly different than previous cycles sampled since the start of the 

space age. This new understanding of the Sun's connection to Earth has provided essential 

information on space weather effects and will be used to improve the reliability of space weather 

warnings that affect technologies on Earth and the productivity and safety of explorers in space. 

 

Observations during the recent unusually low solar minimum have resulted in many new discoveries 

about the underlying physics of the sunspot cycle. For example, NASA's measurements showed that 

solar wind pressure dropped 20 percent since the mid-1990s. Solar wind helps keep galactic cosmic 

rays out of the inner solar system: as the solar wind is flagging, more cosmic rays reach Earth and 

increase health hazards for astronauts. Weaker solar wind also means fewer geomagnetic storms and 

auroras, the northern and southern (polar) lights seen on Earth. Other NASA measurements showed 

that the Sun's brightness dimmed 0.02 percent at visible wavelengths and six percent at extreme 

ultraviolet wavelengths since the previous solar minimum. One effect of this change is that the upper 

atmosphere is less heated and not as "puffed up," which means that satellites in low Earth orbit 

experience less atmospheric drag, extending their operational lifetimes. 

 

SDO was launched on February 11, 2010 and the observatory is returning images that demonstrate 

an unprecedented capability for scientists to understand the sun's dynamic processes. Using a 

combination of STEREO and the Japanese Hinode spacecraft, new solar atmospheric heating 

processes were visualized for the first time. The MMS mission completed its critical design review 

(CDR) and is finishing final design prior to the start of integration and testing. Instrument selections 

were completed for the Solar Probe Plus mission, which will fly into the Sun's atmosphere (or corona) 

for the first time. The RBSP completed the System Integration Review and started Phase D, 

integration and testing. 

 

The IBEX mission, with its new technology, revealed new details of the interface between the solar 

system and the galaxy. IRIS CDR was held in December 2010 and the mission is continuing in Phase 

C. The Balloon Array for Radiation Belt Relativistic Electron Losses (BARREL) was confirmed in June 

2010, and is now in the implementation phase having successfully completed a test campaign in 

Antarctica. The Sounding Rockets Program completed 13 suborbital launches. The Wallops Research 

Range provided telemetry and tracking services for four Shuttle missions, the 13 NASA suborbital 

launches, and the Ares 1-X test flight. The Range also upgraded several range instrumentation 

systems, e.g., video networks, range communications, and weather forecasting systems. Construction 

of the Wallops horizontal integration facility, which supports the Taurus-II missions, neared completion 

in 2010.

HELIO-6
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Heliophysics

Independent Reviews:

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review

Other National 

Academies 

12/2003 The Decadal Research Strategy assessed the 

current status and future directions of NASA's 

programs in solar and space physics research. 

The report identifies broad scientific challenges 

that define the focus and thrust of solar and 

space physics research for the decade 2003 

through 2013. It presents a prioritized set of 

missions, facilities, and programs designed to 

address those challenges.

12/2013

Relevance NAC/Heliophysics 

Subcommittee

09/2010 Release of the new Heliophysics Roadmap 

including science and program implementation 

strategies and relevance to the NASA strategies 

and goals. The roadmap lays out a new 

paradigm for mission planning and 

implementation that is expected to help control 

mission lifetime cost. The subcommittee stated 

that concerns remain with regard to R&A and 

Explorer Program level of funding.

10/2013

Performance NAC/Heliophysics 

Subcommittee

07/2010 Reviews of selected annual performance goals 

as documented in Performance and 

Accountability Report (PAR). Review found that 

the Heliophysics Program has achieved its 

annual goals, and made significant progress 

toward understanding the local space 

environment and the fundamental science that is 

beginning to enable a reliable space weather 

predictive capability.

07/2011

Other National 

Academies 

03/2009 An ad hoc panel of the NRC conducted a midterm performance assessment of the NASA 

Heliophysics Program. The report assessed 

NASA's progress against the 2003 decadal 

survey.

03/2013

HELIO-7
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Heliophysics

Program: Heliophysics Research

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

171.8 - 144.5 147.5 149.3 149.5 150.8

Heliophysics Research and 

Analysis

30.4 - 30.0 31.6 32.3 32.7 33.0

Sounding Rockets 48.7 - 45.5 46.5 47.3 47.8 48.2

Research Range 18.9 - 18.7 18.9 19.3 19.6 19.7

Other Missions and Data Analysis 73.8 - 50.4 50.4 50.3 49.5 49.8

Note:

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated 

account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project amounts shown above. The allocation to each project

is reflected in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 

2010 and FY 2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

Program Overview

NASA's Heliophysics Research Program supports activities that address advancing 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. The program seeks to characterize these phenomena on a broad 

range of spatial and temporal scales, to understand the fundamental processes that drive them, to 

understand how these processes combine to create space weather events, and to enable a capability 

for predicting future space weather events. 

 

The Heliophysics Research Program supports investigations of the Sun and planetary space 

environments from the 17 operating missions involving 26 spacecraft. This fleet of spacecraft is 

informally termed the "Heliophysics System Observatory," as the aggregation of data from all the 

spacecraft results in research synergies not possible with single observatories. 

 

The Heliophysics Research and Analysis Program routinely solicits proposals in several broad areas 

in order to advance knowledge in support of NASA strategic goals. In addition, NASA occasionally 

offers special solicitations to take advantage of research opportunities that arise from the current 

solar environment. The research program also funds scientific investigations based on suborbital 

platforms, such as balloons or sounding rockets, and maintains some of the vital communications 

infrastructure at Wallops Flight Facility. The research and analysis and guest investigator projects 

fund more in-depth scientific investigations using all of this collected data via a competitive process 

that is held each year.

HELIO-8
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Heliophysics

Program: Heliophysics Research

Plans For FY 2012

NASA's Heliophysics Research Program supports flight programs (sounding rockets, balloons, 

spacecraft) by formulating the theories of the phenomena to be studied; designing the experiments to 

test these theories; developing the instrument technology needed to execute the experiments; and 

incorporating results into computational models that can be used to more fully characterize the 

present state and future evolution of the heliophysics system. 

 

The Supporting Research and Technology Program will hold its annual competition for new awards. 

Participation will be open to all categories of U.S. organizations, from educational institutions to other 

government agencies. The Geospace Science and Solar and Heliospheric Science sub-elements will 

hold annual competition for new awards. These sub-elements support detailed research tasks that 

employ a variety of research techniques, analysis, interpretation of space data, development of new 

instrument concepts, and laboratory measurements of relevant atomic and plasma parameters. The 

Theory Program supports large PI-proposed team efforts that require a critical mass of expertise to 

make significant progress in understanding complex physical processes with broad importance. The 

Low-Cost Access to Space (LCAS) sub-element supports scientific investigation and new instrument 

concepts to be flown on sounding rockets or balloons, as well as to prepare payloads for future 

sounding rockets and balloon launches. 

 

Heliophysics data centers will be supported to continue the archival and distribution of collected 

science data. The Guest Investigator competition will support and extend the scientific impact of the 

currently operating missions. Science Data and Computing Technology will hold its annual 

competition for the Applied Information Systems Research Program. The Science Data and 

Computing Technology Program will continue to sustain the National Space Science Data Center. 

 

The Research Range Program will provide launch instrumentation for NASA suborbital programs and 

projects.

HELIO-9
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Heliophysics

Program: Heliophysics Research

Project Descriptions and Explanation of Changes

Heliophysics Research and Analysis

Supporting Research and Technology comprises an ever-evolving suite of individual PI-proposed 

investigations that cover the complete range of science disciplines and techniques essential to 

achieve the Heliophysics Theme objectives and to take full advantage of the scientific data collected 

by NASA missions. Supporting Research and Technology covers five sub-elements: Heliophysics 

Theory, Geospace Science, Solar and Heliospheric Science, Low-Cost Access to Space (LCAS), 

and Instrument Development. 

 

The Heliophysics Theory sub-element is the intellectual compass of the Heliophysics Division. 

Teams work to consolidate the scientific understanding of previous missions and determine the 

scientific hypotheses to be tested by future strategic missions. This program supports large PIproposed team efforts that require a critical mass of expertise to make significant progress in 

understanding complex physical processes with broad importance. 

 

The Geospace Science sub-element supports studies of the physics of magnetospheres, including 

their formation and fundamental interactions with plasmas, fields, and particles. (Earth's 

magnetosphere is emphasized, but studies of the magnetospheres of planets, comets, and other 

primordial bodies are also supported). Geospace Science deals also with the physics of the 

mesosphere, thermosphere, ionosphere, and aurorae of Earth, including the coupling of these 

phenomena to the lower atmosphere and magnetosphere. 

 

The Solar and Heliospheric Science sub-element supports studies that treat the Sun as a typical star, 

i.e., the dominant, time-varying source of energy, plasma, and energetic particles in the solar system 

(especially concerning its influence on Earth). This project investigates processes taking place 

throughout the solar interior and atmosphere: the evolution and cyclic activity of the Sun; the origin 

and propagation of the solar wind and magnetic field from the Sun to the heliopause (the boundary 

between the solar wind and the interstellar medium); the acceleration and transport of energetic 

particles in the heliosphere; and the interface of solar influence with the interstellar medium. 

 

LCAS funds the science investigations that utilize suborbital sounding rockets, commercial reusable 

suborbital vehicles, or high altitude balloons, as well as proof-tests of new concepts in experimental 

techniques that may ultimately find application in free-flying heliophysics space missions. These 

investigations are developed and flown in a rapid turnaround environment. LCAS investigations 

address open science questions, but serve additional purposes not addressed in other flight 

programs, such as the training of experimental space physicists and engineers and the development 

and flight verification of new technology. 

 

Instrument development investigations have as their objective the development of instrument 

technologies that show promise for use on future heliophysics science missions, including the 

development of prototypes. The goal is to define scientific instruments to the point where complete 

instruments may be proposed in response to future Announcements of Opportunity, without 

significant additional development.

HELIO-10
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Heliophysics

Program: Heliophysics Research

Sounding Rockets

This project funds all suborbital mission activities (e.g., payload integration, launch, and mission 

operation) that support the science investigations funded in the Heliophysics Research and Analysis 

Program. Sounding Rockets present unique low-cost platforms that provide direct access to Earth's 

mesosphere (50-90 kilometers), lower thermosphere (90-120 kilometers), and Earth's 

magnetosphere (up to 1,500 kilometers). Because of their short duration and access to Earth's upper 

atmosphere and the space environment, sounding rocket suborbital missions also enable calibration 

under-flights of orbital missions, repeated proof-of-concept technology demonstration missions, and 

valuable end-to-end space mission experiences for scientists and engineers learning to develop and 

execute discovery-oriented orbital missions.

Research Range

The Research Range effort supports NASA's only test range, located at Wallops Flight Facility, for 

launch of suborbital and orbital vehicles, supporting launch operations, and tracking, telemetry and 

command (TT&C) capabilities. The Wallops Research Range also supports a mobile TT&C capability 

to support launches safely from a number of worldwide launch sites. The NASA Research Range is 

one of the few ranges in the Nation to offer a mobile capability. The range maintains it own airspace 

and supports a wide variety of small launch vehicles, suborbital missions, and airborne missions 

utilizing non-FAA-certified vehicles, such as unmanned aircraft systems.

Other Missions and Data Analysis

The research program is responsible for accumulating, archiving, and distributing the data collected 

by operating spacecraft. Current operating spacecraft include: Cluster II, ACE, Voyager, Wind, 

RHESSI, SOHO, and TIMED. It is this collective asset that enables the data, expertise, and research 

results that directly contribute to the national goal of real-time space weather prediction and to 

fundamental research on solar and space plasma physics. In April 2010, these missions underwent 

Senior Review. New budgets for FY 2011 and the outyears were determined, consistent with their 

evolving scientific goals.

Program Commitments

Commitment/Output

FY 2012

Program/Project Changes from

FY 2011 PB Request

Annual peer-reviewed research solicitation for 

grant opportunities

Research and Analysis None

HELIO-11
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Heliophysics

Program:

RHESSI Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Feb-02 Sep-14

Sep-15

Form

Thermosphere, 

Ionosphere, 

Mesosphere Energetics 

and Dynamics (TIMED)

Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Dec-01 Sep-14

Sep-15

Form

Cluster-II Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Jul-00 Sep-14

Sep-15

Form

Advanced Composition 

Explorer (ACE)

Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Aug-97 Sep-14

Sep-15

Form

Solar and Heliospheric 

Observatory (SOHO)

Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Dec-95 Sep-14

Sep-15

Form

Wind Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Nov-94 Sep-14

Sep-15

Form

Geotail Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Jul-92 Sep-14

Sep-15

Form

Voyager Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Aug-77 Sep-14

Sep-15

Form

Represents a period of no activity for the Project

Formulation (Form)

Research (Res)

Operations (Ops)

Development (Dev)

Tech & Adv Concepts (Tech)

Heliophysics Research

Implementation Schedule

Prior 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Beg End

Project Schedule by Fiscal Year Phase Dates

HELIO-12
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Heliophysics

Program: Heliophysics Research

Program Management

NASA Headquarters has program management responsibility for the Heliophysics Research 

Program.

Project Management

Responsibility

NASA Center 

Performers

Cost-Sharing Partners

Research and Analysis SMD All NASA Centers None

Heliophysics Operating 

Missions

SMD GSFC, JPL and 

MSFC

ESA and JAXA

Sounding Rockets and 

Research Range

SMD GSFC None

Science Data and Computing SMD GSFC and other 

NASA Centers

None

Acquisition Strategy

All acquisitions in the Heliophysics programs are based on full and open competition. Proposals are 

peer reviewed and selected based on NASA research announcements or Research Opportunities in 

Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) opportunities. Universities, government research labs, and 

industry partners throughout the U.S. participate in R&A research projects. The Heliophysics 

operating missions and instrument teams were previously selected from NASA Announcements of 

Opportunity. NASA evaluates the allocation of funding among the operating missions bi-annually 

through the Heliophysics Senior Review. Universities, government research labs, and industry 

partners throughout the U.S. participate in science data and computing technology research projects.

Independent Reviews

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review

Quality Senior Review 

Panel

04/2010 Assess effectiveness of Heliophysics 

operational activities.

04/2013

HELIO-13
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Heliophysics

Program: Living with a Star

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

221.9 - 204.7 202.2 200.9 336.3 354.9

Radiation Belt Storm Probes 

(RBSP)

121.0 - 91.2 29.7 21.5 8.7 0.0

Solar Probe Plus 40.0 - 51.8 103.0 103.0 146.7 232.5

Other Missions and Data Analysis 60.9 - 61.6 69.5 76.5 181.0 122.4

Note:

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated 

account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project amounts shown above. The allocation to each project

is reflected in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 

2010 and FY 2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

HELIO-14
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Heliophysics

Program: Living with a Star

Program Overview

The Living with a Star (LWS) Program seeks to improve understanding of how and why the Sun 

varies, how the Earth and solar system respond, and most importantly, how this variability and 

response affect life on Earth. This improved understanding of solar variability (i.e., space weather) 

and its effects will lead to a reliable predictive capability for space weather. This capability is essential 

for successful future space exploration and increased use of complex technological systems to 

improve the safety and quality of life on Earth. LWS accomplishes its goals with a combination of new 

science missions and yearly science research grant opportunities. 

 

SDO, the first mission of LWS launched in FY 2010, will complement and improve upon major 

capabilities of the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO), launched in December 1995. SDO is 

designed to help scientists understand the Sun's influence on Earth and near-Earth space by studying 

the full-disc of the solar atmosphere on small scales of space and time and many wavelengths 

simultaneously. 

 

The Sun's inconsistent activity produces variability in the Earth's radiation belts. The second LWS 

mission, the Radiation Belt Storm Probes (RBSP), will analyze these belts in unprecedented detail. 

Two identical spacecraft in elliptical orbits will make simultaneous measurements of processes that 

accelerate and transport radiation particles as they transit through Earth's radiation belts. RBSP 

results will enable the development of models for Earth's radiation belts and for other related but 

under-sampled planetary environments, such as Mars. Spacecraft and aeronautics engineers will 

apply the models to improve spacecraft design and to alert spacecraft and aircraft operators and 

pilots of predicted storms and ionizing radiation that could impact crew health or vehicle operations. 

 

Two additional missions are currently developing mission concepts: SPP and the Solar Orbiter 

Collaboration (SOC). SPP will explore the Sun from very close range (inside 10 solar radii) to improve 

understanding of the generation and flow of the solar wind that links the Sun to the Earth and the 

solar system. SOC, led by ESA, will investigate the links between the solar surface, corona, and inner 

heliosphere from as close as 45 solar radii, and image the side of the Sun not visible from Earth. If 

SPP and SOC operations overlap, a unique opportunity will be realized for coordinated 

measurements in the inner heliosphere that will augment their combined science return. 

 

For more information, please see http://lws.gsfc.nasa.gov/.

Plans For FY 2012

The SDO mission will continue prime operations. RBSP has completed its System Integration Review 

and started integration and testing (I&T) in preparation for its launch, scheduled for May 2012. 

 

The SOC and SPP missions will develop detailed requirements and further define their mission 

concepts during formulation. SPP will also continue to retire technology risks and develop instrument 

and spacecraft systems. The Space Environment Testbed awaits its upcoming launch in FY 2013. 

The Balloon Array for Radiation-belt Relativistic Electron Losses project will conduct its mission 

readiness review for its first science campaign in August 2012.

HELIO-15
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Heliophysics

Program: Living with a Star

Project Descriptions and Explanation of Changes

Radiation Belt Storm Probes (RBSP)

The RBSP mission will improve the understanding of how solar storms interact with and change 

particles, fields, and radiation in Earth's Van Allen radiation belts and atmosphere. This knowledge 

could be applied to planets and moons in the solar system that have a magnetic core. This mission 

was recently approved to begin Phase D, hardware I&T, and is scheduled to launch in May 2012. 

Additional detail can be found in the RBSP development section of the NASA budget.

Solar Probe Plus

The SPP mission is currently in formulation. It will perform the first in-situ measurements very close 

to the Sun (as close as 9.5 solar radii) to improve understanding of the generation and flow of the 

solar wind that links the Sun to Earth and the solar system. The science instruments were 

selected in FY 2010 in support of a FY 2018 launch, the earliest possible launch date within funding 

guidelines and technology capability. Additional detail can be found in the SPP formulation section of 

the NASA budget.

Other Missions and Data Analysis

SDO: The SDO mission was launched in February 2010 on the Atlas V vehicle. SDO investigates 

how the Sun's magnetic field is structured, as well as how its energy is converted and released into 

the heliosphere in the forms of solar wind, energetic particles, and variations in solar irradiance. 

 

Space Environment Testbeds (SET): SET will improve the engineering approach to accommodate 

and/or mitigate the effects of solar variability on spacecraft design and operations. It has two 

components: a data mining element that has been completed, and a space flight mission. SET is 

scheduled to fly on the Air Force Research Lab's Demonstration and Science Experiment mission 

scheduled for launch in FY 2013. 

 

BARREL: BARREL is a balloon-based mission that will launch a series of science instruments to 

complement the measurements made on the RBSP mission. BARREL will measure the precipitation 

of relativistic electrons from the radiation belts. Implementation responsibility has been assigned to 

the Wallops Balloon Program Office. 

 

SOC: SOC is a joint mission with ESA, wherein ESA provides the spacecraft operations and the 

majority of the instruments, pending final mission selections no earlier than September 2011. The 

LWS Program will provide the launch vehicle and up to four science investigations/instruments. 

These instruments were selected in FY 2009 and will complete formulation work in FY 2011. SOC 

will provide close-up views of the Sun's polar regions and its far side, and tune its orbit to match the 

Sun's rotation. This will permit the spacecraft's instruments to observe emissions and solar wind from 

one specific area for much longer than is currently possible and will provide more insight into the 

evolution of sunspots, active regions, coronal holes, and other solar features and phenomena than 

past missions. 

 

Living with a Star Science: LWS science funds competitively selected proposals that improve the 

understanding of the physics of the integrated system that links the Sun to the heliosphere and 

planetary atmospheres. This improved understanding will be achieved through data analysis 

supporting the development of new or revised theories and numerical models. This step is necessary 

for development of a predictive capability for space weather.

HELIO-16
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Heliophysics

Program: Living with a Star

Program Commitments

SOC Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Jan-12

Jan-18

Dec-17

Dec-24

Form Jul-08 Dec-11

SPP Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Apr-14

Aug-18

Sep-25

Aug-18

Sep-25

Sep-26

Form Dec-09 Mar-14

SET Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Jan-06

Sep-12

Sep-13

Sep-12

Aug-13

Apr-14

Form Jan-04 Jan-06

BARREL Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Apr-10

Dec-12

Dec-13

Dec-12

Dec-13

Mar-15

Form Sep-06 Apr-10

RBSP Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Dec-08

May-12

May-14

May-12

May-14

May-15

Form Sep-06 Dec-08

SDO Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Jul-04

Apr-10

Apr-15

Apr-10

Apr-15

Apr-16

Form Aug-02 Jul-04

Represents a period of no activity for the Project

Formulation (Form)

Development (Dev)

Operations (Ops)

Research (Res)

Tech & Adv Concepts (Tech)

Commitment/Output

FY 2012

Program/Project Changes from

FY 2011 PB Request

Complete the Geospace Radiation Belt Storm 

Probes Launch Readiness Review.

RBSP

Complete the Solar Orbiter Collaboration 

Confirmation Review.

Living with a Star

Implementation Schedule

Prior 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Beg End

Project Schedule by Fiscal Year Phase Dates

HELIO-17
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Heliophysics

Program: Living with a Star

Program Management

Program management responsibility for the LWS Program is assigned to the LWS Program Office 

located at the Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC).

Project Management

Responsibility

NASA Center 

Performers

Cost-Sharing Partners

SDO GSFC GSFC None

RBSP JHU-APL None National Reconnaissance Office 

(NRO)

BARREL GSFC GSFC None

Solar Probe Plus JHU-APL None None

SOC GSFC GSFC European Space Agency, ESA 

member states

SET GSFC GSFC CNES (French Space Agency), DLR 

(German Space Agency), UKSA 

(United Kingdom Space Agency), 

BIRA (Belgian Space Agency), INAF 

(Italian National Institute for 

Astrophysics), MICINN (Spanish 

Ministry of Science and Innovation), 

SSO (Swiss Space Office)

Acquisition Strategy

Four instrument suites for RBSP were selected through full and open competition, and one 

instrument is being provided by the National Reconnaissance Office. The launch vehicle was 

selected through full and open competition, and the spacecraft are being built in-house at Johns 

Hopkins University-Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU-APL). 

 

BARREL was selected through full and open competition through the same solicitation as the RBSP 

instruments. Two SET experiments were selected through full and open competition, and two were 

contributed by Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES) and Defense Evaluation and Research 

Agency. 

 

NASA-led SOC and SPP instruments were selected using full and open competition as were the 

SPP and SOC launch vehicles. The SPP spacecraft will be built in-house at JHU-APL.

Independent Reviews

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review

Performance SRB 02/2009 Overall assessment of the life cycle cost, 

schedule and deliverables of the LWS Program. 

Review board concluded that these programs 

have met their success criteria and should 

continue in accordance with their existing plans.

02/2013

HELIO-18
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Heliophysics

Program: Living with a Star

Project In Development: Radiation Belt Storm Probes (RBSP)

FY 2012 Budget Request

Budget Authority

($ millions)

Ann CR.

Prior FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's 

Budget Request

271.3 121.0 - 91.2 29.7 21.5 8.7 0.0

Note: For the FY 2012 Budget Request, project life cycle estimates, required to meet the requirements of section 103 of the 

NASA Authorization Act of 2005 (P.L. 109-155; 42 U.S.C. 16613), have been consolidated in the Management and Performance 

Section of this document. This consolidation provides for a comparative analysis across projects, and the inclusion of corrective 

action plans for the projects that have exceeded their original baseline estimates by greater than fifteen percent.

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated 

account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project amounts shown above. The allocation to each project

is reflected in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 

2010 and FY 2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

Explanation of Project Changes

RBSP was confirmed in FY 2009 to proceed into the development phase, and will launch in May 

2012. The total funding for RBSP has not changed.

Project Purpose

The RBSP mission will observe the fundamental processes that energize and transport radiation 

particles in Earth's inner magnetosphere (the area in and around Earth's radiation belts). These 

dynamic processes operate throughout the universe at other planets and stars, and they continuously 

operate within Earth's immediate space environment. 

 

The primary science objective of the RBSP mission is to provide 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. The RBSP mission lifetime will provide 

sufficient local time, altitude, and event coverage to improve understanding, and determine the relative 

significance of the various mechanisms that operate within the radiation belts. 

 

RBSP observations will provide new knowledge on the dynamics and extremes of the radiation belts 

that are important to all technological systems that fly in and through geospace.

Project Parameters

The RBSP mission is comprised of two identical spacecraft in elliptical, low-inclination orbits that travel 

independently through Earth's radiation belts to distinguish time and space variations in the measured 

ions, electrons, and fields.

HELIO-19
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Heliophysics

Program: Living with a Star

Project In Development: Radiation Belt Storm Probes (RBSP)

Project Commitments

The RBSP project will launch two identical spacecraft in FY 2012 to begin a two-year prime mission.

Project Element Provider Description FY 2011 PB 

Request

FY 2012 PB 

Request

EELV KSC Deliver a spacecraft to 

operational orbit Same Same

Energetic Particle, 

Composition and 

Thermal Plasma Suite 

(ECT)

University of New 

Hampshire

Measure the electron and 

ion spectra, and 

composition to understand 

the electron and ion 

changes

Same Same

Radiation Belt Storm 

Probes Ion 

Composition 

Experiment 

(RBSPICE)

New Jersey Institute of 

Technology

Measure the ring current in 

the magnetosphere during 

geomagnetic storms

Same Same

Electric and Magnetic 

Field Instrument Suite 

and Integrated Science 

(EMFISIS)

University of Iowa Measure the magnetic 

fields and plasma waves Same Same

Electric Field and 

Waves Instrument for 

the NASA RBSP 

Mission (EFW)

University of Minnesota Measure the electric fields 

in the radiation belts Same Same

Proton Spectrometer 

Belt Research (PSBR)

National 

Reconnaissance Office

Measure the inner Van 

Allen belt protons Same Same

Spacecraft JHU-APL

Operate science 

instruments in high 

radiation; transmit science 

data to ground

Same Same

Ground System

Primary ground station at 

JHU-APL; instrument 

operation is distributed 

among investigators

Receive science data from 

two spacecraft; distribute to 

archive

Same Same

Schedule Commitments

The RBSP project was authorized to begin formulation in September 2006 when the selections for 

science investigations were announced. It was confirmed to proceed into development on December 

19, 2009.

Milestone Name Confirmation 

Baseline

FY 2011 PB 

Request

FY 2012 PB 

Request

Development

Begin Implementation January 2009 January 2009 January 2009

Critical Design Review December 2009 December 2009 December 2009

System Integration Review November 2010 November 2010 October 2010

Launch Readiness Review May 2012 May 2012 May 2012

HELIO-20
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Heliophysics

Program: Living with a Star

Project In Development: Radiation Belt Storm Probes (RBSP)

Project Management

Project Element Project Management 

Responsibility NASA Center Performers Cost-Sharing Partners

Ground Systems JHU-APL None None

Data Analysis JHU-APL None National Reconnaissance Office

Instrument Development JHU-APL None National Reconnaissance Office

Spacecraft design, 

integration with instrument, 

and test

JHU-APL None None

Mission Operations JHU-APL None None

Expendable Launch 

Vehicle KSC None None

Acquisition Strategy

The RBSP spacecraft and ground system are being designed, developed, and tested at the JHUAPL. The acquisition of sub-contracted spacecraft sub-assemblies, components, and parts is through 

procurement contracts issued by the JHU-APL Procurement Office. Instrument development 

participants include the University of Iowa, University of Minnesota, New Jersey Institute of 

Technology, and the University of New Hampshire, as well as contributions from the National 

Reconnaissance Office and the Czech Republic. 

 

The ground system components were defined during the formulation phases (Phases A and B) and 

include a mission operations center at the JHU-APL. 

 

The Energetic Particle, Composition and Thermal Plasma Suite (ECT), Electric and Magnetic Field 

Instrument Suite and Integrated Science (EMFISIS), Electric Field and Waves Instrument for the 

NASA RBSP mission (EFW), and Radiation Belt Storm Probes Ions Composition Experiment 

(RBSPICE) science investigations were procured through announcements of opportunity. The Proton 

Spectrometer Belt Research (PSBR) instrument is being contributed through an agreement with the 

National Reconnaissance Office.

Independent Reviews

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review

Performance Senior Review 

Board 10/2008

Preliminary Design Review. The review 

concluded that the RBSP design was sufficiently 

mature to proceed to KDP-C.

N/A

Performance SRB 12/2009

Critical Design Review: The review concluded 

that there were no significant issues and the 

project should continue as planned.

N/A

Performance SRB 10/2010

System Integration Review: The review 

concluded that the project was ready to proceed 

with I&T.

N/A

HELIO-21
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Heliophysics

Program: Living with a Star

Project In Development: Radiation Belt Storm Probes (RBSP)

Project Risk Management

Title Risk Statement Risk Management Approach and Plan

Complete Electric and 

Magnetic Field Instrument 

Suite and Integrated Science 

End-to-End testing

If the Electric and Magnetic 

Field Instrument Suite and 

Integrated Science (EMFISIS) 

main Electronics Box 

Engineering Model 2 (EM2) is 

not successfully integrated 

and tested per the EM2 test 

plan and schedule, then the 

flight build and delivery will be 

delayed.

Hold Flight Manufacturing Readiness Reviews. Complete EM 

2 environmental testing and characterization. Complete EM2 

I&T peer review.

XCVR Qualification program If the transceiver qualification 

program does not perform to 

their re-planned schedule, 

then the project's I&T 

schedule will be delayed.

Provide bi-weekly schedule updates to the integrated master 

schedule. Burn Qualification model on the RTAX, the field 

programmable gate array. Conduct Engineering Design 

Review of Qualification model.

HELIO-22
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Heliophysics

Program: Living with a Star

Project In Formulation: Solar Probe Plus

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

40.0 - 51.8 103.0 103.0 146.7 232.5

Note:

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated 

account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project amounts shown above. The allocation to each project

is reflected in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 

2010 and FY 2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

Project Purpose

Solar Probe Plus (SPP) will be an extraordinary and historic mission, exploring the Sun's outer 

atmosphere, or corona, as it extends out into space. Approaching as close as 9.5 solar radii, SPP will 

repeatedly sample the near-Sun environment, revolutionizing knowledge and understanding of coronal 

heating and of the origin and evolution of the solar wind, answering critical questions in heliophysics 

that have been ranked as top priorities for decades. Moreover, by making direct, in-situ measurements 

of the region where some of the most hazardous solar energetic particles are energized, SPP will 

make a fundamental contribution to the ability to characterize and forecast the radiation environment 

in which future space explorers will work and live. 

 

For more information about SSP, please see http://nasascience.nasa.gov/missions/solar_probe.

Project Preliminary Parameters

SPP's first near-Sun pass occurs three months after launch, at a heliocentric distance of 35 solar radii. 

Over the next several years, successive Venus gravity assist maneuvers will gradually lower the 

spacecraft's near-Sun pass to approximately 9.5 solar radii, by far the closest any spacecraft has ever 

come to the Sun. An August 2018 launch is the earliest possible launch date within funding guidelines 

and technology capability. SPP will spend, during its seven year mission, a total of 30 hours inside 10 

solar radii, 961 hours inside 20 solar radii, and 2149 hours inside 30 solar radii, sampling the solar 

wind as it evolves with rising solar activity toward an increasingly complex structure.

HELIO-23
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Heliophysics

Program: Living with a Star

Project In Formulation: Solar Probe Plus

Estimated Project Deliverables

SPP will launch from KSC on an EELV in FY 2018 with an expected mission duration of seven years.

Project Element Provider Description FY 2011 PB 

Request

FY 2012 PB 

Request

EELV KSC Deliver the spacecraft to 

operational orbit Same Same

Ground Systems JHU-APL

Receive science data and 

telemetry from spacecraft, 

command spacecraft, 

distribute science data to 

investigator teams

Same Same

Spacecraft JHU-APL

Transport instruments to 

science destination, 

operate instruments, 

modify orbit including 

several Venus gravity 

assists

Same Same

Instruments NASA-funded 

investigators

Perform in situ 

measurements and remote 

observations of the Sun

Same Same

Estimated Project Schedule

SPP received approval to proceed to Phase A in November 2009 and to solicit science investigations 

in December 2009. NASA announced these selections in September 2010. Phase B will begin in the 

fall of 2011 following a successful Mission Definition Review/Preliminary Non-Advocate Review 

(PNAR).

Milestone Name

Formulation 

Agreement 

Estimate

FY 2011 PB 

Request

FY 2012 PB 

Request

Formulation

Mission Definition Review /PNAR 01/2012 04/2012 10/2011

Preliminary Design Review/NAR 01/2014 N/A 01/2014

Critical Design Review 01/2016 N/A 11/2015

Launch 08/2018 08/2018 Same

HELIO-24
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Heliophysics

Program: Living with a Star

Project In Formulation: Solar Probe Plus

Project Management

JHU-APL will manage the project. GSFC is responsible for program management and science 

management

Project Element Project Management 

Responsibility NASA Center Performers Cost-Sharing Partners

Instruments JHU-APL None None

EELV JHU-APL KSC None

Spacecraft JHU-APL None None

Mission Operations JHU-APL None None

Acquisition Strategy

The science instruments will be built by PIs selected through the Announcement of Opportunity. The 

spacecraft will be built by JHU-APL with the spacecraft subassemblies, components, and parts 

competitively procured by JHU-APL. The ground system components will be defined during 

formulation and will be determined by the implementing organization for the project. The Phase E 

contracts will be managed by GSFC.

Independent Reviews

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review

Performance Senior Review 

Board 09/2009 SRB approved the project to proceed into Phase A. 10/2011

Project Risk Management

Title Risk Statement Risk Management Approach and Plan

1. Thermal protection system 

(TPS) thermal performance

If TPS thermal conductivity is 

greater than required and/or 

the coating performance is 

less than required, then the 

cooling system and 

spacecraft radiators may not 

be able to remove sufficient 

heat, leading to elevated 

solar array and spacecraft 

temperature.

- Coating development work. 

 

- Early materials characterization. 

 

- Early manufacture and test of prototype articles. 

 

- Increased TPS thickness.

2. Solar cell and array 

performance

If solar cell and array 

performance in the near-Sun 

environment is less than 

expected, then the power 

system performance may not 

meet requirement and/or 

cooling system requirements 

may increase.

- Cell technology development work. 

 

- Extensive power system and solar cell modeling and test. 

 

- Parallel approaches to development and design. 

 

- Margins in power and cooling system design. 

 

- Prototype development.

HELIO-25
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Heliophysics

Program: Solar Terrestrial Probes

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

148.0 - 163.5 170.4 171.9 50.2 38.0

Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) 130.1 - 146.2 153.0 153.0 30.5 18.6

Other Missions and Data Analysis 17.9 - 17.3 17.4 18.9 19.7 19.4

Note:

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated 

account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project amounts shown above. The allocation to each project

is reflected in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 

2010 and FY 2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

Program Overview

Solar Terrestrial Probes (STP) provide understanding of the fundamental plasma processes inherent 

in all astrophysical systems. To accomplish this goal, STP investigations focus on specific scientific 

areas that will help us understand how plasma behaves in the space between the Sun and Earth. 

STP missions address processes such as the variability of the Sun, the responses of the planets to 

these variations, and the interaction of the Sun and solar system. STP missions are strategically 

defined and investigations are competitively selected. Strategic mission lines afford the space physics 

community the opportunity to plan specific missions to address important research focus areas and 

thus make significant progress in elucidating the fundamental processes of heliophysics. 

 

For more information please see the STP program at http://stp.gsfc.nasa.gov/.

Plans For FY 2012

The Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission (MMS) will continue the implementation phase . System 

integration review is planned for January 2012, and KDP D will be held in April 2012. STEREO and 

Hinode will continue extended mission operations.

HELIO-26
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Heliophysics

Program: Solar Terrestrial Probes

Project Descriptions and Explanation of Changes

Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS)

MMS is a four-spacecraft mission planned for launch in March 2015 with a two-year mission life. 

MMS is designed to study magnetic reconnection in key boundary regions of Earth's 

magnetosphere. Reconnection is a fundamental process that occurs throughout the universe, by 

which magnetic energy is converted into heat, radiation, and particle acceleration. The best 

laboratory for understanding this process is Earth's magnetosphere, where reconnection between 

Earth's and the Sun's magnetic fields power magnetic storms, and substorms on Earth. The 

spacecraft will probe the regions of geospace most critical to measuring reconnection. Additional 

detail can be found in the MMS development section of this document.

Other Missions and Data Analysis

Solar TErrestrial RElations Observatory (STEREO): Launched on October 25, 2006, STEREO is now 

an operating mission employing two nearly identical observatories to provide three-dimensional 

measurements of the Sun to study the nature of coronal mass ejections. These powerful eruptions 

are a major source of the magnetic disruptions on Earth and a key component of space weather, 

which can greatly affect satellite operations, communications, power systems, the lives of humans in 

space, and global climate. 

 

Solar B (Hinode): Hinode launched on September 22, 2006, from Japan's Uchinoura Space Center. 

Its mission is to explore the magnetic fields of the Sun. NASA developed three science instrument 

components: the Focal Plane Package (FPP), the X-Ray Telescope (XRT), and the Extreme 

Ultraviolet Imaging Spectrometer (EIS) and provides operations support for science planning and 

instrument command generation activities. A follow-on to the highly successful Japan/US/UK Yohkoh 

(Solar-A) satellite that operated between 1991 and 2001, Hinode consists of a coordinated set of 

optical, Extreme-Ultraviolet (EUV), and X-ray instruments that will investigate the interaction between 

the Sun's magnetic field and its corona.

Program Commitments

Commitment/Output

FY 2012

Program/Project

MMS

Changes from

FY 2011 PB Request

Complete the Magnetospheric MultiScale (MMS) 

Systems Integration Review.

HELIO-27
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Heliophysics

Program:

Solar-B (Hinode) Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Nov-00

Nov-06

Oct-14

Nov-06

Sep-14

Sep-16

Form Dec-98 Nov-00

STEREO Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Mar-02

Jan-07

Oct-14

Jan-07

Sep-14

Sep-16

Form May-01 Mar-02

Magnetospheric 

Multiscale (MMS)

Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Jun-09

Mar-15

Jul-17

Mar-15

Jul-17

Jul-18

Form May-02 Jun-09

Formulation (Form)

Research (Res)

Represents a period of no activity for the Project

Development (Dev)

Operations (Ops)

Tech & Adv Concepts (Tech)

Solar Terrestrial Probes

Implementation Schedule

Prior 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Beg End

Project Schedule by Fiscal Year Phase Dates

Program Management

Program management responsibility for the STP program is assigned to the STP Program Office at 

GSFC.

Project Management 

Responsibility

NASA Center 

Performers

Cost-Sharing Partners

MMS GSFC GSFC Austria, France, Japan, Sweden 

(SNSB)

STEREO GSFC None United Kingdom

Acquisition Strategy

STP missions are strategically defined and investigations are competitively selected. For the 

acquisition of scientific instruments, spacecraft, and science investigations, including research and 

analysis, STP uses full and open competitions to the greatest extent possible. 

 

The MMS spacecraft will be built in-house at GSFC. GSFC will also provide the mission operations 

center. The Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) is the single MMS instrument suite contractor, 

selected through a full and open competition. All instruments are developed by SwRI, their 

subcontractors, their international partners, and GSFC.

HELIO-28
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Heliophysics

Program: Solar Terrestrial Probes

Independent Reviews

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review

Performance SRB 08/2010 Overall assessment of life cycle cost, schedule,

and deliverables of the STP Program. The 

review board concluded that this program has 

met the success criteria and should continue in 

accordance with their existing plans.

N/A

HELIO-29
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Heliophysics

Program: Solar Terrestrial Probes

Project In Development: Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS)

FY 2012 Budget Request

Budget Authority

($ millions)

Ann CR.

Prior FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's 

Budget Request

226.0 130.1 - 146.2 153.0 153.0 30.5 18.6

Note: For the FY 2012 Budget Request, project life cycle estimates, required to meet the requirements of section 103 of the 

NASA Authorization Act of 2005 (P.L. 109-155; 42 U.S.C. 16613), have been consolidated in the Management and Performance 

Section of this document. This consolidation provides for a comparative analysis across projects, and the inclusion of corrective 

action plans for the projects that have exceeded their original baseline estimates by greater than fifteen percent.

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated 

account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project amounts shown above. The allocation to each project

is reflected in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 

2010 and FY 2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

Explanation of Project Changes

MMS has no change in life cycle cost. Sweden is not able to deliver the deployment mechanism of 

their electric field instrument contribution as planned. This mechanism will now be built by NASA 

through an existing partner institution, the University of New Hampshire.

HELIO-30
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Heliophysics

Program: Solar Terrestrial Probes

Project In Development: Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS)

Project Purpose

MMS will use four identically instrumented spacecraft to perform the first definitive study of magnetic 

reconnection in space. Reconnection occurs in all astrophysical plasma systems but can be studied 

efficiently only in Earth's magnetosphere. Magnetic reconnection is thought to be of great 

importance for energy transfer throughout the universe and is an efficient and fast acceleration 

mechanism. Reconnection is the primary process by which energy is transferred from the solar wind 

to Earth's magnetosphere and is the critical physical process determining the size of a space weather 

geomagnetic storm. MMS will determine why magnetic reconnection occurs, where it occurs, how it 

varies, how magnetic energy is coupled into heat and particle kinetic energy, and how this energy is 

coupled into the surrounding plasma. 

 

For more information about MMS, please see http://stp.gsfc.nasa.gov/missions/mms/mms.htm.

Project Parameters

The MMS instrument payload will measure electric and magnetic fields and plasmas within the smallscale diffusion regions where magnetic reconnection occurs. High temporal and spatial resolution 

measurements will permit direct observation of these physical processes. The four spacecraft and 

instrument suites have identical design requirements. A two-phase, low-inclination orbit will probe both 

the dayside magnetopause and the nightside magnetotail neutral sheet where reconnection is known 

to frequently occur. The primary target of Phase 1 is the dayside magnetopause reconnection region. 

Phase 2 will focus on the near-Earth neutral line in the nightside magnetotail. The four spacecraft will 

fly in a tetrahedron formation and the separation between the observatories will be adjustable over a 

range of 10 to 400 kilometers during science operations in the area of interest. The mission design life 

is two years.

HELIO-31
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Heliophysics

Program: Solar Terrestrial Probes

Project In Development: Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS)

Project Commitments

NASA plans to launch four identically-instrumented spacecraft on an Evolved Expendable Launch 

Vehicle (EELV) into a highly elliptical Earth orbit in March 2015 and begin two years of scientific 

measurements that will enable an understanding of fundamental plasma physics processes 

associated with magnetic reconnection.

Project Element Provider Description FY 2011 PB 

Request

FY 2012 PB 

Request

Deliver ~4,000 kg payload 

consisting of four 

observatories to a highly 

elliptical Earth orbit.

Launch Vehicle KSC Same Same

Ground Systems GSFC

Provide during operations 

minimum science data 

payback of ~4 Gbits of data 

per observatory each day.

Same Same

Spacecraft GSFC

Deliver high-rate data from 

instruments to ground 

station with a high accuracy 

for two years.

Same Same

Provide measurements of 

electric fields (time 

resolution 1 ms) and 

magnetic fields (time 

resolution 10 ms)

Electric Field 

Instruments UNH Same Same

Fast Plasma 

Investigation GSFC

Provide plasma wave 

measurements (electric 

vector to 100 KHz).

Same Same

Energetic Particle 

Detectors JHU-APL

Provide high-resolution 

measurement of energetic 

particles.

Same Same

Hot Plasma 

Composition Analyzers

Southwest Research 

Institute

Three-dimensional 

measurements of hot 

plasma composition (time 

resolution 10s).

Same Same

Science Operations 

Center

University of Colorado/ 

Laboratory for 

Atmospheric and Space 

Physics

Provide science data to the 

community and archive. Same Same

HELIO-32
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Heliophysics

Program: Solar Terrestrial Probes

Project In Development: Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS)

Schedule Commitments

MMS began formulation in FY 2002. The project's confirmation review was held in June 2009 and the 

project was approved to enter implementation. As a result of the confirmation review, the launch date 

was moved to March 2015. The Mission Critical Design Review was successfully completed in 

August 2010.

Milestone Name Confirmation

Baseline

FY 2011 PB 

Request

FY 2012 PB 

Request

Development

Mission Definition Review September 2007 September 2007 September 2007

Initial Confirmation Review November 2007 November 2007 November 2007

Confirmation Review June 2009 June 2009 June 2009

Critical Design Review August 2010 August 2010 August 2010

System Integration review January 2012 January 2012 January 2012

Launch March 2015 March 2015 March 2015

HELIO-33
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Heliophysics

Program: Solar Terrestrial Probes

Project In Development: Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS)

Project Management

The STP Program has program management responsibility for the MMS project.

Project Element Project Management 

Responsibility NASA Center Performers Cost-Sharing Partners

Four Instrument Suites GSFC, Southwest Research 

Institute GSFC

Austrian Space Agency, France 

(CNES), and Japan (JAXA), 

Sweden (SNSB)

Launch Vehicle KSC KSC None

Four Spacecraft GSFC GSFC None

Mission Operations GSFC GSFC None

Science Operations GSFC, LASP None None

Acquisition Strategy

The MMS spacecraft is being designed, developed, and tested in-house at GSFC using a 

combination of GSFC civil servants and local support service contractors. The acquisition of 

subcontracted spacecraft sub-assemblies, components, and parts is through procurement contracts 

issued by the MMS procurement office. Instrument development activities are under contract with 

SwRI. Instrument development subcontracts include Lockheed Martin, JAXA/MEISEI, University of 

New Hampshire, JHU-APL, Aerospace Corporation, and a team at GSFC. The Mission Operations 

Center and the Flight Dynamics Operations Area will be developed and operated at GSFC using a 

combination of GSFC civil servants and local support service contractors. The Science Operations 

Center for the instruments will be developed and operated at the Laboratory for Atmospheric and 

Space Physics at the University of Colorado and is under contract to SwRI.

Independent Reviews

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review

All SRB 08/2010

The Critical Design Review (CDR), an NPR 

7120.5D review to assess the technical, cost, 

and schedule status of MMS. MMS was 

approved to proceed to manufacturing.

01/2012

All SRB N/A

System Integration Review - Evaluate the 

readiness of the project to start flight system 

assembly, test, and launch operations.

03/2014

All SRB N/A

Flight Readiness Review - Evaluate system 

assembly, integration, and test, preparing for the 

flight.

TBD

HELIO-34
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Heliophysics

Program: Heliophysics Explorer Program

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

65.1 - 65.2 70.8 90.2 91.1 84.9

IRIS 41.1 - 37.5 11.2 6.8 1.1 0.0

Other Missions and Data Analysis 24.0 - 27.7 59.7 83.4 90.1 84.9

Note: The above budget submit reflects split of the Explorer Future budget for the Heliophysics Theme only.

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated 

account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project amounts shown above. The allocation to each project

is reflected in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 

2010 and FY 2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

HELIO-35
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Heliophysics

Program: Heliophysics Explorer Program

Program Overview

The Explorer Program provides frequent flight opportunities for world-class astrophysics and space 

physics investigations using innovative and streamlined management approaches for spacecraft 

development and operations. Explorer missions are 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. Priorities are based on an open competition of 

concepts solicited from the scientific community. 

 

The program also enables participation in missions of opportunity provided by other U.S. or 

international agencies. The program emphasizes missions that can be accomplished under the 

control of the scientific research community within constrained mission life-cycle costs. The program 

also seeks to enhance public awareness of space science by incorporating educational and public 

outreach activities into each mission. All investigations are competitively selected. Full missions can 

either be medium-class explorers (MIDEX) or small explorers (SMEX). Missions of opportunity space 

science investigations are typically instruments flown as part of a non-NASA space mission. Missions 

of opportunity are conducted on a no-exchange-of-funds basis with the organization sponsoring the 

mission. 

 

Following the commissioning and checkout phase of the spacecraft, NASA Headquarters 

management responsibility for the operational phase transitions to the Heliophysics Research 

Program. While the research program assumes management responsibilities, funds for operating 

missions are provided by the Explorer Program. 

 

The Explorer Program made two full mission selections from its SMEX competition during FY 2009. 

IRIS is a heliophysics small explorer mission, currently in the development phase, and scheduled for 

launch in CY 2012. The Gravity and Extreme Magnetism SMEX (GEMS) is an astrophysics small 

explorer mission selected for launch in FY 2014. 

 

The Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX), launched in October 2008, finished its prime operational 

phase in October 2010, and is currently in extended Phase E pending the results of the End of Prime 

Mission review. The Coupled Ion Neutral Dynamics Investigation (CINDI), and Two Wide-angle 

Imaging Neutral-atom Spectrometers B (TWINS) were also launched in FY 2008. Both CINDI and 

TWINS missions have gone under successful End of Prime Mission Reviews and the missions are 

being extended to September 2014. 

 

The Explorer Program also has three Explorer missions currently in the Astrophysics Division. Details 

and the associated budget can be found in the Astrophysics Division section of the NASA budget. 

 

For more information on any of the Explorer mission and new science discoveries, please see 

http://explorers.gsfc.nasa.gov/missions.html.

HELIO-36
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Heliophysics

Program: Heliophysics Explorer Program

Plans For FY 2012

Explorer missions were conceived in response to the temporary unavailability of mid-range 

expendable launch vehicles. Explorer missions will accomplish world-class science via spacecraft 

whose capabilities are expected to fall between the SMEX and MIDEX classes. Access to space will 

utilize one of the several, lower-cost expendable launch vehicles currently available. 

 

The currently approved Explorer Program planning budget is sufficient to select and execute at least 

one full Explorer mission to proceed into Phase B and subsequent mission phases. In FY 2011, SMD 

released an Announcement of Opportunity for new Explorer missions. Proposals are due no later 

than February 16, 2011. NASA intends to select and execute a second full Explorer mission or one or 

more mission(s) of opportunity. The decision between these selection options will be based upon the 

proposals received in response to this Announcement of Opportunity. 

 

In FY 2012, funding for future Explorer missions (previously funded solely under the Heliophysics 

Explorer Program) is being shared by Heliophysics and Astrophysics. This will have no effect on the 

current Explorer Announcement of Opportunity for either Astrophysics or Heliophysics proposals, or 

the management of the program. In addition, this will balance the funding for Explorer missions 

between Astrophysics and Heliophysics in the future. 

 

The newly selected IRIS mission will continue to progress in the development phase. The IBEX 

mission will continue its extended science mission of mapping the heliosphere and uncovering the 

global interaction between the solar wind and the interstellar medium, subject to the outcome of the 

review. TWINS and CINDI will both enter their fourth year on orbit. THEMIS and AIM will continue 

their extended Phase E operations.

HELIO-37
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Heliophysics

Program: Heliophysics Explorer Program

Project Descriptions and Explanation of Changes

IRIS

IRIS is a SMEX mission selected in June 2009 and expected to launch June 2013. IRIS is 

currently in the development phase. This mission opens a window of discovery by tracing the flow of 

energy and plasma through the Sun's chromosphere and transition region into the corona. IRIS will 

revolutionize understanding of energy transport into the corona and solar wind and provide an 

archetype for all stellar atmospheres. The unique instrument capabilities, coupled with state of the art 

3-dimensional modeling, will fill a large gap in the knowledge of this dynamic region of the solar 

atmosphere. The mission will greatly extend the scientific output of existing heliophysics spacecraft 

that follow the effects of energy release processes from the Sun to Earth.

HELIO-38
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Heliophysics

Program: Heliophysics Explorer Program

Other Missions and Data Analysis

The primary objective of the Aeronomy of Ice in Mesophere (AIM) mission is to understand why polar 

mesospheric clouds form and why they vary. AIM will also determine the causes of Earth's highestaltitude clouds, which form in the coldest part of the atmosphere about 50 miles above the polar 

regions every summer. AIM launched on April 25, 2007, on board a Pegasus XL from Vandenberg Air 

Force Base. It completed its prime mission in FY 2009 and is currently in extended phase until 

September 2014. This mission supplies not previously available data, which has led to new science 

discoveries. 

 

CINDI is a NASA-sponsored mission of opportunity managed by the University of Texas at Dallas 

(UTD). CINDI will discover the role of ion-neutral interactions in the generation of small- and largescale electric fields in Earth's upper atmosphere. In addition, the CINDI instruments will provide 

measurements of the three-dimensional neutral winds and ion drifts. This mission launched April 16, 

2008, aboard the Air Force Research Laboratory's Communication/Navigation Outage Forecast 

System (C/NOFS) spacecraft. Currently CINDI is in extended phase until September 2014. 

 

IBEX allows the first glimpse into the edge of the solar system, where the solar wind interacts with 

winds from other stars. This region is a breeding ground for anomalous cosmic rays that form a 

component of energetic particles from beyond the solar system that may pose health and safety 

hazards for humans exploring beyond Earth's orbit. IBEX will make observations from an elliptical 

Earth orbit that takes it beyond the interference of Earth's magnetosphere. IBEX launched on 

October 5, 2008, on a Pegasus XL from Kwajalein Atoll in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. The 

IBEX spacecraft has made it possible for scientists to construct the first comprehensive sky map of 

the solar system and its location in the Milky Way galaxy. The new view will change the way 

researchers view and study the interaction between the galaxy and the Sun. This mission is currently 

in extended Phase E pending the results of the End of Prime Mission review. 

 

Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms (THEMIS) has provided 

breakthroughs in understanding of the onset and evolution of magnetospheric substorms. NASA's 

THEMIS mission uses five identical micro-spacecraft (probes) to answer the fundamental questions 

regarding magnetospheric substorm instability, a dominant mechanism of transport and explosive 

release of solar wind energy within geospace. In addition to addressing its primary objective, 

THEMIS answers critical questions in radiation belt physics and solar wind-magnetosphere energy 

coupling. THEMIS is a MIDEX mission that launched on February 17, 2007, and is currently 

operating in extended phase until September 2014. 

 

TWINS-B will provide the second half of the stereo imaging capability of Earth's magnetosphere in 

conjunction with the TWINS-A mission. The region surrounding the planet is controlled by its 

magnetic field and contains the Van Allen radiation belts and other energetic charged particles. 

TWINS-B will enable three-dimensional global visualization of this region, which will lead to a greatly 

enhanced understanding of the connections between different regions of the magnetosphere and 

their relation to the solar wind. TWINS-B was launched as a NASA-sponsored Mission of Opportunity 

in February 2008 and is currently operating in Extended Phase until September 2014. 

 

The Explorer Future Missions funds future Heliophysics Explorer mission selections for the MIDEX, 

SMEX, Missions of Opportunity (MO), and Explorer (EX).

HELIO-39
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Heliophysics

Program: Heliophysics Explorer Program

Program Commitments

IRIS Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Jun-10

Dec-12

Dec-12

Jan-15

Form Jun-09 Jun-10

TWINS-B Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Apr-99

Feb-08

Sep-12

Feb-08

Sep-12

Sep-14

Form

CINDI Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Nov-01

Apr-08

Sep-12

Apr-08

Sep-12

Sep-14

Form Sep-00 Nov-01

THEMIS Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Apr-04

Aug-07

Aug-13

Aug-07

Aug-13

Sep-14

Form Oct-02 Apr-04

IBEX Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Mar-06

Oct-08

Sep-13

Oct-08

Sep-13

Sep-14

Form Jan-05 Mar-06

AIM Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Apr-04

May-07

May-13

May-07

May-13

Sep-14

Form Jul-02 Apr-04

Represents a period of no activity for the Project

Formulation (Form)

Development (Dev)

Operations (Ops)

Research (Res)

Tech & Adv Concepts (Tech)

Commitment/Output

FY 2012

Program/Project Changes from

FY 2011 PB Request

Selection completed for announcement of 

opportunity; Start Development Phase on 

Explorer 1

Explorer Future mission New

Implementation Schedule

Prior 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Beg End

Project Schedule by Fiscal Year Phase Dates

HELIO-40
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Heliophysics

Program: Heliophysics Explorer Program

Program Management

GSFC has program management responsibility for all Heliophysics Explorer programs.

Project Management 

Responsibility

NASA Center 

Performers

Cost-Sharing Partners

AIM GSFC None N/A

IBEX GSFC GSFC N/A

THEMIS GSFC None N/A

CINDI GSFC None DOD

TWINS-B GSFC None DOD

IRIS GSFC ARC N/A

Acquisition Strategy

The Heliophysics Explorer Program has established an acquisition strategy that contracts for the 

whole mission (concept through delivery of science data and analysis), with emphasis on 

performance incentives and a cost cap for each mission. 

 

Investigations are selected through Announcements of Opportunity, in which multiple investigations 

are selected competitively for initial concept studies with a competitive down-select to proceed to the 

next stage of formulation. The investigations are selected to proceed from one phase to the next 

through execution of contract options, based on successful technical, cost, and schedule 

performance in the previous phases. 

 

NASA has selected Lockheed Martin and GSFC/ARC for development of IRIS.

Independent Reviews

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review

Performance Space 

Science 

Support Office

06/2009 Reviewed and evaluated SMEX 

Announcements of Opportunity proposals for 

selection. Written evaluations were provided and 

the IRIS mission was selected for development 

as the next SMEX mission.

03/2011

Performance SRB 02/2009 Overall assessment of life cycle cost, schedule 

and deliverables of the Explorer Program. 

Review board concluded that these programs 

have met their success criteria and should 

continue in accordance with their existing plans.

02/2013

HELIO-41
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Heliophysics

Program: Heliophysics Explorer Program

Project In Development: Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS)

FY 2012 Budget Request

Budget Authority

($ millions)

Ann CR.

Prior FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's 

Budget Request

15.8 41.1 - 37.5 11.2 6.8 1.1 0.0

Note: For the FY 2012 Budget Request, project life cycle estimates, required to meet the requirements of section 103 of the 

NASA Authorization Act of 2005 (P.L. 109-155; 42 U.S.C. 16613), have been consolidated in the Management and Performance 

Section of this document. This consolidation provides for a comparative analysis across projects, and the inclusion of corrective 

action plans for the projects that have exceeded their original baseline estimates by greater than fifteen percent.

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated 

account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project amounts shown above. The allocation to each project

is reflected in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 

2010 and FY 2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

Project Purpose

Understanding the interface between the photosphere and corona remains a fundamental challenge in 

solar and heliospheric science. The IRIS mission will use a solar telescope and spectrograph to 

explore the solar chromospheres. Recent discoveries have shown the chromosphere is significantly 

more dynamic and structured than previously thought. The IRIS mission opens a window of discovery 

into this crucial region by tracing the flow of energy and plasma through the chromosphere and 

transition region into the corona by using spectrometry and imaging. IRIS will revolutionize 

understanding of energy transport into the corona and solar wind and provide an archetype for all 

stellar atmospheres. The unique instrument capabilities, coupled with state of the art 3-dimensional 

modeling, will fill a large gap in knowledge of this dynamic region of the solar atmosphere. The 

mission will greatly extend the scientific output of existing heliophysics spacecraft that follow the 

effects of energy release processes from the Sun to Earth.

Project Parameters

IRIS is a 3-axis stabilized, sun-pointed mission that studies the chromospheres in the Far Ultraviolet 

(FUV) and Near Ultraviolet (NUV) with 0.33 arcsecond spatial resolution, 0.4 km/s velocity resolution 

and a field of view of 171 arcsec. This two-year mission fills a critical observational data gap by 

providing simultaneous, co-spatial and comprehensive coverage from photosphere (~4,500 K) up to 

corona (<= 10 MK). IRIS consists of a 20cm aperture telescope assembly that feeds an imaging 

spectrograph and a separate imaging camera system with wavelengths in the FUV and NUV. A 

spacecraft bus based upon heritage designs supports the science mission and provides pointing, 

power, and data communications for the mission. The launch vehicle is an Orbital Sciences 

Corporation Pegasus XL with launch operations out of Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.

HELIO-42
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Heliophysics

Program: Heliophysics Explorer Program

Project In Development: Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS)

Project Commitments

Project Element Provider Description FY 2011 PB 

Request

FY 2012 PB 

Request

Ground Systems Lockheed Martin Space 

Systems Company

Receive science data and 

telemetry from spacecraft, 

command spacecraft, 

distribute science data to 

investigator teams

N/A NEW

Spacecraft Lockheed Martin Space 

Systems Company

Transport instruments to 

science destination, 

operate instruments

N/A NEW

Instruments Lockheed Martin Space 

Systems Company

Perform in situ 

measurements and remote 

observations of the Sun

N/A NEW

Launch vehicle 

(Pegasus XL)

Orbital Science 

Corporation

Deliver the spacecraft to 

operational orbit N/A NEW

Schedule Commitments

The IRIS held a confirmation review in June 2010 and launch is planned for June 2013.

Milestone Name Confirmation 

Baseline

FY 2011 PB 

Request

FY 2012 PB 

Request

Formulation

System Readiness Review 01/2010 N/A 01/2010

Preliminary Design Review 04/2010 N/A 04/2010

Confirmation Review 06/2010 N/A 06/2010

Critical Design Review 02/2011 N/A 02/2011

Pre-Environmental Review 10/2011 N/A 10/2011

Pre-Ship Review 07/2012 N/A 07/2012

Launch Readiness Date 06/2013 N/A 06/2013

HELIO-43
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Heliophysics

Program: Heliophysics Explorer Program

Project In Development: Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS)

Project Management

Lockheed Martin Space Systems is leading the formulation and implementation of the project. GSFC 

is responsible for oversight and science management including data analysis during operations.

Project Element Project Management 

Responsibility NASA Center Performers Cost-Sharing Partners

Instrument GSFC GSFC, ARC None.

Launch Vehicle GSFC KSC None.

Spacecraft GSFC GSFC, ARC None.

Mission Operations GSFC GSFC, ARC None.

Acquisition Strategy

IRIS, awarded in June 2009, is a PI-led project that was competitively selected under the SMEX 

program. The contractor's final proposal for Phases C-E was negotiated in December 2010.

HELIO-44
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: Heliophysics

Program: Heliophysics Explorer Program

Project In Development: Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS)

Independent Reviews

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review

All SRB 01/2010 System Readiness Review N/A

All SRB 05/2010 Preliminary Design Review - received authority 

to enter Phase C N/A

All SRB 07/2010 Confirmation Review - IRIS design was deemed 

sufficiently mature to proceed into development. N/A

All SRB 12/2010 Critical Design Review - successful N/A

All SRB N/A System Integration Review (SIR) - KDP D 12/2011

All SRB N/A Operations Readiness Review (ORR) 09/2012

All SRB N/A Flight Readiness Review (FRR) - KDP E 11/2012

All SRB N/A Launch Readiness Review (LRR) 11/2012

All SRB N/A Post Launch Assessment Review (PLAR) TBD

All SRB TBD Decommissioning Review (DR) - KDP F TBD

Project Risk Management

Title Risk Statement Risk Management Approach and Plan

Single String Spacecraft The IRIS spacecraft uses a 

single string design. If there is 

an in flight failure, then there 

is no ability to switch over to a 

total redundant component.

Single string risks are mitigated by use of proven designs, 

high reliability parts, additional testing of critical systems, and 

testing of development models as early as possible, 

consistent with the cost and schedule constraints of the 

project.

Additional program manager oversight of the vendor and 

local quality assurance representative assigned to monitor. 

Engineering units are being used as a pathfinder for 

manufacturing and test and will be available for early testing.

Communications System The communication 

subsystem vendor has not 

previously flown the proposed 

transmitter transponder units. 

If the vendor experiences 

problems during development 

of these units, then the IRIS 

schedule will be impacted.

HELIO-45
Mission Directorate: Science

Theme: SMD Civil Service Labor and Expenses

Theme Overview

The SMD CSLE Theme contains labor funding, both salary and benefits, for civil service employees at 

NASA Centers who are assigned to work on projects in the Science Mission Directorate. These funds 

support the critical skills and capabilities required to provide the science, technology development, 

and space flight missions, as outlined in the other themes, within this mission area.

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR. 

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

0.0 - 304.7 313.2 326.5 342.2 358.6

SCMD Civil Service Labor and 

Expenses

0.0 - 304.7 313.2 326.5 342.2 358.6

SMD CSLE-1
Mission Directorate: Aeronautics Research

Overview

Over the last century, aviation has evolved to become an integral part of the economy and an essential 

component of everyday life. As the Nation and the world become more dependent on moving people 

and goods faster and more efficiently via air, important constraints to further growth have emerged. 

During peak travel times, the air traffic and airport systems in the United States and other nations are 

stretched to capacity. In 2007, airline delays in the United States cost industry and passengers $32.9 

billion.* Environmental concerns such as aircraft noise and emissions limit increased operations and 

the expansion of airports and runways. These constraints to growth threaten the commercial prospects 

of the aerospace industry and contribute to continued or worsened airline travel delays. 

 

In response to these challenges, the Nation is pursuing the realization of Next Generation Air 

Transportation System (NextGen). NextGen will accommodate more aircraft operating within the same 

airspace, including aircraft with widely varying performance capabilities (e.g., different speeds, 

altitudes, and maneuverability). The revolutionary changes to the airspace system and the aircraft that 

fly within it envisioned for NextGen will lead to a safer, more environmentally friendly, and more 

efficient national air transportation system, characterized by reduced community noise and improved 

local air quality, water quality, and energy efficiency. This will occur even with the projected increase in 

air traffic. 

 

To achieve NextGen, the aviation sector needs to capitalize on the convergence of a broad range of 

multidisciplinary advances in technology. This will include pursuing technologies that are in their 

infancy today, developing the knowledge necessary to design radically new aviation systems, and 

enabling efficient, high-confidence design and development of revolutionary vehicles. These 

improvements must take place without compromise to the current safety record of the aviation 

industry. Increasing system capacity while maintaining or even improving aviation safety will require 

the ability to identify and respond to precursors to accidents, instead of today's practice of creating or 

changing flight rules in response to incidents and accidents. 

 

As the Federal Government's largest civil aeronautics research organization, NASA, through its 

Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD), plays a key role in the discovery and development 

of the innovative solutions and advanced technologies required for NextGen. NASA performs cuttingedge research on innovative concepts, tools, and technologies that will enable revolutionary advances 

in future aircraft, as well as to the airspace in which they will fly. This investment portfolio is a balanced 

mix of foundational and systems-level research, and related test infrastructure addressing aviation 

safety, energy efficiency, environmental compatibility, airspace capacity, and operational efficiency.

NASA's aeronautics programs uniquely address specific aeronautical research needs while taking

an integrated approach with respect to critical long-term challenges. It also addresses the long-term

research needs in access-to-space technologies required for future space missions. 

 

NASA expands the boundaries of aeronautical knowledge for the benefit of the Nation through 

partnerships with academia, industry, and other government agencies, helping to foster a collaborative 

research environment in which ideas and knowledge are exchanged across all communities. These 

collaborations help ensure the future competitiveness of the Nation's aviation industry. 

 

* "Total Delay Impact Study," October 2010, National Center of Excellence for Airline Operations 

Research.

AERO-1
Mission Directorate: Aeronautics Research

Ann CR.

FY 2011

Auth Act

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

497.0 501.0 579.6 569.4 569.4 569.4 569.4 569.4

Aeronautics 497.0 - - 569.4 569.4 569.4 569.4 569.4

Note: The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, 

NASA is operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column 

reflect the annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

The "Auth. Act FY 2011" column represents FY 2011 authorized funding from the NASA Authorization Act of 2010 (P.L. 111-

267).

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

FY 2012 Budget Request

AERO-2
Mission Directorate: Aeronautics Research

 

Plans for FY 2012

Aeronautics Research

Aeronautics

New Initiatives:

None

Major Changes:

The following changes have been made to the Aeronautics budget. 

- Research into high-altitude ice crystal effects on aircraft has been increased. The objective of 

this research is to increase the probability that NASA's capability will support community response 

to rule-making and thus increase aviation safety in a timely manner. 

 

- Additional research will be conducted into the effects of lightning strikes on composite materials. 

This research will accelerate development of standardized test procedures to support development 

of sensor concepts, advanced models, and protection methods. 

 

- NASA also will increase research efforts in composite structures and materials in order to 

develop new materials and analysis capabilities so that they can be effectively utilized in new 

designs. 

 

- Alternative fuels research will be increased. This will help to advance the use of alternative fuels 

(including biofuels) in aircraft, which is a key factor in substantially reducing the impact of aviation 

on the environment--specifically reducing the gaseous and particulate emissions of aircraft. 

 

- NASA also will increase research into efficient and safe airport surface operations. Technologies 

will be integrated from the current NASA portfolio to further advance greater utilization of ADS-B 

application technologies providing optimization of airport surface movements with precise 

scheduling to reduce surface and en-route traffic delays and enhance safety. 

 

- NASA will also increase flight research that focuses on low-cost, simple, short-term flight 

demonstrations aimed at enhancing aviation safety and airspace efficiency. 

 

- Hypersonics research is reduced and focused on goals outlined in the National Aeronautics R&D 

Plan, where NASA possesses unique competencies relied upon by other agencies. This research 

will be foundational in nature and focused on knowledge development and tool creation.

AERO-3
Mission Directorate: Aeronautics Research

Major Highlights for FY 2012

In FY 2012, NASA will continue to conduct long-term, cutting-edge research for the benefit of the 

broad aeronautics community. Each of the six programs within Aeronautics plays a significant role 

in addressing the challenge of meeting the growing capacity needs of NextGen, contributing to 

research and development (R&D) challenges in aviation safety, promising new flight regimes and 

aviation environmental impacts. 

 

- The Aviation Safety Program (AvSP) provides knowledge, concepts, and methods to manage 

increasing complexity in the design and operation of vehicles and the air transportation system. 

This includes advanced approaches to enable improved and cost effective verification and 

validation of flight critical systems. AvSP provides knowledge, concepts, and methods to avoid, 

detect, mitigate, and recover from hazardous flight conditions and to maintain vehicle airworthiness 

and health. The program will investigate sources of risk and provide technology needed to help 

ensure safe flight in and around atmospheric hazards. 

 

- The Airspace Systems Program (ASP) develops and explores fundamental concepts, algorithms, 

and technologies to increase throughput of the National Airspace System (NAS) and achieve high 

resource efficiency. The program transitions key technologies from the laboratory to the field by 

integrating surface, terminal, transitional airspace, and en route capabilities to enable operational 

enhancements envisioned by NextGen. 

 

- The Fundamental Aeronautics Program (FAP) conducts fundamental research to improve aircraft 

performance and minimize environmental impacts, explores advanced capabilities and 

configurations for low boom supersonic aircraft, conducts fundamental hypersonic research to 

enable new capabilities, and radically improves the civil effectiveness of rotary wing vehicles by 

increasing speed, range, and payload while decreasing noise and emissions. 

 

- The Integrated Systems Research Program (ISRP) conducts research on 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 Aeronautics Test Program (ATP) ensures the strategic availability, accessibility, and 

capability of a critical suite of aeronautics ground test facilities and flight operations assets to meet 

Agency and national aeronautics testing needs. 

 

- The Aeronautics Strategy and Management Program (ASMP) has been established by 

transferring ongoing activities from ISRP and FAP. The program will explore novel concepts and 

new processes in aeronautics, funds institutional expenses for the Mission Directorate, fund the 

ARMD portion of the Joint Planning and Development Office (JPDO) costs, and provide education 

and outreach opportunities for a wide variety of interested participants of all ages.

AERO-4
Mission Directorate: Aeronautics Research

Theme: Aeronautics

Theme Overview

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

497.0 - 569.4 569.4 569.4 569.4 569.4

Aviation Safety 74.0 - 48.5 47.8 46.7 45.4 44.0

Airspace Systems 79.0 - 70.3 69.4 67.7 65.8 63.8

Fundamental Aeronautics 199.0 - 97.2 95.9 93.6 90.9 88.2

Aeronautics Test 65.6 - 50.7 50.0 48.8 47.4 46.0

Integrated Systems Research 56.9 - 81.7 80.6 78.6 76.4 74.1

Aeronautics Strategy and 

Management

22.6 - 24.3 24.0 23.4 22.8 22.1

ARMD Civil Service Labor and 

Expenses

0.0 - 196.7 201.7 210.6 220.7 231.3

Note:

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated account in 

each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the program amounts shown above. The allocation to each program is reflected 

in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 2010 and FY 

2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

AERO-5
Mission Directorate: Aeronautics Research

Theme: Aeronautics

Relevance

Relevance to national priorities, relevant fields, and customer needs:

NASA's aeronautics research activities are well aligned with the National Aeronautics Research and 

Development Policy and Plan that identify national-level principles, goals, and objectives for the 

Nation's aeronautics R&D enterprise. This guidance was developed under the leadership of the White 

House Office of Science and Technology Policy, in collaboration with other Federal agencies, and in 

consultation with the broader aeronautics community. NASA research activities also are specifically 

identified as critical elements of the interagency work plan developed through JPDO to identify and 

assess critical research needed for NextGen. Independent reviews involving external subject matter 

experts and internal systems analyses shape the nature and direction of NASA's research programs 

to ensure the Agency remains focused on priority challenges. 

 

Interagency coordination committees provide NASA with a collaborative framework during research 

program execution. Partnerships with Federal agencies such as the Federal Aviation Administration 

(FAA) and the Department of Defense (DOD) for activities (e.g., joint research, simulations, field 

trials, infrastructure management, and technology transfer) support effective alignment of research 

with community needs and facilitate the effective transition of research results. NASA also partners 

with large and small manufacturers through Space Act Agreements to conduct fundamental research, 

test novel new concepts and technologies, and transition advancements from the laboratory into the 

field.

Relevance to the NASA Mission and Strategic Goals:

Aeronautics research supports the Agency's Strategic Goal 4, to "Advance aeronautics research for 

societal benefit." Aeronautics work also supports NASA Strategic Goal 5, to "Enable program and 

institutional capabilities to conduct NASA's aeronautics and space activities," specifically objective 

5.3, to "Ensure the availability to the Nation of NASA-owned strategically important test capabilities."

Relevance to education and public benefits:

NASA's aeronautics research programs provide direct and indirect benefit to the public. Fundamental 

research in traditional aeronautical disciplines and relevant emerging fields enable revolutionary 

changes which lead to a safer, more environmentally friendly, and more efficient national air 

transportation system to benefit the flying public. NASA research results are disseminated to the 

widest practicable extent to facilitate transfer of knowledge to the broader aviation community and 

support the evolution of the U.S. industrial base. 

 

NASA's Aeronautics programs engage students and teachers at all levels of learning through 

research grants, scholarship programs, internships, design competitions, exhibits, and hands-on 

activities. Formal and informal educational activities are aimed at ensuring a sufficient quality and 

quantity of aerospace workforce to fulfill future needs of the Agency and the aerospace community. 

ARMD targets activities to key constituencies in different age brackets, and those activities are well 

integrated into the overall NASA education portfolio, including providing subject matter experts and 

aeronautics-related materials that are complementary to the Agency portfolio and activities. Education 

programs are designed for elementary through high school students and are linked to national and 

state standards of learning. 

 

These programs provide an introduction to aeronautics disciplines while supporting the broader 

science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education goals of the Administration. 

Many of these programs provide curriculum and tools that can be brought into the classroom by 

teachers, acting as a multiplier effect for each dollar invested by NASA. NASA Research 

Announcements (NRAs) foster collaborative research partnerships among NASA, academia and the 

private sector while serving as a pipeline for innovative solutions to national challenges.

AERO-6
Mission Directorate: Aeronautics Research

Theme: Aeronautics

Performance

Performance Commitments:

Measure # Description Contributing 

Program (s)

Strategic Goal 4 Advance aeronautics research for societal benefit.

Outcome 4.1 Develop innovative solutions and advanced technologies 

through a balanced research portfolio to improve current 

and future air transportation.

Objective 4.1.1 Develop advanced technologies to improve the overall 

safety of the future air transportation system.

Performance Goal 4.1.1.1 Transfer knowledge to the aviation community to better 

manage safety in aviation.

APG 

4.1.1.1: AR-12-1

Develop first generation engine icing performance 

degradation parametric simulation capability.

Aviation Safety

APG 

4.1.1.1: AR-12-2

Provide static code analysis techniques for certification. Aviation Safety

APG 

4.1.1.1: AR-12-3

Develop concept of operations for an integrated vehicle 

health assurance system.

Aviation Safety

APG 

4.1.1.1: AR-12-4

Demonstrate algorithm to predict at least three anomalies in 

massive datasets.

Aviation Safety

Objective 4.1.2 Develop innovative solutions and technologies to meet 

future capacity and mobility requirements of the Next 

Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen).

Performance Goal 4.1.2.1 HPPG: Increase efficiency and throughput of aircraft 

operations during arrival phase of flight.

APG 

4.1.2.1: AR-12-5

Develop Initial Weather Translation Models. Airspace Systems

APG 

4.1.2.1: AR-12-6

Demonstrate safe Interval Management Procedures to a 

Single Airport with dependent parallel runways.

Airspace Systems

APG 

4.1.2.1: AR-12-7

NASA will provide the results of the human-in-the-loop (HITL) 

simulations and the field trial to the Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA) as they are completed, with the final 

report being provided in September 2012. (HPPG milestone)

Airspace Systems

Objective 4.1.3 Develop tools, technologies, and knowledge that enable 

significantly improved performance and new capabilities 

for future air vehicles.

Performance Goal 4.1.3.1 Deliver tools, technologies, and knowledge that can be 

used to more efficiently and effectively design future air 

vehicles and their components that overcome national 

performance and capability challenges.

APG 

4.1.3.1: AR-12-10

Validate the effectiveness of Micro-array Flow Control 

devices for improving performance and flow quality in lowboom supersonic propulsion inlets.

Fundamental 

Aeronautics

APG 

4.1.3.1: AR-12-11

Demonstrate First Generation Integrated Multidisciplinary 

Simulation Tool for Analysis and Design of Reusable AirBreathing Launch Vehicles.

Fundamental 

Aeronautics

APG 

4.1.3.1: AR-12-8

Characterize gaseous and particulate emissions of hydro 

treated renewable jet fuel as a potential carbon dioxide (CO2) 

neutral aviation fuel.

Fundamental 

Aeronautics

APG 

4.1.3.1: AR-12-9

Demonstrate drag reduction benefits of active flow control for 

a representative rotorcraft fuselage configuration.

Fundamental 

Aeronautics

AERO-7
Mission Directorate: Aeronautics Research

Theme: Aeronautics

Performance

Performance Commitments:

Measure # Description Contributing 

Program (s)

Outcome 4.2 Conduct systems-level research on innovative and 

promising aeronautics concepts and technologies to 

demonstrate integrated capabilities and benefits in a 

relevant flight and/or ground environment.

Objective 4.2.1 Develop advanced tools and technologies that reduce 

the technical risk associated with system-level 

integration of promising aeronautical concepts.

Performance Goal 4.2.1.1 Reduce technical risk by conducting research at an 

integrated system-level on promising aeronautical 

concepts and technologies in a relevant environment.

APG 

4.2.1.1: AR-12-12

Demonstrate low-weight, damage-tolerant stitched composite 

structural concept on curved panel subjected to combined 

tension and internal pressure loads.

Integrated Systems 

Research

APG 

4.2.1.1: AR-12-13

Develop integrated Human Systems Integration, 

Communications, and Separation Assurance subproject test 

concept and Phase 2 test objectives necessary to achieve 

human-in-the-loop simulation and flight test series milestones 

supporting the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Integration 

in the National Airspace System (NAS) Project.

Integrated Systems 

Research

Strategic Goal 5 Enable program and institutional capabilities to conduct 

NASA's aeronautics and space activities.

Outcome 5.3 Ensure the availability to the Nation of NASA-owned, 

strategically important test capabilities.

Objective 5.3.2 Ensure that Aeronautics Test Program (ATP) facilities are 

available and capable of supporting research, 

development, test and engineering goals and objectives 

for NASA and national aerospace programs.

Performance Goal 5.3.2.1 Ensure that testing capabilities are available in order to 

support the research, development, test, and engineering 

milestones of NASA and Department of Defense (DoD) 

programs.

APG 

5.3.2.1: AR-12-14

Achieve ratings greater than 86 percent for overall quality and 

timeliness of Aeronautics Test Program (ATP) facility 

operations.

Aeronautics Test

Uniform and Efficiency Measures:

Measure # Description

Aeronautics Theme

APG 

EFF: AR-12-16

Deliver at least 86 percent of on-time availability for operations and research 

facilities.

AERO-8
Mission Directorate: Aeronautics Research

Theme: Aeronautics

Performance Achievement Highlights:

ASP partnered with FAA, Sensis, Boeing, United Airlines, and Continental Airlines to conduct joint 

simulations of continuous descent approaches in a congested environment with time based metering 

at the Denver Air Route Traffic Control Center. Using the Efficient Descent Advisor (EDA) decision 

support tool, the controllers enabled reduced fuel and noise operations through efficient descent 

procedures under heavy traffic conditions. The results of this simulation will guide the development of 

the EDA Technology Transition Document for delivery to the FAA in support of investment decisions. 

 

AvSP published guidelines on automation, displays, and alerting technologies for use by designers of 

future aircraft cockpits, which are needed by the aviation community to safely meet NextGen 

operational needs. These guidelines are based on data collected via human-in-the-loop studies with 

real flight crews in simulations of the higher traffic densities and the operation environment of 

NextGen. By providing these results to industry-wide and FAA-sponsored technical committees, NASA 

contributes to authorized operational requirements and certification standards for new technologies 

and procedures. 

 

FAP made progress toward enabling technologies that address many challenges for commercial 

aircraft with entry-into-service in the 2030-2035 timeframe (N+3). The program worked with industry 

and academia to explore revolutionary aircraft solutions to address energy efficiency, environmental 

compatibility, operations and determine high-payoff technologies and research opportunities to enable 

these solutions. Pivotal analyses resulting from the N+3 Concept Studies will be used to guide NASA's 

long-term technology investments for future green aviation air vehicles. Important insight was gained 

in critical technologies including flow control, light-weight and higher temperature materials, and 

aeroelastic structures that are broadly applicable to commercial aircraft. 

 

ATP developed an ice generation system for the Propulsion Systems Laboratory (PSL) at Glenn 

Research Center. This system is capable of replicating high-altitude ice crystal ingestion phenomena 

and will enable testing to help researchers understand conditions associated with in-flight, ice crystal 

ingestion and accumulation in commercial jet engines at high altitude cruise conditions. Results 

included the first-ever demonstration of ice crystal generation under conditions that replicate highaltitude cruise conditions. This facility improvement addresses one of the 12 critical shortfalls 

identified in the National Infrastructure Plan. 

 

ISRP completed the first phase of flight tests on the low speed X-48B Blended Wing Body (BWB) 

aircraft at the Dryden Flight Research Center. The X-48B is a 500 pound, 8.5 percent-scale aircraft of 

a potential, full-scale BWB type aircraft that has the silhouette of a manta ray. The vehicle is remotely 

piloted and enables NASA to assess and validate this advanced vehicle concept as well as key 

technologies. The 80 flights completed in Phase I provided insight into the handling and flying qualities 

of such an aircraft at speeds typical of landings and takeoffs.

AERO-9
Mission Directorate: Aeronautics Research

Theme: Aeronautics

Independent Reviews:

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review

Relevance Expert 10/2008 An assessment of NASA's aeronautics research 

portfolio was performed by the National 

Research Council to determine how NASA is 

addressing the research challenges identified in 

the decadal survey of civil aeronautics. It found 

that NASA is addressing most of the 51 

challenge areas but noted concerns about the 

lack of research in several areas, including 

unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) integration in 

the NAS. NASA is addressing this issue with the 

new UAS Integration in the NAS project.

N/A

AERO-10
Mission Directorate: Aeronautics Research

Theme: Aeronautics

Program: Aviation Safety

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

74.0 - 48.5 47.8 46.7 45.4 44.0

Aviation Safety 74.0 - 48.5 47.8 46.7 45.4 44.0

Note: The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, 

NASA is operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column 

reflect the annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated 

account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project amounts shown above. The allocation to each project

is reflected in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 

2010 and FY 2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

AERO-11
Mission Directorate: Aeronautics Research

Theme: Aeronautics

Program: Aviation Safety

Program Overview

AvSP performs research and develops advanced technologies to improve the overall safety of the 

future air transportation system. 

 

The current U.S. air transportation system is widely recognized as among the safest in the world. 

Over the past 10 years, the commercial accident rate has continued to drop, a credit to industry and 

government working together to solve problems and proactively identify new risks. However, the 

demand for air traffic is expected to continue to increase substantially in the next 15 to 20 years, and 

while NextGen will meet this demand by making passage through the increasingly crowded skies 

efficient and speedy, it will come with increased reliance on automation and increased operating 

complexity. Therefore, the vigilance of the aviation community must continue in order for the United 

States to meet the public expectations for safety in this complex, dynamic domain. To meet the 

challenge, AvSP develops cutting-edge technologies to improve the intrinsic safety of current and 

future aircraft that will operate in NextGen. AvSP's contributions range from providing fundamental 

research and technologies on known or emerging safety concerns, to working with partners in 

developing new capabilities for NextGen. 

 

AvSP transfers knowledge and technology to the aviation community for both hardware and software 

systems. The program increases capabilities to predict and prevent safety issues by developing 

capabilities to monitor for safety issues and minimize them should they occur; designing safety issues 

out of complex systems and system behaviors; and analyzing designs and operational data for 

potential hazards. One objective of the program is to assure system wide safety. To that end, AvSP is 

pursuing methods and tools to overcome the challenges in verifying and validating that new, complex 

NextGen systems meet the extremely high levels of safety required. AvSP is also developing 

methods for discovery of safety issues via data mining, and further developing human performance 

models to be applied in the design of automation. 

 

Another objective is to advance the state-of-the-art of aircraft safety in key areas. Thus, AvSP is 

developing ways to maintain and ensure vehicle health and airworthiness, crew-system interaction 

concepts that provide situational awareness and sound decision making, and methods to detect, 

avoid and protect against loss-of-control events. A final objective is to address the inherent presence 

of atmospheric risks (e.g., in-flight icing and other atmospheric effects), accomplished by investigating 

their sources and providing technologies so that those hazards do not compromise flight safety. 

 

AvSP has developed research plans with milestones and metrics in three technology areas. All areas 

emphasize proactive methods and technologies and utilize a systems analysis approach for 

identifying key issues and maintaining a portfolio of activities leading to potential solutions to the 

issues. To improve its processes to define program goals, prioritize the research portfolio, and 

maintain close coordination with external agencies, as identified in the findings of the National 

Research Council's "Advancing Aeronautical Safety" study, AvSP will actively work with the NASA 

Advisory Committee's (NAC's) Aeronautics Committee and through the annual program review 

process to review and assess relevance of goals. AvSP will also fully participate in the Mission 

Directorate's strategic assessment activities to analyze and prioritize future investments across all 

programs, which will augment AvSP's own systems studies to help prioritization of program 

investment. AvSP will strengthen coordination with external agencies through more active 

participation in JPDO, Commercial Aviation Safety Team (CAST), RTCA, Inc., and others in addition 

to on-going coordination. 

 

Fore more information, please see http://www.aeronautics.nasa.gov/programs_avsafe.htm.

AERO-12
Mission Directorate: Aeronautics Research

Theme: Aeronautics

Program:

 

Aviation Safety

Plans For FY 2012

Highlighted below are key goals for FY 2012. 

- AvSP will demonstrate static code analysis techniques for use by software developers and 

equipment manufacturers to assist in the certification of software. The program will deliver a prototype 

static analyzer which produces less than 10 percent false positives, publish the algorithms, and 

submit results in peer-reviewed conferences or journals. 

 

- The program will develop a concept of operations for an integrated vehicle health assurance 

system. During FY 2012, the program will develop, document, and provide to the aviation user 

community, an integrated system concept for vehicle health assurance that fully integrates groundbased inspection and repair information with in-flight measurement data for airframe, propulsion, and 

avionics subsystems. 

 

- AvSP will develop a first-generation engine icing performance degradation parametric simulation 

capability. In FY 2012, the program will develop an engine system modeling code with simulated ice 

blockages effects and evaluate its predictive capability of engine performance with anticipated 

blockage effects due to accretion at assumed altitudes. In addition, the program will check out 

instruments for scientifically confirming the envelope of high-altitude ice crystal conditions and 

conduct initial calibration of one-of-a-kind ground test capability. AvSP will also develop a 

standardized lightning test procedure to support the future development of improved composite 

protection methods. 

 

- AvSP will incorporate the National Research Council's "Advancing Aeronautical Safety" findings 

related to program goal definition, internal prioritization, and external coordination with other agencies 

to continue to strive for continued excellence and improved efficiency in aviation safety research.

AERO-13
Mission Directorate: Aeronautics Research

Theme: Aeronautics

Program: Aviation Safety

Project Descriptions and Explanation of Changes

 

 

System-Wide Safety and Assurance Technologies

The goal of system-wide safety and assurance technologies research is to provide knowledge, 

concepts and methods to proactively manage increasing complexity in the design and operation of 

vehicles in the air transportation system. To meet this goal, the following challenges are being 

addressed through 2016: 

- Safely incorporating technological advances in avionics, software, automation, and concepts of 

operation by developing verification and validation tools for manufacturers and certifiers to use to 

assure flight critical systems are safe in a rigorous and cost- and time-effective manner; 

 

- Understanding and predicting system-wide safety concerns of the airspace system and vehicles by 

developing technologies that can use vehicle and system data to accurately identify precursors to 

potential incidents or accidents; 

 

- Predicting the life of complex systems by developing technologies that can reason under 

uncertainty about root causes, predict faults and remaining useful life across multiple systems, and 

aid decision making across multiple systems; and 

 

- Improving operator effectiveness within aviation systems by developing understanding of human 

performance key parameters that mediate human contributions to safety in aviation.

Vehicle Systems Safety Technologies

The goal of vehicle systems safety technologies research is to identify risks and provide knowledge 

needed to avoid, detect, mitigate, and recover from hazardous flight conditions, and to maintain 

vehicle airworthiness and health. To meet this goal, the following challenges are being addressed 

through 2016: 

- Assessing the health of aircraft at the material, component, and subsystem level more efficiently 

and effectively by developing health-management tools and systems to determine, predict, mitigate, 

and manage the state of degradation for current and future airframe, propulsion, and avionics 

subsystems; 

 

- Addressing loss-of-control events that may be induced by unintended entry into unusual flight 

conditions, response to on-board failures, and/or environmental hazards. NASA will develop, assess, 

and validate methods for avoiding, detecting and resolving conditions that can lead to loss-of-control 

in current and future vehicle operations; and 

 

- Appropriate operator situational awareness in off-nominal situations (including on the ground) by 

developing tools and concepts for future flight deck designs that promote effective humanautomation interaction and error recovery.

AERO-14
Mission Directorate: Aeronautics Research

Theme: Aeronautics

Program: Aviation Safety

Atmospheric Environment Safety Technologies

The goal of atmospheric environment safety technologies research is to investigate sources of risk 

and provide technology needed to help ensure safe flight in and around atmospheric hazards. To 

meet this goal, the following challenges are being addressed through 2016: 

 

- Addressing the atmospheric hazard of in-flight icing, of both engine and airframe, in cooperation 

with the icing community to characterize the various icing environments, develop remote sensors to 

detect conditions, understand and model the effects of ice accretion, and support the development of 

methods to mitigate the conditions; and 

 

- Sensing and mitigating other risks associated with other atmospheric hazards that pose serious 

threats to aviation.

Program Commitments

Commitment/Output

FY 2012

Program/Project Changes from

FY 2011 PB Request

In 2014, develop simulation capabilities, tools, 

and test methods that improve understanding of 

engine performance under high ice-crystal water 

content conditions.

Aviation Safety Updated to reflect program 

restructure

In 2016, identify and develop tools, methods, 

and technologies for improving overall aircraft 

safety of new and legacy vehicles operating in 

the NextGen.

Aviation Safety No change

AERO-15
Mission Directorate: Aeronautics Research

Theme: Aeronautics

Program: Aviation Safety

Program Management

The ARMD Associate Administrator has oversight responsibility for the program. The program 

director oversees program portfolio formulation, implementation, evaluation, and integration of results 

with other ARMD and NASA programs.

Project Management 

Responsibility

NASA Center 

Performers

Cost-Sharing Partners

Aviation Safety Program Director ARC, DFRC, GRC, 

LaRC

A&P Technology, Alcoa Technical 

Center, ANSYS, Boeing, Cal Poly 

Corp, CAST (Commercial Aviation 

Safety Team), Cessna Aircraft Co., 

DOD, DLR (Deutsches Zentrum für 

Luft- und Raumfahrt), easyJet, 

Environment Canada, ExpressJet, 

FAA, General Electric Aircraft Engines, 

Goodrich, Honeywell, INTA (Instituto 

Nacional de Técnica Aerospacial), 

JPDO, Luna Innovations, Moog, NLR 

(National Aerospace Laboratory of the 

Netherlands), National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration, NRCC 

(National Research Council Canada), 

New Mexico State University, ONERA, 

Siemens, United Technologies Corp., 

University of Nebraska, Wichita State 

University

Acquisition Strategy

AvSP spans research and technology from foundational research to integrated system-level 

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. 

 

A full and open NRA is used as the means to solicit innovative proposals in key research areas that 

compliment NASA expertise. One of the main objectives of the NRA investment is to stimulate close 

collaboration among NASA researchers and NRA award recipients to ensure effective knowledge 

transfer. AvSP awards grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements, including renewals of multiyear awards with industry, academia, and non-profit institutions. These awards also help to 

strengthen the research capabilities that are of interest to NASA within the recipient organizations 

and institutions. The program also utilizes partnerships with cost sharing and in-kind contributions to 

gain access to system-level research and integration opportunities.

AERO-16
Mission Directorate: Aeronautics Research

Theme: Aeronautics

Program: Aviation Safety

Independent Reviews

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review

Performance Expert Review 11/2010 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. In the FY 2010 review, the 

independent review panel rated AvSP as "Very 

Good" overall.

11/2011

Relevance National 

Research 

Council

7/2010 To assess if AvSP has appropriate research 

objectives; is coordinated with the FAA and 

other federal safety programs; has appropriate 

resources for each objective; and has 

mechanisms for transitioning program results in 

a timely manner. Findings show AvSP continues 

to contribute to aviation safety, but the 

processes for choosing, prioritizing, and 

coordination of its areas of research need 

improvement. Recommendations were 

incorporated into the reorganized program.

N/A

AERO-17
Mission Directorate: Aeronautics Research

Theme: Aeronautics

Program: Airspace Systems

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

79.0 - 70.3 69.4 67.7 65.8 63.8

Airspace Systems 79.0 - 70.3 69.4 67.7 65.8 63.8

Note:

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated 

account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project amounts shown above. The allocation to each project

is reflected in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 

2010 and FY 2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

AERO-18
Mission Directorate: Aeronautics Research

Theme: Aeronautics

Program: Airspace Systems

Program Overview

Increasing the capacity and efficiency of the air transportation system in a manner that has minimal 

impact on the environment or aviation safety is critically important to the Nation's economic well 

being. More than half of the Nation's busiest airports are already at capacity or are expected to reach 

capacity limits in the next 10 to 20 years. Creating new capacity en route or on the airport surface is 

extraordinarily expensive and can take decades to complete, particularly when environmental 

constraints and safe aircraft separation standards are at issue. 

 

Despite capacity constraints, air traffic is expected to continue to increase substantially over the next 

twenty years. The associated environmental impact and economic inefficiencies have been predicted 

to cost the Nation tens of billions of dollars annually. The risk of accidents caused by aircraft coming 

too close to one another, during airborne or ground operations, could increase as the volume of air 

traffic exceeds the capacity of the airspace and airports to safely and efficiently accommodate the 

increased growth. 

 

ASP, in collaboration with other member agencies of JPDO, directly addresses the air traffic 

management research needs of NextGen. NASA collaborates with other Government agencies, 

industry, and academic partners to bring the best and the brightest talent and ideas to address the 

technical challenges and improve technology transfer to the users of its research products. 

 

These new technologies will allow significant increases in capacity, efficiency, and flexibility of the 

NAS and support the guidelines in the National Aeronautics Research and Development Policy and 

Plan. These advanced concepts and technologies will determine future roles and responsibilities for 

air traffic management functions performed by humans and automation in the aircraft and on the 

ground. The concepts will reduce delays caused by adverse weather. The research will reduce noise, 

emissions, fuel consumption, and delays through automation, which will provide the most optimum 

aircraft flight paths and non-stop taxiing. In addition, system safety will be enhanced on the ground 

through automated aircraft based runway/taxiway collision avoidance and in the air through 

automated signaling and recommendations for avoidance of conditions in which aircraft come too 

close to one another and compromise safety. Furthermore, the research will enable the seamless 

operation and utilization of the full potential capabilities of new aircraft types such as advance 

rotorcraft, UAS, supersonic aircraft, and hybrid wing body. 

 

For more information, please see http://www.aeronautics.nasa.gov/programs_asp.htm.

AERO-19
Mission Directorate: Aeronautics Research

Theme: Aeronautics

Program: Airspace Systems

Plans For FY 2012

ASP conducts NextGen concepts and technology development, and the corresponding systems 

analysis, integration, and evaluation. 

 

NextGen concept and technology development research focuses on developing capabilities in traffic 

flow management, dynamic airspace configuration, separation assurance, super density operations, 

and airport surface operations. Key aspects include optimization for traffic scheduling and route 

planning, and balanced allocation of resources to maximize airspace productivity in response to 

arrival, departure, and surface traffic demands. Selected off-nominal situations (e.g., weather 

impacts) will be studied. Technical concepts included in this activity are continuous descents, runway 

balancing, precision terminal area scheduling and control, surface optimization, efficient flow 

management, and merging and spacing. In FY 2012, ASP will develop initial weather translation 

models for incorporation in traffic flow management decision support tools to better manage the 

weather-impacted traffic capacity. 

 

NextGen systems analysis, integration, and evaluation will focus on transitioning key systems 

concepts from the laboratory to the field. The NextGen concept and technology development area will 

provide operational benefits and demonstrate these integrated capabilities in relevant flight 

environments. Through systems analysis, key concepts will be down-selected based on their potential 

benefit to improve operational efficiency and then matured and tested in laboratory simulations to 

determine their technical viability. A subset of these integrated concepts will be further demonstrated 

and evaluated through field tests integrating both air and ground capabilities. Coordination with the 

FAA, JPDO, and Research Transition Teams (RTT) will ensure transition of NASA concepts, 

technologies, and procedures to the field to enable transition of today's air transportation system to 

NextGen. In FY 2012, ASP will evaluate interval management procedures that enable aircraft to selfmanage arrival merging and spacing to a single airport with dependent parallel runways. 

 

Both research areas described above contribute to the Agency's High Priority Performance Goal to 

increase efficiency and throughput of aircraft operations during arrival phase of flight. In FY 2012, 

ASP will deliver the EDA technology transition documentation to FAA. The EDA prototype

supports real-time decision making by presenting speed and path adjustment advisories

to air traffic controllers. EDA helps save hundreds of pounds of fuel and carbon dioxide emissions

per participating flight, while reducing noise over surrounding communities by selecting optimal 

descent speeds and paths for arriving aircraft under heavy traffic conditions. EDA is a key 

component of FAA's 3D-Path Arrival Management Program and NextGen. The primary mechanism 

for transfer is the NASA-FAA RTT. 

 

Acceleration of air traffic management technology transition through advanced development and 

demonstrations has been identified as key to meeting the Nation's air transportation needs by the 

National Aeronautics R&D Plan, NextGen Integrated Work Plan, and other Federal stakeholders. In 

FY 2012, ASP will initiate an industry and government collaborative effort to further advance greater 

utilization of Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast application technologies. The target 

opportunity will involve integration of technologies from ASP's current portfolio to provide optimization 

of airport surface movements with precise scheduling to reduce both surface and en-route traffic 

delays. Candidate technologies will be vetted through discussion of system benefit potential with 

airspace users. Focus of the work will be maintained on delivering validated operational 

improvements employing low-cost, simple, short-term, high-fidelity simulations and field trials.

AERO-20
Mission Directorate: Aeronautics Research

Theme: Aeronautics

Program: Airspace Systems

Project Descriptions and Explanation of Changes

 

 

NextGen Concepts and Technology Development

Researchers of NextGen concepts and technology develop and explore fundamental concepts that 

address the optimal allocation of ground and air automation technologies necessary for NextGen. 

Research in ASP addresses four-dimensional trajectory operations from strategic planning stages to 

separation assurance, including advances in the science and applications of multi-aircraft trajectory 

optimization that takes into account weather information and forecast uncertainties across the 

spectrum of time horizons. The program also conducts research to explore dynamic airspace 

configuration that addresses the technical challenges of migrating from the current structured, static 

homogenous airspace to a dynamic, heterogeneous airspace that adapts to user demands and 

meets changing constraints of weather, traffic congestion, and a highly diverse aircraft fleet. 

Ultimately, the roles and responsibilities of humans and automation influence every technical area 

and will be addressed thoroughly. The program responds to the need to achieve the maximum 

possible productivity in the combined use of gates, taxiways, runways, terminal airspace, and other 

airportal resources. Specific technical goals include: 

- Increasing capacity through dynamic allocation of airspace structure and controller resources; 

- Effectively allocating demand through departure-time management, route modification, adaptive 

speed control, etc., in the presence of uncertainty; 

- Developing algorithms, automation prototypes, and procedures that relieve the capacity constraints 

imposed by human-controlled separation of aircraft in transition and cruise airspace; 

- Quantifying the performance-enhancing effects of emerging airborne technologies; 

- Optimizing airport surface traffic operations to enable capacity enhancements; 

- Maximizing the capacity of individual runways and multiple runways with airspace and taxi 

interactions (i.e., closely-spaced parallel and converging or intersecting runways); 

- Minimizing runway incursion threats in all weather conditions; and 

- Balancing arrival and departure traffic management to enable capacity improvements.

NextGen Systems Analysis, Integration, and Evaluation

The high-level goal of the NextGen systems analysis, integration, and evaluation research is to 

identify, mature, and test key concepts and technologies based on their potential benefit towards 

increasing system efficiency. To accomplish this goal, the following technical objectives will be 

satisfied: 

- Define operational issues, factors, and concerns that must be considered in conducting system 

analysis; 

- Assess collective impact of mature technologies using fast-time modeling and simulation and feed 

back results into the baseline program to enhance and validate research concepts; 

- Examine the feasibility of the integrated concepts and technologies using human performance 

models and human-in-the-loop simulations; 

- Demonstrate the impact of the integrated concepts and technologies using field trials; 

- Assess alternate fleet implications on trajectory-based operations; 

- Collaborate with industry and Government partners to transition technologies that enable increases 

in capacity and efficiency, while maintaining safety and environmental conditions; and 

- Integrate technologies from the current portfolio to further advance greater utilization of Automatic 

Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) application technologies, thus providing optimization of 

airport surface movements with precise scheduling to reduce surface and en-route traffic delays and 

enhance safety.

AERO-21
Mission Directorate: Aeronautics Research

Theme: Aeronautics

Program: Airspace Systems

Program Commitments

Commitment/Output

FY 2012

Program/Project Changes from

FY 2011 PB Request

In 2013, develop conflict alert capability for 

terminal operations to increase throughput and 

safety.

Airspace Systems No change

In 2015, define allocation of air traffic control 

functions between air- and ground-based on 

human-in-the-loop (HITL) simulation studies 

involving nominal and off-nominal scenarios.

Airspace Systems No change

In 2017, complete integrated testing involving 

ground-based scheduling and flight deck 

merging and spacing.

Airspace Systems No change

Program Management

The ARMD Associate Administrator has oversight responsibility for the program. The program 

director oversees program portfolio formulation, implementation, evaluation, and integration of results 

with other ARMD and NASA programs.

Project Management

Responsibility

NASA Center 

Performers

Cost-Sharing Partners

FAA, JPDO, DOT, Air Force Research 

Lab (AFRL)

Airspace Systems Program Director ARC, LARC

Acquisition Strategy

ASP 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. 

 

A full and open NRA is used as the means to solicit innovative proposals in key research areas that 

complement NASA expertise. One of the main objectives of the NRA investment is to stimulate close 

collaboration among NASA researchers and NRA award recipients to ensure effective knowledge 

transfer. ASP awards grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements, primarily with industry, 

academia, and non-profit institutions. These awards also help strengthen the research capabilities 

that are of interest to NASA within the recipient organizations and institutions. The program also 

utilizes partnerships with cost sharing and in-kind contributions to gain access to system-level 

research and integration opportunities.

AERO-22
Mission Directorate: Aeronautics Research

Theme: Aeronautics

Program: Airspace Systems

Independent Reviews

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review

Performance Expert Review 11/2010 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. In the FY 2010 review, the 

independent review panel rated ASP as 

"Excellent/Very Good" overall.

11/2011

AERO-23
Mission Directorate: Aeronautics Research

Theme: Aeronautics

Program: Fundamental Aeronautics

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

199.0 - 97.2 95.9 93.6 90.9 88.2

Fundamental Aeronautics 199.0 - 97.2 95.9 93.6 90.9 88.2

Note: The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, 

NASA is operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column 

reflect the annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated 

account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project amounts shown above. The allocation to each project

is reflected in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 

2010 and FY 2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

AERO-24
Mission Directorate:

Theme:

Aeronautics Research

Aeronautics

Program: Fundamental Aeronautics

FAP develops new aircraft that will fly faster, cleaner, and quieter, and use fuel far more efficiently as 

the Nation transitions to a more modernized air transportation system. FAP research affects all flight 

regimes, addressing: 

 

- Public concern over noise and emissions; 

- The sustainability of affordable air travel given the fluctuating cost and availability of jet fuel; and 

- Requirements for increasing mobility even as the NAS grows more crowded. 

 

FAP conducts research in four specific flight regimes. 

 

- The two subsonic regimes address advanced fixed wing and subsonic rotary wing (SRW) aircraft. 

 

Subsonic fixed wing (SFW) research focuses on new aircraft configurations, advanced propulsion 

systems, and enabling technologies to dramatically reduce noise, emissions, and fuel burn. Subsonic 

rotary wing research targets speed and range increases, payload capacity, noise reduction, and 

propulsive efficiency. Envisioned future rotorcraft will enable further increases in moving people and 

goods through the national airspace system. In both cases, subsonic and rotorcraft vehicles will be 

dramatically quieter and will fly very efficiently, burning far less fuel. 

 

- A third flight regime is supersonics. Technologies to meet the environmental challenges specifically 

associated with faster-than-sound flight, such as sonic boom and emissions, are addressed by FAP's 

supersonics research. Elimination of such barriers would enable routine overland commercial 

supersonic flight. 

 

In addition, FAP is creating and maturing technology approaches to 21st century supersonic 

commercial airplanes. Their introduction into service could one day reduce domestic and international 

flight times dramatically, with environmental impacts on par with other aircraft. 

 

- A fourth flight regime is hypersonics. Hypersonics research focuses on long-range, fundamental 

research to enable very high speed air-breathing vehicles. New hypersonics approaches could 

ultimately enable rapid transoceanic and transcontinental flight, with improved reliability for lower-cost 

and more routine access to space, and result in new technologies that enable high-mass entry into 

atmospheres. 

 

FAP research also includes the creation and maturation of tools and technologies to enable 

hypersonic vehicles. Their development may one day make air-breathing access to space possible, 

while simultaneously enabling entry and descent into a variety of planetary atmospheres. 

 

Ultimately, FAP research enables a future in which a variety of advanced vehicles improve the 

flexibility, efficiency, and environmental impacts of the air transportation system. The program is 

dedicated to developing the tools, technologies, and scientific knowledge needed to design novel air 

vehicles that do not exist today. 

 

For more information, please see http://www.aeronautics.nasa.gov/fap.

Program Overview

AERO-25
Mission Directorate: Aeronautics Research

Theme: Aeronautics

Program:

 

Fundamental Aeronautics

Plans For FY 2012

Plans for the study of the four fundamental aeronautics flight regimes include: 

- SFW research will focus on multidisciplinary analysis of technologies and toolsets needed to 

achieve reductions in noise and emissions along with significant improvements in efficiency. Essential 

to this research will be improvements in prediction tools and new experimental methods that provide 

fundamental physics data/properties and establish validation data and identification of key driving 

technologies (including advanced materials and aerodynamics predictions). SFW research will 

characterize gaseous and particulate emissions of alternatives to current jet fuel that will aid reducing 

the carbon dioxide contribution from air transportation, including preparations for future flight tests 

with alternative fuels. SFW research will also demonstrate the application of a system-level, multifidelity, multidisciplinary analysis/optimization framework for conventional and unconventional 

subsonic transport vehicles, which is important for creating a design capability for truly revolutionary 

configurations. 

 

- SRW research will result in demonstrating new technologies to enable high-speed, efficient 

rotorcraft. Capitalizing on new facilities and hardware investments, SRW will demonstrate concepts 

for variable speed transmissions on small- to mid-scale test articles. These concepts will enable 

efficient operation over a wide speed range for the engine and transmission system, as variable rotor 

speed has been identified as a critical technology for high-speed rotorcraft configurations. In addition, 

the project will prepare the tiltrotor test rig for use in advance research in large, advanced tiltrotor 

configurations. The goals of advancing technologies leading to high-speed rotorcraft will be 

accomplished through improvement of design and analysis tools and validation of those tools with 

unique data obtained in NASA and partner facilities. In FY 2012, an area of focus will be to improve 

the understanding of drag reduction benefits of active flow control technologies, which can make a 

variety of rotorcraft vehicles more efficient. 

 

- Supersonics research will complete data analysis and reporting for a large-scale wind tunnel test of 

a propulsion system inlet design that incorporates low boom design features and employs flow control 

devices to improve performance and efficiency. The analysis will include comparisons of experimental 

data with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) data. These data, and the technology concepts 

embodied in the test model, will enable the design of future supersonic propulsion systems that are 

an essential part of a highly integrated aircraft that meets the efficiency and environmental goals for a 

new generation of civil supersonic transports. The project will also complete the first phases of 

experimental computational code validations and technologies for designing the eternal shape of 

aircraft concepts that produce very low sonic boom noise and high cruise efficiency. The experimental 

and analytical assessments will involve wind tunnel to CFD comparisons for full configuration 

geometries. The project will also conduct research on advanced high temperature materials that 

enable better performance in future supersonic and subsonic aircraft. 

 

- Hypersonics research will enable more accurate CFD predictions of ramjet-to-scramjet mode 

transition and will validate these predictions by comparisons with wind tunnel and/or flight data. The 

ability to accurately predict scramjet performance under mode-transition fueling levels is a key 

enabler for the design of efficient hypersonic air-breathing propulsion systems. This CFD assessment 

activity will validate and verify the accuracy of propulsion CFD codes. Additionally, the first generation 

multidisciplinary integrated design and engineering analysis tool suite will achieve operational status, 

and will be validated on the NASA air-breathing two-stage-to-orbit reference vehicle.

AERO-26
Mission Directorate: Aeronautics Research

Theme: Aeronautics

Program: Fundamental Aeronautics

Project Descriptions and Explanation of Changes

 

Subsonic Fixed Wing (SFW)

SFW research enables advances to future generations of fixed wing vehicles, with primary focus on 

"N+3" vehicles (i.e., three generations beyond current state-of-the-art aircraft), which will require 

mature technology by FY 2030. Because enhanced N+3 performance requires significantly improved 

energy efficiency to reduce fuel burn and improve operational technologies, progress in this area 

holds the promise of emissions reduction not just in the long term, but within the coming decade. 

 

SFW provides technologies, novel test methods, and validated prediction tools to improve system 

trades for advanced concepts capable of meeting longer-term noise, emissions and performance 

targets. For example: FAP's SFW alternative-fuels research is focusing on characterization of 

synthetic fuels and biofuels in order to understand their impact on engine combustor design, 

performance, and emissions. 

 

SFW continues to pursue the following goals: 

- Improve prediction tools and new experimental methods to understand fundamental properties and 

establish validation data; 

 

- Develop noise-prediction and noise-reduction technologies for airframe and propulsion systems 

that will enable up to -71 decibel (dB) cumulative, below Stage 4, which is a limit imposed by the 

International Civil Aviation Organization on the maximum allowable noise levels for current aircraft; 

 

- Devise emissions-reduction technologies and prediction tools to achieve a 70+ percent reduction in 

landing and take-off nitrogen oxide levels-- below the "sixth state" of regulation recommended by the 

Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection; 

 

- Improve vehicle performance through design and development of lightweight, multifunctional and 

durable structural components, low-drag aerodynamic components, advanced aircraft configurations, 

and higher bypass ratio engines with efficient power plants in order to enable a fuel burn reduction of 

more than 70 percent as compared to today's state-of-the-art commercial subsonic transport; and 

 

- Create multidisciplinary design and analysis tools and processes to enable design of advanced 

aircraft configurations with a greater degree of confidence.

AERO-27
Mission Directorate: Aeronautics Research

Theme: Aeronautics

Program: Fundamental Aeronautics

Subsonic Rotary Wing (SRW)

Each of the two broad classes of rotary wing vehicles has factors that limit their respective cruise 

speeds. The primary limiting factor for the cruise speed of helicopter configurations has been the 

dynamic stall encountered on the retreating side of the rotor as the forward speed is increased. The 

limiting factor for the cruise speed of tiltrotors has been prop-rotor efficiency, as designs typically 

trade cruise efficiency for hover performance, with a prop-rotor speed reduction of nominally 15 

percent from hover to cruise in current vehicles. 

 

SRW research will enable improved prediction methods and technologies for increasing cruise 

speed, range, and payload while decreasing noise and emissions of rotary wing aircraft. FAP has set 

aggressive goals to develop technologies that enable high-speed, efficient rotorcraft of various sizes 

and configurations to be viable commercial vehicles operating in the national airspace. 

 

SRW research includes the following goals: 

 

- Make rotorcraft competitive with fixed wing aircraft for short- and medium-range missions by 

enabling variable-speed rotor concepts that incorporate the ability to change rotor rotational speed by 

50 percent, while retaining propulsion efficiency to enable optimum rotor aerodynamic performance 

in both hover and higher forward flight speeds; 

 

- Contain external noise within the landing area, reduce internal noise to less than 77 dB, and 

develop scenarios for low-noise rotorcraft flight operations; 

 

- Assess multiple active rotorcraft concepts for effectiveness in simultaneously increasing 

aerodynamic efficiency, controlling dynamic stall control for high-speed conditions, reducing 

vibration, and reducing noise. The goal for high speed is to increase the state-of-the-art cruise speed 

for any rotary wing configuration by 100 knots while maintaining low-vibration and low-noise 

characteristics; 

 

- Advance technologies such as crashworthiness, safe operations in icing conditions, and conditionbased maintenance methodologies to ensure that rotary wing vehicles remain viable commercial 

transport concepts; and 

 

- Develop the next generation of rotorcraft analysis and design tools based on first-principles 

modeling rather than empirical methods. The objective is to ensure design tools are accurate for any 

configuration, that they can be used on any hardware platform, and that they are scalable to the 

future of parallel computing developments. This will reduce design cycle cost while increasing 

confidence in new-design performance.

AERO-28
Mission Directorate: Aeronautics Research

Theme: Aeronautics

Program: Fundamental Aeronautics

Supersonics

The Supersonics project will develop improved prediction methods and technologies to enable the 

elimination of barriers that today prevent practical, commercial supersonic flight. NASA's supersonics 

research is organized along the following major technical challenges: 

 

- Efficiency: Supersonic cruise, light weight, and durability at high temperature; 

 

- Environment: Airport noise, sonic boom and high-altitude emissions; 

 

- Performance: Aero-propulso-servo-elastic analysis and design, and cruise lift/drag ratio; and 

 

- Multidisciplinary design, analysis and optimization. 

 

The project's focus is to mature the technologies necessary to enable overland supersonic cruise for 

civilian applications with minimal environmental impact from sonic boom, airport noise, and highaltitude emissions. NASA's supersonics research should result in: 

 

- Airframe and propulsion-system cruise-efficiency improvements that will increase the range factor 

(miles/lb of fuel consumed) to 30 percent higher than "best achieved" in low-sonic-boom designs 

made during NASA's High-Speed Research Program; 

 

- Reductions of propulsion-system noise to a level of 10 to 15 dB effective perceived noise, below 

that of aircraft certified to Federal Aviation Regulations Part 36 Stage 3 noise standards; 

 

- A reduction of loudness to a level of 65-70 dB perceived loudness for small supersonic aircraft; and 

 

- Minimization of impact from high-altitude emissions.

AERO-29
Mission Directorate: Aeronautics Research

Theme: Aeronautics

Program: Fundamental Aeronautics

Hypersonics

The scope of the hypersonics research project has been reduced and will focus on foundational 

hypersonic research areas where NASA supports unique core competencies and technologies. The 

revised portfolio is directly responsive to the National Aeronautics Research and Development Plan 

goal for demonstrating sustained, controlled hypersonic flight. NASA will retain key elements of the 

portfolio for expanding the foundational knowledge of air breathing propulsion systems and re-entry 

system technologies that are enabling for future NASA and commercial systems. NASA's 

hypersonics research is motivated by the reality that all access to Earth or planetary orbit, and all 

entry from orbit into any atmosphere, requires sustained, controlled flight through the hypersonic 

regime. NASA's Hypersonics project is addressing the technical challenges for two high-payoff 

technology areas: Hypersonic Air-breathing Vehicle Technologies (HAVT) and Entry, Descent and 

Landing Technologies (EDLT). Cutting-edge hypersonics research on HAVT will enable sustained, 

air-breathing, powered hypersonic flight through the atmosphere for space access or other 

applications. HAVT research will enable new air-breathing launch vehicles such as two-stage-to-orbit 

systems to eventually provide more routine low-cost access to space. The research focused on 

EDLT will result in the development of foundational tools and knowledge that enable significant 

improvements in performance of future re-entry systems. 

 

The FAP will focus its hypersonics research on addressing that speed regime's most difficult 

technological challenges, including: 

 

- The development of accurate predictive tools and models for high-speed compressible flow 

including turbulence, heating, ablation, combustion, and their interactions in order to reduce the 

uncertainty in predictions of aerodynamic heat loads during the design of hypersonic vehicles. This 

improved knowledge and predictive capability will result in lower vehicle weight due to reduced 

design margins for thermal structures and thermal protection systems; 

 

- Knowledge and tools to enable air-breathing propulsion systems that operate efficiently over a very 

wide speed range and that can be scaled up from the current state of the art; and 

 

- The development of materials and structures for applications that can withstand the severe 

temperatures encountered in hypersonic flight for extended periods of time.

Program Commitments

Commitment/Output

FY 2012

Program/Project Changes from

FY 2011 PB Request

In 2017, integrate higher fidelity hypersonic 

discipline design tools to reduce design time and 

increase design space.

Fundamental Aeronautics Updated to reflect restructured 

hypersonics research

In 2018, validate advanced cabin noise-reducing 

concepts for large, advanced rotorcraft.

Fundamental Aeronautics No change

In 2018, demonstrate tools and technologies to 

reduce sonic boom to levels that allow 

supersonic flight over land and accurately 

assess the impact of sonic boom on community 

populations.

Fundamental Aeronautics No change

In 2020, demonstrate through analysis and 

component testing technologies that enable a 50 

percent fuel burn reduction and 50 percent CO2 

emissions reduction for fixed wing aircraft.

Fundamental Aeronautics No change

AERO-30
Mission Directorate: Aeronautics Research

Theme: Aeronautics

Program: Fundamental Aeronautics

Program Management

The ARMD Associate Administrator has oversight responsibility for the FAP. The program director 

oversees program portfolio formulation, implementation, evaluation, and integration of results with 

other ARMD or NASA programs.

Project Management 

Responsibility

NASA Center 

Performers

Cost-Sharing Partners

Fundamental Aeronautics Program Director ARC, DFRC, GRC, 

and LaRC

Air Force Research Lab (AFRL), 

Boeing, Pratt & Whitney, Northrop 

Grumman, General Electric Aviation, 

Gulfstream Aerospace, United 

Technologies Corporation, Office of 

the Secretary of Defense, U.S. Army, 

U.S. Air Force, Center for Rotorcraft 

Innovation (CRI), Bell Helicopter, 

Sikorsky, Boeing, DARPA, FAA, 

ONERA, JAXA, DLR, Lockheed 

martin, Aerion Corporation, U.S. Air 

Force Office of Scientific Research 

(AFOSR), and U.S. Navy.

Acquisition Strategy

Acquisitions within FAP provide the basic elements for fundamental research, tools and methods 

development, enabling technologies, and validation and verification of research results. 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. 

 

A full and open NRA is used as the primary means to solicit innovative proposals in key research 

areas that compliment NASA expertise. One of the main objectives of the NRA investment is to 

stimulate close collaboration among NASA researchers and NRA award recipients to ensure 

effective knowledge transfer. FAP awards grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements, primarily 

with industry, academia and non-profit institutions. These awards also help to strengthen the 

research capabilities that are of interest to NASA within the recipient organizations and institutions. 

The program also utilizes partnerships with cost sharing and in-kind contributions to gain access to 

system-level research and integration opportunities.

Independent Reviews

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review

Performance Expert Review 11/2010 The 12-month review is a formal independent 

peer review of the program. Experts from other 

Government agencies will report on their 

assessment of technical and programmatic risk 

and/or program weaknesses. Their 

recommendations will be received in a timely 

fashion and a response will be developed no 

later than six months after the review.

11/2011

AERO-31
Mission Directorate: Aeronautics Research

Theme: Aeronautics

Program: Aeronautics Test

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

65.6 - 50.7 50.0 48.8 47.4 46.0

Aeronautics Test 65.6 - 50.7 50.0 48.8 47.4 46.0

Note: The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, 

NASA is operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column 

reflect the annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated 

account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project amounts shown above. The allocation to each project

is reflected in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 

2010 and FY 2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

AERO-32
Mission Directorate: Aeronautics Research

Theme: Aeronautics

Program: Aeronautics Test

Program Overview

U.S. leadership in aerospace depends on ready access to technologically advanced, efficient, and 

affordable aeronautics test capabilities. These capabilities include major wind tunnels, propulsion test 

facilities and flight test assets. The Federal Government owns the majority of these critical test 

capabilities in the United States, primarily through NASA and DOD. However, changes in the 

aerospace landscape (primarily the decrease in demand for testing over the last two decades) 

required an overarching strategy for the management of these national assets. In response, NASA 

established ATP as a two-pronged strategic initiative to: retain and invest in NASA aeronautics test 

capabilities considered strategically important to the Agency and the Nation, and establish a strong, 

high-level partnership to expand cooperation between NASA and DOD, facilitating the establishment 

of an integrated national strategy for the management their respective facilities. The national view or 

coordinated approach is becoming more important, specifically in addressing the challenges NASA 

and the Nation are facing, in terms of managing and evolving this large critical set of capabilities in a 

changing and increasingly demanding environment. 

 

ATP facilities that comprise this set of critical capabilities are geographically dispersed across the 

United States. They are located at the Ames Research Center (northern California), Dryden Flight 

Research Center (southern California), Glenn Research Center (Ohio), and Langley Research Center 

(Virginia). These ATP facilities cover the flight envelope from subsonic through hypersonic and 

include unique capabilities ranging from simulating icing environments to modeling extreme dynamic 

situations. ATP offers Government agencies, the U.S. aerospace industry, and academic institutions 

unmatched research and experimental opportunities that reflect four generations of accumulated 

aerospace skill and experience. These capabilities encompass every aspect of aerospace ground 

and flight testing and all associated engineering. 

 

ATP addresses opportunities and challenges, particularly with respect to the program's aging 

facilities, long-range forecasting of wind tunnel test demand, and determining the best approach to 

investing in new capabilities across the portfolio. A major FY 2012 focus for ATP is expanding the 

management structure upon which ATP was established in 2006. This includes a national view, 

reaching across agency boundaries (primarily DOD and NASA). It defines capabilities and joint 

technology efforts to address future requirements for NASA and the Nation. The National Partnership 

for Aeronautics Testing (NPAT) includes DOD and NASA and is the primary vehicle for addressing 

this national approach. These cross-agency partnerships are increasingly important as usage of 

NASA's and DOD's aeronautical test facilities continues to decrease despite increasing customer 

demand for improved test techniques and instrumentation. Broadening the scope of NASA's 

aeronautics testing program to include DOD provides additional value in ensuring the right 

capabilities are available to NASA and the Nation. 

 

Looking to the future, ATP continues to implement its strategic plan. The plan was finalized in 

October 2009 and focuses in the following four areas: 

- Providing management guidance and recommendations to the NASA ARMD Associate 

Administrator and Center Directors with respect to NASA aeronautics ground and flight test 

capabilities; 

- Representing the strategic interest of NASA and the Nation with respect to stewardship of NASA 

ground and flight test capabilities; 

- Providing direction to NASA test capability managers; and 

- Ensuring that the right capabilities are available at the right time to meet the needs of NASA and 

the Nation. 

 

For more information, see http://www.aeronautics.nasa.gov/atp.

AERO-33
Mission Directorate: Aeronautics Research

Theme: Aeronautics

Program: Aeronautics Test

Plans For FY 2012

In FY 2011, ATP acquired one Gulfstream III through GSA auction and three F15D aircraft from the 

U.S. Air Force. The Gulfstream III will address the increasing requirement to provide a test bed 

environment for subsonic regimes. Particular flight experiments in the Gulfstream III range from the 

addition of synthetic aperture radar to support Earth science experiments, to the addition of a glove to 

support aeronautics research into the practical benefits of laminar flow. The three F15D aircraft are to 

replace the aging F15 and F18 aircraft, while providing increased capability and maintainability of the 

support and test bed aircraft fleet. Basic modifications to the Gulfstream III and F15D aircraft are 

scheduled for completion by the end of FY 2012. 

 

In FY 2012, ATP will implement the recommendations of the Capability Reliance Framework (CRF). 

The CRF is a top-level view of the suite of capabilities that ATP oversees and supports. It also 

includes similar capabilities within DOD and is an initiative executed under NPAT. The NASA and 

DOD partnership improves coordination and moves toward a national management structure that 

crosses agency boundaries. The resultant CRF framework will inform decision makers about 

capability needs, and how those needs would best be served by facilities and resources operated by 

NASA, DOD, and other entities. The primary outcome of CRF is the identification of gaps in 

capabilities, redundancies, and, most importantly, potential opportunities for consolidation. The 

current aerospace testing environment is one of decreasing customer usage across ATP and DOD 

testing facilities and increasing demands by customers for new capabilities. Consolidation would 

potentially allow scarce resources to be redirected to address capabilities needed for the future. 

 

One of ATP's primary activities is ensuring the reliability and availability of its testing capabilities. The 

majority of ATP's FY 2012 budget will support day-to-day operations and facilities maintenance, 

including addressing breakdowns and necessary repairs.

AERO-34
Mission Directorate: Aeronautics Research

Theme: Aeronautics

Program: Aeronautics Test

Project Descriptions and Explanation of Changes

Flight Operations and Test Infrastructure

The flight operations and test infrastructure consists of an integrated set of elements, including the 

Western Aeronautical Test Range, which support aircraft maintenance and operations and the test 

bed aircraft that provide the resources required for research flight and mission support projects. ATP 

provides up to 100 percent of the facility fixed costs for these flight facilities to ensure facility and staff 

availability. 

 

The activity also includes the simulation and flight loads laboratories, a suite of ground-based 

laboratories that support research flight and mission operations. ATP provides up to 20 percent of 

the fixed costs for laboratories, ensuring facility and staff availability.

Aero Ground Test Facilities

The aeronautics ground test facilities are different classes of facilities including low speed, transonic, 

supersonic, and hypersonic wind tunnels. Three primary efforts support the long-term viability of the 

facilities and to continually improve on the efficiency and effectiveness of safe, reliable, and 

productive operations: 

 

- Facility operations support, which provides a portion of the fixed costs for ground test facilities to 

ensure facility and staff availability and user price stability; 

 

- Facility maintenance and upgrades, which provides for maintenance and the upgrades that correct 

known deficiencies in facility safety, reliability, and productivity and enables the facilities to meet near

-term and future testing requirements. These activities result in improved facility productivity and 

reduced operational cost; and 

 

- Facility test technology, which develops and implements new technologies that increase test 

capability, improve productivity and efficiency, and improve data quality.

Program Commitments

Commitment/Output

FY 2012

Program/Project Changes from

FY 2011 PB Request

Deliver at least 86 percent of on-time availability 

for operations and research facilities.

Aeronautics Test No change

Program Management

The ARMD Associate Administrator has oversight responsibility for the program. The program 

director oversees program portfolio formulation, implementation, evaluation, and integration of results 

with other ARMD or NASA programs.

Project Management

Responsibility

NASA Center 

Performers

Cost-Sharing Partners

Aeronautics Test Program Director ARC, DFRC, GRC, 

and LaRC

DoD

AERO-35
Mission Directorate: Aeronautics Research

Theme: Aeronautics

Program: Aeronautics Test

Acquisition Strategy

Acquisitions supporting ATP activity are performed at each of the test sites consistent with the FAR 

and the NASA FAR Supplement. Each Center is responsible for coordinating major acquisitions 

supporting ATP activities through the ATP Office as required by the ATP Director. Acquisitions that 

support the ATP facilities are usually less than $0.5 million and are initiated as early as possible in 

the fiscal year.

Independent Reviews

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review

Relevance Expert Panel 06/2010 Periodic reviews are carried out by the NAC and 

the U.S. users of ATP facilities. The last ATP 

review was carried out by the Aeronautics 

Committee of the NAC in July 2009; no major 

findings were reported. The last major 

community outreach meeting was held in April 

2010 with NASA, DOD, and U.S. aerospace 

industry users at the Arnold Engineering 

Development Center. The next meeting is 

planned for September 2011.

07/2011

Performance Expert Panel 11/2010 Periodic reviews are carried out by the NAC and 

the U.S. users of ATP facilities. The last ATP 

review was carried out by the Aeronautics 

Committee of the NAC in July 2009; no major 

findings were reported. The last major 

community outreach meeting was held in April 

2010 with NASA, DOD, and U.S. aerospace 

industry users at the Arnold Engineering 

Development Center. The next meeting is 

planned for September 2011.

11/2011

AERO-36
Mission Directorate: Aeronautics Research

Theme: Aeronautics

Program: Integrated Systems Research

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

56.9 - 81.7 80.6 78.6 76.4 74.1

Environmentally Responsible 

Aviation

56.9 - 58.4 57.0 55.1 53.1 50.1

UAS Integration in the NAS 0.0 - 23.3 23.6 23.6 23.3 24.0

Note:

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated 

account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project amounts shown above. The allocation to each project

is reflected in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 

2010 and FY 2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

AERO-37
Mission Directorate: Aeronautics Research

Theme: Aeronautics

Program:

 

Integrated Systems Research

Program Overview

ISRP conducts integrated system-level research on promising concepts and technologies to explore, 

assess, or demonstrate their benefits. ISRP evaluates these technologies through system-level 

experimentation and focuses specifically on maturing and integrating technologies into major vehicle 

and operations systems/subsystems for accelerated transition to practical application. The research 

in this program is coordinated with on-going, long-term, fundamental research within the other three 

research programs, as well as efforts of other Government agencies. 

 

As air transportation demand grows and system capacity is enhanced, there is the potential for 

adverse environmental effects. Concerns over community noise and emissions may limit the capacity 

at some airports. NextGen is addressing these potential impacts through enhancements to airspace 

system operations and the vehicles that will operate in the NAS. Addressing these vehicle related 

environmental concerns is the driving impetus behind NASA's Environmentally Responsible Aviation 

(ERA) project. With a focus on advanced vehicles, ERA is conducting system-level research and 

experiments of promising vehicle concepts and technologies that simultaneously reduce fuel burn, 

noise, and emissions. 

 

Through the ERA project, NASA focuses its research and development efforts to understand how 

advanced environmental technologies can best work in an integrated vehicle/aviation operations 

system. NASA engages the external research community by including traditional and non-traditional 

research partners. NASA initiates activities to expand its role in aviation alternate and biofuels 

research, ensuring parallel research in advanced engine combustor technologies keeps pace with 

advances in advanced fuels. In addition, NASA performs activities to determine if and how advances 

in air traffic management technologies can be exploited to mitigate adverse aviation effects on the 

environment. 

 

NASA focuses on technologies to enable routine operations for UAS of all sizes and capabilities in 

the NAS. Specifically, NASA is addressing technology development in several areas to reduce the 

technical barriers related to the 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 classes. 

These technical barriers are formidable obstacles to meeting NASA's goals. NASA will validate data 

and technology through a series of high-fidelity HITL simulations (i.e., where a human is part of the 

simulation and influences the outcome) and flight tests conducted in a relevant environment. The 

project deliverables will help key decision makers in Government and industry make informed 

decisions, leading towards routine UAS access. 

 

For more information, please see http://www.aeronautics.nasa.gov/programs_isrp.htm.

AERO-38
Mission Directorate: Aeronautics Research

Theme: Aeronautics

Program: Integrated Systems Research

Plans For FY 2012

ERA has established goals and targets to simultaneously achieve significant reductions in community 

noise, fuel efficiency, and nitrous oxide emissions for commercial airliners. In support of these goals, 

NASA will conduct tests to validate low-noise characteristics of an energy-efficient unconventional 

aircraft concept, and demonstrate a low-weight, damage-tolerant, stitched-composite structural 

concept on large-scale structure in the NASA Combined Loads Test System facility. The project will 

also complete low speed flight controls research on X-48C and conduct discrete roughness elements 

glove flight tests on a Gulfstream G-III. In addition, Phase 1 of both the low nitrous oxide fuel flexible 

combustor study and the geared turbofan study will be completed. Finally, preliminary design of up to 

two advanced concept subscale test bed vehicles will be completed and down-selection to five to six 

integrated system-level demonstrations for Phase 2 of the project (FY 2013-FY 2015) will be made. 

 

UAS integration in the NAS project will leverage UAS Executive Committee efforts, and work in 

collaboration with JPDO to develop a global civil UAS access roadmap. This roadmap is crucial to 

ensure efficient interagency cooperation, minimize unnecessary duplication of work, and maximize 

the opportunity to leverage research and development activities among Government and commercial 

industry. NASA's contributions include the development of a NextGen concept of operations, an 

analysis of the current state of the art for UAS, and a gap analysis between the two. FY 2012 

deliverables also include a comparative analysis of certification methodologies and detailed 

descriptions and test plans for HITL simulations and integrated flight tests to be conducted in FY 2013

through FY 2015.

AERO-39
Mission Directorate: Aeronautics Research

Theme: Aeronautics

Program: Integrated Systems Research

Project Descriptions and Explanation of Changes

Environmentally Responsible Aviation (ERA)

Research in environmentally responsible aviation explores and assesses new vehicle concepts and 

enabling technologies through system-level experimentation that simultaneously reduces fuel burn, 

noise, and emissions and thus reduces the impact of aviation on the environment. ISRP matures 

concepts and technologies, evaluates their performance at the system and sub-system level in a 

relevant environment, and identifies and assesses issues relative to safety. Through system-level 

analysis, promising advanced mid-term vehicle and propulsion concepts and technologies can be 

down-selected based on their potential benefit towards the stated national goals. Among the 

technologies to be explored are the following: 

 

- Non-conventional aircraft architectures that enable reduced drag and shielding of propulsion 

system noise; 

 

- Drag reduction through laminar flow; 

 

- Advanced composite structural concepts for weight reduction; 

 

- Low nitrous oxide combustors; and 

 

- Propulsion/airframe integration for noise reduction and fuel burn improvements. 

 

ISRP expands the well-informed design trade space for these types of technologies and transfers 

knowledge outward to the aeronautics community so that aircraft and propulsion system 

manufacturers can confidently transition these technologies into new products. The program also has 

the potential to transfer knowledge back to FAP so that concepts and technologies that do not yield 

predicted performance benefits can be further investigated and developed at a foundational level. 

This would occur only after an evaluation of such concepts and technologies indicates that further 

fundamental research is warranted.

AERO-40
Mission Directorate: Aeronautics Research

Theme: Aeronautics

Program: Integrated Systems Research

UAS Integration in the NAS

There is an increasing need to fly UAS in the NAS to perform missions of vital importance to national 

security and defense, emergency management, science, and to enable commercial applications. 

One example is the use of a Predator UAS by the Department of Homeland Security to fly over the 

Nation's borders. 

 

Current Federal aviation regulations are built upon the condition of a pilot being in the aircraft. There 

exist few regulations specifically addressing UAS, and the primary user of UAS to date has been the 

military. Because of this, the technologies and procedures to enable seamless operation and 

integration of UAS in the NAS need to be developed, validated, and employed by FAA through rule 

making and policy development. 

 

The goal of the UAS integration in NAS research is to contribute capabilities that reduce technical 

barriers related to the safety and operational challenges of enabling routine UAS access to the NAS. 

This goal will be accomplished through a two-phased approach based on development of systemlevel integration of key concepts, technologies, and/or procedures, and demonstrations of integrated 

capabilities in an operationally relevant environment. The project will conduct integrated test and 

evaluation focusing on four technical challenges: separation assurance, communications, human 

systems integration, and certification. 

 

The Phase 1 technical objectives include: developing a gap analysis between the current state of 

the art and the NextGen concept of operations; validating the key technical elements identified by the 

project requirements; initial modeling, simulation, and flight testing; and completion of sub-project 

Phase 1 deliverables (e.g., spectrum requirements, and comparative analysis of certification 

methodologies) and continuation of Phase 2 preparation (e.g., infrastructure and tools). 

 

The Phase 2 technical objectives include: providing regulators with a methodology for developing 

airworthiness requirements for UAS, and data to support development of certifications standards and 

regulatory guidance; and providing systems-level, integrated testing of concepts and/or capabilities 

that address barriers to routine access to the NAS. Through simulation and flight testing, ISRP 

addresses issues including separation assurance, communications requirements, and human 

systems integration in operationally relevant environments.

Program Commitments

Commitment/Output

FY 2012

Program/Project Changes from

FY 2011 PB Request

In 2014, complete community noise assessment 

of advanced hybrid wing body vehicle concepts 

from synthesis of experimental databases and 

noise prediction results.

Integrated Systems Research No change

In 2015, develop and downselect vehicle 

concepts with the appropriate technology suite to 

simultaneously meet the N+2 fuel burn, 

community noise, and LTO NOx subsonic 

transport goals.

Integrated Systems Research No change

In 2015, develop, validate and deliver robust 

simulation and flight test data for integrated 

technologies including separation assurance, 

communications, and human systems interfaces.

Integrated Systems Research No change

AERO-41
Mission Directorate: Aeronautics Research

Theme: Aeronautics

Program: Integrated Systems Research

Program Management

The ARMD Associate Administrator (AA) has oversight responsibility for the program. The program 

director oversees program portfolio formulation, implementation, evaluation, and integration of results 

with other ARMD or NASA programs.

Project Management 

Responsibility

NASA Center 

Performers

Cost-Sharing Partners

Boeing, General Electric, Pratt & 

Whitney, Air Force Research 

Laboratory, FAA, Gulfstream, 

Goodrich, and Exa Corporation.

Integrated Systems Research Program Director ARC, DFRC, GRC, 

and LaRC

Acquisition Strategy

ISRP 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. 

 

A full and open NRA is used as the means to solicit innovative proposals in key research areas that 

complement NASA expertise. One of the main objectives of the NRA investment is to stimulate close 

collaboration among NASA researchers and NRA award recipients to ensure effective knowledge 

transfer. ISRP awards grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements, primarily with industry, 

academia and non-profit institutions. These awards help strengthen the research capabilities that are 

of interest to NASA within the recipient organizations and institutions. The program also utilizes 

partnerships with cost sharing and in-kind contributions to gain access to system-level research and 

integration opportunities.

AERO-42
Mission Directorate: Aeronautics Research

Theme: Aeronautics

Program: Integrated Systems Research

Independent Reviews

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review

Relevance Subject Matter 

Experts

08/2010 The National Research Council held a meeting 

of experts to review NASA's UAS integration in 

the NAS research. The meeting brought 

together experts in government, industry, and 

academia. Findings included strong community 

support for NASA's new UAS project and a 

recommendation to have strong coordination 

with other government agencies and industry to 

ensure safety of the NAS and proper integration 

of UAS into NextGen. NASA has considered the 

comments and observations the refined the 

plans accordingly.

N/A

Relevance Expert Review 10/2010 A formulation review was held for the UAS 

integration in the NAS project. This review was 

an independent peer review and experts from 

other government agencies gave a 

recommendation to the ARMD AA on whether or 

not the technical plans address relevant 

challenges and can achieve the stated 

objectives and schedule within the allocated 

resources. The independent review panel 

recommended that the project proceed to 

implementation and the AA concurred.

N/A

Performance Review Panel 10/2010 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. In the FY 2010 review, the 

independent review panel rated ISRP and the 

ERA project overall as "excellent" on relevance 

and quality and "very good" on performance in 

their first year of execution.

11/2011

AERO-43
Mission Directorate: Aeronautics Research

Theme: Aeronautics

Program: Aeronautics Strategy and Management

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

22.6 - 24.3 24.0 23.4 22.8 22.1

Aeronautics Strategy and 

Management

22.6 - 24.3 24.0 23.4 22.8 22.1

Note:

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated 

account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project amounts shown above. The allocation to each project

is reflected in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 

2010 and FY 2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

Program Overview

The ASM Program will be formed in FY 2012 to provide a more efficient management structure for 

the directorate. This new program's content and budget is from the transfer of the cross program 

activities from FAP and innovative concepts for aviation activities from ISRP. Therefore, no additional 

funding or change in content to the directorate results from this transfer. 

 

ASM conducts research and provides programmatic support that does not fit well into the current five 

programs. ASM will be managed by headquarters and is organized into three main areas: Innovative 

Concepts for Aviation (ICA), Cross Program Support, and Education and Outreach. ICA supports 

early stage high risk research and technology demonstrations. 

 

The cross program support area includes coordination and institutional expenses such as information 

technology, studies, and other administrative functions. Education and outreach activities support 

NASA's educational goals and communicate the results from Mission Directorate research.

Plans For FY 2012

ICA research is scheduled to begin in FY 2011. In FY 2012, the best ideas and concepts from the first 

year of research into new concepts and processes for aviation will be evaluated and considered for 

further study or incorporation into the existing research programs. Also in FY 2012, ICA technology 

demonstrations will be conducted.

AERO-44
Mission Directorate: Aeronautics Research

Theme: Aeronautics

Program: Aeronautics Strategy and Management

Project Descriptions and Explanation of Changes

Aeronautics Strategy and Management

Aeronautics Strategy and Management is organized into three functional areas described below. 

 

Innovative Concepts for Aviation explores novel concepts and new processes with the potential to 

create new capabilities in aeronautics research. ICA's goal is to mature the new concepts and 

incorporate them into the existing research programs or launch new avenues of aeronautics 

research. To meet this goal, both internal and external aeronautics communities will be targeted 

through solicitations, challenges, and prizes. 

 

Cross Program Support funds institutional expenses such as information technology, studies, and 

other administrative functions. Also, coordination with JPDO is covered by cross program support 

funding. 

 

Education and Outreach targets key constituencies in different age brackets and its activities are well 

integrated into the overall NASA portfolios, including providing subject matter experts and 

aeronautics-related materials that are complementary to the Agency portfolio. Students and teachers 

at all levels of learning are engaged through research grants, scholarship programs, internships, 

design competitions, exhibits and hands-on activities. Outreach through various media forums 

informs the general public and technical communities of the outcomes of ARMD research and 

supports the transition of knowledge to the aeronautics community.

Program Commitments

Commitment/Output

FY 2012

Program/Project Changes from

FY 2011 PB Request

Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable

Program Management

The ARMD Associate Administrator has oversight responsibility for the program.

Acquisition Strategy

The research conducted through ICA activities will use a wide array of acquisition tools relevant to 

the research objectives including external solicitations through full and open competitions.

Independent Reviews

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review

Other Not applicable N/A Not applicable N/A

AERO-45
Mission Directorate: Aeronautics Research

Theme: Aeronautics

Program: ARMD Civil Service Labor and Expenses

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

0.0 - 196.7 201.7 210.6 220.7 231.3

ARMD Civil Service Labor and 

Expenses

0.0 - 196.7 201.7 210.6 220.7 231.3

Program Overview

This program contains labor funding, both salary and benefits, for civil service employees at NASA's 

Centers who are assigned to work on projects in ARMD. These funds support the critical skills and 

capabilities required to provide the technology development, as outlined in the other programs, within 

this mission area.

AERO-46
Mission Directorate: Space Technology

Overview

Space Technology is the central NASA contribution to the President's revitalized research, technology, 

and innovation agenda for the Nation. These investments will stimulate the economy and build the 

Nation's global economic competitiveness through the creation of new products and services, new 

business and industries, and high-quality, sustainable jobs. A technology-driven NASA positions the 

Nation's aerospace community as a global technological leader and serves as an inspiration for young 

people to pursue science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and career 

paths. Space Technology focuses not only on the technological advances required for NASA's future 

missions in science and exploration, but also on providing space technologies that can improve the 

capabilities and lower the cost of other government and commercial space activities. 

 

NASA technology development activities under Space Technology transform the Nation's capabilities 

for exploring and utilizing space. Through Space Technology, NASA advances crosscutting and 

exploration-specific technology, performs technology transfer and technology commercialization 

activities, develops technology partnerships with other Government agencies, and coordinates the 

Agency's overall technology investment portfolio. The Office of the Chief Technologist (OCT) manages 

Space Technology. 

 

The NASA Authorization Act of 2010 endorses Space Technology, stating, "It is critical to maintain an 

Agency space technology base that helps align mission directorate investments and supports long 

term needs to complement mission-directorate funded research and support, where appropriate, 

multiple users, building upon its Innovative Partnerships Program and other partnering approaches." In 

addition, the Act supports "development of technologies and in-space capabilities for beyond nearEarth space missions." 

 

Consistent with the NASA Authorization Act of 2010, NASA recently developed a draft set of 14 space 

technology roadmaps (available at http://www.nasa.gov/offices/oct/home/roadmaps), which define 

pathways to advance the Nation's capabilities in space and establish a mechanism for prioritization of 

NASA's technology investments. The National Academies is reviewing these roadmaps to provide 

independent guidance and recommended prioritization for NASA's future technology investments. 

NASA uses these space technology roadmaps and the Space Technology Grand Challenges, a set of 

technically challenging, long-term space-related goals, to guide NASA's technology portfolio and 

prioritize future technology investments. 

 

In managing Space Technology NASA employs a portfolio approach that spans technology readiness 

levels from concept study to flight demonstration. These technology development activities include 

early stage conceptual studies, ground-based and laboratory testing aimed at demonstrating technical 

feasibility, relevant environment flight demonstrations, and technology test beds, which include the 

International Space Station (ISS). The activities funded in Space Technology provide a balance 

between long-range, mission-focused technology investments and transformational technology 

investments that enable revolutionary capabilities. To achieve its Space Technology goals, NASA 

sponsors relevant activities at its Centers, in academia and industry, and in partnership with other 

Government agencies. The acquisition approach includes both competed and strategically guided 

activities. Integrated technology transfer efforts ensure NASA technologies are infused into 

commercial applications, promoting the creation of new jobs and maturing new products and services 

that benefit the Nation and the world. 

 

For more information about Space Technology, please visit http://www.nasa.gov/offices/oct.

TECH-1
Mission Directorate: Space Technology

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

FY 2011

Auth Act

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

275.2 327.2 512.0 1,024.2 1,024.2 1,024.2 1,024.2 1,024.2

Space Technology 275.2 - - 1,024.2 1,024.2 1,024.2 1,024.2 1,024.2

Note: FY 2010 and FY 2011 figures have been adjusted to show comparable Exploration technology content from the 

Exploration account, and the movement of the Innovative Partnerships Program from the Cross Agency Support account, within 

the Space Technology account consistent with the FY 2012 Budget.

The "Auth. Act FY 2011" column represents FY 2011 authorized funding from the NASA Authorization Act of 2010 (P.L. 111-

267). For the Space Technology account the amount shown represents the $350 million authorized for Space Technology and a 

portion of the $250 million authorized for the Exploration Technology Development activities that have been transferred to this 

account in the FY 2012 Budget. For FY 2012, the NASA Authorization Act of 2010 included approximately $800 million for Space 

Technology and the transferred Exploration Technology Development activities.

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

TECH-2
Mission Directorate: Space Technology

Plans for FY 2012

Space Technology

Space Technology

New Initiatives:

None

Major Changes:

In the FY 2011 budget request, Space Technology funding was included under the Aeronautics 

and Space Research and Technology appropriations account. For the FY 2012 request, NASA has 

established Space Technology as a unique appropriations account. 

 

In FY 2012, a significant portion of the FY 2010 Exploration Technology Development Program, as 

well as new exploration technology activities in planning for FY 2011, will move from the 

Exploration Systems Mission Directorate (ESMD) to Space Technology. For traceability, the 

transferred activities have been consolidated in a specific budgetary element within Space 

Technology: Exploration Technology Development (ETD). Some elements of exploration 

technology efforts, such as life support, extravehicular activity, and habitation development, will 

remain in Exploration Systems due to their engineering development nature and strong coupling to 

exploration crew vehicle systems. NASA plans to capitalize on technical and management 

synergies in integrating and managing this technology portfolio.

TECH-3
Mission Directorate: Space Technology

Major Highlights for FY 2012

Space Technology will focus on developing breakthrough space capabilities and applications. 

Supporting national efforts in innovation, NASA is developing a robust pipeline of technology 

developments that enable new approaches to scientific and human exploration of the solar system. 

 

In FY 2012, NASA will receive two reports from the National Academies on NASA's space 

technology roadmaps containing independent guidance and prioritization for NASA's future 

technology investments. NASA will use this input to guide Space Technology solicitations that 

develop and demonstrate advanced space systems concepts and technologies, and enable new, 

currently unfeasible, approaches to achieving NASA's current missions and future missions. The 

National Academies' response to the NASA roadmaps supports NASA's contribution to the 

National Space Technology Policy called for in the NASA Authorization Act of 2010 (P.L. 111-267). 

 

NASA aligns Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology 

Transfer (STTR) topics and subtopics with NASA's technology roadmaps. Chief Technologists 

from NASA Centers and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory will coordinate between Center SBIR and 

STTR projects and mission needs on topic development, selection, project administration, infusion 

activities, and reporting processes. A Mission Directorate steering council will maximize alignment 

and infusion of the SBIR and STTR products into future missions and systems. This approach 

more fully integrates and couples the SBIR and STTR programs as critical components of the 

Agency's technology development activities, providing the small business researchers with more 

efficient infusion paths for viable products. 

 

In Crosscutting Space Technology Development (CSTD), NASA funds NASA Innovative Advanced 

Concepts (NIAC) Phase I and Phase II studies, develops a cadre of space technology graduate 

fellows, conducts Centennial Challenges competitions, awards new grants for foundational space 

technology research, invests in innovative research activities at NASA Centers, implements Game 

Changing Development (GCD) activities that lead to revolutionary technologies, sponsors new 

Franklin Small Satellite Subsystem Technology projects, procures suborbital flight services from 

commercial reusable suborbital and parabolic platform providers, and initiates in-space Technology 

Demonstration Missions and Edison Small Satellite Demonstration Missions. NASA's Mission 

Directorates, other Government agencies, and industry are the ultimate customers for CSTD 

products. 

 

Exploration Technology Development (ETD) manages both strategically-guided and competed 

project elements focused on critical technology advances necessary for humans to explore beyond 

low Earth orbit. ETD leverages the existing technical strength of the NASA Centers and known 

needs for the future human exploration activities. Competed ETD projects augment and 

complement the guided efforts, providing the opportunity to develop the best ideas, innovations, 

approaches, and processes for the future human space exploration efforts. ESMD is the primary 

customer for ETD products. 

 

Maintaining two robust space technology development programs allows the Exploration 

Technology Development and Crosscutting Space Technology Development budgetary elements 

to focus on different sets of customers and goals, operate with a different balance of competed and 

guided project elements, and use different cost-share requirements.

TECH-4
Mission Directorate: Space Technology

Mission Directorate Budget Structure Adjustments

TECH-5
Mission Directorate: Space Technology

Theme: Space Technology

Theme Overview

Space Technology consists of four budgetary elements: Partnership Development and Strategic 

Integration, SBIR/STTR, CSTD, and ETD. 

 

The Partnership Development and Strategic Integration element includes technology transfer and 

commercialization, interagency technology coordination, intellectual property management, and 

technology partnership opportunities with other Government agencies and commercial industry. 

Consistent with the NASA Authorization Act of 2010, this budgetary element also has the 

responsibility to align NASA's technology investments, ensuring that Space Technology investments, 

as well as technology investments from other agencies, and future mission plans. 

 

NASA tracks the maturity of technologies funded by Space Technology through use of Technology 

Readiness Levels (TRLs). Tracking TRLs provides insight into the progress of each technology, and 

over time, the performance of commercialization and infusion processes. For more about TRLs, 

please see http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/codeq/trl/trl.pdf. 

 

SBIR and STTR continue to support early-stage research and 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 an opportunity to develop technology for NASA, and commercialize that 

technology to spur economic growth. Technologies funded by SBIR and STTR have contributed to 

numerous NASA programs and projects and also have resulted in commercial successes of benefit to 

society. SBIR and STTR awards are selected as an integrated component of the Agency's technology 

strategy. This facilitates an increase in the number of NASA-funded SBIR and STTR technologies 

used in NASA's missions, and provide small business researchers with more efficient infusion paths 

for viable products. 

 

NASA's CSTD activities span from early-stage conceptual studies to flight demonstration. CSTD uses 

competitive and strategically guided processes to engage a broad array of participants, including the 

NASA Centers, other Government agencies, academia, and industry. CSTD activities enable quantum 

leaps in broadly applicable technological capability for NASA's future science and exploration 

missions, while being of relevance to other national needs. CSTD is grouped by TRL into three 

technology investment areas: Early Stage Innovation (TRL 1-3), Game Changing Technology (TRL 4-

5), and Crosscutting Capability Demonstrations (TRL 6-7). NASA recognizes that each step in 

maturing space technologies from idea and concept inception through demonstration in a relevant 

environment is a significant challenge. CSTD was developed to address these concerns and create a 

steady pipeline of technologies for NASA's future missions. 

 

NASA's ETD activities (TRL 4-7), now managed under Space Technology, advance the new 

technologies required to conduct future human missions beyond low Earth orbit. Using Center 

expertise and fulfilling requirements set by ESMD, these activities develop long-range, critical 

technologies that provide the basis for a broad set of future human exploration capabilities. Prototype 

systems and key capabilities are demonstrated in ground-based and laboratory testing, relevant 

environment flight demonstrations, and technology test beds, including the ISS. After successful 

demonstration of technologies, human space flight program managers can identify and baseline 

proven technologies as part of future deep space systems and as part of NASA's overall human 

exploration architecture. 

 

Integrating ETD within Space Technology creates one robust space technology budget line, 

consolidates the management of NASA's space technology programs within an organization focused 

on technology development and mission infusion, and eliminates the potential for overlap had NASA's 

space technology investments been split among two accounts.

TECH-6
Mission Directorate: Space Technology

Theme: Space Technology

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

275.2 - 1,024.2 1,024.2 1,024.2 1,024.2 1,024.2

SBIR and STTR 96.0 - 177.3 176.8 175.6 174.3 172.8

Partnership Development and 

Strategic Integration

20.3 - 19.5 19.4 19.3 19.1 19.0

Crosscutting Space Technology 

Development

7.5 - 433.3 432.1 429.2 425.8 422.4

Exploration Technology 

Development

151.4 - 261.3 259.3 257.5 255.5 253.4

ST Civil Service Labor and 

Expenses

0.0 - 132.9 136.6 142.6 149.5 156.6

Note: FY 2010 and FY 2011 figures have been adjusted to show comparable Exploration technology content from the Exploration 

account, and the movement of the Innovative Partnerships Program from the Cross Agency Support account, within the Space 

Technology account consistent with the FY 2012 Budget. The FY 2010 level shown does not include the $51.7 million transferred to 

the Science and Exploration accounts, to be made available to the SBIR/STTR programs in FY 2011.

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated account in 

each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the program amounts shown above. The allocation to each program is reflected 

in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 2010 and FY 

2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

TECH-7
Mission Directorate: Space Technology

Theme: Space Technology

Relevance

Relevance to national priorities, relevant fields, and customer needs:

In the 2011 State of the Union address, the President set a goal to "spark the creativity and 

imagination of our people" through increased investments in research and development, reminding 

the Nation that, "maintaining our leadership in research and technology is crucial to America's 

success." In remarks on Innovation delivered at Pennsylvania State University, the President stated, 

"We need you to seek breakthroughs and new technologies that we can't even imagine yet."

The economic competitiveness and high standard of living in the United States are based on decades 

of investment in technology and innovation. Space Technology is the central NASA contribution to a 

revitalized research, technology, and innovation agenda for the Nation. As a research and 

development agency, NASA plays a vital role in American innovation, thus, its future economic 

prosperity and security. Space Technology investments will stimulate the economy and build the 

Nation's global economic competitiveness through the creation of new products and services, new 

business and industries, and high-quality, sustainable jobs.

NASA's focus on technology and innovation leverages the skills and expertise of NASA's Centers, 

industry, academia and other Government partners. It provides knowledge and capabilities required 

to for future missions in science and exploration, and addresses significant national needs. By 

investing in space technology, NASA affects and improves life on Earth every day. It creates energy 

management systems on spacecraft, monitoring the health of astronauts as they explore, and 

observing the weather on other planets.

An enhanced technology and innovation focus at NASA responds to the recommendations of multiple 

stakeholders, including Congress and the National Academies. In 2010, the President released the 

U.S. Space Policy, affirming the importance of space technology investments. In the NASA 

Authorization Act of 2010, Congress directed development of a National Space Technology Policy to 

guide the space technology development programs for the United States. This policy will further guide 

NASA's technology portfolio through an integrated national approach.

Relevance to the NASA Mission and Strategic Goals:

NASA's transformative technology development activities funded through Space Technology advance 

the Agency and industry capabilities for exploring space. NASA leads strategic planning, integration, 

and coordination of civilian aerospace technology investments for the Nation. 

Space Technology specifically addresses the national policies and needs encompassed by NASA's 

Strategic Goal 3, to "Create the innovative new space technologies for our exploration, science, and 

economic future." 

With a strong focus on technology development, the intellectual capital at NASA's Centers will be 

utilized to deliver solutions to some of the Nation's technological challenges. Through its space 

technology efforts, NASA will improve the Nation's leadership in key technology areas, enable farterm capabilities and spurring advanced technology development that will ultimately make the 

exploration and utilization of space more affordable and sustainable.

TECH-8
Mission Directorate: Space Technology

Theme: Space Technology

Relevance to education and public benefits:

Space Technology will inspire a new generation of students, and launching career interests resulting 

in young engineers, scientists, technologists, and mathematicians that are able to address future 

national needs. Space Technology activities leverage expertise and resources with partners, drive 

new sources and methods of innovation, and maximize benefits to taxpayers. For example, Space 

Technology graduate fellowships support graduate and doctoral student researchers enrolled in a 

U.S. university. Students with promising initial graduate research may apply to have their work 

sponsored and integrated into Space Technology activities. Selected candidates will perform 

research on campus, and visit NASA Centers, not-for-profit research and/or development 

laboratories. A NASA researcher will act as the student's professional advisor. In 2012, this program 

element will reach its goal of actively engaging 500 graduate students per year.

These Space Technology education activities are integrated in the Agency's overall education plan 

through participation in the NASA Education Coordinating Council. NASA seeks activities such as 

these as integral to the Administration's strategy of creating a world-class workforce to develop the 

leading ideas and innovations of the 21st century. 

Investments in Space Technology will stimulate the economy and build our Nation's global economic 

competitiveness through the creation of new products and services, new business and industries, and 

high-quality, sustainable jobs. A technology-driven NASA positions our Nation's aerospace 

community as a global technological leader and serves as an inspiration for young people to pursue 

science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and career paths. As 

demonstrated over many years, advanced technologies needed for space exploration stimulate the 

development of new products and services that improve our Nation's economic competitiveness and 

standard of living. Knowledge provided by weather and navigational spacecraft flying overhead; 

efficiency improvements in ground and air transportation; biomedical applications including blood-flow 

monitoring devices, pacemakers, Lasik eye surgery; and the protective armor that keeps our military, 

firefighters and police safe. Our Nation's investments in aerospace technology made these possible. 

By investing in Space Technology, NASA improves the quality of life on Earth.

TECH-9
Mission Directorate: Space Technology

Theme: Space Technology

Performance

Performance Commitments:

Measure # Description Contributing

Program (s)

Strategic Goal 3 Create the innovative new space technologies for our 

exploration, science, and economic future.

Outcome 3.1 Sponsor early-stage innovation in space technologies in 

order to improve the future capabilities of NASA, other 

government agencies, and the aerospace industry.

Objective 3.1.1 Create a pipeline of new low Technology Readiness 

Levels (TRL) innovative concepts and technologies for 

future NASA missions and national needs.

Performance Goal 3.1.1.1 Explore revolutionary aerospace concepts, with an initial 

research phase for preliminary assessment of a broad 

range of ideas, and a second phase for further 

development of the most promising concepts.

APG

3.1.1.1: ST-12-1

Initiate Phase II studies to further develop two of the most 

promising prior (FY 2011 and predecessor NASA Institute for 

Advanced Concepts (NIAC)) Phase I concepts.

Crosscutting Space 

Technology

Development

Performance Goal 3.1.1.2 Provide cash prize incentives to non-traditional sources 

for innovations of interest and value to NASA and the 

Nation.

APG

3.1.1.2: ST-12-2

Conduct at least three Centennial Challenges competitions. Crosscutting Space 

Technology

Development

Performance Goal 3.1.1.3 Establish and maintain a culture of innovation at each of 

the 10 NASA Centers through the development of new 

Center ideas and technologies.

APG

3.1.1.3: ST-12-3

Twenty innovative projects will be initiated across the NASA 

Centers.

Crosscutting Space 

Technology

Development

Performance Goal 3.1.1.4 Increase the proportion of Small Business Innovation 

Research and Small Business Technology Transfer 

(SBIR/STTR) technologies successfully infused into 

NASA programs/projects.

APG

3.1.1.4: ST-12-4

At least 25 percent of the Small Business Innovation 

Research and Small Business Technology Transfer 

(SBIR/STTR) Phase II technology projects awarded between 

2007-2011 will be infused into NASA programs and projects.

SBIR and STTR

Performance Goal 3.1.1.5 Increase the Small Business Innovation Research and 

Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) Phase 

III contracts initiated or expanded.

APG

3.1.1.5: ST-12-5

At least 40 of the Small Business Innovation Research and 

Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) 

technologies will be advanced to Phase III (received nonSBIR/STTR funding).

SBIR and STTR

Performance Goal 3.1.1.6 Accelerate the development of push technologies to 

support the future space, science and exploration needs 

of NASA, other government agencies, and the 

commercial space sector.

APG

3.1.1.6: ST-12-6

Complete 100 research plans. Crosscutting Space 

Technology

Development

TECH-10
Mission Directorate: Space Technology

Theme: Space Technology

Performance

Performance Commitments:

Measure # Description Contributing

Program (s)

Outcome 3.2 Infuse game changing and crosscutting technologies 

throughout the Nation's space enterprise to transform 

the Nation's space mission capabilities.

Objective 3.2.1 Prove the technical feasibility of potentially disruptive 

new space technologies for future missions.

Performance Goal 3.2.1.1 Transition developed game changing technologies to the 

technology demonstration programs or directly to 

Mission Directorates for mission insertion.

APG

3.2.1.1: ST-12-7

Initiate five game changing technology projects. Crosscutting Space 

Technology

Development

Objective 3.2.2 Spur the development of routine, low-cost access to 

space through small payloads and satellites.

Performance Goal 3.2.2.1 Mature technologies that enable small satellites to 

provide game changing capabilities for the government 

and commercial space sectors.

APG

3.2.2.1: ST-12-8

Initiate development of at least two new technologies with 

game changing potential for small satellites.

Crosscutting Space 

Technology

Development

Objective 3.2.3 Demonstrate new space technologies and infuse them 

into future science and exploration small satellite 

missions and/or commercial use.

Performance Goal 3.2.3.1 Demonstrate small satellite capabilities with game 

changing and crosscutting potential for the government 

and commercial space sectors.

APG

3.2.3.1: ST-12-9

Initiate at least one new small satellite mission that will 

demonstrate game changing or crosscutting technologies in 

space.

Crosscutting Space 

Technology

Development

Objective 3.2.4 Demonstrate new space technologies and infuse them 

into missions.

Performance Goal 3.2.4.1 Infuse game changing and crosscutting technologies 

into future NASA missions through flight or relevant 

environment demonstrations.

APG

3.2.4.1: ST-12-10

Complete preliminary design of at least two system-level 

technologies for flight or relevant environment demonstration.

Crosscutting Space 

Technology

Development

Objective 3.2.5 Provide flight opportunities and relevant environments to 

demonstrate new space technologies.

Performance Goal 3.2.5.1 Perform sub-orbital, simulated zero-gravity and other 

space analog flight opportunities to develop and 

demonstrate emerging ideas and technologies.

APG

3.2.5.1: ST-12-11

Select and fly technology payloads from NASA, other 

government agencies, industry, and academia using flight 

services procured from at least three commercial reusable 

suborbital and parabolic platform providers.

Crosscutting Space 

Technology

Development

TECH-11
Mission Directorate: Space Technology

Theme: Space Technology

Performance

Performance Commitments:

Measure # Description Contributing

Program (s)

Outcome 3.3 Develop and demonstrate the critical technologies that 

will make NASA's exploration, science, and discovery 

missions more affordable and more capable.

Objective 3.3.1 Demonstrate in-space operations of robotic assistants 

working with crew.

Performance Goal 3.3.1.1 Demonstrate robotic technologies that support in-space 

operations, scientific discovery, and work as assistants 

with the crew.

APG

3.3.1.1: ERD-12-8

Demonstrate Robonaut 2 assisting the crew to perform tasks 

inside the ISS.

Exploration

Technology

Development

Objective 3.3.2 Develop and demonstrate critical technologies for safe 

and affordable cargo and human space exploration 

missions beyond low Earth orbit.

Performance Goal 3.3.2.2 Develop technologies and mission concepts for 

demonstrating in-space cryogenic propellant storage 

and transfer making exploration and science missions 

more affordable and capable.

APG

3.3.2.1: ST-12-12

Test automated fluid couplings for cryogenic propellant 

transfer to support Cryogenic Propellant Storage And 

Transfer (CRYOSTAT) systems requirements.

Exploration

Technology

Development

Outcome 3.4 Facilitate the transfer of NASA technology and engage in 

partnerships with other government agencies, industry, 

and international entities to generate U.S. commercial 

activity and other public benefits.

Objective 3.4.1 Promote and develop innovative technology 

partnerships among NASA, U.S. industry, and other 

sectors for the benefit of Agency programs and national 

interests.

Performance Goal 3.4.1.1 Establish 12 technology-related significant partnerships 

that create value for programs and projects. Track both 

quantitative dollar value and qualitative benefits to NASA 

(e.g., reduced volume or mass, improved safety) per 

year.

APG

3.4.1.1: ST-12-13

Establish at least 12 technology-related significant 

partnerships during FY 2012.

Partnership

Development and 

Strategic Integration

Performance Goal 3.4.1.2 Complete 30 technology transfer agreements with the 

commercial and academic community through such 

mechanisms as licenses, software use agreements, 

facility use agreements, and Space Act Agreements per 

year.

APG

3.4.1.2: ST-12-14

Complete at least 30 technology transfer agreements during 

FY 2012.

Partnership

Development and 

Strategic Integration

TECH-12
Mission Directorate: Space Technology

Theme: Space Technology

Performance

Performance Commitments:

Measure # Description Contributing

Program (s)

Performance Goal 3.4.1.3 Successful application of Small Business Innovation 

Research and Small Business Technology Transfer 

(SBIR/STTR) technologies into commercial products or 

services.

APG

3.4.1.3: ST-12-15

Greater than 35 percent of the Phase II Small Business 

Innovation Research and Small Business Technology 

Transfer (SBIR/STTR) technology projects awarded between 

2007-2011 will be transferred into commercial products or 

services.

SBIR and STTR

Performance Goal 3.4.1.4 Document 40-50 of the most notable examples of 

successful transfer and commercialization of NASAderived technology per year and publish in Spinoff 

annually.

APG

3.4.1.4: ST-12-16

Document at least 40 notable technology transfer successes 

in NASA's Spinoff publication.

Partnership

Development and 

Strategic Integration

Performance Goal 3.4.1.5 Document, coordinate, and prioritize Agency-level 

technology strategic investments to ensure NASA has a 

balanced portfolio of both near-term NASA mission (pull) 

technologies and longer-term transformational (push) 

technologies that benefit both Agency programs and 

national needs.

APG

3.4.1.5: ST-12-17

Ensure that 75 percent of all NASA technology projects are 

recorded in the portfolio database and are analyzed against 

the prioritizations in the space technology roadmaps.

Partnership

Development and 

Strategic Integration

Uniform and Efficiency Measures:

Measure # Description

Ensure that 75 percent of all NASA technology projects are recorded in the 

portfolio database and are analyzed against the prioritizations in the space 

technology roadmaps.

Space Technology Theme

APG

EFF 3.4.1.5: ST-12-17

TECH-13
Mission Directorate: Space Technology

Theme: Space Technology

Performance Achievement Highlights:

NASA conducted low-level planning activities, including issuing requests for information for budgeted 

elements of the FY 2011 Space Technology Theme, and received approximately 1,400 responses. 

 

NASA hosted a Space Technology Industry Forum with over 300 external participants and announced 

three new Centennial Challenges. Competitive solicitations, including NASA research announcements 

research announcements (NRA) and broad Agency announcements (BAAs), have been prepared for 

all CSTD projects. 

 

The Space Technology Graduate Fellowship solicitation was released, allowing graduate students 

from across the Nation, whose research interests are aligned with the 14 space technology roadmap 

areas, to participate in NASA Space Technology activities. NASA expects to announce the Space 

Technology fellows in August 2011. 

 

In FY 2010, Innovative Partnerships Program (IPP) was integrated into Space Technology. IPP 

successes include more than 1,400 new invention disclosures on NASA-funded technology that could 

lead to patents and technology transfer, and broad dissemination of about 600 of those through 

NASA's TechBriefs magazine. NASA civil servant innovators were recognized by the Wall Street 

Journal, R&D Magazine, the Federal Laboratory Consortium and others. 

 

As part of intellectual property management activities, eighty patent applications were filed and 

awarded in FY 2010. NASA has continued its initiative to generate licenses for NASA technologies 

through an auctioning intermediary at no cost to NASA. 

 

NASA entered into over 300 Space Act Agreements with private and other external entities for 

development of dual-use technologies that have applications that meet NASA's technology needs. 

 

In FY 2010, at least 68 technologies were infused into various NASA programs from IPP. Infused 

technologies fly on NASA missions during the year, are adopted for use in future systems, or are 

chosen by the Mission Directorates for further development. 

 

Forty-one Innovation Fund projects were selected to encourage NASA civil servant innovators to 

create breakthrough technologies. NASA funding for select projects was matched by $800,000 in 

external partner contributions. 

 

Commercial parabolic flight services were provided for 17 projects involving external and internal 

entities that could take advantage of limited exposure to reduced gravity to mature NASA missionrelevant technologies. 

 

ETD developed manufacturing concepts for 10 meter diameter heavy-lift launch vehicle composite 

structures, flight testing of laser and optical sensors for autonomous precision landing and hazard 

avoidance, ISS demonstration of precision free flying remote manipulators, in-situ resource utilization 

field tests, and the evaluation of operational scenarios for future surface exploration missions. 

 

Robonaut 2, or R2, is ready for launch to the ISS on Space Shuttle Discovery as part of the STS-133 

mission. R2 will become the first dexterous humanoid robot in space and the first U.S.-built robot at 

the ISS. 

 

The Mars Science Laboratory Entry, Descent, and Landing Instrument (MEDLI) is currently 

undergoing final testing, calibration, and integration into the Mars Science Laboratory in preparation 

for launch in late 2011.

TECH-14
Mission Directorate: Space Technology

Theme: Space Technology

Independent Reviews:

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review

Relevance National 03/2012

Academies

01/2011 NASA's 14 space technology roadmaps 

consider a wide range of pathways to advance 

the Nation's current capabilities. NASA 

developed the set of draft roadmaps for use by 

the National Academies as an initial point of 

departure for mapping the Agency's future 

investments in technology. This independent 

review by the National Academies will facilitate 

development of the National Space Technology 

Policy called for in the NASA Authorization Act 

of 2010.

TECH-15
Mission Directorate: Space Technology

Theme: Space Technology

Program: SBIR and STTR

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

96.0 - 177.3 176.8 175.6 174.3 172.8

SBIR and STTR 96.0 - 177.3 176.8 175.6 174.3 172.8

Note: Included in this total request ($177.3 million) for SBIR and STTR are both the estimated total award values ($173.3 million) 

and funding ($4 million) necessary for the program operations and support. The FY 2010 level shown does not include the $51.7 

million transferred to the Science and Exploration accounts, to be made available to the SBIR/STTR programs in FY 2011. 

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated 

account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project amounts shown above. The allocation to each project

is reflected in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 

2010 and FY 2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

Program Overview

NASA's SBIR and STTR programs continue to support early-stage research and development by 

small businesses through competitively awarded contracts. These programs continue to produce 

innovations for both government and commercial applications. 

 

SBIR and STTR programs are implemented under the Space Technology Theme, with the dual 

objectives of providing the high technology small business sector with an opportunity to develop 

technology for NASA and commercializing that technology to spur economic growth. These 

technologies have extended their reach beyond NASA's missions, contributing to commercial 

successes that ultimately result in marketable products and societal benefits. 

 

Research and technologies funded by SBIR and STTR have made important contributions to 

numerous NASA programs and projects, and the Agency is actively working to increase the number 

of NASA-funded SBIR and STTR technologies used in NASA's missions and projects. Some of 

NASA's high-profile programs directly benefiting from SBIR technologies include the Space Shuttle, 

ISS, Mars Exploration Rovers, and the Phoenix lander. 

 

SBIR and STTR awards, and support to cover the cost of managing the program, are included in this 

budget. Each year, 28 to 30 percent of applicants represent firms new to NASA's SBIR and STTR 

Program. New participants make up 20 to 35 percent of the total number of proposals in any given 

year. 

 

For more information about SBIR and STTR, please visit http://sbir.gsfc.nasa.gov/SBIR/SBIR.html.

TECH-16
Mission Directorate: Space Technology

Theme: Space Technology

Program: SBIR and STTR

Plans For FY 2012

For prior years, the maximum value and period of performance for Phase I contracts for SBIR was 

$100,000 over six months and for STTR was $100,000 over 12 months. For Phase II, the maximum 

for SBIR awards was $750,000 over 24 months and for STTR was $750,000 over 24 months. 

 

Small Business Administration policy changes made in 2011 allow for larger maximum award sizes. 

Starting with the FY 2011 SBIR solicitations, Phase I awards can reach $150,000, and Phase II can 

reach up to $1 million. Awards for solicitations allowing this new range will be made in early to mid FY 

2012. 

 

For the FY 2012 solicitation, NASA will align SBIR and STTR topics with the space technology 

roadmaps and the National Aeronautics Research and Development Plan. NASA's Center Chief 

Technologists will coordinate between Center SBIR and STTR projects and mission needs on topic 

development, selection, project administration, infusion activities, and reporting processes. A Mission 

Directorate steering council will maximize alignment and infusion of the SBIR and STTR products into 

NASA's future missions and systems. This approach integrates and couples the SBIR and STTR 

programs as a critical component of the Agency's technology development activities, providing the 

small business researchers with more efficient infusion paths for viable products.

Project Descriptions and Explanation of Changes

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program

SBIR was established by Congress in 1982 to increase research and development opportunities for 

small businesses with 500 or fewer employees, increase employment, and improve U.S. 

competitiveness. The program's specific objectives are to stimulate U.S. technological innovation, 

employ small businesses to meet Federal research and development needs, increase private sector 

commercialization of innovations derived from Federal research and development, and encourage 

and facilitate participation by socially disadvantaged businesses. NASA, as a mission driven agency, 

seeks small, high-technology companies to participate in Government-sponsored research and 

development efforts in technology areas critical to NASA's missions. Current authorization provides 

for SBIR funding at 2.5 percent of NASA's extramural research and development budget.

The Small Business Technology Transfer Research (STTR) Program

STTR awards contracts to small business concerns for cooperative research and development with a 

non-profit research institution, such as a university. NASA's STTR program has the primary objective 

of facilitating the transfer of technology developed by a research institution through the 

entrepreneurship of a small business, resulting in technology to meet NASA's needs. The small 

business and its partnering institution are required to sign an intellectual property agreement. 

Modeled after the SBIR program, STTR is a separately funded activity. STTR is smaller than SBIR, 

with funding set at 0.3 percent of the NASA extramural research and development budget.

TECH-17
Mission Directorate: Space Technology

Theme: Space Technology

Program: SBIR and STTR

Program Commitments

Commitment/Output

FY 2012

Program/Project Changes from

FY 2011 PB Request

At least 25 percent of the SBIR/STTR Phase II 

technology projects awarded between 2007 and 

2011 will be infused into NASA programs and 

projects.

SBIR/STTR Program None

At least 40 of the SBIR/STTR technologies will 

be advanced to Phase III (received nonSBIR/STTR funding).

SBIR/STTR Program None

Greater than 35 percent of the Phase II 

SBIR/STTR technology projects awarded 

between 2007-2011 will be transferred into 

commercial products or services.

SBIR/STTR Program None

Program Management

The SBIR and STTR Program is led by OCT Program Executives at NASA Headquarters. They 

oversee the Level II Program Office at ARC.

Project Management

Responsibility

NASA Center 

Performers

Cost-Sharing Partners

Small Business Innovation 

Research (SBIR) and Small 

Business Technology Transfer 

Research (STTR)

NASA Headquarters 

Program Executives. Level 

2 Program Office at ARC.

All Centers

Acquisition Strategy

The OCT Program Executives, the Level 2 Program Office, the Mission Directorates, and the Center 

Chief Technologists contribute to the acquisition process, from topic development, selection, project 

administration, and infusion activities to final reporting processes. In addition, a Mission Directorate 

steering council is employed to maximize alignment and infusion of the SBIR and STTR products into 

NASA's future missions and systems. NASA issues annual program solicitations that set forth a 

substantial number of topics and subtopic areas consistent with stated Agency needs or missions. 

Both the list of topics and the description of the topics and subtopics are sufficiently comprehensive 

to provide a wide range of opportunity for small business concerns to participate in NASA research 

or development programs. Topics and subtopics emphasize the need for proposals that meet 

specific Agency needs.

Independent Reviews

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review

Performance National 

Academies

09/2009 Assessment of the SBIR program: Review is 

currently in Phase II of a two-phase study. 

Phase II results are planned for completion in 

early FY 2012. 

Phase I results have been published.

10/2011

TECH-18
Mission Directorate: Space Technology

Theme: Space Technology

Program: Partnership Development and Strategic Integration

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

20.3 - 19.5 19.4 19.3 19.1 19.0

Partnership Development and 20.3 - 19.5 19.4 19.3 19.1 19.0

Strategic Integration

Note:

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated 

account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project amounts shown above. The allocation to each project

is reflected in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 

2010 and FY 2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

Program Overview

Partnership Development and Strategic Integration includes the activities of the Partnerships, 

Innovation and Commercial Space (PICS) and the Strategic Integration (SI) offices. 

 

The PICS office is responsible for technology transfer and commercialization, interagency 

coordination and joint activities, intellectual property management, and partnership opportunities with 

other Government agencies and commercial industry. The office represents OCT in deliberations 

involving innovation-related policies, pilots, and processes for NASA to ensure these policies and 

processes stimulate greater commercial space activities within NASA and in the United States. The 

Executive Secretary for the Commercial Space Subcommittee of the NASA Advisory Council (NAC) 

resides within PICS. 

 

The SI office works with the Mission Directorates and NASA Centers to develop an Agency 

technology portfolio and coordinate Agency technology investments. Consistent with the NASA 

Authorization Act of 2010, SI focuses on aligning NASA's technology investments to ensure that 

Space Technology complements Mission Directorate investments. SI is responsible for Agency 

technology strategic planning activities including technology roadmapping and serves as the primary 

point of collaboration for Mission Directorates, Mission Support Offices, and Center Chief 

Technologists. The Executive Secretary for the NAC Technology and Innovation Committee, NASA 

Technology Executive Council (NTEC), and Chief Technologist Council (CTC) reside within SI and 

support OCT representation to various Agency leadership panels.

TECH-19
Mission Directorate: Space Technology

Theme: Space Technology

Program: Partnership Development and Strategic Integration

Plans For FY 2012

PICS continues to support partnership opportunities with industry, academia, other Government 

agencies, and international entities. These activities include managing NASA's intellectual property 

from identifying new inventions to documenting and facilitating the patent process, to seeking 

partners to license the technology. NASA also seeks other opportunities for technology transfer 

through partnership agreements and release of software for public use. Partnership development 

activities continue to identify and demonstrate strategic areas of innovation with potential benefit to 

NASA. 

 

To further energize new commercial space capabilities and industries, NASA will analyze, coordinate, 

and facilitate emerging commercial space efforts across the Agency and provide a NASA "front door" 

to new entrepreneurial space firms with a new Level 2 office at Ames Research Center (ARC). 

 

In FY 2012, SI continues to carry out strategic technology planning, conduct technology studies, and 

coordinate Agency-level technology investments. SI will implement a system to capture and track 

NASA's technology portfolio, identify synergies and gaps, and ensure that the technology portfolio 

aligns with the technology investments and priorities documented in the NASA space technology 

roadmaps. SI continues development of the space technology roadmaps in cooperation with the 

National Academies; disseminates quarterly and annual technology reports; identifies and updates 

the Space Technology Grand Challenges; and guides prioritization for future technology 

development.

TECH-20
Mission Directorate: Space Technology

Theme: Space Technology

Program: Partnership Development and Strategic Integration

Project Descriptions and Explanation of Changes

Partnerships Innovation & Commercial Space (PICS)

PICS funds technology partnership activities at all NASA Centers. These Center offices carry out 

program support functions to facilitate Center-based technology transfer, innovative partnerships and 

commercialization activities. 

 

Partnership activities focus on stimulating economic growth through technology transfer and access 

to NASA expertise, leveraging the technology investments of other Government agencies, 

connecting with industry technologists to permit utilization of NASA facilities, and expanding 

relationships with state, local, and regional technology-based economic development agencies. 

 

Innovation activities identify strategic areas with potential benefit to NASA. In particular, NASA 

addresses gaps identified through technology roadmapping activities and seeks to increase the 

exchange of ideas with the most innovative segments of the private sector and Government. This is 

accomplished in several ways: piloting projects to explore how new methods and practices in 

innovation may be of benefit to NASA; appointing Innovation Ambassadors (i.e., NASA employees 

placed at external innovative organizations for up to 12 months); conducting one to two-day 

"Innovation Scouts" workshops that enable the exchange of information on innovation; bringing 

proven start-up entrepreneurs to NASA Centers to help develop business cases for promising NASA 

technologies; and engaging from leading experts in innovation. 

 

Commercial space activities analyze, coordinate, and facilitate emerging commercial space 

capabilities and industries in support of NASA's missions, promoting economic growth, and 

improving national security. This is done by working with entrepreneurs across the aerospace 

industry to enable new commercial space capabilities similar to the way NASA's predecessor, the 

National Advisory Committee on Aeronautics (NACA), aided the early aeronautics industry, while 

leveraging ongoing NASA activities such as ISS utilization and the Commercial Orbital 

Transportation Services (COTS) and Commercial Crew Development (CCDEV) Programs. NASA will 

promote new business practices and collaboration models within NASA to lower cost and provide 

value to the American taxpayer while assessing, leveraging and facilitating the expansion of 

commercial capabilities into new areas, including commercial in-space servicing.

Strategic Integration (SI)

Strategic Integration works with the Mission Directorates and NASA Centers to document the 

Agency's technology portfolio, identify gaps, identify potential areas of synergy, collect information, 

and conduct decision-making studies that guide future technology investments. SI develops two sets 

of strategic guidance documents that assist in Agency technology prioritization. First, NASA uses the 

independent guidance provided by the STR, an integrated set of roadmaps from 14 space 

technology areas that includes near-term mission-focused technology and longer-term 

transformational technology. Second, NASA uses the Space Technology Grand Challenges, a set of 

technically challenging, strategic, space-related goals that push the Nation's technology boundaries 

and provide a guide to a stronger and more vibrant future for the Nation in space. 

 

SI conducts focused studies, working group meetings, and development activities with NASA Mission 

Directorates, Centers, Agency partners, academia, and industry. SI disseminates information and 

coordinates technology development and infusion activities that are closely aligned with NASA 

missions and support national needs. SI organizes and coordinates the NTEC meetings, and the 

CTC, both chaired by the NASA Chief Technologist.

TECH-21
Mission Directorate: Space Technology

Theme: Space Technology

Program: Partnership Development and Strategic Integration

Program Commitments

Commitment/Output

FY 2012

Program/Project Changes from

FY 2011 PB Request

Establish at least 12 technology-related 

significant partnerships during FY 2012.

Partnership Development and Strategic 

Integration/PICS

None

Complete at least 30 technology transfer 

agreements during FY 2012.

Partnership Development and Strategic 

Integration/PICS

None

Document at least 40 notable technology 

transfer successes in NASA's Spinoff 

publication.

Partnership Development and Strategic 

Integration/PICS

None

Ensure that 75 percent of all NASA technology 

projects are recorded in the portfolio database 

and are analyzed against the prioritizations in 

the space technology roadmaps.

Partnership Development and Strategic 

Integration/SI

None

Program Management

The PICS and Strategic Integration offices are based at NASA Headquarters. Both programs work 

with technology partnership offices and the chief technologists at each NASA Center.

Project Management

Responsibility

NASA Center 

Performers

Cost-Sharing Partners

PICS Partnerships, Innovation 

and Commercial Space 

Director, NASA 

Headquarters

Technology 

Partnership Offices 

at all NASA Centers

N/A

Emerging Commercial Space 

Opportunities

NASA HQ program 

executive. ARC Level 2 

Program Office facilitates 

emerging commercial 

space efforts.

All NASA Centers N/A

Strategic Integration Strategic Integration 

Director, NASA 

Headquarters

Center Chief 

Technologist Offices 

at all NASA Centers

N/A

Acquisition Strategy

A majority of the Partnership Development procurement activities are distributed to the NASA 

Centers for competitively selected contract support to their technology partnership offices. NASA 

uses novel approaches to facilitate technology transfer, as ensuring technologies are infused into 

commercial applications will promote the creation of new jobs and advance new products and 

services that will benefit the Nation. 

 

Strategic Integration activities are accomplished by NASA Headquarters and the NASA Centers. 

Guidance is provided by the NASA Mission Directorates through the NTEC, and from the NASA 

Centers through the CTC. There are minimal procurement activities associated with this Agency 

technology coordination and strategic planning function.

TECH-22
Mission Directorate: Space Technology

Theme: Space Technology

Program: Crosscutting Space Technology Development

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

7.5 - 433.3 432.1 429.2 425.8 422.4

Crosscutting Space Tech 

Development

7.5 - 433.3 432.1 429.2 425.8 422.4

Note:

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated 

account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project amounts shown above. The allocation to each project

is reflected in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 

2010 and FY 2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

TECH-23
Mission Directorate: Space Technology

Theme: Space Technology

Program: Crosscutting Space Technology Development

Program Overview

CSTD invests in a diversified technology development portfolio that spans the TRL spectrum from 

concept study to flight demonstration, enabling revolutionary space capabilities. These activities focus 

on broadly applicable technologies, designed to enable quantum leaps in technological capability. 

NASA's Mission Directorates, other Government agencies, and industry are the ultimate customers 

for CSTD products. Within this program, there are three investment areas: Early Stage Innovation, 

Game Changing Technology, and Crosscutting Capability Demonstrations. 

 

Within Early Stage Innovation, NASA sponsors a wide range of advanced aerospace system concept 

and foundational technology development (TRL 1-3) efforts. This includes the following four projects: 

Space Technology Research Grants that provide both foundational research in space technology and 

fellowships for graduate student research in space technology, NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts 

(NIAC), which engages innovators within and external to the Agency on aerospace system concept 

studies, a Center Innovation Fund to stimulate aerospace creativity and innovation at the NASA 

Centers, and Centennial Challenges Prizes that address key technology needs through new sources 

of innovation outside the traditional aerospace community. 

 

Within Game Changing Technology, NASA focuses on maturing potentially transformational 

technology across the critical mid-TRL (3-5) gap between Early Stage Innovation and flight 

demonstration of a new technology. These fixed duration, principal investigator-led project elements 

are managed within two projects: Game Changing Development, which seeks disruptive technologies 

for future science and exploration missions, and Franklin Small Satellite Subsystem Technologies, 

which seeks innovation in subsystems for small satellites. Within Game Changing Technology, 

success is not expected with each investment; however, on the whole and over time, dramatic 

advances in space technology enabling entirely new NASA missions and solutions for a wide variety 

of society's grand technological challenges are expected and will be measured. 

 

Within Crosscutting Capability Demonstrations, NASA demonstrates technologies that benefit 

multiple NASA missions, other Government agencies, or the space industry. This investment area 

matures new technology to flight readiness status (TRL 6-7) via three projects: Technology 

Demonstration Missions that demonstrate crosscutting technologies in the space environment, 

Edison Small Satellite Demonstration Missions that develop and operate a series of small satellite 

demonstration missions, and Flight Opportunities, which matures technologies by providing access to 

the space environment while also facilitating the development of the commercial reusable suborbital 

transportation industry.

TECH-24
Mission Directorate: Space Technology

Theme: Space Technology

Program: Crosscutting Space Technology Development

Plans For FY 2012

Within Early Stage Innovation, NASA will initiate Phase II NIAC studies to further develop at least 

three of the most promising NIAC Phase I concepts from FY 2011 and predecessor NIAC efforts. An 

additional round of NIAC Phase I studies will be awarded resulting in at least 12 new NIAC efforts. In 

FY 2012, NASA will reach its goal of supporting 500 Space Technology Graduate Fellows from the 

Nation's universities. In addition, NASA will conduct at least three new Centennial Challenges 

competitions and initiate a wide range of innovative projects across the NASA Centers through the 

Center Innovation Fund. NASA also plans to release NRAs and make awards for approximately 40 

new foundational space technology research activities. All Early Stage Innovation activities are 

competitively selected. 

 

Within Game Changing Technology, the Game Changing Development project consists of both 

strategically guided and competed project elements. In FY 2012, the following four guided project 

elements are initiated: Nanotechnology, Deep Space Navigation and Communication, Space 

Synthetic Biology, and Manufacturing Innovation. Additionally, NASA expects to competitively award 

at least five Game Changing Development activities that augment the four project elements listed 

above or begin new crosscutting space technology development project elements. NASA will also 

competitively select at least three new project elements through the Franklin Small Satellite 

Subsystem Technology project. 

 

Within Crosscutting Capability Demonstrations, the Technology Demonstration Missions and Edison 

Small Satellite Demonstration Missions projects consist of both strategically guided and competed 

project elements. In FY 2012, NASA will continue development of the Low Density Supersonic 

Decelerator Technology Demonstration Mission project element, transitioning this project element 

from formulation to implementation contingent on the results of the FY 2011 Mission Concept Review. 

In FY 2012, NASA plans to complete preliminary design of two competitively selected Technology 

Demonstration Mission project elements of system-level technologies for relevant environment flight 

demonstration. In FY 2012, at least three new small satellite missions will be initiated within Edison 

Small Satellite Demonstration Missions, with at least one of these missions being led by ARC. In 

Flight Opportunities, NASA will select and fly technology payloads from NASA Centers, other 

Government agencies, industry, and academia using flight services procured from at least three 

commercial reusable suborbital and parabolic platform providers. In this project element, in-space 

flight demonstrations are pursued not only as standalone missions, but also using planned NASA 

missions, the ISS, and commercial and international partner space platforms (e.g., hosted payloads 

or missions of opportunity).

TECH-25
Mission Directorate: Space Technology

Theme: Space Technology

Program: Crosscutting Space Technology Development

Project Descriptions and Explanation of Changes

Game Changing Development project elements

Nanotechnology- Led by Glenn Research Center (GRC), this project element will include advancing 

nanotechnology research and applications for space technology, including nanomanufacturing, 

nanoelectronics, and nanoenhanced solar energy conversion. It also includes continued 

development of the Nano Energetics Propulsion effort led by the Marshall Space Flight Center 

(MSFC). 

 

Deep Space Navigation and Communication- High bandwidth communications and advanced 

navigation capabilities will enable future deep space exploration of the solar system and pinpoint 

navigation in near-Earth space. This project element includes research in optical, X-ray, and other 

approaches to achieve high bandwidth communications and navigation activities. This project 

element is led by Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) at NASA Headquarters and will 

involve both the Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). 

 

Space Synthetic Biology- Biology readily demonstrates that life is an efficient user of resources 

around it, turning those resources into habitats, materials and forms that perform a wide range of 

functions efficiently. This project element, which will be led by the Ames Research Center (ARC), 

researches a range of genomics and synthetic biology approaches for the design of organisms to 

perform reliable functions for future human and robotic exploration activities. 

 

Manufacturing Innovation- This project element, led by GRC, includes innovation in rapid prototyping 

for low-cost manufacturing, including algorithm and software development for modeling and 

simulation to streamline the design to manufacturing pipeline. 

 

Through release of a BAA open to industry, academia, and the NASA Centers, NASA expects to 

competitively award at least five additional Game Changing Development activities that either 

augment the four project elements listed above or begin new project elements of a crosscutting 

space technology development nature.

Technology Demonstration Missions project elements

Low Density Supersonic Decelerator Technology Demonstration Mission- To safely land high-mass 

payloads on planetary surfaces, particularly for higher surface elevation landing sites, advances in 

supersonic decelerator technology are required. This project element (led by JPL) designs, develops 

and tests a range of supersonic decelerator technologies at high altitude on Earth (i.e., Mars relevant 

environment conditions). This project element will transition from formulation to implementation in FY 

2012, contingent on the results of a Mission Concept Review in FY 2011. In FY 2012, NASA plans to 

complete preliminary design of at least one competitively selected Technology Demonstration 

Mission project of system-level technologies for relevant environment flight demonstration and initiate 

development of at least two additional Technology Demonstration Missions. These Technology 

Demonstration Mission activities will be undertaken to begin new project elements of a crosscutting 

space technology development nature.

TECH-26
Mission Directorate: Space Technology

Theme: Space Technology

Program: Crosscutting Space Technology Development

Program Commitments

Commitment/Output

FY 2012

Program/Project Changes from

FY 2011 PB Request

Initiate Phase II studies to further develop two of 

the most promising prior (FY 2011 and 

predecessor NASA Institute for Advanced 

Concepts (NIAC)) Phase I concepts.

NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts 

Program (NIAC)

None

Conduct at least three Centennial Challenges 

competitions.

Centennial Challenges (CC) None

Initiate at least five game changing technology 

projects.

Game Changing Development (GCD) None

Complete preliminary design of at least two 

system-level technologies for flight or relevant 

environment demonstration.

Technology Demonstration Missions None

Select and fly technology payloads from NASA, 

other government agencies, industry and 

academia using flight services procured from at 

least three commercial reusable suborbital and 

parabolic platform providers.

Flight Opportunities None

Initiate at least 20 innovative projects across the 

NASA Centers.

Center Innovation Fund (CIF) None

Initiate at least one new small satellite mission 

that will demonstrate game changing or 

crosscutting technologies in space

Edison Small Satellite Demonstration 

Missions

None

Initiate development of at least two new 

technology with game changing potential for 

small satellites.

Franklin Small Satellite Subsystem 

Technologies

None

Complete 100 research plans. Space Technology Research Grants 

(STRG)

None

TECH-27
Mission Directorate: Space Technology

Theme: Space Technology

Program: Crosscutting Space Technology Development

Program Management

Management responsibility for project elements from CSTD and ETD are performed in an integrated 

manner.

Project Management 

Responsibility

NASA Center 

Performers

Cost-Sharing Partners

Center Innovation Fund NASA HQ program 

executive. Center Chief 

Technologists will 

competitively select 

projects.

All Centers

Centennial Challenges NASA HQ program 

executive. MSFC Level 2 

Program Office implements 

innovative prize program.

N/A

NASA Innovative Advanced 

Concepts (NIAC)

NASA HQ program 

executive will manage 

conduct of visionary, longterm concept studies.

All Centers

Space Technology Research 

Grants

NASA HQ program 

executive. GRC Level 2 

Program Office manages 

foundational research.

All Centers

Franklin Small Satellite 

Subsystem Technologies

NASA HQ program 

executive. ARC Level 2 

Program Office manages 

subsystem technology 

efforts.

All Centers

Game Changing Development NASA HQ program 

executive. LaRC Level 2 

Program Office fosters 

revolutionary technology.

All Centers

Technology Demonstration 

Missions

NASA HQ program 

executive. MSFC Level 2 

Program Office manages 

crosscutting technology 

flight test.

All Centers

Edison Small Satellite 

Demonstrations

NASA HQ program 

executive. ARC Level 2 

Program Office manages 

demonstration missions.

All Centers

Flight Opportunities NASA HQ program 

executive. DFRC Level 2 

Program Office manages 

flight platforms.

All Centers

TECH-28
Mission Directorate: Space Technology

Theme: Space Technology

Program: Crosscutting Space Technology Development

Acquisition Strategy

To achieve the Agency's technology goals, the Crosscutting Space Technology Development 

(CSTD) program is implemented predominantly through a technical peer review, open competition 

acquisition approach, with solicitations open to the broad aerospace community to ensure 

engagement with the best sources of new and innovative technology. As such, CSTD will be 

performed by the Nation's highly skilled workforce in industry, academia, across all NASA Centers, 

and in collaboration with other Government agencies. Awards will be made based on technical merit, 

cost, and impact to the Nation's future space activities. NASA's Mission Directorates, other 

Government agencies, and industry are the ultimate customers for Crosscutting Space Technology 

Development products. 

 

To increase competition within CSTD solicitations, NASA plans to engage potential partners using 

industry forums, requests for information, and bidder's conferences. NASA uses acquisition 

mechanisms such as BAAs, NRAs, and prize competitions. 

 

All selections in Early Stage Innovation and 70 percent of Game Changing Development and 

Crosscutting Capabilities Demonstrations are competitively awarded. NASA has partnered with 

Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to share lessons learned. In FY 2012, 

additional Government agency partners are likely. CSTD Technology Demonstration Missions 

require proposers to partner with entities (external to CSTD) to cost share a minimum of 25 percent 

of the proposed development effort in demonstrating a credible infusion path. Flight Opportunities 

solicitations will be focused on facilitating the development of the commercial reusable suborbital 

transportation industry. This is an important step in the longer-term path that envisions suborbital 

reusable launch vehicles evolving to provide the Nation with low-cost, frequent, reliable access to 

orbital space.

TECH-29
Mission Directorate: Space Technology

Theme: Space Technology

Program: Exploration Technology Development

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

151.4 - 261.3 259.3 257.5 255.5 253.4

Exploration Technology 

Development

151.4 - 261.3 259.3 257.5 255.5 253.4

Note:

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated 

account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project amounts shown above. The allocation to each project

is reflected in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 

2010 and FY 2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

Program Overview

In FY 2012, NASA has moved a significant portion of the FY 2010 ETD, as well as the planned FY 

2011 exploration technology activities, from ESMD to Space Technology in order to capitalize on the 

synergy between these activities and those in the Crosscutting Space Technology Development. For 

traceability, the transferred activities have been consolidated in a specific budgetary element within 

Space Technology: ETD. ETD activities provide the long-range, critical technologies required to 

conduct future human exploration missions beyond low Earth orbit with reduced risk and life cycle 

cost. Through ETD, exploration-specific prototype systems and key capabilities are demonstrated in 

ground-based and laboratory testing, relevant environment flight demonstrations, and technology test 

beds, including the ISS. ETD focuses on the highest priority technology needs identified in NASA's 

recent human exploration mission architecture studies. ESMD is the primary customer for ETD 

advances. By moving a majority of the Agency's exploration-specific technology development 

activities from ESMD to Space Technology, NASA better integrates its space technology portfolio, 

gains management and technical synergies, and places the management of these activities within an 

organization focused upon technology development and infusion. 

 

NASA will continue to manage ETD through both strategically guided and competed project elements. 

The guided project elements will focus upon key Agency technology priorities identified in recent 

human exploration mission architecture studies, leveraging the existing technical strength of the 

NASA Centers. The competed project elements will focus on enabling exploration technologies that 

either augment the guided project elements or begin new project elements with an explorationspecific technology demonstration focus. 

 

ETD consists of two projects: Exploration-specific Game Changing Development and Explorationspecific Technology Demonstration Missions. ETD seeks disruptive technologies for future human 

exploration missions to multiple destinations, including the Moon, Lagrange points, near Earth 

asteroids, and Mars and its moons. After successful maturation of these critical technologies, 

program managers can identify and baseline proven technologies for future ESMD human space 

flight systems.

TECH-30
Mission Directorate: Space Technology

Theme: Space Technology

Program: Exploration Technology Development

Plans For FY 2012

ETD will continue most of the investments from the FY 2010 Exploration Technology Development 

Program and includes new exploration technology activities in planning in FY 2011. The transferred 

activities have been consolidated within two projects in ETD: Exploration-specific Game Changing 

Development and Exploration-specific Technology Demonstration Missions. Capitalizing on technical 

and management synergies, NASA plans to manage ETD and CSTD in an integrated manner. 

Customer focus, the balance between competed/guided project elements, and cost-share 

requirements are the differentiating characteristics of ETD and CSTD. In FY 2012, 70 percent of the 

funds within ETD will be applied to guided activities. 

 

Within ETD, FY 2010 Exploration Technology Development Program activities and FY 2011 plans 

have been organized into the following nine FY 2012 Exploration-specific Game Changing 

Development project elements: In-Space Propulsion, Space Power Generation and Storage, Nuclear 

Systems, Lightweight Materials and Structures, Human-Robotic Systems, Autonomous Systems, 

Next-Generation Life Support, Adaptive Entry Systems, and In-Situ Resource Utilization. In addition, 

in FY 2012, NASA will release a BAA open to industry, academia, and the NASA Centers for 

additional exploration-specific Game Changing Development activities. NASA expects to 

competitively award at least seven activities that either augment the nine project elements listed 

above or begin new project elements with an exploration-specific technology development focus. 

 

In FY 2012, NASA will continue development of the following FY 2010 Exploration Technology 

Development Program activities and FY 2011 plans through five Exploration-specific Technology 

Demonstration Mission project elements: Human Exploration Telerobotics, Mars Science Laboratory 

Entry, Descent, and Landing Instrumentation (MEDLI), Autonomous Landing and Hazard Avoidance 

Technology (ALHAT), Cryogenic Propellant Transfer and Storage, and Solar Electric Propulsion. The 

Cryogenic Propellant Transfer and Storage and Solar Electric Propulsion project elements will 

complete Phase A concept studies in FY 2011. Based on the results of these concept study efforts, 

these two Exploration-specific Technology Demonstration Missions will transition from formulation to 

implementation in either FY 2012 or FY 2013.

TECH-31
Mission Directorate:

Theme:

Space Technology

Space Technology

Program: Exploration Technology Development

Project Descriptions and Explanation of Changes

In-Space Propulsion: This project element, led by GRC, will focus on the component low-thrust and 

high-thrust propulsion technology advances necessary for efficient transfer into deep space. 

 

Space Power Generation and Storage: This project element, led by GRC, will develop technologies 

to provide low-cost, abundant power for deep-space missions (and dual-use terrestrial applications), 

including high-efficiency solar cells, advanced batteries and regenerative fuel cells. 

 

Nuclear Systems: This project element, led by GRC, will test power conversion and thermal 

management technologies for in-space nuclear power and propulsion systems. Non-nuclear testing 

will validate the performance of integrated systems. NASA will partner with DOE in this development. 

 

Lightweight Materials and Structures: This project element, led by LaRC, will develop advanced 

materials and structures technology to enable lightweight systems to reduce mission cost. As part of 

this element, a composite cryogenic propellant tank activity applicable to heavy lift launch vehicles, 

propellant depots, and future lander systems will be led by MSFC. 

 

Human-Robotic Systems: This project element, led by JSC, will develop advanced robotics 

technology to amplify human productivity and reduce mission risk by improving the effectiveness of 

human-robot teams. Key technologies include human-robot interaction, robotic assistance, and 

surface mobility systems. 

 

Autonomous Systems: This project element, led by ARC, will develop and demonstrate integrated 

autonomous systems (including automated planning, Integrated Systems Health Management 

[ISHM], and radiation hardened electronics) capable of managing complex operations in space to 

reduce crew workload and dependence on Earth. 

 

Next-Generation Life Support: This project element, led by JSC, will develop next-generation life 

support systems technologies (including atmospheric revitalization, water recovery, thermal control, 

active radiation protection, food production, and next-generation spacesuit technologies) needed for 

humans to live and work productively in space. 

 

Adaptive Entry Systems: This project element, led by LaRC, will design, analyze, and test options for 

development of a large aeroshell, including the use of hypersonic inflatable aerodynamic 

decelerators, deployable systems, and those constructed through on-orbit assembly. As part of this 

element, deployable systems and flexible ablative thermal protection system (TPS) activities will be 

led by ARC. 

 

In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU): This project element will enable sustainable human exploration 

through use of local resources. Concepts to produce fuel, oxygen, and water from the soil and 

atmosphere of celestial bodies will be explored. Led by KSC. 

 

NASA will also release a BAA open to industry, academia, and the NASA Centers through which at 

least seven activities that either augment the nine project elements listed above or begin new project 

elements with an Exploration-specific technology development focus are expected to be awarded.

Exploration-specific Game Changing Development project elements:

TECH-32
Mission Directorate: Space Technology

Theme: Space Technology

Program: Exploration Technology Development

Exploration-specific Technology Demonstration Missions project elements:

Human Exploration Telerobotics: This project element, led by ARC, will demonstrate safe and 

cooperative interactions between humans and robots. The Robonaut 2 humanoid robot and 

Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellites (SPHERES) experiments on 

ISS will be teleoperated from the ground to assist the crew in performing hazardous or routine tasks. 

A standard robot control interface will be tested that allows different robots from NASA and 

international partners to work together. 

 

MEDLI: The MEDLI suite is a set of engineering sensors designed to measure the atmospheric 

conditions and performance of the MSL heat shield during entry and descent at Mars. While not part 

of the core MSL scientific payload, it will provide important information for the design of entry 

systems for future planetary missions. This project element, led by LaRC, will be completed in 2012. 

 

ALHAT: This project element, led by JSC, is developing technologies that will allow planetary landers 

to automatically identify and navigate to the location of a safe landing site while detecting landing 

hazards during the final descent to the surface. Technologies being testing include flash lidar for 

three-dimensional mapping, advanced speed measurements and algorithms. This project element 

will be completed in 2012. 

 

Cryogenic Propellant Transfer and Storage: Minimizing boil-off of cryogenic propellants on longduration missions is a critical capability needed to enable high-energy cryogenic propulsion stages, a 

key component of future human spaceflight architectures. This Exploration-specific Technology 

Demonstration Mission will, for the first time, demonstrate the capability of storing liquid oxygen and 

liquid hydrogen in-space for at least six months. The flight system consists of a representative 

cryogenic propulsion stage launched into low Earth orbit. Testing of fluid transfer between tanks is 

under consideration. Ongoing technology developments will include active cooling of propellant 

tanks, advanced thermal insulation, measurement of propellant mass, liquid acquisition devices, and 

automated fluid couplings for propellant transfer between vehicles. This activity, led by GRC, will 

transition from formulation to implementation in either FY 2012 or FY 2013, based on the results of 

concept study efforts conducted in FY 2011. 

 

Solar Electric Propulsion: This near-Earth technology maturation effort, led by GRC, will demonstrate 

a solar electric propulsion system of sufficient power to serve as a stepping-stone to that required for 

the future human exploration missions. This activity will transition from formulation to implementation 

in either FY 2012 or FY 2013, based on the results of concept study efforts conducted in FY 2011. 

NASA will partner with Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) in this development.

Program Commitments

Commitment/Output

FY 2012

Program/Project Changes from

FY 2011 PB Request

Demonstrate Robonaut 2 assisting the crew to 

perform tasks inside the ISS.

Exploration Technology Development

Test automated fluid couplings for cryogenic 

propellant transfer to support Cryogenic 

Propellant Storage And Transfer (CRYOSTAT) 

systems requirements.

Exploration Technology Development

TECH-33
Mission Directorate: Space Technology

Theme: Space Technology

Program: Exploration Technology Development

Program Management

ETD and CSTD project elements are managed in an integrated manner as listed below.

Project Management 

Responsibility

NASA Center 

Performers

Cost-Sharing Partners

Exploration-specific Game 

Changing Development

NASA HQ program 

executive. LaRC Level 2 

Program Office fosters 

revolutionary technology.

All Centers

Exploration-specific Technology 

Demonstration Missions

NASA HQ program 

executive. MSFC Level 2 

Program Office manages 

crosscutting technology 

flight test.

All Centers DoE, General Motors, Air Force 

Research Laboratory

Acquisition Strategy

A lead Center will manage each of the guided ETD project elements as a finite duration effort that will 

include a number of competitive procurements. For example, starting in FY 2012, NASA Centers will 

initiate a series of Exploration-specific Technology Demonstration Missions that will issue competitive 

contracts for mission development and flight demonstration support. The first two Exploration-specific 

missions in this line will be the CRYOSTAT and the Solar Electric Propulsion Technology 

Demonstration Missions, each led by GRC. 

 

In FY 2012, 30 percent of the funds within ETD will used for competitive awards, drawing proposals 

from industry, academia, and the NASA Centers. Exploration-specific Game Changing Development 

BAA proposers will be expected to either augment the identified ETD project elements or propose 

high-value complementary or gap areas of ETD. Exploration-specific Technology Demonstration 

Missions proposers are strongly encouraged to partner and cost share with entities (external to 

Space Technology). However, unlike CSTD, a minimum of 25 percent cost share is not required.

TECH-34
Mission Directorate: Space Technology

Theme: Space Technology

Program: ST Civil Service Labor and Expenses

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

0.0 - 132.9 136.6 142.6 149.5 156.6

ST Civil Service Labor and 

Expenses

0.0 - 132.9 136.6 142.6 149.5 156.6

Program Overview

This program contains labor funding, both salary and benefits, for civil service employees at NASA 

Centers who are assigned to work on projects in the Space Technology programs. These funds 

support the critical skills and capabilities required to provide technology development, as outlined in 

the other programs, within this mission area.

TECH-35
Mission Directorate: Exploration

Overview

The Exploration Systems Mission Directorate (ESMD) develops the systems and capabilities required 

for human exploration of space beyond low Earth orbit (LEO) and for U.S. crew access to the 

International Space Station (ISS) after retirement of the Space Shuttle. These systems and capabilities 

developed by ESMD include launch and crew vehicles for missions beyond LEO, affordable 

commercial crew access to the ISS, technologies and countermeasures to keep astronauts healthy 

and functional during deep space missions, and technologies to reduce launch mass and cost of deep 

space missions. NASA's goals are consistent with the NASA Authorization Act of 2010, which calls for 

expanding permanent human presence beyond LEO to destinations such as the surface of the Moon, 

near-earth asteroids, and Mars, while maintaining uninterrupted U.S. human space flight capability in 

LEO and beyond. 

 

- The Human Exploration Capability (HEC) Theme will develop the launch and space flight vehicles 

that will provide the initial capability for crewed exploration missions beyond LEO. In particular, HEC's 

Space Launch System (SLS) Program will develop the heavy lift vehicle (HLV) that will launch the 

crew vehicle, other modules, and cargo for these missions. The Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV) 

Program is developing the vehicle that will carry the crew to orbit, providing emergency abort 

capability, sustaining the crew while in space, and providing safe re-entry from deep space return 

velocities. 

 

- The Exploration Research and Development (ERD) Theme comprises the Human Research Program 

(HRP) and the Advanced Exploration Systems (AES) Program, which provides the knowledge and 

advanced human spaceflight capabilities required to implement the U.S. Space Exploration Policy. 

HRP will provide technologies, countermeasures, diagnostics, and design tools to keep crews safe 

and productive on long-duration space missions. The Theme's technology development efforts can 

contribute toward advances in U.S. high technology products and services. 

 

- Exploration's Commercial Spaceflight Theme creates incentives for commercial providers to develop 

and operate safe, reliable, and affordable commercial systems to transport crew and cargo to and from 

the ISS and LEO. This approach will provide assured access to the ISS, strengthen America's space 

industry, and provide a catalyst for future business ventures to capitalize on affordable access to 

space. A vibrant commercial space industry will add well-paying, high-tech jobs to the U.S. economy 

and will reduce America's sole reliance on foreign systems. 

 

One of the greatest challenges for NASA is to reduce the development and operating costs for human 

space flight missions. NASA will not be able to sustain a long-term U.S. human spaceflight program 

without such reductions. NASA must plan and implement an exploration enterprise with costs that are 

credible, sustainable, and affordable for the long term under constrained budget environments. Longerduration crewed exploration missions to destinations such as near-Earth asteroids, Lagrange points, 

the Moon, and Mars require additional vehicles and capabilities beyond the crew and launch vehicles. 

To extend human presence to these destinations, the development and operation costs of the crew 

and launch vehicles must be affordable enough to allow for the development and operation of the 

additional vehicles and capabilities.

ESMD-1
Mission Directorate: Exploration

FY 2012 Budget Request

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010

Ann CR.

FY 2011

Auth Act

FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

Human Exploration Capabilities

Commercial Spaceflight

Exploration Research and 

Development

ESMD Civil Service Labor and 

Expenses

3,625.8

3,287.5

39.1

299.2

0.0

3,594.3

- 

- 

- 

- 

3,706.0

- 

- 

- 

- 

3,948.7

2,605.8

792.8

211.4

338.7

3,948.7

2,591.2

795.0

214.3

348.2

3,948.7

2,581.4

792.5

211.2

363.6

3,948.7

2,570.4

789.7

207.5

381.1

3,948.7

2,560.2

785.5

203.7

399.4

Note: For comparability, previous similar program content is shown in the FY2010 column, in the new program structure.

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

The "Auth. Act FY 2011" column represents FY 2011 authorized funding from the NASA Authorization Act of 2010 (P.L. 111-

267). The amount shown for the Exploration account, reflects a reduction of $162M from the $250M that was authorized for 

Exploration Technology Development activities, which were transferred to the Space Technology account.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

ESMD-2
Mission Directorate: Exploration

Plans for FY 2012

Exploration

Human Exploration Capabilities

New Initiatives:

The HEC Theme is the successor to the Constellation Systems Theme in the FY 2010 

appropriation. The HEC programs were authorized by the NASA Authorization Act of 2010.

Major Changes:

The HEC Theme will focus on two general initial capabilities for human exploration beyond LEO. 

The former Constellation Theme, which the HEC Theme replaced, focused on ISS crew access, 

followed later by missions to the surface of the Moon.

Major Highlights for FY 2012

In FY 2012, the SLS and MPCV Programs will build upon the acquisition strategies, program 

management, and the NASA workforce and institution choices made in FY 2011 in order to 

maximize value to the American taxpayers and enable groundbreaking human exploration beyond 

LEO.

Commercial Spaceflight

Major Changes:

The Commercial Spaceflight Theme will transition from completing commercial cargo capability 

milestones to expanding NASA's efforts to develop commercial crew capability to LEO and the 

ISS.

Major Highlights for FY 2012

Under the Commercial Spaceflight Theme, NASA's commercial partners will be completing 

milestones associated with their Commercial Crew Development (CCDev) Round 2 awards. In 

spring FY 2012, the CCDev Round 2 awards will be completed and NASA plans to further expand 

commercial crew systems under CCDev Round 3 awards. Round 3 awards will support 

development, testing, and demonstrations of multiple commercial crew systems for U.S. crew 

access to LEO and the ISS.

ESMD-3
Mission Directorate: Exploration

Exploration Research and Development

Major Changes:

In FY 2012, the Exploration Technology Development (ETD) Program, which was an element of 

the ERD Theme in FY 2011, will be transferred to the Office of the Chief Technologist.

Major Highlights for FY 2012

HRP will conduct biomedical flight experiments on the ISS, including the delivery of a biomedical 

ultrasound device to the ISS and a training program to use the device for diagnosing bone 

fractures. HRP will also deliver a design tool to assess radiation shielding on space vehicles and 

update the acute radiation risk model. 

 

While the ETD Program will be transferred to the Office of Chief Technologist, an Advanced 

Exploration Systems (AES) Program will be established to contain a few critical efforts that do not 

fit with the other efforts of that Office. Life support, habitation, and extra-vehicular activity elements 

of ETD will remain in the AES Program, because these capabilities are critical to crew safety and 

the success of future vehicle production and human spaceflight missions. It is important that these 

areas be managed in concert with associated vehicle development and closely overseen by human 

spaceflight personnel. 

 

AES will develop and demonstrate prototype systems for life support, habitation, and 

extravehicular activity (EVA), which will enable NASA to conduct future human missions beyond 

LEO while reducing risk and lifecycle cost. AES demonstrates these systems using ground test 

beds, Earth-based field and underwater tests, and ISS flight experiments.

ESMD-4
Mission Directorate: Exploration

Theme: Human Exploration Capabilities

Theme Overview

The HEC Theme develops the vehicles and supporting elements to extend human presence beyond 

LEO and enables missions to locations such as near-Earth asteroids, Lagrange points, the surface of 

the Moon, or Mars. The initial capabilities developed by the HEC Theme are the MPCV and SLS. 

MPCV Program development efforts include a crew capsule, service module, and launch abort 

system. SLS Program development focuses on a heavy lift vehicle that can carry the large payloads 

required for human exploration missions, including MPCV. HEC's programs also provide essential 

supporting elements, including mission operations, ground operations and processing, ground test 

facilities, and crew equipment. While HEC's primary purpose is human exploration beyond LEO, the 

MPCV and SLS could be combined to provide backup crew and cargo services for the ISS. 

 

NASA is developing plans for implementing the MPCV and SLS Programs, including transition of 

relevant design and developmental activities of the Constellation Program. A major element of the 

transition involves shifting design and developmental efforts away from a closely coupled system 

(Ares I and Orion) to a more general launch vehicle (i.e., SLS) and crew vehicle (i.e., MPCV). 

 

Safety and affordability are central to NASA's HEC planning efforts. MPCV and SLS development and 

operations costs must be sufficiently low to allow development and operation of the vehicles and 

capabilities required for longer-duration exploration missions beyond LEO. These missions require 

innovative development of propulsion, crew habitat, and life support, and missions to other planetary 

surfaces will require additional exploration vehicles. 

 

NASA plans to approach affordability comprehensively in pursuit of exploration beyond LEO to 

increase the probability that key elements are developed and missions can occur within a realistic 

budget profile. For all development activities, NASA will emphasize innovative acquisition and 

program management approaches, including risk management, to reduce recurring and operations 

costs. In doing so, plans for bringing the MPCV and SLS vehicles online with lower costs will be as 

credible and realistic as possible, and significant efforts made to ensure cost risks will be well 

understood. Overall, NASA's designs and acquisition strategies for the MPCV and SLS Programs will 

not be solidified until all of the pertinent knowledge on cost and safety is obtained to ensure an 

affordable and executable solution. 

 

NASA is aligning its HEC efforts with the goals and requirements of the NASA Authorization Act of 

2010 (P.L. 111-267) in a long-term, affordable, safe, and sustainable manner. Lowering costs will 

enable ambitious missions and help create a more exciting future for humanity in space.

ESMD-5
Mission Directorate: Exploration 

Theme: Human Exploration Capabilities 

FY 2012 Budget Request 

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010

Ann CR.

FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016 

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request 

3,287.5 - 2,605.8 2,591.2 2,581.4 2,570.4 2,560.2

Space Launch System - 1,689.5 

Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle - 916.3 

Note: 

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution. 

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis. 

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated account in 

each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the program amounts shown above. The allocation to each program is reflected 

in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 2010 and FY 

2011, amounts are presented in full cost. 

ESMD-6
Mission Directorate: Exploration

Theme: Human Exploration Capabilities

Plans for FY 2012

Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle

NASA is developing plans for implementing the MPCV and SLS Programs, including efforts to 

transition the design and developmental activities of the Constellation Program. These efforts 

involve concurrent evaluation of MPCV and SLS Reference Vehicle Designs (RVDs) and alternative 

designs. NASA has developed a process to make progress on them while determining whether the 

designs are sufficiently affordable, sustainable, and realistic, and at the same time, studying other 

options to solicit innovative ideas. To achieve human exploration beyond LEO, NASA must 

determine an affordable and credible development plan for MPCV and SLS. 

 

In addition to improving acquisition and program management approaches, NASA will drive down 

development and operations costs through innovation, improved practices, right-sized 

infrastructure, and reducing other fixed costs. These efforts will help NASA achieve the earliest 

possible date for initial operational capability. During FY 2012, the MPCV and SLS Programs will 

build upon these choices to maximize the value to the American taxpayers and enable 

groundbreaking human exploration beyond LEO.

Relevance

Relevance to national priorities, relevant fields, and customer needs:

HEC efforts reflect alignment to the goals and requirements of the NASA Authorization Act of 2010 in 

a long-term, affordable, safe, and sustainable manner for participation and leadership in the 

exploration and utilization of space, and expanding a permanent human presence beyond LEO to 

destinations such as near-Earth asteroids, the Moon, and Mars.

Relevance to the NASA Mission and Strategic Goals:

HEC develops the vehicles that will meet NASA Strategic Outcome 1.4, to "Develop an integrated 

architecture and capabilities for safe crewed and cargo missions beyond low Earth orbit." Capabilities 

for delivering crew and cargo beyond low Earth orbit enable Goal 1, to "Extend and sustain human 

activities across the solar system." The HEC Theme will draw upon previously demonstrated 

capabilities and operational experience from human spaceflight programs in establishing exciting new 

programs that can take astronauts to many possible destinations within the inner solar system.

Relevance to education and public benefits:

As it has throughout NASA's history, human presence in space will continue to serve as a public 

symbol of the Nation's leadership. NASA's efforts to exceed the capability, affordability and safety of 

the Space Shuttle and develop systems leading to human exploration beyond LEO will demonstrate 

technologies with many possible applications to future prosperity and national security. These 

activities also provide a training ground for the next generation of scientists and engineers. NASA's 

exploration initiatives continue to nurture elements of the aerospace industry and workforce and are 

likely to inspire the Nation's youth to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and 

mathematics (STEM) fields.

ESMD-7
Mission Directorate: Exploration

Theme: Human Exploration Capabilities

Performance

Performance Commitments:

Measure # Description Contributing

Program (s)

Strategic Goal 1 Extend and sustain human activities across the solar 

system.

Outcome 1.3 Develop an integrated architecture and capabilities for 

safe crewed and cargo missions beyond low Earth orbit.

Objective 1.3.1 Execute development of an integrated architecture to 

conduct human space exploration missions beyond low 

Earth orbit.

Performance Goal 1.3.1.1 Complete design reviews for Space Launch System 

(SLS).

APG

1.3.1.1: HEC-12-1

Successfully complete Space Launch System's (SLS) 

Systems Requirements Review (SRR).

Space Launch 

System

Performance Goal 1.3.1.2 Complete design reviews for Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle 

(MPCV).

APG

1.3.1.2: HEC-12-2

Complete testing of Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV) 

Ground Test Article (GTA).

Multi-Purpose Crew 

Vehicle

Performance Achievement Highlights:

The HEC Theme begins NASA's transition from the Constellation Program in FY 2011 consistent with 

constraints in NASA's appropriations and authorizations. The Theme shifts focus toward development 

of capabilities permitting flexible missions to multiple destinations beyond LEO. These efforts involve 

replanning for vehicle capabilities, realigning schedules, and shifting the management approach from 

a closely coupled system (Ares I and Orion) to a more general launch vehicle and crew vehicle.

ESMD-8
Mission Directorate: Exploration

Theme: Human Exploration Capabilities

Program: Space Launch System

Program Overview

SLS is a new program to develop a heavy-lift vehicle (HLV) as one of the components to extend

human presence in space beyond LEO and to enable ambitious missions with destinations such

as near-Earth asteroids, the Moon, and Mars. The SLS Program would provide the capability to

lift the MPCV and other vehicles and cargo necessary for exploration missions, as well as large

science spacecraft. 

 

To be successful both as an individual program and as a component of an affordable exploration 

architecture, the SLS program must greatly reduce development and operations costs from NASA's 

experience in past programs. Affordability, and crew and public safety, are primary objectives for 

heavy-lift, NASA, with support from industry partners, will investigate alternative vehicle designs and 

architectures to validate, support, or challenge design plans, ensuring an affordable design that 

meets NASA's requirements. 

 

To help inform decisions on the final detailed design concept and acquisition details for the SLS, 

NASA has initiated several industry study contracts regarding heavy-lift and propulsion. These study 

contracts will provide a "fresh look" at innovative launch vehicle concepts, propulsion technologies, 

and processes that can be infused into the development of the new human exploration missions. This 

information that will be used to help inform the overall selection and development of the final SLS 

vehicle detailed design. 

 

In FY 2012, NASA will continue to define a sufficiently affordable, sustainable and realistic SLS 

development plan. Human Exploration Capabilities will perform technical assessments to determine 

the best path forward for SLS. Consistent with direction in the NASA Authorization Act of 2010, NASA 

will leverage existing designs and hardware which includes NASA's selection of an SLS RVD

RVD that is derived from Ares and Shuttle hardware. Informed by the NASA analyses, the current

RVD is a 27.5-foot diameter core liquid oxygen/liquid hydrogen (LOX/LH2) vehicle with five Space

Shuttle Main Engine (SSME)-derived core stage engines, (designated RS-25E), a LOX/LH2 upper

stage with a J-2X engine, and two Ares-derived five-segment solid rocket boosters. The RVD

would provide a combined lift capability of approximately 100-130 metric tons to LEO.

Program Relevance

SLS directly supports NASA Strategic Goal 1, to "Extend and sustain human activities across the 

solar system," and Outcome 1.4, to "Develop an integrated architecture and capabilities for safe 

crewed and cargo missions beyond low Earth orbit." SLS develops the affordable, safe, and capable 

HLV that is essential to launch the crew and cargo elements for exploration missions beyond LEO.

ESMD-9
Mission Directorate: Exploration

Theme: Human Exploration Capabilities

Program: Space Launch System

Plans For FY 2012

NASA has established three principles for development of future systems for exploration: these 

systems must be affordable, sustainable, and realistic. NASA commits to identify a heavy-lift 

architecture that would meet these goals within the available SLS budget. 

 

NASA recognizes that in order to be sustainable, future launch systems, their infrastructure, and 

corresponding missions must be affordable and timely. The costs for design, development, test, and 

evaluation (DDT&E) for new propulsion systems must be within the projected NASA budgets. 

Similarly, the recurring costs of producing and operating these systems in future space exploration 

missions must be significantly reduced to enable development of additional needed exploration flight 

elements, and a sustainable flight rate for future NASA missions. 

 

In FY 2012, NASA will continue to define a sufficiently affordable, sustainable and realistic SLS 

development plan. FY 2012 efforts will build upon the multiple parallel activities of the SLS FY 2011 

formulation phase that are planned to find the most efficient and effective development and recurring 

annual operating costs for the SLS. NASA will transition relevant work from the Space Shuttle 

Program and Ares project to the new SLS Program and continue to define the requirements for the 

SLS. Included in this approach is the performance of technical assessments to determine the best 

path forward for SLS. Consistent with direction in the NASA Authorization Act of 2010, NASA will 

leverage existing designs and hardware, which includes NASA's selection of an SLS RVD that is 

derived from Ares and Shuttle hardware. The RVD will continue to be refined as NASA completes its 

studies and evaluations. Informed by NASA's analyses to-date, the current RVD is a 27.5-foot 

diameter core LOX/LH2 vehicle with five SSME-derived core stage engines, a LOX/LH2 upper stage 

with a J-2X engine, and two Ares-derived five-segment solid rocket boosters. The RVD would provide 

a combined lift capability of approximately 100 to 130 metric tons to LEO.

Program Commitments

Commitment/Output

FY 2012

Program/Project Changes from

FY 2011 PB Request

Successfully complete Space Launch System's 

(SLS) Systems Requirements Review (SRR).

Space Launch System (SLS) New

Program Management

The SLS Program will be managed at the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), with supporting input 

from the Glenn Research Center (GRC) and the Kennedy Space Flight Center (KSC).

ESMD-10
Mission Directorate: Exploration

Theme: Human Exploration Capabilities

Program: Space Launch System

Acquisition Strategy

NASA is developing a full acquisition strategy for the SLS. Given that the current RVD would utilize 

heritage systems from the Shuttle and Ares, NASA is evaluating existing Ares and Shuttle contracts 

and potential money saving improvements and modifications to them. This process will determine 

whether those contracts could be used for development work on the SLS and whether doing so 

would be the most affordable and efficient option for developing the SLS. As NASA seeks to maintain 

existing capabilities during this planning effort, HEC continues work on the elements of the Ares I 

project that are most likely to feed forward into the SLS. 

 

On November 8, 2010, NASA announced the results of the heavy lift and propulsion study contracts 

that were awarded as part of a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) issued in May 2010. As part of 

this competitive solicitation, NASA selected 13 companies to conduct six-month studies examining 

the trade space of potential heavy-lift launch and space transfer vehicle concepts. The BAA is 

focused on achieving affordability, operability, reliability and commonality at the system and 

subsystem levels with multiple users, including other Government, commercial, science and 

international partners. These trade studies will provide a "fresh look" at innovative launch vehicle 

concepts, propulsion technologies, and processes that can be infused into the development of the 

new human exploration missions information that will be used to help inform the overall selection and 

development of the final SLS vehicle detailed design. 

 

Reducing recurring costs and the cost of operations will be one of the greatest challenges for the 

SLS team. For all SLS acquisitions and development activities, NASA will employ improved 

acquisition approaches such as design-to-cost and lifecycle cost analyses that use industry best 

practices, consider incentives for contractor reductions in fixed costs, and address cultural changes 

within the Agency to focus more on affordability rather than just performance factors. 

 

NASA hopes to finalize its acquisition decisions as early as the spring of 2011. Details will be 

included in a follow-on report to Congress.

ESMD-11
Mission Directorate: Exploration

Theme: Human Exploration Capabilities

Program: Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle

Program Overview

MPCV is a new program to develop a spacecraft that will carry humans beyond LEO. MPCV will be 

capable of conducting in-space operations with other payloads and vehicles in low Earth orbit and 

beyond. NASA's initial assessments show high applicability of the Orion spacecraft development to 

the MPCV requirements. To the extent possible NASA will utilize the progress made by the Orion 

project. NASA will continue the advanced development of the human safety features, designs, and 

systems already identified. 

 

The current RVD for MPCV consists of a crew module capsule, service module, and launch abort 

system. The combined crew and service modules provide power, life support, crew systems and 

habitability, communications, and propulsion for operations beyond LEO. The RVD lands safely on 

water, with land as a contingency option. The MPCV Program includes the supporting functions of 

mission operations and suits for launch/entry/landing and EVA. 

 

The MPCV development and operations cost must be affordable enough to allow development and 

operation of the vehicle and capabilities required for longer duration exploration inherent in missions 

beyond LEO. Controlling and reducing costs requires implementing affordability measures such as 

streamlining NASA's insight/oversight of contractor activities, implementing a streamlined test and 

verification strategy consistent with other aerospace practices, phasing work to meet spending rate 

targets, adopting incremental development methods to achieve capabilities consistent with the 

Agency strategy, realizing efficiencies in the implementation of internal NASA governance and 

program management processes and practices, and optimizing Agency facilities and infrastructure 

costs. Flexibility to develop optimal technical solutions and a schedule that best benefits the Agency's 

long-term exploration needs are essential to the development of a robust and affordable MPCV.

Program Relevance

MPCV is a direct element of NASA Strategic Goal 1, to "Extend and sustain human activities across 

the solar system," and Outcome 1.4, to "Develop an integrated architecture and capabilities for safe 

crewed and cargo missions beyond low Earth orbit." The plan for MPCV is to develop an affordable 

and safe, crew vehicle that will facilitate exploration missions beyond LEO.

Plans For FY 2012

In FY 2012, the MPCV Program will focus on maturing designs from the Orion Crew Exploration 

Vehicle's Preliminary Design Review toward an MPCV Critical Design Review level of maturity. 

Integrated and component ground testing will continue, including evaluation of the Ground Test 

Article and the parachute system. Facilities construction and outfitting will continue where needed to 

enable testing, assembly, and processing of test flights. 

 

An MPCV master program schedule, including all major milestones from inception to achieving 

operational capability, will be developed as part of program initiation. NASA will achieve an early 

operational readiness date within the available budget and in a manner that leads to affordable 

operations over the long term.

ESMD-12
Mission Directorate: Exploration

Theme: Human Exploration Capabilities

Program: Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle

Program Commitments

Commitment/Output

FY 2012

Program/Project Changes from

FY 2011 PB Request

Complete testing of Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle 

(MPCV) Ground Test Article (GTA).

Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV) New

Program Management

The MPCV Program will be managed at the Johnson Space Center (JSC), with support from the four 

research Centers--Ames, Dryden, Glenn, and Langley--and MSFC and KSC.

Acquisition Strategy

NASA is adhering to guidance set forth in the 2010 Authorization Act, which states that the 

Administrator shall "to the extent practicable extend or modify existing vehicle development and 

associated contracts necessary" to develop to MPCV. Existing Constellation Program contracts 

pertaining to the Orion project and supporting functions continue to be executed while the final 

MPCV implementation plan is being developed. This approach provides the least impact on jobs in 

the near term, while providing maximum leverage to the Agency as it plans development of the 

earliest affordable MPCV. 

 

Final plans for leveraging existing contracts, civil service, and contract workforce will be updated 

when the final FY 2011 appropriation is provided. Initial planning is focusing on using the existing 

Orion project contracts, organization, and workforce to the maximum extent possible.

ESMD-13
Mission Directorate: Exploration

Theme: Commercial Spaceflight

Theme Overview

NASA's vision of commercial space flight to LEO is a robust, vibrant, profitable enterprise with many 

providers and a wide range of private and public customers. NASA is embracing this vision with the 

newly established Commercial Spaceflight Theme. 

 

Activities within this Theme aim to incentivize and encourage commercial providers to build and 

operate safe, reliable, and cost-effective commercial crew and cargo transportation systems for flight 

to and from LEO and the ISS. During the development phase, NASA plans to partner with U.S. 

industry, providing technical and financial assistance as they develop commercial launch and 

transportation capabilities. During the operations phase, NASA plans to be a customer for these 

transportation services. NASA anticipates that these activities will stimulate the development of new 

commercial services available to many customers, not just the U.S. Government. 

 

NASA expanded its commercial spaceflight efforts in 2006 with the formation of Space Act 

Agreements for the development of ISS cargo resupply systems under the Commercial Orbital 

Transportation Services (COTS) Program. Space Act Agreements are written to maximize the 

flexibility and innovation of private development efforts by ensuring Government specifications are 

kept to a minimum. As part of these Agreements, companies partnering with NASA were required to 

contribute their own funding to the activity thereby leveraging NASA dollars and ensuring a larger net 

investment in commercial cargo capability development. The COTS Program made significant 

progress in FY 2010, culminating in the successful first demonstration flight of the Falcon 9 launch 

vehicle and Dragon spacecraft. This flight attested to the viability of Government and private sector 

partnerships in the development of commercial cargo space flight services. 

 

In FY 2010, NASA further expanded its commercial spaceflight efforts to encompass crew 

transportation systems in addition to the cargo transportation systems. NASA made Commercial Crew 

Development (CCDev) awards in order to stimulate efforts within the private sector, encouraging them 

to develop and demonstrate human spaceflight capabilities. Crew transportation efforts will be further 

expanded via CCDev Round 2 awards in early 2011. 

 

In FY 2012, NASA proposes to take the accomplishments and lessons learned from the successes of 

CCDev and CCDev2, and incorporate them into a new initiative called CCDev Round 3. This initiative 

will facilitate the development of a U.S. commercial crew space transportation capability with the goal 

of achieving safe, reliable, and cost effective access to and from LEO and the ISS. CCDev Round 3 

will result in vehicles that could become the Nation's primary means for ISS crew transportation 

reducing American reliance on foreign systems and allowing NASA to focus on deep space 

exploration missions.

ESMD-14
Mission Directorate: Exploration

Theme: Commercial Spaceflight

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

39.1 - 792.8 795.0 792.5 789.7 785.5

Commercial Crew 0.0 - 792.8 795.0 792.5 789.7 785.5

Commercial Cargo 39.1 - 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Note: The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated account in 

each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the program amounts shown above. The allocation to each program is reflected 

in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 2010 and FY 

2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

ESMD-15
Mission Directorate: Exploration

Theme: Commercial Spaceflight

Plans for FY 2012

Commercial Crew

The two primary activities planned for FY 2012 are: the continued execution and completion of 

CCDev Round 2 Space Act Agreements, which will be awarded in the spring of 2011, and the 

formation of long-term agreements with industry for CCDev Round 3, planned for late spring 2012.

Relevance

Relevance to national priorities, relevant fields, and customer needs:

NASA's Commercial Spaceflight Theme is stimulating the development of a commercial space 

industry in the United States by encouraging the growth of a new competitive market that will help 

decrease launch costs, reduce NASA's reliance on foreign systems, enable exploration beyond LEO, 

and transform spaceflight for future generations. By pushing the boundaries of private enterprise and 

commerce into LEO, NASA has initiated the first truly sustainable activity for expansion into space.

Relevance to the NASA Mission and Strategic Goals:

The Commercial Spaceflight Theme supports two of NASA's strategic goals. Goal 1, to "Extend and 

sustain human activities across the solar system," directly applies by developing competitive 

opportunities for the commercial community to provide best value products and services to LEO (Subgoal 1.2). Goal 3, to "Create the innovative new space technologies for our exploration, science, and 

economic future" is being applied by facilitating the transfer of NASA technology and engage in 

partnerships with other Government agencies, industry, and international entities to generate U.S. 

commercial activity and other public benefits (Sub-goal 3.4).

Relevance to education and public benefits:

As it has throughout NASA's history, human presence in space will continue to serve as a public 

symbol of the Nation's leadership in space exploration. The Agency's renewed efforts to leave LEO 

and to explore the Moon and other destinations will accelerate the development of technologies 

critical to the economy and national security. These efforts will also provide a training ground for the 

next generation of scientists and engineers. By enabling emerging enterprises to achieve commercial 

viability, U.S. technology sectors will expand, providing opportunities that are likely to inspire the 

Nation's youth to pursue careers in STEM disciplines.

ESMD-16
Mission Directorate: Exploration

Theme: Commercial Spaceflight

Performance

Performance Commitments:

Measure # Description Contributing

Program (s)

Strategic Goal 1 Extend and sustain human activities across the solar 

system.

Outcome 1.2 Develop competitive opportunities for the commercial 

community to provide best value products and services 

to low Earth orbit and beyond.

Objective 1.2.1 Enable the commercial sector to provide cargo and crew 

services to the International Space Station (ISS).

Performance Goal 1.2.1.1 Develop competitive opportunities for the commercial 

community to provide best value products and services 

to low Earth orbit and beyond.

APG

1.2.1.1: CS-12-1

Conclude the commercial crew transportation systems 

(CCDev2) agreements and make initial selections for the 

design, development, and demonstration of commercial crew 

transportation systems.

Commercial Crew

Performance Goal 1.2.1.2 Develop and document evaluation and certification 

processes for an integrated commercial crew 

transportation system.

APG

1.2.1.2: CS-12-2

Begin evaluation and certification of integrated commercial 

crew transportation system.

Commercial Crew

ESMD-17
Mission Directorate: Exploration

 

 

Theme: Commercial Spaceflight

Performance Achievement Highlights:

COTS and CCDev have made significant progress over the past year. Within the COTS effort, Space 

Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) and Orbital Sciences Corporation (Orbital Sciences) steadily 

achieved impressive results in their respective cargo transportation development efforts, with NASA's 

financial and technical assistance. 

 

SpaceX completed many challenging, funded milestones during FY 2010, culminating in the first 

successful COTS demonstration mission in December 2010. SpaceX launched the Falcon 9 vehicle, 

which demonstrated separation of the Dragon spacecraft and completion of two full orbits, orbital 

maneuvering and control, Dragon reentry, parachute decent, and Dragon spacecraft recovery after 

splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. 

 

Orbital Sciences also completed several funded milestones over the past year. These included: 

- A Critical Design Review, which determined that the system design maturity was appropriate to 

support proceeding with full scale fabrication, assembly, integration, and test; 

- Completion of the spacecraft service module structural core; 

- A service module test readiness review; and 

- A successful cargo integration demonstration using a sample manifest of cargo simulators for 

physical stowage and demonstration of cargo handling procedures. NASA astronauts participated in 

this demonstration. 

Under the CCDev program, $50 million in America Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds 

were competitively awarded to five companies to encourage significant progress on developing longlead capabilities, technologies, and commercial crew risk mitigation tasks that will ultimately accelerate 

their commercial crew transportation concepts. The accomplishments of these five companies 

included the following: 

 

- Sierra Nevada Corporation successfully completed several development milestones, including space 

vehicle propulsion hybrid motor testing and the Dream Chaser spacecraft composite test article and 

structural testing. 

 

- Blue Origin successfully met milestones for multiple pusher launch abort motor tests to verify 

operation of new jet tab thrust vector control and the manufacture, assembly, and structural testing of 

their crew composite pressure vessel. 

 

- Paragon Space Development Corporation manufactured and tested an air revitalization system 

engineering development unit and successfully moved their concept through a Preliminary Design 

Review. 

 

- Boeing matured their commercial crew system architecture and design through a Systems Definition 

Review. They also demonstrated key technologies and capabilities including crew module mockup, 

base heat shield fabrication, avionics systems testing, landing attenuation system demonstration, 

demonstration of air bags in water and on land, life support system demonstration, and crew module 

pressure shell fabrication. 

 

- United Launch Alliance developed and demonstrated a prototype emergency detection system that 

can be used with launch vehicles, providing real time launch vehicle health monitoring and providing 

the earliest warning of impending catastrophic launch vehicle failures. System warnings are essential 

for commanding crew launch escape and improving crew launch safety.

ESMD-18
Mission Directorate: Exploration

Theme: Commercial Spaceflight

Program: Commercial Crew

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

0.0 - 792.8 795.0 792.5 789.7 785.5

Commercial Crew 0.0 - 792.8 795.0 792.5 789.7 785.5

Note:

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated 

account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project amounts shown above. The allocation to each project

is reflected in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 

2010 and FY 2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

ESMD-19
Mission Directorate: Exploration

Theme: Commercial Spaceflight

Program: Commercial Crew

Program Overview

In 2009, NASA began commercial crew activity with the initial round of five CCDev awards to 

stimulate efforts within the private sector to develop and demonstrate human space flight capabilities 

that could ultimately lead to the availability of commercial human space flight services. In October 

2010, NASA solicited proposals from U.S. space industry participants for a second round of CCDev 

initiatives (CCDev 2) to further advance commercial crew transportation system concepts and mature 

the design and development of elements of the system such as launch vehicles and spacecraft. The 

agreements are expected to result in significant maturation of commercial crew transportation system 

capabilities, with consideration given to NASA's draft human certification requirements and standards 

or industry equivalent to those requirements and standards. 

 

The results of these efforts will feed into CCDev Round 3. The primary objective of CCDev Round 3 

will be to facilitate the development of a U.S. commercial crew space transportation capability with the 

goal of achieving safe, reliable, and cost effective access to and from LEO and the ISS. Once the 

capability is matured and available to customers, NASA plans to purchase transportation services to 

meet its ISS crew rotation and emergency return obligations. 

 

CCDev Round 3 will follow an alternative business method that allows U.S. private companies more 

design ownership of their space systems and requires those companies to invest private capital to 

complement government funds. This approach is similar to that in use with the development, 

demonstration, and eventual purchase of cargo transportation services pioneered under the COTS 

and ISS Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) Programs. 

 

For CCDev Round 3, NASA plans to award competitive, pre-negotiated, milestone-based agreements 

that support the development, testing, and demonstration of multiple commercial crew systems. 

CCDev Round 3 will feature an acquisition strategy based on pay-for-performance milestones, a fixed 

Government investment, the use of negotiated service goals instead of detailed design requirements, 

and a requirement for private capital. CCDev Round 3 will also use a Government insight/oversight 

model featuring a core team of sustaining engineering and discipline experts who closely follow the 

development of the vehicles. Additionally, CCDev Round 3 will use tailored human rating 

requirements, standards, and processes, with NASA providing the final crew transportation system 

certification.

Plans For FY 2012

Throughout most of FY 2012, the CCDev Round 2 commercial partners will be executing milestones 

associated with their Space Act Agreements. In spring 2012, NASA plans to make awards for 

CCDev Round 3. Partnering with industry in this innovative way potentially accelerates the availability 

of U.S. human access to LEO and reduces the risk of relying solely on foreign crew transports to the 

ISS for years to come. It will strengthen the U.S. commercial space launch industry, encourage 

competition, act as a catalyst for the development of additional space markets, provide new hightechnology jobs, and reduce the cost of human access to space.

ESMD-20
Mission Directorate: Exploration

Theme: Commercial Spaceflight

Program:

 

 

Commercial Crew

Program Commitments

Commitment/Output

FY 2012

Program/Project Changes from

FY 2011 PB Request

Conclude the commercial crew transportation 

systems (CCDev2) agreements and make initial 

selections for the design, development, and 

demonstration of commercial crew transportation 

systems.

Commercial Crew None

Begin evaluation and certification of integrated 

commercial crew transportation system.

Commercial Crew None

Program Management

The Commercial Crew Program Manager, located at Kennedy Space Center, reports to NASA 

Headquarters. The Deputy Program Manager resides at Johnson Space Center.

Acquisition Strategy

NASA is still developing the specific acquisition strategy for CCDev Round 3. Based on industry input 

and the lessons learned from COTS, CCDev, and CCDev Round 2, NASA is planning an acquisition 

approach that provides the following features: 

- Pre-negotiated, pay-for-performance milestones to shift risk during the development phase to the 

private sector, encouraging innovation and efficiency in vehicle design; 

 

- A fixed government investment that will permit NASA to seed the development of a risk-balanced 

portfolio of multiple concepts and systems; 

 

- A tailored approach to government oversight of programmatic activities during development, 

including eliminating the need to validate contractor costs, reducing reporting requirements, and 

cutting down on significant paperwork, thereby decreasing costs and schedules; 

 

- Identification of less prescriptive goals and objectives during the development phase that enables 

the companies the flexibility to provide innovative design solutions that effectively meet the needs of 

the commercial market and NASA while ensuring crew safety; 

 

- Minimal Government retention of intellectual property to provide companies with confidence that 

they will retain the benefit of their investment; and 

 

- A requirement for industry investment to leverage NASA dollars and ensure a larger net investment 

in commercial crew capability development. 

NASA's objective is to remain primarily goal-based in the development phase, establishing a set of 

top-level performance requirements to encourage innovation and cost effectiveness.

ESMD-21
Mission Directorate:

Theme:

Exploration

Commercial Spaceflight

Program: Commercial Crew

Title Risk Statement Risk Management Approach and Plan

Failure of a Commercial 

Partner

Commercial partners may not 

be able to complete the 

demonstration phase and 

thus NASA's investment 

would not result in available 

commercial services.

Commercial partners are incentivized to work through 

difficulties in order to avoid losing future funding and NASA 

technical assistance. Also, in order to insulate the agency in 

the unlikely event of a single commercial partner not 

completing their agreed-to milestones, NASA plans to 

execute agreements with multiple commercial providers.

Uncertainty Regarding 

Emerging Commercial Market 

Demand

With a minimum of only two 

flights per year from NASA 

and an uncertain non-NASA 

market, potential providers 

may be wary of the 

commercial business 

potential.

Given the decision to extend the life of the ISS, NASA will be 

an ongoing, long-term customer for commercial crew 

services, providing a strong base market for commercial 

providers. In addition, NASA plans to have extensive 

interaction with industry via requests for information, industry 

days, and draft announcements that will allow NASA to 

optimize the strategy of the program prior to awards.

Requirements Unique to 

NASA

NASA-unique requirements 

will increase the cost to 

provide services such that the 

commercial providers may 

not be able to capture nonNASA markets.

NASA has explicitly acknowledged that there are two 

objectives for the Commercial Crew program. One is the safe 

transportation of astronauts to and from the ISS, and the 

other is to enable the development of non-NASA commercial 

markets for human transportation services to and from LEO. 

NASA will seek a balance to achieve both objectives, not 

achieving one objective at the expense of the other.

Program Risk Management

ESMD-22
Mission Directorate: Exploration

Theme: Exploration Research and Development

Theme Overview

The ERD Theme expands fundamental knowledge that is key to human space exploration, and 

develops advanced exploration systems that will enable humans to explore space in a more 

sustainable and affordable way. 

 

The ERD Theme is comprised of HRP and the AES Program, and provides knowledge and the 

advanced human space flight capabilities required to implement NASA's new exploration program. In 

FY 2012, the ETD Program, which was an element of the ERD Theme in FY 2011, will be transferred 

to the Office of the Chief Technologist. 

 

The life support, habitation, and extra-vehicular Activity elements of ETD will remain in the AES 

program because these capabilities are critical to crew safety and the success of future vehicle 

production and human spaceflight missions. It is important that these areas be managed in concert 

with the associated vehicle development, and closely overseen by human spaceflight personnel. 

Undersea and field analogs as well as ISS flight tests that simulate human exploration missions will 

also remain in AES because they have strong ties to future exploration success validating operational 

concepts for exploring the Moon, near Earth asteroids, and Mars. 

 

HRP investigates and mitigates the highest risks to astronaut health and performance to support 

NASA human exploration missions. Through its projects, HRP conducts fundamental and applied 

research on the human system to provide countermeasures, knowledge, technologies, and tools to 

enable safe, reliable, and productive human space exploration. As astronauts journey beyond LEO, 

they will be exposed to microgravity, radiation, and isolation for long periods of time. Keeping crews 

healthy and productive during long missions will require new technologies and capabilities. To 

accomplish this, NASA studies how the space environment, close quarters, heavy workloads, and 

prolonged time away from home contribute to stress, and then develops technologies that can prevent 

or mitigate these effects. In addition, the Agency is developing innovative exploration systems to 

provide basic needs such as oxygen, water, food, and shelter that can operate dependably for at least 

a year. 

 

AES develops and demonstrates prototype systems for life support, habitation, and EVA that will 

enable NASA to conduct future human missions beyond LEO, while reducing risk and lifecycle cost. 

AES demonstrates these systems in ground test beds, Earth-based field and underwater tests, and 

ISS flight experiments.

ESMD-23
Mission Directorate: Exploration

Theme: Exploration Research and Development

FY 2012 Budget Request

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010

Ann CR.

FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

299.2 - 211.4 214.3 211.2 207.5 203.7

Human Research Program 146.3 - 143.3 143.8 143.0 142.0 140.9

Advanced Explorations Systems 152.9 - 68.1 70.5 68.2 65.5 62.8

Note: 

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis. 

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated account in 

each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the program amounts shown above. The allocation to each program is reflected 

in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 2010 and FY 

2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

ESMD-24
Mission Directorate: Exploration

Theme: Exploration Research and Development

Plans for FY 2012

Human Research Program

During FY 2012, HRP will support approximately 15 to 20 biomedical flight experiments on the ISS 

and deliver the next-generation space biomedical ultrasound device to enhance the ISS' human 

research facility capability. Other activities include development of a training program for ultrasound 

diagnosis of fractures and evaluation of blood analysis technology for astronaut health monitoring. 

In addition, the program will provide a preliminary recommendation regarding the use of 

bisphosphonates in conjunction with a routine in-flight exercise program to reduce bone loss. HRP 

projects will deliver an enhanced design tool for vehicle radiation shielding assessments and 

release the second version of an acute radiation risk model. In the area of behavioral health and 

performance, researchers will complete a sleep-wake actigraphy report on the ISS crew. In order to 

support its research requirements, HRP will release two NASA research announcements 

addressing space radiation health risks and human physiological changes associated with space 

flight.

Advanced Explorations Systems

In FY 2012, AES will use a ground test bed to demonstrate the reliability of life support system 

components, and a portable life support system for an advanced space suit will be tested in a 

vacuum chamber. Ground-based analog field tests and underwater tests will validate a prototype 

Space Exploration Vehicle and Deep Space Habitat, and demonstrate operational concepts for 

exploring the surfaces of near-Earth asteroids with humans and robots.

ESMD-25
Mission Directorate: Exploration

Theme: Exploration Research and Development

Performance

Performance Commitments:

Measure # Description Contributing

Program (s)

Strategic Goal 1 Extend and sustain human activities across the solar 

system.

Outcome 1.1 Sustain the operation and full use of the International 

Space Station (ISS) and expand efforts to utilize the ISS 

as a National Laboratory for scientific, technological, 

diplomatic, and educational purposes and for supporting 

future objectives in human space exploration.

Objective 1.1.2 Advance engineering, technology, and research 

capabilities on the ISS.

Performance Goal 1.1.2.2 Conduct basic and applied biological and physical 

research to advance and sustain U.S. scientific expertise.

APG

1.1.2.2: ERD-12-1

Conduct flight definition review for at least five flight 

experiments in fundamental space biology that were selected 

through the 2010 International Space Life Sciences Research 

Announcement.

Advanced

Explorations

Systems

APG

1.1.2.2: ERD-12-2

Deliver at least four physical sciences payloads for launch to 

the ISS.

Advanced

Explorations

Systems

APG

1.1.2.2: ERD-12-3

Conduct at least six experiments in combustion, fluids, or 

materials sciences on the ISS.

Advanced

Explorations

Systems

Outcome 1.3 Develop an integrated architecture and capabilities for 

safe crewed and cargo missions beyond low Earth orbit.

Objective 1.3.2 Develop a robust biomedical research portfolio to 

mitigate space human health risks.

Performance Goal 1.3.2.1 Develop technologies that enable biomedical research 

and mitigate space human health risks associated with 

human space exploration missions.

APG

1.3.2.1: ERD-12-4

Develop and release two NASA Research Announcements 

that solicit from the external biomedical research community 

the highest quality proposals to mitigate space human health 

risks.

Human Research

Performance Goal 1.3.2.2 Perform research to ensure that future human crews are 

protected from the deleterious effects of space radiation.

APG

1.3.2.2: ERD-12-5

Release Acute Radiation Risk Model Version 2 to assess 

effects of solar particle events during exploration missions.

Human Research

Performance Goal 1.3.2.3 Develop exploration medical capabilities for longduration space missions.

APG

1.3.2.3: ERD-12-6

Deliver the next-generation space biomedical ultrasound 

device to enhance the Human Research Facility capability on 

the ISS through 2020.

Human Research

ESMD-26
Mission Directorate: Exploration

Theme: Exploration Research and Development

Performance

Performance Commitments:

Measure # Description Contributing

Program (s)

Objective 1.3.3 Identify hazards, opportunities, and potential 

destinations, to support future safe and successful 

human space exploration missions.

Performance Goal 1.3.3.1 Prioritize the knowledge of hazards, opportunities, and 

potential destinations for human space exploration that 

will be of use to future operations of an integrated 

architecture for human space exploration.

APG

1.3.3.1: ERD-12-7

In collaboration with the Planetary Science Division, develop 

a plan to return data that will support the selection of 

destinations and reduce risk for future human space 

exploration missions.

Advanced

Explorations

Systems

Strategic Goal 3 Create the innovative new space technologies for our 

exploration, science, and economic future.

Outcome 3.3 Develop and demonstrate the critical technologies that 

will make NASA's exploration, science, and discovery 

missions more affordable and more capable.

Objective 3.3.2 Develop and demonstrate critical technologies for safe 

and affordable cargo and human space exploration 

missions beyond low Earth orbit.

Performance Goal 3.3.2.1 Develop advanced spacesuits to improve the ability of 

astronauts to conduct Extra-Vehicular Activity (EVA) 

operations in space including assembly and service of in

-space systems and exploration of surfaces of the Moon, 

Mars, near-Earth objects (NEOs), and other small bodies.

APG

3.3.2.1: ERD-12-9

Initiate tests of Extra-Vehicular Activity (EVA) Portable Life 

Support System (PLSS) technologies in a vacuum chamber 

environment.

Advanced

Explorations

Systems

ESMD-27
Mission Directorate: Exploration

Theme: Exploration Research and Development

Program: Human Research Program

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

146.3 - 143.3 143.8 143.0 142.0 140.9

Human Research Program 146.3 - 143.3 143.8 143.0 142.0 140.9

Note: The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, 

NASA is operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column 

reflect the annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated 

account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project amounts shown above. The allocation to each project

is reflected in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 

2010 and FY 2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

ESMD-28
Mission Directorate: Exploration

Theme: Exploration Research and Development

Program:

 

Human Research Program

Program Overview

HRP is focused on investigating and mitigating the highest risks to human health and performance in 

order to enable safe, reliable, and productive human space exploration. The HRP budget enables 

NASA to resolve health risks in order for humans to safely live and work on missions in the inner solar 

system. HRP conducts research, develops countermeasures, and undertakes technology 

development to address human health risks in space and ensure compliance with NASA's health, 

medical, human performance, and environmental standards. The risks examined by HRP include 

health concerns from space radiation exposure, behavioral health, and team cohesion challenges 

associated with confinement and isolation, ensuring vehicle functions are properly designed for 

efficient human interface in space, and providing for emergency medical care in space. HRP also 

studies the effects of microgravity on the human body including rapid muscle atrophy, bone loss, 

neurovestibular system changes that produce motion sickness, significant fluid shifts that affect 

intracranial pressure, visual changes, cardiovascular function, blood volume, and orthostatic 

intolerance. 

 

HRP activities are designed to: 

- Develop human health capabilities, countermeasures, and technologies in support of human space 

exploration; 

 

- Enable the definition and improvement of human spaceflight medical, environmental and human 

factors standards; 

 

- Develop technologies to reduce medical and environmental risks within spacecraft and mission 

resource limitations; 

 

- Ensure maintenance of Agency core human health competencies that are necessary to enable risk 

reduction in the areas of space medicine; 

 

- Leverage resources to apply space technology to practical applications on the ground; and 

 

- Develop national and international collaborations that support NASA goals with organizations such 

as the National Space Biomedical Research Institute (NSBRI), National Institute of Health (NIH), 

Department of Education, Department of Defense (DoD), European Space Agency (ESA), Japan 

Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES), German 

Aerospace Center (DLR), Canadian Space Agency (CSA), Italian Space Agency (ASI), and 

potentially others.

ESMD-29
Mission Directorate: Exploration

Theme: Exploration Research and Development

Program: Human Research Program

Plans For FY 2012

The ISS Medical project (ISSMP) will maximize the opportunity provided by the ISS for human health 

and performance evaluations during long duration missions. ISSMP will use the ISS to understand 

the significant effects of long duration space flight on the human body. In FY 2012, this project will 

support approximately 15 to 20 biomedical flight experiments per each ISS six month mission and will 

deliver the next-generation space biomedical ultrasound device to enhance the Human Research 

Facility capability on the ISS through 2020. 

 

The Space Radiation projects will continue using the NASA Space Radiation Laboratory at 

Brookhaven National Laboratory to evaluate the increased risk of cancer as a function of age, age at 

exposure, radiation quality, latency, and gender. These efforts will enable more accurate predictions 

of risks and facilitate longer stays in space. In FY 2012, space radiation research will shift emphasis 

and begin evaluating central nervous system and degenerative tissue risks, deliver an enhanced 

design tool for vehicle radiation shielding assessments, and release the second version of the acute 

radiation risk model. 

 

The HRP Exploration Medical Capability project will strive to meet the level of care standards for 

space exploration missions by testing the next generation of medical care and crew health 

maintenance technologies. HRP will develop a training program for ultrasound diagnosis of fractures, 

evaluate blood analysis technology for astronaut health monitoring, and ensure human health and 

performance data is captured, maintained, and usable. 

 

The Human Health and Countermeasure (HHC) project will perform research studies to reduce crew 

health risks during missions and long-term health risks after missions, including cardiac structure and 

function and bone demineralization monitoring and mitigation techniques. This project will provide a 

preliminary recommendation on the use of bisphosphonates in conjunction with a routine inflight 

exercise program in order to reduce bone loss. The HHC project will also provide a final report on the 

effects of microgravity on shuttle crew task performance. 

 

The Space Human Factor and Habitability project will research nutrition requirements for longduration missions, provide a final report of spinal elongation flight studies, recommend permissible 

lunar dust exposure limit standards, and design and test a software tool to support the crew's ability to 

optimally function during space missions. This project will also continue studying the exercise regimes 

necessary to maintain the astronauts' physical health in space, EVA system standards to maintain the 

astronaut's health outside of the space vehicles, and the pharmacological and nutritional health 

requirements for human space missions. 

 

The Behavioral Health and Performance project will use ground-based analog and ISS flight-based 

studies to evaluate contributing factors to health or performance degradation, errors, or failures during 

critical mission operations. These studies will evaluate sleep loss and circadian rhythms, medication 

side effects, fatigue, team cohesion, and training protocols. In FY 2012, behavioral health and 

performance researchers will complete a sleep-wake actigraphy report on crew members. 

 

To support its research requirements in FY 2012, the program will release two NASA research 

announcements: one addressing space radiation health risks, and the other a joint NASA/ NSBRI 

research solicitation focused on human physiological changes associated with spaceflight.

ESMD-30
Mission Directorate: Exploration

Theme: Exploration Research and Development

Program: Human Research Program

Project Descriptions and Explanation of Changes

Exploration Medical Capability

The Exploration Medical Capability (ExMC) project is responsible for identifying and testing next 

generation medical care and crew health maintenance technologies during exploration missions. The 

ExMC project is also responsible for the evolution of exploration health care options based on past 

experience, anticipated needs, and input from flight surgeons and crew offices. 

 

The major deliverables from this project are identifying the requirements for medical equipment and 

clinical care capabilities, developing remote medical technologies, and assessing the medical 

requirements for each mission.

Human Health Countermeasures

The Human Health Countermeasures (HHC) project provides the biomedical expertise for the 

development and assessment of medical standards, vehicle and spacesuit standards dictated by 

human physiological needs, and develops biomedical countermeasures that ensure the maintenance 

of crew health. 

 

The major deliverables for the HHC project are input for the refinement of health and medical 

standards, validated human health prescriptions, validated exercise system requirements, EVA injury 

and decompression sickness prevention standards, integrated physiological countermeasures, and 

criteria for the Agency fitness for duty and crew selection/retention standards. The project also 

supports biomedical core laboratories that provide the expertise to enable the development of 

medical standards, the assessment of the risks to crew health and performance, and the validation of 

countermeasures.

Behavioral Health and Performance

The Behavioral Health and Performance (BHP) project identifies and characterizes the behavior and 

performance risks associated with training, living, and working in space, and returning to Earth. The 

major deliverables for the BHP project consists of: recommendations for NASA medical standards; 

development of operational tools and technology to prevent performance degradation, human errors 

or failures during critical operations resulting from sleep loss, circadian de-synchronization, fatigue or 

work overload; deterioration of morale and motivation; interpersonal conflicts or lack of team 

cohesion, coordination, and communication; team and individual decision-making; performance 

readiness factors (fatigue, cognition, and emotional readiness); behavioral health disorders; and 

individual selection and crew assignments.

ESMD-31
Mission Directorate: Exploration

Theme: Exploration Research and Development

Program:

 

Human Research Program

Space Human Factors and Habitability

The Space Human Factors and Habitability project consists of three main areas: 

- Space Human Factors Engineering validates models for predicting the effects of interface designs 

on human performance, methods for measuring human and human-system performance, and design 

concepts for, and evaluations of, advanced crew interfaces and habitability systems. 

 

- Advanced Environmental Health research assesses the acute and long-term health impacts of 

targeted pollutants in the environment including lunar dust, microorganisms, and atmospheric 

contaminants. 

 

- Advanced Food Technology provides a safe, nutritious, and acceptable food system to maintain 

crew health and performance. Technology development addresses nutritional, psychological, safety, 

and acceptability requirements while minimizing mass, volume, waste, power, and trace gas 

emissions.

Space Radiation Health

The Space Radiation Health project performs investigations to assure that crews can safely live and 

work in a space radiation environment without exceeding the acceptable exposure limits during and 

after missions. The major deliverables for the Space Radiation project include inputs to standards for 

radiation health, habitability, and environments, requirements for radiation protection, early 

technology development for monitoring equipment, caution, and warning models, and tools to assess 

and predict risks due to space radiation exposure, and strategies to mitigate exposure effects.

ISS Medical Project

ISSMP provides planning, integration, and implementation services for HRP research tasks and 

evaluates activities requiring access to space or related flight resources on the ISS, Shuttle, Soyuz, 

Progress, or other spaceflight vehicles and platforms. This includes support to related pre-flight and 

post-flight activities. 

 

ISSMP services include operations and sustaining engineering for HRP flight hardware, experiment 

integration and operation including individual research tasks and on-orbit validation of next 

generation on-orbit equipment, medical operations, procedures and crew training concepts, and 

operation and sustaining engineering for the Telescience Support Center, which provides real-time 

operations and data services to all HRP flight experiments. This project integrates HRP-approved 

flight activities and interfaces with external implementing organizations, such as the ISS Payloads 

Office and international partners to accomplish the HRP's objectives.

ESMD-32
Mission Directorate: Exploration

Theme: Exploration Research and Development

Program: Human Research Program

Program Commitments

Commitment/Output

FY 2012

Program/Project Changes from

FY 2011 PB Request

Develop and release two NASA Research 

Announcements that solicit from the external 

biomedical research community the highest 

quality proposals to mitigate space human health 

risks.

Human Research None

Release Acute Radiation Risk Model Version 2 

to assess effects of solar particle events during 

exploration missions.

Human Research

Deliver the next-generation space biomedical 

ultrasound device to enhance the Human 

Research Facility capability on the ISS through 

2020.

Human Research

Program Management

HRP is managed by the Human Research Program Office, located at the Johnson Space Center 

(JSC) with support from Ames Research Center, Glenn Research Center, Langley Research Center 

and Kennedy Space Center.

Acquisition Strategy

In FY 2012, two NASA Research Announcements (NRAs) will be used to further efforts in human 

research. The Space Radiation NRA will focus on better understanding and reducing risks that crews 

could face from space radiation on exploration missions. The Joint NASA/NSBRI NRA to support 

crew health and performance in space exploration missions will focus on: bone loss; cardiovascular 

alterations; human performance factors, sleep, and chronobiology; muscle alterations and atrophy; 

neurobehavioral and psychosocial factors; nutrition, physical fitness, and rehabilitation; sensorimotor 

adaptation; smart medical systems; biomedical technology development; and analog bed rest 

investigations.

Independent Reviews

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review

Quality Peer Panel 

Reviews

02/2010 Peer review of NASA Research Announcements 02/2011

Quality External 

Independent 

Reviews

12/2010 Review of Research Projects Gaps and Tasks 12/2011

Quality External 

Independent 

Reviews

02/2009 Program Implementation Review 08/2012

Quality National 

Academies

06/2008 The Institute of Medicine will review the "NASA 

Research on Human Health Risks"

06/2013

ESMD-33
Mission Directorate: Exploration

Theme: Exploration Research and Development

Program: Advanced Explorations Systems

FY 2012 Budget Request

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010

Ann CR.

FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

Advanced Explorations Systems

152.9 -

152.9 - 

68.1

68.1

70.5

70.5

68.2

68.2

65.5 62.8

65.5 62.8

Note: 

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated 

account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project amounts shown above. The allocation to each project 

is reflected in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 

2010 and FY 2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

ESMD-34
Mission Directorate: Exploration

Theme: Exploration Research and Development

Program: Advanced Explorations Systems

Program Overview

AES develops and demonstrates prototype systems for life support, habitation, and EVA that will 

enable NASA to conduct future human missions beyond LEO, while reducing risk and lifecycle cost. 

AES focuses on advanced development of flight system concepts. This includes a Deep Space 

Habitat where the crew would live during transit on long missions and a Space Exploration Vehicle 

that would allow the crew to closely approach an asteroid, explore its surface, and conduct EVAs. 

AES demonstrates these systems in ground test beds, Earth-based field and underwater tests, and 

on-board ISS flight experiments. 

 

AES uses innovative approaches for the rapid development of system concepts, such as small, 

focused teams of NASA engineers and technologists working with industry partners to gain hands-on 

experience. AES will pilot these processes to improve the affordability of future exploration programs.

Plans For FY 2012

In FY 2012, AES will use a ground test bed to demonstrate the reliability of life support system 

components. A portable life support system for an advanced space suit will be tested in a vacuum 

chamber. Ground-based analog field tests and underwater tests will be used to validate a prototype 

Space Exploration Vehicle and Deep Space Habitat, and to demonstrate operational concepts for 

exploring the surfaces of near-Earth asteroids with humans and robots.

ESMD-35
Mission Directorate: Exploration

Theme: Exploration Research and Development

Program: Advanced Explorations Systems

Project Descriptions and Explanation of Changes

Advanced Life Support Ground Test Bed

This project will integrate advanced life support system components in a ground test bed to 

demonstrate their reliability for life support systems that recycle air, water, and waste in order to 

minimize consumables, which are critical capabilities for long-duration missions.

EVA Flight Demonstration

Building on current EVA technology projects, NASA will work with industry and academia to develop 

advanced space suits to improve the ability of astronauts to assemble and service in-space systems, 

and to explore the surfaces of the Moon, Mars, and small bodies. An advanced technology space 

suit and a suit port designed to enable rapid ingress and egress from habitats will be demonstrated 

on the ISS.

Advanced Exploration Systems Development

This project will use innovative approaches to develop prototype systems for a Deep Space Habitat 

where the crew will live during transit on long missions, and a Space Exploration Vehicle that will 

allow the crew to closely approach an asteroid, explore the surface, and conduct EVA. The operation 

of these systems will be demonstrated in desert field tests and underwater tests to simulate the lowgravity environment of an asteroid.

Joint Robotics Program

ERD in ESMD, working closely with the Planetary Science Division of the Science Mission 

Directorate (SMD), will develop instruments for SMD and international missions to destinations 

relevant to human exploration beyond LEO. These precursor activities will strive to characterize the 

engineering boundary conditions of representative exploration environments, identify hazards, and 

assess resources. These activities will provide knowledge to inform the selection of future 

destinations, support the development of exploration systems, and reduce the risk associated with 

human exploration. ESMD will also fund a small Research and Analysis effort with the goal of turning 

the data gathered by these instruments, as well as the data of other SMD instruments and missions, 

into strategic knowledge in support of human spaceflight planning and systems development. Many 

of these research and analyses activities will be jointly conducted with SMD to maximize the mutual 

benefit to both science and exploration objectives, as was done with the highly successful Lunar 

Reconnaissance Orbiter mission. ESMD will also maintain a small study effort to plan for future 

precursor activities to further enable and reduce the risk associated with human exploration.

ESMD-36
Mission Directorate: Exploration

Theme: Exploration Research and Development

Program: Advanced Explorations Systems

Program Commitments

Commitment/Output

FY 2012

Program/Project Changes from

FY 2011 PB Request

Conduct flight definition review for at least five 

flight experiments in fundamental space biology 

that were selected through the 2010 

International Space Life Sciences Research 

Announcement.

Advanced Explorations Systems

Deliver at least four physical sciences payloads 

for launch to the ISS.

Advanced Explorations Systems

Conduct at least six experiments in combustion, 

fluids, or materials sciences on the ISS.

Advanced Explorations Systems

In collaboration with the Planetary Science 

Division, develop a plan to return data that will 

support the selection of destinations and reduce 

risk for future human space exploration missions.

Advanced Explorations Systems

Program Management

The program management for this program has not been assigned.

Project Management

Responsibility

NASA Center 

Performers

Cost-Sharing Partners

Advanced Life Support Ground 

Test Bed

JSC JSC, MSFC, ARC

EVA Flight Demonstration JSC JSC

Advanced Exploration Systems 

Development

JSC JSC, KSC, LaRC, 

GRC

Acquisition Strategy

All projects are managed at NASA Centers, which issue competitive contracts for research and 

development support. Advanced life support component technologies and subsystems will be 

competitively selected for integration with an in-house ground test bed.

Independent Reviews

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review

Quality National 

Academies

10/2007 Assessment of program effectiveness and 

technical quality

TBD

ESMD-37
Mission Directorate: Exploration

Theme: Exploration Research and Development

Program: Advanced Explorations Systems

Program Risk Management

Title Risk Statement Risk Management Approach and Plan

System Requirements Prototype systems may not 

meet requirements for human 

exploration missions.

Conduct architectural studies to identify the probable 

capabilities required to meet the requirements for human 

exploration missions. Flight system designers who will use 

the prototype systems must endorse technical performance 

goals.

Development Progress Project delays preventing on 

time delivery of prototype 

systems to support the 

development of flight 

systems.

Progress towards technical milestones will be the key 

decision criterion for project continuation.

Transition into Flight 

Programs

Lack of commitment from 

flight system designers to 

incorporate completed 

prototype systems into their 

missions.

Develop a transition plan with agreement from flight programs 

to incorporate prototype systems into mission designs.

ESMD-38
Mission Directorate: Exploration

Theme: ESMD Civil Service Labor and Expenses

Theme Overview

This Theme contains labor funding, both salary and benefits, for civil service employees at NASA's 

field centers who are assigned to work on projects in the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate. 

These funds support the critical skills and capabilities required to provide the technology development 

and space flight missions, as outlined in the other themes, within this mission area.

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

0.0 - 338.7 348.2 363.6 381.1 399.4

ESMD Civil Service Labor and 

Expenses

0.0 - 338.7 348.2 363.6 381.1 399.4

ESMD-39
Mission Directorate: Space Operations

Overview

NASA's Space Operations Mission Directorate (SOMD) provides space exploration services to NASA 

customers and other partners in the U.S. and throughout the world. SOMD manages the safe flyout of 

the Space Shuttle Program (SSP); oversees the operation of the system and payloads on the 

International Space Station (ISS); provides safe and reliable access to space through the Launch 

Services Program (LSP); develops and implements future space launch complex upgrades through 

the 21st Century Space Launch Complex (21st CSLC) Program; manages rocket testing capabilities 

through the Rocket Propulsion Test (RPT) Program; maintains secure and dependable 

communications to ground stations and between platforms across the solar system through the Space 

Communication and Navigation (SCaN) Program; and provides the necessary training and supports 

the health and safety of our Nation's astronauts through Human Space Flight Operations (HSFO).

The Space Shuttle will be retired before FY 2012 so that NASA can focus on the new challenges 

facing a 21st century space agency. As a result, the FY 2012 budget for the Space Shuttle Program 

continues to support the planning, cost-effective utilization, and responsive disposition of processes, 

personnel, resources, and real and personal property. The majority of requested FY 2012 funds for the 

Space Shuttle Program are to cover the pension liability for the Space Shuttle Program's prime 

contractor. The estimated liability is approximately $550 million as of January 2011 and will continue to 

fluctuate until formal pension plan termination. If funding remains after the pension plan termination, it 

will be used to defray Space Shuttle closeout costs that would otherwise require FY 2013 funding; 

however, if there is a shortfall, it will reduce available Space Shuttle funds for closeout.

The ISS is a unique, international orbital outpost for learning how to live and work in space, and how to 

perform the scientific and engineering research needed for prolonged stays in low Earth orbit, on the 

Moon, Mars, or on other bodies. After Shuttle retirement NASA will use commercial and international 

transportation capabilities to embark on extended and enhanced ISS utilization, focusing on basic 

scientific research and technology demonstration that will prepare the Agency for future exploration 

and benefit life on Earth. The Agency will also invest in the Space Station facility itself by initiating new 

activities to increase functionality. To enhance return on investment, NASA is transferring 

management of research that is not directly related to the NASA's exploration mission to an 

independent non-profit organization and has secured partnerships with other U.S. Government 

agencies and private firms to utilize a portion of the ISS as a National Laboratory.

In addition to these high-profile programs, SOMD ensures that the critical infrastructure to access and 

use space is available to meet the needs of NASA's internal and external customers. The Space and 

Flight Support (SFS) budget is comprised of multiple programs providing Agency-level enabling 

capabilities that play a critical role in the success of NASA missions and goals. 

- The SCaN Program operates NASA's extensive network of terrestrial and orbiting communications 

nodes and the associated hardware and software needed to pull down the terabytes of data generated 

by NASA's fleet of crewed vehicles and robotic spacecraft.

- LSP facilitates access to space by providing leadership, expertise and cost-effective Expendable 

Launch Vehicle (ELV) services for NASA's missions.

- The RPT Program maintains NASA's wide variety of test facilities for use by NASA, other agencies, 

and commercial partners.

- The HSFO Program ensures that NASA's astronauts are fully prepared for current and future 

missions.

- NASA is also planning to continue 21st century space launch complex modernization program at the

SOMD-1
Mission Directorate: Space Operations

Kennedy Space Center (KSC), which will benefit current and future NASA and commercial space 

launch activities and other complex users.

- Mission Operations Sustainment provides support for essential human spaceflight activities by 

addressing space operations requirements and risks for which precise costs cannot be known until 

after formal technical requirements, risk management approaches, and cost estimates are prepared.

With the upcoming retirement of the Space Shuttle, planning is underway which will lead to SOMD and 

the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate (ESMD) merging to create a new directorate. The 

resulting organization will implement the human spaceflight program content, in alignment with the 

goals of the NASA Authorization Act of 2010. The new organization will manage the ISS, Commercial 

Crew and Cargo, Space Launch System and Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle, and Exploration Research 

and Development.

Ann CR.

FY 2011

Auth Act

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

6,141.8 6,146.8 5,508.5 4,346.9 4,346.9 4,346.9 4,346.9 4,346.9

Space Shuttle 3,101.4 - - 636.8 65.8 0.0 0.0 0.0

International Space Station 2,312.7 - - 2,667.0 2,775.8 2,818.0 2,847.3 2,883.8

Space and Flight Support (SFS) 727.7 - - 699.8 1,156.8 1,168.7 1,122.2 1,067.5

SOMD Civil Service Labor and 

Expenses

0.0 - - 343.4 348.5 360.2 377.5 395.6

Note:

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

The "Auth. Act FY 2011" column represents FY 2011 authorized funding from the NASA Authorization Act of 2010 (P.L. 111-

267).

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

FY 2012 Budget Request

SOMD-2
Mission Directorate: Space Operations

Plans for FY 2012

Space Operations

Space Shuttle

New Initiatives:

None

Major Changes:

The FY 2012 budget represents a decrease from FY 2011 due to the completion of the Space 

Shuttle manifest. Only transition and retirement activities remain funded in FY 2012. The majority 

of requested FY 2012 funds for SSP are to cover the pension liability for SSP's prime contractor. 

The estimated liability of approximately $550 million as of January 2011 will continue to fluctuate 

until formal pension plan termination. If funding remains after the pension plan termination, it will be 

used to defray Space Shuttle closeout costs that would otherwise require FY 2013 funding; 

however, if there is a shortfall, it will reduce available Space Shuttle funds for closeout and some 

activity could move later than planned.

Major Highlights for FY 2012

The Space Shuttle is scheduled to fly the last mission in FY 2011. Disposition of property and 

capabilities no longer needed for safe mission execution has been underway for some time and 

culminates with the disposition of most Space Shuttle assets by the end of FY 2013.

International Space Station

New Initiatives:

None

Major Changes:

None

Major Highlights for FY 2012

ISS will serve as a fully functional and continuously crewed research laboratory, orbital 

observatory, and technology test bed providing a critical stepping stone for exploration and future 

international cooperation.

To increase the return on investment and further U.S. research productivity, NASA is awarding a 

cooperative agreement to an independent organization with the responsibility to further develop 

national uses of ISS through partnerships with NASA researchers, other U.S. Government 

agencies, private firms, and non-profit institutions.

SOMD-3
Mission Directorate: Space Operations

Space and Flight Support (SFS)

New Initiatives:

Beginning in FY 2013, a new Mission Operations Sustainment line provides support for essential 

human space flight activities, by addressing space operations requirements and risks for which 

precise costs cannot be known until after formal technical requirements, risk management 

approaches, and cost estimates are prepared.

Major Changes:

None

Major Highlights for FY 2012

SCaN's major milestone in FY 2012 will be to complete the delivery of the Tracking and Data Relay 

Satellite (TDRS) K spacecraft as part of the TDRS Replenishment project. The project is 

responsible for the acquisition of two new tracking and data relay satellites, TDRS-K and TDRS-L, 

to replenish the aging fleet of communications spacecraft in the Space Network. The TDRS 

Replenishment project office at the Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) is managing the 

procurement, which includes on-orbit delivery, and acceptance of the two spacecraft: TDRS-K to 

be launched in December 2012 (or as early as April 2012), followed by launch of TDRS-L in 

December 2013. 

LSP provides a reliable service that gets the satellites into orbit. It has five such planned NASA 

launches in FY 2012.

RPT facilities are part of the critical path for the development of future propulsion technologies 

required to support developing vehicle architectures. RPT will continue to utilize available 

resources to improve aging infrastructure in preparation of future propulsion test requirements.

HSFO is comprised of Space Flight Crew Operations (SFCO) and Crew Health and Safety (CHS). 

For FY 2012, SFCO will provide crew expertise for future vehicle development and four ISS longduration crew rotation missions by providing and maintaining an adequate number of astronauts 

with appropriate skills and experience to conduct planned research and maintenance activities. 

NASA has enlisted the National Academies in FY 2011 to conduct an independent study of the 

activities funded within NASA's HSFO Program after the Space Shuttle is retired.

The 21st CSLC Program will continue to develop and establish necessary partnerships, to gain an 

understanding of evolving requirements from the users of the Florida launch and range complex at 

KSC. In 2012, CSLC expects to begin work on several projects to improve the launch and range 

complex. Areas under consideration include modernization activities to support safer and more 

efficient launch operations, enhancing payload processing capabilities, relocating the KSC 

perimeter to facilitate certain private sector activities and operations; environmental remediation, 

and supporting the modernization of the launch range capabilities. The 21st CSLC Program will 

also develop a cost-effective ground infrastructure plan that considers the Space Launch System 

and potential ground investment activities with the NASA Centers.

SOMD-4
Mission Directorate: Space Operations

Theme: Space Shuttle

Theme Overview

Thirty-eight years ago, NASA was charged with developing the world's first reusable space 

transportation system, a powerful vehicle with the versatility to revolutionize how people access and 

operate in near-Earth space. Since 1981, the Space Shuttle has carried more people (over 350) and 

more cargo (almost four million pounds) on more (and different types of) missions than any other 

launch system in history. For the past 13 years, the full capabilities of the Space Shuttle have been 

applied to the mission for which the system was originally conceived and uniquely designed: assembly 

of a large, advanced research station in low Earth orbit (LEO), one which can serve as a critical 

international research technology test bed to help NASA and its partners learn how humans can live in 

space and to prepare for further missions out to the Moon, to Mars, and beyond. In FY 2011, the 

Space Shuttle will retire, marking the end of its chapter in the history of space exploration. As NASA 

continues Space Shuttle Transition and Retirement (T&R) activities in FY 2012, the Agency is 

transitioning key workforce, technology, facilities, and operational experience to a new generation of 

human space flight exploration activities. However, the recent delay in the completion of the manifest 

until later in FY 2011 than originally planned has required the program to reevaluate the final 

completion date, with some disposition activities moving into FY 2013. The majority of requested FY 

2012 funds for SSP are to cover the pension liability for the program's prime contractor. The estimated 

liability of approximately $550 million as of January 2011 will continue to fluctuate until formal pension 

plan termination. If funding remains after the pension plan termination, it will be used to defray Space 

Shuttle closeout costs that would otherwise require FY 2013 funding; however, if there is a shortfall, it 

will reduce available Space Shuttle funds for closeout and some activity could move later than 

planned.

For more information, please visit http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle.

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011

3,101.4

FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

- 636.8 65.8 0.0 0.0 0.0

Space Shuttle Program 3,101.4 - 636.8 65.8 0.0 0.0 0.0

Note:

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated account in 

each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the program amounts shown above. The allocation to each program is reflected 

in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 2010 and FY 

2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

SOMD-5
Mission Directorate: Space Operations

Theme: Space Shuttle

Plans for FY 2012

Space Shuttle Program

The Space Shuttle is scheduled to fly its last mission in FY 2011. Disposition of property and 

capabilities no longer needed for safe mission execution has been underway for some time. With 

the launch of STS-134 moved to no earlier than April 2011 and the potential of launching the 

authorized, yet-to-be funded STS-135 in June 2011, some Shuttle property disposition activity may 

continue into FY 2013. The majority of requested FY 2012 funds for the SSP are to cover the 

pension liability for SSP's prime contractor. The estimated liability of approximately $550 million as 

of January 2011 will continue to fluctuate until formal pension plan termination. If funding remains 

after the pension plan termination, it will be used to defray Space Shuttle closeout costs that would 

otherwise require FY 2013 funding; however, if there is a shortfall, it will reduce available Space 

Shuttle funds for closeout and some activity could move later than planned.

Relevance

Relevance to national priorities, relevant fields, and customer needs:

With the completion of ISS assembly and the retirement of the Space Shuttle, NASA is transferring 

key program assets to programs and operations that will support the next generation of human space 

exploration activities. This transfer will safeguard the long-term viability of key and enabling technical 

capabilities, while capabilities that are no longer needed or are obsolete will be retired or transitioned 

to other users.

Relevance to the NASA Mission and Strategic Goals:

SSP supports the Agency Strategic Goal 1 to "Extend and sustain human activities across the solar 

system," by transitioning needed assets and capabilities for use in future NASA programs or other 

organizations.

Relevance to education and public benefits:

Space Shuttle assets and capabilities are being assessed for use in future NASA programs. Where 

those capabilities have a future use, they are being transferred to the relevant NASA programs. For 

those capabilities without a future use, NASA is partnering with the General Services Administration 

and other organizations to ensure assets are dispositioned in accordance with all relevant Federal 

regulations and statutes. Through the authority of the Stevenson-Wydler Act, NASA is making special 

accommodations so that schools and accredited museums have first priority in acquiring Space 

Shuttle property for educational purposes.

SOMD-6
Mission Directorate: Space Operations

Theme: Space Shuttle

Performance

Performance Commitments:

Measure # Description Contributing

Program (s)

Strategic Goal 1 Extend and sustain human activities across the solar 

system.

Outcome 1.1 Sustain the operation and full use of the International 

Space Station (ISS) and expand efforts to utilize the ISS 

as a National Laboratory for scientific, technological, 

diplomatic, and educational purposes and for supporting 

future objectives in human space exploration.

Objective 1.1.1 Maintain resources (on orbit and on the ground) to 

operate and utilize the ISS.

Performance Goal 1.1.1.2 HPPG: Safely fly out the Space Shuttle manifest and 

retire the fleet.

APG

1.1.1.2: SSP-12-1

Ensure the Space Shuttle Endeavour is ready for transport to 

its final display location.

Space Shuttle 

Program

Performance Achievement Highlights:

The Space Shuttle safely and successfully completed every mission objective for all four flights in FY 

2010. With construction of ISS nearly complete, the focus of the Space Shuttle flights to ISS in FY 

2010 shifted predominately to provisioning ISS to support operations and utilization through the next 

10 years and beyond.

- STS-129, launched on November 16, 2009, focused on staging spare components on the outside of 

ISS, including gyroscopes, nitrogen and ammonia tank assemblies, pump modules, and end effectors 

for the ISS robotic arm.

- STS-130, launched on February 8, 2010, saw the delivery and installation of the Tranquility (formerly 

Node 3) module and the Cupola. The name for the Tranquility module was suggested through a NASA 

public outreach effort, tying together the installation of the last planned U.S. pressurized module with 

history of space exploration and the landing of Apollo 11 at Tranquility Base on the Moon in July 1969.

- STS-131, launched on April 5, 2010, carried the Italian-built Multi-Purpose Logistics Module, 

Leonardo, loaded with eight tons of science equipment and cargo. Leonardo will return to the ISS one 

last time on STS-133 when it is permanently installed to the ISS.

- STS-132, launched on May 14, 2010, was the final mission of FY 2010. It carried the final scientific 

module destined for ISS, the Russian Rassvet Mini Research Module, as well as over 5,300 pounds of 

external supplies on an Integrated Cargo Carrier Vertical Light Deployable pallet in the Space Shuttle 

cargo bay.

- Also the last set of Reusable Solid Rocket Motors (RSRM-114) and the last production External 

Tank (ET-138) were delivered to KSC in FY 2010.

SOMD-7
Mission Directorate: Space Operations

Theme: Space Shuttle

Independent Reviews:

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review

Other NASA

Advisory

Council

10/2010 Provides independent guidance for the NASA 

Administrator. No recommendations were 

provided to SSP at this time.

02/2011

Other Aerospace

Safety

Advisory

Panel (ASAP)

10/2010 Provides independent assessments of safety to 

the NASA Administrator. In their 2008 Annual 

Report, ASAP stated that they "strongly endorse 

the NASA position on not extending Shuttle 

operations beyond successful execution of the 

December 2008 manifest, completing the ISS." 

NASA will fly the Space Shuttle to complete the 

ISS and then retire the Shuttle. ASAP did, 

however, endorse the NASA position that it is 

acceptable to undertake the STS-135 mission.

02/2011

Other NASA

Engineering

and Safety 

Center

09/2010 The NASA Engineering and Safety Center 

conducted a review independent of SSP of the 

relative safety of proceeding with the STS-135 

mission without a typical, Shuttle-based rescue 

mission. They stated that using a smaller crew 

and a Soyuz-based rescue approach is no 

riskier than a Shuttle-based rescue.

SOMD-8
Mission Directorate: Space Operations

Theme: Space Shuttle

Program: Space Shuttle Program

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

3,101.4 - 636.8 65.8 0.0 0.0 0.0

SPOC Pension Liability 0.0 - 547.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Program Integration 627.2 - 24.8 21.3 0.0 0.0 0.0

Flight and Ground Operations 1,115.4 - 27.9 17.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Flight Hardware 1,358.8 - 36.1 27.6 0.0 0.0 0.0

Note:

NASA will work with the Administration and Congress to determine the highest priority use of the FY 2011 funds if they are not 

required to fly the Shuttle in the first quarter of FY 2011.

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated 

account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project amounts shown above. The allocation to each project

is reflected in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 

2010 and FY 2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

SOMD-9
Mission Directorate: Space Operations

Theme: Space Shuttle

Program: Space Shuttle Program

Project Descriptions and Explanation of Changes

Program Integration

The FY 2012 SSP Integration budget supports Space Shuttle retirement and the efficient and costeffective transition of assets to other uses once they are no longer needed for safe Shuttle mission 

execution. Program Integration ensures the overall safety and efficiency of Space Shuttle T&R 

activities, including software support, systems engineering, and business management. Program 

Integration T&R funding also covers severance and retention costs associated with managing the 

drawdown of the Space Shuttle workforce.

Flight and Ground Operations

The FY 2012 Flight and Ground Operations budget ensures the availability of resources needed to 

identify, process, safe, and transfer flight and ground processing assets once they are no longer 

needed for safe SSP mission execution. The T&R budget includes funds needed to prepare assets 

(e.g., Mission Control Center, the launch pads, the Vehicle Assembly Building, and the Launch 

Control Center) for modification, transfer to other users, or disposal. The Mobile Launch Platforms, 

the Orbiter Processing Facilities, and landing site hardware no longer needed by NASA will be made 

safe of hazardous materials and prepared for transfer to other Federal Government users or other 

disposition.

Flight Hardware

The FY 2012 Flight Hardware T&R budget provides resources needed to identify, process, safe, and 

transfer flight hardware assets once they are no longer needed for safe Shuttle mission execution. 

For orbiters, these costs include safing the vehicles of hazardous materials. For the main engines, 

these costs also include safing and transportation preparation of current and older engine 

components that are being made available for alternate use or public display. The Flight Hardware 

T&R budget also covers the costs of dispositioning orbiter, Space Shuttle main engine, external tank, 

and reusable solid rocket motor production tooling capabilities that the Agency will no longer need.

Space Program Operations Contract (SPOC) Pension Liability

The FY 2012 Pension Liability budget provides funding under the SPOC as a contractually 

reimbursable cost of their defined benefit pension plans. United Space Alliance, LLC (USA), the 

NASA incumbent contractor for SPOC under SSP, after negotiation with the Agency, agreed to 

freeze the plans as of December 31, 2010, and delay formal pension plan termination until after the 

completion of the Space Shuttle manifest. USA does not expect to have sufficient funding available 

to irrevocably settle all benefit obligations of the plans. Per Federal Cost Accounting Standards 

(which govern the allowability of contract costs) 413-50(c)(12)(vi), the Government's share on an 

adjustment "may be recognized by modifying a single contract, several but not all contracts, or all 

contracts, or by use of any other suitable technique." 

Due to the overwhelming majority of USA underfunded pension liability being attributed to the SPOC, 

all allowable costs associated with the termination of the qualified plans will be recognized on the 

SPOC, and the responsibility of the Government. The estimated liability of approximately $550 

million as of January 2011 will continue to fluctuate until formal pension plan termination. If funding 

remains after the pension plan termination, it will be used to defray Space Shuttle closeout costs that 

would otherwise require FY 2013 funding; however, if there is a shortfall, it will reduce available 

Space Shuttle funds for closeout and some activity could move later than planned.

SOMD-10
Mission Directorate: Space Operations

Theme: Space Shuttle

Program: Space Shuttle Program

Program Commitments

Transition and 

Retirement

Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Jun-08 Sep-13

Form Jan-06 Jan-08

Flight Hardware Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Dec-04 Jun-11

Form

Flight and Ground 

Operations

Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Dec-04 Jun-11

Form

Program Integration Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Dec-04 Jun-11

Form

Development (Dev)

Formulation (Form)

Represents a period of no activity for the Project

Operations (Ops)

Research (Res)

Tech & Adv Concepts (Tech)

Commitment/Output

FY 2012

Program/Project Changes from

FY 2011 PB Request

Space Shuttle Orbiters Discovery, Atlantis, and 

Endeavour ready for transport to final display 

locations.

Space Shuttle Program SSP manifest through April 2011 

to complete currently fundedflights, with the potential 

additional authorized flight STS135 in June 2011, and to fund 

SPOC contract for USA contract 

pension liability

Implementation Schedule

Prior 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Beg End

Project Schedule by Fiscal Year Phase Dates

SOMD-11
Mission Directorate: Space Operations

Theme: Space Shuttle

Program: Space Shuttle Program

Program Management

The SSP Manager reports to the Associate Administrator for Space Operations at NASA 

Headquarters.

Project Management

Responsibility

NASA Center 

Performers

Cost-Sharing Partners

Program Integration Johnson Space Center Johnson Space 

Center

N/A

Flight and Ground Operations Kennedy Space Center Kennedy Space 

Center and Johnson 

Space Center

N/A

Flight Hardware Johnson Space Center Johnson Space 

Center and Marshall 

Space Flight Center

N/A

Acquisition Strategy

The SPOC prime contractor is USA. Other prime contractors are ATK Thiokol (reusable solid rocket 

motors), Lockheed Martin (external tanks), and Pratt & Whitney-Rocketdyne (Space Shuttle main 

engines).

SOMD-12
Mission Directorate: Space Operations

Theme: International Space Station

Theme Overview

The ISS orbits the Earth 16 times a day at a speed of 17,500 miles per hour and an altitude that 

ranges from 230 to 286 miles. The ISS is a research and development test bed that is in itself, an 

experiment in the design, development, and assembly of an orbital space facility. The ISS serves as a 

habitat for its crew, a command post for orbital operations, and a port for the rendezvous and berthing 

of smaller orbiting vehicles. It functions as an orbital microgravity and life sciences laboratory, a test 

bed for new technologies (e.g., life support and robotics), a platform for astronomical and Earth 

observations, and a market and destination for the burgeoning commercial crew and cargo 

transportation industry. The ISS has been continuously crewed since November 2000. Through 

calendar year (CY) 2010, there were 106 U.S. and international partner flights to ISS, including 

missions for assembly, crew rotation, and logistical support. At the time of the Space Shuttle 

retirement, ISS assembly will be complete and the ISS will be composed of approximately 1,000,000 

pounds of hardware brought to orbit over the course of more than a decade. ISS is the largest humanmade object ever to orbit Earth. 

The ISS Program is among the largest international cooperative endeavors in the history of science 

and technology. The ISS international partnership is composed of NASA, the Canadian Space 

Agency, the European Space Agency, the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency, and the Russian 

Federal Space Agency. International participation in the program has significantly enhanced the 

capabilities of the ISS. 

In accordance with the NASA Authorization Act of 2010, the ISS will continue through 2020 or beyond. 

The orbiting facility will support basic and applied research, exploration technology development, and 

demonstrations, and will be a market and destination to spur the development of a robust commercial 

crew and cargo transportation services. ISS functionality will be increased--an investment in the facility 

itself--and will also be utilized to develop and demonstrate in-space human and robotic servicing and 

repair capabilities which could ultimately be used to support on-orbit servicing and repair of future 

observatory-class scientific spacecraft.

NASA is in the process of creating an independent, non-profit organization (NPO) to manage and 

oversee ISS National Laboratory research by U.S. organizations other than NASA. This entity will be 

responsible for maximizing the value of ISS to the Nation by developing and managing a diversified 

research and development portfolio based on U.S. national needs for basic and applied research, with 

the goal of increasing the return on the U.S. investment in the ISS.

NASA has already secured partnerships with other U.S. Government agencies and private firms to 

use a portion of the ISS as a National Laboratory (per the NASA Authorization Act of 2005). NASA's 

plan for the ISS National Laboratory, "National Lab Report," was submitted to Congress in May 2007. 

Approximately 50 percent of planned U.S. resources and accommodations on ISS could be available 

for use by organizations other than NASA. Firm interest in ISS use has been expressed by 

organizations representing education, human health, plant and animal biotechnologies, aerospace 

technologies, and defense sciences research. NASA has signed Memoranda of Understanding 

(MOUs) for use of the ISS with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Department of 

Agriculture (USDA), and has pre-existing agreements with the Department of Energy (DOE), DoD, 

and the National Science Foundation (NSF). In addition, NASA re-issued an announcement of 

"Opportunity for Use of the ISS by Non-Government Entities for Research and Development and 

Industrial Processing Purposes," in August 2009. To date, NASA has entered into Space Act 

Agreements (SAA) with seven private firms and two universities. Additional MOUs and SAAs are in 

various stages of discussion.

SOMD-13
Mission Directorate: Space Operations

Theme: International Space Station

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

2,312.7 - 2,667.0 2,775.8 2,818.0 2,847.3 2,883.8

International Space Station

Program

2,312.7 - 2,667.0 2,775.8 2,818.0 2,847.3 2,883.8

Note:

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated account in 

each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the program amounts shown above. The allocation to each program is reflected 

in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 2010 and FY 

2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

SOMD-14
Mission Directorate: Space Operations

Theme: International Space Station

Plans for FY 2012

International Space Station Program

NASA will focus on increasing research, continuing safe operations, and utilizing the ISS to its full 

capacity as a test bed for exploration technology demonstrations and development. These efforts 

are intended to revitalize, enhance, and augment the ISS Program and are discussed below. 

Section 503 of the NASA Authorization Act of 2010 states: "The Administrator shall take all actions 

necessary to ensure the safe and effective operation, maintenance and maximum utilization of the 

United States segment of the ISS through at least September 30, 2020." 

NASA will also invest in the ISS facility itself by initiating new activities to revitalize ISS and increase 

functionality. The activities are intended to support ISS upgrade efforts while proving new space 

technologies, reducing costs, and increasing functionality. Potential objectives include lowering 

costs or increasing the efficiency of ISS operations in space or on the ground, reducing demands 

on crew time, improving ISS safety, and supporting activities benefiting future exploration programs 

or capabilities. ISS is a major asset for demonstrating technologies and capabilities that are funded 

and operated by NASA and other sponsors. ISS will enhance the Nation's ability to operate future 

human space flight activities and make space exploration more affordable and effective. The ISS 

Program will facilitate National Laboratory research and engineering activities consistent with 

Agency objectives.

The ISS will be utilized to conduct multidisciplinary science, technology, and applications 

development and operate as an outpost for human exploration. In FY 2011, NASA will begin 

operations on new external unpressurized payloads, including the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer 

(AMS) particle physics detector, a communications navigation and networking demonstration, and 

an advanced materials technology test bed.

Additionally, internal pressurized payloads scheduled for FY 2012 will include ongoing studies to 

support NASA's human research program for exploration. NASA will continue National Laboratory 

collaborations with: the NIH, DoD, DOE, NSF; private industry collaborations including Astrogenetix, 

Inc., and Ad Astra Rocket Company; academic institutions such as University of Colorado-Bioserve; 

and other agencies supporting science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) 

education.

The independent non-profit organization will be operational in FY 2012. It will identify the unique 

capabilities of the ISS that provide breakthrough opportunities for non-NASA uses in science and 

applications, technology development, and STEM education, including but not limited to human 

health, biological sciences, biotechnology, biological research, energy and biofuels, physical and 

materials science and development, engineering research and technology development, and Earth 

and space imaging and observations. They will also formulate a comprehensive portfolio of 

activities to maximize the value of the ISS as a venue for STEM education.

Space Operations provides for crew and cargo transportation services to and from the ISS. The 

Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) contracts awarded to SpaceX and Orbital Sciences are 

scheduled to provide commercial resupply flights beginning in CY 2011. Cargo transportation to the 

ISS will also be supplemented by the Japanese HII Transfer Vehicle (HTV) and European 

Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV). Crew transportation and rescue will be provided by the Russian 

Soyuz vehicle until domestic transportation providers are available by 2016. The Exploration 

Systems Mission Directorate (ESMD) budget includes funding to facilitate the development of a 

U.S. commercial crew space transportation capability with the goal of achieving safe, reliable, and 

cost effective access to and from LEO and the ISS.

SOMD-15
Mission Directorate: Space Operations

Theme: International Space Station

Relevance

Relevance to national priorities, relevant fields, and customer needs:

NASA leads scientific and technological advances in aeronautics and space for a Nation on the 

frontier of discovery. ISS is essential in addressing critical health, safety, performance, and cost 

issues confronting the future of human space flight beyond LEO. ISS supports scientific research and 

the development of new technologies and capabilities that enable human space exploration and other 

activities that put humans in space. Research aboard ISS is critical in understanding the effects of 

space environments on the human body and developing mitigation techniques. Research on ISS will 

lead to strategies that minimize the logistical burden of supporting humans far from Earth, address 

remote medical emergencies, and demonstrate enabling technologies for human exploration. NASA 

and its international partners are applying the information learned to plan for future human and robotic 

missions. Techniques demonstrated in robotics, assembly, and maintainability on the ISS are guiding 

development of next-generation space vehicles that will fly farther, faster, and for longer duration.

U.S. Government agencies, private firms, and universities will conduct research on the ISS in its 

capacity as a National Laboratory. Research will yield important data that address challenges in 

human health, energy and the environment. The ISS also promotes the commercial space 

transportation industry by providing a market for crew and cargo transportation. The ISS partnership 

provides a successful example of peaceful and constructive international cooperation, one that 

provides tangible benefits here on Earth.

Relevance to the NASA Mission and Strategic Goals:

ISS supports NASA's Strategic Goal 1 to "Extend and sustain human activities across the solar 

system." The ISS National Laboratory will enable research for scientific, technological, diplomatic, 

and educational purposes, support future objectives in human space exploration, allow competitive 

opportunities for the commercial community to provide best value products and services to LEO and 

beyond, and lay the groundwork for an integrated architecture and capabilities for safe crew and 

cargo missions beyond LEO.

ISS also supports NASA's Strategic Goal 5 to "Enable program and institutional capabilities to 

conduct NASA's aeronautics and space activities," by establishing partnerships with commercial, 

international, and other government entities in order to maximize mission success.

SOMD-16
Mission Directorate: Space Operations

Theme: International Space Station

Relevance to education and public benefits:

Research conducted on the ISS offers benefits that cross all areas of American life, including public 

health, energy, environment, education, and promoting international cooperation. Specific examples 

include new uses of ultrasound technology, embedded Web technology to allow remote monitoring 

and control of devices through a Web browser, and scientific discoveries that are helping the medical 

community understand and mitigate muscle, balance, and bone health issues.

Research performed on the ISS will contribute to a broader understanding of injury and disease with 

both space and Earth-based medical applications. For example, potential new vaccines for bacteriainduced infectious diseases have been identified through ISS research and scientists will be applying 

to the Food and Drug Administration for an investigational new drug classification. Ongoing 

investigations are focused on developing vaccines for salmonella-induced food poisoning and 

Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (commonly known as MRSA), which has been 

responsible for over 19,000 U.S. deaths per year, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

The ISS will be used to develop and demonstrate new technologies including closed loop life support 

systems and remote medical care capabilities, both of which benefit people here on Earth. NASA's 

water recycling technology is being used to provide potable water to places devastated by natural 

disasters. NASA will also use the ISS to demonstrate technologies necessary for future space 

systems such as thermal control, environmental control, and power generation. The onboard crew 

also utilizes the ISS as a low-cost platform to monitor and record natural and human-driven changes 

and events on Earth. 

Over 10,000 students have participated in ISS-based educational activities. These have ranged from 

student-developed experiments to interactive classroom video sessions with crewmembers. The ISS 

has made a consistent contribution to advancing national STEM education objectives.

SOMD-17
Mission Directorate: Space Operations

Theme: International Space Station

Performance

Performance Commitments:

Measure # Description Contributing

Program (s)

Strategic Goal 1 Extend and sustain human activities across the solar 

system.

Outcome 1.1 Sustain the operation and full use of the International 

Space Station (ISS) and expand efforts to utilize the ISS 

as a National Laboratory for scientific, technological, 

diplomatic, and educational purposes and for supporting 

future objectives in human space exploration.

Objective 1.1.1 Maintain resources (on orbit and on the ground) to 

operate and utilize the ISS.

Performance Goal 1.1.1.1 Maintain capability for six on-orbit crew members.

APG

1.1.1.1: ISS-12-1

In concert with the International Partners, maintain a 

continuous crew presence on the ISS by coordinating and 

managing resources, logistics, systems, and operational 

procedures.

International Space 

Station Program

Performance Goal 1.1.1.3 Provide cargo and crew transportation to support onorbit crew members and utilization.

APG

1.1.1.3: ISS-12-2

Fly the ISS spares, logistics, and utilization hardware as 

agreed to by the International Partners in the ISS 

transportation plan.

International Space 

Station Program

APG

1.1.1.3: ISS-12-3

Complete at least two flights to the ISS by U.S. developed 

cargo delivery systems.

International Space 

Station Program

Performance Goal 1.1.1.4 Maintain and operate a safe and functional ISS.

APG

1.1.1.4: ISS-12-4

Provide 100 percent of planned on-orbit resources (including 

power, data, crew time, logistics, and accommodations) 

needed to support research.

International Space 

Station Program

APG

1.1.1.4: ISS-12-5

Achieve zero Type-A (damage to property at least $1 million 

or death) or Type-B (damage to property at least $250 

thousand or permanent disability or hospitalization of three or 

more persons) mishaps.

International Space 

Station Program

Objective 1.1.2 Advance engineering, technology, and research 

capabilities on the ISS.

Performance Goal 1.1.2.1 Advance knowledge of long-duration human space flight 

by establishing agreements with organizations to enable 

full utilization of the ISS.

APG

1.1.2.1: ISS-12-6

Accomplish a minimum of 90 percent of the on-orbit research 

objectives as established one month prior to a given 

increment, as sponsored by NASA, baselined for FY 2012.

International Space 

Station Program

SOMD-18
Mission Directorate: Space Operations

Theme: International Space Station

Performance

Performance Commitments:

Measure # Description Contributing

Program (s)

Strategic Goal 5 Enable program and institutional capabilities to conduct 

NASA's aeronautics and space activities.

Outcome 5.5 Establish partnerships, including innovative 

arrangements, with commercial, international, and other 

government entities to maximize mission success.

Objective 5.5.1 Facilitate the use of the ISS as a National Laboratory for 

cooperative research, technology development, and 

education.

Performance Goal 5.5.1.1 HPPG: Establish an independent non-profit (NPO) 

organization to enhance the utilization of the ISS as a 

National Laboratory.

APG

5.5.1.1: ISS-12-7

Facilitate non-profit organization (NPO) implementation of its 

initial grants solicitation process.

International Space 

Station Program

Uniform and Efficiency Measures:

Measure # Description

International Space Station Theme

APG

EFF 1.1.1.4: ISS-12-3

APG

EFF 1.1.2.1: ISS-12-6

Provide 100 percent of planned on-orbit resources (including power, data, crew 

time, logistics, and accommodations) needed to support research.

Accomplish a minimum of 90 percent of the on-orbit research objectives as 

established one month prior to a given increment, as sponsored by NASA, 

baselined for FY 2012.

SOMD-19
Mission Directorate: Space Operations

Theme: International Space Station

Performance Achievement Highlights:

FY 2010 marked completion of the tenth year of continuous human presence in space on the ISS.

During FY 2010, the pace of vehicles visiting the ISS increased: 

- Four Space Shuttle flights delivered hardware to and provided logistics support.

- Japan's first HTV successfully completed its mission to unberth from Node 2 and deorbit on October 

30, 2009.

- In November 2009, two ExPRESS Logistics Carriers (ELC) were delivered to the ISS and crew 

members robotically attached them to the ISS truss. The ELCs also carried critical external spares. 

Also, the Russian Mini-Research Module 2 was launched and docked to the Service Module zenith 

port to function as a fourth Russian docking port.

- In February 2010, the Tranquility module and Cupola were delivered. The Cupola's multi-directional 

view allows the crew to control and monitor robotics, spacewalking, and docking operations, and a 

unique view of Earth and celestial objects. Also, with the arrival of Progress 36P there were four 

Russian vehicles docked at ISS for the first time. During this period, ISS crews were supported by resupply and crew rotation using the Space Shuttle, HTV, Russian Progress, and Soyuz vehicles.

- In April and May 2010, vital system spares and research outfitting equipment was delivered. The 

April mission marked the first time four women and two astronauts from Japan were in space at the 

same time.

- Research was conducted in biological sciences, human research, technology development, physical 

sciences, education, and Earth observation. The number of science of technology experiments 

increased 250, supporting the work of more than 400 researchers worldwide. With delivery of the final 

5 research facilities, the full complement of 29 is in place.

- Investigations of the effects of long-duration spaceflight on overall crew health and their readaptation to Earth gravity conditions included, analysis of nutritional requirements and food systems, 

microbes and pathogens, radiation exposure inside ISS modules, and plant growth in microgravity.

- Investigations included high performance nano-materials, physical properties of materials, and 

materials exposure to the external environment, among them, Hamilton-Sundstrand's successful 

demonstration of a Sabatier reaction to generate water on-orbit by using waste carbon dioxide and 

hydrogen from ISS systems.

- Educational experiments and activities provided supplementary K-12 educational opportunities.

- Example pathfinder investigators for the National Lab as included: Astrogenetix, Inc., a company 

pursuing a series of commercial vaccine experiments on bacterially-induced infectious diseases, 

including MRSA; a University of Florida and Zero Gravity, Inc. collaborative study of microgravity 

effects on the Jatropha curcas plant and its application as a biofuel; the Naval Research Laboratory's 

operation of a visible and near-infrared maritime hyperspectral imager for coastal oceans, and a 

remote atmospheric and ionospheric detector that will conduct the most comprehensive multi-spectral 

survey of the upper atmosphere in 20 years; and the Defense Department's study of space wound 

healing, tissue regeneration, and engine exhaust plumes in the upper atmosphere.

SOMD-20
Mission Directorate: Space Operations

Theme: International Space Station

Independent Reviews:

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review

Other ISS Advisory 

Committee

07/2010 Assess ISS operational readiness to support 

new crew, assess Russian flight team 

preparedness to accommodate the Expedition 

missions, and assess health and flight readiness 

of Expedition crew members.

Ongoing

Other NAC 09/2010 Provides independent guidance for the NASA 

Administrator. The NAC was briefed by the JSC 

Safety and Mission Assurance Office on NASA 

lessons learned. The Space Operations 

committee made two recommendations on 

NASA utilization of lessons learned, including 

expanding the teaching aspect.

02/2011

Other ASAP 10/2010 Provides independent assessments of safety to 

the NASA Administrator. No recommendations 

issued relating to ISS.

02/2011

Other Program

Implementatio

n Review

08/2008 Provides an independent review of ongoing ISS 

and SSP operations. The report cited concerns 

on budget resources, which have been 

addressed in this budget and in cargo 

transportation availability post Shuttle 

retirement.

2011

SOMD-21
Mission Directorate: Space Operations

Theme: International Space Station

Program: International Space Station Program

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

2,312.7 - 2,667.0 2,775.8 2,818.0 2,847.3 2,883.8

ISS Systems Operations and 

Maintenance

1,555.2 - 1,291.4 1,425.3 1,385.1 1,449.6 1,526.3

ISS Research 129.5 - 189.8 176.9 178.8 186.1 189.1

ISS Crew and Cargo 

Transportation

628.0 - 1,185.7 1,173.6 1,254.1 1,211.6 1,168.5

Note:

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated 

account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project amounts shown above. The allocation to each project

is reflected in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 

2010 and FY 2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

SOMD-22
Mission Directorate: Space Operations

Theme: International Space Station

Program: International Space Station Program

Project Descriptions and Explanation of Changes

ISS Systems Operations and Maintenance

The FY 2012 budget extends ISS operations and supports full utilization through at least 2020. This 

includes: recertification of ISS structures, purchase of additional spares and consumables, extending 

baseline operational services, enabling services and facilitating National Laboratory partnerships and 

commitments, and initiating activities that increase ISS upgrade efforts, improve new space 

technologies, reduce costs, and increase research capacity. Operating the ISS is often more 

complicated than other space flight endeavors because of its many international partner 

components. Each ISS partner has the primary authority for managing and operating the hardware it 

provides, but the various elements provided by the partners are inter-dependent. Oversight by NASA 

is required to ensure the elements all operate as an integrated system.

ISS Operations Program plans, controls, and executes the ISS program. ISS includes systems 

engineering, analysis, and integration function entails optimization of the system architecture, 

integrated system performance and verification analyses, tracking of vehicle configuration, interface 

requirements, and mission design. The spacecraft function maintains the ISS on orbit in a fully 

crewed and mission-ready mode. Safety and mission assurance functions implements safety, 

reliability, maintainability, and quality assurance requirements to ensure that significant risks are 

reviewed, tracked, and mitigated. Other key operational activities include medical support, and 

launch site processing of the hardware. 

NASA will also invest in the ISS facility itself by initiating new activities to revitalize the ISS and 

increase functionality. The activities will support ISS upgrade efforts while proving new space 

technologies, and reducing costs. Potential objectives include increasing the ISS operational 

efficiency in space or on the ground, reducing demands on crew time, improving safety, and 

supporting activities to benefit future exploration efforts. Examples include: a common S-band 

communication system; a common radio frequency/attached audio/video/command/telemetry 

system; EVA shock hazard improvements and solar array modifications to decrease sensitivities to 

visiting vehicles flight attitudes and longeron shadowing; mission integration tool enhancements and 

throughput increases; research results tracking, increased payload integration and verification 

support; and biotech sample analysis instruments.

Functionality increases will also include development of a docking mechanism to provide 

compatibility to all visiting vehicles in compliance with the International Docking System Standards.

To ensure that the docking system is highly focused on keeping costs low for commercial providers 

who will use it for their visiting vehicles: 

- Design process will be well-coordinated with industry, solicit regular, detailed input, and have a 

mechanism to resolve industry concerns;and to the degree feasible, the design will be standardsbased and not lock the commercial providers into using particular vendors; 

- Design will adhere to standard aerospace practices and processes within reach of commercial 

providers; and

- Necessary and effective cost controls are in place in FY 2012 and the outyears.

SOMD-23
Mission Directorate: Space Operations

Theme: International Space Station

Program: International Space Station Program

ISS Research

Having launched the U.S. and international partner elements and established six-person crew 

capability, the ISS Program focus is now primarily on utilization.

During FY 2011, NASA will be awarding a cooperative agreement to an independent non-profit 

organization with responsibility to further develop national uses of the ISS. This organization will:

- Act as a single entry point for non-NASA users to interface efficiently with the ISS;

- Assist researchers in developing experiments, meeting safety and integration rules, and acting as 

an ombudsman on behalf of researchers;

- Perform outreach to researchers and disseminate the results of ISS research activities; and

- Provide easily accessed communication materials with details about laboratory facilities, available 

research hardware, resource constraints, and more.

The NPO will oversee all research involving organizations other than NASA and transfer current 

NASA biological and physical research to the NPO in future years.

- SOMD oversight of existing research projects will be phased out and the NPO will coselect/manage new peer-reviewed projects.

- As on-going work within the NASA research project offices is completed in future years, 

extension/renewal decisions should be made exclusively by the NPO.

Through the management partnership, research opportunities will be expanded to conduct research 

in life sciences, material sciences, biotechnologies, condensed matter physics, and thermal sciences 

(e.g., fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, heat transfer, and combustion). NASA will continue to 

support research to meet NASA requirements for exploration including astronaut health and serve as 

a test bed for the development and demonstration of technology for future space exploration 

missions.

The ISS Program multi-user systems support function is responsible for all payload physical, 

analytical and operations integration activities and for projecting available utilization resources and 

accommodations, tactical planning, and execution of the day-to-day ISS integrated research plan for 

all payloads, including NASA, international partners, and non-NASA users.

SOMD-24
Mission Directorate: Space Operations

Theme: International Space Station

Program: International Space Station Program

ISS Crew and Cargo Transportation

Cargo and Crew Transportation provides services to and from the ISS, including services provided 

by international partners and commercial purchases. NASA has contracted with Roscosmos to 

purchase crew transportation through CY 2013. The ISS Program plans to purchase crew 

transportation services from Russia, as needed, until a domestic capability is available by 2016. 

NASA has also contracted with domestic companies to provide cargo supply and return services 

beginning in CY 2011 via the Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) contract. The FY 2012 budget 

provides for the acquisition of cargo transportation through CY 2020, including cargo transportation 

for National Laboratory research payloads. SpaceX currently has four missions on its manifest and 

Orbital Sciences has three missions on its manifest. Both SpaceX and Orbital Sciences are making 

progress on their missions which are planned to begin in FY 2012.

In addition, proposed Exploration funding would develop U.S. commercial crew transportation that 

will ultimately be utilized by the ISS. The FY 2012 ISS budget does not include any specific funding 

to purchase commercial crew transportation services, but NASA has developed a funding strategy to 

accommodate purchase of commercial crew seats as the development activities progress and better 

estimates for those services become available. A new Mission Operations Sustainment line within 

SFS provides support for essential human spaceflight activities, including purchase of commercial 

seats and communications infrastructure capability, by addressing space operations requirements 

and risks for which precise costs cannot be known until after formal technical requirements, risk 

management approaches, and cost estimates are prepared.

SOMD-25
Mission Directorate: Space Operations

Theme: International Space Station

Program: International Space Station Program

Program Commitments

ISS Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Oct-93

Oct-07

Oct-11

Sep-07

Sep-20

Sep-20

Form

Development (Dev)

Formulation (Form)

Represents a period of no activity for the Project

Research (Res)

Operations (Ops)

Tech & Adv Concepts (Tech)

Commitment/Output

FY 2012

Program/Project Changes from

FY 2011 PB Request

ISS construction complete. International Space Station (ISS) same

In concert with the International Partners, 

maintain a continuous crew presence on the ISS 

by coordinating and managing resources, 

logistics, systems, and operational procedures.

International Space Station N/A

Fly the ISS spares, logistics, and utilization 

hardware as agreed to by the International 

Partners in the ISS transportation plan.

International Space Station N/A

Complete at least two flights to the ISS by U.S. 

developed cargo delivery systems.

International Space Station N/A

Provide 100 percent of planned on-orbit 

resources (including power, data, crew time, 

logistics, and accommodations) needed to 

support research.

International Space Station N/A

Achieve zero Type-A (damage to property at 

least $1 million or death) or Type-B (damage to 

property at least $250 thousand or permanent 

disability or hospitalization of three or more 

persons) mishaps.

International Space Station N/A

Accomplish a minimum of 90 percent of the onorbit research objectives as established one 

month prior to a given increment, as sponsored 

by NASA, baselined for FY 2012.

International Space Station N/A

Facilitate non-profit organization (NPO) 

implementation of its initial grants solicitation 

process.

International Space Station N/A

Implementation Schedule

Prior 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Beg End

Project Schedule by Fiscal Year Phase Dates

SOMD-26
Mission Directorate: Space Operations

Theme: International Space Station

Program: International Space Station Program

Program Management

The ISS Program Manager reports to the Associate Administrator for Space Operations at NASA 

Headquarters.

Project Management

Responsibility

NASA Center 

Performers

Cost-Sharing Partners

Russian Federal Space Agency, 

European Space Agency, Japan 

Aerospace Exploration Agency, 

Canadian Space Agency, and Italian 

Space Agency.

On-orbit assembly and 

operations

NASA Johnson Space 

Center

NASA Johnson 

Space Center

Acquisition Strategy

NASA extended the Boeing U.S. On-Orbit Segment contract until September 30, 2015. NASA has 

competed and awarded the ISS Mission Integration Contract (MIC) to Barrios Technology. MIC, with 

options, will be extended through 2017. NASA has competed and awarded the follow-on Cargo 

Mission Contract (CMC) to Lockheed Martin. The CMC basic period extends through March 31, 2014 

with four one-year extension options. The Program Integration Contract has been in place since 

October 2009, continuing for up to five years.

NASA awarded commercial cargo transportation services to SpaceX and OSC through the CRS 

contracts on December 23, 2008. Initial activities have begun for cargo services beginning as early 

as CY 2011, with services available until early 2016. NASA has also extended its contract with 

Roscosmos to purchase crew launches through CY 2013 and crew rescue and return through mid 

2014. NASA plans to continue to purchase Russian crew transportation services until a domestic 

capability is available. ESMD has funding to facilitate the development of a U.S. commercial crew 

space transportation capability with the goal of achieving safe, reliable, and cost effective access to 

and from LEO and the ISS.

SOMD-27
Mission Directorate: Space Operations

Theme: Space and Flight Support (SFS)

Theme Overview

As explorers, pioneers and innovators, NASA expands frontiers to inspire and serve America and to 

benefit the quality of life on Earth. Space and Flight Support (SFS) provides Agency-level capabilities 

that enable exploration and science. SFS programs are authorized as "Space and Flight Services" 

under the NASA Authorization Act of 2010.

The 21st Century Space Launch Complex Program (21st CSLC) at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) 

is working to modernize KSC's launch facilities, and the Florida range, to play a key role in future 

space exploration for a wide range of users. This includes NASA test flights, commercial flights in 

support of ISS, and expendable launch vehicles in support of NASA payloads and robotic precursor 

missions. Based on understanding of the evolving requirements from the users at KSC, the program is 

developing a comprehensive ground infrastructure plan and potential ground investment activities to 

improve KSC launch operations for future and current non-NASA users of the range.

The Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) Program provides the support structure to 

conduct exploration and science. SCaN manages multiple space communication networks including 

the Deep Space Network, the Space Network, and the Near Earth Network. SCaN provides the 

support to regulate, maintain, and grow NASA's space communications and navigation capabilities 

that support NASA's space missions. Whether NASA missions are providing data about Earth, 

focusing science instruments on cosmic phenomena, or exploring far regions in space, reliable 

communication with Earth-based control centers is key to mission success. As new spacecraft with 

different objectives and advanced technology are launched, communications needs change. SCaN 

modifies and evolves its space communications capabilities to ensure current and new mission 

requirements are met.

Human Space Flight Operations (HSFO) is comprised of Space Flight Crew Operations (SFCO) and 

Crew Health and Safety (CHS). SFCO provides trained crew for NASA human space flight endeavors 

and is responsible for Johnson Space Center (JSC) aircraft operations and aircrew training. CHS 

enables healthy and productive crew during all phases of space flight missions; provides 

comprehensive health care program for astronauts; prevents and mitigates negative long-term health 

consequences of space flight. With the last flights of Shuttle in FY 2011, HSFO is focused on postShuttle retirement requirements. NASA has enlisted the National Academies to conduct an 

independent study of the activities.

Mission Operations Sustainment supports future essential human spaceflight activities by addressing 

space operations requirements and risks whose costs will not be precisely known after formal 

technical requirements, risk management approaches, and cost estimates are prepared. In FY 2013 

and beyond, Mission Operations sustainment will fund future commercial transportation services to the 

ISS and such other potential needs as potential future requirements for space communications and 

Space Shuttle transition and retirement. Space Operation's future functional requirements and risks 

will be addressed as programmatic requirements and prioritized through analysis and planning that 

will become specific budget requirements in the FY 2013 Budget request.

The Launch Services Program (LSP) is responsible for understanding the full range of civil space 

launch needs. LSP works with other Government agencies and the launch industry to ensure that 

safe, reliable, on-time and cost-effective launch opportunities are available on a range of launch 

systems.

The Rocket Propulsion Test (RPT) Program reviews, approves, and provides direction on rocket 

propulsion test assignments, capital asset improvements, test facility modernization and 

refurbishments, integration for multi-site test activities, identification and protection of core capabilities, 

and the advancement and development of test technologies.

SOMD-28
Mission Directorate: Space Operations

Theme: Space and Flight Support (SFS)

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

727.7 - 699.8 1,156.8 1,168.7 1,122.2 1,067.5

21st Century Space Launch 

Complex

0.0 - 128.0 139.1 130.2 31.0 42.9

Space Communications and 

Navigation

482.3 - 404.8 450.2 460.9 460.8 460.8

Human Space Flight Operations 104.0 - 84.1 85.5 85.0 87.3 87.4

Mission Operations Sustainment 0.0 - 0.0 400.4 409.4 459.1 391.4

Launch Services 89.4 - 46.0 43.1 44.1 44.6 45.7

Rocket Propulsion Test 43.3 - 36.8 38.4 39.0 39.4 39.4

Crew Health & Safety 8.8 - 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Note:

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated account in 

each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the program amounts shown above. The allocation to each program is reflected 

in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 2010 and FY 

2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

SOMD-29
Mission Directorate: Space Operations

Theme: Space and Flight Support (SFS)

Plans for FY 2012

21st Century Space Launch Complex

Efforts for the 21st CSLC Program are intended to benefit NASA's current and future operations at 

KSC, but also to enhance the capabilities for non NASA users of the range. This new initiative 

focuses on upgrades to the Florida launch range, expanding capabilities to support commercial 

launch providers, and transforming KSC into a modern facility that is well positioned to support the 

next century of space exploration. Areas under consideration include modernization activities to 

support safer and more efficient launch operations, enhancing payload processing capabilities, 

relocating the KSC perimeter to facilitate certain private sector activities and operations, 

environmental remediation, and supporting the modernization of the launch range capabilities.

Space Communications and Navigation

In FY 2012, the SCaN Program will continue to successfully provide space communications and 

navigation capabilities to all missions and continue to define future communications requirements. 

SCaN will also continue to advance cross support opportunities with foreign space agencies 

through the definition and adoption of common standards and protocols, as well as proceed with the 

implementation of infrastructure upgrades and continue the development of enabling capabilities 

and technologies. Milestones to be completed in FY 2012 include: completion of the TDRS K and L 

spacecrafts, in preparation for launch of Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) K in December 

2012 (or possibly as early as April 2012) and TDRS L in December 2013; infrastructure upgrades, 

including the Space Network Ground Segment and the Deep Space Network (DSN) Canberra Deep 

Space Communications Complex 34-meter Beam Wave Guide; and continued development of 

enabling capabilities and technology, including early 2012 launch of the Communications, 

Navigation, and Networking reConfigurable Testbed (CoNNeCT), and integration and testing for the 

Lunar Laser Communication Demonstration (LLCD) for a FY 2013 launch, hosted by Lunar 

Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE).

Human Space Flight Operations

HSFO is comprised of SFCO and CHS. For FY 2012, SFCO will provide crew expertise for future 

vehicle development as well as four ISS long-duration crew rotation missions by providing and 

maintaining an adequate number of astronauts with appropriate skills and experience. This will be 

accomplished by maintaining safe and effective aircraft operation, supporting human space flight 

program activities such as boards, and technical evaluations that require operational input and 

expertise, and representing NASA to the public directly and through media.

Launch Services

LSP has five planned NASA launches in FY 2012 including: the National Polar-orbiting Operational 

Satellite System (NPOESS) Preparatory Project (NPP), the last NASA mission to be launched on a 

Delta II; the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) on an Atlas V; the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope 

Array (NuSTAR) on a Pegasus XL; TDRS-K on an Atlas V; and the Radiation Belt Storm Probes 

(RBSP) mission on an Atlas V. In addition to processing, mission analysis, spacecraft integration 

and launch services of these missions, LSP will continue to provide support for the development 

and certification of emerging launch providers critical to supporting future NASA programs.

Rocket Propulsion Test

RPT will continue to provide test facility management, and provide maintenance, sustaining 

engineering, operations, and facility modernization projects necessary to keep the test-related 

facilities in the appropriate state of operational readiness. RPT continues to use the established 

testing requirements from all of the RPT customers to identify excess and "at-risk" test facilities and 

will support decisions relative to test asset consolidation initiatives.

SOMD-30
Mission Directorate: Space Operations

Theme: Space and Flight Support (SFS)

Relevance

Relevance to national priorities, relevant fields, and customer needs:

SFS provides the enabling capabilities required to advance space exploration and expand scientific 

knowledge of Earth and the universe.

The 21st CSLC Program enables a more efficient and affordable future access to space for an 

evolving multi-user community by modernizing and transforming the Florida launch and range 

complex at KSC.

SCaN provides able and dependable space communications and navigation capabilities vital to 

successfully conduct human and robotic space missions.

SFCO provides trained crew members for all NASA human space flight endeavors, brings expertise 

to resolve operational or development issues and plays a major role in the public advocacy of human 

space flight. CHS provides enhancements to the health care provision environment both in space and 

on the ground for the astronaut corps. CHS contributes to the medical and health certification of 

astronauts before flight and the provision of care throughout their careers.

LSP enables access to space for NASA and other select Government missions. LSP provides safe, 

reliable, cost-effective, and on-time commercial launch services for NASA and NASA-sponsored 

payloads using ELVs. 

RPT capabilities continue to support safe operation of the Space Shuttle through retirement, and 

provides test facilities for use by Department of Defense (DoD) and commercial programs. RPT 

facilities are part of the critical path for the development of future propulsion technologies required to 

support developing vehicle architectures.

Relevance to the NASA Mission and Strategic Goals:

21st CSLC supports NASA's Strategic Goal 5, to "Enable program and institutional capabilities to 

conduct NASA's aeronautics and space activities," by transforming the Florida Launch and Range 

Complex to provide a robust launch complex for NASA and future users. 

HSFO supports NASA's Strategic Goal 1, to "Extend and sustain human activities across the solar 

system," by providing adequate numbers of healthy, productive, and assignable crew members 

during all phases of space flight missions.

RPT and LSP also relate to NASA's Strategic Goal 5, to "Enable program and institutional capabilities 

to conduct NASA's aeronautics and space activities."

Relevance to education and public benefits:

The benefits of SFS to education and the public include the return of scientific and educational data 

from space to Earth, the safe launching of expendable launch vehicles necessary for research, the 

assurance that rocket systems have been adequately tested, and the testing and implementation of 

various human health and illness prevention measures.

SFCO assigns astronauts for requested appearances and supplying the accompanying presentation 

materials. Astronauts support numerous public appearances sharing information about current and 

future space missions with the general public.

SOMD-31
Mission Directorate: Space Operations

Theme: Space and Flight Support (SFS)

Performance

Performance Commitments:

Measure # Description Contributing

Program (s)

Strategic Goal 5 Enable program and institutional capabilities to conduct 

NASA's aeronautics and space activities.

Outcome 5.3 Ensure the availability to the Nation of NASA-owned, 

strategically important test capabilities.

Objective 5.3.1 Work with the National Rocket Propulsion Test Alliance 

to identify NASA, Department of Defense and commercial 

capabilities and requirements.

Performance Goal 5.3.1.1 Develop and execute the Rocket Propulsion Test (RPT) 

Master Plan.

APG

5.3.1.1: SFS-12-1

Meet Rocket Propulsion Test (RPT) Master Plan 

requirements for year one.

Rocket Propulsion 

Test

Outcome 5.4 Implement and provide space communications and 

launch capabilities responsive to existing and future 

science and space exploration missions.

Objective 5.4.1 Ensure reliable and cost-effective access to space for 

missions critical to achieving the National Space Policy 

of the United States of America.

Performance Goal 5.4.1.1 Complete Launch Services Program (LSP) objectives for 

all NASA-managed expendable launches.

APG

5.4.1.1: SFS-12-2

Sustain 100 percent success rate with the successful launch 

of NASA-managed expendable launches as identified on the 

Launch Services Flight Planning Board manifest.

Launch Services

Performance Goal 5.4.1.2 Continue utilizing existing contract mechanisms and 

agreements with emerging launch vehicle providers to 

gain information for future Launch Service orders and to 

provide technical exchanges to enhance early launch 

success.

APG

5.4.1.2: SFS-12-3

Incorporate information sharing processes into programmatic 

policies and incorporate into crew demonstration activities 

and future crew transportation service contracts.

Launch Services

Objective 5.4.2 Transform the Florida launch and range complex to 

provide a robust launch and range infrastructure for 

future users.

Performance Goal 5.4.2.1 By FY 2014, enable future government and commercial 

launching and testing from the Florida launch and range 

complex.

APG

5.4.2.1: SFS-12-4

Implement FY 2012 milestones within the 21st Century 

Space Launch Complex (21st CSLC) plan.

21st Century Space 

Launch Complex

SOMD-32
Mission Directorate: Space Operations

Theme: Space and Flight Support (SFS)

Performance

Performance Commitments:

Measure # Description Contributing

Program (s)

Objective 5.4.3 Build and maintain a scalable, integrated, mission 

support infrastructure that can readily evolve to 

accommodate new and changing technologies, while 

providing integrated, comprehensive, robust, and costeffective space communications services at order-ofmagnitude higher data rates to enable NASA's science 

and exploration missions.

Performance Goal 5.4.3.1 By 2014, launch two functionally identical Tracking and 

Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) spacecraft in 

geosynchronous orbits to replenish the Tracking and 

Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) constellation.

APG

5.4.3.1: SFS-12-5

Complete Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) K Preship review.

Space

Communications

and Navigation

Performance Goal 5.4.3.2 By FY 2016, replace or upgrade obsolete and 

unsustainable systems of the Tracking and Data Relay 

Satellite System (TDRSS) Ground Segment at the White 

Sands Complex (WSC).

APG

5.4.3.2: SFS-12-6

Complete the Space Network Ground Segment Sustainment 

(SGSS) Preliminary Design Review (PDR).

Space

Communications

and Navigation

Performance Goal 5.4.3.3 By FY 2018, replace aging and obsolete Deep Space 

Network (DSN) 70-meter antenna at Canberra Deep 

Space Communications Complex (CDSCC).

APG

5.4.3.3: SFS-12-7

Complete Deep Space Station-35 (DSS-35) antenna 

fabrication at vendor.

Space

Communications

and Navigation

SOMD-33
Mission Directorate: Space Operations

Theme: Space and Flight Support (SFS)

Performance Achievement Highlights:

During FY 2010, SCaN continued to develop a unified space communication and navigation network 

capable of meeting both robotic and human exploration needs. During FY 2010:

- CoNNeCT and LLCD technology projects successfully completed Critical Design Reviews;

- The Space Network (SN) supported missions at or above 99.9 percent proficiency, exceeding official 

requirements. Supported missions included the Space Shuttle, ISS, Hubble Space Telescope, and 

Terra Earth science;

- A contract award was made for SN Ground Segment Sustainment to provide major Ground 

Segment modernization upgrades and provide a framework for further SCaN networks integration 

towards a single network;

- DSN supported missions at or above 95 percent proficiency for both telemetry and command, 

exceeding requirements. Supported missions included the Cassini, Kepler, Mars Reconnaissance 

Orbiter, and the Mars Exploration Rovers. (A contract for the 70 meter antenna replacement project 

was awarded in the first quarter of FY 2011.);

- The Near Earth Network supported missions at or above 99.1 percent proficiency, above 

requirements. Supported missions included the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, Solar-B, and the Aqua 

and Aura Earth science missions. The Space Communications Network Services contract was 

awarded to support the operation, maintenance, and sustainment of the Space and Near Earth 

Networks;

- LSP successfully launched the Solar Dynamics Observatory and served in an advisory role for the 

Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite mission. LSP awarded the NASA Launch Services 

II Contract, which brought several new launch vehicles on board, enabling additional competition in the 

small to small/medium class range of launch services. Successful technical interchange meetings 

were held with SpaceX and Orbital Science Corp;

- The RPT Program maintained its ability to safely test rocket propulsion systems by evaluating 

requirements and focusing resources to complete those requirements, including assuring the accuracy 

of requirements through close coordination with the DoD;

- HSFO, through SFCO, provided trained crew members to successfully complete four Space Shuttle 

and three long duration ISS crew rotation missions, supported over 460 public outreach appearances 

on NASA's behalf. CHS further enhanced the Longitudinal Study of Astronaut Health and implemented 

a system that allows flight surgeons easy access to analysis of medical requirements. CHS identified 

and leveraged the development of clinical care capabilities, such as ultrasound units, and is 

developing new technologies for hazardous and/or extreme environments ranging from the battlefield 

to space exploration use; and

The 21st CSLC Program acquired input through formal Requests For Information from the broader 

space community providing information on near-and long-term needs that the Florida Launch Range 

complex, and Space Florida as a means to broaden the Agency's information acquisition activity. 

NASA evaluated the needs of the community as a whole and folded those potential requirements into 

the planning process. With the passage of the NASA Authorization Act of 2010, this project has 

broadened its focus to consider SLS processing and launch infrastructure.

SOMD-34
Mission Directorate: Space Operations

Theme: Space and Flight Support (SFS)

Program: 21st Century Space Launch Complex

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

0.0 - 128.0 139.1 130.2 31.0 42.9

21st Century Space Launch 

Complex

0.0 - 128.0 139.1 130.2 31.0 42.9

Note:

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated 

account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project amounts shown above. The allocation to each project

is reflected in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 

2010 and FY 2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

Program Overview

The 21st CSLC Program's primary objective is to modernize and transform the Florida launch and 

range complex at KSC to benefit current and future NASA programs along with other emerging users. 

Described as the "launch support and infrastructure modernization program" in the NASA 

Authorization Act of 2010, the 21st CSLC Program will develop and implement shared infrastructure 

and process improvements to provide more flexible, affordable, and responsive capabilities to a multiuser community. The 21st CSLC Program will focus on the life cycle of a launch complex as an 

integrated system (from development, activation, operations, maintenance of capabilities to 

manufacture, assemble, test, checkout, and launch) to enable more efficient operations and simplify 

access to space for NASA and non-NASA users.

Plans For FY 2012

The 21st CSLC Program will continue to develop and establish necessary partnerships in order to 

gain an understanding of evolving requirements from the users of the launch and range complex. The 

21st CSLC Program will develop a cost-effective ground infrastructure plan that considers the space 

launch system and potential ground investment activities with the NASA Centers. In addition, NASA 

will pursue opportunities to partner or leverage investments planned by other mutually benefitting 

parties within the space user community. Based on available resources, areas under consideration 

for future cooperative efforts include modernization activities to support safer and more efficient 

launch operations, enhancing payload processing capabilities, relocating the KSC perimeter to 

facilitate certain private sector activities, operations environmental remediation, and supporting the 

modernization of the launch range capabilities.

SOMD-35
Mission Directorate: Space Operations

Theme: Space and Flight Support (SFS)

Program: 21st Century Space Launch Complex

Project Descriptions and Explanation of Changes

Mission Focused Modernization

Modernization of systems necessary for vehicle integration and launch, horizontal takeoff and 

landing, vertical takeoff, and landing

Range Interface and Control Services

Modernization of range systems including command and control, communications, telemetry and 

tracking, and weather

Environmental Remediation and Technologies

Performance of environmental planning and compliance, energy reduction, sustainability, material 

replacement, remediation, and green or energy saving projects

Offline Manufacturing, Processing and Recovery Systems

Modernization of systems necessary for off-line payload processing, launch vehicle processing, 

laboratory testing, hazardous operations and servicing, and recovery

Florida Infrastructure Modernization

Modernization of systems or infrastructure necessary to support missions including power and 

utilities, transportation, safety and security, information technology, propellants, gases, and life 

support

Program Commitments

Commitment/Output

FY 2012

Program/Project Changes from

FY 2011 PB Request

Continue implementation of a focused 

investments plan enabling future government 

and commercial launching and testing from the 

Florida Launch and Range Complex beginning 

no earlier than FY 2014.

21st Century Space Launch Complex

Implement FY 2012 milestones within the 21st 

Century Space Launch Complex (21st CSLC) 

plan.

21st Century Space Launch Complex N/A

Program Management

The 21st CSLC Program Manger reports to the Associate Administrator for Space Operations at 

NASA Headquarters.

SOMD-36
Mission Directorate: Space Operations

Theme: Space and Flight Support (SFS)

Program: 21st Century Space Launch Complex

Acquisition Strategy

The 21st CSLC Program will encompass projects with varying content and sizes. Many of the 

projects are consistent with the type of architecture and engineering, construction, and programmatic 

support available within the scope of existing Center and program support contracts.

Independent Reviews

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review

Other NASA

Advisory

Council

07/2010 Provides independent guidance for the NASA 

Administrator. No formal recommendations were 

provided.

TBD

SOMD-37
Mission Directorate: Space Operations

Theme: Space and Flight Support (SFS)

Program: Space Communications and Navigation

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

482.3 - 404.8 450.2 460.9 460.8 460.8

Space Communications Networks 363.3 - 348.7 382.5 401.8 408.9 408.3

Space Communications Support 93.5 - 55.1 56.3 59.1 51.9 52.4

TDRS Replenishment 25.4 - 1.0 11.4 0.0 0.0 0.0

Note:

The FY 2011 President's Budget request numbers in the FY 2010 column reflects the Initial Operating Plan budget numbers to 

be submitted to Congress.

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated 

account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project amounts shown above. The allocation to each project

is reflected in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 

2010 and FY 2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

SOMD-38
Mission Directorate: Space Operations

Theme: Space and Flight Support (SFS)

Program: Space Communications and Navigation

Program Overview

Today's spacecraft are increasingly powerful, complex, and capable of acquiring and processing ever 

increasing amounts of mission data. They can even employ artificial intelligence systems, enabling 

autonomous decision making. However complex and sophisticated these machines have become, 

two key functions have not changed: the needs to communicate with Earth and navigate in space. A 

failure of space communications and navigation on the spacecraft or on Earth could result in a 

complete loss of a mission. Hence, space communications and navigation is a fundamental capability 

of missions that depends on a high quality of hardware and software on both the spacecraft and the 

ground facilities. NASA's space communications and navigation capabilities rely on ground- and 

space-based assets that enable near Earth and deep space missions, as well as those of the other 

U.S. agencies and international partners. These national assets are managed as dedicated projects 

within SCaN. SCaN manages these assets for the Agency and strives for a cost efficient approach to 

effectively meet all missions' needs throughout all stages of their life. 

SCaN is responsible for all Spectrum Management and Data Standards policy, oversight, and 

management for the Agency. It represents NASA before all domestic and international regulatory or 

technical bodies dealing with Spectrum and/or Data Standards, thus providing NASA with an 

integrated approach to promoting and safeguarding its SCaN equities and interests. Additionally, 

SCaN leads all NASA activities associated with present and future navigation technology and 

capabilities such as supporting spacecraft tracking and position determination. 

These seemingly disparate functions, sustainment of existing assets, technology development, 

spectrum management, and international standards, are integrated through a robust System 

Engineering and Integration (SE&I) activity. This assures uninterrupted SCaN capabilities and 

prevents adverse impacts or data losses to science or exploration missions. In addition, SE&I 

conducts long-range planning based on projected mission needs and identifies technical performance 

targets for new technologies such as Disruption Tolerant Networking (DTN), Optical Communications, 

and Software Defined Radio.

By planning, developing, operating, and maintaining space and ground networks of tracking and data 

systems, SCaN services the Nation's space missions, both crewed and robotic, from LEO to the 

fringes of the solar system. For more information, please see 

https://www.spacecomm.nasa.gov/spacecomm/.

Plans For FY 2012

In FY 2012, SCaN will continue to provide space communications and navigation capabilities to all 

missions and continue to define and coordinate future communications requirements for NASA and 

other users. SCaN will also continue to advance cross-support opportunities with foreign space 

agencies through the definition and adoption of common standards and protocols. SCaN will proceed 

with the implementation of infrastructure upgrades and continue the development of enabling 

capabilities and technologies. Milestones to be completed in FY 2012 include: completion of the 

TDRS K and L spacecraft, in preparation for launch of TDRS K in December 2012 (and possibly as 

early as April 2012) and of TDRS L in December 2013; infrastructure upgrades including the SNGS 

and the DSN Canberra Deep Space Communications Complex 34-meter Beam Wave Guide; 

continued development of enabling capabilities and technology, including early 2012 launch of 

CoNNeCT, and integration and testing for LLCD for a FY 2013 launch, hosted by LADEE.

SOMD-39
Mission Directorate: Space Operations

Theme: Space and Flight Support (SFS)

Program: Space Communications and Navigation

Project Descriptions and Explanation of Changes

Space Communications Networks

The DSN consists of three facilities spaced approximately 120 degrees apart on the globe enabling 

continuous communications to spacecraft as the Earth rotates. The facilities are located in Spain, 

Australia, and California. DSN stations are NASA-owned assets managed by the DSN Project Office 

at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). To maintain facility assets, SCaN utilizes funds appropriated 

for Construction of Facilities (CoF) to provide minor revitalization of the three DSN facilities. A list of 

the total CoF projects is included in the Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration 

section of this document. 

Near Earth Network (NEN) consists of globally distributed tracking stations that are strategically 

located to maximize the communications service coverage provided to flight missions. The stations 

are located in Norway and Alaska, with additional antennas located at Wallops Island, Virginia, and 

Merritt Island, Florida. The NEN Project Office at GSFC manages the network, which includes both 

commercially owned assets and NASA facilities. NEN provides communications services to a variety 

of missions in certain orbital and suborbital locations, including LEO, Geosynchronous Earth Orbit 

(GEO), lunar, and highly elliptical orbits. SCaN is evaluating implementing higher data rate capability 

in the Ka-band to meet the evolving needs of future NASA missions and to reduce the mission load 

on the X-band that is limited in capacity. 

The Space Network (SN) is a combination of TDRS System (TDRSS) and a set of supporting Spaceto-Ground Link Terminals (SGLT) located at White Sands, New Mexico, and the Guam Remote 

Ground Terminal (GRGT). The ground terminals transmit signals to and from the TDRSS, which in 

turn relays those signals to and from flight missions. The SN predominantly supports LEO missions 

with global coverage, but it can also support launch vehicles and provide communications services to 

researchers in remote locations on Earth, such as the South Pole. The SN has proven to be an 

effective national asset meeting critical NASA and U.S. needs.

SN Ground Segment Sustainment (SGSS) is responsible for replacing outdated equipment and 

standardizing systems at all SN ground locations. The ground locations are White Sands and Guam. 

After replacement, the SGLT equipment at each SN ground station will be capable of supporting any 

spacecraft in the TDRSS fleet. A key objective of SGSS is to establish the capabilities required to 

support future space exploration vehicles. 

The NASA Integrated Services Network (NISN) has a commercial service framework that provides 

point-to-point terrestrial signal transport services and routing network services. The Chief Information 

Officer has management responsibility for this project.

SOMD-40
Mission Directorate: Space Operations

Theme: Space and Flight Support (SFS)

Program: Space Communications and Navigation

Space Communications Support

Space Communications Support manages crosscutting communication functions, responsible for 

defining and protecting the integrity of the overall SCaN architecture, including identifying, assessing, 

and establishing policy or response to external policies. These functions include Spectrum 

Management, Systems Planning, and advanced concept enabling technology such as Optical 

Communications and DTN.

- Spectrum Management ensures the availability and allocation of radio frequency spectrum for all 

Agency programs, supporting the operation of navigation systems, space and ground based radio 

transmission, and mission active and passive remote sensing requirements.

- Systems Planning develops the communications and navigation architecture to support Agency 

Exploration and Science programs through FY 2030. This includes: Space Data Standards, which 

pursues the implementation of national and international space data standards with the aim of 

improved interoperability; Technology, which aims to predict the needs of future communications 

missions in a manner that will yield initiatives with performance enhancements with reduced costs; 

and Systems Engineering, which coordinates all SCaN systems engineering activities and manages 

the requirements that enable NASA to fulfill its space communications and navigation needs for 

future missions.

- An important part of the SCaN Technology Program is optical communications technology 

development and demonstration. The first NASA demonstration of this technology will be during the 

LADEE mission, which is scheduled to launch in May 2013. The optical communication capability 

would provide NASA with a high rate communication technique for deep space mission data with an 

objective of at least a 10-fold data rate increase over that achievable with RF technology. This 

revolutionary technology will provide higher data rates for less space, weight, and power burden 

compared to RF technology. Higher data rates will allow more science spacecraft to share the same 

Earth-based optical receivers, and enable greater science return over spacecraft life.

- Another SCaN Technology program effort currently in the demonstration phase is DTN. Two DTN 

nodes have been installed on ISS and initial demonstration results indicate significant productivity 

gains through automation of data transfers in the ISS's disruptive communications environment. DTN 

has also been demonstrated in a deep space environment during FY 2009 aboard the EPOXI 

spacecraft. A more rigorous second demonstration is planned for FY 2011 and is expected to show 

that data transport efficiency can be improved 100 percent. International standardization of DTN 

protocols will be moved forward by the SCaN Standards program along with other communication 

data standards that provide a sound base for interoperability of NASA missions with other 

International space agencies.

In addition, SCaN provides subject matter expertise to the NASA Deputy Administrator for the 

Deputy Secretary-level Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) Executive Committee that 

manages the U.S. Global Positioning System (GPS). GPS is a critical infrastructure component for 

NASA human spaceflight and science, and enables greater autonomous navigation of spacecraft 

while reducing the operational and cost burdens of traditional two-way ranging and tracking.

SOMD-41
Mission Directorate: Space Operations

Theme: Space and Flight Support (SFS)

Program: Space Communications and Navigation

Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) Replenishment

The TDRS Replenishment project is responsible for the acquisition of TDRS-K and TDRS-L to 

replenish the aging fleet of communications spacecraft in the SN. The TDRS-K and TDRS-L Project 

Office at GSFC is managing the procurement, which includes on-orbit acceptance of two spacecraft. 

TDRS-K and TDRS-L. TDRS-K currently is set to be launched in December 2012, although NASA is 

evaluating the possibility of launching the satellite in April 2012. TDRS-L is scheduled to launch in 

December 2013. Modifications of the SGLT equipment at the White Sands Complex are included. In 

July 2009, the TDRS Replenishment project completed Key Decision Point (KDP)-C, and the 

development documentation was approved. SN meets critical NASA and U.S. needs that cannot be 

supported by commercial providers or any other U.S. assets. NASA is presently using the TDRS 

reliability model in consultation with TDRS users to assess future requirements for the TDRS 

constellation and assess future options.

Program Commitments

Commitment/Output

FY 2012

Program/Project Changes from

FY 2011 PB Request

Achieve less than three percent of lost operating 

time on NISN available services.

NASA Integrated Services Network, 

NISN

Same

Achieve at least 98 percent Network proficiency 

for delivery of Space Communications services.

Space Network, Deep Space Network, 

and Near Earth Network

Same

Complete Tracking and Data Relay Satellite 

(TDRS) K Payload and Bus Integration and test.

TDRS K N/A

Complete the Space Network Ground Support 

Sustainment (SGSS) Integrated Baseline 

Review (IBR) and Systems Requirements 

Review (SRR).

Space Communications and Navigation N/A

Complete Deep Space Station-35 (DSS-35) 

Pedestal Excavation and Azimuth track at 

Canberra Deep Space Communications 

Complex (CDSCC).

Space Communications and Navigation N/A

Complete Tracking and Data Relay Satellite 

(TDRS) K Pre-ship review.

TDRS K N/A

Complete the Space Network Ground Segment 

Sustainment (SGSS) Preliminary Design Review 

(PDR).

Space Communications and Navigation N/A

Complete Deep Space Station-35 (DSS-35) 

antenna fabrication at vendor.

Space Communications and Navigation N/A

SOMD-42
Mission Directorate: Space Operations

Theme: Space and Flight Support (SFS)

Program:

TDRS Replenishment - 

TDRS L

Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Jul-09

Jun-13

May-13

Jun-28

Form Oct-07 Jul-09

TDRS Replenishment - 

TDRS K

Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Jul-09

Aug-12

Jul-12

Aug-27

Form Oct-07 Jul-09

Space Communications 

and Navigation 

Operations

Tech

Dev

Ops

Res

Oct-05 Oct-20

Form

Formulation (Form)

Research (Res)

Represents a period of no activity for the Project

Development (Dev)

Operations (Ops)

Tech & Adv Concepts (Tech)

Space Communications and Navigation

Implementation Schedule

Prior 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Beg End

Project Schedule by Fiscal Year Phase Dates

SOMD-43
Mission Directorate: Space Operations

Theme: Space and Flight Support (SFS)

Program: Space Communications and Navigation

Program Management

The Deputy Associate Administrator for SCaN reports to the Associate Administrator for SOMD at 

NASA Headquarters. SCaN projects are managed from NASA Headquarters.

Project Management

Responsibility

NASA Center 

Performers

Cost-Sharing Partners

Deep Space Network Space Communications 

and Navigation Program 

Office - NASA 

Headquarters

Jet Propulsion 

Laboratory

N/A

Near Earth Network Space Communications 

and Navigation Program 

Office - NASA 

Headquarters

Goddard Space 

Flight Center

N/A

SN Ground Segment 

Sustainment

Space Communications 

and Navigation Program 

Office - NASA 

Headquarters

Goddard Space 

Flight Center

U.S. Government Agencies

Network Integration and 

Engineering

Space Communications 

and Navigation Program 

Office - NASA 

Headquarters

Goddard Space 

Flight Center, Glenn 

Research Center, 

Jet Propulsion 

Laboratory

N/A

Space Network Space Communications 

and Navigation Program 

Office - NASA 

Headquarters

Goddard Space 

Flight Center

U.S. Government Agencies

Space Communications 

Support

Space Communications 

Program Office - NASA 

Headquarters

Glenn Research 

Center, Goddard 

Space Flight Center, 

Jet Propulsion 

Laboratory, Johnson 

Space Center

N/A

Optical Communications Space Communications 

and Navigation Program 

Office - NASA 

Headquarters

Goddard Space 

Flight Center, Jet 

Propulsion

Laboratory

U.S. Government Agencies

NASA Integrated Services 

Network

Space Communications 

and Navigation Program 

Office - NASA 

Headquarters

Goddard Space 

Flight Center, 

Marshall Space 

Flight Center

N/A

TDRS Replenishment Space Communications 

and Navigation Program 

Office - NASA 

Goddard Space 

Flight Center, 

Kennedy Space 

Center

U.S. Government Agencies

Headquarters

SOMD-44
Mission Directorate: Space Operations

Theme: Space and Flight Support (SFS)

Program: Space Communications and Navigation

Acquisition Strategy

NASA owns a large, established base of space communications assets located nationally, 

internationally, and in orbit near Earth and Mars. SCaN conducts acquisition planning with the 

objective of preserving the Government's past investments, and altering capability or capacity in 

response to mission needs and NASA SCaN architecture goals.

NASA conducts major SCaN acquisitions on a competitive basis. To meet mission support objectives 

and achieve the best value for the Government, mission suitability and cost criteria are appropriately 

weighted and evaluated for competitively awarded acquisitions. When feasible, NASA pursues 

commercially available space communications services and products in preference to developing 

NASA-owned systems. NASA may also consider unique technical capabilities and maintenance of 

core competency in the NASA work force during the "make versus buy" decision process. To further 

achieve best value for NASA and the U.S. Government, the Agency may place task orders on 

Government Wide Acquisition Contracts (GWAC).

Independent Reviews

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review

Other NASA

Advisory

Committee

(NAC)

09/2009 SCaN was reviewed by the NAC in 2009. The 

NAC recommended that an independent study 

of space communications needs for science, 

exploration, and space operations be 

conducted. Initial studies have been performed 

and results are being incorporated in SCaN 

strategic planning.

10/2011

SOMD-45
Mission Directorate: Space Operations

Theme: Space and Flight Support (SFS)

Program: Space Communications and Navigation

Project In Development: TDRS Replenishment

FY 2012 Budget Request

Budget Authority

($ millions)

Ann CR.

Prior FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's 

Budget Request

369.0 25.4 - 1.0 11.4 0.0 0.0 0.0

Note:

For the FY 2012 Budget Request, project life cycle estimates, required to meet the requirements of section 103 of the NASA 

Authorization Act of 2005 (P.L. 109-155; 42 U.S.C. 16613), have been consolidated in the Management and Performance 

Section of this document. This consolidation provides for a comparative analysis across projects, and the inclusion of corrective 

action plans for the projects that have exceeded their original baseline estimates by greater than fifteen percent.

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated 

account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project amounts shown above. The allocation to each project

is reflected in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 

2010 and FY 2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

Project Purpose

The existing TDRSS fleet supports tracking, data, voice, and video services to the ISS, space and 

Earth science missions, as well as other Government agency users. The total mission load is 

predicted to increase, which will require additional satellites to be added to the fleet. The existing fleet 

is aging and reliability analyses predict a shortage of flight assets to support NASA missions and the 

user community by FY 2011. To meet this requirement, in FY 2007, NASA began the acquisition of 

two additional spacecraft, TDRS-K and TDRS-L. TDRS-K is scheduled to be launched in December 

2012, although NASA is evaluating the possibility of launching as early as April 2012. TDRS-L is 

scheduled for launch in December 2013. By adding these two spacecraft to the TDRSS fleet, 

continuity of service will be insured for NASA and other Government agency user missions through at 

least FY 2016. The TDRS Replenishment project supports future Agency requirements and 

technology initiatives consistent with the approved baseline of the SCaN architecture.

Project Parameters

TDRSS consists of in-orbit telecommunications satellites stationed at a geosynchronous altitude with 

associated ground stations located at White Sands and Guam. This system of satellites and ground 

stations is SN providing services for near-Earth user satellites and orbiting resources. SN supports 

spacecraft that depend on it for reliable services to continue their missions. The TDRSS constellation 

includes first and the second generation satellites.

SOMD-46
Mission Directorate: Space Operations

Theme: Space and Flight Support (SFS)

Program: Space Communications and Navigation

Project In Development: TDRS Replenishment

Project Commitments

The TDRS-K and TDRS-L spacecraft will be fully compatible and capable of functioning as a part of 

the existing TDRSS. Contract requirements are design, development, fabrication, integration, test, onorbit acceptance, and launch vehicle and services. Launch dates for TDRS-K and TDRS-L are in 

December 2012 (or possibly as early as April 2012) and December 2013, respectively. The 

spacecraft are required to have an operational life of 11 years. The basic requirement will also include 

modification of the White Sands SGLT to provide compatibility with the new spacecraft.

Project Element Provider Description FY 2011 PB 

Request

FY 2012 PB 

Request

TDRS Replenishment NASA Aging hardware 

replacement Same Same

Schedule Commitments

The TDRS Replenishment project was approved for entry into Phase C, development, in July 2009. 

The launch vehicle and payload will be delivered to KSC for processing to meet the TDRS-K and 

TDRS-L launch dates.

Milestone Name Confirmation

Baseline

FY 2011 PB 

Request

FY 2012 PB 

Request

Development

TDRS System Critical Design Review (CDR) January 2010 N/A Same

TDRS Systems Integration Review (SIR) January 2011 N/A Same

TDRS Flight Readiness Review (FRR) November 2012 N/A Same

TDRS K Launch Readiness Date (LRD) December 2012 N/A Same

TDRS L Launch Readiness Date (LRD) December 2013 N/A Same

Error: Subreport could not be shown.

SOMD-47
Mission Directorate: Space Operations

Theme: Space and Flight Support (SFS)

Program: Space Communications and Navigation

Project In Development: TDRS Replenishment

Project Management

The Deputy Associate Administrator for SCaN reports to the Associate Administrator for Space 

Operations at NASA Headquarters.

Project Element Project Management 

Responsibility NASA Center Performers Cost-Sharing Partners

TDRS Replenishment

Space Communications and 

Navigation (SCAN) Program 

Office - NASA Headquarters

Goddard Space Flight Center, 

Kennedy Space Center US Government Agencies

Acquisition Strategy

The TDRS K and L project is providing follow-on and replacement spacecraft necessary to maintain 

and expand the Space network. The contract to build two additional TDRS spacecraft was awarded to 

Boeing Satellite Systems in December 2007. In addition to building the TDRS K and L spacecraft, the 

contract also includes the modifications to the White Sands Complex ground system required to 

support these new spacecraft. The contract also provides fixed price options to procure two additional 

satellites, and NASA is using the TDRS reliability model, in consultation with TDRS users, to assess 

future requirements for the TDRS constellation and determine whether the Government needs to 

exercise the options.

Project Risk Management

Title Risk Statement Risk Management Approach and Plan

The project has awarded a firm fixed price with incentive fee 

contract as of December 2007 to Boeing Satellite Systems, 

Inc. Spacecraft will launch in December 2012 and December 

2013, respectively.

TDRS-K and TDRS-L 

Obsolescence Risk 

Management

Aging spacecraft requires 

replacement hardware by FY 

2013. The mission load is 

predicted to exceed current 

capacity and will need 

additional spacecraft to 

provide enough capacity.

SOMD-48
Mission Directorate: Space Operations

Theme: Space and Flight Support (SFS)

Program: Human Space Flight Operations

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

104.0 - 84.1 85.5 85.0 87.3 87.4

Human Space Flight Operations 104.0 - 84.1 85.5 85.0 87.3 87.4

Note:

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated 

account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project amounts shown above. The allocation to each project

is reflected in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 

2010 and FY 2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

Program Overview

In FY 2012, HSFO will include the ongoing SFCO and CHS efforts. HSFO will provide capabilities 

required for continued support of International Space Station and future support of human space 

exploration activities, including a number of unique human space flight capabilities and facilities that 

NASA needs to preserve after ISS construction is completed. Assessment of crew input will continue 

to be important for defining and guiding HSFO activities.

SOMD-49
Mission Directorate:

Theme:

Space Operations

Space and Flight Support (SFS)

Program: Human Space Flight Operations

Plans For FY 2012

SFCO provides trained astronauts for all of NASA human space flight endeavors. For FY 2012, the 

SFCO will support ISS long-duration crew rotation missions, which will include support of the first 

commercial delivery of cargo to the ISS under the Space Exploration Technologies contract. During 

FY 2012, SFCO will provide support and training for astronauts preparing for future flights to the ISS, 

as well as provide technical and safety panel support to development of future human space systems. 

To help NASA determine the role and size of the human space flight office after Space Shuttle 

retirement and ISS construction completion, NASA enlisted the National Academies to conduct an 

independent study of the office's activities. In particular, the study will look at the requirements for 

crew-related training facilities in addition to the currently required aircraft and training, and a costeffective means of meeting of achieving requirements. Results are expected in time to inform the FY 

2013 budget process.

Crew Health and Safety will continue to enable healthy and productive crew during all phases of 

space flight missions, implementation of a comprehensive health care program for astronauts, and 

the prevention and mitigation of negative long-term health consequences of spaceflight. CHS will 

continue to collect, maintain, and mine health data related to the long-term effects of space flight in 

order to enable the mitigation of those effects. This data will be useful to ongoing operations and 

assist human space exploration activities in defining requirements for assuring safe human space 

operations for future systems. CHS will also work to implement technologies for monitoring health 

status before, during, and after flight and assure that medical personnel and crew members are 

trained to best use those technologies.

Project Descriptions and Explanation of Changes

Human Space Flight Operations

In FY 2012, SFCO and CHS will be funded under the HSFO Program.

- SFCO provides trained astronauts for all of NASA human space flight endeavors and brings 

astronaut expertise to help resolve operations or development issues within the human space flight 

programs. SFCO is responsible for all JSC aircraft operations including aircrew training.

- CHS will continue to help develop and refine a standardized battery of clinical and physiological 

tests for all crew members. CHS will focus on developing and refining medical standards that are 

critical to meet the needs that will facilitate human space exploration activities. Similarly, real-time 

mission evaluation will continue to help define and deliver medical operations hardware for current 

programs and meet the needs of known architectures.

SOMD-50
Mission Directorate: Space Operations

Theme: Space and Flight Support (SFS)

Program: Human Space Flight Operations

Program Commitments

Commitment/Output

FY 2012

Program/Project Changes from

FY 2011 PB Request

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.

CHS will provide the full suite of medical 

capabilities necessary for the health and safety 

of the astronauts, and to assure they are mission 

ready from a health perspective.

HSFO/SFCO same

HSFO/CHS same

Program Management

The SFCO and CHS managers report to the Associate Administrator for SOMD at NASA 

Headquarters.

Acquisition Strategy

The contracts supporting SFCO are the Aircraft Maintenance and Modification Program provided by 

the Computer Services Corporation and the Aircraft Simulation Provider contract with Lockheed 

Martin. The contract supporting CHS bioastronautics is provided by Wyle Labs.

SOMD-51
Mission Directorate: Space Operations

Theme: Space and Flight Support (SFS)

Program: Human Space Flight Operations

Independent Reviews

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review

Performance NAC 10/2010 Provides independent guidance for the NASA 

Administrator. No recommendations were 

provided to SFCO at this time.

02/2011

Performance National

Academies

01/2011 Providing independent assessment of activities 

funded within the NASA Human Space Flight 

Operations program for the Associate 

Administrator for SOMD. Recommendations will 

inform FY 2013 budget decisions.

TBD

Performance Aerospace

Safety

Advisory

Panel

10/2010 Provides independent assessments of safety to 

the NASA Administrator. In their 2008 Annual 

Report, ASAP stated that they "strongly endorse 

the NASA position on not extending Shuttle 

operations beyond successful execution of the 

December 2008 manifest, completing the ISS." 

NASA will fly the Space Shuttle to complete the 

ISS and then retire the Shuttle.

02/2011

Performance Institute of 

Medicine

03/2007 At the request of NASA, the Institute of Medicine 

established a committee and issued this report. 

The committee was charged with examining the 

process by which NASA establishes space flight 

health standards for human performance. It 

assured the transparency of the current process, 

as well as considering its validity and integrity, 

particularly related to ensuring worker safety 

and integrating stakeholder input.

TBD

Performance Institute of 

Medicine

04/2009 This report examines NASA's plans to assemble 

the available evidence on human health risks of 

space flight and to move forward in identifying 

and addressing gaps in research. The 

committee provided recommendations to 

strengthen the content, composition, and 

dissemination of the evidence books.

TBD

SOMD-52
Mission Directorate: Space Operations

Theme: Space and Flight Support (SFS)

Program: Mission Operations Sustainment

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

0.0 - 0.0 400.4 409.4 459.1 391.4

Mission Operations Sustainment 0.0 - 0.0 400.4 409.4 459.1 391.4

Note:

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated 

account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project amounts shown above. The allocation to each project

is reflected in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 

2010 and FY 2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

SOMD-53
Mission Directorate: Space Operations

Theme: Space and Flight Support (SFS)

Program: Mission Operations Sustainment

Program Overview

Mission Operations Sustainment addresses future Space Operations functions that are essential to 

the NASA human spaceflight mission. These crucial functions cannot be separately budgeted for at 

this time because specifications and requirements have yet to be defined, cost estimates must 

mature, and technical and/or cost risks factors and uncertainties have not been sufficiently evaluated. 

In all cases, the needs are real, but it will not be until the FY 2013 budget process that accurate 

assessments of the scope and relative priority of the need will be understood well enough to justify 

specific allocation of resources. For example:

- The NASA Exploration Systems budget provides funds to facilitate development of U.S. commercial 

crew transportation capability to ISS, but neither Exploration nor Space Operations budgets 

specifically provide funds to purchase those services once developed. Even though NASA will 

purchase cost-effective commercial crew transportation services once they become available, NASA 

cannot allocate specific levels of resources for the services until development activities progress and 

better cost estimates become available; and

 - NASA has identified a potential future gap between ongoing communication infrastructure 

capability and future demand. The NASA SN comprises a constellation of eight communications 

satellites and associated ground facilities providing global communications coverage to Earth orbiting 

spacecraft. Key components of the SN infrastructure have exceeded their useful design life and are 

deteriorating. Although the time of a failure is largely unpredictable, in some cases system 

components are already operating beyond their expected design life. In addition, future demand is not 

well known dependent on the needs and capabilities of other users. In order to ensure that future 

NASA mission communications requirements are met, the Mission Operations Sustainment Budget 

line may potentially be utilized to fund this performance gap, if it arises in FY 2013 or later, to mitigate 

impact on NASA and other users.

Overall, NASA's human spaceflight mission cannot be sustained without resources provided by 

Missions Operations Sustainment. Given the tight fiscal environment, development of the Mission 

Operations Sustainment line is the responsible way to position Space Operations as it faces several 

important outyear requirements and threats. This approach is similar to that proposed in prior FY 

2011 Continuing Resolution bills. NASA has already begun and will continually perform the requisite 

technical, program analysis, and planning to separately budget the resources for presentation in the 

FY 2013 Budget request.

SOMD-54
Mission Directorate: Space Operations

Theme: Space and Flight Support (SFS)

Program: Launch Services

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

89.4 - 46.0 43.1 44.1 44.6 45.7

Launch Services 89.4 - 46.0 43.1 44.1 44.6 45.7

Note:

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated 

account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project amounts shown above. The allocation to each project

is reflected in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 

2010 and FY 2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

Program Overview

Assuring reliable and cost-effective access to space for missions is critical to achieving NASA's goals. 

NASA has assigned responsibility for understanding the full range of civil space launch needs to the 

Space Operations' Launch Services Program (LSP). LSP works closely with other U.S. Government 

agencies and the launch industry to ensure that the most safe, reliable, on-time, cost-effective 

commercial launch opportunities are available on a wide range of launch systems. The program 

works with customers from universities, industry, government, and international partners from the 

earliest phase of a mission.

A key challenge for LSP is matching the launch capabilities to the needs of the different customers. 

Through various scientific missions, these customers seek to understand: the origins, evolution, and 

destiny of the universe; the nature of life in the universe and what kinds of life may exist beyond 

Earth's orbit; the solar system, both scientifically and in preparation for human exploration; and the 

Sun and Earth and the consequences of the Earth-Sun relationship for life on Earth. The program 

purchases fixed-price launch services from domestic suppliers and provides oversight to ensure that 

these valuable, one-of-a-kind missions safely leave Earth to explore this planet and the universe 

beyond.

Within LSP, NASA maintains critical skills that provide technical management of launch services on 

the full fleet of existing and new launch systems. For more information, please see 

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/launchingrockets/index.html.

LSP also supports integration activities for the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) particle physics 

and astrophysics experiment planned for the International Space Station. AMS will look for dark 

matter, anti-matter, and strange matter. This experiment is sponsored by the Department of Energy 

and funded largely by international partners. AMS is scheduled to launch aboard STS-134 in FY 

2011.

SOMD-55
Mission Directorate: Space Operations

Theme: Space and Flight Support (SFS)

Program: Launch Services

Program Relevance

LSP has five planned NASA launches including NPP, the last NASA mission to be launched on a 

Delta II, MSL on an Atlas V, NuSTAR on a Pegasus XL, TDRS-K on an Atlas V, and RBSP on an 

Atlas V.

- NPP is a joint mission with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that extends key 

measurements in support of long-term monitoring of climate trends and of global biological 

productivity.

- MSL, which is mostly comprised of the Curiosity long-duration rover, is part of NASA's Mars 

Exploration Program. MSL is scheduled to launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida, in late 2011, and will 

arrive at a scientifically intriguing region of Mars in August 2012. The goal of Curiosity is to assess 

whether Mars ever had an environment capable of supporting microbial life and conditions favorable 

for preserving clues about life, if it once existed.

- NuSTAR is an explorer mission that will allow astronomers to study the universe in high energy Xrays. Launching in 2012, NuSTAR is expected to greatly exceed the performance of the largest 

ground-based observatories that have observed this region of the electromagnetic spectrum. 

NuSTAR will also complement astrophysics missions that explore the cosmos in other regions of the 

spectrum.

- TDRSS supports tracking, data, voice, and video services to the ISS, space and Earth science 

missions, as well as other Government agency users. The requirements are predicted to increase 

and the existing fleet is aging. Reliability analyses predict a shortage of flight assets to support NASA 

missions and the user community by FY 2011. As a result, TDRS-K has a scheduled launch date of 

December 2012; however, NASA is evaluating the possibility of launching as early as April 2012.

- RBSP is being designed to help with understanding the Sun's influence on Earth and near-Earth 

space by studying Earth's radiation belts on various scales of space and time. 

In addition to processing, mission analysis, spacecraft integration, and launch services of the above 

missions, LSP will continue to provide support for the development and certification of emerging 

launch providers that will be critical to supporting NASA programs, continue providing engineering 

analysis and integration support for approximately 35 NASA missions in various stages of planning 

and development, and provide and telemetry and communication support to several DoD launches.

SOMD-56
Mission Directorate: Space Operations

Theme: Space and Flight Support (SFS)

Program: Launch Services

Plans For FY 2012

The LSP program has five planned NASA launches including: 1) NPOESS Preparatory Project 

(NPP), the last NASA mission to be launched on a Delta II; 2) Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) on an 

Atlas V; 3) Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) on a Pegasus XL; 4) Tracking and 

Data Relay Satellite (TDRS-K) on an Atlas V; and 5) the Radiation Belt Storm Probes (RBSP) mission 

on an Atlas V. In addition to processing, mission analysis, spacecraft integration, and launch services 

of the above missions, LSP will continue to provide support for the development and certification of 

emerging launch providers that will be critical to supporting NASA programs.

The NPP is a joint mission with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that extends key 

measurements in support of long-term monitoring of climate trends and of global biological 

productivity. MSL, aka Curiosity, is part of NASA's Mars Exploration Program, a long-term suite of 

robotic exploration of the Red Planet. MSL is scheduled to launch from Cape Canaveral, FL in late 

2011, and arrive at a scientifically intriguing region of Mars in August 2012. The goal of Curiosity, a 

rolling laboratory, is to assess whether Mars ever had an environment capable of supporting microbial 

life and conditions favorable for preserving clues about life, if it once existed. NUSTAR is an explorer 

mission that will allow astronomers to study the universe in high energy X-rays. Launching in 2012, 

the NuSTAR mission will allow astronomers to study the universe in high energy x-rays and is 

expected to greatly exceed the performance of the largest ground-based observatories that have 

observed this region of the electromagnetic spectrum. NuSTAR will also complement astrophysics 

missions that explore the cosmos in other regions of the spectrum. TDRSS supports tracking, data, 

voice, and video services to the ISS, Space and Earth science missions, as well as other government 

agency users. The requirements are predicted to increase and the existing fleet is aging. Reliability 

analyses predict a shortage of flight assets to support NASA missions and the user community by FY 

2011. As a result, TDRS-K has a scheduled launch date of December 2012; however, NASA is 

evaluating the possibility of launching as early as April 2012. RBSP is being designed to help with 

understanding the Sun's influence on Earth and near-Earth space by studying the Earth's radiation 

belts on various scales of space and time.

SOMD-57
Mission Directorate: Space Operations

Theme: Space and Flight Support (SFS)

Program: Launch Services

Project Descriptions and Explanation of Changes

Launch Services Program

LSP provides the acquisition and program management of ELV missions using primarily domestic 

launch vehicles and associated standard services with mission unique options. These services are 

contracted through LSP at KSC. LSP assures that NASA retains the technical, management, and 

acquisition skills necessary to meet Agency and customer needs, and provides mission integration, 

technical, and launch management functions.

Manifesting and scheduling of payload launches are accomplished through the Flight Planning 

Board. LSP acquires launch services to meet the full range of requirements, ranging from finding 

space for small payloads as secondary payloads to the launch of dedicated payloads on a range of 

launch vehicles. LSP also provides technical management of the launch service, including planning, 

execution, and support for flight project customer requirements.

LSP provides engineering services and analysis for launch vehicle certification to maximize the 

mission success of commercially developed expendable launch services by employing a technical 

oversight approach that includes a combination of specified approvals and targeted insight. This 

element also provides for the coordination of mission-specific and fleet-wide launch vehicle analyses, 

hardware changes, and production oversight, assessments, and out-of-family anomaly resolution.

Program Commitments

Commitment/Output

FY 2012

Program/Project Changes from

FY 2011 PB Request

LSP is planning for 15 missions by FY 2015 and 

is providing an advisory role for six additional 

missions.

SMD - 13 missions, and SOMD - two 

missions

NO CHANGE

Sustain 100 percent success rate with the 

successful launch of NASA-managed 

expendable launches as identified on the Launch 

Services Flight Planning Board manifest.

Launch Services N/A

Incorporate information sharing processes into 

programmatic policies and incorporate into crew 

demonstration activities and future crew 

transportation service contracts.

Launch Services N/A

SOMD-58
Mission Directorate: Space Operations

Theme: Space and Flight Support (SFS)

Program: Launch Services

Program Management

The Launch Services Program Manager reports to the Assistant Associate Administrator for Launch 

Services, SOMD at NASA Headquarters.

Project Management

Responsibility

NASA Center 

Performers

Cost-Sharing Partners

Launch Services Acquisition 

and Management

LSP, Kennedy Space 

Center

Kennedy Space 

Center

Air Force, National Reconnaissance 

Office

Engine Assembly and Test LSP, Kennedy Space 

Center

Stennis Space 

Center

Air Force, National Reconnaissance 

Office

Mission Planning and 

Integration

LSP, Kennedy Space 

Center

Kennedy Space 

Center

Science Mission Directorate, 

Exploration Systems Mission 

Directorate, Space Operations Mission 

Directorate, Department of 

Defense/Missile Defense Agency, and 

the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration

Air Force, National Reconnaissance 

Office

Vehicle Production Insight LSP, Kennedy Space 

Center

Marshall Space 

Flight Center

Acquisition Strategy

The NASA Launch Services (NLS) II contracts were awarded in September 2010 to Lockheed Martin 

Space Systems Company, Orbital Sciences, SpaceX, and United Launch Services, LLC. Under 

these contracts, the program will acquire services associated with launches of Athena, Pegasus, 

Taurus, Falcon, and Atlas launch vehicles. Services are provided on a multiple award indefinite 

delivery/indefinite quantity basis, spanning a ten-year period. Missions not presently under contract 

are competed among existing NLS II contractors through the use of a launch service task order 

mechanism. In addition to NLS II, Glory is the only active mission remaining under the Small 

Expendable Launch Vehicle Services contract with Orbital Sciences. Thirteen remaining missions will 

fly out under the terms of NLS I between FY 2011 and FY 2015.

The NLS II solicitation contains a provision that permits technology infusion or improvements. New 

offerors may seek an NLS II contract during open season that occurs each February and August. 

The NLS II contracts enable ordering of standard and non-standard services, as well as special 

studies and mission-unique modifications.

Integrated launch services are provided by the Analex Corporation through a hybrid fixed-price/cost 

contract that contains options to continue performance through September 2011. Payload processing 

for east coast missions is provided by Astrotech Space Operations. West coast payload processing 

is provided after a competitive selection by either Astrotech or Spaceport Systems International.

SOMD-59
Mission Directorate: Space Operations

Theme: Space and Flight Support (SFS)

Program: Launch Services

Independent Reviews

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review

Performance Independent

Program

Assessment

Office (IPAO) 

Assessment

08/2009 This was a non-advocate review of LSP to 

present information to Agency decision-making 

councils. The NASA IPAO Review Team found 

that LSP is a highly successful program 

compliant with Agency direction, policy, and 

directives.

2012

SOMD-60
Mission Directorate: Space Operations

Theme: Space and Flight Support (SFS)

Program: Rocket Propulsion Test

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

43.3 - 36.8 38.4 39.0 39.4 39.4

Rocket Propulsion Testing 43.3 - 36.8 38.4 39.0 39.4 39.4

Note:

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated 

account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project amounts shown above. The allocation to each project

is reflected in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 

2010 and FY 2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

Program Overview

The RPT Program is the principal implementing authority for NASA's rocket propulsion testing. RPT 

reviews, approves, and provides direction on rocket propulsion test assignments, capital asset 

improvements, test facility modernizations and refurbishments. RPT provides integration for multi-site 

test activities, identification and protection of core capabilities, and the development of advanced test 

technologies.

RPT employs a collaborative approach to ensure rocket propulsion test activities are conducted in a 

manner that reduces cost, enhances safety, provides credible schedules, achieves technical 

objectives, and leverages the lessons learned. RPT reduces propulsion test costs through the safe 

and efficient utilization of rocket propulsion test facilities in support of NASA programs, commercial 

partners, and the DoD, while eliminating unwarranted duplication. RPT sustains and improves 

Agency-wide rocket propulsion test core capabilities (both infrastructure and critical skills) and 

ensures appropriate levels of capability and competency are maintained.

Additional information on the RPT program can be found at http://rockettest.nasa.gov/.

SOMD-61
Mission Directorate: Space Operations

Theme: Space and Flight Support (SFS)

Program: Rocket Propulsion Test

Plans For FY 2012

NASA will continue to conduct test facility management, maintenance, sustaining engineering, 

operations, and facility modernization projects required to keep the test-related facilities in the 

appropriate state of operational readiness. RPT will maximize program resources by completing, 

implementing, and keeping the RPT master plan current, merging current and future requirements, 

budget resources, and capabilities to assure the Agency maintains a proper propulsion test portfolio. 

Right-sizing of test infrastructure (both critical skills and facilities) will be implemented within existing 

budget guidelines to meet all technical, schedule, and cost requirements, both current and future, to 

include dispositioning facilities that are no longer required. Commercial testing and facility 

maintenance projects (e.g., commercial testing of the AJ-26 Liquid Oxygen and Kerosene Engine and 

the Stennis Space Center High Pressure Industrial Water project) will be implemented, as funding 

priorities permit, to improve safety and operational efficiencies.

The RPT program will continue to assist in the rocket propulsion testing requirements definition for 

low Earth orbit and in-space propulsion systems and related technologies.

Project Descriptions and Explanation of Changes

RPT

RPT represents the single point interface for NASA's rocket propulsion test facilities located at: 

Stennis Space Center (SSC), Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), JSC's White Sands Test Facility 

(WSTF), and GRC's Plum Brook Station (GRC-PBS). These facilities have a replacement value of 

greater than $2 billion. RPT sustains and improves Agency-wide rocket propulsion test core 

competencies (both infrastructure and critical skills), ensures appropriate levels of capability and 

competency are maintained, and eliminates unwarranted duplication. The program strategy is to fund 

and maintain core competencies of skilled test and engineering crews and test stand facilities, 

consolidate and streamline NASA's rocket test infrastructure, establish and maintain world-class test 

facilities, modernize test facility equipment; provide non-project specific equipment and supplies, and 

develop effective facility/infrastructure maintenance strategies and performance. The RPT budget 

does not include resources to support the marginal costs of testing (e.g., direct labor, propellants, 

materials, program-unique facility modifications, etc.) since these activities are funded by programs 

as a direct cost when they utilize the RPT test stands. When NASA, DoD, and commercial partners 

use the RPT-supported test stands, they are responsible for program-specific facility modifications in 

addition to the active testing of the program-specific test article.

Program Commitments

Commitment/Output

FY 2012

Program/Project Changes from

FY 2011 PB Request

Commercial testing of AJ-26 engine Orbital Sciences Corporation NO CHANGE

Testing of the J-2X Engine Upper Stage Engine (USE) NO CHANGE

Minuteman Decommissioning U.S. Air Force NO CHANGE

PCAD Component Testing Propulsion Cryogenics Advanced 

Development (PCAD)

NO CHANGE

Commercial testing of RS-68 engine Pratt Whitney Rocketdyne/Air Force NO CHANGE

Meet Rocket Propulsion Test (RPT) Master Plan

requirements for year one.

Rocket Propulsion Test N/A

SOMD-62
Mission Directorate: Space Operations

Theme: Space and Flight Support (SFS)

Program: Rocket Propulsion Test

Program Management

The Rocket Propulsion Testing Program Manager reports to the Assistant Associate Administrator for 

Launch Services, SOMD at NASA Headquarters.

Project Management

Responsibility

NASA Center 

Performers

Cost-Sharing Partners

Technical Services and Support Stennis Space Center Jacobs-Sverdrup,

Mississippi Space 

Services

Rocket Propulsion Test Management 

Board Members: Stennis Space 

Center, Marshall Space Flight Center, 

Johnson Space Center, White Sands 

Test Facility, Glenn Research Center's 

Plum Brook Station, Kennedy Space 

Center (associate member), and Glenn 

Research Center (associate member). 

National Rocket Propulsion Test 

Management Board Department of 

Defense Members: Air Force 

Research Lab, Arnold Engineering 

Development Center, Redstone 

Technical Test Center, and Naval Air 

Warfare Center.

Acquisition Strategy

The Test Operations contract was extended for seven months (from August 2010 to March 31, 

2011). A successful recompete was completed that included the consolidation of SSC Hardware 

Assurance and Test contract requirements to provide consolidation of test operations at SSC. 

Transition activities have begun with the new contractor and handover is expected on April 1, 2011.

SOMD-63
Mission Directorate: Space Operations

Theme: SOMD Civil Service Labor and Expenses

Theme Overview

This Theme contains labor funding, both salary and benefits, for civil service employees at NASA's 

Centers who are assigned to work on projects in SOMD. These funds support the critical skills and 

capabilities required to provide the space flight missions operations and services, as outlined in the 

other themes, within this mission area.

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

0.0 - 343.4 348.5 360.2 377.5 395.6

SOMD Civil Service Labor and 

Expenses

0.0 - 343.4 348.5 360.2 377.5 395.6

SOMD-64
Mission Directorate: Education

Overview

NASA has engaged students and teachers in its engineering challenges and scientific discoveries 

since its inception. From school presentations to seeds flown in space, from filmstrips and posters to 

podcasts and virtual tours through the galaxies, NASA's education programs have fostered inquiry, 

built curiosity, and encouraged innovation. Generations of Americans have participated in NASA's 

science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education programs, and thereby learned 

basic skills, discovered new career paths, and developed interests in emerging academic disciplines. 

The FY 2012 budget provides NASA with the resources necessary to continue this rich tradition in 

STEM education through support for the Nation's students and educators, the leveraging of cuttingedge education technologies, and partnerships with industry. 

 

In 2010, NASA chartered an Education Design Team (EDT) to develop a strategy to improve NASA's 

education offerings, assist in establishing goals, structures, processes, and evaluative techniques to 

implement new sustainable and innovative STEM education programs. EDT has completed its task, 

and its recommendations are reflected in the FY 2012 education budget. 

 

Meeting Stakeholder Needs: NASA works with professional organizations, academia, and state/local 

education providers to identify and address needs in STEM education. Quality professional 

development for STEM educators is a prevalent need. Through the education staff at NASA's Centers, 

NASA works cooperatively with states and school districts to identify content needs and opportunities, 

and with university partners to ensure that NASA investments will be effective in improving teaching 

practice. NASA also works through communities of practice to identify content areas and special 

events that supplement informal education programming offered by museums and science centers. 

NASA higher education efforts increasingly target community colleges, which generally serve a high 

proportion of minority students. NASA programs build student STEM ability, preparing students for 

study at a four-year institution. Competitive opportunities support initiatives like the President's "Race 

to the Top" and the Department of Education's "Star Project," which promote state-based education 

reform and identify replicable strategies for improving K-12 education. 

 

Leveraging Relationships: NASA pursues strategic partnerships with intergovernmental, academic, 

industrial, entrepreneurial, and international communities. Partnerships and collaborations with NASA's 

education programs define specific benefits and outcomes, leverage the expertise of each 

organization, and share resources, including funding, distribution networks, and media representation. 

Presidential initiatives like "Educate to Innovate" and "Change the Equation" capitalize on the 

knowledge and expertise of the Nation's aerospace industry to support the development of a future 

STEM workforce. NASA investment in the National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program 

(Space Grant) takes this approach a step further, by supporting state-based consortia of academia, 

industry, and education organizations. In total, Space Grant actively engages more than 850 

institutions in providing work and study experiences in the aeronautics, aerospace, and related 

sciences. 

 

Inclusion of All Learners: The Administration has numerous initiatives to promote equal access to 

education opportunities. The White House Council on Women and Girls has established STEM 

education and careers as a priority area. Recent legislation promotes increased STEM engagement of 

Hispanic students. NASA's long-standing practice of ensuring inclusiveness of all, regardless of race, 

ethnicity, gender, disability, or other demographic, is in harmony with these priorities. Performance 

reports from higher education programs indicate that participation of racial/ethnic minorities and 

women exceed benchmarks for national enrollments (see Relevance section for reference). 

 

Performance, Accountability, and Transparency: The Office of Education is committed to ensuring that 

its education opportunities, products, and services are high quality, effective, responsive to customer 

needs, and efficiently managed. In recent years, NASA's performance ratings in education have risen,

EDU-1
Mission Directorate: Education

as the Agency has invested more in the evaluation of its education programs and has built better tools 

to collect performance data (http://www.expectmore.gov). Additionally, NASA routinely seeks 

opportunities to eliminate redundancies and improve the reach of its programs. Federal working 

groups, such as the Federal Interagency Committee on Education and the National Science and 

Technology Council Subcommittee on Education, allow agencies to share successes and best 

practices, to identify common infrastructures and programs to reduce inter-agency competition, and to 

leverage resources for best return on taxpayer dollar. Results of studies, assessments, evaluations, 

and Federal performance ratings are all publicly available in accordance with the Administration's 

emphasis in sharing results with the public and honoring the public trust 

(http://www.nasa.gov/news/budget/index.html and 

http://www.nasa.gov/offices/education/performance/index.html). 

 

The Agency is also increasing the transparency and interaction between Government and the public 

by soliciting public opinion on education planning decisions. Tools and strategies, like OpenGov and 

social networks, have allowed the Agency to "test drive" new ideas and possible activities assessing 

public reaction and comments in order to better align investments to the interests of students, 

teachers, and the public. 

 

NASA is uniquely positioned to inspire students to be future scientists, engineers, explorers, and 

educators.

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

FY 2011

Auth Act

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

180.1 182.5 145.8 138.4 138.4 138.4 138.4 138.4

Education 180.1 - - 138.4 138.4 138.4 138.4 138.4

Note:

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

The "Auth. Act FY 2011" column represents FY 2011 authorized funding from the NASA Authorization Act of 2010 (P.L. 111-

267).

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

EDU-2
Mission Directorate: Education

 

Plans for FY 2012

Education

Education

New Initiatives:

In FY 2012, NASA will implement the recommendations from EDT: 

- Increase NASA's impact on STEM education by further focusing K-12 efforts on middle school 

pre- and in-service educator professional development; 

 

- Increase emphasis on providing experiential opportunities for students, internships, and 

scholarships for high school and undergraduate students; 

 

- Increase NASA's role in national and state STEM policy discussions; 

 

- Emphasize evaluation and assessment, including external independent evaluation, to ensure 

that investments are providing desirable STEM impacts; 

 

- Engage strategic partners with common objectives and complementary resources and 

approaches; and 

 

- Use NASA's unique missions, discoveries, and assets (e.g., people, facilities, education 

infrastructures) to inspire student achievement and educator teaching ability in STEM fields.

Major Changes:

The President's budget reflects a $7.4 million decrease from previous request, consistent with the 

Administration's effort to reduce federal spending. NASA's Office of Education will focus its funds 

on existing commitments and grant renewals, continuation of scholarships, internships and 

fellowships, and activities that directly serve educators, students, and the general public. The 

decrease will be managed by reducing the number of new grant awards and seeking operational 

efficiencies (e.g., increased use of education technologies, reduction in 

printing/warehousing/shipping costs, reducing travel, coordinating solicitations).

EDU-3
Mission Directorate: Education

Major Highlights for FY 2012

In FY 2012, NASA will pursue several education activities: 

 

- Support national STEM improvement efforts championed by the Administration and led by the 

Department of Education. Focused, combined goals and solicitation opportunities will result in 

effective Federal agency contributions. Possible examples include, providing competitions and 

challenges for students, supporting clearinghouses of Federal STEM education resources, and 

providing high quality professional development to educators. 

 

- Continue the Summer of Innovation (SoI) activity to inspire student achievement in STEM fields 

by partnering with internal and external stakeholders to leverage the excitement of NASA's 

missions. SoI will deepen and broaden the efforts of community and school-based organizations to 

engage students by providing high quality, inquiry-based content, customized support, and access 

to NASA people, facilities, and education technologies. 

 

- Enable student launch initiatives, hands-on payload development, and engineering opportunities 

for NASA missions. Through partnerships with NASA Centers, universities, and industry, students 

will gain research experiences and hands-on engineering experience on a variety of real-world 

platforms that may include high-altitude balloons, sounding rockets, aircraft, space satellites, and 

the International Space Station (ISS). 

 

- Improve STEM education coordination with other Federal agencies and seek opportunities to 

incorporate NASA content into the STEM education efforts of other Federal programs. 

 

- Increase community college involvement in NASA research, and increase their ability to use 

NASA content to provide the education and training that will prepare students for jobs in the 21st 

century. 

 

- Expand educator professional development and pre-service preparation that is based on 

education research and that reflects current and future NASA science and exploration missions. 

 

- Immerse educators in current NASA science and technology by increasing use of education 

technologies (e-Education) and cyber-learning opportunities. 

 

- Leverage the national, state, and local resources and networks of the Space Grant consortia in 

implementing these activities.

EDU-4
Mission Directorate: Education

Mission Directorate Budget Structure Adjustments

In FY 2012, NASA is reorganizing its Education budget in order to provide better emphasis on 

achieving the Agency's goals. Rather than organizing investments around the type of client served 

(higher education, K-12 or informal education), NASA is focusing programs on the outcomes that the 

Agency seeks to achieve. This change will enhance the Agency's ability to leverage other resources. 

The new structure clusters activities that provide a progression of opportunities for students and/or 

educators into two program areas. Specifically, the structure of the programs from FY 2011 to FY 2012 

is as shown in the figure below.

EDU-5
Mission Directorate: Education

Theme: Education

Theme Overview

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

180.1 - 138.4 138.4 138.4 138.4 138.4

Aerospace Research and Career 

Development

70.6 - 35.7 35.7 35.7 35.7 35.7

STEM Education and Accountability 0.0 - 94.4 94.2 93.8 93.4 92.9

Higher Ed. STEM Education 49.0 - 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

K-12 STEM Education 45.0 - 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Informal STEM Education 15.5 - 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

ED Civil Service Labor And 

Expenses

0.0 - 8.3 8.5 8.9 9.3 9.8

Note:

For comparability purposes, the NASA Space Grant and Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) FY 

2010 funding is shown in the table above within the new Aerospace Research and Career Development Program line. All other past

program content is reflected in the previous structure.

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated account in 

each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the program amounts shown above. The allocation to each program is reflected 

in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 2010 and FY 

2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

EDU-6
Mission Directorate: Education

Theme: Education

Relevance

Relevance to national priorities, relevant fields, and customer needs:

A strong U.S. economy is founded on the abilities, interests, and innovations of its citizens. However, 

the performance of American students on international assessments of STEM ability is "middle of the 

pack."* To improve the state of U.S. STEM education, the Federal Government is calling upon its 

agencies to help improve the STEM performance of American students. 

 

NASA is committed to providing equal access to its education activities by providing any student with 

the opportunity to contribute to the future STEM workforce. NASA is responding by focusing its 

education investments on areas of greatest national need and ensuring that the Agency's education 

programs support national STEM priorities. With its wealth of science and technology content and its 

expansive network of education professionals, NASA is well equipped to address national needs such 

as meeting state requirements for educator professional development. 

 

NASA provides practical experience and skills development for those who will become the future 

workforce through internships, fellowships, and student research opportunities. NASA is uniquely 

qualified to attract students to pursue STEM study and careers. It also is able to engage these future 

workers through inspiring NASA missions, fostering collaborative relationships between students and 

the current workforce and offering students opportunities to work in "out of this world" facilities. Handson challenges with expert mentors generate increased interest in undergraduate STEM study, 

thereby increasing the number of students who seek employment in aerospace or related STEM 

fields.** 

 

*Programme for International Student Assessment, 2009 

**Expanding Underrepresented Minority Participation: America's Science and Technology Talent at 

the Crossroads, The National Academies Press, 2011

Relevance to the NASA Mission and Strategic Goals:

By building a strong future workforce for NASA and the Nation, NASA's investments in STEM 

education address Strategic Goal 5, to "Enable program and institutional capabilities to conduct 

NASA's aeronautics and space activities." 

 

By providing mission based experiences and learning resources, Education addresses strategic goal 

6, 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."

EDU-7
Mission Directorate: Education

Theme: Education

Relevance to education and public benefits:

In January 2011, President Barack Obama stated that, "over the next 10 years, nearly half of all new 

jobs will require education that goes beyond a high school education. And yet, as many as a quarter 

of our students aren't even finishing high school. The quality of our math and science education lags 

behind many other nations. America has fallen to ninth in the proportion of young people with a 

college degree. And so the question is whether all of us 'as citizens, and as parents' are willing to do 

what's necessary to give every child a chance to succeed." This speech echoes findings and calls-toaction by numerous committees, reports, professionals in education, and leaders in American 

industry. In response, the Department of Education has identified several strategies to improve STEM 

education and ways in which Federal agencies can contribute to the Nation's STEM improvement 

efforts. NASA is a strong contributor to the national plan. 

 

NASA's education programs increase the number of students who are proficient in, choose to major 

in, and pursue careers in STEM fields. Improving STEM ability, increasing public scientific literacy, 

increasing the talent pool of future STEM workers, and developing the STEM skills of the future 

workforce are imperatives if the Nation is to remain globally competitive and sustain a strong 

economy. NASA actively works through mutually beneficial relationships with over 500 colleges and 

universities, hundreds of K-12 schools and districts, and over 400 museums and science centers to 

provide education experiences so that all students can learn deeply and think critically in STEM 

disciplines. 

 

NASA supports cutting-edge undergraduate student research that contributes to NASA missions 

while training the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators. NASA targets recruitment 

and retention of underserved and underrepresented students, including women and girls, Hispanics, 

and students with disabilities.

EDU-8
Mission Directorate: Education

Theme: Education

Performance

Performance Commitments:

Measure # Description Contributing 

Program (s)

Strategic Goal 5 Enable program and institutional capabilities to conduct 

NASA's aeronautics and space activities.

Outcome 5.1 Identify, cultivate, and sustain a diverse workforce and 

inclusive work environment that is needed to conduct 

NASA missions.

Objective 5.1.2 Provide opportunities and support systems that recruit, 

retain, and develop undergraduate and graduate 

students in STEM-related disciplines.

Performance Goal 5.1.2.1 Assure that student participants in NASA higher 

education projects are representative of the diversity of 

the Nation.

APG 

5.1.2.1: ED-12-1

Achieve 40 percent participation of underserved and 

underrepresented (in race and/or ethnicity) in NASA higher 

education projects.

STEM Education 

and Accountability

APG 

5.1.2.1: ED-12-2

Achieve 45 percent participation of women in NASA higher 

education projects.

STEM Education 

and Accountability

Strategic Goal 6 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.

Outcome 6.1 Improve retention of students in STEM disciplines by 

providing opportunities and activities along the full 

length of the education pipeline.

Objective 6.1.1 Provide quality STEM curricular support resources and 

materials.

Performance Goal 6.1.1.1 Provide educators nationwide with knowledge and tools 

with which to inspire students in STEM fields.

APG 

6.1.1.1: ED-12-3

100,000 educators participate in NASA education programs. STEM Education 

and Accountability

Objective 6.1.2 Provide NASA experiences that inspire student interest 

and achievement in STEM disciplines.

Performance Goal 6.1.2.1 Provide higher education students with authentic NASA 

mission-based opportunities that build knowledge and 

skills needed for STEM careers.

APG 

6.1.2.1: ED-12-4

25,000 undergraduate and graduate students participate in 

NASA education opportunities.

STEM Education 

and Accountability

Performance Goal 6.1.2.2 Provide elementary and secondary students with 

authentic NASA mission-based opportunities that build 

STEM knowledge, skills, and career awareness.

APG 

6.1.2.2: ED-12-5

600,000 elementary and secondary students participate in 

NASA instructional and enrichment activities.

STEM Education 

and Accountability

APG 

6.1.2.2: ED-12-6

85 percent of elementary and secondary students express 

interest in STEM careers following their involvement in NASA 

education programs.

STEM Education 

and Accountability

EDU-9
Mission Directorate: Education

Theme: Education

Performance

Performance Commitments:

Measure # Description Contributing 

Program (s)

Outcome 6.2 Promote STEM literacy through strategic partnerships 

with formal and informal organizations.

Objective 6.2.1 Develop NASA's leadership role in national STEM 

improvement efforts, as demonstrated by provision of 

meaningful educator professional development and 

student experiences, adoption of education 

technologies, and contributions to STEM education 

policies and strategies.

Performance Goal 6.2.1.1 Provide educator professional development experiences 

and materials that align to needs and opportunities 

identified by districts, states, Department of Education, 

professional organizations, and other stakeholders.

APG 

6.2.1.1: ED-12-7

5,000 educators use NASA resources in their curricula after 

participating in NASA professional development.

STEM Education 

and Accountability

Performance Goal 6.2.1.2 Provide expertise in the development of STEM education 

policies and strategies.

APG 

6.2.1.2: ED-12-8

Provide expertise to support the development of integrated 

science and engineering standards.

STEM Education 

and Accountability

Outcome 6.4 Inform, engage, and inspire the public by sharing NASA's 

missions, challenges, and results.

Objective 6.4.1 Use strategic partnerships with formal and informal 

educational organizations to provide NASA content to 

promote interest in STEM.

Performance Goal 6.4.1.1 Leverage communities of practice to facilitate sharing of 

NASA successes and challenges with the public.

APG 

6.4.1.1: ED-12-9

450 museums and science centers across the country 

actively engage the public in major NASA events.

STEM Education 

and Accountability

EDU-10
Mission Directorate: Education

Theme: Education

Performance Achievement Highlights:

In 2010, NASA chartered an EDT directed to develop a strategy for improving NASA's education 

offerings and to assist in establishing goals, structures processes, and evaluative techniques to 

implement new sustainable and innovative STEM education programs. The recommendations of the 

EDT are reflected in the FY 2012 education budget. 

 

In FY 2010, nearly 21,000 Space Grant-supported undergraduate and graduate students participated 

in authentic hands-on research and engineering challenges, including developing and launching 

payloads on high altitude balloons, rockets, and other platforms. 

 

In FY 2010, NASA piloted the SoI, engaging low-income and minority students in STEM disciplines 

through out-of-school learning activities. State education stakeholders, NASA Centers, and other 

education partners also offered STEM-related special events, educator professional development, and 

family activities. 

 

During summer 2010, more than 150 events, led by NASA Centers and 130 participating partners from 

across the Nation, engaged over 150,000 students in NASA experiences. Of these, nearly 22,000 

students received at least 40 hours of STEM engagement and instruction. 

 

Of the 1,343 participants in NASA higher education activities, who self-reported post-employment 

data, 46.5 percent reported working for NASA, aerospace contractors, universities, or other 

educational institutions. Motivating Undergraduates in Science and Technology, or MUST, was a 

prototype for more closely mapping Office of Education investments to the NASA Early Career Hiring 

Initiative. This collaborative approach succeeded in placing 75.9 percent of MUST graduates with 

NASA. 

 

In FY 2009 (reported in FY 2010), 6,743 higher education students self-reported being an underserved 

and underrepresented audience in terms of race/ethnicity. This represents 40.6 percent of the total 

number of higher education students served by NASA, an increase from 28 percent the previous year. 

Of all higher education students served by the Agency, 43 percent self-reported being women, a oneyear increase from 41 percent. These figures are well above national averages for participation of 

minority students according to the National Science Foundation's report, "Women, Minorities, and 

Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering," released in April 2010. 

 

In FY 2010, over 400 museums and science centers used NASA resources in their activities and 

exhibits. NASA selected some of these institutions to develop and implement public engagement 

activities to enhance education programs related to space exploration, aeronautics, space science, 

Earth science, and microgravity through the competitive program for science museums and 

planetariums. 

 

NASA awarded 49 institutional research awards, worth more than $34.6 million, to targeted colleges 

and universities. This NASA-related research will better enable these institutions to compete for 

funding from sources other than NASA's Office of Education.

EDU-11
Mission Directorate: Education

Theme: Education

Independent Reviews:

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review

Quality Abt 

Associates, 

Cambridge, 

MA

FY 2008 External independent evaluation of Science, 

Engineering, Mathematics, and Aerospace 

Academy, or SEMAA, included randomized 

controlled trials (RCT), assessed effectiveness, 

and determined how intended goals were being 

implemented. Evaluation considered the overall 

effort, provided data on how differences in 

effectiveness were associated with site 

variations, and offered explanations for 

observed outcomes. Evaluation was used to 

consider options for SEMAA to promote 

sustainability.

FY 2015

Other Abt 

Associates, 

Cambridge, 

MA

FY 2009 The external evaluation contractor conducted a 

planning phase by reviewing selected 

investments in Higher Education. An evaluation 

design that includes multiple higher education 

activities and examines where NASA higher 

education graduates are employed after 

graduation was developed.

FY 2012

Relevance Abt 

Associates, 

Cambridge, 

MA

FY2010 Based on the results of the planning phase, Abt 

will conduct a survey of graduates that have 

received NASA funding to find out where 

graduates are employed, as well as potential 

barriers to NASA graduates being employed in 

STEM fields. This evaluation is exploratory in 

nature and will help NASA better understand 

which types of investments are best at 

producing graduates that go into STEM fields.

FY 2014

All Abt 

Associates, 

Cambridge, 

MA

FY 2010 The external evaluator conducted a planning 

phase for Informal Education. This included 

examining Informal and K-12 investments. The 

exercise found that activities that could be 

considered informal education, were sometimes 

categorized under K-12, and that the line 

between informal education and outreach was 

blurred. The results of this evaluation helped to 

inform the NASA EDT redesign of NASA 

education.

FY 2012

All Abt 

Associates, 

Cambridge, 

MA

FY 2010 The external evaluator conducted a case study 

of five informal education activities. The case 

study looked at resources available, 

sustainability, developing strategic partnerships, 

and achievement of intended outcomes. Also 

included in the evaluation report were 

considerations for conducting a more rigorous 

impact study of informal education investments.

FY 2012

Relevance Booz-Allen 

Hamilton 

(BAH)

FY 2009 An external independent evaluation of the NASA 

Explorer Schools (NES) was conducted by BAH, 

per Congressional direction. The evaluation 

included review of previous assessments and 

the NES redesign model. BAH identified several 

structural elements for NES scalability to a level 

that would support significantly greater numbers 

of schools, students and educators.

FY 2011

EDU-12
Mission Directorate: Education

Theme: Education

Independent Reviews:

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review

Relevance Abt 

Associates, 

Cambridge, 

MA

FY 2010 The external evaluator is working closely with 

the NES team to develop a comprehensive 

formative evaluation for NES over the next two 

years. At the end, the evaluation contractor will 

conduct an outcome study. If the outcome study 

looks promising, the evaluator will conduct a 

rigorous study of NES impact, either an RCT or 

a well-designed quasi-experimental evaluation.

FY 2012

All Abt 

Associates, 

Cambridge, 

MA

FY 2010 Contractor was tasked with conducting a 

formative evaluation of the SoI pilot. The 

evaluation report was used to inform the design 

of the second year of SoI.

FY 2011

Relevance Booz-Allen 

Hamilton

FY 2010 Contractor assessed the SoI model and 

conducted a benchmarking study to inform the 

second year planning.

FY 2011

Relevance Abt 

Associates, 

Cambridge, 

MA

FY 2011 Contractor is designing a formative evaluation 

for the second year of SoI.

FY 2012

EDU-13
Mission Directorate: Education

Theme: Education

Program: Aerospace Research and Career Development

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

70.6 - 35.7 35.7 35.7 35.7 35.7

NASA Space Grant 45.6 - 26.6 26.6 26.6 26.6 26.6

Experimental Program to Stimulate 

Competitive Research

25.0 - 9.1 9.1 9.1 9.1 9.1

Note:

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated 

account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project amounts shown above. The allocation to each project

is reflected in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 

2010 and FY 2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

EDU-14
Mission Directorate: Education

Theme: Education

Program: Aerospace Research and Career Development

Program Overview

Aerospace Research and Career Development strengthens the research capabilities of the Nation's 

colleges and universities and provides opportunities that attract and prepare increasing numbers of 

students for NASA-related careers. This program includes NASA's Space Grant and Experimental 

Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR). The research conducted through these 

programs contribute to the research needs of NASA's Mission Directorates and furthers the Nation's 

scientific and technology innovation agendas. Student programs serve as a major link in the pipeline 

for addressing NASA's human capital strategies. The programs 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. 

 

In doing so, NASA uses several strategies. 

 

Research Infrastructure Development and Increasing Competitiveness: NASA supports the 

development of research and engineering competitiveness at minority colleges and universities, 

community colleges, and at institutions in states underrepresented in STEM research. Support 

includes research funding, support for new partnerships, access to NASA's unique facilities, and 

mentoring/research collaborations with NASA's scientists and engineers. Through new STEM 

courses, highly qualified faculty, new laboratories and research centers, and successful competition 

for NASA research, institutions are better able to attract and educate the future STEM workforce. 

 

Internships and Fellowships: NASA provides research and training experiences to high school, 

undergraduate, and graduate students. Participants conduct engineering, science, and/or STEM 

education research that contributes to NASA's missions. Interns and fellows work at universities and 

at NASA Centers and benefit from the guidance and mentoring provided NASA's scientists and 

engineers. Opportunities to develop leadership skills and foster peer-to-peer interactions are 

important features of NASA's internships and fellowships. 

 

Inspiring Students: NASA uses its unique resources, such as its flight and research facilities, to 

inspire student achievement in STEM. NASA provides mission-focused engineering challenges, 

contests, simulations, and learning activities that engage students both in and out of school. Work is 

conducted by NASA and in partnership with partners from industry, academia, other Federal 

agencies, and international partners. Inspiring students and instilling in them a desire to pursue STEM 

study is a major aim of the Administration's STEM education initiatives.

EDU-15
Mission Directorate: Education

Theme: Education

Program:

 

Aerospace Research and Career Development

Plans For FY 2012

In FY 2012, NASA will implement several activities through the Aerospace Research and Career 

Development Program: 

- Prepare pre-college students for studies in STEM and increase the number of science and 

engineering graduates; 

 

- Provide opportunities for student flight projects to access space. Through partnerships (e.g., NASA 

Centers, universities, and industry), students will gain research and hands-on engineering 

experiences on a variety of authentic flight platforms including high-altitude balloons, sounding 

rockets, aircraft, and space satellites; 

 

- Strengthen STEM programs at the Nation's two-year community colleges--institutions that are 

critical to ensuring students are prepared for the workplace or to successfully transition to four-year 

institutions. Additionally, NASA will prepare graduating students from both two- and four-year 

institutions with skills, knowledge, and hands-on experiences in order to make them competitive when 

applying for employment with NASA, academia, or aerospace industries; and 

 

- Engage in state and national level STEM education and employment-related policy discussions that 

improve and support national initiatives.

Project Descriptions and Explanation of Changes

National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program (Space Grant)

Space Grant is a national network that expands opportunities for students, educators, and faculty to 

understand and participate in NASA's aeronautics and space projects. Space Grant debuted in FY 

1989, and it is now composed of 52 consortia in 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the 

Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Space Grant leverages the resources of over 850 affiliates from 

universities, colleges, industry, museums, science centers, and state and local agencies. Space 

Grant supports and enhances science and engineering education and research efforts in higher 

education, K-12, and informal education. NASA establishes training grants with each consortium, 

aligning consortium work with the education priorities and the annual performance goals of the 

Agency.

Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR)

EPSCoR develops academic research enterprises that are long-term, self-sustaining, and nationally 

competitive by supporting states with modest research infrastructure so that they become more 

competitive in attracting non-EPSCoR funding. Funding is competitively awarded to lead academic 

institutions (in eligible states) to foster 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 being pursued by the Agency. These scientific 

and technical priorities are established and evaluated by the Agency's Office of the Chief 

Technologist and Mission Directorates. NASA's commitment to EPSCoR will be strengthened by 

closer alignment to the Agency's Space Technology Roadmaps.

EDU-16
Mission Directorate: Education

Theme: Education

Program: Aerospace Research and Career Development

Program Management

The Associate Administrator (AA) for Education is responsible to the NASA Administrator for NASA's 

education investments. The AA for Education reports to the Administrator, serves as NASA Education 

Officer, and manages all education responsibilities.

Acquisition Strategy

NASA solicits new and innovative education products, tools, and services from qualified external 

organizations. This occurs in response to changes in STEM education trends, identified gaps or 

opportunities in the education portfolio of investments, a response to demonstrated customer need or 

demand, or when the Administration or Congress identifies new priorities. 

 

NASA awards education grants and contracts through full and open competition. Selections are 

based on peer reviews by external panels that evaluate educational merit and internal/external 

panels for content, merit, feasibility, and alignment to education goals. 

 

While competition may sometimes be restricted by legislation to designated participants, such as 

defined EPSCoR states, grant awards and selection of participating institutions are still determined 

competitively. When designated participants are identified, all proposals are reviewed for merit, and 

each award must be justified and deemed worthy of funding. 

 

NASA has initiated an omnibus solicitation, similar to the Science Mission Directorate ROSES. In 

these calls for proposals, the needs of several projects and programs are combined in an 

overarching solicitation issued before NASA education funds are appropriated. Final selections are 

made and funded only when NASA receives its final budget. This process is expected to provide a 

greater response time for proposers and reviewers, which increases the quality and relevance of 

awarded work. In FY 2011, MUREP issued a ROSES-type call, "Education Opportunities in NASA 

STEM (EONS) 2011," which included competitive elements for several MUREP activities.

EDU-17
Mission Directorate: Education

Theme: Education

Program: STEM Education and Accountability

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

0.0 - 94.4 94.2 93.8 93.4 92.9

Minority University Research 

Education Program

0.0 - 28.0 28.0 28.0 28.0 28.0

STEM Education and 

Accountability Projects

0.0 - 66.4 66.2 65.8 65.4 64.9

Note:

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated 

account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project amounts shown above. The allocation to each project

is reflected in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 

2010 and FY 2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

EDU-18
Mission Directorate: Education

Theme: Education

Program: STEM Education and Accountability

Program Overview

NASA uses information about Earth and its climate, the Moon, Mars, and beyond to engage 

educators and learners of all ages in various venues. The Office of Education works to align the 

NASA education strategy with national STEM priorities in collaboration with other Federal agencies 

and state and local education leaders. The new STEM Education and Accountability Program 

provides lessons, materials, research opportunities, and hands-on activities that draw on NASA's 

unique missions. This program includes projects that serve Higher Education, K-12 STEM Education, 

and Informal Education. This program also includes the Evaluation, Performance Monitoring, and 

Accountability project that improves the management, effectiveness, and efficiency of all education 

investments. NASA will execute its education plan by taking a balanced approach to providing 

services and opportunities to students, educators, higher education students, and the public. By 

executing this plan, NASA will provide many types of services and products. 

 

Internships and Fellowships: NASA provides research and training experiences to high school, 

undergraduate, and graduate students. Participants conduct engineering, science, and/or STEM 

education research that contributes to NASA's missions. Interns and fellows work at universities and 

at NASA Centers, and benefit from the guidance and mentoring provided NASA's scientists and 

engineers. Opportunities to develop leadership skills and foster peer-to-peer interactions are 

important features of NASA's internships and fellowships. 

 

Educator Professional Development: NASA builds STEM content capability in teachers by providing 

them with professional development opportunities. To meet state and local teacher continuing 

education requirements, these experiences are often offered in partnership with credit-granting 

colleges and universities. To improve teaching effectiveness, NASA uses proven approaches and 

strategies, including working with state and local education agencies, enabling interactions with 

NASA scientists and engineers, providing leadership development programs, and fostering betweenpeer sharing of best practices. 

 

Inspiring Students: NASA uses its unique resources, such as its flight and research facilities, to 

inspire student achievement in STEM. NASA provides mission-focused engineering challenges, 

contests, simulations, and learning activities that engage students both in and out of school. Work is 

conducted by NASA and in partnership with industry, academia, other Federal agencies, and 

international partners. Inspiring students and instilling in them a desire to pursue STEM study is a 

major aim of the Administration's STEM education initiatives. 

 

Curricular Support Resources and Materials: NASA provides a wide-variety of topic areas on which 

NASA creates and provides resources and materials to educators. Lesson plans, hands-on activities, 

and lesson enrichment materials (e.g., career Web sites and podcasts) are based on national 

standards, which are presented in formats and media designed for easy integration into established 

curricula. Education technologies (e.g., online games and professional development) enable scaled 

up delivery of NASA's materials to educator audiences with differing backgrounds, abilities, and 

interests. Provision of quality STEM materials is recommended by Department of Education as a 

strategy to improve STEM education. 

 

Leveraging Partnerships: To inspire lifelong learning, NASA leverages strategic partnerships with 

industry, state and local agencies, museums and science centers, universities, and other communitybased organizations. NASA builds and fosters networks of user communities that share information 

broadly, translate NASA's technical successes into audience appropriate exhibits and educational 

materials, and connect with peers in addressing STEM challenges.

EDU-19
Mission Directorate: Education

Theme: Education

Program:

 

STEM Education and Accountability

Plans For FY 2012

In FY 2012, NASA will implement several education activities. 

1. Prepare pre-college students for studies in STEM and increase the number of science and 

engineering graduates. 

 

2. Focus on educator in-service and pre-service professional development. Educators will use 

NASA's unique content to help prepare students for college study in STEM disciplines. 

 

3. Provide opportunities for student flight projects to access space. Through partnerships (e.g., NASA 

Centers, universities, and industry), students will gain research and hands-on engineering 

experiences on a variety of authentic flight platforms, including high-altitude balloons, sounding 

rockets, aircraft, and space satellites. 

 

4. Provide high school students with internship opportunities under mentorship of NASA scientists 

and engineers, and provide university students opportunities to participate in NASA space and 

aeronautics research missions. Fund institutions that make scholarships to students to support their 

studies and to help make college affordable. Some students will contribute to original research and 

support hardware designs that will fly on future NASA missions. 

 

5. Enhance the capabilities of the formal and informal education community to inspire the next 

generation of explorers by providing access to NASA staff, research, technology, information, and/or 

facilities. 

 

6. Immerse educators and students in current NASA science and technology by using social networks 

and Internet collaboration. NASA will make extensive use of e-education technologies, from Webdisseminated information and remote control of science instruments to learning in virtual worlds. 

Additionally, through NASA's digital infrastructure, the Agency will "beam" NASA scientists, 

engineers, and astronauts into classrooms, museums, and science centers across the Nation, 

providing real-time interactive discussion on topics related to NASA science and engineering. 

 

7. Engage in state and national level STEM education policy discussions that improve and support 

education curricula development and/or support systemic reform initiatives.

EDU-20
Mission Directorate: Education

Theme: Education

Program: STEM Education and Accountability

Project Descriptions and Explanation of Changes

Innovation in Education

NASA has taken a prominent role in supporting the Administration's education initiatives, including 

"Educate to Innovate" and public-private collaborations like National Lab Day. Through competitive 

cooperative agreements and partnerships with state-based consortia, companies, and nonprofits, 

NASA will continue to use its substantial STEM assets, including the Agency's scientists and 

engineers, to support improvements in STEM teaching and learning. 

 

NASA's Innovation in Education project focuses on innovative ways to reach educators and students, 

improving student retention in STEM disciplines and better engaging community colleges and 

minority-serving institutions. It enables NASA to seek out and support innovative, replicable, and 

scalable approaches to improve STEM learning and instruction and to provide opportunities for 

students and faculty to participate in NASA-related research and launch vehicle/payload 

development activities. In collaboration with the ISS Program Office, students and faculty will develop 

new ISS hardware, conduct experiments, and identify new strategies for utilizing ISS data in learning 

activities. NASA will provide competitive opportunities for NASA partners to engage students in 

authentic hands-on learning opportunities through design challenges, competitions, and the SoI. 

NASA will identify and validate practices that can increase impact on STEM education and then 

replicate those that have proven effective. Collaborations between government, academia, and 

industry, such as those employed in the SoI, are encouraged as a means of engaging students in 

stimulating mathematics and science-based education.

Evaluation, Performance Monitoring, and Accountability

NASA supports the Administration's commitment to the public trust through transparency in 

operations and accountability in programmatic, financial, procurement, and reporting practices. 

NASA will establish an Evaluation, Performance Monitoring, and Accountability project. This project 

will assist education managers in setting specific outcome-focused performance goals, measuring 

progress toward meeting the goals, and tracking completion of key milestones. The project will 

compare progress among peers to identify better practices and recommend adopting and 

implementing strategies based on analysis of performance and other relevant data. Education 

managers will use performance data to confirm achievement of intended outcomes, make quick 

adjustments to strategies when data indicates investments are not performing, and report to the 

public in useful and accessible formats. 

 

NASA recognizes the need to have ambitious goals, achieve results, ensure projects are well 

managed, and continuously improve efficiency. NASA will continue to cooperate with the Office of 

Management and Budget and internal/external stakeholders, to develop and address short-term, 

intermediate, and longer-term data and public reporting requirements.

Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP)

NASA will continue to assist minority institutions and faculty through existing multi-year research 

grants and to provide scholarships, internships, mentoring, and tutoring to underserved and 

underrepresented students. In FY 2012, MUREP will increase investments supporting undergraduate 

students. This focus will enable greater numbers of underserved and underrepresented students to 

participate in NASA programs and continue to support the entry of these students into the scientific 

and technical workforce.

EDU-21
Mission Directorate: Education

Theme: Education

Program: STEM Education and Accountability

Formal and Informal Education

NASA's formal and informal education project supports educators and students in the classroom and 

in other education settings, like science centers, community-based organizations, or through an 

Internet presence. NASA partners with academic institutions, professional education associations, 

non-profits, industry, NASA visitor centers, and other Government agencies to provide teachers, 

faculty, and volunteers with the NASA experiences that they can use to spark students' interest in 

STEM fields. NASA invests in educator professional development, post-secondary STEM degrees, 

school-based resources, and multiple on-line learning activities. NASA resources and opportunities 

are available to all educators and students, and many investments have emphasis in attracting 

women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

Program Commitments

Commitment/Output

FY 2012

Program/Project Changes from

FY 2011 PB Request

Achieve 40 percent participation of underserved 

and underrepresented (in race and/or ethnicity) 

in NASA higher education projects.

STEM Education and Accountability N/A

Achieve 45 percent participation of women in 

NASA higher education projects.

STEM Education and Accountability N/A

100,000 educators participate in NASA 

education programs.

STEM Education and Accountability N/A

25,000 undergraduate and graduate students 

participate in NASA education opportunities.

STEM Education and Accountability N/A

600,000 elementary and secondary students 

participate in NASA instructional and enrichment 

activities.

STEM Education and Accountability N/A

85 percent of elementary and secondary 

students express interest in STEM careers 

following their involvement in NASA education 

programs.

STEM Education and Accountability N/A

5,000 educators use NASA resources in their 

curricula after participating in NASA professional 

development.

STEM Education and Accountability N/A

Provide expertise to support the development of 

integrated science and engineering standards.

STEM Education and Accountability N/A

450 museums and science centers across the 

country actively engage the public in major 

NASA events.

STEM Education and Accountability N/A

Program Management

The AA for Education is responsible to the NASA Administrator for NASA's education investments. 

The AA for Education reports to the Administrator, serves as NASA Education Officer, and manages 

all education responsibilities.

EDU-22
Mission Directorate: Education

Theme: Education

Program: STEM Education and Accountability

Acquisition Strategy

NASA solicits new and innovative education products, tools, and services from qualified external 

organizations. This occurs in response to changes in STEM education trends, identified gaps or 

opportunities in the education portfolio of investments, a response to demonstrated customer need or 

demand, or when the Administration or Congress identifies new priorities. 

 

NASA awards education grants and contracts through full and open competition. Selections are 

based on peer reviews by external panels that evaluate educational merit and internal/external 

panels for content, merit, feasibility, and alignment to education goals. 

 

While competition may sometimes be restricted by legislation to designated participants, such as 

defined EPSCoR states, grant awards and selection of participating institutions are still determined 

competitively. When designated participants are identified, all proposals are reviewed for merit, and 

each award must be justified and deemed worthy of funding. 

 

NASA has initiated an omnibus solicitation, similar to the Science Mission Directorate ROSES. In 

these calls for proposals, the needs of several projects and programs are combined in an 

overarching solicitation issued before NASA education funds are appropriated. Final selections are 

made and funded only when NASA receives its final budget. This process is expected to provide a 

greater response time for proposers and reviewers, which increases the quality and relevance of 

awarded work. In FY 2011, MUREP issued a ROSES-type call, "Education Opportunities in NASA 

STEM (EONS) 2011," which included competitive elements for several MUREP activities.

EDU-23
Mission Directorate: Education

Theme: Education

Program: ED Civil Service Labor And Expenses

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

0.0 - 8.3 8.5 8.9 9.3 9.8

ED Civil Service Labor and 

Expenses

0.0 - 8.3 8.5 8.9 9.3 9.8

Program Overview

This program contains labor funding, both salary and benefits, for civil service employees at NASA's 

Centers who are assigned to work on projects in the Education programs. These funds support the 

critical skills and capabilities required to support the education activities, as outlined in the other 

programs, within this Mission area.

EDU-24
Mission Directorate: Cross-Agency Support

Overview

Cross-Agency Support (CAS) provides critical mission support capabilities necessary to ensure the 

efficient and effective operation and administration of the Agency that cannot be directly aligned to 

specific program or project requirements. These functions align and sustain institutional and program 

capabilities for supporting NASA's mission portfolio by leveraging resources to meet mission needs, 

establishing Agency-wide capabilities, and providing institutional checks and balances. NASA's CAS 

includes two themes: Center Management and Operations (CMO) and Agency Management and 

Operations (AMO). CAS capabilities ensure core services are ready and available for performing 

NASA mission roles and responsibilities. CAS institutional capabilities ensure that Agency operations 

are effective and efficient and that activities are conducted in accordance with all statutory, regulatory, 

and fiduciary responsibilities. CAS program capabilities ensure that vital skills and assets are ready 

and available to meet technical milestones for programs and projects; that missions and research are 

technically and scientifically sound; and that Agency practices adhere to standards and processes that 

provide safety and reliability through proper management of risk. 

 

CMO directly supports Agency programs and projects that reside at and are executed by NASA 

Centers. This theme provides for the care of institutional assets, for establishing and maintaining the 

staff and their competencies, and for the maintenance and operation of facilities required by current 

and future programs and projects at nine Centers. Center Institutional Capabilities provides resources, 

oversees the assignment of workforce and facilities, and manages Center operations. Center Program 

Capabilities sustains the technical facilities, workforce expertise and skills, equipment, tools, and other 

resources required to facilitate program and project execution. 

 

AMO activities provide policy and oversight to assure compliance with external and internal 

requirements, assure safety and mission success, and sustain Agency-wide critical capabilities. These 

activities provide management of human capital, acquisitions, financial performance, information 

technology, and performance improvement. AMO provides for near and long-term alignment of its 

human capital policy and a corporate approach to managing its unique or highly specialized facilities. 

AMO maintains a core complement of civil service professionals to resolve the Agency's financial, 

acquisition, and business challenges.

CAS-1
Mission Directorate: Cross-Agency Support

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

FY 2011

Auth Act

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

3,017.6 3,018.8 3,111.4 3,192.0 3,192.0 3,192.0 3,192.0 3,192.0

Center Management and 

Operations

2,161.2 - - 2,402.9 2,402.9 2,402.9 2,402.9 2,402.9

Agency Management and 

Operations

766.2 - - 789.1 789.1 789.1 789.1 789.1

Institutional Investments 27.2 - - 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Congressionally Directed Items 63.0 - - 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Note:

In all budget tables, the Institutional Investments (II) budget has transferred to the new Construction and Environmental 

Compliance and Restoration (CECR) appropriation for FY 2010 and beyond. The remaining FY 2010 enacted funding includes 

labor and travel to support CECR activities. The II labor and travel budget transferred to Center Management and Operations in 

FY 2011. The Innovative Partnerships Program (IPP) has transferred to the new Aeronautics and Space Research and 

Technology appropriation in FY 2011.

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

The "Auth. Act FY 2011" column represents FY 2011 authorized funding from the NASA Authorization Act of 2010 (P.L. 111-

267).

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

CAS-2
Mission Directorate: Cross-Agency Support

Plans for FY 2012

Cross-Agency Support

Center Management and Operations

New Initiatives:

None

Major Changes:

The CMO FY 2012 budget request appears to differ significantly from the FY 2011 request 

because of the transfer of the civil service labor costs from CMO programs to CMO Civil Service 

Labor and Expenditures (CSLE). A total of $943.6 million was transferred from CMO programs to 

the CMO CSLE for labor, benefits, awards, and Center training.

Major Highlights for FY 2012

To support NASA missions, CMO provides continuing operations for nine Centers, including four 

major component facilities, in ten separate states. CMO ensures that Centers can provide the 

basic support required to meet internal and external requirements; effectively manage human 

capital, information technology, and facility assets; responsibly execute financial management and 

acquisition responsibilities; ensure independent technical oversight of NASA's programs and 

projects in support of safety and mission success; and provide a safe, secure, and environmentally 

sustainable workplace. These Center capabilities provide the services and products required by 

the programs and projects; enable technology innovation for NASA and the broader science and 

engineering communities; and serve as unique national capabilities to industry, academia, and 

government.

CAS-3
Mission Directorate: Cross-Agency Support

Agency Management and Operations

Major Changes:

The AMO FY 2012 budget request appears to differ significantly from the FY 2011 request 

because of the transfer of the civil service labor costs from the individual AMO programs to AMO 

CSLE. A total of $304.9 million was transferred from AMO programs to the AMO CSLE for labor, 

benefits, SES awards, Agency awards, and Agency training. 

 

A zero-sum transfer was made within Safety and Mission Success to transfer $1.7 million to the 

Office of Safety and Mission Assurance for additional efforts toward the Micrometeoroid Orbital 

Debris program, in line with the NASA Authorization Act of 2010. 

 

The FY 2012 funding request for Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V) is $20 million less 

that the FY 2012 request from the FY 2011 Budget Estimates book. The majority of this reduction 

($15 million) is to restore IV&V funding to its FY 2008 funding level. The remainder of the $5 million 

difference represents the transfer of IV&V's civil service labor costs to AMO-Civil Service Labor 

and Expenditures.

Major Highlights for FY 2012

AMO provides for continuing operations of NASA Headquarters and management and oversight of 

Agency missions, functions, and Agency-wide mission support activities. AMO ensures that critical 

safety and mission success policies, procedures, and standards are in place for the safety and 

mission success of all NASA programs, projects and operations. 

 

The Safety and Mission Success program will continue to administer and refine policies, 

procedural requirements, and technical standards. Safety and Mission Success program activities 

are a key component of the forums that provide advice to the Administrator, Mission Directorates, 

Center Directors, and program managers who are ultimately accountable for the safety and 

mission success of all NASA programs, projects, and operations. In FY 2012, AMO will support the 

NASA Engineering and Safety Center (NESC), NASA Safety Center (NSC), and IV&V Facility. The 

organizations will conduct independent research, audits, and assessments of NASA activities that 

have risk for loss or failure. 

 

Strategic Capabilities Assets Program (SCAP) provides management and funding for identified 

critical facilities. The current portfolio consists of thermal vacuum chambers for the thermal testing 

of spacecraft, flight simulators that provide for simulation of air and space vehicle flight 

characteristics, and an arc jet facility for critical testing of re-entry materials.

CAS-4
Mission Directorate: Cross-Agency Support

Theme: Center Management and Operations

Theme Overview

NASA's Center Management and Operations (CMO) budget request funds the ongoing management, 

operations, and maintenance of nine NASA Centers, including four major component facilities, in 10 

separate states. CMO provides Center Institutional and Program Capabilities to meet program 

requirements and schedules. The CMO budget enables the execution of NASA's mission at the 

Centers by providing the resources required to effectively oversee the assignment of workforce and 

facilities, and to manage Center operations to facilitate program and project execution while ensuring 

that statutory, regulatory, and fiduciary compliance requirements are met.

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

2,161.2 - 2,402.9 2,402.9 2,402.9 2,402.9 2,402.9

Center Management and Operations 2,161.2 - 1,319.6 1,305.7 1,257.6 1,204.3 1,148.5

CMO Civil Service Labor and 

Expenses

0.0 - 1,083.3 1,097.2 1,145.3 1,198.6 1,254.4

Note:

CMO Civil Service Labor and Expenses includes $35.1 million for Center-wide personnel costs for institutionally-funded training and 

permanent change of station.

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated account in 

each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the program amounts shown above. The allocation to each program is reflected 

in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 2010 and FY 

2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

CAS-5
Mission Directorate: Cross-Agency Support

 

Theme: Center Management and Operations

Plans for FY 2012

Center Management and Operations

Activities funded within the CMO budget request include a wide variety of essential operations: 

- Security, environmental management, and safety services to ensure that Centers meet basic 

workplace standards for the public and for the NASA workforce; 

 

- Facility maintenance and operations, including utility funding, to support the Agency's 

infrastructure, including support to more than 4,800 buildings and structures with a current 

replacement value of over $27 billion; 

 

- Information Technology services to provide video, voice, network, data center, and desktop 

computer support at the Centers; 

 

- Program capability support required to ensure that the Agency's science, engineering, and 

technical authority staff have the resources, services, and laboratory support required to achieve 

the Agency's technical mission; 

 

- Training, logistics, occupational health, and human resources services required to support the 

Agency's Center-based civil servants; 

 

- Senior management, legal, equal employment opportunity, and public affairs support at the 

Centers; and 

 

- Procurement and financial services supporting contract acquisition and financial management.

CMO Civil Service Labor and Expenses

This program contains labor funding (salary and benefits) for civil service employees at NASA's 

Centers who provide the above essential CMO services at the Center. In addition, it funds other 

Center civil service personnel costs such as institutionally funded training.

CAS-6
Mission Directorate: Cross-Agency Support

Theme: Center Management and Operations

Relevance

Relevance to national priorities, relevant fields, and customer needs:

To accomplish its mission of space exploration, scientific discovery, and aeronautics research, NASA 

relies on its program and institutional capabilities. NASA develops energy and water conservation 

plans that enable execution of these capabilities in ways that enable progress towards the Nation's 

energy conservation goals.

Relevance to the NASA Mission and Strategic Goals:

CMO contributes to the Agency's strategic goals by enabling program and institutional capabilities to 

conduct NASA's aeronautics and space activities. These capabilities ensure that core services and 

resources are ready and available Agency wide for performing NASA's Mission roles and 

responsibilities; that Center operations are effective and efficient; and that activities are conducted in 

accordance with all statutory, regulatory, and fiduciary responsibilities.

Relevance to education and public benefits:

Strategic communications and education activities at the Centers keep stakeholders and the public 

informed in a way that helps them understand NASA policies, programs, and plans. These activities 

also fulfill the mandate of the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 "[to] provide for the widest 

practicable and appropriate dissemination of information concerning its activities and results thereof."

Performance Achievement Highlights:

NASA Centers continue to provide high quality support for the execution of programs and projects. 

The budget supports NASA's ability to provide institutional support to the current programs, as well as 

new initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while absorbing labor and utility cost increases. 

 

To offset partially these increasing costs, NASA has implemented energy savings initiatives, 

consolidated activities, and reduced or deferred some CMO activities. As of the end of FY 2010, the 

Agency has decreased overall water usage by almost nine percent from 2007 baseline levels and has 

increased the use of renewable energy by six percent. NASA Centers, each of which has unique 

capabilities, developed master plans to guide a number of actions, such as consolidating and 

renewing needed capabilities, developing comprehensive energy and water conservation plans, and 

planning for repairs. These plans have been integrated at an Agency level, linking Center plans to 

program objectives and allowing for measurement of Agency-wide progress and trends. 

 

NASA is working to meet energy intensity reduction goals of three percent per year and 30 percent by 

2015, from the FY 2003 baseline. In an effort to assist Centers to administer their energy management 

programs, NASA Headquarters annually conducts Energy and Water Management Functional 

Reviews at a third of NASA Centers to help Centers improve their management systems and identify 

and implement energy conservation measures. NASA also initiated an Inter-Center Competition to 

reduce energy/water consumption. The competition encouraged Centers to implement low-cost and no

-cost initiatives to reduce energy and water usage.

CAS-7
Mission Directorate: Cross-Agency Support

Theme: Center Management and Operations

Program: Center Management and Operations

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

2,161.2 - 1,319.6 1,305.7 1,257.6 1,204.3 1,148.5

Center Institutional Capabilities 1,678.3 - 1,162.1 1,149.2 1,106.7 1,059.6 1,010.2

Center Programmatic Capabilities 482.9 - 157.5 156.5 151.0 144.8 138.3

Note:

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated 

account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project amounts shown above. The allocation to each project

is reflected in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 

2010 and FY 2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

CAS-8
Mission Directorate: Cross-Agency Support

Theme: Center Management and Operations

Program: Center Management and Operations

Project Descriptions and Explanation of Changes

Center Institutional Capability

NASA's Center Institutional Capability encompasses a diverse set of activities including financial and 

human capital management, acquisition services, facility maintenance, utilities, information 

technology, and safety and security. This capability manages and sustains the Center staff, facilities, 

and operations required for program and project execution. It also provides for the ongoing 

operations of nine NASA Centers, including four major component facilities, ensuring a safe, healthy, 

and environmentally responsible workplace. Center institutionally sustained services are the most 

efficient approach to providing services and products required by programs as they implement their 

assigned missions. The Agency's coordinated approach to institutional management is an essential 

element in preserving unique national capabilities relied upon by NASA, industry, academia, and 

government. 

 

NASA's participation in the President's Accountable Government Initiative has resulted in significant 

savings in administrative costs. The reduction of $62 million from the FY 2011 request is partially 

reflective of these savings, as well as NASA's adjustment to the Nation's current fiscal situation. 

However, contractor labor, utility, and operations costs continue to grow at a higher rate than 

inflation. Accounting for these necessary belt-tightening measures, the FY 2012 request funds 

Center Institutional Capability almost to FY 2008 levels by implementing initiatives to reduce travel, 

printing, reproduction, and other administrative costs. 

 

The request for FY 2012 reflects a transfer of $604 million for labor and expenses to Center 

Management and Operations CSLE.

Center Program Capability

NASA's Center Program Capability supports the scientific and engineering staff across the Agency 

tasked with 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 enabling efficient execution of the programs and 

projects hosted at the Centers. A key component of NASA's overall system of checks and balances 

is provided within Technical Capabilities through formally delegated Technical Authorities. The 

Technical Authorities at NASA's Centers provide independent oversight and review of programs and 

projects in support of safety and mission success. This is to assure that NASA's activities are safely 

implemented in accordance with accepted standards of professional practice and applicable NASA 

requirements. 

 

The request for FY 2012 reflects a transfer of $339 million for labor and expenses to Center 

Management and Operations CSLE.

CAS-9
Mission Directorate: Cross-Agency Support

Theme: Center Management and Operations

Program: CMO Civil Service Labor and Expenses

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

0.0 - 1,083.3 1,097.2 1,145.3 1,198.6 1,254.4

Civil Service Labor and Expenses 0.0 - 1,083.3 1,097.2 1,145.3 1,198.6 1,254.4

Note: This program contains labor funding, both salary and benefits, for civil service employees at NASA's Centers who are 

assigned to work on projects in this mission support area. Also included is labor funding for 700 civil service FTE that have not 

yet been entirely planned against program content. It is expected that this currently undistributed workforce will be subsequently 

planned against Explorations Systems Mission Directorate, Space Operations Mission Directorate, and Space Technology 

programs once the work plans are complete. In addition, CMO Civil Service Labor and Expenses provides $35.1 million for 

Center-wide civil service personnel costs such as institutionally-funded training and permanent change of station. These funds 

support the critical skills and capabilities required to provide the institutional services that maintain Center Operations, as outlined 

in the other programs within this mission support area.

Program Overview

This program contains labor funding, both salary and benefits, for civil service employees at NASA's 

Centers who are assigned to work on projects in this mission support area. Also included is labor 

funding for workforce that has not yet been entirely planned against program content. It is expected 

that this currently undistributed workforce will be subsequently planned against Explorations Systems 

Mission Directorate, Space Operations Mission Directorate, and Space Technology programs once 

the work plans are complete. In addition, CMO Civil Service Labor and Expenses funds Center-wide 

civil service personnel costs such as institutionally-funded training. These funds support the critical 

skills and capabilities required to provide the institutional services that maintain Center Operations, as 

outlined in the other programs within this mission support area.

CAS-10
Mission Directorate: Cross-Agency Support

Theme: Agency Management and Operations

Theme Overview

Agency Management and Operations (AMO) provides for the management and oversight of Agency 

missions, programs, functions and performance of NASA-wide mission support activities. AMO 

activities at NASA Headquarters ensure that: 1) core services are ready and available Agency-wide 

for performing mission roles and responsibilities; 2) Agency operations are effective and efficient; and 

3) activities are conducted in accordance with all statutory, regulatory, and fiduciary requirements. 

NASA Headquarters develops policy and guidance for the Centers and provides strategic planning 

and leadership on the issues concerning availability, readiness, and sustainability. Centers establish 

programs and initiatives to maximize individual and organizational capabilities. 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 essential corporate 

functions such as human capital, finance, information technology, infrastructure, procurement, chief 

counsel, protective services, occupational health and safety, equal opportunity and diversity, small 

business programs, external relations, and strategic communications. AMO also supports the 

operational costs of the Headquarters installation. The AMO Theme is divided into five programs: 

Agency Management, Safety and Mission Success (SMS), Agency Information Technology Services 

(AITS), Strategic Capabilities and Assets Program (SCAP), and AMO Civil Service Labor and 

Expenses (CSLE).

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

766.2 - 789.1 789.1 789.1 789.1 789.1

Agency Management 395.5 - 182.9 179.7 170.4 159.9 148.9

Safety and Mission Success 196.0 - 144.5 143.7 141.3 138.5 135.6

Agency IT Services (AITS) 145.3 - 136.4 136.2 135.5 134.7 133.8

Strategic Capabilities Assets 

Program

29.4 - 20.4 20.2 19.8 19.3 18.7

AMO Civil Service Labor and 

Expenses

0.0 - 304.9 309.3 322.2 336.8 352.0

Note:

AMO CSLE includes $18.7 million for Headquarters and Agency-wide personnel costs for training and permanent change of station.

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated account in 

each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the program amounts shown above. The allocation to each program is reflected 

in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 2010 and FY 

2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

CAS-11
Mission Directorate: Cross-Agency Support

Theme: Agency Management and Operations

Plans for FY 2012

Agency Management

The Agency Management Program will continue to deliver policies, controls, and oversight across a 

range of functional and administrative management service areas including procurement, finance, 

human capital, real property and infrastructure, protective services, diversity, equal opportunity, and 

small business. The Agency Management Program will continue to provide infrastructure support 

and facility operations for NASA Headquarters.

Safety and Mission Success

SMS will continue to administer and refine the pertinent policies, procedural requirements, and 

technical standards. SMS will participate in forums that provide advice to the Administrator, Mission 

Directorates, Center Directors, and program managers who are ultimately accountable for the 

safety and mission success of all NASA programs, projects, and operations. Plans for FY 2012 

provide for an effective NESC, NSC, and IV&V. These activities represent established and 

recognized components of a comprehensive remedial response to lessons learned from NASA's 

greatest tragedies. These organizations form a basis for a disciplined execution of safety, reliability, 

quality, and system engineering expertise needed for the successful pursuit of NASA's missions.

Agency IT Services (AITS)

NASA will continue operations for essential AITS, such as the Agency business applications, the 

NASA Scientific and Technical Information (STI) program, NASA public Web portal, NASA 

Enterprise Architecture, and E-Government in FY 2012. The NASA Information Resources 

Management Strategic Plan focuses on four goals in this budget year associated with the AITS 

Program: 1) improve the management of information and information technology; 2) improve the 

security of NASA information and information technology; 3) improve information technology (IT) 

efficiency and collaboration capabilities; and 4) improve IT service delivery and visibility.

Strategic Capabilities Assets Program

SCAP will continue to provide management oversight and critical funding for NASA's assets. These 

assets include thermal vacuum chambers that provide capability for thermally testing spacecraft, 

flight simulators that test air and space vehicles flight characteristics, and arc jets that provides 

capability for critical testing of re-entry materials.

Relevance

Relevance to the NASA Mission and Strategic Goals:

AMO contributes to the Agency's strategic goals by enabling program and institutional capabilities to 

conduct NASA's aeronautics and space activities. AMO provides critical mission support activities that 

are necessary to ensure the efficient and effective operation and administration of the Agency but 

cannot be directly aligned to a specific program or project requirement. These functions align and 

sustain institutional and program capabilities essential for executing NASA's missions.

CAS-12
Mission Directorate: Cross-Agency Support

Theme: Agency Management and Operations

Performance

Performance Commitments:

Measure # Description Contributing

Program (s)

Strategic Goal 5 Enable program and institutional capabilities to conduct 

NASA's aeronautics and space activities.

Outcome 5.1 Identify, cultivate, and sustain a diverse workforce and 

inclusive work environment that is needed to conduct 

NASA missions.

Objective 5.1.1 Establish and maintain a workforce that possesses stateof-the-art technical and business management 

competencies.

Performance Goal 5.1.1.1 Define and build the federal workforce skills and 

competencies needed for the Agency's future directions 

in technology development and deep space exploration.

APG

5.1.1.1: AMO-12-1

Ninety percent of Shuttle workforce is assigned to follow-on 

work by FY 2012 year-end.

Agency

Management

APG

5.1.1.1: AMO-12-2

Twenty percent or more of annual recruitments will be 

through the early career hiring initiatives.

Agency

Management

Performance Goal 5.1.1.2 Build skills across all levels of the workforce through 

Leadership Development Opportunities.

APG

5.1.1.2: AMO-12-3

Install an Agency-wide mentoring program that includes an 

automated system for matching mentors and mentees.

Agency

Management

APG

5.1.1.2: AMO-12-4

Eighty percent of the Agency's leadership training and 

development programs include "leading through 

transformation" content.

Agency

Management

Performance Goal 5.1.1.3 Achieve and sustain an effective labor-management 

dialogue.

APG

5.1.1.3: AMO-12-5

Identify and address at least three significant labormanagement challenges identified during the year during 

periodic Agency-led Labor Management Forums.

Agency

Management

Performance Goal 5.1.1.4 Adopt and respond to innovative employee feedback 

mechanisms.

APG

5.1.1.4: AMO-12-6

Seventy-five percent of NASA's primary installations 

implement improvement initiatives derived from the Federal 

Employee Viewpoint Survey.

Agency

Management

Performance Goal 5.1.1.5 Establish and maintain a workplace environment free of 

illegal discrimination, harassing conduct, and retaliation 

for Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) activity and 

that provides reasonable accommodations to individuals 

with disabilities.

APG

5.1.1.5: AMO-12-7

Complete all FY 2012 actions described in the NASA Model 

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Agency Plan.

Agency

Management

Performance Goal 5.1.1.6 Implement an Agency-wide Diversity and Inclusion 

Framework to develop a more demographically diverse 

workforce and a more inclusive work environment.

APG

5.1.1.6: AMO-12-8

Adopt diversity improvement targets derived from the results 

of the Agency-wide diversity-inclusion survey and other 

relevant workforce and U.S. population data.

Agency

Management

CAS-13
Mission Directorate: Cross-Agency Support

Theme: Agency Management and Operations

Performance

Performance Commitments:

Measure # Description Contributing

Program (s)

Outcome 5.2 Ensure vital assets are ready, available, and 

appropriately sized to conduct NASA's missions.

Objective 5.2.1 Achieve mission success by factoring safety, quality, 

risk, reliability, and maintainability as integral features of 

programs, projects, technologies, operations, and 

facilities.

Performance Goal 5.2.1.1 Through 2015, assure zero fatalities or permanent 

disabling injuries to the public.

APG

5.2.1.1: AMO-12-9

Assure zero fatalities or permanent disabling injuries to the 

public resulting from NASA activities during the fiscal year.

Safety and Mission 

Success

Performance Goal 5.2.1.2 By 2015, achieve a four percent reduction in the total 

case rate and lost time rate for the NASA civil service 

work force.

APG

5.2.1.2: AMO-12-10

Reduce Total Case Rate and Lost Time Case Rate by one 

percent, in accordance with the President's Protecting Our 

Workers and Ensuring Reemployment (POWER) initiative.

Safety and Mission 

Success

Performance Goal 5.2.1.3 By 2015, reduce damage to NASA assets by eight 

percent from the 2010 baseline.

APG

5.2.1.3: AMO-12-11

Reduce damage to NASA assets by two percent per fiscal 

year, based on a five-year running average.

Safety and Mission 

Success

Objective 5.2.2 Provide information technology that advances NASA 

space and research program results and promotes open 

dissemination through efficient, innovative, reliable, and 

responsive services that are appropriately secure and 

valued by stakeholders and the public.

Performance Goal 5.2.2.1 By 2014, consolidate and centralize the management of 

information technology (IT) enterprise services for end 

user services, communications, enterprise applications, 

enterprise data centers, and web services.

APG

5.2.2.1: AMO-12-12

Achieve Initial Operating Capability (IOC) for one Service 

Office (NASA Enterprise Data Center) and Full Operational 

Capacity (FOC) for the initial five Service Offices as part of 

the NASA Information Technology Infrastructure Integration 

Program (I3P).

Agency IT Services 

(AITS)

Performance Goal 5.2.2.2 By 2015, implement a capability to identify and prevent 

unauthorized intrusions on the NASA institutional and 

mission networks.

APG

5.2.2.2: AMO-12-13

Implement intrusion detection sensors monitored by the 

NASA Security Operations Center (SOC) on 75 percent of 

NASA institutional network monitoring sites.

Agency IT Services 

(AITS)

Performance Goal 5.2.2.3 By 2014, decommission the Agency Administrative 

mainframe computer.

APG

5.2.2.3: AMO-12-14

Migrate or retire all administrative systems from the Agency 

Administrative mainframe computer.

Agency IT Services 

(AITS)

Performance Goal 5.2.2.4 By 2015, reduce data center energy consumption by 30 

percent.

APG

5.2.2.4: AMO-12-15

Reduce the number of NASA data centers by 10 percent. Agency IT Services 

(AITS)

CAS-14
Mission Directorate: Cross-Agency Support

Theme: Agency Management and Operations

Performance

Performance Commitments:

Measure # Description Contributing

Program (s)

Performance Goal 5.2.2.5 By 2015, establish at least four innovation laboratories 

that provide more effective, efficient, and responsive 

information technology (IT) across NASA in support of 

the Agency's Mission.

APG

5.2.2.5: AMO-12-16

Implement a Communications and Collaboration Lab that 

conducts five evaluations to assess new approaches for the 

dissemination of information, and real-time, multi-participant 

knowledge creation and management.

Agency IT Services 

(AITS)

Objective 5.2.3 Develop and implement long-range infrastructure plans 

that address institutional capabilities and critical assets, 

directly link to mission needs, ensure the leveraging of 

external capabilities, and provide a framework for 

Agency infrastructure decision-making.

Performance Goal 5.2.3.1 Consolidate functions and offices to reduce real property 

need, and use Agency Integrated Master Plan to identify 

and dispose of excess and aged facilities beyond useful 

life.

APG

5.2.3.1: AMO-12-17

Finalize remaining Center Master Plans into the Agency 

Integrated Master Plan.

Agency

Management

Outcome 5.5 Establish partnerships, including innovative 

arrangements, with commercial, international, and other 

government entities to maximize mission success.

Objective 5.5.2 Enhance international and interagency partnerships 

through increased use of international and interagency 

coordination mechanisms.

Performance Goal 5.5.2.1 Actively engage and provide leadership in international 

and interagency forums.

APG

5.5.2.1: AMO-12-18

Establish an internal Interagency Partnerships Working 

Group (IPWG) led by the Office of International and 

Interagency Relations (OIIR) to improve Agency-wide 

coordination of interagency partnerships and related 

interagency working groups.

Agency

Management

CAS-15
Mission Directorate: Cross-Agency Support

Theme: Agency Management and Operations

Performance

Performance Commitments:

Measure # Description Contributing

Program (s)

Strategic Goal 6 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.

Outcome 6.1 Improve retention of students in STEM disciplines by 

providing opportunities and activities along the full 

length of the education pipeline.

Objective 6.1.3 Assess grant recipient institutions throughout the 

education pipeline to ensure that grant recipients 

demonstrate a consistent commitment to civil rights 

compliance.

Performance Goal 6.1.3.1 Promote equal opportunity compliance and encourage 

promising practices among NASA grant recipient 

institutions through a fully-realized program of civil 

rights compliance reviews, policy guidance, and 

technical assistance.

APG

6.1.3.1: AMO-12-19

Equal opportunity (EO) assessment and technical assistance 

provided, or onsite compliance assessment performed, onlocation at five STEM or STEM-related programs that receive 

NASA funding.

Agency

Management

Outcome 6.3 Engage the public in NASA's missions by providing new 

pathways for participation.

Objective 6.3.1 Extend the reach of participatory engagement across 

NASA.

Performance Goal 6.3.1.1 By 2015, establish an Agency-wide portfolio of 

participatory engagement opportunities.

APG

6.3.1.1: AMO-12-20

Issue a competitive opportunity to engage the public in 

NASA's activities.

Agency

Management

Outcome 6.4 Inform, engage, and inspire the public by sharing NASA's 

missions, challenges, and results.

Objective 6.4.2 Provide clear, accurate, timely, and consistent 

information that is readily available and suitable for a 

diverse audience.

Performance Goal 6.4.2.1 Use current and emerging communications technologies 

to reach increasingly broad audiences.

APG

6.4.2.1: AMO-12-21

Evaluate communication tools for impact and establish 

Agency best practices.

Agency

Management

Objective 6.4.3 Provide the communications infrastructure to enable 

NASA's commitment to make government more open, 

transparent, and participatory.

Performance Goal 6.4.3.1 Make available Agency records through the Freedom of 

Information (FOIA) and Privacy Act and Open Gov in 

accordance with federal laws and regulations.

APG

6.4.3.1: AMO-12-22

Finalize NASA Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 

regulations.

Agency

Management

CAS-16
Mission Directorate: Cross-Agency Support

Theme: Agency Management and Operations

Uniform and Efficiency Measures:

Measure # Description

Agency Management and Operations 

Theme

APG

EFF 5.2.1.2: AMO-12-10

Reduce Total Case Rate and Lost Time Case Rate by one percent, in accordance 

with the President's Protecting Our Workers and Ensuring Reemployment 

(POWER) initiative.

APG

EFF 5.2.1.3: AMO-12-11

Reduce damage to NASA assets by two percent per fiscal year, based on a fiveyear running average.

Maintain system execution time during the year-end close process at FY 2010 

baseline.

APG

EFF: AMO-12-20

CAS-17
Mission Directorate: Cross-Agency Support

 

Theme: Agency Management and Operations

Performance Achievement Highlights:

In FY 2010, NASA did the following: 

- Improved its financial integrity audit opinion from "disclaimed" to "qualified," with no material 

weaknesses. A real property management system was integrated into NASA's financial management 

system, eliminating many manual reconciliation processes improving financial reporting. This opinion 

is the best NASA rating since FY 2002. 

 

- Began successful implementation of an Agency Safety Center in Cleveland, Ohio. Accomplishments 

include developing a technical qualification program for Agency safety and mission assurance (SMA) 

technical excellence, trending of root causes and communicating lessons learned from mishap 

investigations, and improving the Agency SMA review and audit program. 

 

- Enhanced online communications features providing the public easier access to NASA information, 

streamlining business processes, implementing cost efficiencies and one-NASA messaging, and 

managing approximately 500,000 public inquiries annually. NASA Television completed transition to 

high-definition capability for productions, operations, and distribution of high quality video related to 

NASA's missions and activities. 

 

- Implemented the e-Mail Threat Monitoring Capability, reducing e-mail-based cyber attacks. NASA 

completed phase one of the IT Security Enterprise Data Warehouse, which collects and correlates 

patch status data, vulnerability scanning results, and security configuration information, producing an 

Agency-wide security inventory of NASA computers. 

 

- Completed the Wide-Area Network eXpansion project, increasing the corporate wide area network 

bandwidth, including all connections to Centers and facilities. 

 

- Implemented Identity Framework 2.0 as part of its Identity, Credential, and Access Management 

program to improve the initial Identity Management system. This addresses Homeland Security 

Presidential Directive (HSPD-12) requirements. As part of the effort to consolidate and improve 

NASA's IT infrastructure, the Agency awarded the Enterprise Applications Service Technologies 

contract. 

 

- Successfully completed the four-year project to consolidate NASA's distributed active directory 

infrastructure. This supports the Federal Data Center Consolidation Initiative by consolidating an 

application and reducing the amount of infrastructure required to support the service. This supports 

implementing HSPD-12 as the consolidated active directory and the NASA single authentication 

infrastructure. 

 

- Created an Open Government Status Dashboard, which details the status of the Agency ongoing 

goals and 164 milestones. NASA's plan to meet the Open Government Initiative Directive was rated 

first out of 29 agency submissions by OpenTheGovernment.org. 

 

- Implemented an Agency-wide Emergency Notification System, allowing emergency managers to 

notify all badged employees and contractors of emergency situations at any Center. 

 

- Completed initial assessments of all of its data centers to document the power meters necessary to 

begin calculating energy consumption and energy efficiency of the Agency data centers. This 

supported the Federal Data Center Consolidation Initiative and the NASA Strategic Sustainability 

Performance Plan.

CAS-18
Mission Directorate: Cross-Agency Support

Theme: Agency Management and Operations

Program: Agency Management

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

395.5 - 182.9 179.7 170.4 159.9 148.9

Agency Management 395.5 - 182.9 179.7 170.4 159.9 148.9

Note:

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated 

account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project amounts shown above. The allocation to each project

is reflected in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 

2010 and FY 2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

Program Overview

Agency Management provides governance and functional and administrative management oversight 

for the Agency and operational support for NASA Headquarters. This program function primarily 

supports ongoing operations. Agency Management support reflects the activities required for being in 

business in the Federal sector and provides the capability to respond to legislation and other 

mandated services that the Agency must provide. Agency Management also conducts independent 

assessments of Agency programs and delivers strategic planning services. Through Agency 

Management efforts, NASA program and mission performance are assessed and evaluated. 

 

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, external relations, legislative 

affairs, training, human capital, procurement, real property and infrastructure, budget management, 

systems support, internal controls, diversity, equal opportunity, independent program and cost 

evaluation, and small business programs. 

 

Agency Management activities are performed at NASA Headquarters with critical support provided by 

the NASA Centers. Distributed Agency Management activities are also performed at the NASA 

Management Office at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Johns Hopkins University-Applied Physics 

Laboratory, and the NASA Shared Services Center at Stennis Space Center. The Agency 

Management program supports over 35 discrete operations and mission support projects with over 

210 separate activity line items. 

 

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, information technology hardware and software costs), and automated 

business systems implementation and operations costs including initiatives related to transparency 

and accountability in government.

CAS-19
Mission Directorate: Cross-Agency Support

Theme: Agency Management and Operations

Program: Agency Management

Plans For FY 2012

Agency Management will deliver policies, controls, and oversight across a range of functional and 

administrative management service areas, and provide independent assessments and strategic 

planning services. Agency Management will also direct activities in procurement, finance, human 

capital, real property and infrastructure, protective services, diversity, equal opportunity, and small 

business.

CAS-20
Mission Directorate: Cross-Agency Support

Theme: Agency Management and Operations

Program: Agency Management

Project Descriptions and Explanation of Changes

 

 

 

 

Agency Management

The Agency Management budget includes the operational costs of NASA Headquarters. 

Headquarters operations elements include the lease costs for the rent of the Headquarters office 

building, and leased space in New Jersey and California that supports the Inspector General. Other 

significant operations activities include: 

- IT and communications infrastructure hardware and software acquisitions and maintenance, and 

contracted services for IT support; 

 

- 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; and 

 

- Human resources staffing; employee payroll and benefits processing; retirement services; 

employee training; employee occupational health/fitness and medical services; and grants awards 

processing. 

Headquarters operations costs also include support provided by the Goddard Space Flight Center 

for: 

- Accounting and procurement operations; operations support; configuration maintenance; 

automated business and administrative systems; contract close-out services; and payments to the 

Office of Naval Research for grants management; and 

 

- Human resources; equal opportunity alternate dispute resolution services; Equal Employment 

Opportunity complaint investigations; and the special emphasis diversity recognition program. 

Agency Management also provides the Agency-wide management functions of finance, protective 

services, and independent program and cost evaluation. The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is 

responsible for the financial leadership of NASA. A primary duty of the CFO is to uphold strong 

financial management and accountability practices while providing timely, accurate, and reliable 

financial information, and enhancing internal controls. 

 

The Office of Protective Services provides: Agency protective services policy formulation; oversight, 

coordination and management of NASA protective services operations, including security, fire, 

emergency management, and emergency preparedness; support for Agency counterintelligence and 

counterterrorism activities; implementation of the Identity, Credentials and Access Management 

Systems and other security systems, including communications; continuity of operations; and 

national intelligence community services. 

 

Independent Program and Cost Evaluation is an independent assessment organization that provides 

objective, transparent, and multidisciplinary analysis to support strategic decision making.

CAS-21
Mission Directorate: Cross-Agency Support

Theme: Agency Management and Operations

Program: Agency Management

Program Commitments

Commitment/Output

FY 2012

Program/Project Changes from

FY 2011 PB Request

Ninety percent of Shuttle workforce is assigned 

to follow-on work by fiscal year 2012 year-end.

Agency Management N/A

Twenty percent or more of annual recruitments 

will be through the early career hiring initiatives.

Agency Management N/A

Install an Agency-wide mentoring program that 

includes an automated system for matching 

mentors and mentees.

Agency Management N/A

Eighty percent of the Agency's leadership 

training and development programs include 

'leading through transformation' content.

Agency Management N/A

Identify and address at least three significant 

labor-management challenges identified during 

the year during periodic Agency-led Labor 

Management Forums.

Agency Management N/A

Seventy-five percent of NASA's primary 

installations implement improvement initiatives 

derived from the Federal Employee Viewpoint 

Survey.

Agency Management N/A

Complete all FY 2012 actions described in the 

NASA Model Equal Employment Opportunity 

(EEO) Agency Plan.

Agency Management N/A

Adopt diversity improvement targets derived 

from the results of the Agency-wide diversityinclusion survey and other relevant workforce 

and U.S. population data.

Agency Management N/A

Finalize remaining Center Master Plans into the 

Agency Integrated Master Plan.

Agency Management N/A

Establish an internal Interagency Partnerships 

Working Group (IPWG) led by the Office of 

International and Interagency Relations (OIIR) to 

improve Agency-wide coordination of 

interagency partnerships and related interagency 

working groups.

Agency Management N/A

Equal opportunity (EO) assessment and 

technical assistance provided, or onsite 

compliance assessment performed, on-location 

at five STEM or STEM-related programs that 

receive NASA funding.

Agency Management

Issue a competitive opportunity to engage the 

public in NASA's activities.

Agency Management

Evaluate communication tools for impact and 

establish Agency best practices.

Agency Management

Finalize NASA Freedom of Information Act 

(FOIA) regulations.

Agency Management

CAS-22
Mission Directorate: Cross-Agency Support 

Theme: Agency Management and Operations 

Program: Agency Management 

Headquarters FTE Assignments by Office

Headquarters

FY 

2010

Total 

FTE

FY 

2010

SES

FY 

2010

NonCareer

FY

2010

Contract 

WYE

FY 

2011

Total 

FTE

FY 

2011

SES

FY 

2011

NonCareer

FY

2011

Contract 

WYE

FY 

2012

Total 

FTE

FY 

2012

SES

FY 

2012

NonCareer

FY

2012

Contract 

WYE

Mission Support

Agency 

Operations/JPL 

NASA 

Management 

Office 

Human Capital 

Management

Headquarters 

Operations

Infrastructure

Internal Controls 

and Management 

Systems

Procurement

Mission Support 

Directorate Front 

Office

Protective 

Services

336

25

36

108

61

10

36

10

49

25

2 

5 

4 

5 

1 

4 

2 

2 

0

 

 

321

2 

7 

295

10

3 

4 

320

28

35

102

57

10

33

9 

46

26

2 

5 

4 

6 

1 

4 

2 

2 

0 353

3 

21

315

4 

1 

1 

9 

320

28

35

102

57

10

33

9 

46

27

2 

5 

4 

7 

1 

4 

2 

2

0 340

3 

21

303

4 

1 

0 

8 

CAS-23
Mission Directorate: Cross-Agency Support

Theme: Agency Management and Operations

Program: Safety and Mission Success

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

196.0 - 144.5 143.7 141.3 138.5 135.6

Safety and Mission Assurance 51.3 - 38.9 38.7 38.1 37.5 36.8

Chief Engineer 101.1 - 76.4 75.9 74.4 72.7 70.9

Chief Health and Medical Officer 3.6 - 4.1 4.1 4.1 4.1 4.1

Independent Verification and 

Validation

40.0 - 25.1 25.0 24.6 24.3 23.9

Note:

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated 

account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project amounts shown above. The allocation to each project

is reflected in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 

2010 and FY 2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

CAS-24
Mission Directorate: Cross-Agency Support

Theme: Agency Management and Operations

Program: Safety and Mission Success

Program Overview

Safety and Mission Success (SMS) includes the NASA Headquarters programs that address 

technical excellence, mission assurance, and technical authority. SMS includes the corporate work 

managed by the Office of the Safety and Mission Assurance (including the NSC and the IV&V), the 

Office of Chief Engineer (including the NESC), and the Office of the Chief Health and Medical Officer. 

The elements of SMS reflect the recommendations of many studies, boards, and panels including the 

direct recommendations from two major accident investigations resulting in the loss of 14 astronauts 

(Challenger in 1986 and Columbia in 2003). These programs directly support NASA's core values and 

serve to improve the likelihood for safety and mission success for NASA's programs, projects, and 

operations while protecting the health and safety of NASA's workforce. Aerospace technology 

advancement, because it is leading the edge of known capability, will always present a risk of 

catastrophe. SMS is the only resource that has the reduction of risk of failure as its exclusive focus. 

 

SMS is responsible for developing policy and procedural requirements. SMS provides advice to the 

Administrator, Mission Directorates, Center Directors, and program managers who, due to their 

management responsibilities, are ultimately accountable 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 funding trains and maintains a competent technical workforce within the 

disciplines of system engineering (including system safety, reliability, and quality) and space 

medicine. 

 

Resources provided by SMS are essential for judging 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 judge the criticality of the associated risk and 

evaluate the risk acceptability through an established process of independent review and 

assessment. The information and advice from these experts is critical data that is used by the 

technical authorities to develop authoritative decisions related to application of requirements on 

programs and projects.

CAS-25
Mission Directorate: Cross-Agency Support

Theme: Agency Management and Operations

Program: Safety and Mission Success

Plans For FY 2012

In FY 2012, the individual plans for each element of SMS align with and directly support the 

objectives of the Agency's Mission Directorates by helping to improve the likelihood of safety and 

mission success for all NASA programs, projects, and operations. SMS managers will continue to 

administer and refine policies, procedural requirements, and technical standards. The managers will 

participate in forums that provide advice to the Administrator, Mission Directorates, Center Directors, 

and program managers who are ultimately accountable for the safety and mission success of all 

NASA programs, projects, and operations. 

 

The plans for FY 2012 provide for an effective NESC, NSC, and IV&V as necessary elements in 

fulfilling the Agency's missions. This support assures that NASA civil service employees have, and 

continue to apply, the appropriate knowledge, skills, abilities, and tools for sound and well-informed 

decision making on matters critical to safety and mission success. The plans will include prioritized 

development, maintenance, and conduct of training and education necessary for assuring the 

existence of a competent technical workforce. The plans also include required support for 

independent research, audit, and assessment of NASA activities that have risk for loss or failure. 

 

These organizations charter independent reviews that judge the safety and likelihood of success of 

NASA activities and the health of those individuals exposed to risks that are not commonplace. The 

ability to author effective requirements, evaluate precisely the departures from conformance with 

existing requirements, determine the criticality of the risk, and evaluate and advise on its acceptability 

are completely reliant on the proper investment in SMS. This established process of independent 

review supports informed decision-making through the execution of delegated technical authority 

applied to program and project decisions. Without a robust application of these resources, the Agency 

strategy to challenge the validity of complex engineering and operational plans and proposals is 

flawed and subject to incurring unnecessary risks. 

 

Due to the tremendous energies possessed by space debris, the collision between a piece of debris 

only a half-inch in diameter and an operational spacecraft has the potential for catastrophic 

consequences. The intentional destruction of the Chinese Fengyun-1C weather satellite in January 

2007 and the accidental collision of American and Russian spacecraft in February 2009 have 

increased the amount of cataloged debris by nearly 40 percent compared to debris levels from the 

first 50 years of the Space Age. In FY 2012, NASA, in connection with the U.S. Space Surveillance 

Network, will increase its effort in scientific studies to characterize the near-Earth space debris 

environment, to assess its potential hazards to current and future space operations, and to identify 

and implement methods for reducing the production of additional debris. Enhancements to this space 

situational awareness data program during FY 2012, especially close approach predictions, offer the 

greatest near-term and lowest-cost improvements to space safety. The National Academies' 

Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board (ASEB) is currently conducting a comprehensive review of 

NASA's Micrometeoroid and Orbital Debris (MMOD) program. NASA will take appropriate actions in 

response to the ASEB findings and recommendations.

CAS-26
Mission Directorate: Cross-Agency Support

Theme: Agency Management and Operations

Program: Safety and Mission Success

Project Descriptions and Explanation of Changes

 

Safety and Mission Assurance (SMS)

SMS supports the Office of Safety and Mission Assurance (OSMA) by providing resources for 

independent evaluations of their approaches to improving mission success. OSMA is responsible for 

establishing and maintaining an acceptable level of technical excellence and competence in safety, 

reliability, maintainability, and quality engineering within the Agency. OSMA assures that the risk 

presented by either a lack of safety requirement or from lack of compliance with a safety requirement 

is analyzed, assessed, communicated, and used for proper decision making and risk acceptance by 

the appropriate organizational leader. 

 

Fundamental to these two responsibilities is the definition and execution of a robust and wellunderstood methodology and process for the application of the disciplines of safety, reliability and 

quality (S, R and Q) in defining the level of risk. SMS conducts a schedule of review and 

assessments that focus on the life cycle decision milestones for crucial NASA programs and projects 

and S, R, and Q processes. Embodied in this program is a structured development of methodology 

and investigation into system attributes that improve the probability of mission success. 

 

NSC assists OSMA in achieving its objectives in consolidating SMS efforts Agency-wide in four key 

areas: SMA technical excellence, knowledge management, audits and assessments, and mishap 

investigation support. Since being established in FY 2007, the NSC has: 

1. Established a technical excellence initiative to improve and formalize training and qualification 

requirements for five SMA engineering disciplines (system safety, reliability and maintainability, 

quality, software assurance, and operational and aviation safety); 

 

2. Undertaken streamlined processes to increase and sustain domain knowledge within the SMA 

community through the facilitation, storage, and retrieval of important documents and lessons 

learned by providing data analysis and trending of mishap-related data, by rapidly disseminating 

mishap-related Agency safety alerts, and by improving the Agency Incident Reporting Information 

System (a comprehensive, Agency-wide tool used for reporting mishaps and close calls); 

 

3. Continued to evaluate and streamline the conduct of facilities, programmatic, and supplier audits; 

and 

 

4. Assembled and deployed a trained team of mishap investigators to support mishap investigations 

boards. These activities promote the highest level of safety and reliability for NASA's programs and 

projects.

CAS-27
Mission Directorate: Cross-Agency Support

Theme: Agency Management and Operations

Program: Safety and Mission Success

Chief Engineer

SMS supports the Office of Chief Engineer (OCE) by providing the resources for independent and 

senior engineering expertise to enhance mission success. OCE promulgates policy and 

requirements for program and project management, for the engineering excellence of the Agency, 

system engineering methodology, and for the Agency's system of engineering standards. The OCE 

manages the NESC, which is responsible for rapid, cross-Agency response to mission critical 

engineering issues and for improving the state of practice in critical engineering areas. OCE also 

sponsors the Academy of Program/Project and Engineering Leadership (APPEL) to develop program 

and project management and systems engineering skills. 

 

APPEL delivers the necessary program/project management and engineering competence learning 

through the application of learning strategies, methods, models, and tools. APPEL provides 

professional development products and services for individual practitioners and program and project 

teams. This includes a formal training curriculum designed to address four career levels from recent 

college graduate to executive. APPEL provides direct support to project teams in the field through 

workshops, coaching, interactions technical experts, and through conferences, forums, and 

publications. 

 

The NESC, established in FY 2003 in response to the Columbia accident, responds rapidly to crossAgency mission-critical engineering issues and improves the state of the practice in critical 

engineering areas. The NESC performs value-added independent testing and analyses and technical 

assessments of NASA's projects and technical activities in order to enhance safety and mission 

success. The NESC works proactively to help NASA avoid problem recurrence and to prevent future 

problems. 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 composed 

of experts from NASA, industry, and academia.

Chief Health and Medical Officer

The Office of the Chief Health and Medical Officer (OCHMO) promulgates Agency health and 

medical policy, standards, and requirements, assuring the medical technical excellence of the 

Agency. OCHMO 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. OCHMO 

exercises oversight of NASA medical and health related activities through audit processes. OCHMO 

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. 

OCHMO provides oversight of medical and health related activities in operational human space flight 

through Center-based discipline experts and clinical boards. Ongoing medical and health discipline 

professionalism and licensure are supported through annual certified continuing medical education 

activities and flight surgeon education and clinical currency is provided through OCHMO sponsored, 

university-based physician training programs. NASA's biomedical research programs in support of 

human space flight are guided by OCHMO-developed health and medical standards. Center-based 

review boards provide direct supervision of NASA-sponsored human and animal research safety and 

ethics, completing a comprehensive system of oversight to maintain robust health and medical 

support of NASA personnel at all levels.

CAS-28
Mission Directorate: Cross-Agency Support

Theme: Agency Management and Operations

Program: Safety and Mission Success

Independent Verification and Validation

IV&V supports provides software expertise, services and resources to improve the likelihood for 

safety and mission success for NASA's programs, projects, and operations while protecting the 

health and safety of NASA's workforce. The NASA IV&V program performs independent software 

analysis activities on NASA's most critical software systems as a "checks and balances" to assure 

safety and mission success of those systems. 

 

The IV&V program provides systems engineering activities that improve software S, R, & Q of NASA 

programs and projects through effective applications of systems and software IV&V methods, 

practices, techniques, and tools. The NASA IV&V program applies software engineering best 

practices to evaluate the correctness and quality of critical and complex software systems throughout 

the project's system development life cycle. 

 

The IV&V program provides resources and expertise to other OSMA elements in support of 

independent evaluations of software related approaches and processes, developing software related 

policy/procedural requirements, and evaluating risks associated with new software requirements and 

departures from existing requirements. The IV&V program supports sustaining software technical 

excellence in the SMA community, sustaining software domain knowledge within the SMA 

organization, and in developing software development improvement recommendations to the 

Agency.

Program Commitments

Commitment/Output

FY 2012

Program/Project Changes from

FY 2011 PB Request

Assure zero fatalities or permanent disabling 

injuries to the public resulting from NASA 

activities during the fiscal year.

Safety and Mission Success N/A

Reduce Total Case Rate and Lost Time Case 

Rate by one percent, in accordance with the 

President's Protecting Our Workers and 

Ensuring Reemployment (POWER) initiative.

Safety and Mission Success N/A

Reduce damage to NASA assets by two percent 

per fiscal year, based on a five-year running 

average.

Safety and Mission Success N/A

CAS-29
Mission Directorate: Cross-Agency Support

Theme: Agency Management and Operations

Program: Agency IT Services (AITS)

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

145.3 - 136.4 136.2 135.5 134.7 133.8

IT Management 15.0 - 13.1 13.1 13.1 13.1 13.0

Applications 75.4 - 57.6 57.5 57.0 56.4 55.8

Infrastructure 54.9 - 65.7 65.6 65.4 65.2 65.0

Note:

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated 

account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project amounts shown above. The allocation to each project

is reflected in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 

2010 and FY 2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

CAS-30
Mission Directorate: Cross-Agency Support

Theme: Agency Management and Operations

Program: Agency IT Services (AITS)

Program Overview

The principles underlying the AITS Program are to enable NASA's missions through the integration of 

information and information technology in an efficient, effective, and secure, manner. Accordingly, the 

AITS Program provides for centrally managed, consolidated enterprise-level services benefitting the 

entire Agency. The three following projects constitute the AITS Program: IT Management; 

Applications; and IT Infrastructure, which includes IT security. 

 

Within the IT Management project, NASA incorporates the necessary budget for the NASA Chief 

Information Officer (CIO) to ensure effective management of the Agency's IT resources in accordance 

with federal laws and regulations, Office of Management and Budget (OMB) guidance, and industry 

best practices. The IT Management project enables the Agency to meet requirements in areas such 

as privacy, records management, information collections, and information quality. It also supports 

value-add activities such as enterprise architecture, capital planning and investment control, and IT 

project management. Additionally, it incorporates payments to other Federal agencies for EGovernment services. 

 

Within the Applications project, NASA incorporates the development and sustaining support of 

Agency applications for mission support functions, such as financial management, supply 

management, procurement management, and human capital management. These services are 

provided by the NASA Enterprise Applications Competency Center in Huntsville, Alabama. The 

Applications project also includes enterprise licensing agreements and scientific and technical 

Information management on behalf of the Agency. 

 

Within the IT Infrastructure project, NASA incorporates core IT and infrastructure services such as the 

NASA public Web portal, e-mail, calendaring, directory services, enterprise license management, 

identity and credential management. Due to the close relationship between IT infrastructure and IT 

security, NASA incorporates IT security-related initiatives within the IT Infrastructure project. These 

initiatives include the NASA Security Operations Center, Agency penetration testing, vulnerability 

scanning, patch management and reporting, and other proactive measures that mitigate security 

threats.

CAS-31
Mission Directorate: Cross-Agency Support

Theme: Agency Management and Operations

Program: Agency IT Services (AITS)

Plans For FY 2012

In FY 2012, the AITS program will largely provide sustaining operations for essential Agency 

information management and IT needs under the IT Management project, Applications project and 

the IT Infrastructure project, with some development, modernization, and enhancement (DME) 

planned. 

 

The Infrastructure project is planning significant activity for FY 2012 including the Router 

Replacement project, which is to replace aging equipment on the network and to upgrade the 

bandwidth on the network to accommodate the needs of current and future missions. The investment 

will encompass significant upgrades, as they are required to continue to provide high-quality service 

to the Agency's mission customer base. The existing routers are antiquated, use an obsolete 

protocol, and are no longer supported by the vendor. The risk to ongoing missions due to the aging 

equipment in the network is significant (and growing) and will be mitigated by this investment. 

 

The IT Infrastructure and Security project is planning significant DME activities including 

implementation of new contracts for end-user services, integrated communications services (local 

and wide area networks), consolidated data center services, and public Web services. In addition, the 

Agency plans to implement an Enterprise Service Desk and Ordering System for Agency IT services 

beginning in FY 2011. The implementation of these new contracts and services will pave the way 

towards consolidation of NASA's networks and network management in order to gain efficiencies, 

improve security, and enable the cross-Center data sharing required to execute effectively NASA 

missions. In addition, it provides the means to consolidate data center capabilities in order to gain 

efficiencies and reduce related infrastructure on NASA Centers. Under the Consolidated end-user 

Services contract, NASA expects improved standardization of desktop and laptop configurations, as 

well as increased effectiveness in applying patches. In addition, NASA will invest in renewal of 

network infrastructure where necessary to mitigate risks of prolonged network outages, most notably 

by replacing obsolete routers on the mission network and replacing outdated wiring and electronics 

within some Center networks. This infrastructure will include the IT Innovation Laboratory support 

structure and evaluation process for innovation and emerging communication and collaborative 

technologies from NASA personnel, industry, and academic partners building on NASA Virtual 

Institutes work. NASA will continue development of NEBULA (NASA's Cloud Computing Platform), 

allowing NASA Scientist and Engineers to focus on mission success without worrying about the 

stability and availability of computing infrastructure.

CAS-32
Mission Directorate: Cross-Agency Support

Theme: Agency Management and Operations

Program: Agency IT Services (AITS)

Project Descriptions and Explanation of Changes

IT Management

The IT Management project provides Agency level services for managing IT and meeting internal 

and external requirements relative to Agency CIO responsibilities. Included in this project are fees 

paid to E-Government managing partners for the various E-Government activities and Federal CIO 

Council Committees in which NASA participates. This project includes the budget for the NASA 

Office of the CIO to meet OMB guidance, Executive Orders, laws and regulations relative to EGovernment, Paperwork Reduction and Information Collection, the Federal Information Security 

Management Act, Records Management, Mail Management, Forms Management, Privacy, Capital 

Planning and Investment Control, and IT Budget Formulation under Circular A-11.

Applications

The Applications project provides steady state operations of NASA's business and management 

systems developed under the Integrated Enterprise Management Program, such as, the Core 

Financial System (SAP), Integrated Asset Management System, the Human Capital Information 

Environment, and Aircraft Management Module. This project also provides scientific and technical 

information (STI) services for the Agency. It also supports the implementation of E-Government 

initiatives across the Agency, such as, E-Travel, Grants.gov, and E-Training.

Infrastructure

The IT Infrastructure project provides common core infrastructure services across the Agency, such 

as, the NASA public Web portal, enterprise licensing, and Personal Identification Verification card 

systems required for identity and credential management for logical access control. In addition, the IT 

Infrastructure project provides configuration control capabilities for networks, end-user services, and 

data centers. This project also provides IT security capabilities at the Agency level, such as the 

Security Operations Center (SOC), third party penetration testing, vulnerability scanning, and patch 

management. In FY 2012, an increase in funding will be applied to renew the aging IT network 

infrastructure, including the mission network. Additionally, NASA has begun realigning IT funds within 

the Agency to implement a common funding model for IT services beginning in FY 2011 and will 

complete the realignment in FY 2012. Under this model, e-mail, calendaring, directory services, 

software management and other core Agency infrastructure services will be provided by the Agency 

end user services contract and funded by the AITS IT Infrastructure project. In FY 2011 NASA 

realigned the Agency's IT Infrastructure funding to NEBULA (NASA's Cloud Computing) to enhance 

the cloud computing infrastructure. In FY 2012, NASA will enable automated provisioning capabilities 

to quickly scale up computing, storage, and bandwidth as demand rises, allowing NASA scientists 

and engineers to focus on mission success with stability and availability of computing infrastructure. 

NASA is also building the infrastructure and evaluation processes for innovation and emerging 

communication and collaborative technologies to support the IT Innovation Lab in FY 2012. Through 

this activity, NASA will evaluate new approaches to the dissemination of information with real-time, 

multi-participant work. NASA is collaborating with Science on the Open Government Initiative, social 

computing, telepresence, telerobotics, Web-based collaboration, secure collaborations, unified 

communications, virtual workspaces, broad access, and related technologies.

CAS-33
Mission Directorate: Cross-Agency Support

Theme: Agency Management and Operations

Program: Agency IT Services (AITS)

Program Commitments

Commitment/Output

FY 2012

Program/Project Changes from

FY 2011 PB Request

Achieve Initial Operating Capability (IOC) for one 

Service Office (NASA Enterprise Data Center) 

and FOC for the initial five Service Offices as 

part of the NASA Information Technology 

Infrastructure Integration Program (I3P).

AITS N/A

Implement intrusion detection sensors monitored 

by the NASA Security Operations Center (SOC)

on 75 percent of NASA institutional network 

monitoring sites.

AITS N/A

Migrate or retire all administrative systems from 

the Agency Administrative mainframe computer.

Reduce the number of NASA data centers by 10 

percent.

AITS N/A

AITS N/A

Implement a Communications and Collaboration 

Lab that conducts five evaluations to assess new 

approaches for the dissemination of information, 

and real-time, multi-participant knowledge 

creation and management.

AITS N/A

Maintain system execution time during the yearend close process at FY 2010 baseline.AITS N/A

CAS-34
Mission Directorate: Cross-Agency Support

Theme: Agency Management and Operations

Program: Strategic Capabilities Assets Program

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

29.4 - 20.4 20.2 19.8 19.3 18.7

Strategic Capabilities Assets 

Program

29.4 - 20.4 20.2 19.8 19.3 18.7

Note:

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

In FY 2012 through FY 2016, civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) funds are administered within a single consolidated 

account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project amounts shown above. The allocation to each project

is reflected in the summary budget table included in the beginning of this budget request, which provides a full cost view. In FY 

2010 and FY 2011, amounts are presented in full cost.

Program Overview

NASA's Strategic Capabilities Assets Program (SCAP) ensures that identified operational core assets 

and capabilities are available to support NASA's current and future missions. SCAP establishes an 

alliance between all Centers with like assets, makes decisions on disposition of capabilities no longer 

required, identifies re-investment/re-capitalization requirements within and among classes of assets, 

and implements changes. SCAP reviews the assets' capabilities each year to ensure the 

requirements continue to be valid. 

SCAP ensures that essential test facilities are in a state of readiness. It maintains the skilled 

operational workforce and performs essential preventative maintenance to keep core facilities 

available to meet program requirements. Core capabilities supported within SCAP are thermal 

vacuum chambers, simulators, and the arc jet facility.

Plans For FY 2012

SCAP will sustain the strategic technical capabilities needed by NASA for successful missions. SCAP 

will institute consistency in reimbursable pricing policies, perform quarterly program performance 

reviews, continually reassess the strategy, and provide a forum for cooperation between all Centers 

within asset classes. 

 

SCAP will ensure maximum benefit across the Government by broadening its alliances outside of the 

Agency for capabilities (e.g., thermal vacuum chambers). This has been accomplished by initiating a 

new collaborative working group, the Space Environment Test Alliance Group, which includes NASA, 

the Department of Defense (DoD), and other entities. SCAP has established a good relationship 

between DoD and NASA in the arc jet test area. SCAP will examine and scrutinize new proposals for 

additional capabilities that are submitted as part of the FY 2013 budget process. 

 

SCAP is committed to continue developing and implementing disposition plans for assets that are no 

CAS-35
Mission Directorate: Cross-Agency Support

Theme: Agency Management and Operations

Program: Strategic Capabilities Assets Program

Project Descriptions and Explanation of Changes

Strategic Capabilities Assets Program

SCAP sustains operations of simulators that are critical components of the success of NASA's 

Aeronautics Research in the areas of fundamental aeronautics and aviation safety. This capability 

includes an array of research and development crewed flight simulator assets at Ames Research 

Center (ARC) and Langley Research Center (LaRC) that are in the operations phase. Principal 

assets include the Vertical Motion Simulator, a large motion system, and its supporting cabs, 

laboratories, and equipment, that provide scientists and engineers with tools to explore, define, and 

resolve issues in both vehicle design and missions operations. The Cockpit Motion Facility and its 

supporting suite of simulators (the Differential Maneuvering Simulator and the Visual Motion 

Simulator) and other central support facilities at LaRC are designed to support aeronautics and 

space flight vehicle research studies in which motion cues are critical to the realism of the 

experiments being conducted. 

 

SCAP sustains thermal-vacuum, vacuum, and acoustic chambers at NASA facilities (Glenn 

Research Center, Goddard Space Flight Center, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Johnson Space Center 

(JSC), Kennedy Space Center, Marshall Space Flight Center, and Plum Brook Station) that simulate 

conditions during launch and in space environments. These assets are large enough to 

accommodate a spacecraft with adequate space surrounding the structure for safe, easy access 

while inside the chamber. Chambers with minimum outline dimensions of 10 by10 ft will generally 

meet this provision. These chambers have the capability of producing pressures of one by 10-2 torr 

or lower and thermal shrouds capable of liquid nitrogen temperatures or lower. Acoustic chambers 

are capable of generating approximately 150 decibels at frequencies in the range of 25 to 1000 

Hertz. These chambers perform significant risk mitigation for most of NASA payloads launched into 

space as well as many in other government agencies such as National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration, and DoD. Almost all spacecraft launched into space must first be tested in one of 

NASA's thermal vacuum chambers. 

 

SCAP sustains arc jet complexes located at ARC and JSC. An arc jet provides simulated high 

temperature, high velocity environments that support the design, development, test, and evaluation 

activities of thermal protection materials, vehicle structures, aerothermodynamics, and hypersonics. 

A gas (typically air) is heated and accelerated to supersonic/hypersonic speeds by a continuous 

electrical arc. This high temperature gas passes over a test sample, producing an approximation of 

the surface temperature and pressure environments experienced by a vehicle on atmospheric entry. 

Arc jet testing has been critical in the safe return from orbit of space shuttles with tile damage. In 

addition, arc jet testing performed essential validation of materials for the Mars entry missions such 

as Mars Science Laboratory. The Dragon spacecraft, made by the commercial company Space 

Exploration Technologies and which recently completed an orbital test flight, completed heat shield 

development testing at NASA's arc jet facility. NASA maintains two of the four arc jets facilities in the 

U.S. providing a critical national capability.

CAS-36
Mission Directorate: Cross-Agency Support

Theme: Agency Management and Operations

Program: AMO Civil Service Labor and Expenses

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

0.0 - 304.9 309.3 322.2 336.8 352.0

AMO Civil Service Labor and 

Expenses

0.0 - 304.9 309.3 322.2 336.8 352.0

Note: This program contains labor funding, both salary and benefits, for civil service employees at NASA Headquarters. In 

addition, AMO Civil Service Labor and Expenses provides $18.7 million for civil service personnel costs such as institutionallyfunded training and permanent change of station.

Program Overview

This program contains labor funding, both salary and benefits, for civil service employees at NASA 

Headquarters, as well as other Headquarters personnel costs such as institutionally funded training. It 

also contains labor funding for Agency-wide personnel costs such as Agency training, and funding for 

workforce from multiple Centers who provide the critical skills and capabilities required by the other 

Agency-wide programs outlined within this mission support area.

CAS-37
Mission Directorate: Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration

Overview

Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration (CECR) provides for design and 

execution of programmatic and non-programmatic discrete and minor revitalization construction of 

facilities projects, facility demolition projects, and environmental compliance and restoration activities.

The Construction of Facilities (CoF) Program ensures that the facilities critical to achieving NASA's 

science, space and aeronautics programs are the right size and type; that they are safe, secure, and 

environmentally sound; and that they are operated efficiently and effectively. An Agency-wide CoF 

program ensures that NASA installations conform to requirements and initiatives for the protection of 

the environment and human health. NASA facilities are essential to the Agency and facility 

revitalization is needed to maintain infrastructure that is safe and capable of supporting NASA's 

missions. The facilities being revitalized or constructed in this program are expected to remain active 

in the long term.

The purpose of NASA's Environmental Compliance and Restoration (ECR) program is to clean up 

pollutants released to the environment from past activities. Clean up activities are prioritized to ensure 

that the highest priority liabilities are addressed first, better protecting human health and the 

environment, and preserving natural resources. 

NASA is seeking to amend its Enhanced Use Lease (EUL) authority to allow in-kind consideration for 

leases to develop renewable energy production facilities. This will create conditions attractive to 

industry and is necessary to support NASA's strategy to comply with statutory and Executive Order 

energy and greenhouse gas requirements.

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

FY 2011

Auth Act

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

452.8 448.3 394.3 450.4 450.4 450.4 450.4 450.4

Construction of Facilities 389.4 - - 397.9 384.0 359.5 362.9 360.0

Environmental Compliance and 

Restoration

63.4 - - 52.5 66.4 90.9 87.5 90.4

Note:

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

The "Auth. Act FY 2011" column represents FY 2011 authorized funding from the NASA Authorization Act of 2010 (P.L. 111-

267).

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

CECR-1
Mission Directorate: Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration

Plans for FY 2012

Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration

Construction of Facilities

Major Highlights for FY 2012

FY 2012 funding will continue essential infrastructure repair and revitalization activities. "Repair by 

replacement" projects are those that provide sustainable and energy efficient infrastructure by 

replacing old, inefficient, deteriorated buildings with new, efficient, high-performance buildings. 

NASA will reduce infrastructure by disposing of unneeded facilities. NASA will continue its strategy 

to recapitalize essential infrastructure through projects that include the replacement of the potable 

water system at Stennis Space Center, constructing a consolidated services building at Langley 

Research Center, replacing the industrial water system in the Marshall Space Flight Center test

area, and installing a new antenna at Canberra, Australia.

Environmental Compliance and Restoration

Major Highlights for FY 2012

FY 2012 funding supports cleanup of the Santa Susana Field Laboratory in preparation for 

dispositioning excess property.

CECR-2
Theme: Construction of Facilities

Mission Directorate: Construction and Environmental Compliance and 

Restoration

Theme Overview

CoF designs and executes all programmatic and non-programmatic facilities projects, including 

discrete minor revitalization and construction projects, and demolition of facilities. The Agency's CoF 

programs are managed by NASA's Capital Facility Investment program, which includes institutional 

and programmatic facility investments. 

The construction planning process starts several years in advance, with design being funded two 

budget years prior to construction start. CoF requirements are developed through a process involving 

both internal and external stakeholders. Institutional CoF requirements from all the Centers are 

reviewed and prioritized annually, ensuring that only the highest-ranking priorities are funded. 

Programmatic facility requirements are identified as an integral part of each Mission Directorate's 

program development process, which ensures that only programmatic CoF projects that are 

necessary for mission success are funded. 

No CoF requirements in support of Aeronautics or Exploration programs are requested for FY 2012.

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

389.4 - 397.9 384.0 359.5 362.9 360.0

Institutional CoF 249.3 - 368.0 384.0 359.5 362.9 360.0

Science CoF 37.8 - 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Space Operations CoF 26.9 - 28.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Exploration CoF 72.6 - 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Aeronautics CoF 2.8 - 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Note:

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

CECR-3
Theme: Construction of Facilities

Mission Directorate: Construction and Environmental Compliance and 

Restoration

Plans for FY 2012

Institutional CoF

The Institutional CoF Program will make capital repairs to NASA's critical infrastructure to improve 

safety and security, protect NASA's infrastructure, and improve NASA's operating efficiency by 

reducing utility usage. The program will continue to "right size" the infrastructure by demolishing 

infrastructure that is no longer needed. Projects with initial cost estimates between $1 million and 

$10 million are included in the program as minor revitalization and construction projects, and 

projects with initial cost estimates of $10 million or greater are budgeted as discrete projects. 

Projects with initial cost estimates of $1 million or less are accomplished by routine day-to-day 

facility maintenance and repair activities provided for in program and Center operating budgets. 

NASA will invest in projects that protect the Agency's critical assets, improve mission assurance, 

reduce mission risk, and maintain mission essential capabilities. Investment in projects, such as 

launch facility protection at Wallops Island, will protect NASA's critical assets in the case of natural 

disasters. Utility system repairs and replacements will improve reliability throughout NASA's 

infrastructure and reduce the risk of utility-caused mission failures. Installation of two photovoltaic 

plants will generate green energy for the Agency, supporting NASA's efforts to meet national 

initiatives to reduce fossil fuel consumption and green house gas emissions. NASA's repair by 

replacement program will provide sustainable and energy efficient infrastructure by replacing old, 

inefficient, deteriorated buildings with new efficient high performance buildings. In some cases, 

NASA will be able to refurbish existing facilities into sustainable buildings that will meet NASA's 

future technology needs while retaining only the structure and replacing the systems necessary for 

mission operations. When this approach is viable, the projects will save capital investment over 

wholesale replacement, but will still yield a good return on investment through reduced operating 

costs.

More than 80 percent of NASA's infrastructure is beyond its design life. As NASA's facilities age 

beyond their useful life, the facilities become unreliable and put NASA's programs and operations at 

risk. By investing in demolition, NASA will be able to reduce unneeded infrastructure and avoid 

future expenses for maintaining this infrastructure. The FY 2012 program will continue to demolish 

facilities that the Agency has identified as unnecessary after the Space Shuttle is retired. This will 

allow the Agency to shift some investment in Shuttle facilities to support new programs, such as the 

21st Century Space Launch Complex. NASA will also demolish obsolete laboratory facilities that no 

longer support NASA missions. To mitigate the increasing risk to NASA's missions from 

infrastructure failure, NASA must maintain its investment in infrastructure repair and refurbishment. 

NASA's long-term strategy is to recapitalize its infrastructure to replace, refurbish, and consolidate 

critical facilities to support future NASA missions.

Science CoF

The Science CoF Program continues the modification of the thermal vacuum Chamber A at the 

Johnson Space Center (JSC). This facility provides required temperature and contamination control

test conditions for hardware prior to flight. Renovation of the NASA Space Science Data Center at 

Goddard Space Flight Center will create a sustainable office facility in accordance with Federal 

energy mandates, and in compliance with applicable codes and standards.

Space Operations CoF

Space Operations CoF continues construction of the 34-Meter Beam Waveguide Antenna, DSS-35, 

at Canberra, Australia. It also provides for the revitalization of facilities utilized by the Launch 

Services Program and at Deep Space Network sites.

CECR-4
Theme: Construction of Facilities

Mission Directorate: Construction and Environmental Compliance and 

Restoration

Relevance

Relevance to national priorities, relevant fields, and customer needs:

CoF funding ensures that NASA's facilities and field installations meet the Agency's infrastructure 

needs in a safe, secure, and environmentally sound manner. Activities implement sustainable design 

practices and support compliance with state and national environmental laws and initiatives outlined 

under the Energy Policy Act of 2005.

Relevance to the NASA Mission and Strategic Goals:

CoF funding is vital to achieve the mission support Strategic Goal "enable program and institutional 

capabilities to conduct NASA's aeronautics and space activities." The CoF Program supports NASA's 

Space Flight, Science, and Aeronautics Research missions by ensuring that NASA's greatest mission 

risks related to infrastructure condition are mitigated; facilities that are critical to NASA missions are 

maintained, repaired, and refurbished; and facilities that cannot support current and emerging critical 

technologies are replaced with efficient suitable facilities that will support NASA's strategic goals for 

research and exploration. The CoF Program strives to reduce facilities operating costs, maintenance 

burdens, and utility costs to make more of NASA funding available for missions.

Performance

Performance Commitments:

Measure # Description Contributing

Program (s)

Strategic Goal 5 Enable program and institutional capabilities to conduct 

NASA's aeronautics and space activities.

Outcome 5.2 Ensure vital assets are ready, available, and 

appropriately sized to conduct NASA's missions.

Objective 5.2.3 Develop and implement long-range infrastructure plans 

that address institutional capabilities and critical assets, 

directly link to mission needs, ensure the leveraging of 

external capabilities, and provide a framework for 

Agency infrastructure decision-making.

Performance Goal 5.2.3.1 Consolidate functions and offices to reduce real property 

need, and use Agency Integrated Master Plan to identify 

and dispose of excess and aged facilities beyond useful 

life.

APG

5.2.3.1: COF-12-1

Initiate facilities demolition process for five significant Agency 

facilities in addition to demolition processes initiated in FY 

2011.

Institutional CoF

CECR-5
Theme: Construction of Facilities

Mission Directorate: Construction and Environmental Compliance and 

Restoration

Performance Achievement Highlights:

NASA continued essential infrastructure repair and revitalization activities, completing $387.9 million of 

construction. Eight facilities received Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) 

certification in FY 2010 including the new office building at JSC, which was certified LEED Platinum. 

Six other facilities were certified LEED Gold and one was LEED Silver. Additionally, NASA continued 

reducing its infrastructure by initiating the demolition of 34 unneeded facilities or structures. Assertive 

recycling strategies and sustainable demolition practices resulted in low cost demolition projects, 

allowing the Agency to maximize the scope of its demolition program.

CECR-6
Mission Directorate: Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration

Theme: Construction of Facilities 

Project Descriptions and Explanations of Changes 

Summary of FY 2012 Construction of Facilities (CoF) Projects 

FY FY FY

2010 2011 2012

In Millions of Dollars ActualAnn. CRRequest

 

Science 37.8 40.5 1.0

Restore Building 26 (GSFC) --- 14.0 ---

Modify Thermal Vacuum Chamber A (JSC) 21.6 26.5 1.0

Minor Revitalization of Facilities funded by Earth Science Research (Various Locations) 11.4 --- ---

Minor Revitalization of Facilities funded by Heliophysics Research (Various Locations) 1.2 --- ---

Facility Planning and Design (Various Locations) 3.6 --- ---

Exploration 72.6 45.0 0.0

Modify Space Power Facility, Plum Brook Station (GRC) 23.9 1.2 ---

Modify Multi-Payload Processing Facility (KSC) 1.0 --- ---

Construct A-3 Propulsion Test Facility (SSC) 31.8 43.4 ---

Minor Revitalization of Facilities funded by Constellation Systems (Various Locations) 12.4 --- ---

Minor Revitalization of Facilities funded by Exploration Technology (Various Locations) 2.0 --- ---

Facilities Planning and Design (Various Loc tions) a 1.5 0.4 ---

Space Operations 26.9 20.0 28.9

Construct 34-Meter Beam Waveguide Antennas, Canberra, Australia (JPL) 6.8 7.3 14.5

Revitalize High Pressure Industrial Water System (SSC) --- 6.0 10.0

Minor Revitalization funded by Space Flight Support (Various Locations) 16.6 6.7 4.4

Facility Planning and Design funded by Space Flight Support (Various Locations) 3.5 --- 0.0

Aeronautics 2.8 --- ---

Minor Revitalization funded by Integrated Systems Research Program (Various Locations) 2.8 --- ---

Institutional CoF Projects 249.3 280.7 368.0

Re-skin Hangar 1 (ARC) --- --- 32.8

Construct Flight Project Center (GSFC) --- --- 36.9

Launch Facilities Protection, WFF (GSFC) 7.0 13.0 17.0

Construct West Arroyo Parking Structure (JPL) 22.0

Revitalize Water and Waste Water Systems, Various Locations (KSC) 30.0

Construct Integrated Services Building (LaRC) --- 30.4 20.0 

Renovate East Test Area Industrial Water Distribution System (MSFC) 15.0

Replace Potable Water System (SSC) 10.0

Construct Replacement Facilities Support Center (DFRC) --- 12.5 ---

Construct Replacement Engineering Office Building 4220 (MSFC) --- 40.0 ---

Repair and Construct Consolidated Information Technology Center, (DFRC) 10.0 --- ---

Repair Primary Electrical Distribution-Phase 6 (DFRC) 10.0 --- ---

Construct Centralized Office Building (GRC) 25.3 --- ---

Construct Shipping and Receiving Facility (GSFC) 12.8 --- ---

Revitalize Building 25 Mission Support Building (JSC) 21.3 --- ---

Renovation of Operations & Checkout Building (KSC) 15.5 --- ---

Revitalize High and Medium Voltage Electrical Distribution Systems (KSC) 19.5 --- ---

CECR-7
Mission Directorate: Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration

Theme: Construction of Facilities 

Replace Asbestos Siding and Provide Energy/Safety Upgrades, Bldg 4707 (MSFC) 

Minor Revitalization of acilities F at Various Locations

5.0

84.9

 ---

137.2

 ---

119.3

Demolition of Fac ilities 15.0 19.9 25.0

 Facility Planning and Design 23.0 27.7 40.0

Note: The amounts in the FY 2011 column identify the CoF projects NASA is able to fund within the annualized CR amount for 

the CECR account. 

Discrete Projects 

Science CoF 

Project Title: Modify Thermal Vacuum Chamber A 

Location: Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas 

Mission Directorate: Science 

FY 2012 Estimate: $1.0 million 

This project continues modifications to Chamber A to prepare for testing the James Webb Space 

Telescope (JWST) Optical Telescope Element and Integrated Science Instrument Module. Modifications 

include an upgrade of liquid nitrogen systems and an upgrade of high vacuum systems, which includes: 

installation of new gate valves and new cryogenic pumps; the installation of a helium system (both 

refrigeration system and shroud); and installation of a new clean air system in the chamber. These 

modifications to thermal vacuum Chamber A are necessary to achieve the required temperature and 

contamination control test conditions for flight hardware. This is the fifth increment for this project for a 

total project cost estimate of $73.9 million. Program replanning efforts, discussed in the Science section, 

may impact the schedule of this project.

Space Operations CoF 

Project Title: Construct 34-Meter Beam Waveguide Antennas 

Location: Canberra, Australia 

Mission Directorate: Space Operations 

FY 2012 Estimate: $14.5 million 

This project includes fabrication and installation of the antenna structure, panels, gearboxes, bearings, 

electric drives, encoders, beam waveguide mirrors, subreflector and subreflector positioner for Deep 

Space Network antennas. This third increment completes Deep Space Station-35 (DSS-35) and initiates 

construction of Deep Space Station-36 (DSS-36), which will be funded in three increments. It also 

includes the design and construction of the antenna structure, foundations and pedestals, as well as 

facilities in and around the Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex, such as paved access 

roads, trenches, drainage, flood control devices, water main and distribution system, antenna apron, 

security fence, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), electrical power distribution, fire 

detection and suppression system, and surveillance system assembly. Multiple Beam Waveguide 

antennas are needed to add resilience in the southern hemisphere for the Deep Space Network. These 

antennas are needed to support additional mission loading from projects currently under development 

and scheduled for launch during or after 2015. The first antenna estimated construction cost is $24.0 

million and the second antenna estimated construction cost is $25.2 million. Construction of the third 

antenna is anticipated to begin in FY 2014 with an estimated construction cost of $26.5 million. The total 

estimated construction cost for all three antennas is $75.7 million. 

CECR-8
Mission Directorate: Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration

Theme: Construction of Facilities 

Project Title: Revitalize High Pressure Industrial Water System 

Location: Stennis Space Center, Stennis Space Center, Mississippi 

Mission Directorate: Space Operations 

FY 2012 Estimate: $10.0 million 

This project consists of construction of a new High Pressure Industrial Water (HPIW) Distribution Piping 

System. The HPIW directly supports testing rocket engines in the A and B Test Complexes at Stennis 

Space Center (SSC) by supplying water for test stand deflector coolant, fire protection (deluge system), 

and diffuser operation. It also furnishes water for fire protection of the Liquid Hydrogen and Liquid 

Oxygen barges located at the test stand docks. Replacement of the HPIW is necessary due to agerelated poor condition (i.e., excessive leakage caused by corrosion). Continuous use of the facilities 

supported by this project is consistent with the SSC Master Plan and Agency goals to reduce deferred 

maintenance and upgrade basic institutional infrastructure. Total project cost is $40 million. 

Institutional CoF 

Project Title: Re-skin Hangar 1 

Location: Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 

FY 2012 Estimate: $32.8 million

This project will install a new envelope on NASA Ames Research Center’s Hangar One with new 

materials which will complement the historic structure’s architecture. The Navy is currently remediating 

hazardous waste and environmental contamination. The Navy is removing the facility envelope as part 

of their remediation work. This project will install new exterior siding, roof and windows. The completed 

project will provide a weather tight structure. The scope of this project does not include upgrading 

building mechanical or electrical systems. This project will be executed as a design build project so 

NASA can explore competing concepts to best reflect the historic nature of this structure. 

Project Title: Construct Flight Project Center 

Location: Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland 

FY 2012 Estimate: $36.9 million 

This project designs and constructs a 95,000 GSF (gross square feet) office building for the Flight 

Projects Directorate (FPD). The new multi-story building will have maximal reconfigurable office space 

to house approximately 300 people. The building envelope will blend with its surroundings. The 

proposed site is south of the existing Building 16 Complex and east of existing Building 12. Following 

construction, the Building 16 complex will be demolished in accordance with Master Plan current 

replacement value reductions. The Building 16 Complex is comprised of Building 016 (two-story brick 

office building), Building 016W (warehouse/office structure), Building 016A (Gas Cylinder Storage), 

Building 016B (Ordnance), and Building 086 (Project Support Facility.) The total demolition will be 

222,464 GSF. 

CECR-9
Mission Directorate: Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration

Theme: Construction of Facilities 

Project Title: Launch Facilities Protection 

Location: Wallops Flight Facility, Wallops Island, Virginia 

FY 2012 Estimate: $17.0 million 

This is the third and final increment for Wallops Island Launch Facilities Protection. The first increment 

extended the seawall south approximately 1,500 feet to protect existing assets and repair the failing 

seawall, as recommended after a detailed inspection. This increment will begin the sand fill portion of 

the project. The completed beach fill segment will provide a 70-foot wide dry beach in front of the 

seawall (about 3 million cubic yards) along its entire length (6,800 meters). Wallops Island has 

experienced erosion throughout the six decades of NASA occupation. Since the 1990s, part of the 

island has been protected with a stone rubble-mound seawall. Although the seawall has temporarily 

limited the shoreline’s erosion, the structure is being undermined and is failing. This is occurring 

because there is little or no protective sand beach remaining and waves break directly on the sea wall. 

The south end of the island is currently unprotected and suffers continuous erosion. A 2006 Army Corps 

of Engineers study titled “Beach Erosion Mitigation and Sediment Management Alternatives at Wallops 

Island, VA” validates the need and outlines the requirements for protection. The Wallops Launch Range 

supports sounding rocket and NASA small satellites launches, Commercial Orbital Transportation 

Services (COTS) demonstration and re-supply to the International Space Station, launches for other 

Federal and commercial entities, and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) flights. The total project cost is 

$37.6 million. The project will provide a complete solution when this final increment is executed. 

Project Title: Construct West Arroyo Parking Services 

Location: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California 

FY 2012 Estimate: $22.0 million 

This project constructs a multi-level parking garage to accommodate a minimum of 700 to 1,000 vehicles 

at the eastern boundary of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) Oak Grove site, an area of 

approximately 1.6 acres currently used for surface parking. It will utilize a design and build project 

delivery methodology and building information modeling (BIM) in order to meet sustainable design 

objectives and net-zero energy usage. Underground utilities located within the footprint of the proposed 

garage will be relocated, including: an eight-inch sanitary sewer line; a 10-inch water main; storm 

drains; catch basins; and medium pressure gas lines. New work includes the garage superstructure, 

driving surfaces, water- and dampproofing, perimeter spandrel panels and cable barriers, stairs, 

elevators, lighting, and code-required fire alarm and protection systems. Roadway, hardscape, 

landscape, security, and parking control items related to changes in vehicle and pedestrian traffic flows 

will be addressed and mitigated. 

In the summer of 2013, the city of Pasadena will construct ground water percolation ponds on the 11-

acre East Arroyo site currently leased by JPL from the city and used for parking 1,100 employee 

vehicles. The city of Pasadena requires JPL to vacate the property in December 2012 to allow for 

restoration of the site in accordance with lease requirements. The loss of 1,100 parking spaces 

represents 24 percent of the 4,575 total parking spaces currently available for JPL employees. Of the 

total 4,575 available parking spaces, it is not uncommon for there to be fewer than 20 vacant parking 

spaces reported during weekly counts by JPL Protective Services. There is no “spare capacity,” and 

JPL cannot absorb the loss of almost 25 percent of its parking spaces. In addition to the 1,100 space 

Pasadena lot, NASA JPL also leases a second 1,100 space parking lot from the Flintridge Riding Club, 

located on the western boundary of the site. At present, leased parking represents nearly one-half of the 

total parking supply. Construction of a 700 to 1,000 vehicle garage will help to provide sufficient parking 

and reduce dependence on leaseholders. 

CECR-10
Mission Directorate: Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration

Theme: Construction of Facilities 

Project Title: Revitalize Water and Waste Water Systems, Various Locations 

Location: Kennedy Space Center, Kennedy Space Center, Florida 

FY 2012 Estimate: $30.0 million 

This project will replace water lines throughout the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) water distribution 

system. Pipeline replacement is to include critical water mains, facility service lines, valves, and fire 

hydrants. Water meters will be installed at larger facilities to monitor water flow and progress of 

initiatives set to reduce water consumption. This project will rehabilitate lift stations through replacement 

of pumps, risers, controllers, valves, structure, and other aging lift station components. This project will 

also upgrade waste water system monitoring with an enhanced Supervisory Control and Data 

Acquisition (SCADA) system for lift station monitoring and energy optimization. Most of the components 

of the Center's water and waste water system are 45 years old and have exceeded their design life 

expectancy. This project continues an effort to improve KSC's water quality, replace aging system pipes 

and lift stations, reduce excessive water flushing, and eliminate drinking water notifications to the entire 

KSC workforce, which has resulted in drinking water lock outs arising from poor water quality. This is 

Phase four of five, with a total project cost of $53.0 million. 

Project Title: Construct Integrated Services Building 

Location: Langley Research Center, Hampton, Virginia 

FY 2012 Estimate: $20.0 million 

This project constructs a two-story integrated services building and provides related site improvements. 

The new 95,000 square foot building will house up to 125 administrative personnel and incorporate the 

media services center, main conference facilities, cafeteria, training classrooms, and many other 

services now scattered throughout Langley. The Integrated Services Building will be located very close 

to the center of the campus and will be energy efficient, designed to meet or exceed silver requirements 

of the U.S. Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) 

certification. Site improvements include upgrades to the existing pedestrian walkway, addition of a civic 

mall in the center of the campus, and expansion of surrounding parking lots. The project also includes 

demolition of six older buildings directly impacted by this project, removing 98,000 square feet of floor 

space and eliminating $37.8 million in deferred maintenance. 

The buildings to be replaced by the new Integrated Services Building are over 60 years old. The fire 

protection systems in these older facilities are very inadequate. Most do not have sprinkler systems and 

many of the fire alarms, smoke detection systems, and fire exits are not code compliant. The majority of 

these older facilities have antiquated HVAC systems, which frequently break down and disrupt 

operations. The existing media services are located in four separate locations, causing this service to 

be very inefficient. These buildings have potential problems with hazardous materials such as asbestos, 

polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) ballasts, mercury thermostats, and lead, chromium, and cadmiumbased paints. Half of the buildings are not compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act regulations. All 

of these facilities are run down, inefficient, and inadequate to perform their intended functions. 

Renovation of the existing facilities is not cost effective and eliminating these facilities reduces the risk 

of accidental injury or death from fire or other system failures. This is the second of two increments with 

a total estimated construction cost of $50.4 million. The project will provide a complete and usable 

facility when this final increment is completed. 

CECR-11
Mission Directorate: Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration

Theme: Construction of Facilities 

Project Title: Renovate East Test Area Industrial Water Distribution System 

Location: Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Alabama 

FY 2012 Estimate: $15.0 million 

This project will replace 45 year old deteriorated industrial piping located in the East Test Area of the 

Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC). In addition to the new piping, outdated diesel pumps will be 

replaced with new energy efficient electric pumps and centrally located controls. The installation of the 

new piping and pumps is necessary to boost pressures and flows to adequate levels in support of all 

facilities located in the test area. Continuous use of the facilities supported by this project is consistent 

with the MSFC Master Plan and Agency goals to reduce deferred maintenance and upgrade basic 

institutional infrastructure. 

Project Title: Replace Potable Water System 

Location: Stennis Space Center, Mississippi 

FY 2012 Estimate: $10.0 million 

This project will substantially replace the Stennis Space Center (SSC) system-wide potable water system. 

The project will replace existing main distribution piping constructed with more than 40-year old asbestos 

cement (transite), ductile cast iron, and steel materials. The project also replaces associated valves and 

hydrants directly connected to the main distribution system. Repair of the SSC potable water system is 

necessary due to its age-related poor condition (i.e., excessive leakage, corrosion, and potential human 

health hazard). Continuous use of the facilities supported by this project is consistent with the SSC 

Master Plan and Agency goals to reduce deferred maintenance and upgrade basic institutional 

infrastructure. 

Minor Revitalization & Construction of Facilities (projects less than $10.0 million each) 

This request includes facility revitalization and construction needs with initial cost estimate greater than 

$1.0 million but less than $10.0 million per project. Projects with initial cost estimates of $1.0 million or 

less are normally accomplished by routine day-to-day facility maintenance and repair activities provided 

for in direct program and Center operating budgets. Proposed FY 2012 institutional minor revitalization 

and construction projects total $119.3 million for components of the basic infrastructure and institutional 

facilities, and programmatic projects total $4.4 million. These resources provide for revitalization and 

construction of facilities at NASA facility installations and government-owned industrial plants supporting 

NASA activities. 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 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. It also includes major preventive measures 

that are normally accomplished on a cyclic schedule and those quickly needed out-of-cycle, based on 

adverse condition information revealed during predictive testing and inspection efforts. 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 accomplish its designated purpose, increase its 

functional capability, or so that it can 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. During the year, some rearrangement of 

priorities may be necessary, which may cause a change in some of the items to be accomplished. 

CECR-12
Mission Directorate: Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration

Theme: Construction of Facilities 

Minor Revitalization Center Distribution 

Space Operations 

A. Jet Propulsion Laboratory, $2.8 million 

1. Modify Signal Processing Center Electrical Distribution, Madrid, Spain 

2. Replace Beam Waveguide Azimuth Tracks, 34M Subnet, Goldstone, CA 

B. Kennedy Space Center, $1.6 million 

1. Repair and Renovate Building 836, Vandenberg, AFB, CA 

Institutional 

A. Dryden Flight Research Center, $20.8 million 

1. Repair by Replacement Fire Main Distribution System, Center-wide 

2. Repair Electrical Distribution, Phase 7 of 8 

3. Repair Flightline Access Roads & Aircraft Ramps, Phase 2 of 2 

4. Construct Photovoltaic Solar Power System 

B. Glenn Research Center, $16.5 million 

1. Upgrade Campus Security Requirements 

2. Repair Cooling Tower Water Systems, Phase 2 of 3 

3. Repair Natural Gas System, Plum Brook Station 

. 

C. Goddard Space Flight Center, $2.3 million 

1. Upgrade Chiller/Boiler Plant Controls, Building 24 

D. Jet Propulsion Laboratory, $4.7 million 

1. Replace LN2 Tanks, Phase 4 of 7 

2. Upgrade South Gate Security 

E. Johnson Space Center, $21.9 million 

1. Upgrade and Replace Fire Alarm Network Nodes, Phase 1 of 2 

2. Upgrade and Repair Electrical Systems, Site-wide 

3. Upgrade Main Electrical Switchyard and Replace Site Poles, WSTF 

4. Upgrade Communications and Personnel Warning System, WSTF 

5. Construct 500kW Stationary Photovoltaic Solar Array System, WSTF 

F. Kennedy Space Center, $3.0 million 

1. Replace Chilled Water Controls, Industrial Area 

G. Langley Research Center, $18.0 million 

1. Rehabilitate Steam System and Plant 

2. Rehabilitate Electrical Systems 

3. Replace/Upgrade Fire Detection/Suppression Systems, Various Facilities (1148, 1232, 1235, 

1250) 

CECR-13
Mission Directorate: Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration

Theme: Construction of Facilities 

H. Marshall Space Flight Center, $21.0 million 

1. Repair and Modify Critical Mechanical and Electrical Systems for Reliability, Building 4663 

2. Upgrade Safety and Energy Systems, Buildings 4708,4619,4755 

3. Upgrade/Repair Electrical Distribution System, North Campus 

I. Stennis Space Center, $11.1 million 

1. Repair B Test Stand and Dock 

2. Repair Electrical Unit Substations 

3. Repair Canal System Spillway 

4. Upgrade Safety and Energy Systems, Building 1100 

Demolition of Facilities 

Cognizant Office: Office of Strategic Infrastructure 

FY 2012 Estimate: $25.0 million 

The funds requested will be used to eliminate inactive and obsolete facilities that are no longer required 

for NASA’s Mission. Abandoned facilities present eyesores on the Centers and pose a potential safety 

and environmental liability. These abandoned facilities must still be maintained at minimal levels to 

prevent increasing safety and environmental hazards. These recurring maintenance costs impose a 

drain on the limited maintenance dollars needed at the Centers. Demolishing these abandoned facilities 

will allow 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 potential facilities for the demolition program through special studies to determine if the 

facility is required for a current of 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. Individual project schedules are sometimes adjusted in response 

to factors such as consultation with states on historic properties, changes in operational schedules, 

environmental remediation, funding profiles, local market forces, and cost of recycled materials. 

Proposed FY 2012 demolition projects will reduce annual facilities costs by an estimated $3.2 million. 

Facility Planning and Design 

Cognizant Office: Office of Strategic Infrastructure 

FY 2012 Estimate: $$40.0 million 

These funds are required 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; and 

participation in facilities-related professional engineering associations and organizations. These 

resources provide for project planning and design activities associated with non-programmatic 

construction projects. Project planning and design activities for construction projects required to conduct 

specific programs or projects are included in the appropriate budget line item. Other activities funded 

include: 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. The increase in facilities 

planning and design is crucial in implementation of the NASA Recapitalization Program. These 

recapitalization projects are necessary to make progress toward required sustainability, energy, and 

stewardship goals. 

CECR-14
Mission Directorate: Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration

Theme: Construction of Facilities

Program: Institutional CoF

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

249.3 - 368.0 384.0 359.5 362.9 360.0

Institutional CoF 249.3 - 368.0 384.0 359.5 362.9 360.0

Note:

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

CECR-15
Mission Directorate: Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration

Theme: Construction of Facilities

Program: Science CoF

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

37.8 - 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Science CoF 37.8 - 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Note:

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

CECR-16
Mission Directorate: Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration

Theme: Construction of Facilities

Program: Exploration CoF

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

72.6 - 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Exploration CoF 72.6 - 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Note:

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

CECR-17
Mission Directorate: Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration

Theme: Construction of Facilities

Program: Space Operations CoF

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

26.9 - 28.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Space Operations CoF 26.9 - 28.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Note:

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

CECR-18
Mission Directorate: Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration

Theme: Construction of Facilities

Program: Aeronautics CoF

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

2.8 - 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Aeronautics CoF 2.8 - 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Note:

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

CECR-19
Mission Directorate: Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration

Theme: Environmental Compliance and Restoration

Program: Environmental Compliance and Restoration

FY 2012 Budget Request

Ann CR.

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

63.4 - 52.5 66.4 90.9 87.5 90.4

Environmental Compliance and 

Restoration

63.4 - 52.5 66.4 90.9 87.5 90.4

Note:

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). Amounts in the "Ann. CR FY 2011" column reflect the 

annualized level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

In accordance with the President's proposal to implement a five-year non-security discretionary spending freeze, budget figures 

shown for years after FY 2012 are notional and do not represent policy. Funding decisions will be made on a year-by-year basis.

Program Overview

NASA's ECR program completes the cleanup of 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. Nearly $1 billion worth of cleanup liabilities impact the NASA Centers. The cleanups are 

prioritized to ensure that the highest priority liabilities are addressed first, better protecting human 

health and the environment, and preserving natural resources. ECR program activities include 

projects, studies, assessments, investigations, plans, designs, related engineering, program support, 

sampling, monitoring, and regulatory agency oversight costs. Funding also covers and any land 

acquisitions necessary to ensure operation of remedial treatment processes and sites as part of the 

remediation and cleanup measures.

In response to recent Executive Orders to consider the increasing impacts of global climate change 

on NASA facilities and projects, the ECR program provides for strategic investment in environmental 

methods and practices that ensure NASA may continue to carry out its scientific and engineering 

missions. Included are investments in 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.

Additional information concerning NASA's ECR program can be found at 

http://www.nasa.gov/offices/emd/home/ecr.html.

CECR-20
Mission Directorate: Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration

Theme: Environmental Compliance and Restoration

Program: Environmental Compliance and Restoration

Plans For FY 2012

The FY 2012 funding request represents a prioritized, risk-based approach for addressing a total of 

136 cleanup projects remaining at all NASA Centers and is based upon 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, it is expected that program priorities may change, requiring revisions 

to planned activities. Major activities and cleanups with the highest priority requirements planned for 

FY 2012 include:

1. Implementing thorough investigation and cleanup at Santa Susana Field Laboratory in accordance 

with a new Consent Order with the State of California, ensuring full public involvement throughout the 

process.

2. Continuing cleanup of ground water contamination and investigation of soil contamination at White 

Sands Test Facility, New Mexico; and

3. Operating and maintaining systems to address contaminated groundwater and drinking water 

emanating from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California.

CECR-21
NASA Office of Inspector General FY 2012 Budget Request Summary 

Overview 

For FY 2012, the NASA Office of Inspector General (OIG) requests $37.5 million. This request will 

support the work of 206 auditors, investigators, analysts, specialists, and support staff located at NASA 

Headquarters in Washington, D.C., and 12 other locations throughout the United States. 

The OIG conducts audits, reviews, and investigations of NASA programs to prevent and detect fraud, 

waste, abuse, and mismanagement and to assist NASA management in promoting economy, 

efficiency, and effectiveness. The OIG's Office of Audits (OA) conducts independent and objective 

audits of NASA programs, projects, operations, and contractor activities. In addition, OA 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 management challenges, responds to NASA’s 

changing needs and priorities, and provides measurable results that contribute to NASA’s success in 

achieving its mission of pioneering the future of space exploration, scientific discovery, and aeronautics 

research. 

Going forward, OA intends to focus its work in the areas identified by the OIG in November 2010 as the 

Agency's top management and performance challenges: 

− Future of U.S. Space Flight 

 Acquisition and Project Management 

 Infrastructure and Facilities Management 

 Human Capital 

 Information Technology Security 

 Financial Management 

−

−

−

−

−

In this regard, ongoing audits are examining the status of NASA’s safety and human rating efforts for 

the commercial space flight industry, whether NASA's grant funds are being used for intended 

purposes, NASA’s tuition reimbursement program, and whether NASA is effectively managing its Mars 

Science Laboratory Project to accomplish its exploration objectives while meeting revised milestones 

and controlling costs. 

The Office of Investigations (OI) investigates allegations of cybercrime, fraud, waste, abuse, and 

misconduct that may affect NASA programs, projects, 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 for NASA management 

to reduce the Agency's vulnerability to criminal activity. 

Given the inherent risk associated with space operations and aeronautics and that NASA spends 

approximately 85 percent of its budget on contracts and grants, OI targets its resources to maintain the 

integrity of NASA’s procurement process and on issues relating to the safety of NASA’s missions and 

information systems. In the procurement area, OI's caseload includes investigations of allegations of 

false claims submitted by NASA contractors, conflict of interest cases involving NASA employees who 

place private gain before public service, and Procurement Integrity Act violations. 

Finally, through its investiagations, the Office of Investigations seeks to prevent and deter misconduct at 

NASA through an aggressive "lessons learned" approach with NASA management. To this end, the 

OIG works with NASA officials to shore up vulnerabilities that may have allowed crimes or misconduct 

to occur within their programs and operations. 

IG-1
NASA Office of Inspector General FY 2012 Budget Request Summary 

FY 2012 Budget Request 

Ann CR.

FY 2011

Auth Act

Budget Authority ($ millions) FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request 

36.4 36.4 37.0 37.5 37.5 37.5 37.5 37.5

Inspector General 36.4 - - 37.5 37.5 37.5 37.5 37.5

NASA OIG submitted an original request of $40.8 million that included an over guide of $3.0 million. 

In accordance with Public Law 110-409, Inspector General Reform Act of 2008, the Inspector General certifies that the $0.4 

million for staff training in the budget request satisfies all known training requirements. We have no known funding requirement 

to support the Council of Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency for this budget request. 

Plans for FY 2012 

Inspector General 

− Major Changes: None 

Major Highlights for FY 2012 

OIG's FY 2012 request is broken out as follows: 

− $31.4 million (83.8 percent) of the proposed budget is dedicated to personnel and related costs. 

Salaries include the required additional 25 percent law enforcement availability pay for criminal 

investigators. 

 $1.2 million (3.2 percent) of the proposed budget is dedicated to travel, per diem at current rates, 

and related expenses. 

 $1.75 million (4.5 percent) of the proposed budget is dedicated to operational expenses and 

includes funding for training, government vehicles, special equipment for criminal investigators, 

employee transportation subsidies, and information technology equipment unique to the OIG. 

 $3.2 million (8.5 percent) of the proposed budget funds the Agency's annual financial audit. 

−

−

−

The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2010 (P.L. 111-117) funded NASA OIG at the President's Budget 

level, but changed funding availability from two years to one year. In FY 2012, the OIG requests a return 

to two-year funding to more efficiently plan for, execute, and control its budget. 

The FY 2012 budget estimate for the OIG totals $37.5 million: 

− Personnel and related costs $31.4 million 

 Travel $1.2 million 

 Operations and Equipment $4.9 million 

−

−

IG-2
NASA Office of Inspector General FY 2012 Budget Request Summary 

Performance Achievement Highlights 

In 2010, OA issued 32 audit reports, including reports assessing how well NASA had managed its 

Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System Program to accomplish its technical objectives while meeting 

established milestones and controlling costs, NASA’s implementation of recommendations to improve 

the medical and behavioral health care provided to the Astronaut Corps, and the performance of the 

private company NASA hired to provide reduced gravity flights for NASA research, engineering, and 

astronaut training. Other reports uncovered weaknesses in NASA’s disposition of information 

technology equipment related to the Space Shuttle Program and in NASA’s information technology 

security. In addition, after receiving disclaimers of opinion on its financial statements during the 

previous seven years, NASA received a qualified opinion on its FY 2010 financial statements. Over the 

past several years, NASA financial managers - working with the OIG and the independent accounting 

firm whose work the OIG oversees - made steady progress resolving previously identified weaknesses 

and their efforts resulted in the qualified opinion. 

In 2010, OI investigated and issued reports on two high-profile matters involving senior NASA 

managers. In the first of these matters, the OI reviewed NASA’s decision to remove the manager of 

NASA’s Constellation Program. The OIG found that the reassignment was a management decision 

made by the Associate Administrator for Exploration Systems with the concurrence of the NASA 

Administrator, and was taken in response to actions by the manager that led senior NASA leadership to 

believe he could no longer effectively lead the Constellation Program during a period when the 

President was seeking to cancel the Program in the face of significant congressional opposition. 

In the other matter, OI investigated allegations that NASA Administrator Charles F. Bolden, Jr. 

inappropriately consulted with Marathon Oil Corporation as he considered NASA’s involvement in an 

alternative fuel project. Bolden had served on Marathon's Board of Directors for six years prior to 

becoming Administrator and held more than $500,000 in Marathon stock when he contacted the 

company seeking information about the project. The OIG concluded that Bolden's contact with 

Marathon did not violate federal laws or ethics regulations pertaining to conflicts of interest but was not 

consistent with the ethics pledge he signed upon taking office. 

In the OIG's most recent semi-annual reporting period, OI investigations resulted in recoveries of more 

than $27.4 million through criminal, civil and administrative fines, restitution and other recoveries. Of 

this amount, $11.7 million was returned directly to NASA. 

In the safety area, a recent OIG investigation resulted in the conviction of a Space Shuttle parts 

supplier who attempted to substitute non-conforming parts into Space Shuttle Discovery's payload bay. 

According to experts, an in-flight failure of this non-conforming part would have significantly 

endangered the crew. In addition, OI has pursued and successfully convicted in both domestic and 

foreign forums individuals who have illegally intruded ("hacked") into NASA’s information systems. 

Many of these investigations are international in scope and involve suspects in Russia, China, Africa, 

Spain, Romania, Sweden, Portugal, and Italy. The schemes typically involve attempts to infiltrate 

NASA’s systems to commit criminal acts, ranging from pure hacking to attempts to obtain NASA 

program data and technology. 

IG-3
Supporting Data: Table of Contents 

SUPPORTING DATA TABLE OF CONTENTS

Funds Distribution by Installation SD-2 

 

Civil Service Full-Time Equivalent Distribution by Center SD-5 

Budget for FY 2012 by Object Class SD-6 

Status of Unobligated Funds SD-7 

Reimbursable Estimates SD-8 

Enhanced Use Leasing SD-9 

Budget for Microgravity Science SD-11 

Budget for Safety Oversight SD-13 

Budget for Public Relations SD-15 

Consulting Services SD-16

 

E-Gov Initiatives and Benefits SD-17 

SD-1
Supporting Data: Funds Distribution by Installation 

FUNDS DISTRIBUTION BY INSTALLATION

($ in Millions) FY 2012

Ames Research Center $754.6 

 Science

 Aeronautics Research

 Space Technology

 Exploration 

 Space Operations

 Education

 Cross-Agency Support

 Construction & Envrmtl Compl Restoration

Dryden Flight Research Center

 Science

 Aeronautics Research

 Space Technology

 Exploration 

 Space Operations

 Education

 Cross-Agency Support

 Construction & Envrmtl Compl Restoration

Glenn Research Center

$193.5 

$134.1

$105.0

$55.2 

$11.4 

$4.8 

$211.8

$38.7 

$283.8 

$69.5

$72.3

$29.7

$3.3

$0.4

$10.5

$76.0

$22.2

$809.2 

 Science

 Aeronautics Research

 Space Technology

 Exploration 

 Space Operations

 Education

 Cross-Agency Support

 Construction & Envrmtl Compl Restoration

Goddard Space Flight Center

 Science

 Aeronautics Research

 Space Technology

 Exploration 

 Space Operations

 Education

 Cross-Agency Support

 Construction & Envrmtl Compl Restoration

Jet Propulsion Laboratory

 Science

 Aeronautics Research

 Space Technology

 Exploration 

 Space Operations $166.4

 Education $1.5

 Cross-Agency Support $17.2

 Construction & Envrmtl Compl Restoration $52.9

$31.7

$144.3

$215.8

$99.7

$46.8

$12.2

$229.6

$29.1

$2,819.0

$2,100.9

$0.0

$55.8

$3.1

$128.2

$2.4

$468.4

$60.1 

$1,194.6 

$859.0

$0.0

$93.4

$4.3

SD-2
Supporting Data: Funds Distribution by Installation 

FUNDS DISTRIBUTION BY INSTALLATION (CONTINUED) 

($ in Millions) FY 2012

Johnson Space Center

 Science

 Aeronautics Research

 Space Technology

 Exploration 

 Space Operations

 Education

 Cross-Agency Support

 Construction & Envrmtl Compl Restoration

Kennedy Space Center

 Science

 Aeronautics Research

 Space Technology

 Exploration 

 Space Operations

 Education

 Cross-Agency Support

 Construction & Envrmtl Compl Restoration

Langley Research Center

 Science

 Aeronautics Research

 Space Technology

 Exploration 

 Space Operations

 Education

 Cross-Agency Support

 Construction & Envrmtl Compl Restoration

Marshall Space Flight Center

 Science

 Aeronautics Research

 Space Technology

 Exploration 

 Space Operations

 Education

 Cross-Agency Support

 Construction & Envrmtl Compl Restoration

$4,987.5

$25.1

$0.0

$53.6

$1,119.1

$3,268.3 

$8.9

$471.8

$40.6

$2,053.3

$280.6

$0.0

$28.7

$931.0 

$352.0

$4.0

$409.9

$47.1

$927.3 

$94.2

$180.9

$242.1

$39.1

$0.1

$10.9

$319.1

$40.8

$2,556.8

$130.6

$0.0

$163.8

$1,524.7 

$199.5 

$5.2

$472.7

$60.3

SD-3
Supporting Data: Funds Distribution by Installation 

FUNDS DISTRIBUTION BY INSTALLATION (CONTINUED) 

($ in Millions) FY 2012

NASA Headquarters and IG

 Science

 Aeronautics Research

 Space Technology

 Exploration

 Space Operations

 Education

 Cross-Agency Support

 Construction & Envrmtl Compl Restoration

 Inspector General

Stennis Space Center 

 Science

 Aeronautics Research

 Space Technology 

 Exploration 

 Space Operations

 Education

 Cross-Agency Support

 Construction & Envrmtl Compl Restoration

Total $18,724.3

$2,112.1

$1,229.7

$37.8

$25.8

$80.9

$141.6

$77.2

$456.5

$25.1

$37.5

$226.0 

$2.1

$0.0

$10.4

$88.1

$32.2

$0.7

$59.1

$33.5

Note: Totals may not add due to rounding 

 

SD-4
Supporting Data: Civil Service Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) Distribution by Center 

CIVIL SERVICE FULL TIME EQUIVALENT DISTRIBUTION BY CENTER

The workforce level proposed in the budget supports NASA’s traditional investments in space 

exploration, aeronautics research, space technology development, science investigation, and sharing 

the results of Agency activities with the public and educators. 

The Agency will apply its capabilities to the range of mission, research, and technology work while 

continuing to reshape and realign workforce skills to adjust to changing requirements. NASA anticipates 

offering buyouts in selected surplus skill areas, and is prepared to identify, recruit and retain employees 

who possess essential/critical skills and competencies. The workforce will continue to demonstrate the 

relevance if its work to society, apply itself to contemporary problems, lead or participate in emerging 

technology opportunities, and communicate the challenges and results of Agency programs and 

activities.

Average Agency full-time equivalent (FTE) levels are expected to decline by approximately 500 FTE 

over the period FY 2011 through FY 2016, stabilizing at just over 18,000 FTE. This ceiling decline 

addresses workforce at several Centers affected by changes in the human space flight portfolio, and it 

reflects the planned end of a temporary FTE increase in FY 2010 – FY 2011 that was granted to 

encourage early career hiring at Centers. 

1 Actuals FTE 

 FY10 FY11 FY12 FY13 

 

ARC 1,241 1,243 1,231 1,231

 

DFRC 552 559 555 551

 

GRC 1,629 1,662 1,652 1,642

 

GSFC 3,223 3,413 3,393 3,373

 

JSC 3,326 3,314 3,225 3,185

 

KSC 2,180 2,161 2,095 2,064

 

LaRC 1,921 1,946 1,927 1,927

 

MSFC 2,560 2,549 2,490 2,462

 

SSC 272 298 294 294

 

HQ 1,206 1,238 1,208 1,188

 

NSSC 130 146 146 146

 

TOTAL 18,240 18,529 18,216 18,063

 

OIG 194 213 213 213

2 Estimates

 FY14 FY15 FY16 

1,231 1,231 1,231

551 551 551

1,634 1,634 1,634

3,353 3,353 3,353

3,185 3,185 3,185

2,064 2,064 2,064

1,927 1,927 1,927

2,462 2,462 2,462

294 294 294

1,188 1,188 1,188

146 146 146

18,035 18,035 18,035

213 213 213

1

 Includes 307 student FTE 2Includes 285 student FTE each FY

SD-5
Supporting Data: Budget for FY 2012 by Object Class 

BUDGET FOR FY 2012 BY OBJECT CLASS CODE

The following tables reflect projections of obligations for FY 2012 based on prior year actual object 

class obligation experience. 

Note: 90 percent of the FY 2012 Office of the Inspector General (OIG) Budget will be obligated

 in the personnel compensation object class 

FY 2012 Total and Mission 

Directorate Estimates ($M)

NASA

SCIENCE

AERONAUTICS

SPACE 

TECHNOLOGY

EXPLORATION 

SYSTEMS

SPACE OPERATIONS

EDUCATION

CROSS AGENCY 

SUPPORT

CONSTRUCTION,

ENVIRONMENTAL

COMPLIANCE, and 

REMEDIATION

Personnel compensation

Full-time permanent $1,916 $216 141 $95 $242 $252 $6 $964 $0

Other than full-time permanent $144 $24 $15 $9 $24 $18 $0 $54 $0

Other personnel compensation $52 $1 $1 $1 $2 $2 $0 $45 $0

Special personal service 

payments $1 $0 $0 

$0

$0 $0 $0 $1 $0

Total Personnel compensation $2113 $241 $157 $105 $268 $272 $6 $1064 $0

Civilian personnel benefits $542 $63 $40 $28 $72 $71 $2 $266 $0

Benefits to former personnel $3 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $3 $0

Travel & transportation of 

persons $77 $13 $6 

$1

$15 $11 $0 $31 $0

Transportation of things $1145 $2 $0 $0 $1 $1139 $0 $3 $0

Rental payments to GSA $19 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $19 $0

Rental payments to others $10 $7 $0 $0 $0 $1 $0 $2 $0

Communications, utilities & 

misc charges $90 $4 $2 $2 $8 $17 $0 $57 $0

Printing and reproduction $7 $1 $0 $0 $0 $1 $0 $5 $0

Advisory and assistance 

services $802 $143 $12 

$65

$255 $82 $4 $184 

$57

Other services $783 $297 $22 $15 $58 $75 $4 $303 $9

Other purchases of goods & 

services from Gov accounts $311 $118 $5 $15 $59 $49 $0 $59 $6

Operation and maintenance of 

facilities $1627 $45 40 $49 $204 $925 $2 $273 $89

Research & development 

contracts $8838 $3329 $201 $669 $2789 $1488 $7 $311 $44

Medical care $5 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $5 $0

Operation and maintenance of 

equipment $750 $71 $11 $20 $79 $196 $3 $365 $5

Supplies and materials $137 $22 $31 $5 $18 $27 $1 $26 $7

Equipment $187 $72 $19 $5 $21 $11 $0 $59 $0

Land and structures $349 $12 $3 $3 $10 $15 $0 $74 $232

Grants, subsidies, and 

contributions $891 $566 $19 $22 $88 $3 $110 $83 $0

TOTAL DIRECT $18,686 $5006 $568 $1004 $3945 $4383 $139 $3192 $449

SD-6
Supporting Data: Status of Unobligated Funds 

STATUS OF UNOBLIGATED FUNDS

The figures below represent actual unobligated balances within NASA’s individual appropriation 

accounts as of September 30, 2010, and estimates for the disposition of those accounts at the future 

dates specified. 

FY 2009 – FY 2012 Appropriations ($ in millions)

Unobligated 

Balances 

Sept. 30, 2010

Estimated 

Unobligated 

Balances 

Sept. 30, 2011

Estimated 

Unobligated 

Balances 

Sept. 30, 2012

Science 59 89 100

Aeronautics 34 10 12

Space Technology 21

Exploration 144 75 78

Space Operations 103 123 87

Education 6 4 3

Cross-Agency Support 15

Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration 84 111 112

Science, Exploration, & Aeronautics* 5

Inspector General 2 1 1

Total NASA 452 413 414

SD-7
Supporting Data: Reimbursable Estimates 

REIMBURSABLE ESTIMATES

Reimbursable agreements are agreements for which 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 2011-2012 estimates are based on an annual survey of Centers’ 

anticipated reimbursable agreements.

Budget Authority ($ in millions) FY 2010 

Ann. CR

FY 20111

FY 2012

Estimate

Cross Agency Support 1,207.8 3,171.7 2,600.0

Office of Inspector General 0.8 1.3 1.3

Total 1,208.6 3,173.0 2,601.3

Note: 1

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111–242, as amended). The amounts included for FY 2011 reflect the annualized 

level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

 

SD-8
Supporting Data: Enhanced Use Leasing 

ENHANCED USE LEASING

In 2003, NASA was authorized by Congress to demonstrate the feasibility of enhanced leasing 

authority (EUL) and collections at Ames Research Center (ARC) and Kennedy Space Center (KSC). In 

2007 and in 2008, Congress amended the authority so that NASA may enter into EUL arrangements at 

all Centers after December 2008. 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 for use 

Agency-wide. These funds are in addition to annual appropriations are no FTEs are funded from EUL 

income. To support full annual oversight and review, the 2010 Consolidated Appropriations Act (P.L. 

111-117) contains a provision that requires NASA to submit in the annual budget justification an 

estimate of gross receipts, collections, and proposed use of all funds collected. The table below depicts 

the estimated FY 2012 EUL expenses and revenues. The amounts identified under Capital Asset 

Account Expenditures may be adjusted between projects listed, based on actual contract award.

FY2012 EUL Expenses and Revenues ($K)

Base Rent

Institutional Support Income

Total Rent Income

ARC

4,988.6

 1,832.9

KSC

41.4 

 15.0 

Agency Total

5,030.0 

 1,847.9

6,821.5 56.4 6,877.9

Institutional Support Costs (1,832.9) $ (15.0) (1,847.9)

Lease Management and Administration (742.0) - (742.0)

Tenant Building Maintenance and Repair

Total Cost Associated with Leases

Net Revenue from Lease Activity

Beginning Balance, Capital Asset Account

Net Revenue from Lease Activity

 - Planned Maintenance Various Buildings (ARC)

- Replace Roofs, Various Buildings (ARC)

- Install Fire Alarm Devices for Cafeteria Area, M7-0355 (KSC)

- Energy & Sustainability Upgrades, Various Buildings (Various Centers)

 (340.0) - (340.0)

 (2,914.9)

3,906.6 

 (15.0)

 41.4 

 (2,929.9)

 3,948.0 

246.7 

2,539.3 

 1,656.0

883.3

 11.8 

26.9 

38.7

1,381.8

1,381.8

258.5 

 3,948.0 

1,656.0

883.3

38.7

1,381.8

Center Capital Asset Account Expenditures

Capital Asset Account Ending Balance

Additional Reimbursable Demand Services Requested by Lessees (including 

overhead)

Cost to Fulfill Reimbursable Demand Services (including overhead)

Net activity due to Reimbursable Demand Services

In Kind

 2,539.3

246.7

38.7

0.0 

1,381,8

0.0

 3,959.8

246.7 

776.3

(776.3)

776.3 

 (776.3)

 - - - 

425.0 - 

 - 

425.0 

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 (i.e., 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 

SD-9
Supporting Data: Enhanced Use Leasing 

prior to January 1, 2009).

Reimbursable Demand Services - Services such as janitorial, communications, and maintenance 

that solely benefit the tenant and 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.

Overhead - General and administrative costs associated with management of the specified demand

services. 

SD-10
Supporting Data: Budget for Microgravity Science 

BUDGET FOR INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION RESEARCH

The Exploration Systems Mission Directorate (ESMD) and Space Operations Mission Directorate (SOMD) 

support research to take advantage of the unique environment of reduced gravity on International Space 

Station (ISS) in two broad categories – Exploration ISS Research and Non-Exploration ISS Research. 

Ann. CR

FY 20111 $ in millions FY 2010 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

Exploration ISS 

Research $183 $150 $151 $144 $143 $140 $143

Non- Exploration ISS 

Research $83 $74 $69 $69 $72 $79 $79

Total $266 $224 $220 $213 $215 $219 $223

% of Non-Exploration to 

Total 31% 33% 31% 32% 33% 36% 36%

Note: 1

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111–242, as amended). The amounts included for FY 2011 reflect the annualized 

level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

Non-Profit Organization

Having launched the U.S. and international partner elements, and established six-person crew 

capability, the ISS program focus is now primarily on research. During FY 2011, NASA will be 

awarding a cooperative agreement to an independent non-profit organization (NPO) with responsibility 

to further develop national uses of the ISS. The NPO will oversee all research involving organizations 

other than NASA, and transfer current NASA biological and physical research to the NPO in future 

years. Space Operations oversight of existing research projects will be phased out and NPO will coselect/manage new peer-reviewed projects. As on-going work within the NASA research project offices 

is completed in future years, extension/renewal decisions should be made by the NPO. 

Through the management partnership, research opportunities will be expanded to conduct research in 

life sciences, material sciences, biotechnologies, condensed matter physics and thermal sciences (e.g., 

fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, heat transfer and combustion). NASA will continue to support 

research to meet NASA requirements for exploration including astronaut health and serve as a test bed 

for the development and demonstration of technology for future space exploration missions.

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 will provide research results that reduce risks to crew health and 

performance that stem from prolonged exposure to reduced gravity, space radiation, and isolation 

during exploration missions. Risk mitigation will be achieved by conducting ISS research in human 

health countermeasures, space human factors and habitability, behavioral health and performance, and 

exploration medicine, tools, and technologies.

ISS Research will investigate 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 needed data that is useful in the future design of the 

following space technology areas: life support systems; propellant storage; power generation; thermal 

SD-11
Supporting Data: Budget for Microgravity Science 

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 all payload physical, analytical and operations integration activities; 

projecting available utilization resources and accommodations; tactical planning; and execution of the 

day-to-day ISS integrated research plan for all payloads, including NASA, international partners, and 

non-NASA users.

 

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. Additionally, this allocation allows basic ISS research in fields including, physiological 

research, basic fluid physics, combustion science, cellular biotechnology, low-temperature physics, 

cellular research, materials science, and plant research to be carried out to the maximum extent 

practicable. This research helps to sustain existing U.S. scientific expertise and capability in 

microgravity research. The Non-Exploration ISS Research line the above 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 will look for dark matter, anti-matter, and strange 

matter. 

 

SD-12
Supporting Data: Budget for Safety Oversight 

BUDGET FOR SAFETY OVERSIGHT

The following table provides the Safety and Mission Assurance (S&MA) budget estimates. This 

includes the Agency-wide safety oversight functions and estimates for project specific safety, reliability, 

maintainability and quality assurance elements embedded within individual projects.

B UDGET S U M M ARY F OR S A FETY OVER S I G H T

Ann. CR 

FY 20111 $ in Millions FY 2010 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

Total Safety 452.0 432.4 442.2 448.9 461.1 470.2 479.5

Agency-wide Safety Oversight 133.7 139.9 142.9 146.7 150.9 155.4 159.7

 Safety and Mission Assurance 51.3 49.0 49.5 49.9 50.5 51.2 51.8

 Institutional Operational Safety 30.8 38.9 39.7 40.7 42.0 43.3 44.5

 Technical Authority/S&MA Sup. 51.6 52.0 53.7 56.1 58.4 60.9 63.4

Program Specific 318.3 292.5 299.3 302.2 310.2 314.8 319.8

 Science 70.3 74.4 77.5 81.0 83.5 84.7 86.1

 Aeronautics 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1

 Space Technology 0.0 12.8 21.5 22.0 21.8 25.6 26.0

 Exploration 94.1 92.0 102.7 103.4 106.8 112.3 114.0

 Space Operations 153.8 113.2 97.5 95.7 98.0 92.1 93.6

Note: 1

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111–242, as amended). The amounts included for FY 2011 reflect the annualized 

level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

Definitions:

Agency-Wide Safety Oversight - Agency level programs and activities that support the overarching 

NASA Safety and Mission Success program.

Safety and Mission Assurance - The Safety and Mission Assurance program administers and refines 

policies, procedural requirements, and technical safety standards. The program participate in forums 

that provide advice to the Administrator, Mission Directorates, Center Directors, and program managers 

who are ultimately accountable for the safety and mission success of all NASA programs, projects, and 

operations. Specific program responsibility include, 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 

guidance from the Occupational and Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and NASA Procedural 

Requirements (NPR). Guidance includes OSHA Basic Program Elements for Federal Employee 

Occupational Safety and Health Programs and Related Matters (OSHA 29 CFR 1960), NASA Safety 

and Health Handbook Occupational Safety and Health Programs (NPR 8715.1), and NASA’s general 

safety program requirements (NPR 8715.3). The program includes multiple safety, training, awareness, 

prevention, and reporting initiatives, all in accordance with the regulations listed above. The 

SD-13
Supporting Data: Budget for Safety Oversight 

institutional operational safety program requires significant coordination at the federal, state, and local 

levels. 

 

S&MA Technical Authority and S&MA Support - The S&MA Technical Authority program includes 

travel and labor only for all S&MA supervisors, branch chiefs or above, and designated deputies. In 

addition, where the principal job function of a non-supervisory S&MA person consists of rendering 

authoritative decisions on S&MA requirements (i.e., matters relating 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 where 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, but 

does includes travel funds in direct support of these individuals when they conduct S&MA activities.

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; 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 S&MA elements of 

the project. This incorporates the design, development, review, and verification of practices and 

procedures and mission success criteria intended to assure that the delivered spacecraft, ground 

systems, mission operations, and payload(s) meet performance requirements and function for their 

intended lifetimes. This element excludes mission and product assurance efforts directed at partners 

and subcontractors (other than S&MA review/oversight), and the direct costs of environmental testing.

SD-14
Supporting Data: Budget for Public Relations 

BUDGET FOR PUBLIC RELATIONS BY CENTER

The NASA budget for Public Affairs is funded within Cross-Agency Support 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. The Headquarters budget is in 

the Agency Management and Operations account. 

These budgets include dissemination of information about NASA programs to the news media and the 

general public. Content includes support for public affairs/public relations, Center newsletters, internal 

communications, guest operations (including bus transportation), public inquiries, NASA TV, the NASA 

Web site, and other multimedia support.

Public Affairs funding by installation is shown below. 

Ann. CR

FY 20111 Center ($ in millions) FY 2010 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016

Ames Research Center 1.7 1.8 1.8 1.9 2.0 2.1 2.1

Dryden Flight Research Center 0.7 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.9 0.9 0.9

Glenn Research Center 3.0 2.9 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.4 3.5

Goddard Space Flight Center 4.4 4.8 5.0 5.2 5.4 5.7 6.0

Headquarters 13.6 14.4 13.5 14.4 14.7 15.1 15.5

Johnson Space Center 4.1 4.0 4.0 3.9 3.9 3.9 3.9

Kennedy Space Center 6.0 6.6 6.5 6.8 6.7 6.9 7.3

Langley Research Center 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.4 2.5 2.6

Marshall Space Flight Center 5.4 5.5 5.5 5.6 5.8 5.9 6.1

Stennis Space Center 2.1 2.1 1.9 1.9 2.0 2.0 2.1

Total 43.1 45.1 44.3 46.0 47.0 48.4 50.0

Note: 1

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111–242, as amended). The amounts included for FY 2011 reflect the annualized 

level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

SD-15
Supporting Data: Consulting Services 

SUMMARY OF CONSULTING SERVICES

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.

Expert/Consultants (Total NASA)

FY 2010

Ann. CR FY 

20111

FY 2012 

Estimate

Number of Paid Experts and Consultants

Annual FTE Usage

33

5 

33

5 

33

5 

Salaries

Total Salary and Benefits Costs

Travel Costs

$0.3

$0.4

$0.3

$0.3

$0.4

$0.3

$0.7

$0.3

$0.4

$0.3

$0.7 Total Costs $0.7

Note: 1

The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time the FY 2012 Request was prepared; therefore, NASA is 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111–242, as amended). The amounts included for FY 2011 reflect the annualized 

level provided by the Continuing Resolution.

 

Note: Definition of Consultants and Experts

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. 

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.

SD-16
Supporting Data: E-Gov Initiatives and Benefits 

E-GOV INITIATIVES AND BENEFITS

NASA is providing funding contributions in FY 2012 for each of the following E-Government initiatives:

2012 Contributions 

Initiative (Includes In Kind) 2012 Service Fees

E-Rulemaking 

026-00-01-99-04-0060-24 $42,021 

Grants.gov 

026-00-01-99-04-0160-24 $215,549 

E-Training

026-00-01-99-04-1217-24 $1,500,000 

Recruitment One-Stop 

026-00-01-99-04-1218-24 $107,323 

Enterprise HR Integration 

026-00-01-99-04-1219-24 $377,229 

E-Payroll 

026-00-01-99-04-1221-24 $4,105,200 

E-Travel 

026-00-01-99-04-0220-24 $1,236,635 

Integrated Acquisition Environment 

026-00-01-99-04-0230-24 $1,721,363 

Integrated Acquisition Environment - Loans and Grants 

026-00-01-99-04-4300-24 $68,403

Financial Management Lines of Business 

026-00-01-99-04-1100-24 $75,000 

Human Resources Management Lines of Business

026-00-01-99-04-1200-24 $65,217 

Grants Management Lines of Business 

026-00-01-99-04-1300-24 $59,316 

Geospatial Lines of Business 

026-00-01-99-04-3100-24 $15,000 

Budget Formulation and Execution Lines of Business

026-00-01-99-04-3200-24 $105,000 

NASA Total $535,082 $9,089,771

Note: Service fees are estimates as provided by the E-Government initiative managing partners

SD-17
Supporting Data: E-Gov Initiatives and Benefits 

The E-Government initiatives serve citizens, businesses, and Federal employees by delivering high 

quality services more efficiently and 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 through the use of 

these initiatives for NASA in FY 2012 include: 

E-Rulemaking (Managing Partner EPA) FY 2010 Benefits

NASA’s benefits for the E-Rulemaking initiative are largely focused on public benefits by providing 

“one-stop” access to NASA and other Federal agency information on rulemakings and non-rulemaking 

through the Regulations.gov Web site. 

In addition to the process benefits the E-Rulemaking solution offers, it is estimated to provide cost 

avoidance benefits over traditional baseline paper processes to a level of $30 million over five years. 

The electronic docket solution selected by E-Rulemaking governance bodies is a centralized 

architecture that is configurable for each participating entity allowing role-based access to develop 

workflow and collaboration processes to manage their content. This centrally managed solution is 

estimated to save a range of $106 – $129 million over five years as compared to other alternatives that 

seek the same benefits but are based on decentralized architectures. These figures were calculated in 

the summer of 2007 by an independent economist hired by the E-Rulemaking Program to develop a 

cost-benefit model.

NASA benefits in several ways through its participation and reliance on Federal Docket Management 

System (FDMS) and Regulations.gov. NASA improves the transparency of its rulemaking actions and 

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 specific individual online docket and public comment systems. Over a 

five-year period, NASA is estimated to save over $700 thousand over alternative options that would 

provide similar services.

Grants.gov (Managing Partner HHS) FY 2012 Benefits

The Grants.gov initiative benefits NASA and its grant programs by providing a single location to publish 

grant (i.e., funding) opportunities and application packages, making the process easier for applicants to 

apply to multiple agencies. In FY 2010, all 26 major Federal grant making agencies posted their 

synopses for discretionary funding opportunity announcements on Grants.gov.

The Grants.gov initiative benefits NASA and its grant programs by providing broader exposure to a 

wider community that could potentially apply for NASA funding and bring in new ideas, innovations, and 

solutions. 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 thereby giving them greater access to and 

ability in applying for Federal funding. Through the use of 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 through use of Grants.gov by increasing data accuracy and reducing 

processing cycle times.

E-Training (Managing Partner OPM) FY 2012 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 advanced the accomplishment of 

Agency missions through simplified and 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 educate the highly skilled professionals needed for a flexible and 

high-performing government workforce. 

SD-18
Supporting Data: E-Gov Initiatives and Benefits 

The E-Training initiative benefits NASA and the Federal workforce by reducing redundancies and 

achieving economies of scale in the purchase and/or development of E-learning content and in 

purchase of learning technology infrastructure. In 2006, NASA streamlined its three separate online 

training systems into one centralized, learning management system, SATERN, a one-stop approach 

offering Web-based access to training and career development resources. This centralized approach 

allows NASA to reduce and leverage training costs through the elimination of unique systems and 

standardization of training processes.

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. SATERN offers learners access to more than 2,000 online courses and 

10,000 online books and training videos. SATERN is available 24/7 and can be accessed from work or 

home.

Recruitment One-Stop (Managing Partner OPM) FY 2012 Benefits

USAJOBS simplifies the Federal job search process for job seekers and Federal agencies. The 

USAJOBS.gov Web site provides a single site where citizens can easily search for employment 

opportunities throughout the Federal Government. USAJOBS is a fully operational, state-of-the-art 

recruitment system that benefits both job seekers and employing 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;

A standardized online recruitment tool and associated services;

A standard application process; and

Intuitive job searches including e-mail notifications for jobs of interest.

•

•

•

•

USAJOBS enables NASA to better attract individuals who can help accomplish the Agency’s missions. 

The USAJOBS interface allows job seekers to view and apply for all NASA employment opportunities, 

as well as those from other Federal agencies. On average, USAJOBS.gov receives over 400,000 

visitors per day, supports submission of over 500,000 new resumes monthly, and serviced over 21 

million applications during FY 2010.

In 2005, NASA adopted the USAJOBS resume as the basic application document for all NASA hirings 

(except for Astronaut positions). To date, NASA has not identified any specific savings, either in terms 

of budgeted savings or cost avoidance. Although the Agency believes that implementation of a 

recruitment one-stop (ROS) 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. The 

intangible benefits ROS 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.

•

•

•

•

•

Enterprise HR Integration (Managing Partner OPM) FY 2012 Benefits

The Enterprise HR Integration (EHRI) program supports the strategic management of human capital by 

providing Agency customers with access to timely and accurate federal workforce data. EHRI has the 

SD-19
Supporting Data: E-Gov Initiatives and Benefits 

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 that 

is 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 some 

other Federal and local governments with a total user population of more than 1.9 million. The system 

will replace the existing manual HR 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 and 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 (NSSC).

E-Payroll (Managing Partner OPM) FY 2012 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. In 2004, the Department of Interior (DOI) began serving as NASA's payroll provider, using their 

system, the Federal Personnel and Payroll System (FPPS). FPPS processes NASA's HR and payroll 

transactions and supplies 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 and unified service delivery.

E-Travel (Managing Partner GSA) FY 2012 Benefits

The E-Gov Travel Service (ETS) is a Government-wide Web-based service that provides standardized 

travel management practices to consolidate federal travel, minimize cost, and produce superior 

customer satisfaction. ETS is commercially hosted to minimize technology development costs to the 

Government and guarantee refreshed functionality for basic travel services included in the master 

contract. From travel planning and authorization to the review and approval of post-travel 

reimbursement, this end-to-end service streamlines travel management and will enable the 

Government to capture real-time visibility into the buying choices of travelers and assist agencies in 

optimizing their travel budgets while saving taxpayers money.

The benefits of the ETS include: 

• Increased cost savings associated with overall reduction in Travel Management Center 

transaction service fees;

Improved strategic source pricing through cross-Government purchasing agreements; 

Improved business process functionality as a result of streamlined travel policies and 

processes;

•

•

SD-20
Supporting Data: E-Gov Initiatives and Benefits 

• Enhanced security and privacy controls for the protection of Government and personal data; 

and

• Improved agency oversight and audit capabilities. 

As ETS is a fully integrated, end-to-end travel solution, program cost avoidance is realized by a 

reduction of traveler and manager time for planning, arranging, authorizing, approving, and post-travel 

reimbursement processing. Travelers also benefit from increased efficiency in the end-to-end electronic 

solution as their reimbursements are expedited. Additional initiative savings are realized from the 

elimination of costly paper-based systems, the decommissioning of legacy travel systems, and the 

reduction of agency overhead by consolidating the number of travel contracts. 

In 2009, NASA completed migration of its travel services to HP Enterprise Services (formerly Electronic 

Data Systems Corporation), one of the three designated E-Travel service providers. Completing this 

migration has allowed NASA to provide more efficient and effective travel management services. NASA 

employees are also benefitting through more efficient travel planning, authorization, and reimbursement 

processes. Prior to ETS, the estimated overall Government-wide online adoption rate for travel 

reservations was approximately 6 percent. To date, in agencies using the ETS end-to-end, the online 

booking engine adoption rate is over 76 percent, resulting in dramatic cost savings as a result of 

lowering travel agent service fees. During FY 2010 the averaged online adoption rate for NASA was 63 

percent.

Integrated Acquisition Environment (Managing Partner GSA) FY 2012 Benefits

The Integrated Acquisition Environment (IAE) initiative is designed to streamline the process of 

reporting on subcontracting plans and to provide agencies with access to analytical data on 

subcontracting performance. Use of the IAE common functions and services allows agencies to focus 

on agency-specific needs such as strategy, operations, and management while leveraging shared 

services for common functions. 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 businesspartner 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 and Internal Revenue 

Service;

Identify excluded parties; and

Report contract awards. 

•

•

•

•

•

•

Business suppliers can:

• Search business opportunities by product, service, agency, or location;

SD-21
Supporting Data: E-Gov Initiatives and Benefits 

• 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.

•

•

•

•

Citizens can:

• Retrieve data on contract awards; 

Track Federal spending;

Search to find registered businesses; and

Monitor business opportunities.

•

•

•

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 were 

not allowed to use the 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. 

Integrated Acquisition Environment – Loans & Grants FY 2012 Benefits

All agencies participating in the posting and/or awarding of contracts, grants and loans are required by 

the reporting requirements of the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) of 

2006 and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) to disclose award information 

on a publicly accessible Web site. FFATA requires the Office of Management and Budget (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 agencies.

Based on the recommendations of the Transparency Act Taskforce, the Web site leverages 

functionality provided by the 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 and 

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 http://www.USASpending.gov to meet the FFATA statutory 

requirements. Since the 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. The USASpending.gov Web site complements others that provide the public with Federal 

program performance information (e.g., USA.gov, Results.gov, and ExpectMore.gov). 

The USASpending.gov Web site 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. 

•

•

•

•

In addition to routine enhancements to improve usability and maintainability, USASpending.gov is 

focused on supporting implementation of sub-contract and sub-grant awards reporting.

SD-22
Supporting Data: E-Gov Initiatives and Benefits 

All agencies participating in the posting and/or awarding of contracts, grants, and loans are required by 

the FFATA and ARRA reporting requirements to disclose award information on a publicly accessible 

Web site. Cross Government cooperation with OMB’s IAE initiative allows agencies and contributing 

bureaus (including the bureaus at departments) to meet the requirements of the FFATA by assigning a 

unique identifier, determining corporate hierarchy, and validating and cleaning up incorrect or 

incomplete data. FFATA enhances transparency of Federal program performance information and 

funding. 

The FY 2012 funding requirements, as it relates to the IAE loans and grants funding line, supports 

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 

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.

SD-23
Supporting Data: E-Gov Initiatives and Benefits 

LINE OF BUSINESS

Financial Management Lines of Business (LoB) FY 2012 Benefits (Managing Partners DOE and DOL)

The Financial Management Line of Business (FM LoB) leverages shared service solutions that improve 

the quality of Federal financial data and decrease known inefficiencies—and costs—that are typical of 

redundant financial management systems. FM LoB’s Shared Services Providers (SSPs) offer 

participating agencies the economies of scale and expertise in IT and financial reporting not always 

available within a single agency. An emphasis is being placed on greater standardization, transparency, 

and business process improvements as opposed to solely technology improvements.

The FM LoB initiative uses standard business practices and meets Federal accounting standards for 

financial reporting. This level of standardization across all Federal agencies would provide executive 

decision makers with accurate information from which to assess program performance and risks, 

evaluate costs, and improve stewardship across the Federal Government. 

Current OMB FM LoB policy requires agencies to conduct a competition among Federal and 

commercial SSPs before attempting to modernize financial systems. Commercial SSPs have not yet 

been designated to support the same range of services provided by Federal SSPs.

SSPs offer many benefits.

• Cost Avoidance:

o Agencies using SSPs will not have to configure, operate and maintain individual financial 

systems, whether customized or commercial off-the-shelf; 

Share common costs for standard application management and IT support functions; 

and

Minimize costs of testing and evaluation for upgrades.

o

o

• Facilitate Best Practices:

o Agency SSP customers leverage IT and financial processing expertise to provide shared 

services to multiple agencies, boards, and commissions;

Consistent and reliable financial data can be shared across agency business systems;

Standardized, Government-wide financial codes and categorizations of financial 

transactions improve financial reporting and accountability;

Increased efficiency of financial transactions is achieved through reengineered and 

stream-lined business processes; and

Minimization of risks associated with financial system implementation by providing a 

uniform starting point for configuration

o

o

o

o

In October 2009, FM LoB released the standard business processes for reporting and reimbursable 

management. FM LoB is creating tools that will offer agencies a boilerplate solicitation template and 

guidelines for completing a request for proposals or system migrations. FM LoB is also incorporating 

public feedback to draft core financial system requirements. Once the requirements have been 

updated, the certified core accounting software products will be implemented with a federal 

configuration to help agencies upgrade their existing financial management software or migrate to an 

SSP. 

NASA expressed an interest in becoming a SSP, but awaits OMB direction on the future direction of the 

FM LoB.

Human Resources Management LoB (Managing Partner OPM) FY 2012 Benefits

The 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 HR through the establishment of SSCs. Driven from a business perspective rather than a technology 

SD-24
Supporting Data: E-Gov Initiatives and Benefits 

focus, 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 HR 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 (NBC). Through this partnership, NASA shares and receives "best-in-class" 

HR solutions. NBC 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 NBC. NASA achieves the benefits of these best-in-class HR solutions 

through implementation and integration of NBC and NASA-developed HR solutions. NASA’s 

participation in HR LoB allows the Agency to participate in the implementation of modern HR solutions 

and benefit from best practices and Government-wide strategic HR management.

Grants Management LoB (Managing Partners HHS and NSF) FY 2012 Benefits

The Grants Management LoB (GM LoB) will ultimately offer the development of a Government-wide 

solution to support end-to-end grants management activities promoting citizen access, customer 

service, and financial and technical stewardship for the Agency. The end result is intended to be a 

Government-wide streamlined grant making process providing transparency and efficiency in the grant 

decision-making process. The benefits of GM LoB include increased service to citizens through 

standardized processes; cost savings for grant-making agencies through use of shared IT 

infrastructure; a reduction in the number of redundant grants management systems; and improved 

reporting on Government-wide grant activities and results. GM LoB adopted a “consortia-based” 

approach to implementation and developed a process for forming consortia and having agencies 

participate in consortia as members. 

In FY 2007, NASA signed a Memorandum of Understanding with its selected consortia partner, the 

National Science Foundation (NSF). In 2008, NASA implemented NSF’s new research-focused 

initiative, Research.gov, improving public access to detailed information about NASA research awards. 

Research.gov is a collaborative partnership of Federal research-oriented agencies working together for 

the ultimate benefit of the research community. The Research Spending and Results Service allows 

Congress, the general public, and the broader research community to easily search and find in one 

place the grant award information for NASA and NSF. For 2012 and beyond, NASA and NSF will 

continue to serve the research community and to provide access to information and services for both 

agencies in one location. NASA news and information is also now available in Research.gov's “Policy 

Library and Research Headlines” section. Moving forward, NASA will continue to collaborate with NSF 

to explore and implement future Research.gov service offerings based on NASA and research 

community needs. 

Geospatial LoB (Managing Partner DOL) FY 2012 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 

SD-25
Supporting Data: E-Gov Initiatives and Benefits 

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.

•

•

•

•

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 & Execution LOB (Managing Partner Education) FY 2012 Benefits

The Budget Formulation and Execution LoB (BFELoB) provides 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, NASA is 

looking into some of the BFELoB components, such as MAX Collect and Analytics, to complement its 

current budgeting tools.

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), supporting workgroups, submitting central 

reports, and much more. NASA currently has well over 900 users that are registered and eligible to take 

advantage of the MAX Federal Community. During FY 2010 year-end planning, NASA made extensive 

use of the MAX Wiki capability to facilitate work group collaborations and document reviews. 

The BFELoB released MAX Collect to facilitate the rapid collection and reporting of agency information. 

In November 2010, NASA successfully completed its first Agency-wide MAX Collect exercise. Among 

the benefits NASA realized by using MAX Collect’s data collection capabilities were reduced errors, and 

reduced time spent manually consolidating and publishing data. NASA also benefited from using MAX 

Collect and its publishing capabilities to collect, store, process, and publish information from multiple 

sources in an extremely efficient and effective manner, producing professional quality output. To 

enhance future decision-making within its organization, NASA can benefit from using MAX Analytics’ 

data visualization tools.

In October 2009, the Budgeting Capabilities Self Assessment Tool was published, providing agency 

budget managers and their staff with a simple survey-like method to assess and gain perspective on 

how their current operations and processes compare against best practices in a broad range of 

budgeting capability categories. This allows managers to strategically focus improvement efforts on 

SD-26
Supporting Data: E-Gov Initiatives and Benefits 

areas of highest value to their particular organization's activities. NASA will explore use of this tool to 

assess organizational practices and develop strategic plans to address areas of need.

BFELoB’s Human Capital Federal Budget Core Competency Framework is a resource for NASA to use 

in their internal workforce planning initiatives in 2011/2012. BFELoB is working toward adding 

proficiency levels to each core competency as well as aligning training with competencies and 

proficiencies to assist budget professionals in determining a training roadmap for development. During 

FY 2010, BFELoB released a self-paced budget formulation video training course to users of the MAX 

Community. In addition, the BFELoB human capital working group offers multiple technical and 

developmental training opportunities throughout the year. NASA staff have benefitted substantially from 

these BFELoB sponsored training opportunities, as well as through participation in BFELoB working 

groups.

SD-27
Management and Performance

Overview

The Management and Performance section provides a comprehensive record of the past and planned 

performance for NASA's programs and projects. This section includes: 

− Progress on NASA's performance improvement initiatives including discussion of the High 

Priority Performance Goals; 

− 2011 Major Program Annual Report (MPAR) Summary of the cost and schedule performance of 

NASA's projects with estimated life cycle cost above $250 million, including project 

baselines/cost estimates and confidence levels for each of these projects, and Corrective Action 

Plan Status Reports (for selected projects as required by section 1203 of the NASA 

Authorization Act of 2010); and 

− FY 2011 and FY 2012 Performance Plans based on Congressional budget action. 

NASA's planning and performance management processes are an essential part of the Agency's 

governance and strategic management system. The Agency has an integrated system to: plan strategy 

and implementation; monitor, assess, and evaluate performance toward commitments; identify issues; 

gauge programmatic and organizational health; and provide appropriate data and information to NASA 

decision makers.

Through its strategic management system, NASA: identifies the Agency's long-term Strategic Goals, 

multi-year outcomes, and other key performance measures; develops and implements plans to achieve 

these goals; and continuously measures the Agency's progress toward these goals. NASA managers 

use performance results as a basis for key investment decisions, and NASA performance data provides 

a foundation for both programmatic and institutional decision-making processes.

NASA's planning and performance management processes provide data to Agency management via: 

ongoing monthly and quarterly analysis and reviews; annual assessments in support of budget 

formulation (for budget guidance and issue identification, analysis, and disposition); annual reporting of 

performance, management issues, and financial position; periodic, in-depth program or special purpose 

assessments; and recurring or special assessment reports to internal and external organizations.

NASA's performance system is designed to align with the Agency's internally and externally imposed 

performance measurement and reporting requirements, tools, and practices, including the Government 

Performance and Results Act and Executive Order 13450, “Improving Government Program 

Performance”. Examples of recent activities are provided in the Performance Improvement narrative 

that follows.

This section includes the FY 2011 and FY 2012 performance commitments, NASA’s target results for 

the requested resources. The annual performance plans reflect the updated alignment of performance 

commitments with the Agency’s 2011 Strategic Plan. This section also includes a summary and 

crosswalk of NASA’s new performance management framework as defined in the latest Strategic Plan. 

Each performance plan consists of measureable long-term outcomes, near-term objectives, and annual 

performance goals. The updated performance management framework helps NASA better measure its 

progress toward achieving the strategic goals for exploration, science, and technology development. 

NASA uses internal and external assessments to rate progress toward the measures.

NASA continues to use independent program assessments, which are listed in the theme and program 

sections of this document, and commits to improvement actions in response to the findings.

MP-1
Management and Performance

NASA strives to find new ways to use performance information to support decisions concerning 

strategy and budget. A continued focus for NASA in FY 2011 is to improve the metrics and analysis 

processes for life cycle cost and schedule performance monitoring and reporting. The Major Program 

Annual Report discussed in this section is one of the reporting tools used to determine how NASA 

performs this task.

Performance Improvement 

NASA's missions demand high levels of performance from our diverse workforce, whose knowledge, 

skills, and dedication are the backbone of our achievements. NASA has aligned the Agency's 

performance systems, organizational structure, policies, and processes to ensure programmatic 

content, institutional capabilities, and other resources are focused on successfully completing the 

programs and projects tied to our Strategic Goals. The Agency governance councils have joint 

responsibility for sustaining this alignment through a set of clear, transparent, and repeatable processes 

that flow to all organizational elements and levels within the Agency. Aligning the entirety of NASA with 

our Strategic Goals is essential for organizational effectiveness and efficiency. NASA communicates 

priorities and directions for all components of the Agency through a planning and decision process 

based on prior year performance and future year objectives. This annual guidance is the benchmark for 

other processes, including feedback on internal control needs, risk concerns, and safety and mission 

assurance issues that ripple through our programmatic and institutional framework, ultimately 

influencing the allocation of resources for each budget year.

The Agency continues to find value in and improve upon its monthly forum, the Baseline Performance 

Review. As an integrated review of institutional and program activities, interrelated issues that impact 

performance and program risk are highlighted and actions are assigned for resolution. The Baseline 

Performance Review forum fosters communication across organizational boundaries to address mutual 

concerns and interests.

In FY 2011, NASA is participating in an Administration pilot program for impact evaluations. NASA is 

participating as a way of assessing programs in NASA’s portfolio that do not fall within the space flight 

program management process, and tobuild additional internal capability for this type of assessment. 

The intent of this pilot is to compare the change in decision-making performance by partner 

organizations, primarily through a value-of-information or cost-benefit approach. Two key questions in 

this pilot evaluation are: What is the type and extent of socioeconomic benefits attributable to 

applications of NASA Earth science? Is the program’s underlying systems-engineering model effective 

at demonstrating relevance of NASA Earth science data for societal benefits? 

NASA selected the Applied Sciences program as its pilot, which has conducted analyses of two 

projects during FY 2010 (for the Malaria Early Warning System, and the U.S. Forest Service's BlueSky 

Smoke Forecasting System). Several techniques were used to attempt to quantify the socioeconomic 

benefits and impacts of the projects. Information about the two FY 2010 impact assessments and 

projects scheduled for FY 2011 assessment, will be posted to the Applied Sciences program Web site 

when available.

In FY 2011, NASA began reporting its Corrective Action Plan Status Report in response to section 1203 

of the NASA Authorization Act of 2010 (P.L. 111-267; 42 U.S.C. 18442). The report’s focus is on two 

key areas: 1) status of significant progress NASA made on transforming program/project management, 

acquisition strategies and procurements; and 2) specific action plans for projects exceeding cost and 

schedule thresholds as defined in the requirement. 

MP-2
Management and Performance

In FY 2011 and FY 2012, NASA will continue to examine its policies and processes to enhance its 

performance management system and use of performance information in planning and decision 

making.

High Priority Performance Goals (HPPGs)

In FY 2010, NASA began tracking its High Priority Performance Goals (HPPGs) developed in response 

to a White House initiative for building a high-performing government. NASA has identified five HPPGs 

with specific action plans and quarterly milestones. NASA expects to set a new education-related 

HPPG in the future, reflecting Administration interest in cross-agency educational priority goals that 

foster increased horizontal collaboration. The HPPGs are linked to NASA’s Performance Plan and are 

included in the Annual Performance Plan. NASA’s current HPPGs are listed on the new Web site 

http://www.performance.gov and are as follows: 

1. Research and develop new technologies to increase the flexibility and efficiency of the Nation’s 

air traffic system; 

2. Study Earth from space to understand climate change, weather, and human impact on our 

planet; 

3. Conserve valuable natural resources by reducing NASA’s energy and water use; 

4. Safely fly out the Space Shuttle manifest and retire the fleet; and 

5. Establish an independent organization to enhance the utilization of the International Space 

Station as a National Laboratory.

MP-3
Management and Performance 

2011 Major Program Annual Report Summary 

The 2011 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 2011 MPAR consists of this 

summary and FY 2012 Budget Estimates MPAR Projects in Development for the sixteen projects 

included in this year's report. The latter documents constitute each project’s annual report, or baseline 

report, if this is the first year for which it is in reporting. This summary also includes the confidence level 

information as requested in the Conference Report accompanying the FY 2010 Consolidated 

Appropriations Act (P.L. 111-117). 

Table 1 provides cost, schedule, and confidence level information for NASA projects currently in 

development with life cycle cost estimates of $250 million or more. 

Changes in MPAR Composition since the 2011 NASA Budget Estimates 

One project, the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) mission is no longer included in this report. SDO 

successfully launched in February 2010 and is operational. 

Three major projects with estimated life cycle costs greater than $250 million received authority to 

proceed into development since the 2010 MPAR was prepared for the 2011 NASA Budget Estimates. 

These projects have a baseline shown in this report: 

 Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE); 

 Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN); and 

 Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 (OCO-2). 

 

Four major projects had no cost or schedule growth: 

 Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL); 

 Juno mission; 

 Magnetospheric Multiscale mission (MMS); and 

 Radiation Belt Storm Probes (RBSP); 

One project James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has reported that the baseline development cost 

and launch readiness date will be exceeded by more than 15 percent and 6 months. 

Updated cost and schedule estimates are provided for eight projects baselined in previous MPAR 

reports: 

 Aquarius mission; 

 Glory mission; 

 Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM); 

 Landsat Data Continuity Mission (LDCM); 

 Mars Science Laboratory (MSL); 

MP-4
Management and Performance 

 National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) Preparatory 

Project (NPP); 

 Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA); and 

 Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) K&L 

The Glory project baseline has been re-established, as required by the Authorization Act when the 

development cost estimate for a project exceeds 30% of its original baseline. This new baseline reflects 

previously-reported cost and schedule growth due to the change of the baseline spacecraft payload 

computer for Glory--from the Maxwell SCS750 single board computer to the BAE Rad750 single board 

computer. 

Changes in Cost and Schedule Estimates from the 2010 MPAR

Two projects exceeded a cost or schedule threshold since the 2010 MPAR: 

 JWST cost and schedule have grown since the baseline in 2009. The cost and schedule are 

under assessment at this time. 

 The NPP schedule has grown by 41 months and development costs have grown by 32 percent 

since the project was baselined in 2006. The NASA-developed spacecraft has been completed 

since 2005; and the NASA-developed Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder (ATMS) and 

the Clouds and the Earth’s Radiant Energy System (CERES) sensors have been complete and 

integrated onto the spacecraft since 2005 and 2008, respectively. NASA has delayed the launch 

of NPP to October 2011 to accommodate late delivery of the NPOESS Integrated Program 

Office supplied Cross-track Infrared Sounder (CrIS). 

The Agency is completing the report required under the Act providing additional information on growth 

of the JWST mission, which includes the reasons for these changes in cost and schedule, alternatives 

assessed by the Agency, and the selected actions. 

Confidence Levels 

NASA utilizes a confidence level approach to budgeting. This approach incorporates program and 

project risks directly into cost and budget estimates and, as such, is suited to NASA’s complex, highrisk portfolio. This approach affords project managers the necessary flexibility to pro-actively manage 

and mitigate the large technical and other risks associated with NASA’s missions. The likelihood of 

meeting any given estimate is referred to as the confidence level (CL). Implementation of this approach 

varies depending on the type of program, as described below. NASA has included the confidence level 

in Table 1 below, where applicable. NASA distinguishes between Space Flight and Ground System 

projects in development; projects in operations, and Research and Technology projects. All of the 

projects that are currently subject to MPAR reporting fall within the Space Flight category. 

NASA’s acquisition strategy policy (NPD 1000.5) requires space flight projects and programs to 

develop probabilistic cost estimates for space flight projects in development, which incorporate the 

likely cost impacts of project risks. NASA targets a confidence level of about 70 percent for most of its 

projects and programs. 

NASA is transitioning its probabilistic cost estimation from “cost risk only” to a joint cost and schedule 

approach designed to increase the likelihood of project success at the specified funding level. The 

application of the joint cost and schedule confidence level (JCL) approach will increase insight into risks 

and associated contingencies within a project’s integrated technical, cost, schedule, and phasing plan. 

MP-5
Management and Performance 

NASA started developing estimates using the JCL technique during 2010. Because this approach 

requires the employment of new tools and techniques, and is performed during key decision points, full 

implementation will take some time to deploy. Many projects whose key decision points took place 

earlier before 2010 had baselines established under cost estimating policies that preceded JCL. 

 

MP-6
Management and Performance 

Table 1: MPAR Summary and Confidence Levels 

Project 

Base 

Year 

Confidence 

Level1

Development 

Cost Est. ($M) Cost 

Change 

(%) 

Key 

Mile-2 stone 

Key Milestone Schedule 

Change 

(months) 

Cost 

Change 

> 15%3

Schedule 

Change 3 > 6 Mo 

Factors Contributing to 

Breaches since 2010 MPAR 

Base 2011 Base 2010 Internal External 

Aquarius 2007 75%5 $193 $227 18 LRD Jul-09 Jun-11 23 X X 

Glory 2011 N/A 6 $338 $338 0 LRD Feb-11 Feb-11 0 

GPM 2010 70% 7 $555 $515 -7 LRD Jul-13 Jul-13 0 

GRAIL 2009 70% $427 $427 0 LRD Sep-11 Sep-11 0 

Juno 2009 70% $742 $742 0 LRD Aug-11 Aug-11 0 

JWST 2009 JCL inprocess 

$2,581 TBD TBD LRD Jun-14 TBD TBD X X Cost and 

schedule are 

under assessment at this 

time. 

LADEE 2011 70% 

(JCL) 

$168 $168 0 LRD Nov-13 Nov-13 0 

LDCM4 2010 70% 

(JCL) 

$583 $588 1 LRD Jun-13 Jun-13 0 

MAVEN 2011 70% 

(JCL) 8

$567 $567 0 LRD Nov-13 Nov-13 0 

MMS4 2010 70% 

(JCL) 

$857 $857 0 LRD Mar-15 Mar-15 0 

MSL 2010 70% 

(JCL) 

$1,720 $1,802 5 LRD Nov-11 Nov-11 0 

NPP 2006 N/A9 $593 $780 32 LRD Apr-08 Oct-11 42 X X Late delivery of 

the NPOESS IPOsupplied 

instrument 

OCO-2 2011 70% 

(JCL) 10

$249 $249 0 LRD Feb-13 Feb-13 

RBSP 2009 70% $534 $534 0 LRD May-12 May-12 0 

SOFIA 2007 70% 

(JCL) 

$920 $1,128 23 FOC Dec-13 Dec-14 12 X X 

TDRSK,L4

2010 75% $209 $192 -8 LRD K Dec-12 

L Dec-13 

K Dec-12 

L Dec-13 

0 

1

The confidence level estimates reported here 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. For example, levels provided in Table 1 

for three projects (LDCM, MMS, MSL, and SOFIA) represent a JCL. JWST has a JCL in progress. Estimates that include combined 

cost and schedule risks are denoted as JCL estimates; all other CLs reflect cost confidence without necessarily factoring the potential 

impacts of schedule changes on cost. Reported estimates can range up to 80 percent, based on techniques currently available. 

2

Key Milestone LRD = Launch Readiness Date; and FOC = Full Operational Capability. 

3

Bolded “X” indicates new changes compared to 2010 MPAR. 

4

The confidence level estimate addresses the full partnership; the development cost reflects the NASA portion of project costs. 

5

CL estimate reflects NASA portion of project; the cost increases reflected here represent the impact of partnership delays. 

6

A confidence level for the re7

 Global Precipitation Measurement The 70% confidence level is based on analysis done by the Standing Review Board (SRB). 

NASA has required the project to generate a JCL and have it evaluated by the SRB. This has been done, but the results were not 

available as of this writing 

8

JCL included schedule risk of launch vehicle but used the HQ-provided LV cost as a pass-through number per agreement with 

Standing Review Board (SRB).

9

Pre-dates use of probabilistic analysis. 

10JCL was performed for Phases C&D, excluding project managed unallocated future expenses, JPL fees, launch services, and lowlevel fixed cost activities at GSFC. 

MP-7
Management and Performance 

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Astrophysics 

Program: Cosmic Origins 

MPAR Project In 

Development: SOFIA

2011 MPAR Project Cost Estimate 

Budget Authority 

($ millions) Prior FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016 BTC LCC TOTAL

FY 2012 President's Budget Request 737.5 73.6 - 71.4 73.3 77.2 77.4 75.0 - -

FY 2011 Costs 79.9

CSLE 12.8 12.2 10.8 10.6 11.0 210.4

Administrative Labor Adjustments 1.3

2011 MPAR Project Cost Estimate 737.5 74.9 79.9 84.2 85.5 88.0 88.0 86.0 1679.0 3002.9

Formulation 35 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 35.0

Development 702.5 74.9 79.9 84.2 85.5 88.0 13.5 0.0 0.0 1128.4

Operations 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 74.5 86.0 1679 1839.5

Note: 











Space flight projects, per NASA’s policy, are baselined and then budgeted to a confidence level of 70%. This confidence 

level is reflected in the project’s estimated Life Cycle Cost Estimate (LCCE) at key decision point C. . 

The row titled “FY 2012 President’s Budget Request” is the equivalent of the same row in the Project in Development pages 

The row titled “FY 2011 Costs” is the project’s cost estimate for that year based on the 2010 Authorization Act as a guide for 

planning purposes. The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was 

prepared; therefore, NASA is operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). 

The row titled “CSLE” reflects the civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) in FY 2012 and beyond. CSLE funds are 

administered within a single consolidated account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project’s FY 

2012 President’s Budget Request amounts. CSLE funds are included in the projects’ cost estimates (a full cost view). 

The row titled “Administrative Labor Adjustments” represents administrative costs in FY 2010 that transferred out of the 

project budget lines into the Center Management and Operations account. Administrative labor was defined as all civil 

servants not classified as scientists, engineers, mathematicians, medical, or quality assurance. These costs are included in 

the project LCCE.

Explanation of Project Changes 

Additional funds were added to the development budget to preserve the new instrument selection 

schedule and science hours and to fund risk reduction activities. The operations budget was decreased 

due to risk reduction activities previously planned for operations being moved into development. The 

SOFIA milestone Full Operational Capability FOC has been redefined as the capability to provide full 

science operational capability with four available instruments. Outyear budgets reflect NASA's intention 

to increase the efficiency of the science operations after FOC has been achieved. 

MP-8
Management and Performance 

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Astrophysics 

Program: Cosmic Origins 

 

MPAR Project In 

Development: SOFIA 

Project Purpose 

NASA is developing SOFIA as a world-class airborne observatory that will complement the Hubble, 

Spitzer, Herschel and James Webb space telescopes, and major Earth-based telescopes. SOFIA 

features a German-built 2.5-meter (100-inch) diameter far-infrared telescope weighing 20 tons, and 

mounted in the rear fuselage of a highly modified Boeing 747SP aircraft. 

The SOFIA mission will study many different kinds of astronomical objects and phenomena, including: 

star birth and death, formation of new solar systems, identification of complex molecules in space, 

planets, comets and asteroids in this solar system, nebulae and dust in galaxies (i.e., ecosystems of 

galaxies), and black holes at the center of galaxies. The infrared light of these objects is only partially 

visible from the ground due to water vapor in Earth's atmosphere. However, at high altitudes, the 

influence of water vapor is negligible, allowing better observation of these astronomical objects. 

SOFIA'S reflecting telescope provides astronomers with access to the visible, infrared and submillimeter spectrum, with optimized performance in the mid-infrared to sub-millimeter range. During its 

20-year expected lifetime, SOFIA will be capable of enabling "Great Observatory" class astronomical 

science. 

SOFIA will be NASA's only far-infrared mission, as Spitzer cryogens have been depleted and 

Herschel's cryogens will be exhausted by 2013. It is the only mid-infrared mission until JWST becomes 

operational. SOFIA's ability to reconfigure and flexibility ensures the integration of cutting-edge 

technology and the ability to address emerging scientific questions. For more information, please see 

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/SOFIA/index.html. 

Project Parameters 

SOFIA was designed as a highly modified Boeing 747SP aircraft with a large open-port cavity aft of the 

wings, housing a 2.5-meter telescope optimized for infrared and sub-millimeter wavelength astronomy. 

SOFIA will operate in flight at 41,000 feet, and at FOC will have four instruments, with additional 

instruments available after FOC. SOFIA will ramp up to 960 science hours per year, and flights will last 

six to eight hours on average. 

Germany has provided the telescope assembly and assists with mission operations. NASA has 

provided, refurbished, and modified the airplane, and provides the Science Operations Center. 

The U.S.-developed instruments include High-speed Imaging Photometer for Occultation (HIPO), First 

Light Infrared Test Experiment CAMera (FLITECAM), Faint Object InfrRed CAmera for the SOFIA 

Telescope (FORCAST), Echelon-Cross-Echelle Spectrograph (EXES), and High-resolution Airborne 

Wideband Camera (HAWC). The two German instruments are the German Receiver for Astronomy at 

Terahetz Frequencies (GREAT) and Field Imaging Far-Infrared Line Spectrometer (FIFI LS). 

Technology investments for possible future SOFIA instrumentation are made through the Cosmic 

Origins Supporting Research and Technology program. 

MP-9
Management and Performance 

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Astrophysics 

Program: Cosmic Origins 

 

MPAR Project In 

Development: SOFIA 

Project Commitments 

SOFIA initiated science observations in December 2011 with the FORCAST instrument. Designed to 

work for 20 years, SOFIA will reach FOC as an airborne observatory in December 2014. 

Project Element Provider Description FY 2011 PB 

Request 

FY 2012 PB 

Request 

Platform DFRC/L3/MPC

Refurbished Boeing 747SP 

modified to accommodate 

telescope 

Same Same 

Science Operations 

Center ARC/USRA 

Science Operations Center 

will schedule observations, 

and manage data 

acquisition and processing 

Same Same 

Telescope Germany (DLR) 2.5m diameter, dual mirror Same Same 

Flight Operations DFRC/CSC DyneCorp Flight crew, maintenance, 

and fuel Same Same 

HIPO Lo well Observatory 

Simultaneous high-speed 

time-resolved imaging 

photometry at two optical 

wavelengths 

Same Same 

FLITECAM UCLA

Large field-of-view, narrowand broad-band 

photometric imaging and 

low-resolution spectroscopy 

from 1 to 5.5 μm 

Same Same 

FORCAST Corn ell University 

Large field-of-view, narrowand broad-band 

photometric imaging and 

moderate-resolution 

spectroscopy from 4 to 42 

μm 

Same Same 

EXES ARC 

Echelon Spectrometer, 5-

28 microns R=105, 104, or 

3000 

Same Same 

HAWC Univers ity of Chicago Far-Infrared Bolometer 

Camera, 50-240 microns Same Same 

GREAT Germany (DLR) 

Infrared heterodyne 

spectrometer, 60-200 

microns 

Same Same 

FIFI LS Germany (DLR) Imaging spectrometer, 42-

210 microns Same Same 

MP-10
Management and Performance

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Astrophysics 

Program: Cosmic Origins

 

 

MPAR Project In 

Development: SOFIA 

Schedule Commitments

The development and test plan has been modified to enable earlier science observations by the 

science community, making it concurrent with the late phases of aircraft flight testing. Initial science 

observations with a subset of science instruments began in December 2011. Completion of the 

remaining science instruments and refinement of telescope performance will enable FOC in December 

2014. 

Milestone Name Confirmation 

Baseline

FY 2011 PB 

Request

FY 2012 PB 

Request

Development

First Flight 2000 2007 2007

First Science (Early Science) N/A 2010 2011

FOC N/A 2014 2014

Development Cost and Schedule Summary

Project Base 

Year

Base Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate 

($M)

Current 

Year

Current 

Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate 

($M)

Cost 

Change 

(%)

Key 

Milestone

Base Year 

Milestone 

Date

Current 

Year 

Milestone 

Date

Milestone 

Change 

(months)

Stratospheric 

Observatory for 

Infrared Astronomy 

(SOFIA)

2007 919.5 2011 $1,128.4 23 FOC 12/2013 12/2014 12

Development Cost Details

Element

Base Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate ($M)

Current Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate ($M)

Delta

Total: 919.5 1,128.4 208.9

Aircraft/Spacecraft 657.7 762.0 104.3

Other Costs 62.2 139.9 77.5

Science/Technology 199.6 226.5 26.9

Project Management

The overall SOFIA project and SOFIA airborne system are managed by Dryden Flight Research Center 

(DFRC). SOFIA science is managed by Ames Research Center (ARC).

MP-11
Management and Performance 

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Astrophysics 

Program: Cosmic Origins 

 

 

 

MPAR Project In 

Development: SOFIA 

Project Element Project Management 

Responsibility NASA Center Performers Cost-Sharing Partners 

Platform DFRC DFRC Germany - DLR/DSI 

Science ARC None Germany - DLR/DSI 

Mission Operations and 

Data Analysis ARC None Germany - DLR/DSI 

Instruments ARC None Germany - DLR/DSI 

Acquisition Strategy 

DFRC manages the program and the platform project (airframe and telescope). DFRC is working with 

L-3 Communications (Waco, Texas), and MPC Products Corporation (Skokie, Illinois) to support the 

completion of the development, integration, and test of the airborne platform system. L-3 modified the 

Boeing 747SP aircraft to install the telescope provided by Germany (DLR/DSI). MPC is developing the 

telescope cavity door drive system. DFRC is also working with CSC DynCorp (El Segundo, California) 

to provide aircraft maintenance support. 

ARC manages the science project. ARC is working with University Space Research Association 

(USRA) (Columbia, Maryland) for the SOFIA science planning, ground science facilities, science 

instrument and technology development, and education and public outreach. 

Second generation and later instruments will be solicited through an open competition using a NASA 

Announcement of Opportunity. 

Independent Reviews 

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review 

Performance Standing 

Review Board 4/2010 

Early science project review. The board 

determined that plan for early science had 

merit. 

4/2012 

Project Risk Management 

Title Risk Statement Risk Management Approach and Plan 

Loss of science community 

and DLR support due to late 

science 

Loss of science community 

support due to delays in 

science continues to be a 

concern. 

Report program accomplishments as they occur to keep the 

science community engaged and supportive. Reaction to 

recent program successes, including the first light 

accomplishment, has been very positive. 

MP-12
Management and Performance 

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Astrophysics 

Program: Cosmic Origins 

 

MPAR Project In 

Development: SOFIA 

Corrective Action Plan (as submitted in Report on Program and Cost Assessment January 11, 

2011 – as required under 1203) 

Project Description: The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) is an airborne 

observatory that will study the universe in the infrared (IR) spectrum. These IR observations allow 

scientists to study the dust between stars, the formation of stars and new solar systems, the chemistry 

of the universe, and the deep universe where the most distance galaxies are seen in IR light. SOFIA 

will host a complement of scientists, computer engineers, graduate students, and educators on nightlong research missions. SOFIA will be a major factor in the development of observational techniques 

and of new instrumentation and in the education of young scientists and teachers in the discipline of IR 

astronomy. 

NASA and the Deutches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR), Germany’s Aerospace Research 

Center and Space Agency, are working together to construct SOFIA, a Boeing 747SP aircraft which 

was modified by L-3 Communications Integrated Systems to accommodate a 2.5 meter reflecting 

telescope. SOFIA will be the largest airborne observatory in the world and will make observations that 

are impossible for even the largest and highest of ground-based telescopes. SOFIA will operate at 

41,000 feet using U.S. and German instruments and flights will last, on average, 6 to 8 hours. 

MP-13
Management and Performance 

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Astrophysics 

Program: Cosmic Origins 

 

MPAR Project In 

Development: SOFIA 

CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN SUMMARY 

2010 ISSUES CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN 

ISSUE 1: Definition of Full Operational Capability 

(FOC) Milestone Requirements 

Programmatic – Review of the definition of the Full 

Operational Capability (FOC) milestone technical 

requirements by the independent Standing Review 

Board (SRB) resulted in a finding by the SRB that the 

original definition (800 flight hours per year) was an 

improper definition in that insufficient science emphasis 

was contained in the definition. Therefore, the definition 

of FOC was revised to focus on science instrument 

capability (the requirement was revised to 4 available 

science instruments, consistent with the MPAR 

definition), and the overall program was replanned 

around that definition. The replanned program plan was 

approved by the NASA Agency Program Management 

Council (APMC) on October 6, 2010. This did not 

cause a change in the externally-committed FOC date 

of December 2014, but does emphasize science in the 

definition. 

CURRENT STATUS: The Full Operational Capability 

(FOC) milestone requirements have been revised to 

emphasize science instrument observational capability 

(4 science instruments), the overall program has been 

replanned in terms of schedule (no change in FOC 

date, however), and the NASA Agency Program 

Management Council has approved the replan.

ISSUE 2: Late delivery of Cavity Door Drive 

System 

Programmatic – Late delivery of software that operates 

the telescope observation doors on the aircraft resulted 

in later-than-planned initiation of open door flight testing 

and science observation. NASA stationed 

representatives at Woodward’s facility to support and 

oversee the vendor until delivery of the cavity controller 

and actuator. 

CURRENT STATUS: The cavity door drive system 

controller and actuator was delivered and integrated in 

the SOFIA observatory, and flight testing to clear the 

full flight envelope has been completed. This permits 

the continuation of SOFIA system testing, leading up to 

the first science flights in December 2010.

MP-14
Management and Performance 

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Earth Science 

Program: Earth Systematic Missions 

MPAR Project In 

Development: Glory 

2011 MPAR Project Cost Estimate 

Budget Authority 

($ millions) Prior FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016 BTC LCC TOTAL

FY 2012 President's Budget Request 

356.4 31.8 - 5.3 3.8 6.1 5.9 6.0 - -

FY 2011 Costs 22.2

CSLE 0.5 0.5 0.3

Administrative Labor Adjustments 

Extended Ops Budget not included in LCC 

0.4

-3.1 -5.9 -6.0 

2011 MPAR Project Cost Estimate 356.4 32.2 22.2 5.8 4.3 3.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 424.1

Formulation 70.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 70.8

Development 285.6 32.2 19.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 337.6

Operations 0.0 0.0 2.4 5.8 4.3 3.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 15.8

 Space flight projects, per NASA’s policy, are baselined and then budgeted to a confidence level of 70%. This confidence 

level is reflected in the project’s estimated Life Cycle Cost Estimate (LCCE) at key decision point C. 

 The row titled “FY 2012 President’s Budget Request” is the equivalent of the same row in the Project in Development pages. 

 The row titled “FY 2011 Costs” is the project’s cost estimate for that year based on the 2010 Authorization Act as a guide for 

planning purposes. The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was 

prepared; therefore, NASA is operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). 

 The row titled “CSLE” reflects the civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) in FY 2012 and beyond. CSLE funds are 

administered within a single consolidated account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project’s FY 

2012 President’s Budget Request amounts. CSLE funds are included in the projects’ cost estimates (a full cost view). 

 The row titled “Administrative Labor Adjustments” represents administrative costs in FY 2010 that transferred out of the 

project budget lines into the Center Management and Operations account. Administrative labor was defined as all civil 

servants not classified as scientists, engineers, mathematicians, medical, or quality assurance. These costs are included in 

the project LCCE.

 The row titled “Extended Ops Budget not included in LCC” reflects budgeted funds for operations that continue beyond the 

period of prime operations for which the project was baselined. 

Explanation of Project Changes 

In spring 2009, a problem with the Maxwell-supplied spacecraft computer had emerged and NASA 

changed the baseline Maxwell computer to a BAE Rad750 Single Board Computer, delaying the Glory 

launch readiness date to November 2010. By May 2010, the BAE unit was delivered and successfully 

integrated to the Glory Observatory. 

MP-15
Management and Performance 

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Earth Science 

Program: 

 

Earth Systematic Missions 

MPAR Project In 

Development: Glory 

The November 2010 LRD was replanned for February 2011 to allow for completion of the Taurus XL 

launch vehicle's Return to Flight activities, further risk reduction related to spacecraft subsystems, and 

resolution of launch range manifest conflicts with other scheduled launches. The approved life cycle 

cost remained the same and costs associated with the LRD change were covered within the project's 

existing cost reserves. 

The mission was also impacted by the repair of a Solar Array Drive Assembly. In August 2010, an 

inspection revealed excessive wear to its slip ring assembly and it was deemed not flight-worthy. By 

November 2010, the SADA was repaired, tested, and successfully integrated to the Glory observatory. 

The November 2010 LRD was changed to February 23, 2011. 

The risk associated with the readiness of the Taurus XL launch vehicle was retired following 

conclusion of the Mishap Investigation Board (MIB) that reviewed the failure of the Taurus XL fairing 

system, which resulted in the loss of the Orbiting Carbon Observatory. NASA developed a corrective 

action plan that incorporated the Mishap Investigation Board recommendations. Once all corrective 

actions had been closed out, NASA's Flight Planning Board approved the Taurus XL for Return to 

Flight. By this time, however, the LRD was delayed. The new LRD of February 23, 2011, 

accommodated this delay concurrent with the spacecraft's solar array drive assembly recovery. 

Project Purpose 

The Glory mission will contribute to NASA's research on atmospheric conditions that influence climate 

and will improve understanding of the natural and human-made factors that contribute to climate 

change. It will also enable a greater understanding of the seasonal variability of aerosol properties. 

Both advances are essential components of predicting climate change. Aerosols interact with 

atmospheric conditions in complex ways that can have large effects on climate. 

The mission will also provide precision measurements of the solar irradiance; solar radiation is the 

dominant, direct energy input into the terrestrial ecosystem, affecting all physical, chemical, and 

biological processes. 

Glory's science objectives are specifically to: 

1) Determine the global distribution, microphysical properties, and chemical composition of natural and 

anthropogenic aerosols and clouds with accuracy and coverage sufficient for a reliable quantification of 

the aerosol direct and indirect effects on climate; and 

2) Continue measurement of the total solar irradiance to determine the Sun's direct and indirect effect 

on Earth's climate. 

For more on the scientific questions addressed by Glory, visit http://glory.gsfc.nasa.gov/. 

MP-16
Management and Performance 

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Earth Science 

Program: Earth Systematic Missions 

 

 

MPAR Project In 

Development: Glory 

Project Parameters 

The Glory mission will operate two scientific instruments aboard a modified, preexisting NASA 

spacecraft. It will fly in NASA's low Earth orbit Afternoon, or A-Train, constellation to enhance the utility 

of the mission data through synergistic observations from the other satellites. The A-Train constellation 

currently includes five spacecraft flying in close temporal proximity to each other. The Glory spacecraft 

will be the sixth satellite in the A-Train when it joins the constellation in FY 2011. 

The APS is an advanced polarimeter that will provide measurements to increase our understanding of 

black carbon soot and other aerosols as causes of climate change. The APS will provide 

unprecedented measurements of the global distribution of natural and anthropogenic aerosols and 

clouds with accuracy and coverage sufficient for a reliable quantification of the direct and indirect 

effects of aerosols on climate. The APS was developed by Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems in 

El Segundo, CA. As of March 2009, the APS was delivered and successfully integrated to the Glory 

Observatory. 

The TIM instrument provides continuity for the 31-year solar irradiance data record by extending the 

measurement currently provided by (SORCE. University of Colorado's Laboratory for Atmospheric and 

Space Physics is developing the TIM sensor, the instrument's Sun pointing platform, and the TIM 

science operations center. 

Orbital Science Corporation in Dulles, VA, is developing the spacecraft and the ground system/mission 

operations center, and integrated the instruments. Orbital also provides mission systems engineering 

support and performs mission operations. 

Kennedy Space Center is responsible for Glory launch services. The mission will launch on a Taurus 

XL from Vandenberg Air Force Base, CA. 

Project Commitments 

Glory will launch in February 2011 to begin a three-year prime mission (with a five-year goal) to gather 

scientific measurements of atmospheric aerosols and solar irradiance. 

MP-17
Management and Performance 

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Earth Science 

Program: Earth Systematic Missions 

 

MPAR Project In 

Development: Glory 

Project Element Provider Description FY 2011 PB 

Request 

FY 2012 PB 

Request 

APS Raytheon 

Provide unprecedented 

measurements of the 

global distribution of natural 

and anthropogenic 

aerosols 

Same Same 

TIM U of Colorado LASP Maintain an uninterrupted 

solar irradiance data record Same Same 

Spacecraft Orbital 

Refurbishment of the 

Vegetation Canopy Lidar 

(VCL) mission bus 

Same Same 

Launch vehicle Orbital Taurus XL Same Same 

Ground System Ops, 

TIM Science Ops, APS 

Science Ops 

Orbital / Colorado 

University-Boulder LASP 

/GSFC Institute for 

Space Studies 

Combination of the 

commercial ground stations 

and the networks that 

connect them 

APS: full data 

processing for 1 yr 

w/ 2 addt'l yrs of 

archiving. TIM: full 

data processing for 

3 yrs 

Same 

Mission Ops Orbital 

Operations of the 

spacecraft and the 

generation of command 

uplink 

Same Same 

Data Archive 

GSFC Earth Science 

Distributed Active 

Archive Center (GES 

DAAC) 

Archival and distribution of 

mission data Same Same 

Schedule Commitments 

Glory was confirmed for development on December 13, 2005. 

Milestone Name Confirmation 

Baseline 

FY 2011 PB 

Request 

FY 2012 PB 

Request 

Development 

Mission Confirmation Review 12/2005 12/2005 12/2005 

Mission Pre-ship review 8/2008 7/2010 12/2010 

Launch 12/2008 11/2010 2/2011 

MP-18
Management and Performance 

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Earth Science 

Program: Earth Systematic Missions 

 

MPAR Project In 

Development: Glory 

Development Cost and Schedule Summary 

Project 

 0

Base 

Year 

Base Year 

Adjusted* 

Development Cost 

Estimate ($M) 

Current 

Year 

Current Year 

Development 

Cost Estimate 

($M) 

Cost 

Change 

(%) 

Key 

Milestone 

Base Year 

Milestone 

Date 

Current 

Year 

Milestone 

Date 

Milestone 

Change 

(months) 

 Glory 2011 337.6 2011 337.6 0 Launch 

Readiness 02/2011 02/2011 

*Base year adjusted to current accounting. 

Development Cost Details 

Element 

Base Year 

Adjusted 

Development Cost 

Estimate ($M) 

Current Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate ($M) 

Delta 

Total: 337.6 337.6 0

Spacecraft 59.8 59.8 0

Payload 128.2 128.2 0

System I&T 4.6 4.6 0

Launch Vehicle 64.1 64.1 0

Ground System 1.3 1.3 0

Science/Technology 14.9 14.9 0

Other 64.7 64.7 0

Project Management 

Goddard Space Flight Center has project management responsibility. The Science Mission 

Directorate Program Management Council has program oversight responsibility. 

The Earth Science Division Director is the responsible official for this project. 

Project Element Project Management 

Responsibility NASA Center Performers Cost-Sharing Partners 

APS GSFC GSFC None 

TIM GSFC GSFC None 

MP-19
Management and Performance 

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Earth Science 

Program: Earth Systematic Missions 

 

MPAR Project In 

Development: Glory 

Acquisition Strategy 

All major procurements for the directed Glory mission were sole-source awarded to meet the objective 

for an accelerated mission: 

Aerosol Polarimetry Sensor: Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems; 

Total Irradiance Monitor: University of Colorado Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics; and 

Spacecraft/spacecraft support: Orbital Science Corporation. 

There are no remaining major procurements, as all instrument and spacecraft contracts are in place. 

Independent Reviews 

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review 

Performance NASA HQ N/A 

Mission Readiness Review (MRR) - Final preflight review of the operational readiness of the 

mission 

02/2011 

Performance NASA HQ N/A Launch Readiness Review (LRR) - Final prelaunch review of the launch vehicle readiness 02/2011 

Project Risk Management 

Title Risk Statement Risk Management Approach and Plan 

Launch Services Impact of 

Taurus XL Launch Failure on 

Glory 

If Taurus T-8 (used on OCO 

mission) launch failure 

findings and / or corrective 

actions impact T-9 (Glory) 

schedule, then the Glory LRD 

will be impacted. 

In October 2010, NASA's Flight Planning Board approved the 

closure of the KSC/Launch Services program's Return to 

Flight activities. At this point, the Return to Flight activities 

had impacted the November 22, 2010 launch readiness date 

by two months. The new LRD of February 22, 2011, 

accommodated this delay concurrent with the spacecraft's 

SADA recovery. 

Corrective Action Plan (as submitted in Report on Program and Cost Assessment January 11, 

2011 – as required under 1203) 

Project Description: Sunlight is the dominant direct energy input into the Earth’s climate system, 

affecting all physical, chemical, and biological processes. Thus, it is critical to monitor solar output and 

measure aerosols that affect Earth’s energy budget in complex ways that can have large effects on 

climate. The Glory mission will contribute to NASA’s Earth science research effort by improving our 

understanding of atmospheric composition and solar irradiance as they relate to Earth’s energy budget. 

These measurements will improve understanding of the natural and man-made factors that contribute 

MP-20
Management and Performance 

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Earth Science 

Program: Earth Systematic Missions 

 

MPAR Project In 

Development: Glory 

to climate change. Specifically, the Glory mission will measure the geographical and temporal 

distribution of atmospheric aerosols, small airborne particles. In addition, Glory will make highly 

accurate and precise measurements of solar radiation. The Glory prime mission life requirement is for 

three years of operations, with a goal of five years. The instruments will operate continuously while on 

orbit. 

Glory’s science objectives are to: (1) determine the global distribution, microphysical properties, and 

chemical composition of natural and anthropogenic aerosols and clouds with accuracy and coverage 

sufficient for a reliable quantification of the aerosol direct and indirect effects on climate; and (2) 

measure the total solar irradiance to determine the Sun’s direct and indirect effect on Earth’s climate. 

The Glory mission consists of two scientific instruments—the Aerosol Polarimetry Sensor (APS) and 

the solar Total Irradiance Monitor (TIM)—aboard a dedicated NASA spacecraft. The following is a 

description of each instrument: 

The APS is an advanced polarimeter used for measurements that will increase our understanding of 

black carbon soot and other aerosols as causes of climate change. The APS will provide 

unprecedented measurements of the global distribution of natural and anthropogenic aerosols and 

clouds with accuracy and coverage sufficient for a reliable quantification of the aerosol direct and 

indirect effects on climate. The second instrument, the TIM, provides measurement continuity for the 

more than 30-year solar irradiance data record by extending the measurement currently provided by 

NASA’s Solar Radiation and Climate Experiment (SORCE).’’ 

The Glory satellite will fly in the low Earth orbit A-Train constellation (multiple spacecraft flying in close 

proximity to provide detailed observations of the Earth system) to assess the effectiveness of 

combining aerosol data with data from multiple instruments for enhanced scientific value. 

The Glory project will respond to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), and the prior 

Climate Change Science Program (CCSP), by continuing and improving upon NASA’s research of the 

forcings influencing climate change in the atmosphere. The scientific knowledge provided by this 

project will be essential to predicting future climate change and making sound, scientifically-based 

economic and policy decisions related to environmental change. 

CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN SUMMARY 

ISSUE CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN 

Programmatic – In 2007, the APS development 

contractor, Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems 

(RSAS), closed the facility where the instrument was 

being designed and built, relocating all the development 

activities to a different RSAS facility. The APS 

ISSUE 1: Late delivery of the Aerosol 

Polarimetry Sensor (APS) instrument due 

to technical issues and the move to a new 

facility at the development contractor. The 

APS was delivered two months later than 

planned in the April 2008 rebaseline. 

MP-21
Management and Performance 

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Earth Science 

Program: Earth Systematic Missions 

 

ISSUE CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN 

CURRENT STATUS: As of March 2009, 

the APS was delivered and successfully 

integrated to the Glory Observatory. 

development contractor experienced high turnover in the 

project’s management and technical staff over this 

period, and was able to retain only a small fraction of the 

existing instrument development team as a consequence 

of the move. The project worked with RSAS to get them 

back on track by adding management and technical 

expertise to the instrument development and providing 

continuous rotational onsite NASA presence at the APS 

contractor plant. 

Technical – Due to challenges in the instrument 

engineering activities, the project added management 

and technical expertise to the instrument development 

team at RSAS to facilitate rapid decision-making on 

technical issues related to the APS instrument and 

potential related impacts to the Glory observatory. This 

included providing continuous rotational onsite NASA 

presence at the APS contractor plant. Additional 

component-level risk mitigation testing was conducted at 

NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. 

Schedule – As part of the cost mitigation strategy, NASA 

optimized the mission-level schedule and manpower to 

allow for the late delivery of the APS. NASA also 

facilitated the procurement/provisioning of schedulecritical parts. 

ISSUE 2: The Glory Project was impacted 

by the unreliable low production yield of the 

Maxwell Single Board Computer (SBC). 

CURRENT STATUS: In June 2009, the 

decision was made to rebaseline the 

Maxwell SBC with a BAE RAD750. This 

rebaseline decision drove the launch slip 

from June 2009 to November 2010 and the 

associated cost increases. 

Programmatic – Development and flight of the Maxwell 

SBC was originally planned to occur on the NPOESS 

mission and the Glory mission was to capitalize on the 

NPOESS SBC development efforts. After delays 

associated with the NPOESS mission, this removed all 

opportunities for Glory to benefit from any NPOESS SBC 

development. The Glory Project adopted completion of 

the development efforts associated for the Maxwell SBC. 

By June 2009, due to production issues that led to an 

unreliable yield, a decision was made to rebaseline the 

MPAR Project In 

Development: Glory 

MP-22
Management and Performance 

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Earth Science 

Program: Earth Systematic Missions 

 

MPAR Project In 

Development: Glory 

ISSUE CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN 

Maxwell SBC to the BAE RAD 750. 

Cost - The cost for the slip in launch readiness is 

reflected in the current estimate provided in this report. 

The Glory project reduced the cost impact (also technical 

and schedule risks) associated with continuing to 

improve the unreliable low production yield by 

rebaselining the SBC to a BAE RAD750, executing riskmitigation activities, and incorporating the necessary 

regression testing in the observatory integration and test 

schedule. 

Schedule - Glory Integration and Test schedule was 

reworked to accommodate the late delivery of the BAE 

RAD 750 Payload Interface Processor (PIP). NASA 

worked closely with the Glory Project and Earth 

Systematic Missions Program Office to monitor the 

development and delivery status. Additionally, the June 

2009 launch readiness date was moved 17 months to 

November 22, 2010. 

ISSUE 3: The Glory mission was impacted 

by the required closure of the Taurus XL 

launch vehicle’s Return to Flight activities 

following the loss of the Orbiting Carbon 

Observatory. 

Programmatic –Following conclusion of the Mishap 

Investigation Board (MIB) that reviewed the loss of the 

Orbiting Carbon Observatory due to failure of the Taurus 

XL fairing system, NASA developed a corrective action 

plan with 19 corrective actions. On August 10, 2010, 

CURRENT STATUS: In October 2010, 

NASA’s Flight Planning Board approved 

the closure of the KSC/Launch Services 

NASA convened a meeting to review and confirm closure 

of corrective actions up to that time and closed out 14 of 

the 19 corrective actions at that meeting. All remaining 

test activities required for the Taurus XL to return to flight 

MP-23
Management and Performance 

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Earth Science 

Program: Earth Systematic Missions 

 

MPAR Project In 

Development: Glory 

ISSUE CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN 

Program’s Return to Flight activities. were completed in September, and in October 2010, 

NASA’s Flight Planning Board approved the Taurus XL 

for Return to Flight. At this point, however, the Return to 

Flight activities necessitated a delay from the November 

22, 2010 launch readiness date. The new LRD of 

February 22, 2011, accommodated this delay as well as 

the delay caused by Issue 4. 

ISSUE 4: The Glory mission was impacted 

by the repair of the –X Solar Array Drive 

Assembly (SADA). In August 2010, a 

previous anomaly led to an inspection of 

the –X SADA and revealed excessive wear 

to the Slip Ring Assembly (SRA). As a 

result, the –X SADA was deemed not 

worthy for flight. 

CURRENT STATUS: As of Nov. 14, 2010, 

the –X SADA was repaired, tested, and 

Programmatic – By late August 2010, the –X SADA was 

deemed not worthy for flight. The September 2010 –X 

SADA Recovery Plan included impacts to launch 

readiness. 

Cost - The Glory project reduced the cost impact 

associated with a full replacement of the –X SADA by 

procuring an Slip Ring Assembly (SRA) replacement for 

the –X SADA that was successfully designed, built, and 

delivered and successfully integrated to the 

Glory Observatory. 

tested for the Glory mission requirements. 

Schedule – The –X SADA SRA replacement was 

delivered 1 week earlier than planned. To mitigate 

schedule risk, the Glory Project conducted several 

technical reviews and pursued 3 parallel options. Upon 

the successful testing and delivery of a –X SRA 

replacement, the other 2 options were terminated. 

NASA’s Science Mission Directorate worked closely with 

the Glory Project and Earth Systematic Missions 

Program Office to monitor the –X SADA SRA 

development and delivery status. The November 2010 

launch readiness date was moved 3 months to February 

23, 2011. 

MP-24
Management and Performance 

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Earth Science 

Program: Earth Systematic Missions 

 

 

MPAR Project In 

Development: NPP 

2011 MPAR Project Cost Estimate 

Budget Authority 

($ millions) Prior FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016 BTC LCC TOTAL

FY 2012 President's Budget Request 631.2 82.1 - 13.7 6.4 6.3 6.0 5.5 - -

FY 2011 Costs 106.6

CSLE 2.5 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9 

Administrative Labor Adjustments 0.5

2011 MPAR Project Cost Estimate 631.2 82.6 106.6 16.1 7.3 7.2 6.9 6.4 0.0 864.3

Formulation 47.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 47.1

Development 584.1 82.6 106.6 6.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 780.1

Operations 0.0 0.0 0.0 9.3 7.3 7.2 6.9 6.4 0.0 37.1

Explanation of Project Changes 

The changes to the NPP budget are due to the launch delay from September 2011 until October 2011 

caused by late delivery to NASA of the VIIRS instrument and CrIS by the NPOESS Integrated Program 

Office. 

Project Purpose 

NPP is a joint mission with NOAA and the U.S. Air Force to extend key environmental measurements 

for weather prediction and research. The satellite will measure atmospheric and sea surface 

temperatures, humidity profiles, land and ocean biological productivity, cloud and aerosol properties, 

and earth radiation budget quantities. 

The NPP mission has two objectives: Provide a continuation of select global change observations 

following the Earth Observing System missions Terra and Aqua; and provide the Nation's operational 

meteorological satellite system with risk-reduction demonstration and validation for critical sensors, 

algorithms, and ground processing. Due to NPOESS program delays propagated to the successor Joint 

Polar Satellite System (JPSS; see "Project Management") program, NPP data will be used 

operationally to avoid gaps in operational weather data. 

For more information, please visit: http://jointmission.gsfc.nasa.gov. 

MP-25
Management and Performance 

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Earth Science 

Program: Earth Systematic Missions 

 

 

MPAR Project In 

Development: NPP 

Project Parameters 

The NPP spacecraft is based on a modified Ball Commercial Platform 2000 bus with a five-year design 

life. The NPP orbit is a polar, Sun-synchronous orbit at a nominal altitude of 824 kilometers. Four of the 

instruments are newly developed sensors based on heritage NASA sensors. The ATMS has been 

developed by NASA, and three of the instruments (VIIRS, CrIS, and OMPS) were developed by the 

NPOESS Integrated Program Office (IPO). A fifth sensor, CERES was a spare sensor developed by 

NASA for the EOS Program. 

Project Commitments 

NPP is being managed for a target launch in October 2011 and will undertake the following scientific 

measurements over its five-year operating life: atmospheric and sea surface temperatures, humidity 

soundings, land and ocean biological productivity, cloud and aerosol properties, and Earth radiation 

budget measurements. NASA's commitment is for an LRD of February 2012 including an additional $35 

million mission development costs. The commitment launch readiness date, lifecycle cost, and 

development cost reflect residual uncertainty with the NPP partner-provided instruments and the 

ground system development. The commitment LRD considers as well the effects of the crowded launch 

manifest in late 2011, should an LRD slip be required. Funds will not be reprogrammed unless the 

actual launch date slips beyond the internal date. 

Project Element Provider Description FY 2011 PB 

Request 

FY 2012 PB 

Request 

VIIRS Raytheon SBRS 

Provide global imagery in 

visible and infrared 

frequency bands: 0.3 to 14 

microns / 400 m resolution. 

Same Same 

OMPS Ball Aerospace 

Collection of total column 

and vertical profile ozone 

data with 300-380 nm / 

LIMB 290-1000 nm . 

Same Same 

CrIS ITT Aerospace 

Temperature and moisture 

profiles at 3.9-15.4 

microns. 

Same Same 

ATMS NG Electronic Systems 

Temperature and moisture 

profiles at 22 channels / 23-

183 ghz. 

Same Same 

CERES NG Space Technology 

Provide Earth radiation 

budget measurements in 

shortwave (0.3-5micron) 

and longwave (8-12 

micron) bands 

Same Same 

Spacecraft Ball Aerospace 

5-year design life, mass is 

2228 kg, Power 1400 

watts. 

Same Same 

MP-26
Management and Performance

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Earth Science 

Program: Earth Systematic Missions 

 

MPAR Project In 

Development: NPP 

Project Element Provider Description FY 2011 PB 

Request

FY 2012 PB 

Request

CERES NG Space Technology

Provide Earth radiation 

budget measurements in 

shortwave (0.3-5micron) 

and longwave (8-12 

micron) bands

Same Same

Spacecraft Ball Aerospace 

5-year design life, mass is 

2228 kg, Power 1400 

watts.

Same Same

Launch vehicle Boeing Delta II 7920. Same Same

Ground system Raytheon 

Command, Control, and 

Communication Segment 

(C3S) and Interface Data 

Processing Segment 

(IDPS).

Same Same

Schedule Commitments 

The NPP mission completed Mission Confirmation Review (MCR) in November 2003.

Milestone Name Confirmation 

Baseline

FY 2011 PB

Request

FY 2012 PB 

Request

Development

CrIS Flight Model Delivery Oct 2005 June 2010 Same

ATMS Flight Model Delivery Apr 2005 Oct 2005 Same

OMPS Flight Model Delivery Sep 2005 Aug 2008 Same

VIIRS Flight Model Delivery Nov 2005 Dec 2009 Same

CERES Flight Model Delivery N/A Oct 2008 Same

Operations Readiness Review Jun 2006 Apr 2011 Same

Launch Oct 2006 Sep 2011 Oct 2011

Development Cost and Schedule Summary

Project Base 

Year

Base Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate 

($M)

Current 

Year

Current 

Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate 

($M)

Cost 

Change 

(%)

Key Milestone

Base Year 

Milestone 

Date

Current 

Year 

Milestone 

Date

Milestone 

Change 

(months)

NPOESS 

Preparatory 

Project (NPP) 

2006 592.9 2011 780.1 32 Launch 

Readiness 04/2008 10/2011 42

MP-27
Management and Performance 

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Earth Science 

Program: Earth Systematic Missions 

 

MPAR Project In 

Development: NPP 

Development Cost Details 

Element 

Base Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate ($M) 

Current Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate ($M) 

Delta 

Total: 592.9 780.1 187.2

Aircraft/Spacecraft 160.0 209.4 49.4

Payloads 194.2 220.1 25.9

Launch Vehicle/Services 72.9 90.4 17.5

Ground Systems 48.2 75.9 27.7

Other Direct Project Cost 117.6 163.4 45.8

Science/Technology 0.0 20.9 20.9

Project Management 

GSFC is responsible for NPP project management. Agency PMC has program oversight responsibility. 

NOAA/DOD IPO is responsible for managing development of OMPS, CrIS, and VIIRS instruments. 

Responsible official is the Earth Science Division Director. 

Project Element Project Management 

Responsibility NASA Center Performers Cost-Sharing Partners 

Spacecraft GSFC None None 

ATMS Development GSFC None None 

OMPS Development NPOESS-IPO None NOAA / DoD (NPOESS-IPO) 

CrIS Development NPOESS-IPO None NOAA / DoD (NPOESS-IPO) 

VIIRS Development NPOESS-IPO None NOAA / DoD (NPOESS-IPO) 

CERES Refurbishment GSFC LaRC NOAA 

Data archive and storage GSFC None NOAA 

Ground Systems and Ops NPOESS-IPO None NOAA 

MP-28
Management and Performance 

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Earth Science 

Program: Earth Systematic Missions 

 

 

MPAR Project In 

Development: NPP 

Acquisition Strategy 

Spacecraft, ATMS, and CERES were procured competitively. The VIIRS, OMPS, and CrIS were 

procured competitively via the NPOESS Integrated Program Office. 

The procurement award for each element was as follows: 

- Ball Aerospace: Spacecraft and OMPS Development; 

- NG Electronic Systems: ATMS Development; 

- ITT Aerospace: CrIS Development; 

- Raytheon: VIIRS Development; 

- NG Space Technology: CERES; and 

- Raytheon: Ground systems and operations. 

Independent Reviews 

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review 

Performance NPP IRT N/A Operations Readiness Review 4/2011 

Project Risk Management 

Title Risk Statement Risk Management Approach and Plan 

Command, 

Control, and 

Communcation 

Segment 

(C3S) Ground 

System 

Development 

Delay 

If the C3S is not ready to support 

satellite testing, a launch delay 

may result. 

Coordinate closely with partner (NOAA) to ensure all necessary 

resources are applied to complete C3S development in parallel with 

satellite testing. 

Corrective Action Plan (as submitted in Report on Program and Cost Assessment January 11, 

2011 – as required under 1203) 

Project Description: The NPOESS Preparatory Project (NPP) is a joint mission with the National 

Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Air Force (USAF) to extend key 

environmental measurements. The satellite will provide ozone measurements, atmospheric and sea 

surface temperatures, humidity sounding, land and ocean biological productivity, cloud and aerosol 

properties, and Earth radiation budget measurements. 

The NPP project will: provide a continuation of global change observations following the Earth 

Observing System missions Terra, Aqua, and Aura specifically, atmospheric and sea surface 

MP-29
Management and Performance 

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Earth Science 

Program: Earth Systematic Missions 

NPP 

 

temperatures, humidity sounding, land and ocean biological productivity, cloud and aerosol properties 

and Earth radiation budget measurements; and provide the Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) 

(previously the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS)) with 

risk-reduction demonstration and validation for the critical JPSS/NPOESS sensors, algorithms, and 

processing. 

The environmental data records (EDRs) scheduled to be produced by the interface data processing 

segment (IDPS) from the NPP data are: sea-surface temperature; vegetation index; ocean color; 

imagery; atmospheric temperature; moisture and pressure profiles; clear column radiances; aerosol 

optical thickness and particle size; surface albedo; land surface temperature; ice surface temperature; 

surface heat flux; cloud base height; cover and layers; cloud top temperature; height; cloud effective 

particle size and optical thickness; precipitable water; surface wetness; active fire detection; sea ice 

characterization; snow cover; suspended atmospheric matter; and surface type. Separate from the 

IDPS processing system, NPP data from the Clouds and the Earth’s Radiant Energy System (CERES) 

instrument will be processed to produce solar-reflected and Earth-emitted radiation products. 

The following describes the instruments that will provide these measurements: 

 The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instrument is a multi-spectral scanning 

radiometer with a 3000 km swath width and derives its heritage from Advanced Very High 

Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR), Operational Linescan System (OLS), Moderate Resolution 

Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), and Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor (SeaWIFS). 

 The Cross-Track Infrared Sounder (CrIS) instrument is a Michelson interferometer. Its heritage 

is the High Resolution Infrared Radiation Sounder (HIRS), the Advanced Infrared Sounder 

(AIRS), and the Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI). It will produce daily global 

sets of high-resolution temperature and moisture profiles for scenes with less than 50 percent 

cloud cover. It is co-registered with the Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder (ATMS) and 

is designed to work in conjunction with it. 

 The ATMS instrument is a passive microwave radiometer with a swath width of 2300 km. Its 

heritage is the Advance Microwave Sounding Unit (AMSU) A1/A2 and the AMSU-B instrument. 

It provides the initial estimate of temperature and moisture profiles for input to an infrared 

algorithm, as well as an all-weather set of profiles. 

 The Ozone Mapping and Profiler Suite (OMPS) will measure solar scattered radiation to map 

the vertical and horizontal distribution of ozone in Earth’s atmosphere using a nadir ultraviolet 

(UV) sensor and limb-scanning UV/visible (VIS) sensors. 

 The Clouds and the Earth’s Radiant Energy System (CERES) will measure solar-reflected and 

Earth-emitted radiation products continuing the measurements started with the Earth Observing 

System satellites and the Earth Radiation Budget Experiment. 

 

MP-30

MPAR Project In 

Development: 
Management and Performance 

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Earth Science 

Program: Earth Systematic Missions 

MPAR Project In 

Development: NPP 

 

CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN SUMMARY 

2010 ISSUES CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN 

ISSUE 1: The NPP Project continued to be 

impacted by the late delivery of the Cross-track 

Infrared Sounder (CrIS) sensors provided by the 

NPOESS Integrated Program Office. The CrIS 

instrument delivery slipped from September 2009 

to June 2010. This late delivery drove the launch 

date from January 2011 to October 2011 and 

resulted in an the associated cost increase of 

 $ 47M. 

Programmatic – In February 2010, the Administration 

directed the restructuring of the NPOESS Program into 

separate civil and defense operational satellite systems. 

NOAA and NASA were assigned primary responsibility 

for the afternoon orbit. NASA’s role in the restructured 

program is modeled after the procurement structure of 

the POES and GOES programs, with NASA performing 

work on a reimbursable basis for NOAA. Although the 

restructure occurred too late to improve the delivery 

date for the remaining sensor for NPP it has allowed 

NASA to manage the JPSS ground segment, which will 

be used for NPP and was also delayed under the 

NPOESS management structure. The ground segment 

is now on track for the October 2011 launch of NPP.

NOTE: This issue is outside of NASA's 

responsibility in the partnership with NOAA and 

DoD. 

CURRENT STATUS: As of June 2010, the last 

sensor Cross-track Infrared Sounder (CrIS) was 

delivered for integration onto the NPP spacecraft. 

Schedule-NASA has worked closely with the Integrated 

Program Office to monitor the instrument development 

and delivery status. The NPP project has worked to 

reduce the cost impact of the late delivery of the CrIS 

sensor by developing work-around activities and 

opportunities in the integration and test schedule. 

Specifically the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer 

Suite (VIIRS) instrument integration was pulled forward 

while the spacecraft team waited for the CrIS delivery, 

which allowed for some additional risk reduction testing 

to be performed. An expanded VIIRS end-to-end 

radiometric spectral response test was performed in 

March to verify the VIIRS performance, earlier than 

planned in the original test flow. This opportunity 

reduced risk to the overall test flow by avoiding 

additional delays due to issues identified earlier in the 

flow. 

MP-31
Management and Performance 

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Earth Science 

Program: Earth Systematic Missions 

MPAR Project In 

Development: GPM

2011 MPAR Project Cost Estimate 

Budget Authority 

($ millions) Prior FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016 BTC LCC TOTAL

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request 349.2 155.0 - 83.8 68.7 41.4 27.2 20.1 - -

FY 2011 Costs 

CSLE 

Administrative Labor 

Adjustments 

0.6

128.8

14.7 14.9 6.1 3.4 1.4 1.6 

2011 MPAR Project Cost 

Estimate

Formulation 

349.2 155.6 128.8 98.4 83.6 47.5 30.6 21.5 13.7 928.9

Development 

349.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 349.2

Operations 

0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 3.3 14.1 16.2 18.5 12.8 64.9

 Space flight projects, per NASA’s policy, are baselined and then budgeted to a confidence level of 70%. This confidence 

level is reflected in the project’s estimated Life Cycle Cost Estimate (LCCE) at key decision point C. 

 The row titled “FY 2012 President’s Budget Request” is the equivalent of the same row in the Project in Development pages. 

 The row titled “FY 2011 Costs” is the project’s cost estimate for that year based on the 2010 Authorization Act as a guide for 

planning purposes. The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was 

prepared; therefore, NASA is operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). 

 The row titled “CSLE” reflects the civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) in FY 2012 and beyond. CSLE funds are 

administered within a single consolidated account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project’s FY 

2012 President’s Budget Request amounts. CSLE funds are included in the projects’ cost estimates (a full cost view). 

 The row titled “Administrative Labor Adjustments” represents administrative costs in FY 2010 that transferred out of the 

project budget lines into the Center Management and Operations account. Administrative labor was defined as all civil 

servants not classified as scientists, engineers, mathematicians, medical, or quality assurance. These costs are included in 

the project LCCE.

0.0 155.6 128.8 98.4 80.3 33.4 14.4 3.0 0.9 514.8

Explanation of Project Changes 

The changes to the project’s budget reflect the deletion of a second GPM Microwave Imager (GMI-2), 

which would have been available to fly on a future Low-Inclination Observatory (LIO). 

Project Purpose 

The GPM mission will advance the measurement of global precipitation, making possible high spatial 

resolution precipitation measurements available at a three-hour or less refresh rate over much of the 

globe. 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 released) across 

tropic, mid-latitude, and polar regions. 

MP-32
Management and Performance 

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Earth Science 

Program: Earth Systematic Missions 

MPAR Project In 

Development: GPM 

 

The GPM mission has the following scientific objectives: 

- Advance precipitation measurement capability from space through combined use of active and 

passive remote-sensing techniques. These advanced measurements will be used to calibrate dedicated 

and operational passive microwave sensors, with the goal of achieving global sampling; 

- Advance understanding of global water/energy cycle variability and fresh water availability. Improved 

measurements of the space-time variability of global precipitation will substantially close the 

water/energy budget and elucidate the interactions between precipitation and other climate parameters; 

- 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 (NWP) skills through more accurate and frequent 

measurements of instantaneous rain rates with better error characterizations, and the development of 

improved assimilation methods; and 

- Improve flood-hazard and fresh-water-resource prediction capabilities through better temporal 

sampling and wider spatial coverage of high-resolution precipitation measurements, and innovative 

designs in hydro-meteorological modeling. 

For more information see http://gpm.gsfc.nasa.gov/. 

 

Project Parameters 

The GPM project includes a Core Observatory Spacecraft and a robust set of spare GPM Microwave 

Imager (GMI) instrument subsystems to ensure the GMI instrument, NASA's instrument contribution to 

the Core Observatory, is ready on schedule. The Core Observatory will leverage passive microwave 

measurements from other operating and planned "satellites of opportunity" by calibrating their 

measurements to its own. The resulting sampling rate over different areas of the globe will depend on 

the number and orbits of the satellites of opportunity, but given the prevalence of passive microwave 

instruments on operational satellite systems, the global sampling will be robust. 

The NASA Core Observatory will fly in a 65 degree inclined orbit at an altitude of 407 kilometers; the 65 

degree orbit provides improved latitude coverage over TRMM (whose orbit was inclined 35 degrees). 

The Core Observatory's two scientific instruments will provide active and passive microwave 

measurements of precipitation. 

The JAXA-supplied Dual-frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR) instrument has cross-track swath widths 

of 245 and 120 kilometers, in Ku-band and Ka-band, providing three-dimensional observation of rain 

and an accurate estimation of rainfall rate. The KuPR (13.6 GHz) subsystem of the DPR is an updated 

version of the highly successful radar flown on TRMM. 

MP-33
Management and Performance 

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Earth Science 

Program: Earth Systematic Missions 

MPAR Project In 

Development: GPM 

 

The GMI instrument is a conically-scanning radiometer that will provide significantly improved spatial 

resolution compared to the TRMM Microwave Imager (TMI). 

 

The Core Observatory Spacecraft will be launched from Tanegashima Space Center, Japan, on an HIIA launch vehicle. The DPR and GMI data will be relayed using the TDRSS multiple access and single 

access service. 

Project Commitments 

The GPM Core Observatory is planned for a launch in July 2013 to begin a three-year prime mission 

(five-year goal). When calibrated with existing and planned passive microwave measurements from 

other satellites, GPM will provide global measurements of precipitation with a sampling frequency of 

three hours or less over much of the globe. 

Project Element Provider Description FY 2011 PB 

Request 

FY 2012 PB 

Request 

Core Observatory GSFC 

Provides platform for the 

GMI and JAXA-supplied 

DPR instruments. 

Same Same 

Low-Inclination 

Observatory N/A N/A Changed to be 

partner-provided 

Second GMI 

instrument deleted 

Dual-frequency 

Precipitation Radar 

(DPR) 

JAXA 

Provides cross-track swath 

widths of 245 and 120 

kilometers, for the Ku 

precipitation radar (KuPR) 

and Ka-band precipitation 

radar (KaPR). 

Same Same 

GMI GSFC 

Provides 13 microwave 

channels ranging in 

frequency from 10 GHz to 

183 GHz; four high 

frequency, millimeter-wave, 

channels about 166 GHz 

and 183 GHz. 1.2 meter 

diameter antenna. 

Same Same 

Launch Vehicle JAXA H-IIA Same Same 

MP-34
Management and Performance

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Earth Science 

Program: Earth Systematic Missions 

 

MPAR Project In 

Development: GPM 

Schedule Commitments

GPM entered formulation in July 2002. The below milestone dates reflect the December 2009 KDP-C 

commitments. 

Milestone Name Confirmation 

Baseline

FY 2011 PB 

Request

FY 2012 PB 

Request

Development

KDP-C Dec 2009 Dec 2009 Dec 2009

Core Observatory LRD Jul 2013 Jul 2013 Jul 2013

Development Cost and Schedule Summary

Project Base 

Year

Base Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate 

($M)

Current 

Year

Current 

Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate 

($M)

Cost 

Change 

(%)

Key Milestone

Base Year 

Milestone 

Date

Current 

Year 

Milestone 

Date

Milestone 

Change 

(months)

Global 

Precipitation 

Measurement 

(GPM)

2010 555.2 2011 514.8 -7 Launch 

Readiness 07/2013 07/2013 0

Note: The changes to the project’s budget reflect the deletion of a second GPM Microwave Imager (GMI-2), which would have been 

available to fly on a future LIO.

Development Cost Details

Element

Base Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate ($M)

Current Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate ($M)

Delta

Total: 555.2 514.8 -40.4

Aircraft/Spacecraft 151.2 156.2 5

Payloads 91.2 60.3 -30.9

Systems I&T 6.8 7.2 0.4

Launch Vehicles/Services 1.5 2.0 0.5

Ground Systems 30.5 24.9 -5.6

Science/Technology 28.4 28.1 -0.3

Other direct project cost 245.6 236.1 -9.5

Note: The changes to the project’s budget reflect the deletion of a second GPM Microwave Imager (GMI-2), which would have been 

available to fly on a future LIO.

MP-35
Management and Performance 

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Earth Science 

Program: Earth Systematic Missions 

GPM 

 

Project Management 

GSFC has project management responsibility. The Agency Program Management Council has program 

oversight responsibility. 

The Earth Sciences Division Director is the responsible official for this project. 

Project Element Project Management 

Responsibility NASA Center Performers Cost-Sharing Partners 

Core Observatory GSFC GSFC None 

Core Observatory: GMI GSFC GSFC None 

Core Observatory: DPR GSFC GSFC JAXA 

Launch vehicle and 

services: Core Observatory GSFC N one JAXA 

Ground Systems GSFC GSFC None 

Acquisition Strategy 

The GPM instrument was selected through open competition in FY 2005. The Ball Aerospace and 

Technologies Corporation (BATC) will build the GMI instrument for GPM. The GPM core spacecraft will 

be an in-house development at GSFC. The DPR instrument and launch vehicle for the Core 

Observatory will be provided by a foreign partner (JAXA). 

Independent Reviews 

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review 

Performance HQ and GSFC 12/2009 System Integration Review (SIR) 5/2011 

Project Risk Management 

Title Risk Statement Risk Management Approach and Plan 

Non-NASA Constellation 

elements 

Expanded global sampling 

depends on data from 

"spacecraft of opportunity" 

that are not part of this 

project. 

NASA is developing data algorithms that allow GPM to make 

the broadest possible use of microwave instruments on other 

spacecraft; NASA participates in interagency and 

international planning processes for operational Earth 

observation measurements to maximize the leverage 

opportunities for GPM. 

MP-36

MPAR Project In 

Development: 
Management and Performance 

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Earth Science 

Program: Earth Systematic Missions 

MPAR Project In 

Development: 

LDCM 

2011 MPAR Project Cost Estimate 

Budget Authority 

($ millions) Prior FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016 BTC LCC TOTAL

FY 2012 President's 

Budget Request 434.5 106.0 - 152.0 64.1 1.5 1.5 1.6 - -

FY 2011 Costs 

CSLE 

Administrative Labor 

Adjustments 

0.6

163.0

7.4 3.8 0.7 0.7 0.7 1.2

2011 MPAR Project Cost 

Estimate 434.5 106.6 163.0 159.3 67.9 2.2 2.2 2.3 3.6 941.6

Formulation 341.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 341.4

Development 93.1 106.6 163 159.3 65.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 587.6

Operations 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.3 3.6 12.5











Space flight projects, per NASA’s policy, are baselined and then budgeted to a confidence level of 70%. This confidence 

level is reflected in the project’s estimated Life Cycle Cost Estimate (LCCE) at key decision point C. 

The row titled “FY 2012 President’s Budget Request” is the equivalent of the same row in the Project in Development pages. 

The row titled “FY 2011 Costs” is the project’s cost estimate for that year based on the 2010 Authorization Act as a guide for 

planning purposes. The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was 

prepared; therefore, NASA is operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). 

The row titled “CSLE” reflects the civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) in FY 2012 and beyond. CSLE funds are 

administered within a single consolidated account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project’s FY 

2012 President’s Budget Request amounts. CSLE funds are included in the projects’ cost estimates (a full cost view). 

The row titled “Administrative Labor Adjustments” represents administrative costs in FY 2010 that transferred out of the 

project budget lines into the Center Management and Operations account. Administrative labor was defined as all civil 

servants not classified as scientists, engineers, mathematicians, medical, or quality assurance. These costs are included in 

the project LCCE. 

Explanation of Project Changes 

The LDCM project, which was approved to proceed with development in December 2009, now has a 

fully integrated budget including the development and accommodation of TIRS. 

Project Purpose 

Unprecedented changes in land cover and use are having profound consequences for weather and 

climate change, ecosystem function and services, carbon cycling and sequestration, resource 

management, the national and global economy, human health, and society. The Landsat data series, 

begun in 1972, is the longest continuous record of changes in Earth's surface as seen from space and 

the only satellite system designed and operated to repeatedly observe the global land surface at 

moderate resolution. Landsat data are available at an affordable cost, providing a unique resource for 

MP-37
Management and Performance 

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Earth Science 

Program: Earth Systematic Missions 

MPAR Project In 

Development: 

LDCM 

 

people who work in agriculture, geology, forestry, regional planning, education, mapping, and global 

change research. 

The purpose of LDCM is to extend the record of multi-spectral, moderate resolution Landsat-quality 

data, and to meet U.S. Government operational and scientific requirements for observing land use and 

land change. 

For additional information, visit the LDCM mission Home Page: http://ldcm.nasa.gov/. 

 

Project Parameters

LDCM is being developed for an LRD that will minimize a potential data gap in the archive due to the 

fuel-limited life of Landsat-7. Recent analyses by the USGS and NASA have estimated the Landsat-7 

mission should continue to operate through at least the end of 2012. The LDCM mission completed its 

Confirmation Review on November 30, 2009, and its KDP-C transition review on December 16, 2009. 

Due to the high national importance of the mission and the need to maintain the continuity of the 

Landsat data record, NASA and USGS will implement the LDCM mission for a December 2012 launch, 

providing necessary budget and other resources to ensure all mission elements are ready for this 

launch date. A probabilistic analysis has determined that the launch date could move as far as June 

2013, driven by the late addition of the TIRS instrument. However, the LDCM project has been directed 

to execute all necessary contracts and actions to accomplish the December 2012 Launch Readiness 

Date. 

LDCM consists of a two science instruments (the Operational Land Imager and the Thermal Infrared 

Sensor), a spacecraft, and a mission operations element. The LDCM is in implementation and system 

level requirements are baselined to provide the following system-level performance parameters: 

 Earth Spatial-Temporal Coverage: 16-day repeat coverage of the global land mass; 

 - Spatial Resolution: 30 meters (visible, NIR, SWIR), 120 meters (thermal); 15 meters 

(panchromatic); 

 - Radiometric Performance: accuracy, dynamic range, and precision sufficient to detect land 

cover change using historic Landsat data; 

 - Data: 185-kilometer cross track-by-180-kilometer along track multi-spectral image of Earth's 

surface; and 

 - Mission Life: five years 

MP-38
Management and Performance 

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Earth Science 

Program: Earth Systematic Missions 

MPAR Project In 

Development: 

LDCM 

 

Project Commitments 

After launch, the spacecraft and OLI instrument will operate for a minimum of five years. The TIRS 

instrument will operate for a minimum of three years. 

Project Element Provider Description FY 2011 PB 

Request 

FY 2012 PB 

Request 

OLI Ball Aerospace and 

Technology Corporation 

Provide Landsat-equivalent 

data to extend the Landsat 

data of Earth's land surface 

for five years. 

Same Same 

TIRS GSFC 

Provide Landsat-equivalent 

thermal data to extend the 

Landsat data of Earth's 

land surface for three 

years. 

New Same

Spacecraft General Dynamics 

Provide performance and 

reliability commensurate 

with OLI and TIRS data 

requirements. 

Same Same 

Launch Vehicle ULA Provide launch service 

access to space. Same Same 

Mission Operations 

Element Hammers Corporation 

Provide capability for 

command and control, 

mission scheduling, longterm trending and analysis, 

and flight dynamics 

analysis. 

Same Same 

Schedule Commitments 

LDCM completed its spacecraft CDR and mission CDR in FY 2010. Due to the high national 

importance of the mission and the need to maintain continuity of the Landsat data record, NASA and 

USGS will strive to launch LDCM in December 2012. The LDCM project has been directed to execute 

all necessary contracts and actions to accomplish the December 2012 launch. Consistent with NASA 

policies regarding commitments to cost and schedule, the LDCM launch shall be no later than June 

2013. 

Milestone Name Confirmation 

Baseline 

FY 2011 PB 

Request 

FY 2012 PB 

Request 

Development 

Formulation 

Award OLI contract July 2007 July 2007 July 2007 

Confirmation Review Dec 2009 Dec 2009 Dec 2009 

Critical Design Review (CDR) Apr 2010 Apr 2010 Apr 2010 

MP-39
Management and Performance 

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Earth Science 

Program: Earth Systematic Missions 

MPAR Project In 

Development: 

LDCM 

 

Milestone Name Confirmation 

Baseline 

FY 2011 PB 

Request 

FY 2012 PB 

Request 

PSR Sep 2012 Sep 2012 Sep 2012 

Launch Jun 2013 Jun 2013 Jun 2013 

 

Development Cost and Schedule Summary 

Project Base 

Year 

Base Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate 

($M) 

Current 

Year 

Current 

Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate 

($M) 

Cost 

Change 

(%) 

Key Milestone

Base Year 

Milestone 

Date 

Current 

Year 

Milestone 

Date 

Milestone 

Change 

(months) 

Landsat Data 

Continuity Mission 

(LDCM) 

2010 583.4 2011 587.6 1 Launch 

Readiness 6/2013 6/201 3 0

Development Cost Details 

Element 

Base Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate ($M) 

Current Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate ($M) 

Delta 

Total: 583.4 587.6 4.2

Aircraft/Spacecraft 116.7 113.0 -3.7

Payloads 131.3 145.7 14.4

Systems I&T 1.7 2.0 0.3

Launch Vehicle 126.4 127.2 0.8

Ground Systems 10.7 15.8 5.1

Science/Technology 13.3 9.5 -3.8

Other Direct Project Costs 183.3 174.4 -8.9

Project Management 

LDCM is under the Earth Systematic Missions program within the Earth Science Division (ESD) of 

SMD. The NASA Associate Administrator (AA) is the decision authority; the ESD Director is the 

responsible official; and GSFC is the lead management organization. 

MP-40
Management and Performance 

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Earth Science 

Program: Earth Systematic Missions 

MPAR Project In 

Development: 

LDCM 

 

Project Element Project Management 

Responsibility NASA Center Performers Cost-Sharing Partners 

Operational Land Imager GSFC GSFC None 

Thermal Infrared Sensor GSFC GSFC None 

Spacecraft GSFC GSFC None 

Ground System GSFC GSFC U.S. Department of Interior-U.S. 

Geological Survey 

Mission Operations GSFC GSFC U.S. Department of Interior-U.S. 

Geological Survey 

 

Acquisition Strategy 

NASA's acquisition plan includes acquiring separate elements of the LDCM mission through open 

competition, with GSFC acting as the mission integrator and leading the element source selections. 

NASA has issued competitively selected contracts for the following major elements: Ball Aerospace and 

Technology Corporation for the development of the Operational Land Imager in July 2007; General 

Dynamics Corporation for the development of the spacecraft in April 2008; and Hammers Corporation 

for the development of the Mission Operations Element (MOE) in September 2008. The Thermal 

Infrared Sensor will be designed and built in-house at GSFC utilizing civil servants and support 

contractor personnel. 

Independent Reviews 

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review 

Performance HQ and GSFC 9/2008 Systems Requirement Review - Successful N/A 

Performance HQ and GSFC 7/2009 Mission Preliminary Design Review - Successful N/A 

Performance HQ and GSFC 5/2010 Mission Critical Design Review N/A 

Performance HQ and GSFC N/A Systems Integration Review 08/2011 

Project Risk Management 

Title Risk Statement Risk Management Approach and Plan 

Thermal Infrared Sensor 

(TIRS) development risk 

The TIRS instrument has an 

aggressive development 

schedule due to late addition 

to the instrument complement 

and there is a risk that TIRS 

will not be delivered on 

schedule to meet the LDCM 

launch readiness date. 

The LDCM project will develop alternative observatory 

integration and test scenarios to allow for late arrival of TIRS. 

In the event that TIRS cannot be delivered in time to meet the 

LDCM launch date, a flyable mass model will be developed. 

MP-41
Management and Performance 

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Earth Science 

Program: Earth Systematic Missions 

MPAR Project In 

Development: Aquarius

2011 MPAR Project Cost Estimate 

Budget Authority 

($ millions) Prior FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016 BTC LCC TOTAL

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request 221.5 22.3 - 4.9 4.6 4.9 5.1 5.2 - -

FY 2011 Costs 

CSLE 

Extended Ops Budget not 

included in LCC 

21.0

0.5 0.5 0.3

-1.5 -5.1 -5.2 

2011 MPAR Project Cost 

Estimate 221.5 22.3 21.0 5.4 5.1 3.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 279.0

Formulation 35.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 35.6

Development 185.9 22.3 19.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 227.3

Operations 0.0 0.0 1.9 5.4 5.1 3.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 16.1











Space flight projects, per NASA’s policy, are baselined and then budgeted to a confidence level of 70%. This confidence 

level is reflected in the project’s estimated Life Cycle Cost Estimate (LCCE) at key decision point C. 

The row titled “FY 2012 President’s Budget Request” is the equivalent of the same row in the Project in Development pages. 

The row titled “FY 2011 Costs” is the project’s cost estimate for that year based on the 2010 Authorization Act as a guide for 

planning purposes. The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was 

prepared; therefore, NASA is operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). 

The row titled “CSLE” reflects the civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) in FY 2012 and beyond. CSLE funds are 

administered within a single consolidated account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project’s FY 

2012 President’s Budget Request amounts. CSLE funds are included in the projects’ cost estimates (a full cost view). 

The row titled “Extended Ops Budget not included in LCC” reflects budgeted funds for operations that continue beyond the 

period of prime operations for which the project was baselined. 

Explanation of Project Changes 

The FY 2011 budget for Aquarius reflected the cost for a launch no earlier than December 2010. 

Spacecraft development delays at NASA's foreign partner, Argentina's National Committee of Space 

Activities (CONAE) spacecraft have delayed the launch to no earlier than June 2011. 

 

Project Purpose 

The Aquarius mission will investigate the links between the global water cycle, ocean circulation, and 

climate. It will observe and model variations of sea surface salinity, and how these relate to changes in 

the water cycle and ocean circulation. This will yield an unprecedented view of the oceans' role in 

climate and weather. For more information visit: http://aquarius.gsfc.nasa.gov/. 

 

MP-42
Management and Performance 

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Earth Science 

Program: Earth Systematic Missions 

Aquarius 

 

Project Parameters 

Aquarius is an instrument on Argentina's CONAE spacecraft, Satellite de Aplicaciones Cientificas-D 

(SAC-D). The combined NASA and CONAE instruments and spacecraft form the Aquarius/SAC-D 

observatory. This observatory will be launched into a polar, Sun-synchronous orbit that allows global 

coverage of ice-free ocean surfaces consistent with Aquarius/SAC-D science observational targets. 

The Aquarius instrument includes an L-band microwave radiometer (1.413 GHz) and scatterometer 

(1.26 GHz). The radiometer will measure the surface brightness temperature, which is related to the 

surface emissivity and physical temperature of the seawater. The surface emissivity is determined by 

the dielectric constant of seawater, which is related to salinity. The scatterometer is required to provide 

coincident information of sea surface roughness, a critical correction term for retrieval of sea surface 

salinity. 

 

Project Commitments 

Aquarius is manifested to launch no earlier than June 2011 to begin a three-year prime mission to 

measure sea surface salinity with the precision, resolution, and coverage needed to characterize 

salinity variations and investigate the linkage between ocean circulation, Earth's water cycle, and 

climate variability. 

Project Element Provider Description FY 2011 PB 

Request 

FY 2012 PB 

Request 

L-band microwave 

radiometer at 1.413 GHz; 

scatterometer at 1.26 GHz; 

SSS measurements with 

root-mean-sq random 

errors and systematic 

biases <= 0.2 psu on 150 

km sq scales over ice-free 

oceans. 

Aquarius Instrument 

(integrated radiometer/ 

scatterometer) 

JPL Same Same 

Spacecraft CONAE SAC-D Same Same 

Launch Vehicle Boeing Delta II Same Same 

Data Management GSFC N/A Same Same 

Operations CONAE Command and telemetry Same Same 

Schedule Commitments 

The Aquarius mission entered a Risk Mitigation Phase (RMP) in July 2002. Following the RMP, the 

project was authorized to proceed to a formulation phase in December 2003. The Aquarius mission 

was authorized by the NASA Science Mission Directorate to proceed to development on October 12, 

2005. In November 2007, the NASA Science Mission Directorate Program Management Council 

approved a replan of Aquarius, including a launch delay to May 2010. In December 2009, the 

NASA Science Mission Directorate Program Management Council approved another replan of 

Aquarius, including a launch delay manifesting the Aquarius/SAC-D mission for a January 2011 launch. 

MP-43

MPAR Project In 

Development: 
Management and Performance

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Earth Science 

Program: Earth Systematic Missions 

MPAR Project In 

Development: Aquarius

 

In September 2010, NASA, in coordination with CONAE, made the decision to delay the launch 

readiness date to June 2011 based on the progress on SAC-D testing and assessment of the 

remaining schedule. The rebaseline of the Aquarius project for this change is scheduled to take place in 

March 2011. 

Milestone Name Confirmation 

Baseline

FY 2011 PB 

Request

FY 2012 PB 

Request

Development

Mission Confirmation Review September 2005 September 2005 September 2005

Mission CDR August 2007 July 2008 July 2008

Aquarius Instrument Pre-ship Review [FY 2008 APG] May 2008 May 2009 May 2009

Launch March 2009 January 2011 June 2011

Development Cost and Schedule Summary

Project Base 

Year

Base Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate 

($M)

Current 

Year

Current 

Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate 

($M)

Cost 

Change 

(%)

Key Milestone

Base Year 

Milestone 

Date

Current 

Year 

Milestone 

Date

Milestone 

Change 

(months)

Aquarius 2007 192.6 2011 227.3 18 Launch 

Readiness 07/2009 06/2011 23

Development Cost Details

Element

Base Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate ($M)

Current Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate ($M)

Delta

Total: 192.6 227.3 34.7

Payloads 55.4 98.2 42.8

Launch Vehicle/Services 78.9 82.1 3.2

Ground Systems 5.5 5.2 -0.3

Science/Technology 10.9 11.6 0.7

Other Direct Project Cost 41.9 30.2 -11.7

MP-44
Management and Performance 

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Earth Science 

Program: Earth Systematic Missions 

MPAR Project In 

Development: Aquarius 

 

Project Management 

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory is responsible for project management. The Science Mission Directorate 

Program Management Council is responsible for program oversight. The Earth Science Division 

Director is the responsible official for this project. 

Project Element Project Management 

Responsibility NASA Center Performers Cost-Sharing Partners 

Launch Vehicle KSC KSC None 

Ground System JPL GSFC None 

Aquarius Instrument JPL JPL None 

Spacecraft CONAE None CONAE 

Radiometer JPL GSFC None 

Data management GSFC GSFC/JPL None 

Mission operations CONAE None CONAE 

Acquisition Strategy 

Aquarius was competitively selected from proposals submitted in response to ESSP AO 3. All elements 

of the project were included in that selection, and there are no other planned major procurements. 

The launch vehicle procurement was awarded to Boeing. GSFC and JPL were selected for the 

remaining project elements not provided by CONAE. 

Independent Reviews 

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review 

Performance 

Aquarius 

Standing 

Review Board 

7/2010 

Aquarius Replan Review -- Determined 

readiness of Aquarius instrument integration 

with the SAC-D Observatory (Phase D). 

Recommendation to proceed to Phase D. 

3/2011 

Project Risk Management 

Title Risk Statement Risk Management Approach and Plan 

Monitor Comision Nacional De Actividades Espaciales 

(CONAE) progress and confirm commitments; reassess 

available schedule reserves. 

Spacecraft Development 

Delays 

Further delays could impact 

launch date. 

MP-45
Management and Performance 

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Earth Science 

Program: Earth Systematic Missions 

 

 

MPAR Project In 

Development: Aquarius 

Corrective Action Plan (as submitted in Report on Program and Cost Assessment January 11, 

2011 – as required under 1203) 

Project Description: NASA’s Aquarius project is part of a joint undertaking with the Comisión 

Nacional de Actividades Espaciales (CONAE), the space agency of Argentina, and referred to as the 

Aquarius/SAC-D project. The implementation of Aquarius/SAC-D is governed by a Memorandum of 

Understanding (MOU), dated March 2, 2004. The Aquarius prime mission life is planned and funded for 

three years with a minimum requirement of one year of operations. The Aquarius project will implement 

an exploratory sensor capability designed to make pioneering space-based measurements of sea 

surface salinity (SSS) with the precision, resolution, and coverage needed to characterize salinity 

variations and investigate the linkage between ocean circulation, Earth's water cycle, and climate 

variability. Salinity data are required to determine seawater density, which in turn governs ocean 

circulation. SSS variations are governed by freshwater fluxes due to precipitation, evaporation, runoff, 

and the freezing and melting of ice. 

The Aquarius SSS measurements will be used to address two key areas of NASA's Earth Science 

research strategy: 1) how global precipitation, evaporation, and the cycling of water are changing; and 

2) how climate variations induce changes in the global ocean circulation. In meeting these objectives, 

Aquarius will also validate a space-based measurement approach and analysis concept that could be 

used for future systematic SSS monitoring missions. 

The Aquarius/SAC-D project will be conducted using an observatory made up of the NASA-provided 

Aquarius instrument, SAC-D science instruments, and the SAC-D spacecraft bus (service platform) 

contributed by CONAE. CONAE's SAC-D requirements are technically and scientifically compatible 

with Aquarius. However, Aquarius is designated in the MOU as the prime mission instrument on SACD. The Aquarius/SAC-D mission operations will be conducted using an integrated mission operations 

system consisting of the CONAE observatory operations control center in Argentina, the Goddard 

Space Flight Center (GSFC) Aquarius science planning and data processing center, and the Jet 

Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) Physical Oceanography Distributed Active Archive Center (PODAAC) for 

data archive and distribution. NASA will be providing the Delta-II launch vehicle. 

The NASA instrument, Aquarius, will retrieve SSS by microwave remote sensing of surface brightness 

temperature at L-band, which is governed by the surface salinity, temperature, and roughness (due to 

wind and waves). An integrated L-band microwave radiometer/scatterometer will be developed and 

deployed as the salinity measuring instrument, consisting of three beams in a pushbroom configuration. 

The radiometer (1.413 GHz) will measure the surface brightness temperature, which is related to the 

surface emissivity and physical temperature of the seawater. The surface emissivity is determined by 

the dielectric constant of seawater, which is related to salinity. The scatterometer (1.26 GHz) is required 

to provide coincident information of sea surface roughness, a critical correction term for retrieval of sea 

surface salinity. The Baseline Science Mission enables study of the relevant oceanic processes on 

intraseasonal to interannual time scales by resolving the SSS with 0.2 practical salinity units (psu) 

accuracy on monthly time scales for at least three years. 

MP-46
Management and Performance 

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Earth Science 

Program: Earth Systematic Missions 

Aquarius 

 

CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN SUMMARY 

ISSUE CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN 

ISSUE 1: Delays in the CONAE (Argentina 

Space Agency) SAC-D development 

(primarily associated with several minor 

technical issues and insufficient planning for 

integration and test activities) have led to 

NASA cost overruns and schedule slips.

Programmatic – NASA instituted a weekly 

teleconference with senior CONAE management to 

review project status and ensure all parties are well 

informed. 

NOTE: This issue is entirely outside of 

NASA's responsibility in the partnership with 

Argentina. 

Technical - JPL has placed a senior systems engineer 

on site at the integration and tests facilities in Argentina 

and Brazil, respectively with the purpose of monitoring 

CONAE progress and advising within the bounds of the 

JPL technical assistance agreement. 

CURRENT STATUS: NASA has taken steps 

to improve insight and provide assistance to 

CONAE, within the limitations of ITAR.

Cost - The Aquarius project has worked to minimize the 

cost impact of schedule delays by reducing workforce 

to the lowest level required to support the remaining 

work. The resulting cost avoidance is estimated to be 

approximately $1.5M. 

Schedule - NASA has been working closely with 

CONAE to ensure the schedule is appropriate (based 

on NASA experience on missions of similar scope) for 

the remaining work, while ensuring mission success. In 

the past, the schedules have been optimistic, with not 

enough detail to make realistic assessments of the 

effort to complete the mission.

MP-47

MPAR Project In 

Development: 
Management and Performance 

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Earth Science 

Program: Earth Systematic Missions 

Aquarius 

 

MPAR Project In 

Development: 

ISSUE CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN 

ISSUE 2: Contamination of the SAC-D 

Observatory Dual Thruster Modules (DTMs) 

has led to CONAE schedule delays. 

NOTE: This issue is the responsibility of 

CONAE. 

CURRENT STATUS: The refurbishment of 

all of the DTM flight units has been 

completed and the flight units were reintegrated with the observatory in October 

2010.

Technical - NASA/JPL provided support to CONAE on 

the removal, shipment to the US vendor, and 

refurbishment of the DTMs. Without NASA support, it is 

estimated that the refurbishment effort would have 

resulted in a significant delay of four months. The work 

NASA conducted minimized the schedule delay (by as 

much as 2 months) and reduced the potential for further 

damage to the Observatory and/or an on-orbit failure. 

Schedule – Since this issue occurred concurrently with 

the other issues noted in ISSUE 1, it is difficult to 

determine the exact impact of the DTMs contamination 

on the overall schedule. However, while the entire 

refurbishment process took approximately 2 months, 

the impact to the project schedule was more likely 4-6 

weeks. 

MP-48
Management and Performance 

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Earth Science 

Program: Earth System Science Pathfinder 

MPAR Project In 

Development: OCO-2 

 

2011 MPAR Project Cost Estimate 

Budget Authority 

($ millions) Prior FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016 BTC LCC TOTAL

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request

29.1 62.0 - 91.0 41.0 13.0 4.0 0.0 - -

FY 2011 Costs 109.8

2011 MPAR Project Cost 

Estimate 

Formulation 

29.1

28.9

62.0

32.0

109.8

0.0

91.0

0.0

41.0

0.0

13.0

0.0

4.0

0.0

0.0

0.0 

0.0

0.0

349.9

60.9

Development 0.2 30.0 109.8 91.0 18.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 249.0

Operations 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 23.0 13.0 4.0 0.0 0.0 40.0







Space flight projects, per NASA’s policy, are baselined and then budgeted to a confidence level of 70%. This confidence 

level is reflected in the project’s estimated Life Cycle Cost Estimate (LCCE) at key decision point C. 

The row titled “FY 2012 President’s Budget Request” is the equivalent of the same row in the Project in Development pages. 

The row titled “FY 2011 Costs” is the project’s cost estimate for that year based on the 2010 Authorization Act as a guide for 

planning purposes. The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was 

prepared; therefore, NASA is operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). 

Project Purpose 

Data received from OCO-2 will support climate research by enabling an improved understanding of 

natural, distributed CO2 sources and sinks and ocean/atmosphere and land/atmosphere CO2 

exchange processes. OCO-2 measurements will initiate a global time series of atmospheric CO2 for 

direct support of policy development and verification of regulations and environmental treaties. Rapid 

development and launch of OCO-2 is a key element of the President's Budget. 

OCO-2 replaces the original OCO, which failed to reach orbit in February 2009 due to a launch vehicle 

anomaly. OCO-2 will utilize OCO's detailed design and implementation approach to the greatest 

possible degree to reduce risk. The mission objectives of OCO and OCO-2 are identical. 

 

Project Parameters 

The OCO-2 mission consists of a dedicated spacecraft with a single instrument, flying in a near-polar, 

Sun-synchronous orbit launched by an expendable launch vehicle. The orbit's early afternoon equator 

crossing time maximizes the available signal and minimizes diurnal biases in CO2 measurements 

associated with photosynthesis. The OCO-2 flight system uses hardware components, software, and 

processes with space flight heritage, in particular drawing from the spacecraft and mission design 

implemented for the OCO mission. The spacecraft structure is made of honeycomb panels that form a 

hexagonal shape. This structure houses the instrument and the spacecraft bus components. Panels 

with solar cells are attached and stowed such that the whole structure fits inside the small fairing of the 

MP-49
Management and Performance 

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Earth Science 

Program: Earth System Science Pathfinder 

MPAR Project In 

Development: OCO-2 

 

Taurus XL launch vehicle. For the OCO-2 mission, the spacecraft has been elongated to accommodate 

the instrument and the instrument has been embedded into the structure of the spacecraft, exactly as 

was done for the OCO spacecraft. The instrument consists of a single telescope feeding three highresolution grating spectrometers. The optics will be cooled to approximately 270 Kelvin (K) and the 

Focal Plane Arrays (FPAs) to approximately 120 K. The instrument will measure CO2 and O2 nearinfrared absorptions from reflected sunlight. Remote sensing retrieval algorithms will process these 

data to yield estimates of the column-averaged CO2 dry air mole fraction, XCO2. The total weight of the 

observatory is about 530 kilograms. The original OCO successfully completed qualification of this 

configuration prior to launch. 

Project Commitments 

The OCO-2 is planned to launch in February 2013 to begin a two-year mission. OCO-2 will provide 

atmospheric CO2 measurements with near global coverage of the sunlit portion of Earth on a 16-day 

repeat cycle. 

Project Element Provider Description FY 2011 PB 

Request 

FY 2012 PB 

Request 

Spacecraft Orbital Sciences Corp Provides platform for the 

instrument New Same

Three channel, highresolution grating 

spectrometer measuring 

CO2 and O2 near-infrared 

absorptions from reflected 

sunlight 

OCO-2 Instrument JPL New Same

Launch Vehicle Orbital Sciences Corp Taurus XL New Same 

Schedule Commitments 

Based on design maturity due to the heritage of OCO, OCO-2 entered Formulation in February 2010. 

Completion of KDP-C and transition to Development occurred in September 2010. 

Milestone Name Confirmation 

Baseline 

FY 2011 PB 

Request 

FY 2012 PB 

Request 

Development 

KDP-C N/A December 2010 September 2010 

LRD N/A February 2013 February 2013 

MP-50
Management and Performance

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Earth Science 

Program: Earth System Science Pathfinder 

MPAR Project In 

Development: OCO-2 

 

Development Cost and Schedule Summary

Project Base 

Year

Base Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate 

($M)

Current 

Year

Current 

Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate 

($M)

Cost 

Change 

(%)

Key Milestone

Base Year 

Milestone 

Date

Current 

Year 

Milestone 

Date

Milestone 

Change 

(months)

OCO-2 2011 249.0 2011 249.0 0 Launch 

Readiness 02/2013 02/2013 0

Development Cost Details

Element

Base Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate ($M)

Current Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate ($M)

Delta

Total: 249.0 249.0 0

Spacecraft 42.0 42.0 0

Payload 39.4 39.4 0

System I&T 2.4 2.4 0

Launch Vehicle 67.6 67.6 0

Ground System 7.5 7.5 0

Science/Technology 10.0 10.0 0

Other 80.1 80.1 0

Project Management

JPL has project management responsibility for OCO-2. The Science Mission Directorate Program 

Management Council has program oversight responsibility. The Earth Sciences Division Director is the 

responsible official.

Project Element Project Management 

Responsibility NASA Center Performers Cost-Sharing Partners

Spacecraft JPL None None

Instrument JPL JPL None

Ground System JPL JPL None

Launch Vehicle JPL KSC None

MP-51
Management and Performance 

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Earth Science 

Program: Earth System Science Pathfinder 

MPAR Project In 

Development: OCO-2 

 

Acquisition Strategy 

The OCO-2 spacecraft will be built by Orbital Sciences Corporation. A sole source procurement is 

being pursued to maintain the same configuration as OCO. The OCO-2 instrument will be built in-house 

at JPL. 

Independent Reviews 

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review 

Performance OCO-2 SRB 09/2010 

OCO-2 will complete a KDP-C Confirmation 

Review, to establish the mission development 

baseline. 

02/2012 

Project Risk Management 

Title Risk Statement Risk Management Approach and Plan 

Launch Vehicle Failure If Taurus XL launch vehicle 

failure occurs, then there will 

be a loss of mission. 

NASA is employing a rigorous Return-to-Flight program on 

the Taurus XL launch vehicle for the Glory mission. The OCO 

team is being provided insight into these results. 

Single String Component 

Failure 

If an OCO-2 single string (i.e. 

no redundancy) component 

fails, then there may be a loss 

of mission. 

OCO-2 (based on the competed OCO design) was designed 

to have some single string components. Thorough analyses 

and testing is being performed to mitigate this risk as much 

as possible. 

MP-52
Management and Performance 

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Heliophysics 

Program: Living with a Star 

MPAR Project In 

Development: RBSP 

2011 MPAR Project Cost Estimate 

Budget Authority 

($ millions) Prior FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016 BTC LCC TOTAL

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request 271.3 121.0 - 91.2 29.7 21.5 8.7 0.0 - -

FY 2011 Costs 

CSLE 

Administrative Labor 

Adjustments 

0.2

140.0

1.0 0.5 0.5 0.4 

2011 MPAR Project Cost 

Estimate 271.3 121.2 140.0 92.2 30.2 22.0 9.1 0.0 0.0 686.0

Formulation 88.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 88.2

Development 183.1 121.2 140.0 81.6 8.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 534.2

Operations 0.0 0.0 0.0 10.7 21.9 22.0 9.1 0.0 0.0 63.7











Space flight projects, per NASA’s policy, are baselined and then budgeted to a confidence level of 70%. This confidence 

level is reflected in the project’s estimated Life Cycle Cost Estimate (LCCE) at key decision point C. 

The row titled “FY 2012 President’s Budget Request” is the equivalent of the same row in the Project in Development pages. 

The row titled “FY 2011 Costs” is the project’s cost estimate for that year based on the 2010 Authorization Act as a guide for 

planning purposes. The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was 

prepared; therefore, NASA is operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). 

The row titled “CSLE” reflects the civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) in FY 2012 and beyond. CSLE funds are 

administered within a single consolidated account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project’s FY 

2012 President’s Budget Request amounts. CSLE funds are included in the projects’ cost estimates (a full cost view). 

The row titled “Administrative Labor Adjustments” represents administrative costs in FY 2010 that transferred out of the 

project budget lines into the Center Management and Operations account. Administrative labor was defined as all civil 

servants not classified as scientists, engineers, mathematicians, medical, or quality assurance. These costs are included in 

the project LCCE.

Explanation of Project Changes 

RBSP was confirmed in FY 2009 to proceed into the development phase, and will launch in May 2012. 

The total funding for RBSP has not changed. 

Project Purpose 

The RBSP mission will observe the fundamental processes that energize and transport radiation 

particles in Earth's inner magnetosphere (the area in and around the Earth's radiation belts). These 

dynamic processes operate throughout the universe at other planets and stars, and they continuously 

operate within Earth's immediate space environment. 

MP-53
Management and Performance 

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Heliophysics 

Program: Living with a Star 

MPAR Project In 

Development: RBSP 

 

The primary science objective of the RBSP mission is to provide 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. The RBSP mission lifetime will provide sufficient 

local time, altitude, and event coverage to improve understanding, and determine the relative 

significance of the various mechanisms that operate within the radiation belts. 

RBSP observations will provide new knowledge on the dynamics and extremes of the radiation belts 

that are important to all technological systems that fly in and through geospace. 

 

Project Parameters 

The RBSP mission is comprised of two identical spacecraft in elliptical, low-inclination orbits that travel 

independently through Earth's radiation belts to distinguish time and space variations in the measured 

ions, electrons, and fields. 

Project Commitments 

The RBSP project will launch two identical spacecraft in FY 2012 to begin a two-year prime mission. 

Project Element Provider Description FY 2011 PB 

Request 

FY 2012 PB 

Request 

EELV KSC Deliver a spacecraft to 

operational orbit Same Same 

Energetic Particle, 

Composition and 

Thermal Plasma Suite 

(ECT) 

University of New 

Hampshire 

Measure the electron and 

ion spectra, and 

composition to understand 

the electron and ion 

changes 

Same Same 

Radiation Belt Storm 

Probes Ion 

Composition 

Experiment 

(RBSPICE) 

New Jersey Institute of 

Technology 

Measure the ring current in 

the magnetosphere during 

geomagnetic storms 

Same Same 

Electric and Magnetic 

Field Instrument Suite 

and Integrated Science 

(EMFISIS) 

University of Iowa Measure the magnetic 

fields and plasma waves Same Same 

Electric Field and 

Waves Instrument for 

the NASA RBSP 

Mission (EFW) 

University of Minnesota Measure the electric fields 

in the radiation belts Same Same 

 Proton Spectrometer 

Belt Research (PSBR) 

National Reconnaissance 

Office 

Measure the inner Van 

Allen belt protons Same Same 

Operate science 

instruments in high 

radiation; transmit science 

data to ground 

Spacecraft JHU-APL Same Same 

MP-54
Management and Performance

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Heliophysics

Program: Living with a Star 

MPAR Project In 

Development: RBSP

 

Project Element Provider Description FY 2011 PB 

Request

FY 2012 PB 

Request

Ground System 

Primary ground station at 

JHU-APL; instrument 

operation is distributed 

among investigators

Receive science data from 

two spacecraft; distribute to 

archive

Same Same

Schedule Commitments 

The RBSP project was authorized to begin formulation in September 2006 when the selections for 

science investigations were announced. It was confirmed to proceed into development on December 

19, 2009.

Milestone Name Confirmation 

Baseline

FY 2011 PB 

Request

FY 2012 PB 

Request

Development

Begin Implementation January 2009 January 2009 January 2009

Critical Design Review December 2009 December 2009 December 2009

System Integration Review November 2010 November 2010 October 2010

Launch Readiness Review May 2012 May 2012 May 2012

Development Cost and Schedule Summary

Project Base 

Year

Base Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate 

($M)

Current 

Year

Current 

Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate 

($M)

Cost 

Change 

(%)

Key Milestone

Base Year 

Milestone 

Date

Current 

Year 

Milestone 

Date

Milestone 

Change 

(months)

Radiation Belt 

Storm Probes 

(RBSP)

2009 533.9 2011 534.2 0 Launch 

Readiness 05/2012 05/2012 0

Development Cost Details

Element

Base Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate ($M)

Current Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate ($M)

Delta

Total: 533.9 534.2 0.3

Spacecraft 85.6 113.0 27.4

Payload 95.4 96.4 1.0

MP-55
Management and Performance 

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Heliophysics 

Program: Living with a Star 

MPAR Project In 

Development: RBSP 

 

System I&T 36.9 39.4 2.5

Launch Vehicle 133.6 133.6 0.0

Ground System 16.3 19.5 3.2

Science/Technology 3.1 3.9 0.8

Other 163.0 128.4 -34.6

Project Management 

Project Element Project Management 

Responsibility NASA Center Performers Cost-Sharing Partners 

Ground Systems JHU-APL None None 

Data Analysis JHU-APL None National Reconnaissance Office 

Instrument Development JHU-APL None National Reconnaissance Office 

Spacecraft design, 

integration with instrument, 

and test 

JHU-APL Non e None 

Mission Operations JHU-APL None None 

Expendable Launch 

Vehicle KSC None None 

Acquisition Strategy 

The RBSP spacecraft and ground system are being designed, developed, and tested at the JHU-APL. 

The acquisition of sub-contracted spacecraft sub-assemblies, components, and parts is through 

procurement contracts issued by the JHU-APL Procurement Office. Instrument development 

participants include the University of Iowa, University of Minnesota, New Jersey Institute of Technology, 

and the University of New Hampshire, as well as contributions from the National Reconnaissance 

Office and the Czech Republic. 

The ground system components were defined during the formulation phases (Phases A and B) and 

include a mission operations center at the JHU-APL. 

The Energetic Particle, Composition and Thermal Plasma Suite (ECT), Electric and Magnetic Field 

Instrument Suite and Integrated Science (EMFISIS), Electric Field and Waves Instrument for the NASA 

RBSP mission (EFW), and Radiation Belt Storm Probes Ions Composition Experiment (RBSPICE) 

science investigations were procured through announcements of opportunity. The Proton Spectrometer 

Belt Research (PSBR) instrument is being contributed through an agreement with the National 

Reconnaissance Office. 

MP-56
Management and Performance 

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Heliophysics 

Program: Living with a Star 

MPAR Project In 

Development: RBSP 

 

Independent Reviews 

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review 

Performance Senior Review 

Board 10/2008 

Preliminary Design Review. The review 

concluded that the RBSP design was sufficiently 

mature to proceed to KDP-C. 

N/A 

Performance SRB 12/2009 

Critical Design Review: The review concluded 

that there were no significant issues and the 

project should continue as planned. 

N/A 

Performance SRB 10/2010 

System Integration Review: The review 

concluded that the project was ready to proceed 

with I&T. 

 N/A 

Project Risk Management 

Title Risk Statement Risk Management Approach and Plan 

Complete Electric and 

Magnetic Field Instrument 

Suite and Integrated Science 

End-to-End testing 

If the Electric and Magnetic 

Field Instrument Suite and 

Integrated Science (EMFISIS) 

main Electronics Box 

Engineering Model 2 (EM2) is 

not successfully integrated 

and tested per the EM2 test 

plan and schedule, then the 

flight build and delivery will be 

delayed. 

Hold Flight Manufacturing Readiness Reviews. Complete EM 

2 environmental testing and characterization. Complete EM2 

I&T peer review. 

XCVR Qualification program If the transceiver qualification 

program does not perform to 

their re-planned schedule, 

then the project's I&T 

schedule will be delayed. 

Provide bi-weekly schedule updates to the integrated master 

schedule. Burn Qualification model on the RTAX, the field 

programmable gate array. Conduct Engineering Design 

Review of Qualification model. 

MP-57
Management and Performance 

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Heliophysics 

Program: Solar Terrestrial Probes 

MPAR Project In 

Development: MMS

2011 MPAR Project Cost Estimate 

Budget Authority 

($ millions) Prior FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016 BTC LCC TOTAL

FY 2012 President's 

Budget Request 226.0 130.1 - 146.2 153 153 30.5 18.6 - -

FY 2011 Costs 

CSLE 

Administrative Labor 

Adjustments 

0.7

156.8

18 15.3 13 4.1 1.9 1.0

2011 MPAR Project Cost 

Estimate 226.0 130.8 156.8 164.3 168.3 166.0 34.5 20.4 15.4 1082.6

Formulation 172.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 172.9

Development 53.0 130.8 156.8 164.3 168.3 166.0 17.9 0.0 0.0 857.3

Operations 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 16.6 20.4 15.4 52.4











Space flight projects, per NASA’s policy, are baselined and then budgeted to a confidence level of 70%. This confidence 

level is reflected in the project’s estimated Life Cycle Cost Estimate (LCCE) at key decision point C. 

The row titled “FY 2012 President’s Budget Request” is the equivalent of the same row in the Project in Development pages. 

The row titled “FY 2011 Costs” is the project’s cost estimate for that year based on the 2010 Authorization Act as a guide for 

planning purposes. The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was 

prepared; therefore, NASA is operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). 

The row titled “CSLE” reflects the civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) in FY 2012 and beyond. CSLE funds are 

administered within a single consolidated account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project’s FY 

2012 President’s Budget Request amounts. CSLE funds are included in the projects’ cost estimates (a full cost view). 

The row titled “Administrative Labor Adjustments” represents administrative costs in FY 2010 that transferred out of the 

project budget lines into the Center Management and Operations account. Administrative labor was defined as all civil 

servants not classified as scientists, engineers, mathematicians, medical, or quality assurance. These costs are included in 

the project LCCE.

Explanation of Project Changes 

MMS has no change in life cycle cost. Sweden is not able to deliver the deployment mechanism of their 

electric field instrument contribution as planned. This mechanism will now be built by NASA through an 

existing partner institution, the University of New Hampshire. 

 

Project Purpose 

MMS will use four identically instrumented spacecraft to perform the first definitive study of magnetic 

reconnection in space. Reconnection occurs in all astrophysical plasma systems but can be studied 

efficiently only in the Earth's magnetosphere. Magnetic reconnection is thought to be of great 

importance for energy transfer throughout the universe and is an efficient and fast acceleration 

mechanism. Reconnection is the primary process by which energy is transferred from the solar wind to 

MP-58
Management and Performance 

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Heliophysics 

Program: Solar Terrestrial Probes 

MPAR Project In 

Development: MMS 

 

Earth's magnetosphere and is the critical physical process determining the size of a space weather 

geomagnetic storm. MMS will determine why magnetic reconnection occurs, where it occurs, how it 

varies, how magnetic energy is coupled into heat and particle kinetic energy, and how this energy is 

coupled into the surrounding plasma. 

For more information about MMS, please see http://stp.gsfc.nasa.gov/missions/mms/mms.htm. 

 

Project Parameters 

The MMS instrument payload will measure electric and magnetic fields and plasmas within the smallscale diffusion regions where magnetic reconnection occurs. High temporal and spatial resolution 

measurements will permit direct observation of these physical processes. The four spacecraft and 

instrument suites have identical design requirements. A two-phase, low-inclination orbit will probe both 

the dayside magnetopause and the nightside magnetotail neutral sheet where reconnection is known to 

frequently occur. The primary target of Phase 1 is the dayside magnetopause reconnection region. 

Phase 2 will focus on the near-Earth neutral line in the nightside magnetotail. The four spacecraft will fly 

in a tetrahedron formation and the separation between the observatories will be adjustable over a range 

of 10 to 400 kilometers during science operations in the area of interest. The mission design life is two 

years. 

 

Project Commitments 

NASA plans to launch four identically-instrumented spacecraft on an Evolved Expendable Launch 

Vehicle (EELV) into a highly elliptical Earth orbit in March 2015 and begin two years of scientific 

measurements that will enable an understanding of fundamental plasma physics processes associated 

with magnetic reconnection. 

Project Element Provider Description FY 2011 PB 

Request 

FY 2012 PB 

Request 

Launch Vehicle KSC 

Deliver ~4,000 kg payload 

consisting of four 

observatories to a highly 

elliptical Earth orbit. 

Same Same 

Ground Systems GSFC 

Provide during operations 

minimum science data 

payback of ~4 Gbits of data 

per observatory each day. 

Same Same 

Spacecraft GSFC 

Deliver high-rate data from 

instruments to ground 

station with a high accuracy 

for two years. 

Same Same 

Electric Field 

Instruments UNH 

Provide measurements of 

electric fields (time 

resolution 1 ms) and 

magnetic fields (time 

resolution 10 ms) 

Same Same 

MP-59
Management and Performance 

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Heliophysics 

Program: Solar Terrestrial Probes 

MPAR Project In 

Development: MMS 

 

Project Element Provider Description FY 2011 PB 

Request 

FY 2012 PB 

Request 

Fast Plasma 

Investigation GSFC 

Provide plasma wave 

measurements (electric 

vector to 100 KHz). 

Same Same 

Energetic Particle 

Detectors JHU-APL 

Provide high-resolution 

measurement of energetic 

particles. 

Same Same 

Three-dimensional 

measurements of hot 

plasma composition (time 

resolution 10s). 

Hot Plasma 

Composition Analyzers 

Southwest Research 

Institute Same Same 

Science Operations 

Center 

University of Colorado/ 

Laboratory for 

Atmospheric and Space 

Physics 

Provide science data to the 

community and archive. Same Same 

Schedule Commitments 

MMS began formulation in FY 2002. The project's confirmation review was held in June 2009 and the 

project was approved to enter implementation. As a result of the confirmation review, the launch date 

was moved to March 2015. The Mission Critical Design Review was successfully completed in August 

2010. 

Milestone Name Confirmation 

Baseline 

FY 2011 PB 

Request 

FY 2012 PB 

Request 

Development 

Mission Definition Review September 2007 September 2007 September 2007 

Initial Confirmation Review November 2007 November 2007 November 2007 

Confirmation Review June 2009 June 2009 June 2009 

Critical Design Review August 2010 August 2010 August 2010 

System Integration review January 2012 January 2012 January 2012 

Launch March 2015 March 2015 March 2015 

MP-60
Management and Performance

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Heliophysics

Program: Solar Terrestrial Probes 

MPAR Project In 

Development: MMS

 

Development Cost and Schedule Summary

Project Base 

Year

Base Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate 

($M)

Current 

Year

Current 

Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate 

($M)

Cost 

Change 

(%)

Key Milestone

Base Year 

Milestone 

Date

Current 

Year

Milestone 

Date

Milestone 

Change 

(months)

Magnetospheric 

Multiscale (MMS) 2010 857.4 2011 857.3 0 Launch Readiness 03/2015 03/2015 0

Development Cost Details

Element

Base Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate ($M)

Current Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate ($M)

Delta

Total: 857.4 857.3 -0.1

Payload 131.9 143.6 11.7

Spacecraft 169.0 182.1 13.1

Systems I&T 55.3 28.4 -26.9

Ground Systems 19.1 18.4 -0.7

Science/Technology 19.9 17.2 -2.7

Other (Project Management) 268.0 273.2 5.2

Launch Services 194.2 194.4 0.2

Project Management 

The STP Program has program management responsibility for the MMS project. 

 

Project Element Project Management 

Responsibility NASA Center Performers Cost-Sharing Partners

Four Instrument Suites GSFC, Southwest Research 

Institute GSFC

Austrian Space Agency, France 

(CNES), and Japan (JAXA), 

Sweden (SNSB)

Launch Vehicle KSC KSC None

Four Spacecraft GSFC GSFC None

Mission Operations GSFC GSFC None

Science Operations GSFC, LASP None None

 

MP-61
Management and Performance 

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Heliophysics 

Program: Solar Terrestrial Probes 

MMS 

 

Acquisition Strategy 

The MMS spacecraft is being designed, developed, and tested in-house at GSFC using a combination 

of GSFC civil servants and local support service contractors. The acquisition of subcontracted 

spacecraft sub-assemblies, components, and parts is through procurement contracts issued by the 

MMS procurement office. Instrument development activities are under contract with SwRI. Instrument 

development subcontracts include Lockheed Martin, JAXA/MEISEI, University of New Hampshire, JHUAPL, Aerospace Corporation, and a team at GSFC. The Mission Operations Center and the Flight 

Dynamics Operations Area will be developed and operated at GSFC using a combination of GSFC civil 

servants and local support service contractors. The Science Operations Center for the instruments will 

be developed and operated at the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics at the University of 

Colorado and is under contract to SwRI. 

Independent Reviews 

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review 

All SRB 08/2010 

The Critical Design Review (CDR), an NPR 

7120.5D review to assess the technical, cost, 

and schedule status of MMS. MMS was 

approved to proceed to manufacturing. 

01/2012 

All SRB N/A 

System Integration Review - Evaluate the 

readiness of the project to start flight system 

assembly, test, and launch operations. 

03/2014 

All SRB N/A 

Flight Readiness Review - Evaluate system 

assembly, integration, and test, preparing for the 

flight. 

TBD 

MP-62

MPAR Project In 

Development: 
Management and Performance 

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Planetary Science 

Program: Lunar Quest Program 

MPAR Project In 

Development: LADEE 

2011 MPAR Project Cost Estimate 

Budget Authority 

($ millions) Prior FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016 BTC LCC TOTAL

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request 

35.3 48.2 - 63.2 33.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 - -

FY 2011 Costs 

CSLE 

Administrative Labor 

Adjustments 

.6

62.9

8.5 11.1

2011 MPAR Project Cost 

Estimate 35.3 48.8 62.9 71.7 44.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 262.9

Formulation 35.3 44.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 79.5

Development 0.0 4.7 62.9 71.7 28.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 168.2

Operations 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 15.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 15.2













Consistent with the August 23, 2010 KDP-C decision, funding for SOMD-sponsored Lunar Laser Communications 

Demonstration (LLCD), $65.3 million, is not included in the above number. 

Space flight projects, per NASA’s policy, are baselined and then budgeted to a confidence level of 70%. This confidence 

level is reflected in the project’s estimated Life Cycle Cost Estimate (LCCE) at key decision point C. 

The row titled “FY 2012 President’s Budget Request” is the equivalent of the same row in the Project in Development pages. 

The row titled “FY 2011 Costs” is the project’s cost estimate for that year based on the 2010 Authorization Act as a guide for 

planning purposes. The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was 

prepared; therefore, NASA is operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). 

The row titled “CSLE” reflects the civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) in FY 2012 and beyond. CSLE funds are 

administered within a single consolidated account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project’s FY 

2012 President’s Budget Request amounts. CSLE funds are included in the projects’ cost estimates (a full cost view). 

The row titled “Administrative Labor Adjustments” represents administrative costs in FY 2010 that transferred out of the 

project budget lines into the Center Management and Operations account. Administrative labor was defined as all civil 

servants not classified as scientists, engineers, mathematicians, medical, or quality assurance. These costs are included in 

the project LCCE.

Explanation of Project Changes 

LADEE was confirmed to proceed into development phase on August 23, 2010, supporting a November 

2013 launch date. The project's development and life cycle cost estimates and schedule in this 

document are consistent with the KDP-C memo and its baseline (NSPD 49) report. 

 

Project Purpose 

LADEE, the first mission developed within LQP, is a cooperative effort between ARC and GSFC. 

LADEE will address high-priority science goals, as identified by the NRC, that determine the global 

density, composition, and time variability of the fragile lunar atmosphere. LADEE's measurements will 

MP-63
Management and Performance

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Planetary Science 

Program: Lunar Quest Program 

MPAR Project In 

Development: LADEE 

 

also determine the size, charge, and spatial distribution of electrostatically transported dust grains. 

LADEE will carry an optical laser communications demonstrator to be provided by SOMD. The optical 

laser will technically demonstrate high-bandwidth communication from the lunar orbit. 

 

Project Parameters

The LADEE spacecraft design is based on a reusable common bus concept, and will be the first 

spacecraft based on this bus design.

Project Commitments 

The spacecraft is planned a near circular, lunar equatorial orbit at approximately 50 km. After launch in 

November 2013, science operations are planned for 100 days.

Project Element Provider Description FY 2011 PB 

Request

FY 2012 PB 

Request

Spacecraft NASA ARC Small spacecraft based on 

reusable design New Same

Integrated Payload NASA GSFC 3 science Instruments 

(UVS, NMS, LDEX) New Same

Launch Vehicle

U.S. Air Force's 

Orbital/Suborbital 

Program (OSP) Orbital 

Sciences Corporation 

Medium Class/Minotaur V New Nomenclature of 

rocket (IV+ to V)

 

Schedule Commitments 

SMD announced the LADEE project in April 2008 and assigned leadership of the mission to ARC. The 

LADEE project was confirmed to proceed into development phase on August 23, 2010, supporting a 

November 2013 launch date.

Milestone Name Confirmation 

Baseline

FY 2011 PB 

Request

FY 2012 PB 

Request

Development

KDP-C 08/23/2010 11/2010 08/23/2010

SIR 11/2012 N/A 11/2012

LRD/IOC/IC 11/2013 1/2013 11/2013

End of Prime Mission 03/2014 N/A 03/2014

MP-64
Management and Performance

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Planetary Science 

Program: Lunar Quest Program

MPAR Project In 

Development: LADEE

 

Development Cost and Schedule Summary 

The development estimate reflects the August 23, 2010 KDPC decision, which does not include $65M 

for the SOMD-sponsored Lunar Laser Communications Demonstration (LLCD).

Project Base 

Year

Base Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate 

($M)

Current 

Year

Current 

Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate 

($M)

Cost 

Change 

(%)

Key Milestone

Base Year 

Milestone 

Date

Current 

Year 

Milestone 

Date

Milestone 

Change 

(months)

LADEE 2011 168.2 2011 168.2 0 Launch 

Readiness 11/2013 11/2013 0

Development Cost Details

Element

Base Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate ($M)

Current Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate ($M)

Delta

Total: 168.2 168.2 0.0

Spacecraft 34.8 34.8 0.0

Payloads 15.0 15.0 0.0

Systems I&T 6.7 6.7 0.0

Launch Vehicle/Services 45.7 45.7 0.0

Ground Systems 3.5 3.5 0.0

Science/Technology 0.8 0.8 0.0

Other direct project cost 61.7 61.7 0.0

Project Management 

LADEE operates under the LQP of the SMD Planetary Science Division. The decision authority is the 

SMD Associate Administrator. 

Project Element Project Management 

Responsibility NASA Center Performers Cost-Sharing Partners

Project Management Overall, day-to-day 

management ARC N/A

Spacecraft Design, build and deliver the 

spacecraft ARC N/A

Neutral Mass Spectrometer 

(NMS) Instrument

Design, build and deliver the 

NMS instrument. Also 

responsible for integrating of 

LDEX and UVS

GSFC N/A

MP-65
Management and Performance 

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Planetary Science 

Program: Lunar Quest Program 

MPAR Project In 

Development: LADEE 

 

Project Element Project Management 

Responsibility NASA Center Performers Cost-Sharing Partners 

UV Spectrometer (UVS) 

Instrument Design, build, and deliver ARC N/A 

Lunar Dust EXperiment 

(LDEX) Instrument Design, build, and deliver University of Colorado, LASP N/A 

Launch Vehicle Integrate vehicle and provide 

launch service TBD N /A 

Acquisition Strategy 

All major acquisitions are in place. The spacecraft bus was directed to ARC (UVS) in partnership with 

GSFC (NMS). LDEX was competitively selected through SALMON and awarded to the University of 

Colorado/LASP. The USAF Orbital/Suborbital Program and Orbital Sciences Corporation are providing 

the launch vehicle. 

Independent Reviews 

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review 

Reviewed implementation plan, technical 

readiness, schedule, costs. Passed Preliminary 

Design Review (PDR), and confirmed to 

proceed into implementation phase (C). Critical 

Design Review (CDR) will be the next 

independent review. 

Performance SRB 07/2010 08/2011 

Project Risk Management 

Title Risk Statement Risk Management Approach and Plan 

Spacecraft design outgrows 

mass margin allocation 

Spacecraft design may 

outgrow launch vehicle 

performance if alternative 

components are required in 

the spacecraft design as 

mass margins are extremely 

limited. 

Mitigate through spacecraft design planning, including 

management of margins and contingencies per LADEE 

System Engineering Master Plan, carefully watch Min V 

performance margins through frequent updates from launch 

vehicle provider. 

Coupled loads analysis is currently under contract for delivery 

immediately prior to CDR peer reviews. Small residual risk of 

short delay in CDR. 

Minotaur V launch loads 

unknown 

Delay of launch vehicle 

contract delayed coupled 

loads analysis which may 

impact CDR. 

MP-66
Management and Performance 

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Planetary Science 

Program: Discovery 

MPAR Project In 

Development: GRAIL 

 

2011 MPAR Project Cost Estimate 

Budget Authority 

($ millions) Prior FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016 BTC LCC TOTAL

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request 221.2 124.1 - 40.5 4.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 - -

FY 2011 Costs 

CSLE 

105.4

0.3 0.3

2011 MPAR Project Cost 

Estimate 221.2 124.1 105.4 40.8 4.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 496.2

Formulation 50.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 50.6

Development 170.6 124.1 105.1 27.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 427.0

Operations 0.0 0.0 0.3 13.7 4.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 18.7









Space flight projects, per NASA’s policy, are baselined and then budgeted to a confidence level of 70%. This confidence 

level is reflected in the project’s estimated Life Cycle Cost Estimate (LCCE) at key decision point C. 

The row titled “FY 2012 President’s Budget Request” is the equivalent of the same row in the Project in Development pages. 

The row titled “FY 2011 Costs” is the project’s cost estimate for that year based on the 2010 Authorization Act as a guide for 

planning purposes. The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was 

prepared; therefore, NASA is operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). 

The row titled “CSLE” reflects the civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) in FY 2012 and beyond. CSLE funds are 

administered within a single consolidated account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project’s FY 

2012 President’s Budget Request amounts. CSLE funds are included in the projects’ cost estimates (a full cost view). 

Explanation of Project Changes 

NASA confirmed GRAIL to proceed into implementation phase (KDP-C or Phase C/D) on January 28, 

2009, and entered ATLO in July 2010. GRAIL approved baseline development ($427 million) and the 

LCC ($496.2 million) numbers remain unchanged since KDP-C. 

 

Project Purpose 

GRAIL was selected in December 2007 under the 2006 Discovery AO. The overarching scientific goal 

of the GRAIL mission is to determine the structure of the lunar interior from crust to core. The GRAIL 

mission will also advance our understanding of the thermal evolution of the Moon and extend our 

knowledge gained from the Moon to the other terrestrial-type planets. 

MP-67
Management and Performance 

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Planetary Science 

Program: Discovery 

MPAR Project In 

Development: GRAIL 

 

GRAIL has six lunar science objectives: 

 To map the structure of the crust and lithosphere; 

 To study the moon's asymmetric thermal evolution; 

 To determine the subsurface structure of impact basins and the origin and of masons (i.e., highgravity areas); 

 To study the temporal evolution of crustal brecciation, and magmatism; 

 To study affect on the structure of the deep lunar interior from lunar tides; and 

 To understand the size of the possible lunar inner core. 

 

Project Parameters 

GRAIL will achieve its science objectives by placing twin spacecraft in a nearly circular low altitude (50 

km) polar orbit. The two spacecraft will perform high-precision range-rate measurements between 

them. Analysis of changes in the spacecraft-to-spacecraft range-rate data caused by gravitational 

differences will provide direct and high-precision measurements of the lunar gravity. GRAIL will 

ultimately provide a global, high-accuracy (<10 mGal), high-resolution (30 km) gravity map of the moon. 

The instrument is based on the successful Earth orbiting Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment 

(GRACE) mission. 

 

Project Commitments 

Project Element Provider Description FY 2011 PB 

Request 

FY 2012 PB 

Request 

Flight System Lockheed Martin 

2 spacecraft with s/c 

separation of 175-225 km, 

conducting 90-day science 

phase 

Same Same 

Lunar Gravity Ranging 

System JPL 

Ka-band ranging system 

determines the precise 

instantaneous relative 

range-rate of the two s/c 

Same Same 

E/PO MoonKam Sally Ride Science 

(SRS) 

Taking images of the 

moon, the data will enrich 

the middle school space 

science education 

Same Same 

Launch Vehicle ULA CLIN23 - Delta II Heavy Same Same 

MP-68
Management and Performance

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Planetary Science 

Program: Discovery

MPAR Project In 

Development: GRAIL

 

Schedule Commitments

Milestone Name Confirmation 

Baseline

FY 2011 PB 

Request

FY 2012 PB 

Request

Development

Development (Phase C/D or KDP-C) January 28, 2009 Same Same

Critical Design Review (CDR) November 2009 Same Same

System Integration Review June 2010 June 2010 Same

Launch Readiness Review September 2011 Same Same

End of Prime Mission June 2012 Same Same

Development Cost and Schedule Summary

Project Base 

Year

Base Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate 

($M)

Current 

Year

Current 

Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate 

($M)

Cost 

Change 

(%)

Key Milestone

Base Year 

Milestone 

Date

Current 

Year 

Milestone 

Date

Milestone 

Change 

(months)

Gravity Recovery 

and Interior 

Laboratory

2009 427.0 2011 427.0 0 Launch 

Readiness 09/2011 09/2011 0

Development Cost Details

NASA confirmed GRAIL to proceed into implementation phase (KDP-C or Phase C/D) on January 28, 

2009. GRAIL approved baseline development ($427 million) and the LCC ($496.2 million) estimates 

and schedule remain unchanged since KDP-C. Development Cost Details includes funding for 

CSLE/ULA.

Element

Base Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate ($M)

Current Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate ($M)

Delta

Total: 427.0 427.0 0.0

Payload 18.1 20.4 2.3

Spacecraft 133.3 157.0 23.7

Ground System 12.3 13.7 1.4

Science 10.8 11.1 0.3

Launch Vehicle 152.8 152.8 0.0

Other 99.7 72.0 -27.7

MP-69
Management and Performance 

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Planetary Science 

Program: Discovery 

MPAR Project In 

Development: GRAIL 

 

Project Management 

GRAIL is part of the Discovery program managed by MSFC. The PI from MIT has delegated day-to-day 

project management to JPL. 

Acquisition Strategy 

GRAIL was selected competitively on December 13, 2007, under a Discovery program AO (AONNH06ZDA001O). 

Independent Reviews 

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review 

Performance SRB/I PAO 05/2010 

Assess cost, schedule, and risk status of the 

project. The findings for the review showed that 

cost and schedule for the 2011 launch are 

consistent with the project's plans. 

06/2011 

Project Risk Management 

Title Risk Statement Risk Management Approach and Plan 

Single String Spacecraft Both GRAIL spacecraft are 

primarily single string for 

major components. If there is 

an in flight failure, then there 

is no ability to switch over to a 

total redundant component. 

The mission is of relatively short duration and the single 

string risks are mitigated by use of proven designs, high 

reliability parts, and additional testing of critical systems, 

consistent with the cost and schedule constraints of the 

project. 

MP-70
Management and Performance 

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Planetary Science 

Program: New Frontiers 

MPAR Project In 

Development: Juno 

 

2011 MPAR Project Cost Estimate 

Budget Authority 

($ millions) Prior FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016 BTC LCC TOTAL

FY 2012 President's 

Budget Request 485.9 257.1 - 31.2 17.6 17.9 16.7 29.6 - -

FY 2011 Costs 

CSLE 

194.2

0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.3 

2011 MPAR Project Cost 

Estimate 485.9 257.2 194.2 31.4 17.8 18.1 16.8 29.9 55.7 1107.0

Formulation 186.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 186.3

Development 299.6 257.2 178.5 7.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 742.3

Operations 0.0 0.0 15.7 24.4 17.8 18.1 16.8 29.9 55.7 178.4











Other than the rephasing adjustments, the project remains within its lifecycle ($1107M) and development ($742.3M) 

baseline cost estimates. 

Space flight projects, per NASA’s policy, are baselined and then budgeted to a confidence level of 70%. This confidence 

level is reflected in the project’s estimated Life Cycle Cost Estimate (LCCE) at key decision point C. 

The row titled “FY 2012 President’s Budget Request” is the equivalent of the same row in the Project in Development pages. 

The row titled “FY 2011 Costs” is the project’s cost estimate for that year based on the 2010 Authorization Act as a guide for 

planning purposes. The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was 

prepared; therefore, NASA is operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). 

The row titled “CSLE” reflects the civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) in FY 2012 and beyond. CSLE funds are 

administered within a single consolidated account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project’s FY 

2012 President’s Budget Request amounts. CSLE funds are included in the projects’ cost estimates (a full cost view). 

Explanation of Project Changes 

The funding profile has been modified consistent with NASA risk management plan and strategy. There 

are no changes to the Juno approved development ($742.3 million) nor the LCC ($1,107 million) 

baselines since KDP-C. 

 

Project Purpose 

NASA selected Juno on July 15, 2005, under the New Frontiers AO. The overarching scientific goal of 

the Juno mission is to improve understanding of the origin and evolution of Jupiter. However, as the 

archetype of giant planets, Jupiter can also provide knowledge that will improve understanding of both 

the origin of our solar system and of planetary systems being discovered around other stars. The 

investigation focuses on four science objectives. 

Origin: Determine the oxygen-to-hydrogen ratio to determine water abundance and estimate core 

mass to decide among alternative theories of planetary origin. 

MP-71
Management and Performance 

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Planetary Science 

Program: New Frontiers 

MPAR Project In 

Development: Juno 

 

 

Interior: Understand Jupiter's interior structure and dynamic properties through mapping of its 

gravitational and magnetic fields with unprecedented accuracy, leading to observations of internal 

convection and the size and mass of its core. 

Atmosphere: Map variations in atmospheric composition, temperature, and cloud opacity and 

dynamics, to depths greater than 100 bars, at all latitudes. 

Magnetosphere: Characterize and explore the three-dimensional structure of Jupiter's polar 

magnetosphere and auroras. 

These objectives have been rated very highly in the National Academies' Solar System Exploration 

Decadal Survey and Sun-Earth Connections Decadal Survey. The Astrophysics decadal survey 

identified the study of star formation, their planetary systems, as well as giant and terrestrial planet birth 

and evolution as high priority. Juno fulfills key goals outlined in recent NASA and NRC studies.

 

Project Parameters 

Juno achieves the science objectives by using a simple spinning, solar-powered spacecraft to make 

global maps of the gravity, magnetic fields, and atmospheric composition of Jupiter from a unique 

elliptical polar orbit with a close perijove. The spacecraft carries precise, high-sensitivity radiometers, 

magnetometers, and gravity science systems. Juno's 32 polar orbits extensively sample Jupiter's full 

range of latitudes and longitudes. From its polar perspective, Juno combines in-situ and remote sensing 

observations to explore the polar magnetosphere and determine the composition and phenomena of 

Jupiter's auroras. 

 

Project Commitments 

The Juno launch date is August 2011. After a five-year cruise to Jupiter, Juno will enter Jupiter Orbit 

Insertion (JOI) during August 2016. Juno will perform one year of science operations. 

Project Element Provider Description FY 2011 PB 

Request 

FY 2012 PB 

Request 

Waves University of Iowa 

Measures radio and 

plasma emissions; 4 m 

electric dipole and search 

coil 

Same Same 

Jupiter Energetic 

particle Detector 

Instrument (JEDI) 

John Hopkins Applied 

Physics Lab (JHU-APL) 

Measures auroral 

distributions of electrons 

and ions; TOF vs. energy, 

and ion & electron sensors 

Same Same 

Gravity Science Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL) 

Maps Jupiter's gravitational 

field to determine structure 

of core; X and Ka-band 

precision Doppler 

Same Same 

MP-72
Management and Performance 

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Planetary Science 

Program: New Frontiers 

MPAR Project In 

Development: Juno 

 

Project Element Provider Description FY 2011 PB 

Request 

FY 2012 PB 

Request 

Flux-Gate 

Magnetometer (FGM) GSFC Maps Jupiter's magnetic 

field (Vector) Same Same 

Launch Vehicle KSC Atlas 551 Same Same 

UV Spectrometer 

(UVS) 

Southwest Research 

Institute (SwRI) 

FUV spectral imager for 

auroral emissions Same Same 

Microwave Radiometer 

(MWR) Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL) 

6 wavelengths (1.3-50 cm); 

sounds atmosphere to 

determine water and 

ammonia abundances 

Same Same 

Spacecraft Lockheed Martin 

Solar-powered, spinstabilized spacecraft in an 

elliptical polar orbit that 

minimizes radiation 

exposure 

Same Same 

Jovian Auroral 

Distributions 

Experiment (JADE) 

Southwest Research 

Institute (SwRI) 

Ion mass spectrometer and 

electron analyzers; 

measures auroral 

distributions of electrons 

and ions 

Same Same 

Juno Camera 

(JunoCam) 

Malin Space Studies 

Institute 

EPO instrument that will 

take auroral images and 

Jovian atmospheric activity 

Same Same 

Schedule Commitments 

Formulation started at project selection in July 2005. Juno proceeded into the implementation phase on 

August 5, 2008, and entered ATLO in April 2010. 

Milestone Name Confirmation 

Baseline 

FY 2011 PB 

Request 

FY 2012 PB 

Request 

Formulation 

PDR 5/2008 same same 

Development 

CDR 3/2009 4/2009 same 

SIR (formerly ATLO) 3/2010 same 4/2010 

FRR 7/2011 same same 

Launch 8/2011 same same 

End of Prime Mission 10/2017 same same 

MP-73
Management and Performance

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Planetary Science 

Program: New Frontiers 

MPAR Project In 

Development: Juno

 

Project Element Provider Description FY 2011 PB 

Request

FY 2012 PB 

Request

Flux-Gate 

Magnetometer (FGM) GSFC Maps Jupiter's magnetic field (Vector) Same Same

Launch Vehicle KSC Atlas 551 Same Same

UV Spectrometer 

(UVS) 

Southwest Research 

Institute (SwRI) 

FUV spectral imager for 

auroral emissions Same Same

Microwave Radiometer 

(MWR) Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL) 

6 wavelengths (1.3-50 cm); 

sounds atmosphere to 

determine water and 

ammonia abundances 

Same Same

Spacecraft Lockheed Martin 

Solar-powered, spinstabilized spacecraft in an 

elliptical polar orbit that 

minimizes radiation 

exposure 

Same Same

Jovian Auroral 

Distributions 

Experiment (JADE) 

Southwest Research 

Institute (SwRI) 

Ion mass spectrometer and 

electron analyzers; 

measures auroral 

distributions of electrons 

and ions 

Same Same

Juno Camera 

(JunoCam)

Malin Space Studies 

Institute

EPO instrument that will 

take auroral images and 

Jovian atmospheric activity

Same Same

Schedule Commitments 

Formulation started at project selection in July 2005. Juno proceeded into the implementation phase on 

August 5, 2008, and entered ATLO in April 2010.

Milestone Name Confirmation 

Baseline

FY 2011 PB 

Request

FY 2012 PB 

Request

Formulation

PDR 5/2008 same same

Development

CDR 3/2009 4/2009 same

SIR (formerly ATLO) 3/2010 same 4/2010

FRR 7/2011 same same

Launch 8/2011 same same

End of Prime Mission 10/2017 same same

MP-74
Management and Performance 

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Planetary Science 

Program: New Frontiers 

MPAR Project In 

Development: Juno 

 

Project Element Project Management 

Responsibility NASA Center Performers Cost-Sharing Partners 

UVS and JADE instruments JPL/Juno Project Office JPL None 

Flight System, Integration 

and Test Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL) None None 

Overall responsibility for 

the development, 

implementation, operation, 

and success of the mission 

MSFC/New Frontiers 

Program Office None N one 

JunoCam Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL) None None 

KaBand and IR science Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL) None Italian Space Agency (ASI) 

Acquisition Strategy 

All major acquisitions are in place. Juno was selected competitively on July 15, 2005 under the second 

New Frontiers program AO (AO-03-OSS-03). 

Independent Reviews 

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review 

Assess cost, schedule, and risk status of 

project. The findings from the review showed 

that cost and schedule for the August 2011 

launch are consistent with the project's plans. 

The project received approval to proceed to 

ATLO. 

Performance IPAO /SRB 03/2010 06/2011 

Project Risk Management 

Title Risk Statement Risk Management Approach and Plan 

Review baseline Phase E plan and compare with previously 

flown missions. Develop a recommended operational 

approach consistent with a Category 1, Class B mission to 

minimize the risk of an orbital insertion anomaly. 

Jupiter Orbit Insertion If Jupiter Orbit Insertion fails 

to put the spacecraft in the 

desired orbit, then science 

goals will not be obtainable. 

MP-75
Management and Performance 

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Planetary Science 

Program: Mars Exploration 

MPAR Project In 

Development: Mars Science Lab 

 

2011 MPAR Project Cost Estimate 

Budget Authority 

($ millions) Prior FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013

FY 

2014

FY 

2015 

FY 

2016 BTC LCC TOTAL

FY 2012 President's 

Budget Request 

1744.4 258.4 - 136.43 40.5 37.0 0.0 0.0 - -

FY 2011 Costs 

CSLE 

Administrative Labor 

Adjustments 

0.1

254.9

1.5 1.5 1.5

2011 MPAR Project Cost 

Estimate 1744.4 258.5 254.9 138.0 42.0 38.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 2476.3

Formulation 515.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 515.5

Development 1228.9 258.5 254.9 59.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1802.0

Operations 0.0 0.0 0.0 78.3 42.0 38.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 158.8











Space flight projects, per NASA’s policy, are baselined and then budgeted to a confidence level of 70%. This confidence 

level is reflected in the project’s estimated Life Cycle Cost Estimate (LCCE) at key decision point C. 

The row titled “FY 2012 President’s Budget Request” is the equivalent of the same row in the Project in Development pages. 

The row titled “FY 2011 Costs” is the project’s cost estimate for that year based on the 2010 Authorization Act as a guide for 

planning purposes. The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was 

prepared; therefore, NASA is operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). 

The row titled “CSLE” reflects the civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) in FY 2012 and beyond. CSLE funds are 

administered within a single consolidated account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project’s FY 

2012 President’s Budget Request amounts. CSLE funds are included in the projects’ cost estimates (a full cost view). 

The row titled “Administrative Labor Adjustments” represents administrative costs in FY 2010 that transferred out of the 

project budget lines into the Center Management and Operations account. Administrative labor was defined as all civil 

servants not classified as scientists, engineers, mathematicians, medical, or quality assurance. These costs are included in 

the project LCCE. 

Explanation of Project Changes 

The project continues to make technical, cost, and schedule progress. The Sample Analysis of Mars 

(SAM) instrument has been delivered to the project and difficulties are being resolved for Sample 

Acquisition, Processing, and Handling (SA/SPaH) drill. To ensure mission success, NASA continues to 

adopt more conservative posture consistent with NASA risk management plan and strategy. The 

current life cycle cost is estimated at $2,476.3 million. NASA anticipates reprogramming additional 

funds to MSL in the initial FY 2011 operating plan to address the technical problems and related issues 

that have occurred during assembly and testing. The project remains on track to meet its November 

2011 launch readiness date (LRD). 

 

MP-76
Management and Performance 

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Planetary Science 

Program: Mars Exploration 

MPAR Project In 

Development: Mars Science Lab 

 

Project Purpose 

The Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) mission is the most technologically challenging interplanetary 

rover ever designed. It will use new technologies to adjust its flight while descending through the 

Martian atmosphere, and to set the rover on the surface by lowering it on a tether from a hovering 

descent stage. Advanced research instruments make up a science payload ten times the mass of 

instruments on NASA's Spirit and Opportunity Mars rovers. MSL is engineered to drive longer distances 

over rougher terrain than previous rovers. It will also employ a new surface propulsion system. 

MSL will make detailed measurements of element composition, elemental isotopes and abundance, 

mineralogy, and organic compounds to determine if Mars has, or ever had an environment capable of 

supporting life within the regions explored by MSL. 

MSL has four science objectives: 

- Assess the biological potential of at least one selected site on Mars; 

- Characterize the geology and geochemistry of the landing region at all appropriate spatial scales; 

- Identify planetary processes relevant to past habitability; and 

- Characterize the broad spectrum of the Martian surface radiation environment. 

For more information, see the MSL homepage at 

http://marsprogram.jpl.nasa.gov/missions/future/msl.html. 

 

Project Parameters 

The MSL is a surface rover that will collect Martian soil and rock samples and analyze them for organic 

compounds and environmental conditions that could have supported microbial life now or in the past. 

MSL will be a long-duration (two years) roving science laboratory that will be twice as long and four 

times as heavy (900 kilograms) as the Mars Exploration Rovers, Spirit and Opportunity. 

Key technologies developed for MSL include: throttle-controlled, high-thrust engines, required during 

Martian entry, descent, and landing (EDL); sample acquisition and processing equipment used to 

acquire and distribute samples to the analytic instrument suite; and long-life, high-reliability, thermalcycle-resistant electronics for use in the rover. 

The EDL system will accommodate a wide range of possible latitude and altitude locations on Mars in 

order to be discovery-responsive and to have the capability to reach very promising, but difficult-toreach scientific sites. 

 

Project Commitments 

The MSL will be ready to launch in November 2011 and will arrive at Mars approximately nine months 

(August 2012) later. MSL will operate for two Earth years on the surface of Mars and will travel 

approximately 20 kilometers on the Martian surface. 

MP-77
Management and Performance 

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Planetary Science 

Program: Mars Exploration 

MPAR Project In 

Development: Mars Science Lab 

 

Project Element Provider Description FY 2011 PB 

Request 

FY 2012 PB 

Request 

Rover JPL Travel 20 kilometers over 

the Martian surface. Same Same 

Stereoscopic and 

microscopic cameras Malin Space Systems 

Acquire color, stereo 

images with resolutions up 

to 0.2 mm/pixel at 2 m 

range. 

Same Added MastCam 

zoom capability 

Robotic arm tools Honeybee Robotics 

Acquire, process and 

deliver 75 rock and soil 

samples to analytic 

instruments. 

Changed the rock 

grinder to a brush, 

sample quantity 

unchanged acquired 

by drill. 

Same 

Chemistry camera 

(ChemCam) 

Department of 

Energy/Los Alamos 

National Laboratory; 

France 

Remotely measure 

elemental composition of 

rocks and soil up to 9m 

from rover. 

Same Same 

Alpha Particle X-ray 

Spectrometer Canada (CSA) 

Measure with high 

precision the elemental 

composition of in situ rocks 

and soil. 

Same Same 

Rover Environmental 

Monitoring System 

(REMS) 

Spain 

Monitor key atmospheric 

measurements including 

temperature, pressure, 

wind speed/direction and 

humidity. 

Same Same 

Dynamic Albedo of 

Neutrons (DAN) Russia (IKI) Measure hydrogen content 

in subsurface deposits. Same Same 

Cruise stage and entry 

system Lockheed Martin 

Transport rover to Martian 

surface and land with 

impact speed below 1 m/s 

Same Same 

Mission operations and 

data archive JPL 

Conduct one-year cruise 

and two-year rover primary 

mission with remotely 

located science team. 

Same Same 

Sample Analysis at 

Mars (SAM) NASA/GSFC 

Analysis of elemental and 

isotopic composition of 

Mars samples 

Same Same 

Sample Cache ARC 

Hockey puck-sized 

container will collect 

sample of Martian soil for 

possible later collection by 

a Mars sample return 

mission. 

Deleted Same

Chemistry and 

Mineralogy Instrument 

(CheMin) 

NASA/ARC 

Analysis of mineral and 

chemical content of Mars 

samples 

Same Same 

MP-78
Management and Performance

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Planetary Science 

Program: Mars Exploration 

MPAR Project In 

Development: Mars Science Lab 

 

Schedule Commitments 

The MSL entered formulation phase in November 2004 and proceeded into implementation phase in 

August 2006. The project is currently scheduled for launch in November 2011, to be followed by landing 

and surface science operations beginning in August 2012.

Milestone Name Confirmation 

Baseline

FY 2011 PB 

Request

FY 2012 PB 

Request

Development

Critical Design Review June 2007 June 2007 Same

System Integration Review (formerly ATLO) February 2008 February 2008 Same

Launch Readiness Review September 2009 4QTR CY 2011 Same

Development Cost and Schedule Summary 

Project Base 

Year

Base Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate 

($M)

Current 

Year

Current 

Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate 

($M)

Cost 

Change 

(%)

Key Milestone

Base Year 

Milestone 

Date

Current Year 

Milestone 

Date

Milestone 

Change 

(months)

2009 Mars 

Science Lab 2010 1,719.9 2011 1,802.0 5 Launch Readiness 11/2011 11/2011 0

Development Cost Details 

The table below reflects a revised estimate to accommodate technical and cost risks as approved in the 

December 2011 APMC. 

Element

Base Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate ($M)

Current Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate ($M)

Delta

Total: 1,719.9 1,802.0 82.1

Spacecraft 930.9 1,034.1 103.2

Payloads 130.3 155.0 24.7

Systems I&T 89.9 107.7 17.8

Launch Vehicle/Services 232.8 234.0 1.2

Ground Systems 74.2 78.2 4.0

Science/Technology 15.9 15.6 -0.3

Other direct project cost 245.9 177.4 -68.5

MP-79
Management and Performance 

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Planetary Science 

Program: Mars Exploration 

MPAR Project In 

Development: Mars Science Lab 

 

Project Management 

MSL is a JPL-managed in-house project. Instrument implementation has been assigned to JPL. 

Project Element Project Management 

Responsibility NASA Center Performers Cost-Sharing Partners 

Rover JPL JPL None 

Stereoscopic and 

microscopic cameras JPL None None 

Robotic arm tools JPL JPL None 

Chemistry camera 

(ChemCam) JPL None Department of Energy and 

France 

Alpha Particle X-ray 

Spectrometer JPL None Canada 

Rover Environmental 

Monitoring System (REMS) JPL None Spain 

Dynamic Albedo of 

Neutrons (DAN) JPL None Russia 

Cruise stage and entry 

system JPL JPL, AMES, LaRC None 

Spacecraft JPL JPL None 

Sample Analysis at Mars 

(SAM) JPL GSF C CNES (France) 

Chemistry and Mineralogy 

Instrument (CheMin) JPL AR C None 

Acquisition Strategy 

All major acquisitions are in place. All major instruments were competitively selected. Malin Space 

Systems, Honeybee Robotics, Lockheed Martin, and Aeroflex are providing support and hardware for 

the MSL mission. 

MP-80
Management and Performance 

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Planetary Science 

Program: Mars Exploration 

MPAR Project In 

Development: Mars Science Lab 

 

Independent Reviews 

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review 

Assess maturity of MSL design, technical state, 

and adequacy of resources. Design was 

deemed adequate to achieve mission science 

goals, but project needs additional time and 

resources to work the technical problems and 

perform adequate testing. The finding resulted in 

an additional $82.11 million, consistent with 

NASA risk management plan and strategy, to 

resolve problems and to ensure mission 

success. 

Performance HQ/SRB 11/2010 03/2011 

Project Risk Management 

Title Risk Statement Risk Management Approach and Plan 

MSL Landing Risk If the MSL spacecraft does 

not successfully land on the 

Martian surface, then the 

science objectives will not be 

achieved. 

To ensure success, conduct thorough verification and 

validation program that includes simulations of trajectory, 

approach, and landing operations to validate and refine 

procedures, and apply lessons learned from Phoenix and 

MER. 

MP-81
Management and Performance 

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Planetary Science 

Program: Mars Exploration 

MPAR Project In 

Development: MAVEN

 

2011 MPAR Project Cost Estimate 

Budget Authority 

($ millions) Prior FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016 BTC LCC TOTAL

FY 2012 President's Budget 

Request 9.9 48.1 - 240.3 140.6 34.9 15.4 4.7 - -

FY 2011 Costs 

CSLE 

Administrative Labor 

Adjustments 

0.3

160.6

5.4 5.8 2.7 1.9 0.5 

2011 MPAR Project Cost 

Estimate 9.9 48.4 160.6 245.7 146.4 37.6 17.3 5.3 0.0 671.2

Formulation 9.9 48.4 5.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 63.9

Development 0.0 0.0 155.0 245.7 146.4 20.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 567.2

Operations 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 17.5 17.3 5.3 0.0 40.1











Space flight projects, per NASA’s policy, are baselined and then budgeted to a confidence level of 70%. This confidence 

level is reflected in the project’s estimated Life Cycle Cost Estimate (LCCE) at key decision point C. 

The row titled “FY 2012 President’s Budget Request” is the equivalent of the same row in the Project in Development pages. 

The row titled “FY 2011 Costs” is the project’s cost estimate for that year based on the 2010 Authorization Act as a guide for 

planning purposes. The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was 

prepared; therefore, NASA is operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). 

The row titled “CSLE” reflects the civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) in FY 2012 and beyond. CSLE funds are 

administered within a single consolidated account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project’s FY 

2012 President’s Budget Request amounts. CSLE funds are included in the projects’ cost estimates (a full cost view). 

The row titled “Administrative Labor Adjustments” represents administrative costs in FY 2010 that transferred out of the 

project budget lines into the Center Management and Operations account. Administrative labor was defined as all civil 

servants not classified as scientists, engineers, mathematicians, medical, or quality assurance. These costs are included in 

the project LCCE. 

Explanation of Project Changes 

MAVEN received KDP-C decision approval on October 4, 2010. The above funding estimate reflects 

the October 2010 KDP-C decision, which included Electra and the awarded launch vehicle costs. 

Project Purpose 

Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) was selected in September 2008 under the 2006 

Mars Scout AO. The MAVEN mission will provide a comprehensive picture of the Mars upper 

atmosphere, ionosphere, solar energetic drivers, and atmospheric losses. MAVEN will deliver answers 

to long-standing questions regarding the loss of 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. 

MP-82
Management and Performance 

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Planetary Science 

Program: Mars Exploration 

MPAR Project In 

Development: MAVEN

 

Specific MAVEN science objectives are to: 

 Determine structure and composition of the atmosphere and ionosphere; 

 Determine the physical and chemical processes that control loss processes; 

 Determine escape rates of neutrals; 

 Determine escape rates of ions; 

 Determine the external inputs that control upper atmosphere and ionosphere structure and that 

drive escape; and 

 Determine the relative escape rates of the stable isotopes and the resulting isotopic 

fractionation. 

Additional information can be found at http://www.nasa.gov/maven. 

 

Project Parameters 

MAVEN will deliver its science using three instrument packages: a stand-alone neutral gas and ion 

mass spectrometer (NGIMS), capable of measuring thermal neutrals and ions; a stand-alone imaging 

ultraviolet spectrometer (IUVS); and the Particles and Fields package, consisting of six instruments 

measuring ionospheric properties, energetic ions, solar wind and solar energetic particles, magnetic 

fields, and solar extreme ultraviolet irradiance. 

Project Commitments 

The MAVEN measurements will be made from an elliptical orbit with periapsis at 150 km and apoapsis 

at 6220 km (4.5-hour period). MAVEN will use a sun-pointing, three-axis stabilized spacecraft, with a 

two-axis gimballed, Mars-pointing platform for the NGIMS, IUVS, and the SupraThermal And Thermal 

Ion Composition (STATIC) instruments. The spacecraft has a body-mounted high-gain antenna. 

 

Project Element Provider Description FY 2011 PB 

Request 

FY 2012 PB 

Request 

Launch Services United Launch Services Atlas V Launch Service New 

Same (reported as 

intermediate class 

launch service; Atlas 

V now selected) 

Spacecraft Lockheed Martin 

MRO-heritage spacecraft 

bus and avionic suite, with 

cross strapping and 

monopropellant propulsion 

system 

New Same

MP-83
Management and Performance 

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Planetary Science 

Program: Mars Exploration 

MPAR Project In 

Development: MAVEN

 

Project Element Provider Description FY 2011 PB 

Request 

FY 2012 PB 

Request 

Neutral Gas and Ion 

Mass Spectrometer 

(NGIMS) 

GSFC Mass Spectrometry 

Instrument New Same

Supra Thermal and 

Thermal Ion 

Composition (STATIC) 

SSL 

Part of the MAVEN particle 

and fields instrument 

package 

New Same

Solar Energetic 

Particles (SEP) SSL 

Part of the MAVEN particle 

and fields instrument 

package 

New Same

Solar Wind Electron 

Analyzer (SWEA) SSL 

Part of the MAVEN particle 

and fields instrument 

package 

New Same

Solar Wind Ion 

Analyzer (SWIA) SSL 

Part of the MAVEN particle 

and fields instrument 

package 

New Same

Lanamuir Probe and 

Waves and EUV 

(LPW/EUV) 

Part of the MAVEN particle 

and fields instrument 

package 

LASP New Same

Magnetometer GSF C 

Part of the MAVEN particle 

and fields instrument 

package 

New Same

Imaging Ultraviolet 

Spectrometer (IUVS) LASP Remote-Sensing 

Instrument package New Same

Electra JPL UHF Data Relay payload New Same 

Schedule Commitments 

NASA selected the second Mars Scout mission, MAVEN, for formulation on September 15, 2008. 

MAVEN was confirmed to proceed into implementation phase on October 4, 2010, with a November 

2013 launch date and arrival at Mars in September 2014. 

Milestone Name Confirmation 

Baseline 

FY 2011 PB 

Request 

FY 2012 PB 

Request 

Formulation 

PDR 07/20 10 New Same 

Development 

CDR 07/20 11 New Same 

ATLO 07/20 12 New Same 

Launch 11/20 13 New Same 

Mars Orbit Insertion 09/2014 New Same 

MP-84
Management and Performance 

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Planetary Science 

Program: Mars Exploration 

MPAR Project In 

Development: MAVEN

 

Development Cost and Schedule Summary 

Project Base 

Year 

Base Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate 

($M) 

Current 

Year 

Current 

Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate 

($M) 

Cost 

Change 

(%) 

Key Milestone

Base Year 

Milestone 

Date 

Current 

Year 

Milestone 

Date 

Milestone 

Change 

(months) 

Mars Atmosphere 

& Volatile 

EvolutioN 

2011 567.2 2011 567.2 0 LRD 11/2013 11/2013 0

Development Cost Details 

Element 

Base Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate ($M) 

Current Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate ($M) 

Delta 

Total: 567.2 567.2 0.0

Spacecraft 146.0 146.0 0.0

Payload(s) 51.1 51.1 0.0

Systems I&T 23.0 23.0 0.0

Launch Vehicle/Services 187.0 187.0 0.0

Ground Systems 5.2 5.2 0.0

Science/Technology 2.2 2.2 0.0

Other Direct Project Cost (w/project and HQ held 

UFE and ULA UFE) 

152.7 152.7 0.0

Project Management 

The MAVEN project is part of the Mars Exploration Program managed for NASA by the Mars Program 

Office at JPL. The PI for MAVEN is from the University of Colorado and has delegated the day-to-day 

management of the MAVEN Project to GSFC. 

Project Element Project Management 

Responsibility NASA Center Performers Cost-Sharing Partners 

Project management, 

mission systems 

engineering, safety and 

mission assurance, and 

project scientist 

GSFC GSFC 

Neutral gas and ion mass 

spectrometer (NGIMS) GSFC GSFC 

MP-85
Management and Performance

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: Planetary Science 

Program: Mars Exploration 

MPAR Project In 

Development: MAVEN

 

Project Element Project Management 

Responsibility NASA Center Performers Cost-Sharing Partners

Navigation, trajectory, and 

orbit maintenance analysis GSFC JPL

Magnetometer (MAG) -

Measures interplanetary, 

solar wind, and ionospheric 

magnetic fields

GSFC GSFC

Payloads GSFC GSFC CNES

Spacecraft GSFC

Mission Operations GSFC

Launch Vehicle KSC KSC

Ground Systems GSFC

Systems Integration and 

Testing GSFC GSFC

E/PO HQ GSFC

Science HQ GSFC

Acquisition Strategy 

All major acquisitions are in place. MAVEN was selected competitively on September 15, 2008, under 

the Mars Scout 2006 Announcement of Opportunity (AO-NNH06ZDA002O).

Independent Reviews

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review

Performance SRB 07/2010

The MAVEN Project passed the Preliminary 

Design Review (PDR)/Non-Advocacy Review 

(NAR) conducted by the independent Standing 

Review Board in July 2010.

07/2011

Project Risk Management

Title Risk Statement Risk Management Approach and Plan

The project and Goddard Mission Assurance Office are 

, identifying and understanding HEPS-specific manufacturing 

techniques; identifying all single point failures to inspect 

during assembly to mitigate against shorts; developing a plan 

for insight/oversight of the MAVEN-specific HEPS card build; 

and reviewing board requirements with an eye towards 

design robustness and remaining design requirements.

Single Point Failures on High 

Efficiency Power Supply 

(HEPS) Card

If single point failures on the 

input of the HEPS card occur

then permanent loss of 

spacecraft electrical power 

will result.

MP-86
Management and Performance 

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: James Webb Space Telescope 

Program: James Webb Space Telescope 

James Webb Space Telescope 

 

2011 MPAR Project Cost Estimate 

Budget Authority 

($ millions) Prior FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016 BTC LCC TOTAL

FY 2012 President's 

Budget Request 2,552.30 438.7 - 354.87 359.35 365.26 371.60 371.62 - -

FY 2011 Costs 444.8

CSLE 

Administrative Labor 

Adjustments 

1.1

19.1 15.7 9.7 3.4 3.4 

CoF Adjustments 21.6 26.5 1.0

2011 MPAR Project 

Cost Estimate 2,552.3 461.4 471.3 375.0 375.0 375.0 375.0 375.0 TBD TBD













Space flight projects, per NASA’s policy, are baselined and then budgeted to a confidence level of 70%. This confidence 

level is reflected in the project’s estimated Life Cycle Cost Estimate (LCCE) at key decision point C. 

The row titled “FY 2012 President’s Budget Request” is the equivalent of the same row in the Project in Development pages. 

The row titled “FY 2011 Costs” is the project’s cost estimate for that year based on the 2010 Authorization Act as a guide for 

planning purposes. The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was 

prepared; therefore, NASA is operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). 

The row titled “CSLE” reflects the civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) in FY 2012 and beyond. CSLE funds are 

administered within a single consolidated account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project’s FY 

2012 President’s Budget Request amounts. CSLE funds are included in the projects’ cost estimates (a full cost view). 

The row titled “Administrative Labor Adjustments” represents administrative costs in FY 2010 that transferred out of the 

project budget lines into the Center Management and Operations account. Administrative labor was defined as all civil 

servants not classified as scientists, engineers, mathematicians, medical, or quality assurance. These costs are included in 

the project LCCE. 

The row titled “CoF Adjustments” reflects the transfer of programmatic CoF (Construction of Facilities) to the Construction 

and Environmental Compliance and Restoration (CECR) account. 

Explanation of Project Changes 

During 2010, JWST identified cost growth and schedule issues, which resulted in the formation of the 

ICRP. The ICRP charter was to determine the technical, management, and budgetary root causes of 

cost growth and schedule delay on JWST, to estimate the minimum cost to launch JWST, and to 

assess the associated launch date and budget profile. The ICRP report concluded that the problems 

causing cost growth and schedule delays on the JWST project are primarily associated with cost 

estimation and program management. The panel recommended several managerial changes at 

Headquarters and GSFC and some of these have already been implemented. The schedule for 

completing the JWST project within the budget provided will be re-evaluated as part of a replanning 

activity and a new plan is expected in 2011. The results of this re-planning activity will be presented to 

Congress immediately upon completion of the work. In addition, NASA will keep Congress apprised of 

progress during development of the new baseline. 

MP-87

MPAR Project In 

Development: 
Management and Performance 

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: James Webb Space Telescope 

Program: James Webb Space Telescope 

MPAR Project In 

Development: James Webb Space Telescope 

 

As indicated in NASA's letter to Congress on October 28, 2010, it is certain that the JWST baseline 

development cost and launch readiness date will be exceeded by more than 15 percent and six 

months. 

 

Project Purpose 

JWST is a large, deployable, space-based infrared astronomical observatory. The mission is a logical 

successor to the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), extending beyond Hubble's discoveries by looking 

into the infrared spectrum, where the highly red-shifted early universe must be observed, where cool 

objects like protostars and protoplanetary disks emit infrared light strongly, and where dust obscures 

shorter wavelengths. 

The four main science goals are to: 

 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 

 Measure the physical and chemical properties of planetary systems and investigate the potential 

for life in those systems. 

Hubble has greatly improved knowledge about distant objects, but its infrared coverage is limited. Light 

from distant galaxies is redshifted by the expansion of the universe into the infrared part of the 

spectrum (from the visible). By examining light redshifted beyond Hubble's sight, JWST will be able to 

observe things farther away, as their light has taken longer to reach us. Hence it will be looking back 

further in time. 

JWST will explore the mysterious epoch when the first luminous objects in the universe came into being 

after the Big Bang. The focus of scientific study will include first light of the universe, assembly of 

galaxies, origins of stars and planetary systems, and origins of the elements necessary for life. 

The telescope will launch from Kourou, French Guiana, on a ESA-supplied Ariane 5 rocket. Its 

operational location is the L2 point, which is about one million miles from the Earth. 

For more information, please see: http://www.jwst.nasa.gov. 

 

Project Parameters 

JWST will be optimized for infrared astronomy, with some capability in the visible range. JWST's 

instruments are the Near Infrared Camera (NIRCam), MIRI, NIRSpec, and the Fine Guidance Sensor 

(FGS). 

MP-88
Management and Performance 

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: James Webb Space Telescope 

Program: James Webb Space Telescope 

MPAR Project In 

Development: James Webb Space Telescope 

 

NIRCam is an imager with a large field of view and high angular resolution. It covers a wavelength 

range of 0.6 - 5 micrometers and has 10 mercury-cadmium-telluride (HgCdTe) detector arrays. These 

are analogous to charge coupled devices found in ordinary digital cameras. NIRCam is a science 

instrument but also a wavefront sensor, which is used to align and focus the optical telescope. 

NIRSpec enables scientists to obtain simultaneous spectra of more than 100 objects in a 9-squarearcminute field of view. It provides medium-resolution spectroscopy over a wavelength range from 0.6 - 

5 micrometers. NIRSpec employs a micro-electromechanical system "microshutter array" for aperture 

control, and it has two HgCdTe detector arrays. 

MIRI is an imager/spectrograph that covers the wavelength range of 5 - 28 micrometers and it has 

three arsenic-doped silicon detector arrays. The camera module provides wide-field broadband 

imagery, and the spectrograph module provides medium-resolution spectroscopy over a smaller field of 

view compared to the imager. The nominal operating temperature for MIRI is 7 degrees above absolute 

zero, which is possible through an on-board cooling system. 

The FGS is a guider camera that is incorporated into the instrument payload in order to meet the image 

motion requirements of JWST. This sensor is used for both guide star acquisition and fine pointing. The 

sensor operates over a wavelength range of 1 - 5 micrometers and has two HgCdTe detector arrays. Its 

field of view provides a 95 percent probability of acquiring a guide star for any valid pointing direction. 

The FGS tunable filter camera is a wide-field, narrow-band camera that provides imagery over a 

wavelength range of 1.6 - 4.9 micrometers, via tunable Fabry-Perot etalons that are configured to 

illuminate the detector array with a single order of interference at a user-selected wavelength. The 

camera has a single HgCdTe detector array. 

The JWST ground operations, Science Support Center, and archives will be at the Space Telescope 

Science Institute in Baltimore, MD. 

 

Project Commitments 

After launch, JWST will complete six months of on-orbit checkout and commissioning and five years of 

prime mission operations. JWST has a goal of 10 years of operations. 

Project Element Provider Description FY 2011 PB 

Request 

FY 2012 PB 

Request 

Observatory 

Northrop Grumman 

Aerospace Systems, 

Redondo Beach, 

California 

Includes Optical Telescope 

Element (OTE), Spacecraft, 

Sunshield, Observatory 

AI&T and commissioning. 

The Observatory shall be 

designed for at least a 5-

year lifetime. 

Same Same 

MP-89
Management and Performance 

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: James Webb Space Telescope 

Program: James Webb Space Telescope 

MPAR Project In 

Development: James Webb Space Telescope 

 

Project Element Provider Description FY 2011 PB 

Request 

FY 2012 PB 

Request 

Integrated Science 

Instrument Module 

(ISIM) 

NASA Goddard Space 

Flight Center 

Contains the Science 

Instruments (SIs) and Fine 

Guidance Sensor (FGS). 

Provides structural, 

thermal, power, command 

and data handling 

resources to the SIs and 

FGS. 

Same Same 

Near-Infrared Camera 

(NIRCam) instrument 

University of Arizona; 

Lockheed Martin 

Optimized for finding first 

light sources, and operating 

over the wavelength range 

0.6-5 microns. 

Same Same 

Near-Infrared 

Spectrometer 

(NIRSpec) 

European Space Agency 

(ESA) 

Operating over the 

wavelength range 0.6-5 

microns with three 

observing modes. 

Same Same 

Mid-Infrared 

Instrument (MIRI) 

ESA; University of 

Arizona; Jet Propulsion 

Laboratory 

Operating over the 

wavelength range 5-27 

microns, providing imaging, 

coronagraphy, and 

spectroscopy. 

Same Same 

Fine Guidance Sensor Canadian Space Agency 

(CSA) 

Provides scientific target 

pointing information to the 

observatory's attitude 

control sub-system. 

Same Same 

Launch Vehicle European Space Agency 

(ESA) Ariane V ECA Same Same 

Science Operations 

Center and Mission 

Operations 

Space Telescope 

Science Institute (STScI) 

Mission Operations and 

Science Operations Center Same Same 

Schedule Commitments 

JWST was approved to enter implementation in July 2008 and completed CDR in April 2010. 

The JWST project schedule, given the budget provided, is being re-evaluated as part of a re-planning 

activity and a new plan is expected in 2011. The results of this re-planning activity will be presented to 

Congress immediately upon completion of the work. In addition, NASA will keep Congress apprised of 

progress during development of the new baseline. 

MP-90
Management and Performance

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: James Webb Space Telescope 

Program: James Webb Space Telescope

James Webb Space Telescope 

 

Milestone Name Confirmation 

Baseline

FY 2011 PB 

Request

FY 2012 PB 

Request

Development

Non-Advocate Review/Preliminary Design Review March, 2008 Same Same

Start phase C/Implementation July 2008 Same Same

Critical Design Review April 2010 Same Same

Systems Integration Review (SIR) May 2012 February 2013 TBD

Launch Readiness Date June 2014 Same TBD

Start Phase E December 2014 Same TBD

Development Cost and Schedule Summary

Note: A current year cost and schedule estimate for JWST is being developed as part of the replanning 

activity which will be completed in 2011.

Project Base 

Year

Base Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate 

($M)

Current 

Year

Current 

Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate 

($M)

Cost 

Change 

(%)

Key Milestone

Base Year 

Milestone 

Date

Current 

Year 

Milestone 

Date

Milestone 

Change 

(months)

James Webb 

Space Telescope 2009 2,581.1 2011 TBD TBD Launch 06/2014 TBD TBD

Development Cost Details

The JWST project development cost breakout is being developed as part of the replanning activity 

which will be completed in 2011. 

Element

Base Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate ($M)

Current Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate ($M)

Delta

Total: 2,581.1 TBD TBD

Payload 178.4 TBD TBD

Spacecraft 875.4 TBD TBD

Systems I&T 67.3 TBD TBD

Ground Systems 206.8 TBD TBD

Science/technology 10.5 TBD TBD

Other (launch services and project management) 1,242.7 TBD TBD

Programmatic Construction of Facilities (transferred 

to Construction appropriation) 0.0 TBD TBD

MP-91

MPAR Project In 

Development: 
Management and Performance

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: James Webb Space Telescope 

Program: James Webb Space Telescope 

MPAR Project In 

Development: James Webb Space Telescope 

 

Project Management

Goddard Space Flight Center is responsible for JWST project management. 

Project Element Project Management 

Responsibility NASA Center Performers Cost-Sharing Partners

Observatory GSFC GSFC None

Mission management and 

System Engineering GSFC GSFC None

Integrated Science 

Instrument Module (ISIM) GSFC GSFC None

NIRCam GSFC GSFC None

NIRSpec ESA None ESA

MIRI GSFC JPL, ARC ESA

Fine Guidance Sensor -

Tunable Filter (FGS-TF) CSA None CSA 

Ariane 5 ESA launch 

vehicle and launch 

operations

ESA None ESA

Ground control systems 

and science operations and 

control center

GSFC None None

Acquisition Strategy 

JWST is being built by Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems (Redondo Beach, CA), with major 

subcontractors including Ball Aerospace (Boulder, CO), ITT (Rochester, NY), and Alliant Techsystems 

(Edina, MN). Selections were made via a NASA request for proposal.

The Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI), in Baltimore, MD, is developing the Science and 

Operations Center and associated services.

The Integrated Science Instrument Module (ISIM) is being provided by GSFC.

The University of Arizona at Tucson is providing NIRCam, along with Lockheed Martin's Advanced 

Technology Center in Palo Alto, CA. The selection was made via a NASA announcement of 

opportunity.

MP-92
Management and Performance 

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: James Webb Space Telescope 

Program: James Webb Space Telescope 

MPAR Project In 

Development: James Webb Space Telescope 

 

ESA is providing MIRI, with management and technical participation by ARC and JPL. ARC and JPL 

were selected for this role after an internal NASA competition. ESA is also providing NIRSpec and an 

Ariane 5 launch vehicle. 

The Canadian Space Agency is providing the Fine Guidance Sensor. 

Independent Reviews 

Review Type Performer Last Review Purpose/Outcome Next Review 

Performance SRB 04/2010 

Critical Design Review. SRB found that mission 

design is mature and recommended a more in 

depth review of the integration and testing plan. 

TBD 

Quality 

Test 

Assessment 

Team 

08/2010 

The TAT evaluated JWST plans for integration 

and testing. The TAT recommended several 

changes to the test plan. See the full report at 

http://www.jwst.nasa.gov/publications.html. 

n/a 

Other 

Independent 

Comprehensive 

Review Panel 

10/2010 

The ICRP charter was to determine the 

technical, management and budgetary root 

causes of cost growth and schedule delay on 

JWST, and estimate the minimum cost to 

launch JWST, along with the associated launch 

date and budget profile, including adequate 

reserves. The report made 22 recommendations 

covering several areas of management and 

performance. 

n/a 

Performance SRB N/A Systems Integration Review TBD 

Performance SRB N/A Flight Readiness Review TBD 

Project Risk Management 

Title Risk Statement Risk Management Approach and Plan 

JWST Cost and Schedule Project replan is underway and will be complete in 2011. 

Growth 

Projected FY 2011 ISIM and 

Northrop Grumman 

Aerospace Systems cost 

growth will exceed available 

budget, resulting in a work 

delay, and delaying the LRD. 

Inclusion of SRBrecommended verification 

enhancements will further 

impact cost and schedule. 

MP-93
Management and Performance 

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Science 

Theme: James Webb Space Telescope 

Program: James Webb Space Telescope 

MPAR Project In 

Development: James Webb Space Telescope 

 

Title Risk Statement Risk Management Approach and Plan 

JWST Sunshield Deployment If the sunshield fails to deploy 

to its prescribed operational 

shape then mission science 

requirements cannot be met. 

Full-scale deployment demonstration test bed will be used to 

verify all deployment designs. Extensive deployment testing 

will be conducted at temperature of all sunshield assemblies 

and components. 

Corrective Action Plan (as submitted in Report on Program and Cost Assessment January 11, 

2011 – as required under 1203) 

NASA is undertaking multiple actions to correct the problems that resulted in the identified JWST cost 

and schedule issues. A detailed report of these actions is provided in NASA’s detailed response to the 

recommendations of the Independent Comprehensive Review Team, provided to Congress separately. 

Changes already made include restructuring management and changing personnel at both NASA 

Headquarters and GSFC. In addition, the Headquarters Science Mission Directorate (SMD) is moving 

rapidly to provide rigorous, independent assessments of cost and schedule performance. SMD is 

arranging for experienced personnel to be dedicated to JWST cost and schedule analysis for the 

duration of JWST development. These personnel will report to the new JWST Program Director at 

NASA Headquarters. Moreover, utilizing the new management structure personnel and processes, the 

project is developing a revised cost and schedule baseline, to be completed, reviewed independently, 

and approved in 2011. NASA will keep Congress apprised of progress during development of the new 

baseline. 

MP-94
Management and Performance 

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Space Operations Mission Directorate 

Theme: Space and Flight Support (SFS) 

Program: Space Communications and Navigation 

MPAR Project In 

Development: TDRS Replenishment 

 

2011 MPAR Project Cost Estimate 

Budget Authority 

($ millions) Prior FY 2010

FY 

2011

FY 

2012

FY 

2013

FY 

2014

FY 

2015

FY 

2016 BTC LCC TOTAL

FY 2012 President's 

Budget Request 

369.0 25.4 - 1.0 11.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 - -

FY 2011 Costs 

CSLE 

Administrative Labor 

Adjustments 

0.6

19.0

4.1 2.3

2011 MPAR Project Cost 

Estimate 370.3 26.0 19.0 5.1 13.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 434.1

Formulation 241.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 241.9

Development 128.4 26.0 19.0 5.1 13.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 192.2

Operations 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0













$1.3 difference in Prior accounts for FY 2006 expenditures under the Space Communications project, which was the 

initialization of TDRS Replenishment project. 

Space flight projects, per NASA’s policy, are baselined and then budgeted to a confidence level of 70%. This confidence 

level is reflected in the project’s estimated Life Cycle Cost Estimate (LCCE) at key decision point C. 

The row titled “FY 2012 President’s Budget Request” is the equivalent of the same row in the Project in Development pages. 

The row titled “FY 2011 Costs” is the project’s cost estimate for that year based on the 2010 Authorization Act as a guide for 

planning purposes. The FY 2011 appropriation for NASA was not enacted at the time that the FY 2012 Request was 

prepared; therefore, NASA is operating under a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 111-242, as amended). 

The row titled “CSLE” reflects the civil service labor and expenses (CSLE) in FY 2012 and beyond. CSLE funds are 

administered within a single consolidated account in each of the appropriations, and not allocated within the project’s FY 

2012 President’s Budget Request amounts. CSLE funds are included in the projects’ cost estimates (a full cost view). 

The row titled “Administrative Labor Adjustments” represents administrative costs in FY 2010 that transferred out of the 

project budget lines into the Center Management and Operations account. Administrative labor was defined as all civil 

servants not classified as scientists, engineers, mathematicians, medical, or quality assurance. These costs are included in 

the project LCCE. 

Project Purpose 

The existing TDRSS fleet supports tracking, data, voice, and video services to the ISS, space and 

Earth science missions, as well as other Government agency users. The total mission load is predicted 

to increase, which will require additional satellites to be added to the fleet. The existing fleet is aging 

and reliability analyses predict a shortage of flight assets to support NASA missions and the user 

community by FY 2011. To meet this requirement, in FY 2007, NASA began the acquisition of two 

additional spacecraft, TDRS-K and TDRS-L. TDRS-K is scheduled to be launched in December 2012, 

although NASA is evaluating the possibility of launching as early as April 2012. TDRS-L is scheduled 

for launch in December 2013. By adding these two spacecraft to the TDRSS fleet, continuity of service 

will be insured for NASA and other Government agency user missions through at least FY 2016. The 

MP-95
Management and Performance 

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Space Operations Mission Directorate 

Theme: Space and Flight Support (SFS) 

Program: Space Communications and Navigation 

MPAR Project In 

Development: TDRS Replenishment 

 

TDRS Replenishment project supports future Agency requirements and technology initiatives 

consistent with the approved baseline of the SCaN architecture. 

Project Parameters 

TDRSS consists of in-orbit telecommunications satellites stationed at a geosynchronous altitude with 

associated ground stations located at White Sands and Guam. This system of satellites and ground 

stations is SN providing services for near-Earth user satellites and orbiting resources. SN supports 

spacecraft that depend on it for reliable services to continue their missions. The TDRSS constellation 

includes first and the second generation satellites. 

Project Commitments 

The TDRS-K and TDRS-L spacecraft will be fully compatible and capable of functioning as a part of the 

existing TDRSS. Contract requirements are design, development, fabrication, integration, test, on-orbit 

acceptance, and launch vehicle and services. Launch dates for TDRS-K and TDRS-L are in December 

2012 (or possibly as early as April 2012) and December 2013, respectively. The spacecraft are 

required to have an operational life of 11 years. The basic requirement will also include modification of 

the White Sands SGLT to provide compatibility with the new spacecraft.

Project Element Provider Description FY 2011 PB 

Request 

FY 2012 PB 

Request 

TDRS Replenishment NASA Aging hardware 

replacement Same Same 

Schedule Commitments 

The TDRS Replenishment project was approved for entry into Phase C, development, in July 2009. 

The launch vehicle and payload will be delivered to KSC for processing to meet the TDRS-K and 

TDRS-L launch dates. 

Milestone Name Confirmation 

Baseline 

FY 2011 PB 

Request 

FY 2012 PB 

Request 

Development 

TDRS System Critical Design Review (CDR) January 2010 N/A Same 

TDRS Systems Integration Review (SIR) January 2011 N/A Same 

TDRS Flight Readiness Review (FRR) November 2012 N/A Same 

TDRS K Launch Readiness Date (LRD) December 2012 N/A Same 

TDRS L Launch Readiness Date (LRD) December 2013 N/A Same 

MP-96
Management and Performance 

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Space Operations Mission Directorate 

Theme: Space and Flight Support (SFS) 

Program: Space Communications and Navigation 

MPAR Project In 

Development: TDRS Replenishment 

 

Development Cost and Schedule Summary 

Project Base 

Year 

Base Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate 

($M) 

Current 

Year 

Current 

Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate 

($M) 

Cost 

Change 

(%) 

Key Milestone

Base Year 

Milestone 

Date 

Current 

Year 

Milestone 

Date 

Milestone 

Change 

(months) 

TDRS 

Replenishment 2010 209.4 2011 192.2 -8 LRD 12/2013 12/2013 0

Development Cost Details 

Element 

Base Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate ($M) 

Current Year 

Development Cost 

Estimate ($M) 

Delta 

Total: 209.4 192.2 -17.2

Aircraft/Spacecraft 56.7 71.7 15

Ground Systems 53.7 53.7 0

Other Direct Project Cost 99.0 66.8 -32.2

Project Management 

The Deputy Associate Administrator for SCaN reports to the Associate Administrator for Space 

Operations at NASA Headquarters. 

Project Element Project Management 

Responsibility NASA Center Performers Cost-Sharing Partners 

TDRS Replenishment 

Space Communications and 

Navigation (SCAN) Program 

Office - NASA Headquarters 

Goddard Space Flight Center, 

Kennedy Space Center US Government Agencies 

Acquisition Strategy 

The TDRS K and L project is providing follow-on and replacement spacecraft necessary to maintain 

and expand the Space network. The contract to build two additional TDRS spacecraft was awarded to 

Boeing Satellite Systems in December 2007. In addition to building the TDRS K and L spacecraft, the 

contract also includes the modifications to the White Sands Complex ground system required to 

support these new spacecraft. The contract also provides fixed price options to procure two additional 

satellites, and NASA is using the TDRS reliability model -- in consultation with TDRS users -- to assess 

future requirements for the TDRS constellation and determine whether the Government needs to 

exercise the options. 

MP-97
Management and Performance 

MPAR BASELINE & COST ESTIMATES 

Mission Directorate: Space Operations Mission Directorate 

Theme: Space and Flight Support (SFS) 

Program: Space Communications and Navigation 

MPAR Project In 

Development: TDRS Replenishment 

 

Project Risk Management 

Title Risk Statement Risk Management Approach and Plan 

The project has awarded a firm fixed price with incentive fee 

contract as of December 2007 to Boeing Satellite Systems, 

Inc. Spacecraft will launch in December 2012 and December 

2013, respectively. 

TDRS-K and TDRS-L 

Obsolescence Risk 

Management 

Aging spacecraft requires 

replacement hardware by FY 

2013. The mission load is 

predicted to exceed current 

capacity and will need 

additional spacecraft to 

provide enough capacity. 

MP-98
Management and Performance

NASA’s FY 2011 and FY 2012 Annual Performance Plans

NASA’s 2011 Strategic Plan unveils the Agency’s new direction and new strategic goals. NASA has 

updated its annual performance plans (APPs) to reflect this new direction. In concert with this effort, 

NASA is transitioning to a new performance framework with a focus on increased transparency and 

accountability. A brief discussion of the new framework appears below, followed by NASA’s FY 2011 

and FY 2012 APPs. Due to the change in NASA’s performance structure, performance trends for past 

years mapped to the new performance framework are presented in the following FY 2011 and FY 2012 

APPs.

The new performance framework consists of five levels of performance measures. The strategic goals 

form the top of the framework with four distinct levels supporting the achievement of the overarching 

goals. Those supporting levels are outcomes, objectives, performance goals, and annual performance 

goals. Each performance measure level is associated with a specific timeframe. 

The strategic goals and outcomes form the top tier of NASA’s new performance framework and reflect 

NASA’s long-term plans for the next 10 to 20 years and beyond. These strategic goals may be 

supported by multiple NASA directorates and offices (see figure 1). In NASA’s previous performance 

framework, Agency-wide activities (formerly represented in Cross-Agency Support) were not previously 

linked to a specific strategic goal. In NASA’s new framework, these activities are now fully incorporated 

into the goal structure. Strategic goals and outcomes represent the overall direction of the Agency and 

are the result of intense internal planning and external consultation with the Agency’s stakeholders. 

Reaching out to external stakeholders for their input ensures that NASA has the Nation’s goals in mind 

as the Agency sets its course. 

While the strategic goals and outcomes are focused on long-term activities, the objectives, performance 

goals, and APGs set quantifiable targets for programs, projects, and offices within NASA. Objectives 

identify targets that span the next 10 years and form the measureable framework for NASA’s APPs. 

These objectives, in turn, are supported by performance goals which focus on planned progress over 

the next three to five years, with specific annual performance goals (APGs) aligned to the annual 

budget request. 

NASA’s former performance framework, consisted of three levels of performance measures: strategic 

goals (and sub-goals), outcomes, and annual performance goals (APGs). The addition of objectives 

and performance goals to the new performance framework provides increased transparency into 

NASA’s mid- and near-term plans and performance. (Please see figure 2 for a comparison of NASA’s 

former performance framework to the new performance framework.)

MP-99
Management and Performance

NASA reports progress on each APP to Congress and

the public in the Agency’s annual Performance and 

Accountability Report, which supports programmatic 

decision-making at a government-wide level as well as 

providing feedback to NASA regarding progress 

towards its Strategic Goals. NASA’s performance 

framework is also an important tool for communicating 

with stakeholders and the public. Through this 

framework, NASA is held accountable for the Nation’s 

investment in NASA’s programs and missions, reporting 

on achievements as well as shortfalls, and informing 

planning performance for the next year.

Figure 1: NASA’s strategic goals and the Mission 

Directorates and Mission Support Offices that 

contribute to each goal.

FY11 APP-2
Management and Performance

Figure 2: NASA's new performance framework compared to NASA's previous performance 

framework.

FY11 APP-3
Management and Performance

FY 2011 Performance Plan Narrative

The enclosed FY 2011 Performance Plan reflects the current prioritization of Agency programs and 

projects. In NASA's FY 2011 Budget Estimates, NASA did not include the FY 2011 Performance Plan 

due to programmatic shifts in direction from the President. NASA chose to align the FY 2011 

Performance Plan with the Agency's new 2011 Strategic Plan, hence, the FY 2011 Performance Plan 

is being presented here for the first time. 

The following table provides a summary of all of the Agency commitments identified in the preceding 

sections of this document.

FY 2011 Performance Plan

Measure # Description Contributing

Program (s)

Contributing

Theme

Strategic Goal 1 Extend and sustain human activities 

across the solar system.

Outcome 1.1 Sustain the operation and full use of the 

International Space Station (ISS) and 

expand efforts to utilize the ISS as a 

National Laboratory for scientific, 

technological, diplomatic, and educational 

purposes and for supporting future 

objectives in human space exploration.

Objective 1.1.1 Maintain resources (on orbit and on the 

ground) to operate and utilize the ISS.

Performance Goal 1.1.1.1 Maintain capability for six on-orbit crew 

members.

APG

1.1.1.1: ISS-11-1

In concert with the International Partners, 

maintain a continuous crew presence on the 

ISS by coordinating and managing resources, 

logistics, systems, and operational 

procedures.

International

Space Station

Program

International

Space Station

Performance Goal 1.1.1.2 HPPG: Safely fly out the Space Shuttle 

manifest and retire the fleet.

APG

1.1.1.2: SSP-11-1

Release major Space Shuttle operations 

facilities at Kennedy Space Center for future 

institutional and programmatic use.

Space Shuttle 

Program

Space Shuttle

Performance Goal 1.1.1.3 Provide cargo and crew transportation to 

support on-orbit crew members and 

utilization.

APG

1.1.1.3: ISS-11-2

Fly the ISS elements, spares, logistics, and 

utilization hardware as agreed to by the 

International Partners in the ISS 

transportation plan.

International

Space Station

Program

International

Space Station

Performance Goal 1.1.1.4 Maintain and operate a safe and functional 

ISS.

APG

1.1.1.4: ISS-11-3

Provide 100 percent of planned on-orbit 

resources (including power, data, crew time, 

logistics, and accommodations) needed to 

support research.

International

Space Station

Program

International

Space Station

APG

1.1.1.4: ISS-11-4

Achieve zero Type-A (damage to property at 

least $1 million or death) or Type-B (damage 

to property at least $250 thousand or 

permanent disability or hospitalization of 

three or more persons) mishaps.

International

Space Station

Program

International

Space Station

FY11 APP-4
Management and Performance

FY 2011 Performance Plan

Measure # Description Contributing

Program (s)

Contributing

Theme

Objective 1.1.2 Advance engineering, technology, and 

research capabilities on the ISS.

Performance Goal 1.1.2.1 Advance knowledge of long-duration 

human space flight by establishing 

agreements with organizations to enable 

full utilization of the ISS.

APG

1.1.2.1: ISS-11-5

Accomplish a minimum of 90 percent of the 

on-orbit research objectives as established 

one month prior to a given increment, as 

sponsored by NASA, baselined for FY 2011.

International

Space Station

Program

International

Space Station

Performance Goal 1.1.2.2 Conduct basic and applied biological and 

physical research to advance and sustain 

U.S. scientific expertise.

APG

1.1.2.2: ERD-11-1

Develop at least two life sciences flight 

payloads for ISS or Free Flyer platforms.

Advanced

Explorations

Systems

Exploration

Research and 

Development

APG

1.1.2.2: ERD-11-2

Deliver at least five physical sciences 

payloads for launch to the ISS.

Advanced

Explorations

Systems

Exploration

Research and 

Development

APG

1.1.2.2: ERD-11-3

Conduct at least five experiments in 

combustion, fluids, or materials sciences on 

the ISS.

Advanced

Explorations

Systems

Exploration

Research and 

Development

Outcome 1.2 Develop competitive opportunities for the 

commercial community to provide best 

value products and services to low Earth 

orbit and beyond.

Objective 1.2.1 Enable the commercial sector to provide 

cargo and crew services to the 

International Space Station (ISS).

Performance Goal 1.2.1.1 Develop competitive opportunities for the 

commercial community to provide best 

value products and services to low Earth 

orbit and beyond.

APG

1.2.1.1: CS-11-1

Conduct a minimum of one commercial cargo 

demonstration flight of new cargo 

transportation systems.

Commercial

Cargo

Commercial

Spaceflight

APG

1.2.1.1: CS-11-2

Conduct a minimum of one commercial cargo 

demonstration flight of proximity operations 

with ISS.

Commercial

Cargo

Commercial

Spaceflight

APG

1.2.1.1: CS-11-3

Conduct a minimum of one safe berthing of 

commercial cargo transportation systems with 

the ISS.

Commercial

Cargo

Commercial

Spaceflight

APG

1.2.1.1: CS-11-4

Release announcement for the development 

of commercial crew transportation systems 

(CCDev2).

Commercial Crew Commercial

Spaceflight

Performance Goal 1.2.1.2 Develop and document evaluation and 

certification processes for an integrated 

commercial crew transportation system.

APG

1.2.1.2: CS-11-5

Develop NASA processes and requirements 

required to ensure crew safety to and from 

the ISS and other NASA and low Earth orbit 

destinations.

Commercial Crew Commercial

Spaceflight

FY11 APP-5
Management and Performance

FY 2011 Performance Plan

Measure # Description Contributing

Program (s)

Contributing

Theme

Outcome 1.3 Develop an integrated architecture and 

capabilities for safe crewed and cargo 

missions beyond low Earth orbit.

Objective 1.3.1 Execute development of an integrated 

architecture to conduct human space 

exploration missions beyond low Earth 

orbit.

Performance Goal 1.3.1.1 Complete design reviews for Space 

Launch System (SLS).

APG

1.3.1.1: HEC-11-1

Develop top-level Agency requirements and 

draft Program Plan for Space Launch System 

(SLS).

Space Launch 

System

Human

Exploration

Capabilities

Performance Goal 1.3.1.2 Complete design reviews for MultiPurpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV).

APG

1.3.1.2: HEC-11-2

Develop top-level Agency requirements and 

Program Plan for Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle 

(MPCV).

Multi-Purpose

Crew Vehicle

Human

Exploration

Capabilities

Objective 1.3.2 Develop a robust biomedical research 

portfolio to mitigate space human health 

risks.

Performance Goal 1.3.2.1 Develop technologies that enable 

biomedical research and mitigate space 

human health risks associated with 

human space exploration missions.

APG

1.3.2.1: ERD-11-4

Develop and release two NASA Research 

Announcements that solicit from the external 

biomedical research community the highest 

quality proposals to mitigate space human 

health risks.

Human Research Exploration

Research and 

Development

Performance Goal 1.3.2.2 Perform research to ensure that future 

human crews are protected from the 

deleterious effects of space radiation.

APG

1.3.2.2: ERD-11-5

Complete the independent assessment of the 

updated NASA Space Radiation Cancer Risk 

Model used to project the cancer risk for 

current ISS crews and future exploration 

missions.

Human Research Exploration

Research and 

Development

Performance Goal 1.3.2.3 Develop exploration medical capabilities 

for long-duration space missions.

APG

1.3.2.3: ERD-11-6

Develop and begin implementation of a 

research plan to address a recently 

discovered risk to crewmembers involving 

microgravity-induced visual alterations.

Human Research Exploration

Research and 

Development

FY11 APP-6
Management and Performance

Measure # Description Contributing

Program (s)

Contributing

Theme

Strategic Goal 2 Expand scientific understanding of the 

Earth and the universe in which we live.

Outcome 2.1 Advance Earth system science to meet the 

challenges of climate and environmental 

change.

Objective 2.1.1 Improve understanding of and improve 

the predictive capability for changes in the 

ozone layer, climate forcing, and air 

quality associated with changes in 

atmospheric composition.

Performance Goal 2.1.1.1 Provide national scientific capabilities 

through necessary skilled researchers 

and supporting knowledge base.

APG

2.1.1.1: ES-11-1

Demonstrate planned progress in 

understanding and improving predictive 

capability for changes in the ozone layer, 

climate forcing, and air quality associated 

with changes in atmospheric composition.

Progress relative to the objectives in NASA's 

2010 Science Plan will be evaluated by 

external expert review.

Multiple Programs Earth Science

Performance Goal 2.1.1.2 By 2015, launch at least two missions in 

support of this objective.

APG

2.1.1.2: ES-11-2

Complete the Aquarius Launch Readiness 

Review.

Earth System 

Science

Pathfinder

Earth Science

APG

2.1.1.2: ES-11-3

Initiate the Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 

(OCO-2) Instrument and Spacecraft SystemLevel Testing.

Earth System 

Science

Pathfinder

Earth Science

APG

2.1.1.2: ES-11-4

Release Earth Venture 2 (EV-2) 

Announcement of Opportunity.

Earth System 

Science

Pathfinder

Earth Science

Objective 2.1.2 Enable improved predictive capability for 

weather and extreme weather events.

Performance Goal 2.1.2.1 Provide national scientific capabilities 

through necessary skilled researchers 

and supporting knowledge base.

APG

2.1.2.1: ES-11-5

Demonstrate planned progress in enabling 

improved predictive capability for weather 

and extreme weather events. Progress 

relative to the objectives in NASA's 2010 

Science Plan will be evaluated by external 

expert review.

Multiple Programs Earth Science

Performance Goal 2.1.2.2 By 2015, launch at least two missions in 

support of this objective.

APG

2.1.2.2: ES-11-6

Complete the Global Precipitation Mission 

(GPM) Systems Integration Review.

Earth Systematic 

Missions

Earth Science

FY 2011 Performance Plan

FY11 APP-7
Management and Performance

FY 2011 Performance Plan

Measure # Description Contributing

Program (s)

Contributing

Theme

Objective 2.1.3 Quantify, understand, and predict 

changes in Earth's ecosystems and 

biogeochemical cycles, including the 

global carbon cycle, land cover, and 

biodiversity.

Performance Goal 2.1.3.1 Provide national scientific capabilities 

through necessary skilled researchers 

and supporting knowledge base.

APG

2.1.3.1: ES-11-7

Demonstrate planned progress in quantifying, 

understanding, and predicting changes in 

Earth's ecosystems and biogeochemical 

cycles, including the global carbon cycle, land 

cover, and biodiversity. Progress relative to 

the objectives in NASA's 2010 Science Plan 

will be evaluated by external expert review.

Multiple Programs Earth Science

Performance Goal 2.1.3.2 By 2015, launch at least two missions in 

support of this objective.

APG

2.1.3.2: ES-11-8

Complete the Landsat Data Continuity 

Mission (LDCM) Mission Operations Review.

Earth Systematic 

Missions

Earth Science

APG

2.1.3.2: ES-11-3

Initiate the Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 

(OCO-2) Instrument and Spacecraft SystemLevel Testing.

Earth System 

Science

Pathfinder

Earth Science

Objective 2.1.4 Quantify the key reservoirs and fluxes in 

the global water cycle and assess water 

cycle change and water quality.

Performance Goal 2.1.4.1 Provide national scientific capabilities 

through necessary skilled researchers 

and supporting knowledge base.

APG

2.1.4.1: ES-11-9

Demonstrate planned progress in quantifying 

the key reservoirs and fluxes in the global 

water cycle and assessing water cycle 

change and water quality. Progress relative to 

the objectives in NASA's 2010 Science Plan 

will be evaluated by external expert review.

Multiple Programs Earth Science

Performance Goal 2.1.4.2 By 2015, launch at least two missions in 

support of this objective.

APG

2.1.4.2: ES-11-10

Complete the Soil Moisture Active-Passive 

(SMAP) Confirmation Review.

Earth Systematic 

Missions

Earth Science

APG

2.1.4.2: ES-11-3

Complete the Aquarius Launch Readiness 

Review.

Earth System 

Science

Pathfinder

Earth Science

APG

2.1.4.2: ES-11-6

Complete the Global Precipitation Mission 

(GPM) Systems Integration Review.

Earth Systematic 

Missions

Earth Science

Objective 2.1.5 Improve understanding of the roles of the 

ocean, atmosphere, land and ice in the 

climate system and improve predictive 

capability for its future evolution.

Performance Goal 2.1.5.1 Provide national scientific capabilities 

through necessary skilled researchers 

and supporting knowledge base.

APG

2.1.5.1: ES-11-11

Demonstrate planned progress in 

understanding the roles of ocean, 

atmosphere, land, and ice in the climate 

system and improving predictive capability for 

future evolution. Progress relative to the 

objectives in NASA's 2010 Science Plan will 

be evaluated by external expert review.8

Multiple Programs Earth Science
Management and Performance

FY 2011 Performance Plan

Measure # Description Contributing

Program (s)

Contributing

Theme

Performance Goal 2.1.5.2 HPPG: Study Earth from space to 

understand climate change, weather, and 

human impact on our planet by launching 

at least two missions by 2015.

APG

2.1.5.2: ES-11-12

Complete the National Polar-orbiting 

Operational Environmental Satellite System 

(NPOESS) Preparatory Project (NPP) 

Mission Readiness Review.

Earth Systematic 

Missions

Earth Science

APG

2.1.5.2: ES-11-13

Complete the Glory Launch Readiness 

Review.

Earth Systematic 

Missions

Earth Science

Performance Goal 2.1.5.3 By 2015, launch at least three missions in 

support of this objective.

APG

2.1.5.3: ES-11-14

Complete the ICESat-2 Spacecraft System 

Requirements Review.

Earth System 

Science

Pathfinder

Earth Science

APG

2.1.5.3: ES-11-3

Initiate the Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 

(OCO-2) Instrument and Spacecraft SystemLevel Testing.

Earth System 

Science

Pathfinder

Earth Science

Objective 2.1.6 Characterize the dynamics of Earth's 

surface and interior and form the scientific 

basis for the assessment and mitigation of 

natural hazards and response to rare and 

extreme events.

Performance Goal 2.1.6.1 Provide national scientific capabilities 

through necessary skilled researchers 

and supporting knowledge base.

APG

2.1.6.1: ES-11-15

Demonstrate planned progress in 

characterizing the dynamics of 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. Progress relative to the 

objectives in NASA's 2010 Science Plan will 

be evaluated by external expert review.

Multiple Programs Earth Science

Performance Goal 2.1.6.2 By 2015, launch at least one mission in 

support of this objective.

APG

2.1.6.2: ES-11-8

Complete the Landsat Data Continuity 

Mission (LDCM) Mission Operations Review.

Earth Systematic 

Missions

Earth Science

Objective 2.1.7 Enable the broad use of Earth system 

science observations and results in 

decision-making activities for societal 

benefits.

Performance Goal 2.1.7.1 Provide national scientific capabilities 

through necessary skilled researchers 

and supporting knowledge base.

APG

2.1.7.1: ES-11-16

Conduct impact analyses of two projects that 

apply NASA Earth science research to 

support decision-making activities.

Applied Sciences Earth Science

APG

2.1.7.1: ES-11-17

Increase the number of science data products 

delivered to Earth Observing System Data 

and Information System (EOSDIS) users.

Earth Science 

Research

Earth Science

APG

2.1.7.1: ES-11-18

Maintain a high level of customer satisfaction, 

as measured by exceeding the most recently 

available federal government average rating 

of the Customer Satisfaction Index.

Earth Science 

Research

Earth Science

FY11 APP-9
Management and Performance

FY 2011 Performance Plan

Measure # Description Contributing

Program (s)

Contributing

Theme

Outcome 2.2 Understand the Sun and its interactions 

with Earth and the solar system.

Objective 2.2.1 Improve understanding of the 

fundamental physical processes of the 

space environment from the Sun to Earth, 

to other planets, and beyond to the 

interstellar medium.

Performance Goal 2.2.1.1 Provide national scientific capabilities 

through necessary skilled researchers 

and supporting knowledge base.

APG

2.2.1.1: HE-11-1

Demonstrate planned progress in 

understanding the fundamental physical 

processes of the space environment from the 

Sun to Earth, to other planets, and beyond to 

the interstellar medium. Progress relative to 

the objectives in NASA's 2010 Science Plan 

will be evaluated by external expert review.

Multiple Programs Heliophysics

Performance Goal 2.2.1.2 By 2015, launch two missions in support 

of this outcome.

APG

2.2.1.2: HE-11-2

Complete the Magnetospheric MultiScale 

(MMS) Mission Operations Center and 

Science Operations Center Preliminary 

Design Review.

Solar Terrestrial 

Probes

Heliophysics

APG

2.2.1.2: HE-11-3

Complete the Geospace Radiation Belt Storm 

Probes Systems Integration Review.

Living with a Star Heliophysics

Objective 2.2.2 Improve understanding of how human 

society, technological systems, and the 

habitability of planets are affected by solar 

variability interacting with planetary 

magnetic fields and atmospheres.

Performance Goal 2.2.2.1 Provide national scientific capabilities 

through necessary skilled researchers 

and supporting knowledge base.

APG

2.2.2.1: HE-11-4

Demonstrate planned progress in 

understanding how human society, 

technological systems, and the habitability of 

planets are affected by solar variability 

interacting with planetary magnetic fields and 

atmospheres. Progress relative to the 

objectives in NASA's 2010 Science Plan will 

be evaluated by external expert review.

Multiple Programs Heliophysics

Performance Goal 2.2.2.2 By 2015, launch two missions in support 

of this outcome.

APG

2.2.2.2: HE-11-2

Complete the Magnetospheric MultiScale 

(MMS) Mission Operations Center/Science 

Operations Center Preliminary Design 

Review.

Solar Terrestrial 

Probes

Heliophysics

APG

2.2.2.2: HE-11-3

Complete the Geospace Radiation Belt Storm 

Probes Systems Integration Review.

Living with a Star Heliophysics

FY11 APP-10
Management and Performance

Measure # Description Contributing

Program (s)

Contributing

Theme

Objective 2.2.3 Maximize the safety and productivity of 

human and robotic explorers by 

developing the capability to predict 

extreme and dynamic conditions in space.

Performance Goal 2.2.3.1 Provide national scientific capabilities 

through necessary skilled researchers 

and supporting knowledge base.

APG

2.2.3.1: HE-11-5

Demonstrate planned progress in maximizing 

the safety and productivity of human and 

robotic explorers by developing the capability 

to predict the extreme and dynamic 

conditions in space. Progress relative to the 

objectives in NASA's 2010 Science Plan will 

be evaluated by external expert review.

Multiple Programs Heliophysics

Performance Goal 2.2.3.2 By 2017, launch at least two missions in 

support of this outcome.

APG

2.2.3.2: HE-11-3

Complete the Geospace Radiation Belt Storm 

Probes Systems Integration Review.

Living with a Star Heliophysics

Outcome 2.3 Ascertain the content, origin, and 

evolution of the solar system and the 

potential for life elsewhere.

Objective 2.3.1 Inventory solar system objects and 

identify the processes active in and 

among them.

Performance Goal 2.3.1.1 Provide national scientific capabilities 

through necessary skilled researchers 

and supporting knowledge base.

APG

2.3.1.1: PS-11-1

Demonstrate planned progress in 

inventorying solar system objects and 

identifying the processes active in and among 

them. Progress relative to the objectives in 

NASA's 2010 Science Plan will be evaluated 

by external expert review.

Multiple Programs Planetary Science

APG

2.3.1.1: PS-11-2

Achieve arrival of Dawn at Vesta. Discovery Planetary Science

Performance Goal 2.3.1.2 By 2015, launch at least two missions in 

support of this outcome.

APG

2.3.1.2: PS-11-3

Complete the mission concept studies for the 

New Frontiers 3 mission.

New Frontiers Planetary Science

Objective 2.3.2 Improve understanding of how the Sun's 

family of planets, satellites, and minor 

bodies originated and evolved.

Performance Goal 2.3.2.1 Provide national scientific capabilities 

through necessary skilled researchers 

and supporting knowledge base.

APG

2.3.2.1: PS-11-4

Demonstrate planned progress in 

understanding how the Sun's family of 

planets, satellites, and minor bodies 

originated and evolved. Progress relative to 

the objectives in NASA's 2010 Science Plan 

will be evaluated by external expert review.

Multiple Programs Planetary Science

APG

2.3.2.1: PS-11-5

Complete the MESSENGER Mercury Orbit 

Insertion.

Discovery Planetary Science

FY 2011 Performance Plan

FY11 APP-11
Management and Performance

FY 2011 Performance Plan

Measure # Description Contributing

Program (s)

Contributing

Theme

Performance Goal 2.3.2.2 By 2015, launch at least three missions in 

support of this outcome.

APG

2.3.2.2: PS-11-3

Complete the mission concept studies for the 

New Frontiers 3 mission.

New Frontiers Planetary Science

APG

2.3.2.2: PS-11-6

Complete the Juno Launch Readiness 

Review.

New Frontiers Planetary Science

APG

2.3.2.2: PS-11-7

Complete the Gravity Recovery and Interior 

Laboratory (GRAIL) Pre-Ship Review.

Discovery Planetary Science

Objective 2.3.3 Improve understanding of the processes 

that determine the history and future of 

habitability of environments on Mars and 

other solar system bodies.

Performance Goal 2.3.3.1 Provide national scientific capabilities 

through necessary skilled researchers 

and supporting knowledge base.

APG

2.3.3.1: PS-11-8

Demonstrate planned progress in 

understanding the processes that determine 

the history and future of habitability of 

environments on Mars and other solar system 

bodies. Progress relative to the objectives in 

NASA's 2010 Science Plan will be evaluated 

by external expert review.

Multiple Programs Planetary Science

Performance Goal 2.3.3.2 By 2015, launch at least two missions in 

support of this outcome.

APG

2.3.3.2: PS-11-10

Complete the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile 

EvolutioN Mission (MAVEN) Confirmation 

Review.

Mars Exploration Planetary Science

APG

2.3.3.2: PS-11-9

Complete the Mars Science Laboratory 

(MSL) Pre-Ship Review.

Mars Exploration Planetary Science

Objective 2.3.4 Improve understanding of the origin and 

evolution of Earth's life and biosphere to 

determine if there is or ever has been life 

elsewhere in the universe.

Performance Goal 2.3.4.1 Provide national scientific capabilities 

through necessary skilled researchers 

and supporting knowledge base.

APG

2.3.4.1: PS-11-11

Demonstrate planned progress in 

understanding the origin and evolution of life 

on Earth and throughout the biosphere to 

determine if there is or ever has been life 

elsewhere in the universe. Progress relative 

to the objectives in NASA's 2010 Science 

Plan will be evaluated by external expert 

review.

Multiple Programs Planetary Science

FY11 APP-12
Management and Performance

FY 2011 Performance Plan

Measure # Description Contributing

Program (s)

Contributing

Theme

Objective 2.3.5 Identify and characterize small bodies and 

the properties of planetary environments 

that pose a threat to terrestrial life or 

exploration or provide potentially 

exploitable resources.

Performance Goal 2.3.5.1 Provide national scientific capabilities 

through necessary skilled researchers 

and supporting knowledge base.

APG

2.3.5.1: PS-11-12

Demonstrate planned progress in identifying 

and characterizing small bodies and the 

properties of planetary environments that 

pose a threat to terrestrial life or exploration 

or provide potentially exploitable resources. 

Progress relative to the objectives in NASA's 

2010 Science Plan will be evaluated by 

external expert review.

Multiple Programs Planetary Science

Performance Goal 2.3.5.2 Return data for selection of destinations 

in order to lower risk for human space 

exploration beyond low Earth orbit.

APG

2.3.5.2: PS-11-13

Develop an archive of high resolution images 

of the moon from the Lunar Reconnaissance 

Orbiter (LRO) necessary for human space 

exploration to determine potential landing 

sites.

Multiple Programs Planetary Science

Outcome 2.4 Discover how the universe works, explore 

how it began and evolved, and search for 

Earth-like planets.

Objective 2.4.1 Improve understanding of the origin and 

destiny of the universe, and the nature of 

black holes, dark energy, dark matter, and 

gravity.

Performance Goal 2.4.1.1 Provide national scientific capabilities 

through necessary skilled researchers 

and supporting knowledge base.

APG

2.4.1.1: AS-11-1

Demonstrate planned progress in 

understanding the origin and destiny of the 

universe, and the nature of black holes, dark 

energy, dark matter, and gravity. Progress 

relative to the objectives in NASA's 2010 

Science Plan will be evaluated by external 

expert review.

Multiple Programs Astrophysics

Performance Goal 2.4.1.2 By 2015, launch at least one mission in 

support of this outcome.

APG

2.4.1.2: AS-11-2

Complete the Nuclear Spectroscopic 

Telescope Array (NuSTAR) Systems 

Integration Review.

Astrophysics

Explorer

Astrophysics

FY11 APP-13
Management and Performance

FY 2011 Performance Plan

Measure # Description Contributing

Program (s)

Contributing

Theme

Objective 2.4.2 Improve understanding of the many 

phenomena and processes associated 

with galaxy, stellar, and planetary system 

formation and evolution from the earliest 

epochs to today.

Performance Goal 2.4.2.1 Provide national scientific capabilities 

through necessary skilled researchers 

and supporting knowledge base.

APG

2.4.2.1: AS-11-3

Demonstrate planned progress in 

understanding the many phenomena and 

processes associated with galaxy, stellar, and 

planetary system formation and evolution 

from the earliest epochs to today. Progress 

relative to the objectives in NASA's 2010 

Science Plan will be evaluated by external 

expert review.

Multiple Programs Astrophysics

Performance Goal 2.4.2.2 Design and assemble James Webb Space 

Telescope (JWST).

APG

2.4.2.2: JWST-11-1

Complete new James Webb Space 

Telescope (JWST) mission re-baseline.

James Webb 

Space Telescope

James Webb 

Space Telescope

Performance Goal 2.4.2.3 Develop and operate an airborne infrared 

astrophysics observatory.

APG

2.4.2.3: AS-11-4

Initiate the Stratospheric Observatory for 

Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) science 

observations.

Cosmic Origins Astrophysics

Objective 2.4.3 Generate a census of extra-solar planets 

and measure their properties.

Performance Goal 2.4.3.1 Provide national scientific capabilities 

through necessary skilled researchers 

and supporting knowledge base.

APG

2.4.3.1: AS-11-5

Demonstrate planned progress in generating 

a census of extra-solar planets and 

measuring their properties. Progress relative 

to the objectives in NASA's 2010 Science 

Plan will be evaluated by external expert 

review.

Multiple Programs Astrophysics

FY11 APP-14
Management and Performance

FY 2011 Performance Plan

Measure # Description Contributing

Program (s)

Contributing

Theme

Strategic Goal 3 Create the innovative new space 

technologies for our exploration, science, 

and economic future.

Outcome 3.1 Sponsor early-stage innovation in space 

technologies in order to improve the 

future capabilities of NASA, other 

government agencies, and the aerospace 

industry.

Objective 3.1.1 Create a pipeline of new low Technology 

Readiness Levels (TRL) innovative 

concepts and technologies for future 

NASA missions and national needs.

Performance Goal 3.1.1.1 Explore revolutionary aerospace 

concepts, with an initial research phase 

for preliminary assessment of a broad 

range of ideas, and a second phase for 

further development of the most 

promising concepts.

APG

3.1.1.1: ST-11-1

Initiate 10 Phase I research efforts to explore 

revolutionary aerospace ideas.

Crosscutting

Space

Technology

Development

Space

Technology

Performance Goal 3.1.1.2 Provide cash prize incentives to nontraditional sources for innovations of 

interest and value to NASA and the 

Nation.

APG

3.1.1.2: ST-11-2

Conduct at least two Centennial Challenge 

competitions.

Crosscutting

Space

Technology

Development

Space

Technology

Performance Goal 3.1.1.3 Establish and maintain a culture of 

innovation at each of the 10 NASA Centers 

through the development of new Center 

ideas and technologies.

APG

3.1.1.3: ST-11-3

Twenty innovative projects will be initiated 

across the NASA Centers.

Crosscutting

Space

Technology

Development

Space

Technology

Performance Goal 3.1.1.4 Increase the proportion of Small Business 

Innovation Research and Small Business 

Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) 

technologies successfully infused into 

NASA programs/projects.

APG

3.1.1.4: ST-11-4

At least 24 percent of the Small Business 

Innovation Research and Small Business 

Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) Phase II 

technology projects awarded between 2006-

2010 will be infused into NASA programs and 

projects.

SBIR and STTR Space

Technology

Performance Goal 3.1.1.5 Increase the Small Business Innovation 

Research and Small Business Technology 

Transfer (SBIR/STTR) Phase III contracts 

initiated or expanded.

APG

3.1.1.5: ST-11-5

At least 40 of the Small Business Innovation 

Research and Small Business Technology 

Transfer (SBIR/STTR) technologies will be 

advanced to Phase III (received nonSBIR/STTR funding).

SBIR and STTR Space

Technology

 FY11 APP-15
Management and Performance

Measure # Description Contributing

Program (s)

Contributing

Theme

Performance Goal 3.1.1.6 Accelerate the development of push 

technologies to support the future space, 

science and exploration needs of NASA, 

other government agencies, and the 

commercial space sector.

APG

3.1.1.6: ST-11-6

Select 100 NASA space technology research 

activities.

Crosscutting

Space

Technology

Development

Space

Technology

Outcome 3.2 Infuse game changing and crosscutting 

technologies throughout the Nation's 

space enterprise to transform the Nation's 

space mission capabilities.

Objective 3.2.1 Prove the technical feasibility of 

potentially disruptive new space 

technologies for future missions.

Performance Goal 3.2.1.1 Transition developed game changing 

technologies to the technology 

demonstration programs or directly to 

Mission Directorates for mission insertion.

APG

3.2.1.1: ST-11-7

Initiate 10 conceptual studies to define 

potential game changing development 

projects.

Crosscutting

Space

Technology

Development

Space

Technology

Objective 3.2.2 Spur the development of routine, low-cost 

access to space through small payloads 

and satellites.

Performance Goal 3.2.2.1 Mature technologies that enable small 

satellites to provide game changing 

capabilities for the government and 

commercial space sectors.

APG

3.2.2.1: ST-11-8

Initiate development of at least one new 

technology with game changing potential for 

small satellites.

Crosscutting

Space

Technology

Development

Space

Technology

Objective 3.2.3 Demonstrate new space technologies and 

infuse them into future science and 

exploration small satellite missions and/or 

commercial use.

Performance Goal 3.2.3.1 Demonstrate small satellite capabilities 

with game changing and crosscutting 

potential for the government and 

commercial space sectors.

APG

3.2.3.1: ST-11-9

Initiate at least one new small satellite 

mission that will demonstrate game changing 

or crosscutting technologies in space.

Crosscutting

Space

Technology

Development

Space

Technology

Objective 3.2.4 Demonstrate new space technologies and 

infuse them into missions.

Performance Goal 3.2.4.1 Infuse game changing and crosscutting 

technologies into future NASA missions 

through flight or relevant environment 

demonstrations.

APG

3.2.4.1: ST-11-10

Select two candidate system level 

technologies that will provide new capabilities 

for future missions.

Crosscutting

Space

Technology

Development

Space

Technology

FY 2011 Performance Plan

FY11 APP-16
Management and Performance

FY 2011 Performance Plan

Measure # Description Contributing

Program (s)

Contributing

Theme

Objective 3.2.5 Provide flight opportunities and relevant 

environments to demonstrate new space 

technologies.

Performance Goal 3.2.5.1 Perform sub-orbital, simulated zerogravity and other space analog flight 

opportunities to develop and demonstrate 

emerging ideas and technologies.

APG

3.2.5.1: ST-11-11

Select and fly technology payloads from 

NASA, other government agencies, industry, 

and academia using flight services procured 

from at least three commercial reusable 

suborbital and parabolic platform providers.

Crosscutting

Space

Technology

Development

Space

Technology

Outcome 3.3 Develop and demonstrate the critical 

technologies that will make NASA's 

exploration, science, and discovery 

missions more affordable and more 

capable.

Objective 3.3.1 Demonstrate in-space operations of 

robotic assistants working with crew.

Performance Goal 3.3.1.1 Demonstrate robotic technologies that 

support in-space operations, scientific 

discovery, and work as assistants with the 

crew.

APG

3.3.1.1: ERD-11-7

Launch Robonaut 2 to the ISS and 

demonstrate teleoperation from the ground.

Exploration

Technology

Development

Space

Technology

Objective 3.3.2 Develop and demonstrate critical 

technologies for safe and affordable cargo 

and human space exploration missions 

beyond low Earth orbit.

Performance Goal 3.3.2.1 Develop advanced spacesuits to improve 

the ability of astronauts to conduct ExtraVehicular Activity (EVA) operations in 

space including assembly and service of 

in-space systems and exploration of 

surfaces of the Moon, Mars, near-Earth 

objects (NEOs), and other small bodies.

APG

3.3.2.1: ERD-11-8

Test breadboard Extra-Vehicular Activity 

(EVA) Portable Life Support System (PLSS) 

technologies to enable advanced spacesuits 

for human deep space exploration.

Advanced

Explorations

Systems

Exploration

Research and 

Development

Performance Goal 3.3.2.2 Develop technologies and mission 

concepts for demonstrating in-space 

cryogenic propellant storage and transfer 

making exploration and science missions 

more affordable and capable.

APG

3.3.2.1: ST-11-12

Develop and test Liquid Acquisition Devices 

(LADs) and mass-gauging to support future 

Cryogenic Propellant Storage And Transfer 

(CRYOSTAT) missions.

Exploration

Technology

Development

Space

Technology

FY11 APP-17
Management and Performance

FY 2011 Performance Plan

Measure # Description Contributing

Program (s)

Contributing

Theme

Outcome 3.4 Facilitate the transfer of NASA technology 

and engage in partnerships with other 

government agencies, industry, and 

international entities to generate U.S. 

commercial activity and other public 

benefits.

Objective 3.4.1 Promote and develop innovative 

technology partnerships among NASA, 

U.S. industry, and other sectors for the 

benefit of Agency programs and national 

interests.

Performance Goal 3.4.1.1 Establish 12 technology-related 

significant partnerships that create value 

for programs and projects. Track both 

quantitative dollar value and qualitative 

benefits to NASA (e.g., reduced volume or 

mass, improved safety) per year.

APG

3.4.1.1: ST-11-13

Establish at least 12 technology-related 

significant partnerships during FY 2011.

Partnership

Development and 

Strategic

Integration

Space

Technology

Performance Goal 3.4.1.2 Complete 30 technology transfer 

agreements with the commercial and 

academic community through such 

mechanisms as licenses, software use 

agreements, facility use agreements, and 

Space Act Agreements per year.

APG

3.4.1.2: ST-11-14

Complete at least 30 technology transfer 

agreements during FY 2011.

Partnership

Development and 

Strategic

Integration

Space

Technology

Performance Goal 3.4.1.3 Successful application of Small Business 

Innovation Research and Small Business 

Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) 

technologies into commercial products or 

services.

APG

3.4.1.3: ST-11-15

Greater than 35 percent of the Small 

Business Innovation Research and Small 

Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) 

Phase II technology projects awarded 

between 2006-2010 will be transferred into 

commercial products or services.

SBIR and STTR Space

Technology

Performance Goal 3.4.1.4 Document 40-50 of the most notable 

examples of successful transfer and 

commercialization of NASA-derived 

technology per year and publish in Spinoff 

annually.

APG

3.4.1.4: ST-11-16

Document at least 40 notable technology 

transfer successes in NASA's Spinoff 

publication.

Partnership

Development and 

Strategic

Integration

Space

Technology

FY11 APP-18
Management and Performance

Measure # Description Contributing

Program (s)

Contributing

Theme

Performance Goal 3.4.1.5 Document, coordinate, and prioritize 

Agency-level technology strategic 

investments to ensure NASA has a 

balanced portfolio of both near-term 

NASA mission (pull) technologies and 

longer-term transformational (push) 

technologies that benefit both Agency 

programs and national needs.

APG

3.4.1.5: ST-11-17

Develop an Agency technology portfolio 

database to track technology investments 

and create space technology roadmaps that 

prioritize these investments.

Partnership

Development and 

Strategic

Integration

Space

Technology

Strategic Goal 4 Advance aeronautics research for societal 

benefit.

Outcome 4.1 Develop innovative solutions and 

advanced technologies through a 

balanced research portfolio to improve 

current and future air transportation.

Objective 4.1.1 Develop advanced technologies to 

improve the overall safety of the future air 

transportation system.

Performance Goal 4.1.1.1 Transfer knowledge to the aviation 

community to better manage safety in 

aviation.

APG

4.1.1.1: AR-11-1

Demonstrate scalable anomaly detection on 

heterogeneous data.

Aviation Safety Aeronautics

APG

4.1.1.1: AR-11-2

Demonstrate self-healing material concepts 

to mitigate damage in structural elements.

Aviation Safety Aeronautics

Objective 4.1.2 Develop innovative solutions and 

technologies to meet future capacity and 

mobility requirements of the Next 

Generation Air Transportation System 

(NextGen).

Performance Goal 4.1.2.1 HPPG: Increase efficiency and 

throughput of aircraft operations during 

arrival phase of flight.

APG

4.1.2.1: AR-11-3

Conduct simulations of initial tactical conflict 

prediction and resolution advisory functions to 

address reduction in false alerts and increase 

in time to detect a loss of separation in 

terminal operations.

Airspace Systems Aeronautics

APG

4.1.2.1: AR-11-4

Specify operational requirements for 

performing Multi-Sector Planning (MSP) 

functions in the mid-term, including technical 

and conceptual requirements, with 

consideration of how requirements might 

change as the National Airspace System 

(NAS) evolves towards NextGen.

Airspace Systems Aeronautics

APG

4.1.2.1: AR-11-5

Report on human-in-the-loop (HITL) 

simulation and model results. (HPPG 

milestone)

Airspace Systems Aeronautics

FY 2011 Performance Plan

FY11 APP-19
Management and Performance

FY 2011 Performance Plan

Measure # Description Contributing

Program (s)

Contributing

Theme

Objective 4.1.3 Develop tools, technologies, and 

knowledge that enable significantly 

improved performance and new 

capabilities for future air vehicles.

Performance Goal 4.1.3.1 Deliver tools, technologies, and 

knowledge that can be used to more 

efficiently and effectively design future air 

vehicles and their components that 

overcome national performance and 

capability challenges.

APG

4.1.3.1: AR-11-6

Achieve validated accuracy for conventional 

and unconventional aircraft, respectively, for 

nitrogen dioxide (NOx), takeoff and landing 

performance, cruise performance, take-off 

gross weight (TOGW), and noise.

Fundamental

Aeronautics

Aeronautics

APG

4.1.3.1: AR-11-7

Demonstrate the ability to predict the effect of 

impact dynamics on a full-scale airframe 

within 10 percent of measured acceleration.

Fundamental

Aeronautics

Aeronautics

APG

4.1.3.1: AR-11-8

Demonstrate the ability to optimize a baseline 

aircraft design to simultaneously achieve high 

cruise efficiency and low sonic boom using 

Multidisciplinary Design, Analysis and 

Optimization (MDAO) with a two-week cycle 

time.

Fundamental

Aeronautics

Aeronautics

APG

4.1.3.1: AR-11-9

Validate NASA propulsion Computational 

Fluid Dynamics (CFD) codes using 

Hypersonic International Flight Research 

Experimentation (HIFiRE) scramjet flight data 

and ground-based test results.

Fundamental

Aeronautics

Aeronautics

Outcome 4.2 Conduct systems-level research on 

innovative and promising aeronautics 

concepts and technologies to 

demonstrate integrated capabilities and 

benefits in a relevant flight and/or ground 

environment.

Objective 4.2.1 Develop advanced tools and technologies 

that reduce the technical risk associated 

with system-level integration of promising 

aeronautical concepts.

Performance Goal 4.2.1.1 Reduce technical risk by conducting 

research at an integrated system-level on 

promising aeronautical concepts and 

technologies in a relevant environment.

APG

4.2.1.1: AR-11-10

Optimize fuel injector designs through 

flametube and/or sector tests and 

demonstrate their performance in meeting 

futuristic aircraft emission goals.

Integrated

Systems

Research

Aeronautics

FY11 APP-20
Management and Performance

FY 2011 Performance Plan

Measure # Description Contributing

Program (s)

Contributing

Theme

Strategic Goal 5 Enable program and institutional 

capabilities to conduct NASA's 

aeronautics and space activities.

Outcome 5.1 Identify, cultivate, and sustain a diverse 

workforce and inclusive work environment 

that is needed to conduct NASA missions.

Objective 5.1.1 Establish and maintain a workforce that 

possesses state-of-the-art technical and 

business management competencies.

Performance Goal 5.1.1.1 Define and build the federal workforce 

skills and competencies needed for the 

Agency's future directions in technology 

development and deep space exploration.

APG

5.1.1.1: AMO-11-1

Seventy-five percent or more of Shuttle 

workforce has been realigned for new Agency 

needs.

Agency

Management

Agency

Management and 

Operations

APG

5.1.1.1: AMO-11-2

Twenty percent or more of annual 

recruitments will be through the early career 

hiring initiatives.

Agency

Management

Agency

Management and 

Operations

Performance Goal 5.1.1.2 Build skills across all levels of the 

workforce through Leadership 

Development Opportunities.

APG

5.1.1.2: AMO-11-3

Evaluate current state of Agency leadership 

training and development and publish 

findings and recommendations in a 

comprehensive report to guide future 

program direction.

Agency

Management

Agency

Management and 

Operations

APG

5.1.1.2: AMO-11-4

Seventy-five percent of the Agency's 

leadership training and development 

programs include "leading through 

transformation" content.

Agency

Management

Agency

Management and 

Operations

Performance Goal 5.1.1.3 Achieve and sustain an effective labormanagement dialogue.

APG

5.1.1.3: AMO-11-5

Identify and address at least three significant 

labor-management challenges identified 

during the year during periodic Agency-led 

Labor Management Forums.

Agency

Management

Agency

Management and 

Operations

Performance Goal 5.1.1.4 Adopt and respond to innovative 

employee feedback mechanisms.

APG

5.1.1.4: AMO-11-6

Identify and address at least two topics that 

employees identified in the latest Federal 

Employee Viewpoint Survey.

Agency

Management

Agency

Management and 

Operations

Performance Goal 5.1.1.5 Establish and maintain a workplace 

environment free of illegal discrimination, 

harassing conduct, and retaliation for 

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) 

activity and that provides reasonable 

accommodations to individuals with 

disabilities.

APG

5.1.1.5: AMO-11-7

Complete FY 2011 actions described in the 

NASA Model Equal Employment Opportunity 

(EEO) Agency Plan.

Agency

Management

Agency

Management and 

Operations

FY11 APP-21
Management and Performance

FY 2011 Performance Plan

Measure # Description Contributing

Program (s)

Contributing

Theme

Performance Goal 5.1.1.6 Implement an Agency-wide Diversity and 

Inclusion Framework to develop a more 

demographically diverse workforce and a 

more inclusive work environment.

APG

5.1.1.6: AMO-11-8

Establish a baseline for diversity by 

developing and implementing an Agencywide diversity-inclusion survey.

Agency

Management

Agency

Management and 

Operations

Objective 5.1.2 Provide opportunities and support 

systems that recruit, retain, and develop 

undergraduate and graduate students in 

STEM-related disciplines.

Performance Goal 5.1.2.1 Assure that student participants in NASA 

higher education projects are 

representative of the diversity of the 

Nation.

APG

5.1.2.1: ED-11-1

Achieve 40 percent participation of 

underserved and underrepresented (in race 

and/or ethnicity) in NASA higher education 

projects.

STEM Education 

and Accountability

Education

APG

5.1.2.1: ED-11-2

Achieve 45 percent participation of women in 

NASA higher education projects.

STEM Education 

and Accountability

Education

Outcome 5.2 Ensure vital assets are ready, available, 

and appropriately sized to conduct 

NASA's missions.

Objective 5.2.1 Achieve mission success by factoring 

safety, quality, risk, reliability, and 

maintainability as integral features of 

programs, projects, technologies, 

operations, and facilities.

Performance Goal 5.2.1.1 Through 2015, assure zero fatalities or 

permanent disabling injuries to the public.

APG

5.2.1.1: AMO-11-9

Assure zero fatalities or permanent disabling 

injuries to the public resulting from NASA 

activities during the fiscal year.

Safety and 

Mission Success

Agency

Management and 

Operations

Performance Goal 5.2.1.2 By 2015, achieve a four percent reduction 

in the total case rate and lost time rate for 

the NASA civil service work force.

APG

5.2.1.2: AMO-11-10

Reduce Total Case Rate and Lost Time Case 

Rate by one percent, in accordance with the 

President's Protecting Our Workers and 

Ensuring Reemployment (POWER) initiative.

Safety and 

Mission Success

Agency

Management and 

Operations

Performance Goal 5.2.1.3 By 2015, reduce damage to NASA assets 

by eight percent from the 2010 baseline.

APG

5.2.1.3: AMO-11-11

Reduce damage to NASA assets by two 

percent per fiscal year, based on a five-year 

running average.

Safety and 

Mission Success

Agency

Management and 

Operations

FY11 APP-22
Management and Performance

FY 2011 Performance Plan

Measure # Description Contributing

Program (s)

Contributing

Theme

Objective 5.2.2 Provide information technology that 

advances NASA space and research 

program results and promotes open 

dissemination through efficient, 

innovative, reliable, and responsive 

services that are appropriately secure and 

valued by stakeholders and the public.

Performance Goal 5.2.2.1 By 2014, consolidate and centralize the 

management of information technology 

(IT) enterprise services for end user 

services, communications, enterprise 

applications, enterprise data centers, and 

web services.

APG

5.2.2.1: AMO-11-12

Achieve Initial Operating Capability (IOC) for 

five Service Offices (Web Services, 

Communications, Enterprise Service Desk, 

End User Services, and NASA Enterprise 

Applications) as part of the NASA Information 

Technology Infrastructure Integration 

Program (I3P).

Agency IT 

Services (AITS)

Agency

Management and 

Operations

Performance Goal 5.2.2.2 By 2015, implement a capability to identify 

and prevent unauthorized intrusions on 

the NASA institutional and mission 

networks.

APG

5.2.2.2: AMO-11-13

Implement intrusion detection sensors 

monitored by the NASA Security Operations 

Center (SOC) on 75 percent of NASA 

institutional network monitoring sites.

Agency IT 

Services (AITS)

Agency

Management and 

Operations

Performance Goal 5.2.2.3 By 2014, decommission the Agency 

Administrative mainframe computer.

APG

5.2.2.3: AMO-11-14

Implement, in the SAP environment, the 

replacement for the mainframe-based NASA 

Supply Management System.

Agency IT 

Services (AITS)

Agency

Management and 

Operations

Performance Goal 5.2.2.4 By 2015, reduce data center energy 

consumption by 30 percent.

APG

5.2.2.4: AMO-11-15

Develop a data center consolidation plan for 

NASA that includes an enterprise 

assessment of NASA's data center footprint.

Agency IT 

Services (AITS)

Agency

Management and 

Operations

Performance Goal 5.2.2.5 By 2015, establish at least four innovation 

laboratories that provide more effective, 

efficient, and responsive information 

technology (IT) across NASA in support of 

the Agency's Mission.

APG

5.2.2.5: AMO-11-16

Implement a Core Information Technology 

(IT) Innovation Laboratory infrastructure to 

support experimental technology incubation 

activities in areas ranging from 

communications, information dissemination, 

and collaboration application interoperability 

in a cloud environment.

Agency IT 

Services (AITS)

Agency

Management and 

Operations

FY11 APP-23
Management and Performance

FY 2011 Performance Plan

Measure # Description Contributing

Program (s)

Contributing

Theme

Objective 5.2.3 Develop and implement long-range 

infrastructure plans that address 

institutional capabilities and critical 

assets, directly link to mission needs, 

ensure the leveraging of external 

capabilities, and provide a framework for 

Agency infrastructure decision-making.

Performance Goal 5.2.3.1 Consolidate functions and offices to 

reduce real property need, and use 

Agency Integrated Master Plan to identify 

and dispose of excess and aged facilities 

beyond useful life.

APG

5.2.3.1 AMO-11-17

Finalize 8 of 10 Center Master Plans and 

incorporate into the Agency Integrated Master 

Plan.

Agency

Management

Agency

Management and 

Operations

APG

5.2.3.1: COF-11-1

Initiate facilities demolition process for five 

significant Agency facilities.

Institutional CoF Construction of 

Facilities

Performance Goal 5.2.3.2 HPPG: Conserve valuable natural 

resources by reducing NASA's energy and 

water use.

APG

5.2.3.2: ECR-11-1

Reduce energy intensity use annually by 

three percent from an FY 2003 baseline.

Environmental

Compliance and 

Restoration

Environmental

Compliance and 

Restoration

APG

5.2.3.2: ECR-11-2

Reduce potable water use annually by two 

percent from an FY 2007 baseline.

Environmental

Compliance and 

Restoration

Environmental

Compliance and 

Restoration

APG

5.2.3.2: ECR-11-3

Reduce fleet vehicle energy use annually by 

two percent of petroleum products from an 

FY 2005 baseline.

Environmental

Compliance and 

Restoration

Environmental

Compliance and 

Restoration

Outcome 5.3 Ensure the availability to the Nation of 

NASA-owned, strategically important test 

capabilities.

Objective 5.3.1 Work with the National Rocket Propulsion 

Test Alliance to identify NASA, 

Department of Defense and commercial 

capabilities and requirements.

Performance Goal 5.3.1.1 Develop and execute the Rocket 

Propulsion Test (RPT) Master Plan.

APG

5.3.1.1: SFS-11-1

Release the Rocket Propulsion Test (RPT) 

Master Plan.

Rocket Propulsion 

Test

Space and Flight 

Support (SFS)

Objective 5.3.2 Ensure that Aeronautics Test Program 

(ATP) facilities are available and capable 

of supporting research, development, test 

and engineering goals and objectives for 

NASA and national aerospace programs.

Performance Goal 5.3.2.1 Ensure that testing capabilities are 

available in order to support the research, 

development, test, and engineering 

milestones of NASA and Department of 

Defense (DoD) programs.

APG

5.3.2.1: AR-11-11

Achieve ratings greater than 86 percent for 

overall quality and timeliness of Aeronautics 

Test Program (ATP) facility operations.

Aeronautics Test Aeronautics

FY11 APP-24
Management and Performance

FY 2011 Performance Plan

Measure # Description Contributing

Program (s)

Contributing

Theme

Outcome 5.4 Implement and provide space 

communications and launch capabilities 

responsive to existing and future science 

and space exploration missions.

Objective 5.4.1 Ensure reliable and cost-effective access 

to space for missions critical to achieving 

the National Space Policy of the United 

States of America.

Performance Goal 5.4.1.1 Complete Launch Services Program (LSP) 

objectives for all NASA-managed 

expendable launches.

APG

5.4.1.1: SFS-11-2

Sustain 100 percent success rate with the 

successful launch of NASA-managed 

expendable launches as identified on the 

Launch Services Flight Planning Board 

manifest.

Launch Services Space and Flight 

Support (SFS)

Performance Goal 5.4.1.2 Continue utilizing existing contract 

mechanisms and agreements with 

emerging launch vehicle providers to gain 

information for future Launch Service 

orders and to provide technical 

exchanges to enhance early launch 

success.

APG

5.4.1.2: SFS-11-3

Develop processes for crew transportation 

partner information sharing between NASA's 

Launch Services Program (LSP), Exploration 

Systems Mission Directorate (ESMD), ISS, 

and other government customers, including 

but not limited to Department of Defense 

(DoD).

Launch Services Space and Flight 

Support (SFS)

Objective 5.4.2 Transform the Florida launch and range 

complex to provide a robust launch and 

range infrastructure for future users.

Performance Goal 5.4.2.1 By FY 2014, enable future government and 

commercial launching and testing from 

the Florida launch and range complex.

APG

5.4.2.1: SFS-11-4

Develop a 21st Century Space Launch 

Complex (21st CSLC) plan.

21st Century 

Space Launch 

Complex

Space and Flight 

Support (SFS)

Objective 5.4.3 Build and maintain a scalable, integrated, 

mission support infrastructure that can 

readily evolve to accommodate new and 

changing technologies, while providing 

integrated, comprehensive, robust, and 

cost-effective space communications 

services at order-of-magnitude higher 

data rates to enable NASA's science and 

exploration missions.

Performance Goal 5.4.3.1 By 2014, launch two functionally identical 

Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) 

spacecraft in geosynchronous orbits to 

replenish the Tracking and Data Relay 

Satellite System (TDRSS) constellation.

APG

5.4.3.1: SFS-11-5

Complete Tracking and Data Relay Satellite 

(TDRS) K Payload and Bus Integration and 

test.

Space

Communications

and Navigation

Space and Flight 

Support (SFS)

FY11 APP-25
Management and Performance

FY 2011 Performance Plan

Measure # Description Contributing

Program (s)

Contributing

Theme

Performance Goal 5.4.3.2 By FY 2016, replace or upgrade obsolete 

and unsustainable systems of the 

Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System 

(TDRSS) Ground Segment at the White 

Sands Complex (WSC).

APG

5.4.3.2: SFS-11-6

Complete the Space Network Ground 

Support Sustainment (SGSS) Integrated 

Baseline Review (IBR) and Systems 

Requirements Review (SRR).

Space

Communications

and Navigation

Space and Flight 

Support (SFS)

Performance Goal 5.4.3.3 By FY 2018, replace aging and obsolete 

Deep Space Network (DSN) 70-meter 

antenna at Canberra Deep Space 

Communications Complex (CDSCC).

APG

5.4.3.3: SFS-11-7

Complete Deep Space Station-35 (DSS-35) 

Pedestal Excavation and Azimuth track at 

Canberra Deep Space Communications 

Complex (CDSCC).

Space

Communications

and Navigation

Space and Flight 

Support (SFS)

Outcome 5.5 Establish partnerships, including 

innovative arrangements, with 

commercial, international, and other 

government entities to maximize mission 

success.

Objective 5.5.1 Facilitate the use of the ISS as a National 

Laboratory for cooperative research, 

technology development, and education.

Performance Goal 5.5.1.1 HPPG: Establish an independent nonprofit (NPO) organization to enhance the 

utilization of the ISS as a National 

Laboratory.

APG

5.5.1.1: ISS-11-6

Transition management of the ISS U.S. 

National Laboratory for non-NASA research 

to the non-profit organization (NPO).

International

Space Station

Program

International

Space Station

Objective 5.5.2 Enhance international and interagency 

partnerships through increased use of 

international and interagency coordination 

mechanisms.

Performance Goal 5.5.2.1 Actively engage and provide leadership in 

international and interagency forums.

APG

5.5.2.1: AMO-11-18

Complete the International Space Exploration 

Coordination Group (ISECG) roadmap to 

identify common interests among 

international space agencies in human and 

robotic exploration of the solar system.

Agency

Management

Agency

Management and 

Operations

FY11 APP-26
Management and Performance

FY 2011 Performance Plan

Measure # Description Contributing

Program (s)

Contributing

Theme

Strategic Goal 6 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.

Outcome 6.1 Improve retention of students in STEM 

disciplines by providing opportunities and 

activities along the full length of the 

education pipeline.

Objective 6.1.1 Provide quality STEM curricular support 

resources and materials.

Performance Goal 6.1.1.1 Provide educators nationwide with 

knowledge and tools with which to inspire 

students in STEM fields.

APG

6.1.1.1: ED-11-3

75,000 educators participate in NASA 

education programs.

STEM Education 

and Accountability

Education

Objective 6.1.2 Provide NASA experiences that inspire 

student interest and achievement in STEM 

disciplines.

Performance Goal 6.1.2.1 Provide higher education students with 

authentic NASA mission-based 

opportunities that build knowledge and 

skills needed for STEM careers.

APG

6.1.2.1: ED-11-4

25,000 undergraduate and graduate students 

participate in NASA education opportunities.

STEM Education 

and Accountability

Education

Performance Goal 6.1.2.2 Provide elementary and secondary 

students with authentic NASA missionbased opportunities that build STEM 

knowledge, skills, and career awareness.

APG

6.1.2.2: ED-11-5

600,000 elementary and secondary students 

participate in NASA instructional and 

enrichment activities.

STEM Education 

and Accountability

Education

APG

6.1.2.2: ED-11-6

75 percent of elementary and secondary 

students express interest in STEM careers 

following their involvement in NASA 

education programs.

STEM Education 

and Accountability

Education

Objective 6.1.3 Assess grant recipient institutions 

throughout the education pipeline to 

ensure that grant recipients demonstrate a 

consistent commitment to civil rights 

compliance.

Performance Goal 6.1.3.1 Promote equal opportunity compliance 

and encourage promising practices 

among NASA grant recipient institutions 

through a fully-realized program of civil 

rights compliance reviews, policy 

guidance, and technical assistance.

APG

6.1.3.1: AMO-11-19

Equal opportunity (EO) assessment and 

technical assistance provided, or onsite 

compliance assessment performed, onlocation at five STEM or STEM-related 

programs that receive NASA funding.

Agency

Management

Agency

Management and 

Operations

FY11 APP-27
Management and Performance

FY 2011 Performance Plan

Measure # Description Contributing

Program (s)

Contributing

Theme

Outcome 6.2 Promote STEM literacy through strategic 

partnerships with formal and informal 

organizations.

Objective 6.2.1 Develop NASA's leadership role in 

national STEM improvement efforts, as 

demonstrated by provision of meaningful 

educator professional development and 

student experiences, adoption of 

education technologies, and contributions 

to STEM education policies and 

strategies.

Performance Goal 6.2.1.1 Provide educator professional 

development experiences and materials 

that align to needs and opportunities 

identified by districts, states, Department 

of Education, professional organizations, 

and other stakeholders.

APG

6.2.1.1: ED-11-7

5,000 educators use NASA resources in their 

curricula after participating in NASA 

professional development.

STEM Education 

and Accountability

Education

Performance Goal 6.2.1.2 Provide expertise in the development of 

STEM education policies and strategies.

APG

6.2.1.2: ED-11-8

Provide expertise to support the National 

Academies development of a framework for 

integrated science and engineering 

standards.

STEM Education 

and Accountability

Education

Outcome 6.3 Engage the public in NASA's missions by 

providing new pathways for participation.

Objective 6.3.1 Extend the reach of participatory 

engagement across NASA.

Performance Goal 6.3.1.1 By 2015, establish an Agency-wide 

portfolio of participatory engagement 

opportunities.

APG

6.3.1.1: AMO-11-20

Identify candidate mechanisms to encourage 

public engagement in NASA programs and 

missions.

Agency

Management

Agency

Management and 

Operations

Outcome 6.4 Inform, engage, and inspire the public by 

sharing NASA's missions, challenges, and 

results.

Objective 6.4.1 Use strategic partnerships with formal and 

informal educational organizations to 

provide NASA content to promote interest 

in STEM.

Performance Goal 6.4.1.1 Leverage communities of practice to 

facilitate sharing of NASA successes and 

challenges with the public.

APG

6.4.1.1: ED-11-9

420 museums and science centers across 

the country actively engage the public in 

major NASA events.

STEM Education 

and Accountability

Education

FY11 APP-28
Management and Performance

FY 2011 Performance Plan

Measure # Description Contributing

Program (s)

Contributing

Theme

Objective 6.4.2 Provide clear, accurate, timely, and 

consistent information that is readily 

available and suitable for a diverse 

audience.

Performance Goal 6.4.2.1 Use current and emerging 

communications technologies to reach 

increasingly broad audiences.

APG

6.4.2.1: AMO-11-21

Establish an Agency-wide portfolio of 

communication tools.

Agency

Management

Agency

Management and 

Operations

Objective 6.4.3 Provide the communications 

infrastructure to enable NASA's 

commitment to make government more 

open, transparent, and participatory.

Performance Goal 6.4.3.1 Make available Agency records through 

the Freedom of Information (FOIA), 

Privacy Act, and Open Government 

Initiative in accordance with federal laws 

and regulations.

APG

6.4.3.1: AMO-11-22

Issue Agency-wide Freedom of Information 

Act (FOIA) tools to support consistent 

responses to requesters.

Agency

Management

Agency

Management and 

Operations

FY11 APP-29
Management and Performance

FY 2011 Performance Plan

Uniform and Efficiency Measures

Measure # Description

International Space Station Theme

APG

EFF 1.1.1.4: ISS-11-3

Provide 100 percent of planned on-orbit resources (including power, data, crew 

time, logistics, and accommodations) needed to support research.

APG

EFF 1.1.2.1: ISS-11-5

Accomplish a minimum of 90 percent of the on-orbit research objectives as 

established one month prior to a given increment, as sponsored by NASA, 

baselined for FY 2011.

Earth Science Theme

APG

EFF 2.1.7.1: ES-11-17

Increase the number of science data products delivered to Earth Observing 

System Data and Information System (EOSDIS) users.

APG

EFF 2.1.7.1: ES-11-18

Maintain a high level of customer satisfaction, as measured by exceeding the 

most recently available federal government average rating of the Customer 

Satisfaction Index.

APG

EFF: ES-11-19

Complete all development projects within 110 percent of the cost and schedule 

baseline.

APG

EFF: ES-11-20

Deliver at least 90 percent of scheduled operating hours for all operations and 

research facilities.

APG

EFF: ES-11-21

Peer-review and competitively award at least 90 percent, by budget, of research 

projects.

APG

EFF: ES-11-22

Reduce time within which 80 percent of NASA Research Announcement (NRA) 

grants are awarded, from proposal due date to selection, by four percent per year, 

with a goal of 180 days.

Agency Management and Operations 

Theme

APG

EFF 5.2.1.2: AMO-11-10

Reduce Total Case Rate and Lost Time Case Rate by one percent, in accordance 

with the President's Protecting Our Workers and Ensuring Reemployment 

(POWER) initiative.

APG

EFF 5.2.1.3: AMO-11-11

Reduce damage to NASA assets by two percent per fiscal year, based on a fiveyear running average.

APG

EFF: AMO-11-21

Maintain system execution time during the year-end close process at FY 2010 

baseline.

Environmental Compliance and 

Restoration Theme

APG

EFF 5.2.3.2: ECR-11-1

Reduce energy intensity use annually by three percent from an FY 2003 baseline.

APG

EFF 5.2.3.2: ECR-11-2

Reduce potable water use annually by two percent from an FY 2007 baseline.

APG

EFF 5.2.3.2: ECR-11-3

Reduce fleet vehicle energy use annually by two percent of petroleum products 

from an FY 2005 baseline.

Aeronautics Theme

APG

EFF: AR-11-12

Deliver at least 86 percent of on-time availability for operations and research 

facilities.

Astrophysics Theme

APG

EFF: AS-11-6

Complete all development projects within 110 percent of the cost and schedule 

baseline.

APG

EFF: AS-11-7

Deliver at least 90 percent of scheduled operating hours for all operations and 

research facilities.

APG

EFF: AS-11-8

Peer-review and competitively award at least 95 percent, by budget, of research 

projects.

FY11 APP-30
Management and Performance

FY 2011 Performance Plan

Uniform and Efficiency Measures

Measure # Description

APG

EFF: AS-11-9

Reduce time within which 80 percent of NASA Research Announcement (NRA) 

grants are awarded, from proposal due date to selection, by four percent per year, 

with a goal of 180 days.

Heliophysics Theme

APG

EFF: HE-11-6

Complete all development projects within 110 percent of the cost and schedule 

baseline.

APG

EFF: HE-11-7

Deliver at least 90 percent of scheduled operating hours for all operations and 

research facilities.

APG

EFF: HE-11-8

Peer-review and competitively award at least 90 percent, by budget, of research 

projects.

APG

EFF: HE-11-9

Reduce time within which 80 percent of NASA Research Announcement (NRA) 

grants are awarded, from proposal due date to selection, by four percent per year, 

with a goal of 180 days.

Planetary Science Theme

APG

EFF: PS-11-14

Complete all development projects within 110 percent of the cost and schedule 

baseline.

APG

EFF: PS-11-15

Deliver at least 90 percent of scheduled operating hours for all operations and 

research facilities.

APG

EFF: PS-11-16

Peer-review and competitively award at least 95 percent, by budget, of research 

projects.

Reduce time within which 80 percent of NASA Research Announcement (NRA) 

grants are awarded, from proposal due date to selection, by four percent per year, 

with a goal of 180 days.

APG

EFF: PS-11-17

FY11 APP-31
Management and Performance

FY 2012 Performance Plan Narrative

NASA's updated strategic goals are reflected below. Each is clearly defined and supported by multiyear Outcomes, Objectives, and Performance Goals. These in turn are supported by annual 

performance goals (APGs) that enhance NASA's ability to measure and report on the Agency's 

progress in achieving its strategic goals. 

To better communicate the contribution of NASA's mission support elements, those performance 

measures are now structured as function-based, rather than Theme-based. Performance measures 

that were previously listed under Cross-Agency Support, including Education, information technology 

services, construction of facilities, human capital management, safety and mission assurance, launch 

services, and space communications have now been incorporated into the appropriate strategic goal.

The following table provides a summary of all of the Agency commitments identified in the preceding 

sections of this document.

FY 2012 Performance Plan

Measure # Description Contributing

Program (s)

Contributing

Theme

Strategic Goal 1 Extend and sustain human activities 

across the solar system.

Outcome 1.1 Sustain the operation and full use of the 

International Space Station (ISS) and 

expand efforts to utilize the ISS as a 

National Laboratory for scientific, 

technological, diplomatic, and educational 

purposes and for supporting future 

objectives in human space exploration.

Objective 1.1.1 Maintain resources (on orbit and on the 

ground) to operate and utilize the ISS.

Performance Goal 1.1.1.1 Maintain capability for six on-orbit crew 

members.

APG

1.1.1.1: ISS-12-1

In concert with the International Partners, 

maintain a continuous crew presence on the 

ISS by coordinating and managing resources, 

logistics, systems, and operational 

procedures.

International

Space Station

Program

International

Space Station

Performance Goal 1.1.1.2 HPPG: Safely fly out the Space Shuttle 

manifest and retire the fleet.

APG

1.1.1.2: SSP-12-1

Ensure the Space Shuttle Endeavour is ready 

for transport to its final display location.

Space Shuttle 

Program

Space Shuttle

Performance Goal 1.1.1.3 Provide cargo and crew transportation to 

support on-orbit crew members and 

utilization.

APG

1.1.1.3: ISS-12-2

Fly the ISS spares, logistics, and utilization 

hardware as agreed to by the International 

Partners in the ISS transportation plan.

International

Space Station

Program

International

Space Station

APG

1.1.1.3: ISS-12-3

Complete at least two flights to the ISS by 

U.S. developed cargo delivery systems.

International

Space Station

Program

International

Space Station

Performance Goal 1.1.1.4 Maintain and operate a safe and functional 

ISS.

APG

1.1.1.4: ISS-12-4

Provide 100 percent of planned on-orbit 

resources (including power, data, crew time, 

logistics, and accommodations) needed to 

support research.

International

Space Station

Program

International

Space Station

FY12 APP-1
Management and Performance

FY 2012 Performance Plan

Measure # Description Contributing

Program (s)

Contributing

Theme

APG

1.1.1.4: ISS-12-5

Achieve zero Type-A (damage to property at 

least $1 million or death) or Type-B (damage 

to property at least $250 thousand or 

permanent disability or hospitalization of 

three or more persons) mishaps.

International

Space Station

Program

International

Space Station

Objective 1.1.2 Advance engineering, technology, and 

research capabilities on the ISS.

Performance Goal 1.1.2.1 Advance knowledge of long-duration 

human space flight by establishing 

agreements with organizations to enable 

full utilization of the ISS.

APG

1.1.2.1: ISS-12-6

Accomplish a minimum of 90 percent of the 

on-orbit research objectives as established 

one month prior to a given increment, as 

sponsored by NASA, baselined for FY 2012.

International

Space Station

Program

International

Space Station

Performance Goal 1.1.2.2 Conduct basic and applied biological and 

physical research to advance and sustain 

U.S. scientific expertise.

APG

1.1.2.2: ERD-12-1

Conduct flight definition review for at least 

five flight experiments in fundamental space 

biology that were selected through the 2010 

International Space Life Sciences Research 

Announcement.

Advanced

Explorations

Systems

Exploration

Research and 

Development

APG

1.1.2.2: ERD-12-2

Deliver at least four physical sciences 

payloads for launch to the ISS.

Advanced

Explorations

Systems

Exploration

Research and 

Development

APG

1.1.2.2: ERD-12-3

Conduct at least six experiments in 

combustion, fluids, or materials sciences on 

the ISS.

Advanced

Explorations

Systems

Exploration

Research and 

Development

Outcome 1.2 Develop competitive opportunities for the 

commercial community to provide best 

value products and services to low Earth 

orbit and beyond.

Objective 1.2.1 Enable the commercial sector to provide 

cargo and crew services to the 

International Space Station (ISS).

Performance Goal 1.2.1.1 Develop competitive opportunities for the 

commercial community to provide best 

value products and services to low Earth 

orbit and beyond.

APG

1.2.1.1: CS-12-1

Conclude the commercial crew transportation 

systems (CCDev2) agreements and make 

initial selections for the design, development, 

and demonstration of commercial crew 

transportation systems.

Commercial Crew Commercial

Spaceflight

Performance Goal 1.2.1.2 Develop and document evaluation and 

certification processes for an integrated 

commercial crew transportation system.

APG

1.2.1.2: CS-12-2

Begin evaluation and certification of 

integrated commercial crew transportation 

system.

Commercial Crew Commercial

Spaceflight

FY12 APP-2
Management and Performance

FY 2012 Performance Plan

Measure # Description Contributing

Program (s)

Contributing

Theme

Outcome 1.3 Develop an integrated architecture and 

capabilities for safe crewed and cargo 

missions beyond low Earth orbit.

Objective 1.3.1 Execute development of an integrated 

architecture to conduct human space 

exploration missions beyond low Earth 

orbit.

Performance Goal 1.3.1.1 Complete design reviews for Space 

Launch System (SLS).

APG

1.3.1.1: HEC-12-1

Successfully complete Space Launch 

System's (SLS) Systems Requirements 

Review (SRR).

Space Launch 

System

Human

Exploration

Capabilities

Performance Goal 1.3.1.2 Complete design reviews for MultiPurpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV).

APG

1.3.1.2: HEC-12-2

Complete testing of Multi-Purpose Crew 

Vehicle (MPCV) Ground Test Article (GTA).

Multi-Purpose

Crew Vehicle

Human

Exploration

Capabilities

Objective 1.3.2 Develop a robust biomedical research 

portfolio to mitigate space human health 

risks.

Performance Goal 1.3.2.1 Develop technologies that enable 

biomedical research and mitigate space 

human health risks associated with 

human space exploration missions.

APG

1.3.2.1: ERD-12-4

Develop and release two NASA Research 

Announcements that solicit from the external 

biomedical research community the highest 

quality proposals to mitigate space human 

health risks.

Human Research Exploration

Research and 

Development

Performance Goal 1.3.2.2 Perform research to ensure that future 

human crews are protected from the 

deleterious effects of space radiation.

APG

1.3.2.2: ERD-12-5

Release Acute Radiation Risk Model Version 

2 to assess effects of solar particle events 

during exploration missions.

Human Research Exploration

Research and 

Development

Performance Goal 1.3.2.3 Develop exploration medical capabilities 

for long-duration space missions.

APG

1.3.2.3: ERD-12-6

Deliver the next-generation space biomedical 

ultrasound device to enhance the Human 

Research Facility capability on the ISS 

through 2020.

Human Research Exploration

Research and 

Development

Objective 1.3.3 Identify hazards, opportunities, and 

potential destinations, to support future 

safe and successful human space 

exploration missions.

Performance Goal 1.3.3.1 Prioritize the knowledge of hazards, 

opportunities, and potential destinations 

for human space exploration that will be 

of use to future operations of an 

integrated architecture for human space 

exploration.

APG

1.3.3.1: ERD-12-7

In collaboration with the Planetary Science 

Division, develop a plan to return data that 

will support the selection of destinations and 

reduce risk for future human space 

exploration missions.

Advanced

Explorations

Systems

Exploration

Research and 

Development

FY12 APP-3
Management and Performance

FY 2012 Performance Plan

Measure # Description Contributing

Program (s)

Contributing

Theme

Strategic Goal 2 Expand scientific understanding of the 

Earth and the universe in which we live.

Outcome 2.1 Advance Earth system science to meet the 

challenges of climate and environmental 

change.

Objective 2.1.1 Improve understanding of and improve 

the predictive capability for changes in the 

ozone layer, climate forcing, and air 

quality associated with changes in 

atmospheric composition.

Performance Goal 2.1.1.1 Provide national scientific capabilities 

through necessary skilled researchers 

and supporting knowledge base.

APG

2.1.1.1: ES-12-1

Demonstrate planned progress in 

understanding and improving predictive 

capability for changes in the ozone layer, 

climate forcing, and air quality associated 

with changes in atmospheric composition. 

Progress relative to the objectives in NASA's 

2010 Science Plan will be evaluated by 

external expert review.

Multiple Programs Earth Science

Performance Goal 2.1.1.2 By 2015, launch at least two missions in 

support of this objective.

APG

2.1.1.2: ES-12-2

Complete the Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 

(OCO-2) Systems Integration Review.

Earth System 

Science

Pathfinder

Earth Science

APG

2.1.1.2: ES-12-3

Complete the Earth Venture 1 (EV-1) 

Investigation Readiness Reviews (IRR) and 

begin initial field campaigns.

Earth System 

Science

Pathfinder

Earth Science

Objective 2.1.2 Enable improved predictive capability for 

weather and extreme weather events.

Performance Goal 2.1.2.1 Provide national scientific capabilities 

through necessary skilled researchers 

and supporting knowledge base.

APG

2.1.2.1: ES-12-4

Demonstrate planned progress in enabling 

improved predictive capability for weather 

and extreme weather events. Progress 

relative to the objectives in NASA's 2010 

Science Plan will be evaluated by external 

expert review.

Multiple Programs Earth Science

Performance Goal 2.1.2.2 By 2015, launch at least two missions in 

support of this objective.

APG

2.1.2.2 ES-12-5

Complete the Global Precipitation Mission 

(GPM) Pre-Environmental Review.

Earth Systematic 

Missions

Earth Science

APG

2.1.2.2: ES-12-3

Complete the EV-1 Investigation Readiness 

Reviews (IRR) and begin initial field 

campaigns.

Earth System 

Science

Pathfinder

Earth Science

FY12 APP-4
Management and Performance

FY 2012 Performance Plan

Measure # Description Contributing

Program (s)

Contributing

Theme

Objective 2.1.3 Quantify, understand, and predict 

changes in Earth's ecosystems and 

biogeochemical cycles, including the 

global carbon cycle, land cover, and 

biodiversity.

Performance Goal 2.1.3.1 Provide national scientific capabilities 

through necessary skilled researchers 

and supporting knowledge base.

APG

2.1.3.1: ES-12-6

Demonstrate planned progress in quantifying, 

understanding, and predicting changes in 

Earth's ecosystems and biogeochemical 

cycles, including the global carbon cycle, land 

cover, and biodiversity. Progress relative to 

the objectives in NASA's 2010 Science Plan 

will be evaluated by external expert review.

Multiple Programs Earth Science

Performance Goal 2.1.3.2 By 2015, launch at least two missions in 

support of this objective.

APG

2.1.3.2 ES-12-7

Complete the Landsat Data Continuity 

Mission (LDCM) Systems Integration Review.

Earth Systematic 

Missions

Earth Science

APG

2.1.3.2: ES-12-2

Complete the Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 

(OCO-2) Systems Integration Review.

Earth System 

Science

Pathfinder

Earth Science

APG

2.1.3.2: ES-12-3

Complete the Earth Venture 1 (EV-1) 

Investigation Readiness Reviews (IRR) and 

begin initial field campaigns.

Earth System 

Science

Pathfinder

Earth Science

Objective 2.1.4 Quantify the key reservoirs and fluxes in 

the global water cycle and assess water 

cycle change and water quality.

Performance Goal 2.1.4.1 Provide national scientific capabilities 

through necessary skilled researchers 

and supporting knowledge base.

APG

2.1.4.1: ES-12-8

Demonstrate planned progress in quantifying 

the key reservoirs and fluxes in the global 

water cycle and assessing water cycle 

change and water quality. Progress relative to 

the objectives in NASA's 2010 Science Plan 

will be evaluated by external expert review.

Multiple Programs Earth Science

Performance Goal 2.1.4.2 By 2015, launch at least two missions in 

support of this objective.

APG

2.1.4.2: ES-12-5

Complete the Global Precipitation Mission 

(GPM) Pre-Environmental Review.

Earth Systematic 

Missions

Earth Science

APG

2.1.4.2: ES-12-9

Successfully complete the Soil Moisture 

Active-Passive (SMAP) Critical Design 

Review.

Earth Systematic 

Missions

Earth Science

FY12 APP-5
Management and Performance

FY 2012 Performance Plan

Measure # Description Contributing

Program (s)

Contributing

Theme

Objective 2.1.5 Improve understanding of the roles of the 

ocean, atmosphere, land and ice in the 

climate system and improve predictive 

capability for its future evolution.

Performance Goal 2.1.5.1 Provide national scientific capabilities 

through necessary skilled researchers 

and supporting knowledge base.

APG

2.1.5.1: ES-12-10

Demonstrate planned progress in 

understanding the roles of ocean, 

atmosphere, land, and ice in the climate 

system and improving predictive capability for 

future evolution. Progress relative to the 

objectives in NASA's 2010 Science Plan will 

be evaluated by external expert review.

Multiple Programs Earth Science

APG

2.1.5.1: ES-12-11

Achieve mission success criteria for the 

Ocean Surface Topography Mission (OSTM).

Earth Systematic 

Missions

Earth Science

Performance Goal 2.1.5.2 HPPG: Study Earth from space to 

understand climate change, weather, and 

human impact on our planet by launching 

at least two missions by 2015.

APG

2.1.5.2: ES-12-12

Launch the National Polar-orbiting 

Operational Environmental Satellite System 

(NPOESS) Preparatory Project (NPP).

Earth Systematic 

Missions

Earth Science

Performance Goal 2.1.5.3 By 2015, launch at least three missions in 

support of this objective.

APG

2.1.5.3: ES-12-13

Complete the ICESat-2 Preliminary Design 

Review.

Earth System 

Science

Pathfinder

Earth Science

APG

2.1.5.3: ES-12-2

Complete the Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 

(OCO-2) Systems Integration Review.

Earth System 

Science

Pathfinder

Earth Science

Objective 2.1.6 Characterize the dynamics of Earth's 

surface and interior and form the scientific 

basis for the assessment and mitigation of 

natural hazards and response to rare and 

extreme events.

Performance Goal 2.1.6.1 Provide national scientific capabilities 

through necessary skilled researchers 

and supporting knowledge base.

APG

2.1.6.1: ES-12-14

Demonstrate planned progress in 

characterizing the dynamics of 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. Progress relative to the 

objectives in NASA's 2010 Science Plan will 

be evaluated by external expert review.

Multiple Programs Earth Science

Performance Goal 2.1.6.2 By 2015, launch at least one mission in 

support of this objective.

APG

2.1.6.2: ES-12-7

Complete the Landsat Data Continuity 

Mission (LDCM) Systems Integration Review.

Earth Systematic 

Missions

Earth Science

FY12 APP-6
Management and Performance

FY 2012 Performance Plan

Measure # Description Contributing

Program (s)

Contributing

Theme

Objective 2.1.7 Enable the broad use of Earth system 

science observations and results in 

decision-making activities for societal 

benefits.

Performance Goal 2.1.7.1 Provide national scientific capabilities 

through necessary skilled researchers 

and supporting knowledge base.

APG

2.1.7.1: ES-12-15

Advance at least 25 percent of decisionsupport projects at least one Applications 

Readiness Level.

Applied Sciences Earth Science

APG

2.1.7.1: ES-12-16

Increase the number of science data products 

delivered to Earth Observing System Data 

and Information System (EOSDIS) users.

Earth Science 

Research

Earth Science

APG

2.1.7.1: ES-12-17

Maintain a high level of customer satisfaction, 

as measured by exceeding the most recently 

available federal government average rating 

of the Customer Satisfaction Index.

Earth Science 

Research

Earth Science

Outcome 2.2 Understand the Sun and its interactions 

with Earth and the solar system.

Objective 2.2.1 Improve understanding of the 

fundamental physical processes of the 

space environment from the Sun to Earth, 

to other planets, and beyond to the 

interstellar medium.

Performance Goal 2.2.1.1 Provide national scientific capabilities 

through necessary skilled researchers 

and supporting knowledge base.

APG

2.2.1.1: HE-12-1

Demonstrate planned progress in 

understanding the fundamental physical 

processes of the space environment from the 

Sun to Earth, to other planets, and beyond to 

the interstellar medium. Progress relative to 

the objectives in NASA's 2010 Science Plan 

will be evaluated by external expert review.

Multiple Programs Heliophysics

Performance Goal 2.2.1.2 By 2015, launch two missions in support 

of this outcome.

APG

2.2.1.2: HE-12-2

Complete the Magnetospheric MultiScale 

(MMS) Systems Integration Review.

Solar Terrestrial 

Probes

Heliophysics

APG

2.2.1.2: HE-12-3

Complete the Geospace Radiation Belt Storm 

Probes Launch Readiness Review.

Living with a Star Heliophysics

Objective 2.2.2 Improve understanding of how human 

society, technological systems, and the 

habitability of planets are affected by solar 

variability interacting with planetary 

magnetic fields and atmospheres.

Performance Goal 2.2.2.1 Provide national scientific capabilities 

through necessary skilled researchers 

and supporting knowledge base.

APG

2.2.2.1: HE-12-4

Demonstrate planned progress in 

understanding how human society, 

technological systems, and the habitability of 

planets are affected by solar variability 

interacting with planetary magnetic fields and 

atmospheres. Progress relative to the 

objectives in NASA's 2010 Science Plan will 

be evaluated by external expert review.

Multiple Programs Heliophysics
Management and Performance

FY 2012 Performance Plan

Measure # Description Contributing

Program (s)

Contributing

Theme

Performance Goal 2.2.2.2 By 2015, launch two missions in support 

of this outcome.

APG

2.2.2.2: HE-12-2

Complete the Magnetospheric MultiScale 

(MMS) Systems Integration Review.

Solar Terrestrial 

Probes

Heliophysics

APG

2.2.2.2: HE-12-3

Complete the Geospace Radiation Belt Storm 

Probes Launch Readiness Review.

Living with a Star Heliophysics

Objective 2.2.3 Maximize the safety and productivity of 

human and robotic explorers by 

developing the capability to predict 

extreme and dynamic conditions in space.

Performance Goal 2.2.3.1 Provide national scientific capabilities 

through necessary skilled researchers 

and supporting knowledge base.

APG

2.2.3.1: HE-12-5

Demonstrate planned progress in maximizing 

the safety and productivity of human and 

robotic explorers by developing the capability 

to predict the extreme and dynamic 

conditions in space. Progress relative to the 

objectives in NASA's 2010 Science Plan will 

be evaluated by external expert review.

Multiple Programs Heliophysics

Performance Goal 2.2.3.2 By 2017, launch at least two missions in 

support of this outcome.

APG

2.2.3.2: HE-12-3

Complete the Geospace Radiation Belt Storm 

Probes Launch Readiness Review.

Living with a Star Heliophysics

Outcome 2.3 Ascertain the content, origin, and 

evolution of the solar system and the 

potential for life elsewhere.

Objective 2.3.1 Inventory solar system objects and 

identify the processes active in and 

among them.

Performance Goal 2.3.1.1 Provide national scientific capabilities 

through necessary skilled researchers 

and supporting knowledge base.

APG

2.3.1.1: PS-12-1

Demonstrate planned progress in 

inventorying solar system objects and 

identifying the processes active in and among 

them. Progress relative to the objectives in 

NASA's 2010 Science Plan will be evaluated 

by external expert review.

Multiple Programs Planetary Science

Performance Goal 2.3.1.2 By 2015, launch at least two missions in 

support of this outcome.

APG

2.3.1.2: PS-12-2

Complete the New Frontiers 3 Preliminary 

Design Review.

New Frontiers Planetary Science

APG

2.3.1.2: PS-12-3

Complete the Discovery 12 mission concept 

studies.

Discovery Planetary Science

FY12 APP-8
Management and Performance

FY 2012 Performance Plan

Measure # Description Contributing

Program (s)

Contributing

Theme

Objective 2.3.2 Improve understanding of how the Sun's 

family of planets, satellites, and minor 

bodies originated and evolved.

Performance Goal 2.3.2.1 Provide national scientific capabilities 

through necessary skilled researchers 

and supporting knowledge base.

APG

2.3.2.1: PS-12-4

Demonstrate planned progress in 

understanding how the Sun's family of 

planets, satellites, and minor bodies 

originated and evolved. Progress relative to 

the objectives in NASA's 2010 Science Plan 

will be evaluated by external expert review.

Multiple Programs Planetary Science

APG

2.3.2.1: PS-12-5

Complete MESSENGER mission success 

criteria.

Discovery Planetary Science

Performance Goal 2.3.2.2 By 2015, launch at least three missions in 

support of this outcome.

APG

2.3.2.2: PS-12-2

Complete the New Frontiers 3 Preliminary 

Design Review.

New Frontiers Planetary Science

APG

2.3.2.2: PS-12-6

Complete the Lunar Atmosphere and Dust 

Environment Explorer (LADEE) Systems 

Integration Review.

Lunar Quest 

Program

Planetary Science

Objective 2.3.3 Improve understanding of the processes 

that determine the history and future of 

habitability of environments on Mars and 

other solar system bodies.

Performance Goal 2.3.3.1 Provide national scientific capabilities 

through necessary skilled researchers 

and supporting knowledge base.

APG

2.3.3.1 : PS-12-7

Demonstrate planned progress in 

understanding the processes that determine 

the history and future of habitability of 

environments on Mars and other solar system 

bodies. Progress relative to the objectives in 

NASA's 2010 Science Plan will be evaluated 

by external expert review.

Multiple Programs Planetary Science

Performance Goal 2.3.3.2 By 2015, launch at least two missions in 

support of this outcome.

APG

2.3.3.2: PS-12-10

Complete the Mars 16 Mission Confirmation 

Review.

Mars Exploration Planetary Science

APG

2.3.3.2: PS-12-8

Complete the Mars Science Laboratory 

(MSL) Launch Readiness Review.

Mars Exploration Planetary Science

APG

2.3.3.2: PS-12-9

Complete the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile 

EvolutioN Mission (MAVEN) Systems 

Integration Review.

Mars Exploration Planetary Science

FY12 APP-9
Management and Performance

FY 2012 Performance Plan

Measure # Description Contributing

Program (s)

Contributing

Theme

Objective 2.3.4 Improve understanding of the origin and 

evolution of Earth's life and biosphere to 

determine if there is or ever has been life 

elsewhere in the universe.

Performance Goal 2.3.4.1 Provide national scientific capabilities 

through necessary skilled researchers 

and supporting knowledge base.

APG

2.3.4.1 : PS-12-11

Demonstrate planned progress in 

understanding the origin and evolution of life 

on Earth and throughout the biosphere to 

determine if there is or ever has been life 

elsewhere in the universe. Progress relative 

to the objectives in NASA's 2010 Science 

Plan will be evaluated by external expert 

review.

Multiple Programs Planetary Science

Objective 2.3.5 Identify and characterize small bodies and 

the properties of planetary environments 

that pose a threat to terrestrial life or 

exploration or provide potentially 

exploitable resources.

Performance Goal 2.3.5.1 Provide national scientific capabilities 

through necessary skilled researchers 

and supporting knowledge base.

APG

2.3.5.1: PS-12-12

Demonstrate planned progress in identifying 

and characterizing small bodies and the 

properties of planetary environments that 

pose a threat to terrestrial life or exploration 

or provide potentially exploitable resources. 

Progress relative to the objectives in NASA's 

2010 Science Plan will be evaluated by 

external expert review.

Multiple Programs Planetary Science

Performance Goal 2.3.5.2 Return data for selection of destinations 

in order to lower risk for human space 

exploration beyond low Earth orbit.

APG

2.3.5.2: PS-12-13

Demonstrate planned progress in 

characterizing potentially hazardous objects 

that are possible destinations for future 

human space exploration.

Multiple Programs Planetary Science

Outcome 2.4 Discover how the universe works, explore 

how it began and evolved, and search for 

Earth-like planets.

Objective 2.4.1 Improve understanding of the origin and 

destiny of the universe, and the nature of 

black holes, dark energy, dark matter, and 

gravity.

Performance Goal 2.4.1.1 Provide national scientific capabilities 

through necessary skilled researchers 

and supporting knowledge base.

APG

2.4.1.1: AS-12-1

Demonstrate planned progress in 

understanding the origin and destiny of the 

universe, and the nature of black holes, dark 

energy, dark matter, and gravity. Progress 

relative to the objectives in NASA's 2010 

Science Plan will be evaluated by external 

expert review.

Multiple Programs Astrophysics

FY12 APP-10
Management and Performance

FY 2012 Performance Plan

Measure # Description Contributing

Program (s)

Contributing

Theme

Performance Goal 2.4.1.2 By 2015, launch at least one mission in 

support of this outcome.

APG

2.4.1.2: AS-12-2

Complete the Nuclear Spectroscopic 

Telescope Array (NuSTAR) Launch 

Readiness Review.

Astrophysics

Explorer

Astrophysics

Objective 2.4.2 Improve understanding of the many 

phenomena and processes associated 

with galaxy, stellar, and planetary system 

formation and evolution from the earliest 

epochs to today.

Performance Goal 2.4.2.1 Provide national scientific capabilities 

through necessary skilled researchers 

and supporting knowledge base.

APG

2.4.2.1: AS-12-3

Demonstrate planned progress in 

understanding the many phenomena and 

processes associated with galaxy, stellar, and 

planetary system formation and evolution 

from the earliest epochs to today. Progress 

relative to the objectives in NASA's 2010 

Science Plan will be evaluated by external 

expert review.

Multiple Programs Astrophysics

Performance Goal 2.4.2.2 Design and assemble James Webb Space 

Telescope (JWST).

APG

2.4.2.2: JWST-12-1

Begin integration of James Webb Space 

Telescope (JWST) flight optics into Optical 

Telescope Element (OTE).

James Webb 

Space Telescope

James Webb 

Space Telescope

Performance Goal 2.4.2.3 Develop and operate an airborne infrared 

astrophysics observatory.

APG

2.4.2.3: AS-12-4

Initiate the Stratospheric Observatory for 

Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) Segment 3 

Aircraft modifications and upgrades.

Cosmic Origins Astrophysics

Objective 2.4.3 Generate a census of extra-solar planets 

and measure their properties.

Performance Goal 2.4.3.1 Provide national scientific capabilities 

through necessary skilled researchers 

and supporting knowledge base.

APG

2.4.3.1: AS-12-5

Demonstrate planned progress in generating 

a census of extra-solar planets and 

measuring their properties. Progress relative 

to the objectives in NASA's 2010 Science 

Plan will be evaluated by external expert 

review.

Multiple Programs Astrophysics

FY12 APP-11
Management and Performance

FY 2012 Performance Plan

Measure # Description Contributing

Program (s)

Contributing

Theme

Strategic Goal 3 Create the innovative new space 

technologies for our exploration, science, 

and economic future.

Outcome 3.1 Sponsor early-stage innovation in space 

technologies in order to improve the 

future capabilities of NASA, other 

government agencies, and the aerospace 

industry.

Objective 3.1.1 Create a pipeline of new low Technology 

Readiness Levels (TRL) innovative 

concepts and technologies for future 

NASA missions and national needs.

Performance Goal 3.1.1.1 Explore revolutionary aerospace 

concepts, with an initial research phase 

for preliminary assessment of a broad 

range of ideas, and a second phase for 

further development of the most 

promising concepts.

APG

3.1.1.1: ST-12-1

Initiate Phase II studies to further develop two 

of the most promising prior (FY 2011 and 

predecessor NASA Institute for Advanced 

Concepts (NIAC)) Phase I concepts.

Crosscutting

Space

Technology

Development

Space

Technology

Performance Goal 3.1.1.2 Provide cash prize incentives to nontraditional sources for innovations of 

interest and value to NASA and the 

Nation.

APG

3.1.1.2: ST-12-2

Conduct at least three Centennial Challenges 

competitions.

Crosscutting

Space

Technology

Development

Space

Technology

Performance Goal 3.1.1.3 Establish and maintain a culture of 

innovation at each of the 10 NASA Centers 

through the development of new Center 

ideas and technologies.

APG

3.1.1.3: ST-12-3

Twenty innovative projects will be initiated 

across the NASA Centers.

Crosscutting

Space

Technology

Development

Space

Technology

Performance Goal 3.1.1.4 Increase the proportion of Small Business 

Innovation Research and Small Business 

Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) 

technologies successfully infused into 

NASA programs/projects.

APG

3.1.1.4: ST-12-4

At least 25 percent of the Small Business 

Innovation Research and Small Business 

Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) Phase II 

technology projects awarded between 2007-

2011 will be infused into NASA programs and 

projects.

SBIR and STTR Space

Technology

Performance Goal 3.1.1.5 Increase the Small Business Innovation 

Research and Small Business Technology 

Transfer (SBIR/STTR) Phase III contracts 

initiated or expanded.

APG

3.1.1.5: ST-12-5

At least 40 of the Small Business Innovation 

Research and Small Business Technology 

Transfer (SBIR/STTR) technologies will be 

advanced to Phase III (received nonSBIR/STTR funding).

SBIR and STTR Space

Technology
Management and Performance

FY 2012 Performance Plan

Measure # Description Contributing

Program (s)

Contributing

Theme

Performance Goal 3.1.1.6 Accelerate the development of push 

technologies to support the future space, 

science and exploration needs of NASA, 

other government agencies, and the 

commercial space sector.

APG

3.1.1.6: ST-12-6

Complete 100 research plans. Crosscutting

Space

Technology

Development

Space

Technology

Outcome 3.2 Infuse game changing and crosscutting 

technologies throughout the Nation's 

space enterprise to transform the Nation's 

space mission capabilities.

Objective 3.2.1 Prove the technical feasibility of 

potentially disruptive new space 

technologies for future missions.

Performance Goal 3.2.1.1 Transition developed game changing 

technologies to the technology 

demonstration programs or directly to 

Mission Directorates for mission insertion.

APG

3.2.1.1: ST-12-7

Initiate five game changing technology 

projects.

Crosscutting

Space

Technology

Development

Space

Technology

Objective 3.2.2 Spur the development of routine, low-cost 

access to space through small payloads 

and satellites.

Performance Goal 3.2.2.1 Mature technologies that enable small 

satellites to provide game changing 

capabilities for the government and 

commercial space sectors.

APG

3.2.2.1: ST-12-8

Initiate development of at least two new 

technologies with game changing potential for 

small satellites.

Crosscutting

Space

Technology

Development

Space

Technology

Objective 3.2.3 Demonstrate new space technologies and 

infuse them into future science and 

exploration small satellite missions and/or 

commercial use.

Performance Goal 3.2.3.1 Demonstrate small satellite capabilities 

with game changing and crosscutting 

potential for the government and 

commercial space sectors.

APG

3.2.3.1: ST-12-9

Initiate at least one new small satellite 

mission that will demonstrate game changing 

or crosscutting technologies in space.

Crosscutting

Space

Technology

Development

Space

Technology

Objective 3.2.4 Demonstrate new space technologies and 

infuse them into missions.

Performance Goal 3.2.4.1 Infuse game changing and crosscutting 

technologies into future NASA missions 

through flight or relevant environment 

demonstrations.

APG

3.2.4.1: ST-12-10

Complete preliminary design of at least two 

system-level technologies for flight or relevant 

environment demonstration.

Crosscutting

Space

Technology

Development

Space

Technology

FY12 APP-13
Management and Performance

FY 2012 Performance Plan

Measure # Description Contributing

Program (s)

Contributing

Theme

Objective 3.2.5 Provide flight opportunities and relevant 

environments to demonstrate new space 

technologies.

Performance Goal 3.2.5.1 Perform sub-orbital, simulated zerogravity and other space analog flight 

opportunities to develop and demonstrate 

emerging ideas and technologies.

APG

3.2.5.1: ST-12-11

Select and fly technology payloads from 

NASA, other government agencies, industry, 

and academia using flight services procured 

from at least three commercial reusable 

suborbital and parabolic platform providers.

Crosscutting

Space

Technology

Development

Space

Technology

Outcome 3.3 Develop and demonstrate the critical 

technologies that will make NASA's 

exploration, science, and discovery 

missions more affordable and more 

capable.

Objective 3.3.1 Demonstrate in-space operations of 

robotic assistants working with crew.

Performance Goal 3.3.1.1 Demonstrate robotic technologies that 

support in-space operations, scientific 

discovery, and work as assistants with the 

crew.

APG

3.3.1.1: ERD-12-8

Demonstrate Robonaut 2 assisting the crew 

to perform tasks inside the ISS.

Exploration

Technology

Development

Space

Technology

Objective 3.3.2 Develop and demonstrate critical 

technologies for safe and affordable cargo 

and human space exploration missions 

beyond low Earth orbit.

Performance Goal 3.3.2.1 Develop advanced spacesuits to improve 

the ability of astronauts to conduct ExtraVehicular Activity (EVA) operations in 

space including assembly and service of 

in-space systems and exploration of 

surfaces of the Moon, Mars, near-Earth 

objects (NEOs), and other small bodies.

APG

3.3.2.1: ERD-12-9

Initiate tests of Extra-Vehicular Activity (EVA) 

Portable Life Support System (PLSS) 

technologies in a vacuum chamber 

environment.

Advanced

Explorations

Systems

Exploration

Research and 

Development

Performance Goal 3.3.2.2 Develop technologies and mission 

concepts for demonstrating in-space 

cryogenic propellant storage and transfer 

making exploration and science missions 

more affordable and capable.

APG

3.3.2.1: ST-12-12

Test automated fluid couplings for cryogenic 

propellant transfer to support Cryogenic 

Propellant Storage And Transfer 

(CRYOSTAT) systems requirements.

Exploration

Technology

Development

Space

Technology

FY12 APP-14
Management and Performance

FY 2012 Performance Plan

Measure # Description Contributing

Program (s)

Contributing

Theme

Outcome 3.4 Facilitate the transfer of NASA technology 

and engage in partnerships with other 

government agencies, industry, and 

international entities to generate U.S. 

commercial activity and other public 

benefits.

Objective 3.4.1 Promote and develop innovative 

technology partnerships among NASA, 

U.S. industry, and other sectors for the 

benefit of Agency programs and national 

interests.

Performance Goal 3.4.1.1 Establish 12 technology-related 

significant partnerships that create value 

for programs and projects. Track both 

quantitative dollar value and qualitative 

benefits to NASA (e.g., reduced volume or 

mass, improved safety) per year.

APG

3.4.1.1: ST-12-13

Establish at least 12 technology-related 

significant partnerships during FY 2012.

Partnership

Development and 

Strategic

Integration

Space

Technology

Performance Goal 3.4.1.2 Complete 30 technology transfer 

agreements with the commercial and 

academic community through such 

mechanisms as licenses, software use 

agreements, facility use agreements, and 

Space Act Agreements per year.

APG

3.4.1.2: ST-12-14

Complete at least 30 technology transfer 

agreements during FY 2012.

Partnership

Development and 

Strategic

Integration

Space

Technology

Performance Goal 3.4.1.3 Successful application of Small Business 

Innovation Research and Small Business 

Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) 

technologies into commercial products or 

services.

APG

3.4.1.3: ST-12-15

Greater than 35 percent of the Phase II Small 

Business Innovation Research and Small 

Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) 

technology projects awarded between 2007-

2011 will be transferred into commercial 

products or services.

SBIR and STTR Space

Technology

Performance Goal 3.4.1.4 Document 40-50 of the most notable 

examples of successful transfer and 

commercialization of NASA-derived 

technology per year and publish in Spinoff 

annually.

APG

3.4.1.4: ST-12-16

Document at least 40 notable technology 

transfer successes in NASA's Spinoff 

publication.

Partnership

Development and 

Strategic

Integration

Space

Technology

FY12 APP-15
Management and Performance

FY 2012 Performance Plan

Measure # Description Contributing

Program (s)

Contributing

Theme

Performance Goal 3.4.1.5 Document, coordinate, and prioritize 

Agency-level technology strategic 

investments to ensure NASA has a 

balanced portfolio of both near-term 

NASA mission (pull) technologies and 

longer-term transformational (push) 

technologies that benefit both Agency 

programs and national needs.

APG

3.4.1.5: ST-12-17

Ensure that 75 percent of all NASA 

technology projects are recorded in the 

portfolio database and are analyzed against 

the prioritizations in the space technology 

roadmaps.

Partnership

Development and 

Strategic

Integration

Space

Technology

Strategic Goal 4 Advance aeronautics research for societal 

benefit.

Outcome 4.1 Develop innovative solutions and 

advanced technologies through a 

balanced research portfolio to improve 

current and future air transportation.

Objective 4.1.1 Develop advanced technologies to 

improve the overall safety of the future air 

transportation system.

Performance Goal 4.1.1.1 Transfer knowledge to the aviation 

community to better manage safety in 

aviation.

APG

4.1.1.1: AR-12-1

Develop first generation engine icing 

performance degradation parametric 

simulation capability.

Aviation Safety Aeronautics

APG

4.1.1.1: AR-12-2

Provide static code analysis techniques for 

certification.

Aviation Safety Aeronautics

APG

4.1.1.1: AR-12-3

Develop concept of operations for an 

integrated vehicle health assurance system.

Aviation Safety Aeronautics

APG

4.1.1.1: AR-12-4

Demonstrate algorithm to predict at least 

three anomalies in massive datasets.

Aviation Safety Aeronautics

Objective 4.1.2 Develop innovative solutions and 

technologies to meet future capacity and 

mobility requirements of the Next 

Generation Air Transportation System 

(NextGen).

Performance Goal 4.1.2.1 HPPG: Increase efficiency and 

throughput of aircraft operations during 

arrival phase of flight.

APG

4.1.2.1: AR-12-5

Develop Initial Weather Translation Models. Airspace Systems Aeronautics

APG

4.1.2.1: AR-12-6

Demonstrate safe Interval Management 

Procedures to a Single Airport with 

dependent parallel runways.

Airspace Systems Aeronautics

APG

4.1.2.1: AR-12-7

NASA will provide the results of the human-in

-the-loop (HITL) simulations and the field trial 

to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) 

as they are completed, with the final report 

being provided in September 2012. (HPPG 

milestone)

Airspace Systems Aeronautics

FY12 APP-16
Management and Performance

FY 2012 Performance Plan

Measure # Description Contributing

Program (s)

Contributing

Theme

Objective 4.1.3 Develop tools, technologies, and 

knowledge that enable significantly 

improved performance and new 

capabilities for future air vehicles.

Performance Goal 4.1.3.1 Deliver tools, technologies, and 

knowledge that can be used to more 

efficiently and effectively design future air 

vehicles and their components that 

overcome national performance and 

capability challenges.

APG

4.1.3.1: AR-12-10

Validate the effectiveness of Micro-array Flow 

Control devices for improving performance 

and flow quality in low-boom supersonic 

propulsion inlets.

Fundamental

Aeronautics

Aeronautics

APG

4.1.3.1: AR-12-11

Demonstrate First Generation Integrated 

Multidisciplinary Simulation Tool for Analysis 

and Design of Reusable Air-Breathing 

Launch Vehicles.

Fundamental

Aeronautics

Aeronautics

APG

4.1.3.1: AR-12-8

Characterize gaseous and particulate 

emissions of hydro treated renewable jet fuel 

as a potential carbon dioxide (CO2) neutral 

aviation fuel.

Fundamental

Aeronautics

Aeronautics

APG

4.1.3.1: AR-12-9

Demonstrate drag reduction benefits of active 

flow control for a representative rotorcraft 

fuselage configuration.

Fundamental

Aeronautics

Aeronautics

Outcome 4.2 Conduct systems-level research on 

innovative and promising aeronautics 

concepts and technologies to 

demonstrate integrated capabilities and 

benefits in a relevant flight and/or ground 

environment.

Objective 4.2.1 Develop advanced tools and technologies 

that reduce the technical risk associated 

with system-level integration of promising 

aeronautical concepts.

Performance Goal 4.2.1.1 Reduce technical risk by conducting 

research at an integrated system-level on 

promising aeronautical concepts and 

technologies in a relevant environment.

APG

4.2.1.1: AR-12-12

Demonstrate low-weight, damage-tolerant 

stitched composite structural concept on 

curved panel subjected to combined tension 

and internal pressure loads.

Integrated

Systems

Research

Aeronautics

APG

4.2.1.1: AR-12-13

Develop integrated Human Systems 

Integration, Communications, and Separation 

Assurance subproject test concept and 

Phase 2 test objectives necessary to achieve 

human-in-the-loop simulation and flight test 

series milestones supporting the Unmanned 

Aircraft Systems (UAS) Integration in the 

National Airspace System (NAS) Project.

Integrated

Systems

Research

Aeronautics

FY12 APP-17
Management and Performance

FY 2012 Performance Plan

Measure # Description Contributing

Program (s)

Contributing

Theme

Strategic Goal 5 Enable program and institutional 

capabilities to conduct NASA's 

aeronautics and space activities.

Outcome 5.1 Identify, cultivate, and sustain a diverse 

workforce and inclusive work environment 

that is needed to conduct NASA missions.

Objective 5.1.1 Establish and maintain a workforce that 

possesses state-of-the-art technical and 

business management competencies.

Performance Goal 5.1.1.1 Define and build the federal workforce 

skills and competencies needed for the 

Agency's future directions in technology 

development and deep space exploration.

APG

5.1.1.1: AMO-12-1

Ninety percent of Shuttle workforce is 

assigned to follow-on work by FY 2012 yearend.

Agency

Management

Agency

Management and 

Operations

APG

5.1.1.1: AMO-12-2

Twenty percent or more of annual 

recruitments will be through the early career 

hiring initiatives.

Agency

Management

Agency

Management and 

Operations

Performance Goal 5.1.1.2 Build skills across all levels of the 

workforce through Leadership 

Development Opportunities.

APG

5.1.1.2: AMO-12-3

Install an Agency-wide mentoring program 

that includes an automated system for 

matching mentors and mentees.

Agency

Management

Agency

Management and 

Operations

APG

5.1.1.2: AMO-12-4

Eighty percent of the Agency's leadership 

training and development programs include 

"leading through transformation" content.

Agency

Management

Agency

Management and 

Operations

Performance Goal 5.1.1.3 Achieve and sustain an effective labormanagement dialogue.

APG

5.1.1.3: AMO-12-5

Identify and address at least three significant 

labor-management challenges identified 

during the year during periodic Agency-led 

Labor Management Forums.

Agency

Management

Agency

Management and 

Operations

Performance Goal 5.1.1.4 Adopt and respond to innovative 

employee feedback mechanisms.

APG

5.1.1.4: AMO-12-6

Seventy-five percent of NASA's primary 

installations implement improvement 

initiatives derived from the Federal Employee 

Viewpoint Survey.

Agency

Management

Agency

Management and 

Operations

Performance Goal 5.1.1.5 Establish and maintain a workplace 

environment free of illegal discrimination, 

harassing conduct, and retaliation for 

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) 

activity and that provides reasonable 

accommodations to individuals with 

disabilities.

APG

5.1.1.5: AMO-12-7

Complete all FY 2012 actions described in 

the NASA Model Equal Employment 

Opportunity (EEO) Agency Plan.

Agency

Management

Agency

Management and 

Operations

FY12 APP-18
Management and Performance

FY 2012 Performance Plan

Measure # Description Contributing

Program (s)

Contributing

Theme

Performance Goal 5.1.1.6 Implement an Agency-wide Diversity and 

Inclusion Framework to develop a more 

demographically diverse workforce and a 

more inclusive work environment.

APG

5.1.1.6: AMO-12-8

Adopt diversity improvement targets derived 

from the results of the Agency-wide diversityinclusion survey and other relevant workforce 

and U.S. population data.

Agency

Management

Agency

Management and 

Operations

Objective 5.1.2 Provide opportunities and support 

systems that recruit, retain, and develop 

undergraduate and graduate students in 

STEM-related disciplines.

Performance Goal 5.1.2.1 Assure that student participants in NASA 

higher education projects are 

representative of the diversity of the 

Nation.

APG

5.1.2.1: ED-12-1

Achieve 40 percent participation of 

underserved and underrepresented (in race 

and/or ethnicity) in NASA higher education 

projects.

STEM Education 

and Accountability

Education

APG

5.1.2.1: ED-12-2

Achieve 45 percent participation of women in 

NASA higher education projects.

STEM Education 

and Accountability

Education

Outcome 5.2 Ensure vital assets are ready, available, 

and appropriately sized to conduct 

NASA's missions.

Objective 5.2.1 Achieve mission success by factoring 

safety, quality, risk, reliability, and 

maintainability as integral features of 

programs, projects, technologies, 

operations, and facilities.

Performance Goal 5.2.1.1 Through 2015, assure zero fatalities or 

permanent disabling injuries to the public.

APG

5.2.1.1: AMO-12-9

Assure zero fatalities or permanent disabling 

injuries to the public resulting from NASA 

activities during the fiscal year.

Safety and 

Mission Success

Agency

Management and 

Operations

Performance Goal 5.2.1.2 By 2015, achieve a four percent reduction 

in the total case rate and lost time rate for 

the NASA civil service work force.

APG

5.2.1.2: AMO-12-10

Reduce Total Case Rate and Lost Time Case 

Rate by one percent, in accordance with the 

President's Protecting Our Workers and 

Ensuring Reemployment (POWER) initiative.

Safety and 

Mission Success

Agency

Management and 

Operations

Performance Goal 5.2.1.3 By 2015, reduce damage to NASA assets 

by eight percent from the 2010 baseline.

APG

5.2.1.3: AMO-12-11

Reduce damage to NASA assets by two 

percent per fiscal year, based on a five-year 

running average.

Safety and 

Mission Success

Agency

Management and 

Operations

FY12 APP-19
Management and Performance

FY 2012 Performance Plan

Measure # Description Contributing

Program (s)

Contributing

Theme

Objective 5.2.2 Provide information technology that 

advances NASA space and research 

program results and promotes open 

dissemination through efficient, 

innovative, reliable, and responsive 

services that are appropriately secure and 

valued by stakeholders and the public.

Performance Goal 5.2.2.1 By 2014, consolidate and centralize the 

management of information technology 

(IT) enterprise services for end user 

services, communications, enterprise 

applications, enterprise data centers, and 

web services.

APG

5.2.2.1: AMO-12-12

Achieve Initial Operating Capability (IOC) for 

one Service Office (NASA Enterprise Data 

Center) and Full Operational Capacity (FOC) 

for the initial five Service Offices as part of 

the NASA Information Technology 

Infrastructure Integration Program (I3P).

Agency IT 

Services (AITS)

Agency

Management and 

Operations

Performance Goal 5.2.2.2 By 2015, implement a capability to identify 

and prevent unauthorized intrusions on 

the NASA institutional and mission 

networks.

APG

5.2.2.2: AMO-12-13

Implement intrusion detection sensors 

monitored by the NASA Security Operations 

Center (SOC) on 75 percent of NASA 

institutional network monitoring sites.

Agency IT 

Services (AITS)

Agency

Management and 

Operations

Performance Goal 5.2.2.3 By 2014, decommission the Agency 

Administrative mainframe computer.

APG

5.2.2.3: AMO-12-14

Migrate or retire all administrative systems 

from the Agency Administrative mainframe 

computer.

Agency IT 

Services (AITS)

Agency

Management and 

Operations

Performance Goal 5.2.2.4 By 2015, reduce data center energy 

consumption by 30 percent.

APG

5.2.2.4: AMO-12-15

Reduce the number of NASA data centers by 

10 percent.

Agency IT 

Services (AITS)

Agency

Management and 

Operations

Performance Goal 5.2.2.5 By 2015, establish at least four innovation 

laboratories that provide more effective, 

efficient, and responsive information 

technology (IT) across NASA in support of 

the Agency's Mission.

APG

5.2.2.5: AMO-12-16

Implement a Communications and 

Collaboration Lab that conducts five 

evaluations to assess new approaches for the 

dissemination of information, and real-time, 

multi-participant knowledge creation and 

management.

Agency IT 

Services (AITS)

Agency

Management and 

Operations

FY12 APP-20
Management and Performance

FY 2012 Performance Plan

Measure # Description Contributing

Program (s)

Contributing

Theme

Objective 5.2.3 Develop and implement long-range 

infrastructure plans that address 

institutional capabilities and critical 

assets, directly link to mission needs, 

ensure the leveraging of external 

capabilities, and provide a framework for 

Agency infrastructure decision-making.

Performance Goal 5.2.3.1 Consolidate functions and offices to 

reduce real property need, and use 

Agency Integrated Master Plan to identify 

and dispose of excess and aged facilities 

beyond useful life.

APG

5.2.3.1: AMO-12-17

Finalize remaining Center Master Plans into 

the Agency Integrated Master Plan.

Agency

Management

Agency

Management and 

Operations

APG

5.2.3.1: COF-12-1

Initiate facilities demolition process for five 

significant Agency facilities in addition to 

demolition processes initiated in FY 2011.

Institutional CoF Construction of 

Facilities

Performance Goal 5.2.3.2 HPPG: Conserve valuable natural 

resources by reducing NASA's energy and 

water use.

APG

5.2.3.2: ECR-12-1

Reduce energy intensity use annually by 

three percent from an FY 2003 baseline.

Environmental

Compliance and 

Restoration

Environmental

Compliance and 

Restoration

APG

5.2.3.2: ECR-12-2

Reduce potable water use annually by two 

percent from an FY 2007 baseline.

Environmental

Compliance and 

Restoration

Environmental

Compliance and 

Restoration

APG

5.2.3.2: ECR-12-3

Reduce fleet vehicle energy use annually by 

two percent of petroleum products from an 

FY 2005 baseline.

Environmental

Compliance and 

Restoration

Environmental

Compliance and 

Restoration

Outcome 5.3 Ensure the availability to the Nation of 

NASA-owned, strategically important test 

capabilities.

Objective 5.3.1 Work with the National Rocket Propulsion 

Test Alliance to identify NASA, 

Department of Defense and commercial 

capabilities and requirements.

Performance Goal 5.3.1.1 Develop and execute the Rocket 

Propulsion Test (RPT) Master Plan.

APG

5.3.1.1: SFS-12-1

Meet Rocket Propulsion Test (RPT) Master 

Plan requirements for year one.

Rocket Propulsion 

Test

Space and Flight 

Support (SFS)

Objective 5.3.2 Ensure that Aeronautics Test Program 

(ATP) facilities are available and capable 

of supporting research, development, test 

and engineering goals and objectives for 

NASA and national aerospace programs.

Performance Goal 5.3.2.1 Ensure that testing capabilities are 

available in order to support the research, 

development, test, and engineering 

milestones of NASA and Department of 

Defense (DoD) programs.

APG

5.3.2.1: AR-12-14

Achieve ratings greater than 86 percent for 

overall quality and timeliness of Aeronautics 

Test Program (ATP) facility operations.

Aeronautics Test Aeronautics

FY12 APP-21
Management and Performance

FY 2012 Performance Plan

Measure # Description Contributing

Program (s)

Contributing

Theme

Outcome 5.4 Implement and provide space 

communications and launch capabilities 

responsive to existing and future science 

and space exploration missions.

Objective 5.4.1 Ensure reliable and cost-effective access 

to space for missions critical to achieving 

the National Space Policy of the United 

States of America.

Performance Goal 5.4.1.1 Complete Launch Services Program (LSP) 

objectives for all NASA-managed 

expendable launches.

APG

5.4.1.1: SFS-12-2

Sustain 100 percent success rate with the 

successful launch of NASA-managed 

expendable launches as identified on the 

Launch Services Flight Planning Board 

manifest.

Launch Services Space and Flight 

Support (SFS)

Performance Goal 5.4.1.2 Continue utilizing existing contract 

mechanisms and agreements with 

emerging launch vehicle providers to gain 

information for future Launch Service 

orders and to provide technical 

exchanges to enhance early launch 

success.

APG

5.4.1.2: SFS-12-3

Incorporate information sharing processes 

into programmatic policies and incorporate 

into crew demonstration activities and future 

crew transportation service contracts.

Launch Services Space and Flight 

Support (SFS)

Objective 5.4.2 Transform the Florida launch and range 

complex to provide a robust launch and 

range infrastructure for future users.

Performance Goal 5.4.2.1 By FY 2014, enable future government and 

commercial launching and testing from 

the Florida launch and range complex.

APG

5.4.2.1: SFS-12-4

Implement FY 2012 milestones within the 

21st Century Space Launch Complex (21st 

CSLC) plan.

21st Century 

Space Launch 

Complex

Space and Flight 

Support (SFS)

Objective 5.4.3 Build and maintain a scalable, integrated, 

mission support infrastructure that can 

readily evolve to accommodate new and 

changing technologies, while providing 

integrated, comprehensive, robust, and 

cost-effective space communications 

services at order-of-magnitude higher 

data rates to enable NASA's science and 

exploration missions.

Performance Goal 5.4.3.1 By 2014, launch two functionally identical 

Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) 

spacecraft in geosynchronous orbits to 

replenish the Tracking and Data Relay 

Satellite System (TDRSS) constellation.

APG

5.4.3.1: SFS-12-5

Complete Tracking and Data Relay Satellite 

(TDRS) K Pre-ship review.

Space

Communications

and Navigation

Space and Flight 

Support (SFS)

FY12 APP-22
Management and Performance

FY 2012 Performance Plan

Measure # Description Contributing

Program (s)

Contributing

Theme

Performance Goal 5.4.3.2 By FY 2016, replace or upgrade obsolete 

and unsustainable systems of the 

Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System 

(TDRSS) Ground Segment at the White 

Sands Complex (WSC).

APG

5.4.3.2: SFS-12-6

Complete the Space Network Ground 

Segment Sustainment (SGSS) Preliminary 

Design Review (PDR).

Space

Communications

and Navigation

Space and Flight 

Support (SFS)

Performance Goal 5.4.3.3 By FY 2018, replace aging and obsolete 

Deep Space Network (DSN) 70-meter 

antenna at Canberra Deep Space 

Communications Complex (CDSCC).

APG

5.4.3.3: SFS-12-7

Complete Deep Space Station-35 (DSS-35) 

antenna fabrication at vendor.

Space

Communications

and Navigation

Space and Flight 

Support (SFS)

Outcome 5.5 Establish partnerships, including 

innovative arrangements, with 

commercial, international, and other 

government entities to maximize mission 

success.

Objective 5.5.1 Facilitate the use of the ISS as a National 

Laboratory for cooperative research, 

technology development, and education.

Performance Goal 5.5.1.1 HPPG: Establish an independent nonprofit (NPO) organization to enhance the 

utilization of the ISS as a National 

Laboratory.

APG

5.5.1.1: ISS-12-7

Facilitate non-profit organization (NPO) 

implementation of its initial grants solicitation 

process.

International

Space Station

Program

International

Space Station

Objective 5.5.2 Enhance international and interagency 

partnerships through increased use of 

international and interagency coordination 

mechanisms.

Performance Goal 5.5.2.1 Actively engage and provide leadership in 

international and interagency forums.

APG

5.5.2.1: AMO-12-18

Establish an internal Interagency 

Partnerships Working Group (IPWG) led by 

the Office of International and Interagency 

Relations (OIIR) to improve Agency-wide 

coordination of interagency partnerships and 

related interagency working groups.

Agency

Management

Agency

Management and 

Operations

FY12 APP-23
Management and Performance

FY 2012 Performance Plan

Measure # Description Contributing

Program (s)

Contributing

Theme

Strategic Goal 6 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.

Outcome 6.1 Improve retention of students in STEM 

disciplines by providing opportunities and 

activities along the full length of the 

education pipeline.

Objective 6.1.1 Provide quality STEM curricular support 

resources and materials.

Performance Goal 6.1.1.1 Provide educators nationwide with 

knowledge and tools with which to inspire 

students in STEM fields.

APG

6.1.1.1: ED-12-3

100,000 educators participate in NASA 

education programs.

STEM Education 

and Accountability

Education

Objective 6.1.2 Provide NASA experiences that inspire 

student interest and achievement in STEM 

disciplines.

Performance Goal 6.1.2.1 Provide higher education students with 

authentic NASA mission-based 

opportunities that build knowledge and 

skills needed for STEM careers.

APG

6.1.2.1: ED-12-4

25,000 undergraduate and graduate students 

participate in NASA education opportunities.

STEM Education 

and Accountability

Education

Performance Goal 6.1.2.2 Provide elementary and secondary 

students with authentic NASA missionbased opportunities that build STEM 

knowledge, skills, and career awareness.

APG

6.1.2.2: ED-12-5

600,000 elementary and secondary students 

participate in NASA instructional and 

enrichment activities.

STEM Education 

and Accountability

Education

APG

6.1.2.2: ED-12-6

85 percent of elementary and secondary 

students express interest in STEM careers 

following their involvement in NASA 

education programs.

STEM Education 

and Accountability

Education

Objective 6.1.3 Assess grant recipient institutions 

throughout the education pipeline to 

ensure that grant recipients demonstrate a 

consistent commitment to civil rights 

compliance.

Performance Goal 6.1.3.1 Promote equal opportunity compliance 

and encourage promising practices 

among NASA grant recipient institutions 

through a fully-realized program of civil 

rights compliance reviews, policy 

guidance, and technical assistance.

APG

6.1.3.1: AMO-12-19

Equal opportunity (EO) assessment and 

technical assistance provided, or onsite 

compliance assessment performed, onlocation at five STEM or STEM-related 

programs that receive NASA funding.

Agency

Management

Agency

Management and 

Operations

FY12 APP-24
Management and Performance

FY 2012 Performance Plan

Measure # Description Contributing

Program (s)

Contributing

Theme

Outcome 6.2 Promote STEM literacy through strategic 

partnerships with formal and informal 

organizations.

Objective 6.2.1 Develop NASA's leadership role in 

national STEM improvement efforts, as 

demonstrated by provision of meaningful 

educator professional development and 

student experiences, adoption of 

education technologies, and contributions 

to STEM education policies and 

strategies.

Performance Goal 6.2.1.1 Provide educator professional 

development experiences and materials 

that align to needs and opportunities 

identified by districts, states, Department 

of Education, professional organizations, 

and other stakeholders.

APG

6.2.1.1: ED-12-7

5,000 educators use NASA resources in their 

curricula after participating in NASA 

professional development.

STEM Education 

and Accountability

Education

Performance Goal 6.2.1.2 Provide expertise in the development of 

STEM education policies and strategies.

APG

6.2.1.2: ED-12-8

Provide expertise to support the development 

of integrated science and engineering 

standards.

STEM Education 

and Accountability

Education

Outcome 6.3 Engage the public in NASA's missions by 

providing new pathways for participation.

Objective 6.3.1 Extend the reach of participatory 

engagement across NASA.

Performance Goal 6.3.1.1 By 2015, establish an Agency-wide 

portfolio of participatory engagement 

opportunities.

APG

6.3.1.1: AMO-12-20

Issue a competitive opportunity to engage the 

public in NASA's activities.

Agency

Management

Agency

Management and 

Operations

Outcome 6.4 Inform, engage, and inspire the public by 

sharing NASA's missions, challenges, and 

results.

Objective 6.4.1 Use strategic partnerships with formal and 

informal educational organizations to 

provide NASA content to promote interest 

in STEM.

Performance Goal 6.4.1.1 Leverage communities of practice to 

facilitate sharing of NASA successes and 

challenges with the public.

APG

6.4.1.1: ED-12-9

450 museums and science centers across 

the country actively engage the public in 

major NASA events.

STEM Education 

and Accountability

Education

FY12 APP-25
Management and Performance

FY 2012 Performance Plan

Measure # Description Contributing

Program (s)

Contributing

Theme

Objective 6.4.2 Provide clear, accurate, timely, and 

consistent information that is readily 

available and suitable for a diverse 

audience.

Performance Goal 6.4.2.1 Use current and emerging 

communications technologies to reach 

increasingly broad audiences.

APG

6.4.2.1: AMO-12-21

Evaluate communication tools for impact and 

establish Agency best practices.

Agency

Management

Agency

Management and 

Operations

Objective 6.4.3 Provide the communications 

infrastructure to enable NASA's 

commitment to make government more 

open, transparent, and participatory.

Performance Goal 6.4.3.1 Make available Agency records through 

the Freedom of Information (FOIA) and 

Privacy Act and Open Gov in accordance 

with federal laws and regulations.

APG

6.4.3.1: AMO-12-22

Finalize NASA Freedom of Information Act 

(FOIA) regulations.

Agency

Management

Agency

Management and 

Operations

FY12 APP-26
Management and Performance

FY 2012 Performance Plan

Uniform and Efficiency Measures

Measure # Description

International Space Station Theme

APG

EFF 1.1.1.4: ISS-12-3

Provide 100 percent of planned on-orbit resources (including power, data, crew 

time, logistics, and accommodations) needed to support research.

APG

EFF 1.1.2.1: ISS-12-6

Accomplish a minimum of 90 percent of the on-orbit research objectives as 

established one month prior to a given increment, as sponsored by NASA, 

baselined for FY 2012.

Earth Science Theme

APG

EFF 2.1.7.1: ES-12-16

Increase the number of science data products delivered to Earth Observing 

System Data and Information System (EOSDIS) users.

APG

EFF 2.1.7.1: ES-12-17

Maintain a high level of customer satisfaction, as measured by exceeding the 

most recently available federal government average rating of the Customer 

Satisfaction Index.

APG

EFF: ES-12-20

Complete all development projects within 110 percent of the cost and schedule 

baseline.

APG

EFF: ES-12-21

Deliver at least 90 percent of scheduled operating hours for all operations and 

research facilities.

APG

EFF: ES-12-22

Peer-review and competitively award at least 90 percent, by budget, of research 

projects.

APG

EFF: ES-12-23

Reduce time within which 80 percent of NASA Research Announcement (NRA) 

grants are awarded, from proposal due date to selection, by four percent per year, 

with a goal of 180 days.

Space Technology Theme

APG

EFF 3.4.1.5: ST-12-17

Ensure that 75 percent of all NASA technology projects are recorded in the 

portfolio database and are analyzed against the prioritizations in the space 

technology roadmaps.

Agency Management and Operations 

Theme

APG

EFF 5.2.1.2: AMO-12-10

Reduce Total Case Rate and Lost Time Case Rate by one percent, in accordance 

with the President's Protecting Our Workers and Ensuring Reemployment 

(POWER) initiative.

APG

EFF 5.2.1.3: AMO-12-11

Reduce damage to NASA assets by two percent per fiscal year, based on a fiveyear running average.

APG

EFF: AMO-12-20

Maintain system execution time during the year-end close process at FY 2010 

baseline.

Environmental Compliance and 

Restoration Theme

APG

EFF 5.2.3.2: ECR-12-1

Reduce energy intensity use annually by three percent from an FY 2003 baseline.

APG

EFF 5.2.3.2: ECR-12-2

Reduce potable water use annually by two percent from an FY 2007 baseline.

APG

EFF 5.2.3.2: ECR-12-3

Reduce fleet vehicle energy use annually by two percent of petroleum products 

from an FY 2005 baseline.

Aeronautics Theme

APG

EFF: AR-12-16

Deliver at least 86 percent of on-time availability for operations and research 

facilities.

Complete all development projects within 110 percent of the cost and schedule 

baseline.

Astrophysics Theme

APG

EFF: AS-12-6

FY12 APP-27
Management and Performance

FY 2012 Performance Plan

Uniform and Efficiency Measures

Measure # Description

APG

EFF: AS-12-7

Deliver at least 90 percent of scheduled operating hours for all operations and 

research facilities.

APG

EFF: AS-12-8

Peer-review and competitively award at least 95 percent, by budget, of research 

projects.

APG

EFF: AS-12-9

Reduce time within which 80 percent of NASA Research Announcement (NRA) 

grants are awarded, from proposal due date to selection, by four percent per year, 

with a goal of 180 days.

Heliophysics Theme

APG

EFF: HE-12-6

Complete all development projects within 110 percent of the cost and schedule 

baseline.

APG

EFF: HE-12-7

Deliver at least 90 percent of scheduled operating hours for all operations and 

research facilities.

APG

EFF: HE-12-8

Peer-review and competitively award at least 90 percent, by budget, of research 

projects.

APG

EFF: HE-12-9

Reduce time within which 80 percent of NASA Research Announcement (NRA) 

grants are awarded, from proposal due date to selection, by four percent per year, 

with a goal of 180 days.

Planetary Science Theme

APG

EFF: PS-12-14

Complete all development projects within 110 percent of the cost and schedule 

baseline.

Deliver at least 90 percent of scheduled operating hours for all operations and 

research facilities.

APG

EFF: PS-12-15

APG

EFF: PS-12-16

Peer-review and competitively award at least 95 percent, by budget, of research 

projects.

Reduce time within which 80 percent of NASA Research Announcement (NRA) 

grants are awarded, from proposal due date to selection, by four percent per year, 

with a goal of 180 days.

APG

EFF: PS-12-17

FY12 APP-28
Management and Performance

2011 Strategic Plan 

Objectives

FY 2010 FY 2009 FY 2008 FY 2007

1.1.1 Maintain resources (on-orbit and on the ground) to 

operate and utilize the ISS.

2.2 

Green

2.2 

Green

2.2 

Green

2.2 

Green

2.1

Green

2.1

Green

2.1

Green

2.1

Green 1.1.2 Advance engineering, technology, and research 

capabilities on the ISS. 2.3

Green

2.3

Green

2.3

Green None

1.2.1

Enable the commercial sector to provide cargo and 

crew services to the International Space Station 

(ISS).

5.2

Yellow

5.2

Green

5.2

Green

5.2

Green

1.3.1

Execute development of an integrated architecture 

to conduct human space exploration missions 

beyond low Earth orbit.

6.4

White

6.5

Green

6.5

Green None

1.3.2 Develop a robust biomedical research portfolio to 

mitigate space human health risks.

2.3

Green

2.3

Green

2.3

Green None

3B.3

Green

3B.3

Green

3B.3

Green

3B.3

Green

1.3.3

Identify hazards, opportunities and potential 

destinations, to support future safe and successful 

human space exploration missions.

3C.3

Green

3C.3

Green

3C.3

Green

3C.3

Green

3C.4

Green

3C.4

Green

3C.4

Green

3C.4

Green

6.4

White

6.5

Green

6.5

Green None

2.1.1

Improve understanding of and improve the 

predictive capability for changes in the ozone layer, 

climate forcing, and air quality associated with 

changes in atmospheric composition.

3A.1

Green

3A.1

Green

3A.1

Green

3A.1

Green

2.1.2 Enable improved predictive capability for weather 

and extreme weather events.

3A.2

Green

3A.2

Green

3A.2

Green

3A.2

Green

2.1.3 

Quantify, understand, and predict changes in 

Earth's ecosystems and biogeochemical cycles, 

including the global carbon cycle, land cover, and 

biodiversity.

3A.3

Green

3A.3

Green

3A.3

Green

3A.3

Green

2.1.4 

Quantify the key reservoirs and fluxes in the global 

water cycle and assess water cycle change and 

water quality. 

3A.4

Green

3A.4

Green

3A.4

Green

3A.4

Green

2.1.5

Improve understanding of the roles of the ocean, 

atmosphere, land and ice in the climate system 

and improve predictive capability for its future 

evolution.

3A.5

Green

3A.5

Green

3A.5

Yellow

3A.5

Yellow

2.1.6

Characterize the dynamics of Earth's surface and 

interior and form the scientific basis for the 

assessment and mitigation of natural hazards and 

response to rare and extreme events.

3A.6

Green

3A.6

Green

3A.6

Green

3A.6

Green

3A.2

Green

3A.2

Green

3A.2

Green

3A.2

Green

2.1.7

Enable the broad use of Earth system science 

observations and results in decision-making 

activities for societal benefits.

3A.7

Green

3A.7

Green

3A.7

Green

3A.7

Green

MP OBJ-1
Management and Performance

2011 Strategic Plan 

Objectives

FY 2010 FY 2009 FY 2008 FY 2007

2.2.1

Improve understanding of the fundamental physical 

processes of the space environment from the Sun 

to Earth, to other planets, and beyond to the 

interstellar medium.

3B.1

Green

3B.1

Green

3B.1

Green

3B.1

Green

2.2.2

Improve understanding of how human society, 

technological systems, and the habitability of 

planets are affected by solar variability interacting 

with planetary magnetic fields and atmospheres.

3B.2

Green

3B.2

Green

3B.2

Green

3B.2

Green

2.2.3

Maximize the safety and productivity of human and 

robotic explorers by developing the capability to 

predict extreme and dynamic conditions in space. 

3B.3

Green

3B.3

Green

3B.3

Green

3B.3

Green

2.3.1 Inventory solar system objects and identify the 

processes active in and among them.

3C.2

Green

3C.2

Green

3C.2

Green

3C.2

Green

2.3.2

Improve understanding of how the Sun's family of 

planets, satellites, and minor bodies originated and 

evolved.

3C.1

Green

3C.1

Green

3C.1

Green

3C.1

Green

2.3.3

Improve understanding of the processes that 

determine the history and future of habitability of 

environments on Mars and other solar system 

bodies. 

3C.3

Green

3C.3

Green

3C.3

Green

3C.3

Green

2.3.4

Improve understanding of the origin and evolution 

of Earth's life and biosphere to determine if there is 

or ever has been life elsewhere in the universe.

3C.2Green 3C.2Green 3C.2Green 3C.2Green

2.3.5

Identify and characterize small bodies and the 

properties of planetary environments that pose a 

threat to terrestrial life or exploration or provide 

potentially exploitable resources.

3B.3

Green

3B.3

Green

3B.3

Green

3B.3

Green

3C.4

Green

3C.4

Green

3C.4

Green

3C.4

Green

2.4.1

Improve understanding of the origin and destiny of 

the universe, and the nature of black holes, dark 

energy, dark matter, and gravity.

3D.1

Green

3D.1

Green

3D.1

Green

3D.1

Green

2.4.2

Improve understanding of the many phenomena 

and processes associated with galaxy, stellar, and 

planetary system formation and evolution from the 

earliest epochs to today.

3D.2

Green

3D.2

Green

3D.2

Green

3D.2

Green

2.4.3 Generate a census of extra-solar planets and 

measure their properties.

3D.4

Green

3D.4

Green

3D.4

Green

3D.4

Yellow

3.1.1

Create a pipeline of new low Technology 

Readiness Levels (TRL) innovative concepts and 

technologies for future NASA missions and 

national needs.

None None None None

3.2.1

Prove the technical feasibility of potentially 

disruptive new space technologies for future 

missions.

None None None None

3.2.2 Spur the development of routine, low-cost access 

to space through small payloads and satellites. None None None None

3.2.3

Demonstrate new space technologies and infuse 

them into future science and exploration small 

satellite missions and/or commercial use.

None None None None

3.2.4 Demonstrate new space technologies and infuse 

them into missions.

5.3

Green None 5.3Green

5.3

Green

 

MP OBJ-2
Management and Performance

2011 Strategic Plan 

Objectives

FY 2010 FY 2009 FY 2008 FY 2007

3.2.5

Provide flight opportunities and relevant 

environments to demonstrate new space 

technologies.

5.1

Green

5.1

Green

5.1

Green

5.1

Green

3.3.1 Demonstrate in-space operations of robotic 

assistants working with crew. None None None None

6.2

Green

6.2

Green

6.2

Green

6.2

Green 3.3.2 Develop and demonstrate critical technologies for 

safe and affordable cargo and human space 

exploration missions beyond low Earth orbit.

6.3

Green

6.3

Green

6.3

Green None

3.4.1

Promote and develop innovative technology 

partnerships among NASA, U.S. industry, and 

other sectors for the benefit of Agency programs 

and projects and national interests.

5.3

Green None 5.3Green

5.3

Green

4.1.1

Develop advanced technologies to improve the 

overall safety of the future air transportation 

system.

3E.1

Green

3E.1

Green

3E.1

Green

3E.1

Green

4.1.2

Develop innovative solutions and technologies to 

meet future capacity and mobility requirements of 

the Next Generation Air Transportation System 

(NextGen).

3E.2

Green

3E.2

Green

3E.2

Green

3E.2

Green

4.1.3

Develop tools, technologies, and knowledge that 

enable significantly improved performance and 

new capabilities for future air vehicles.

3E.3

Green

3E.3

Green

3E.3

Green

3E.3

Green

4.2.1

Develop advanced tools and technologies that 

reduce the technical risk associated with systemlevel integration of promising aeronautical 

concepts.

3E.5

Yellow

3E.5

Yellow

3E.5

Yellow

3E.5

Yellow

5.1.1

Establish and maintain a workforce that possesses 

state-of-the-art technical and business 

management competencies.

AS.2

Green None None None

ED.1

Green

ED.1

Green

ED.1

Green

ED.1

Green 5.1.2 Provide opportunities and support systems that 

recruit, retain, and develop undergraduate and 

graduate students in STEM-related disciplines.

ED.2

Green

ED.2

Green

ED.2

Green None

5.2.1

Achieve mission success by factoring safety, 

quality, risk, reliability and maintainability as 

integral features of programs, projects, 

technologies, operations, and facilities.

AS.4

Green None None None

5.2.2

Provide information technology that advances 

NASA space and research program results and 

promotes open dissemination through efficient, 

innovative, reliable, and responsive services that 

are appropriately secure and valued by 

stakeholders and the public.

AS.1

Green None None None

5.2.3

Develop and implement long-range infrastructure 

plans that address institutional capabilities and 

critical assets, directly link to mission needs, 

ensure the leveraging of external capabilities, and 

provide a framework for Agency infrastructure 

decision-making.

AS.3

Green None None None

5.3.1 Work with the National Rocket Propulsion Test 

Alliance to identify NASA, Department of Defense 

AS.5

Green

6.4

Green

6.4

Green

6.4

Green

MP OBJ-3
Management and Performance

2011 Strategic Plan 

Objectives

FY 2010 FY 2009 FY 2008 FY 2007

and commercial capabilities and requirements. 5.1

Green

5.1

Green

5.1

Green

5.1

Green

5.3.2

Ensure that Aeronautics Test Program (ATP) 

facilities are available and capable of supporting 

research, development, test and evaluation goals 

and objectives for NASA and national aerospace 

programs. 

3E.4

Green

3E.4

Green

3E.4

Green

3E.4

Green

AS.5

Green

6.4

Green

6.4

Green

6.4

Green 5.4.1 Ensure reliable and cost-effective access to space 

for missions critical to achieving the National 

Space Policy of the United States of America.

5.1

Green

5.1

Green

5.1

Green

5.1

Green

5.4.2

Transform the Florida launch and range complex to 

provide a robust launch and range infrastructure 

for future users.

AS.5

Green

6.4

Green

6.4

Green

6.4

Green

5.4.3

Build and maintain a scalable, integrated, mission 

support infrastructure that can readily evolve to 

accommodate new and changing technologies, 

while providing integrated, comprehensive, robust, 

and cost-effective space communications services 

at order-of-magnitude higher data rates to enable 

NASA's science and exploration missions.

AS.5

Green

6.4

Green

6.4

Green

6.4

Green

Facilitate the use of the ISS as a National 

Laboratory for cooperative research, technology 

development, and education.

5.5.1 None None None None

5.5.2

Enhance international and interagency 

partnerships through increased use of international 

and interagency coordination mechanisms.

6.4

White

6.5

Green

6.5

Green None

6.1.1 Provide quality STEM curricular support resources 

and materials.

ED.2

Green

ED.2

Green

ED.2

Green None

6.1.2 Provide NASA experiences that inspire student 

interest and achievement in STEM disciplines.

ED.2

Green

ED.2

Green

ED.2

Green None

6.1.3

Assess grant recipient institutions throughout the 

education pipeline to ensure that grant recipients 

demonstrate a consistent commitment to civil rights 

compliance.

ED.1

Green

ED.1

Green

ED.1

Green

ED.1

Green

6.2.1

Develop NASA's leadership role in national STEM 

improvement efforts, as demonstrated by provision 

of meaningful educator professional development 

and student experiences, adoption of education 

technologies, and contributions to STEM education 

policies and strategies.

ED.1

Green

ED.1

Green

ED.1

Green

ED.1

Green

6.3.1 Extend the reach of participatory engagement 

across NASA. None None None None

6.4.1

Use strategic partnerships with formal and informal 

educational organizations to provide NASA content 

to promote interest in STEM.

ED.3

Green

ED.3

Green

ED.3

Green

ED.3

Green

6.4.2

Provide clear, accurate, timely, and consistent 

information that is readily available and suitable for 

a diverse audience.

None None None None

MP OBJ-4
FY 2012 Proposed Appropriations Language 

National Aeronautics and Space Administration Proposed Appropriations Language 

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 5 U.S.C. 5901-5902; travel expenses; purchase, lease, charter, 

maintenance, and operation of mission and administrative aircraft, $5,016,800,000, to remain available 

until September 30, 2013. 

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; program management; personnel and 

related costs, including uniforms or allowances therefor, as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 5901–5902; travel 

expenses; purchase and hire of passenger motor vehicles; and purchase, lease, charter, maintenance, 

and operation of mission and administrative aircraft, $569,400,000 to remain available until September 

30, 2013. 

SPACE TECHNOLOGY 

For necessary expenses, not otherwise provided for, in the conduct and support of space research and 

technology 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 5 U.S.C. 5901–5902; travel expenses; purchase and hire of 

passenger motor vehicles; and purchase, lease, charter, maintenance, and operation of mission and 

administrative aircraft,$1,024,200,000 to remain available until September 30, 2013. 

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; 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; space flight, 

spacecraft control, and communications activities; program management, personnel and related costs, 

including uniforms or allowances therefor, as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 5901–5902; travel expenses; 

purchase and hire of passenger motor vehicles; and purchase, lease, charter, maintenance, and 

operation of mission and administrative aircraft, $3,948,700,000, to remain available until September 

30, 2013: Provided, That when any activity has been initiated by the incurrence of obligations for 

construction of facilities or environmental compliance and restoration activities as authorized by law, 

such amount available for such activity shall remain available until September 30, 2017. 

PAL-1
FY 2012 Proposed Appropriations Language 

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; maintenance; 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; 

space flight, spacecraft control and communications activities; program management; personnel and 

related costs, including uniforms or allowances therefor, as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 5901–5902; travel 

expenses; purchase and hire of passenger motor vehicles; and purchase, lease, charter, maintenance 

and operation of mission and administrative aircraft, $4,346,900,000, to remain available until 

September 30, 2013: Provided, That when any activity has been initiated by the incurrence of 

obligations for construction of facilities or environmental compliance and restoration activities as 

authorized by law, such amount available for such activity shall remain available until September 30, 

2017. 

EDUCATION 

For necessary expenses, not otherwise provided for, in carrying out aerospace and aeronautical 

education research and development activities, including research, development, operations, support, 

and services; program management; personnel and related costs, uniforms or allowances therefor, as 

authorized by 5 U.S.C. 5901–5902; travel expenses; purchase and hire of passenger motor vehicles; 

and purchase, lease, charter, maintenance, and operation of mission and administrative aircraft, 

$138,400,000, to remain available until September 30, 2013. 

CROSS AGENCY SUPPORT 

For necessary expenses, not otherwise provided for, in the conduct and support of science, 

aeronautics, 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 

5 U.S.C. 5901–5902; travel expenses; purchase and hire of passenger motor vehicles; not to exceed 

$120,000 for official reception and representation expenses; and purchase, lease, charter, 

maintenance, and operation of mission and administrative aircraft, $3,192,000,000, to remain available 

until September 30, 2013: Provided, That of the funds made available under this heading, $3,600,000 is 

for strengthening the Agency’s acquisition workforce capacity and capabilities: Provided further, That, 

with respect to the previous proviso, such funds shall be available for training, recruitment, retention, 

and hiring members of the acquisition workforce as defined by the Office of Federal Procurement Policy 

Act, as amended (41 U.S.C. 401 et seq.): Provided further, That, with respect to the first proviso, such 

funds shall be available for information technology in support of acquisition workforce effectiveness or 

for management solutions to improve acquisition management. 

PAL-2
FY 2012 Proposed Appropriations Language 

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, $450,400,000, to remain available until September 30, 

2017: Provided, That 51 U.S.C. 20145(b) is amended by inserting “(A)” immediately following “(1)” and 

adding at the end thereof the following new subparagraph (B) as follows: “B) Notwithstanding 

subparagraph (A), the Administrator may accept in-kind consideration for leases entered into for the 

purpose of developing renewable energy production facilities.”. 

OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL 

For necessary expenses of the Office of Inspector General, in carrying out the Inspector General Act of 

1978, $37,500,000. 

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS 

Funds for announced prizes otherwise authorized shall remain available, without fiscal year limitation, 

until the 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 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 unexpired balances of previous accounts, for activities for which funds are provided under this Act, 

may be transferred to the new accounts established in this Act that provide such activity. Balances so 

transferred shall be merged with the funds in the newly established accounts, but shall be available 

under the same terms, conditions and period of time as previously appropriated. 

Section 40902 of title 51, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end thereof: "(d) Availability 

of Funds—The interest accruing from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Endeavor 

Teacher Fellowship Trust Fund principal shall be available in FY 2012 and hereafter for the purpose of 

the Endeavor Science Teacher Certificate Program.". 

Of funds provided under the heading "Science" in this Act, up to $10,000,000, shall be available for a 

reimbursable agreement with the Department of Energy for the purpose of re-establishing facilities to 

produce fuel required for radioisotope thermoelectric generators to enable future missions. 

PAL-3
Reference: Acronyms and Abbreviations

21st CSLC 21st Century Space Launch Complex 

AA Associate Administrator 

AAAC Astronomy and Astrophysics Advisory 

Committee 

ACCESS Advanced Collaborative Connections for 

Earth System Science 

ACE Advanced Composition Explorer 

ACRIMSat Active Cavity Radiometer Irradiance 

Monitor Satellite 

ACS Advanced Camera for Surveys (Hubble 

Space Telescope instrument) 

ADAP Astrophysics Data Analysis Program 

ADCAR Astrophysics Data Curation and Archival 

Research 

ADS Astrophysics Data System 

AEMC Advanced Environmental Monitoring and 

Control 

AES Advanced Exploration Systems 

AFOSR Air Force Office of Scientific Research 

AFRL Air Force Research Laboratory 

AIM Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere 

AIRS Advanced Infrared Sounder 

AITS Agency Information Technology 

Services 

ALHAT Autonomous Landing and Hazard 

Avoidance Technology 

ALI Advanced Land Imager 

AMMOS Advanced Multi-Mission Operations 

System 

AMO Agency Management and Operations 

AMS Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer 

AMSR-E Advanced Microwave Scanning 

Radiometer for the Earth Observing 

System 

AMSU Advance Microwave Sounding Unit 

ANN. CR Annualized Continuing Resolution 

APP Annual Performance Plan 

APRET Astrophysics Research and Enabling 

Technology Program (replaces APRA) 

APG Annual Performance Goal 

APL Applied Physics Laboratory (Johns 

Hopkins University) 

APPEL Academy of Program/Project and 

Engineering Leadership 

APMC Aeropropulsion Management Council 

APMS Aviation Performance Measuring System

APRA Astronomy and Physics Research and 

Analysis, replaced by APRET 

APS Aerosol Polarimetry Senor 

ARC Ames Research Center 

ARMD Aeronautics Research Mission 

Directorate 

ARRA American Recovery and Reinvestment 

Act 

ASAP Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel 

ASCENDS Active Sensing of Carbon dioxide 

Emissions over Nights, Days and 

Seasons 

ASEB Aeronautics and Space Engineering 

Board of the National Academies 

ASI Agenzia Spaziale Italiana (Italian Space 

Agency) 

ASP Airspace Systems Program 

ASPERA-3 Analyzer of Space Plasma and 

Energetic Atoms-3 

ASM Acquisition Strategy Meeting 

ASP Acquisition Strategy Planning 

ASRG Advanced Stirling Radioisotope 

Generator 

ASTER Advanced Spaceborne Thermal 

Emission Reflection Radiometer 

ATLO Assembly, Test, Launch Operations 

ATMS Advanced Technology Microwave 

Sounder (NPOESS Preparatory Project 

instrument) 

ATP Aeronautics Test Program 

AURA Association of Universities for Research 

in Astronomy 

AuRA Autonomous Robust Avionics 

AVHRR Advanced Very High Resolution 

Radiometer 

AvSP Aviation Safety Program 

BAA Broad Agency Announcement 

BAE British Aerospace 

BAH Booz-Allen Hamilton 

BARREL Balloon Array for Radiation-belt 

Relativistic Electron Losses 

BATC Ball Aerospace and Technology 

Corporation 

BHP Behavioral Health and Performance 

BIM Building Information Modeling 

BIRA Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy 

BWB Blended Wing Body 

C/NOFS Air Force Research Laboratory's 

Communication/Navigation Outage 

Forecast System 

REF-1
Reference: Acronyms and Abbreviations

C3S Command, Control, and Communication 

Segment 

CALIPSO Cloud–Aerosol Lidar and Infrared 

Pathfinder Satellite Observations 

CARA California Association for Research in 

Astronomy 

CAS Cross-Agency Support 

CAST Commercial Aviation Safety Team 

CC Commercial Crew 

CCDev Commercial Crew Development 

CCSP Climate Change Science Program 

CDC Centers for Disease Control 

CDR Climate Data Records 

CDR Critical Design Review 

CDSSC Canberra Deep Space Communications 

Complex 

CECR Construction and Environmental 

Compliance and Restoration 

CERES Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy 

System 

CESR Centre d'Etude Spatiale des 

Rayonnements Mars exploration 

CFD Computational Fluid Dynamics 

CFO Chief Financial Officer 

CheMin Chemistry and Mineralogy Instrument 

(MSL) 

ChemCam Chemistry Camera 

CHS Crew Health and Safety 

CIF Central Instrumentation Facility 

CINDI Coupled Ion Neutral Dynamics 

Investigation 

CIO Chief Information Officer 

CJ Congressional Justification (Budget) 

CL Confidence Level 

CLARREO Climate Absolute Radiance and 

Refractivity Observatory 

cm Centimeter 

CMO Center Management Operations 

CMS Carbon Monitoring System 

CNES Centre Nationale D’Etudes Spatiale 

(French Space Agency) 

CO2 Carbon Dioxide 

CoF Construction of Facilities 

CONAE Argentina’s National Committee of 

Space Activities 

CoNNeCT Communications, Navigation, and 

Networking reConfigurable Test Bed 

COTS Commercial Orbital Transportation 

Services 

CRF Capability Reliance Framework 

CRI Center for Rotorcraft Innovation 

CRS Commercial Resupply Services 

CrIS Cross-track Infrared Sounder (NPOESS 

Preparatory Project instrument) 

CRYOSTAT Cryogenic Propellant Storage And 

Transfer 

CSA Canadian Space Agency 

CSBF Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility 

CSC Computer Sciences Corporation 

CSLE Civil Service Labor and Expenses 

CSTD Crosscutting Space Technology 

Development 

CTC Chief Technologist Council 

CY Calendar Year 

CSPE Colorimetric Solid Phase Extraction 

CVB Constrained Vapor Bubble 

DAAC Distributed Active Archive Centers 

DAN Dynamic Albedo of Neutrons 

DARPA Defense Advanced Research Projects 

Agency 

dB Decibel 

DDT&E Design, Development, Test, and 

Evaluation 

DESDynI Deformation, Ecosystem Structure, and 

Dynamics of Ice 

DFRC Dryden Flight Research Center 

DLR Deutches Zentrum für Luft- Raumfahrt 

(German Aerospace Center) 

DME Development, Modernization, and 

Enhancement 

DNA Deoxyribonucleic Acid 

DoD Department of Defense 

DOE Department of Energy 

DOI Department of Interior 

DORIS Doppler Orbitography by 

Radiopositioning Integrated by Satellite 

(Ocean Surface Topography Mission 

instrument) 

DOT Department of Transportation 

DPMC Directorate Program Mgmt Council 

DPR Dual-frequency Precipitation Radar 

(Global Precipitation Measurement 

instrument) 

DR Decommissioning Review 

DRS Disturbance Reduction System 

REF-2
Reference: Acronyms and Abbreviations

DSI Deutsches SOFIA Institut 

DSN Deep Space Network 

DSS Deep Space Station 

DTN Disruption Tolerant Networking 

E/PO Education and Public Outreach 

ECA An Arianne rocket 

ECT Energetic Particle, Composition and 

Thermal Plasma 

ED Department of Education 

ED NASA Education 

EDA Efficient Descent Advisor 

EDL Entry, Descent, and Landing 

EDLT Entry, Descent and Landing 

Technologies 

EDR Environmental Data Record 

EDT Education Design Team 

EEE Evolution of EOSDIS Elements 

EELV Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle 

EEO Equal Employment Office 

EFW Electric Field and Waves Instrument 

ELC ExPRESS Logistics Carrier 

ELV Expendable Launch Vehicle 

EM2 Electronics Box Engineering Model 2 

EMFISIS Electric and Magnetic Field Instrument 

Suite and Integrated Science 

EMTGO ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter 

EO Equal opportunity 

EO-1 Earth Observing One Mission 

EONS Education Opportunities in NASA STEM 

EOS Earth Observing System 

EOSDIS Earth Observing System Data and 

Information System 

EPA Environmental Protection Agency 

EPOXI Extrasolar Planet Observation and Deep 

Impact Extended Investigation 

EPSCoR Experimental Program to Stimulate 

Competitive Research 

ERA Environmentally Responsible Aviation 

ERD Exploration Research and Development

ESA European Space Agency 

ESD Earth Science Division 

ESDR Earth System Data Records 

ESM Earth Systematic Missions 

ESMD Exploration Systems Mission Directorate

ESMP Earth Systematic Missions Program 

ESS Earth Science Subcommittee (of the 

NASA Advisory Committee) 

ESSP Earth System Science Pathfinder 

ESTO Earth Science Technology Office 

ESTP Earth Science Technology Program 

ET External Tank 

ETD Exploration Technology Development 

ETDD Enabling Technology Development and 

Demonstration 

ETM+ Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus 

ETU Engineering Test Unit 

EUL Enhanced Use Lease 

EUMETSAT European Meterological Satellite 

EV Earth Venture 

EVA Extravehicular Activity 

EX Explorer Missions

ExEP Exoplanet Exploration Program 

EXES Echelon-Cross-Echelle Spectrograph 

ExMC Exploration Medical Capability 

FAA Federal Aviation Administration 

FAP Fundamental Aeronautics Program 

FAR Federal Acquisition Regulation 

FGM Fluxgate Magnetometer (Thermal 

Emission Imaging System instrument) 

FGS Fine Guidance Sensor 

FGS-TF Fine Guidance Sensor - Tunable Filter 

FIFI LS Field Imaging Far-Infrared Line 

Spectrometer 

FLITECAM First Light Infrared Test Experiment 

Camera 

FMI Finnish Meteorological Institute 

FO Follow On (to a mission) 

FOC Full Operational Capability 

FOIA Freedom of Information Act 

FOR Flight Operations Review 

FORCAST Faint Object InfrRed CAmera for the 

SOFIA Telescope 

FPA Focal Plane Array 

FPD Flight Projects Directorate 

FRR Flight Readiness Review 

FTE Full Time Equivalency 

FUV Far Ultraviolet 

FY Fiscal Year 

GALEX Galaxy Evolution Explorer 

GAO Government Accountability Office 

GCD Game Changing Development 

REF-3
Reference: Acronyms and Abbreviations

GEMS Gravity and Extreme Magnetism 

GEO Geosynchronous Earth Orbit 

GES DAAC GSFC Earth Science Distributed Active 

Archive Center 

GeV Gigaelectron volt 

GHz Gigahertz 

GLAST Gamma–ray Large Area Space 

Telescope (now Fermi Gamma-ray 

Space Telescope) 

GLOBE Global Learning and Observations to 

Benefit the Environment 

GMI GPM Microwave Imager (Global 

Precipitation Measurement instrument) 

GOES Geostationary Operational 

Environmental Satellite 

GPM Global Precipitation Measurement 

GPS Global Positioning System 

GRACE Gravity Recovery and Climate 

Experiment 

GRAIL Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory

GRC Glenn Research Center 

GRC-PBS Glenn Research Center–Plum Brook 

Station 

GREAT German Receiver for Astronomy at 

Terahetz 

GRGT Guam Remote Ground Terminal 

GRIP Genesis and Rapid Intensification 

Processes 

GSFC Goddard Space Flight Center 

GWAC Government Wide Acquisition Contracts

HAVT Hypersonic Air-breathing Vehicle 

Technologies 

HAWC High-resolution Airborne Wideband

Camera 

HEC Human Exploration Capability 

HECC High End Computing Columbia 

HgCdTe Mercury-Cadmium-Telluride (type of 

array used in many instruments) 

HHC Health and Human Countermeasures 

HH&P Human Health & Performance 

HIPO High-speed Imaging Photometer for 

Occultation 

HIRDLS High Resolution Dynamic Limb Sounder

HIRES High Resolution Echelle Spectrometer 

HIRS High Resolution Infrared Radiation 

Sounder 

HITL Human-in-the-loop 

HLV Heavy Lift Vehicle 

HPIW High Pressure Industrial Water 

HPPG High Priority Performance Goal 

HQ NASA Headquarters 

HRP Human Research Program 

HSB Humidity Sounder for Brazil 

HSFO Human Space Flight Operations 

HSPD Homeland Security Presidential Directive

HST Hubble Space Telescope 

HTV H-II Transfer Vehicle 

Hydros Hydrosphere State Project 

I&T Integration and Test 

I3P Information Technology Infrastructure 

Integration Program 

IASI Infrared Atmospheric Sounding 

Interferometer 

IBEX Interstellar Boundary Explorer 

IBPD Integrated Budget and Performance 

Document 

ICA Innovative Concepts for Aviation 

ICESat Ice, Cloud, and Land Elevation Satellite 

ICEScape SMD Earth 

ICRP Independent Comprehensive Review 

Panel 

IDPS Interface Data Processing Segment 

IG Inspector General 

IKI Institut Kosmitscheski Isledowani 

(Russian Space Institute) 

ILN International Lunar Network 

INPE Brazilian Institute for Space Research 

INTA Instituto Nacional de Técnica 

Aerospacial 

IPWG Interagency Partnerships Working Group

IPAC Infrared Processing and Analysis Center

IPAO Independent Program Assessment 

Office 

IPCC International Panel on Climate Change 

IPO Integrated Program Office 

IPP Innovative Partnerships Program 

IPWG Interagency Partnerships Working Group

IR Infrared 

IRAC Integrated Resilient Aircraft Controls 

IRIS Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph 

IRR Investigation Readiness Reviews 

IRSA NASA/IPAC Infrared Science Archive 

IRT Independent Review Team 

REF-4
Reference: Acronyms and Abbreviations

ISAS Institute of Space and Astronautical 

Science 

ISP In-Space Propulsion 

ISRO Indian Space Research Organisation 

ISRP Integrated Systems Research Program 

ISRU In-Situ Resource Utilization 

ISS International Space Station 

ISSMP International Space Station Medical 

Program 

IT Information Technology 

IV&V Independent Verification and Validation 

IXO International X-ray Observatory 

JADE Jovian Auroral Distributions Experiment 

JAXA Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency 

JCL Joint Cost and Schedule Confidence 

Level 

JDEM Joint Dark Energy Mission 

JEDI Jupiter Energetic particle Detector 

Instrument 

JHU John Hopkins University 

JHU-APL Johns Hopkins University–Applied 

Physics Laboratory 

JOI Jupiter Orbit Insertion 

JPDO Joint Planning and Development Office 

JPL Jet Propulsion Laboratory 

JPSS Joint Polar Satellite System 

JSC Johnson Space Center 

JWST James Webb Space Telescope 

K Kelvin (degrees) 

KaPR Ka-band Precipitation Radar 

KDP Key Decision Point Review 

KeV Kiloelectron Volts 

KHz Kilohertz 

kG Kilogram 

KI Keck Interferometer 

km Kilimeter 

KNMI Royal Netherlands Meteorological 

Institute 

KSA Keck Single Aperture 

KSC Kennedy Space Center 

KuPR Ku Precipitation Radar 

kVAR Kilovolt Ampere Reactive 

kW Kilowatt 

L2 Second Sun-Earth Libration, or 

Lagrange Point 

L3 L-3 Communications Corporation 

LADEE Lunar Atmosphere and Dust 

Environment Explorer 

LaRC Langley Research Center 

LASER Lunar Advanced Science and 

Exploration Research 

LASP Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space 

Physics (University of Colorado, 

Boulder) 

LBT Large Binocular Telescope 

LBTI Large Binocular Telescope 

Interferometer 

LCAS Low-Cost Access to Space 

LCC Life Cycle Cost 

LCCE Life Cycle Cost Estimate 

LDCM Landsat Data Continuity Mission 

LDEX Lunar Dust EXperiment 

LEED Leadership in Energy and Environment 

Design 

LEO Low Earth Orbit 

LH2 Liquid Hydrogen 

LISA Laser Interferometer Space Antenna 

LL Lincoln Laboratory 

LLC Limited Liability Company 

LLCD Lunar Laser Communications 

Demonstration 

LM Lockheed Martin 

LoB Lines of Business 

LOX Liquid Oxygen 

LQP Lunar Quest Program 

LRD Launch Readiness Date 

LRO Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter 

LRR Launch Readiness Review 

LSP Launch Services Program 

LTO LTO NOx subsonic 

LV Launch Vehicle 

LWS Living with a Star 

$M Million (of Dollars) 

μm Microns (micrometers) 

m Meter 

M3 Moon Mineralogy Mapper 

MA Multiple Access 

MACPEX Mid-latitude Airborne Cirrus Properties 

Experiment 

MAV Mars Ascent Vehicle 

MAVEN Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN 

MCR Mission Confirmation Review 

REF-5
Reference: Acronyms and Abbreviations

MD Mission Directorate 

MDR Mission Design Review 

MEaSUREs Making Earth System data records for 

Use in Research Environments 

MEDLI Mars Science Laboratory Entry, 

Descent, and Landing Instrument 

MER Mars Exploration Rovers 

MESSENGER Mercury Surface, Space Environment, 

Geochemistry and Ranging 

METI Ministry of Economy Trade and Industry 

(Japan) 

MeV Mega electron Volts 

MEX Mars Express 

mGal milligallon 

MIB Mishap Investigation Board 

MICINN Spanish Space Agency 

MIDEX Medium-Class Explorer 

MIRI Mid-infrared Instrument (James Webb 

Space Telescope instrument) 

MIT Massachusetts Institute of Technology 

MK megakelvin 

MLS Microwave Limb Sounder 

MMO Mars Mission Operations 

MMOD Micrometeoroid/ Orbital Debris 

MMS Magnetospheric Multiscale 

MO Missions of Opportunity 

MODIS Moderate Resolution Imaging 

Spectroradiometer 

MOE Mission Operations Element 

MOPITT Measurements of Pollution in the 

Troposphere 

MOU Memorandum of Understanding 

MPAR Major Program Annual Report 

MPCV Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle 

MRO Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter 

MRR Mission Requirement Request 

MRSA Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus 

aureus

MSFC Marshall Space Flight Center 

MSL Mars Science Laboratory 

MUREP Minority University Research and 

Education Project 

MUSS Multi-User Systems and Support 

MWR Microwave Radiometer 

N/A Not applicable 

NAC NASA Advisory Committee 

NACA National Advisory Committee on 

Aeronautics 

NAR Non-Advocacy Review 

NAS National Airspace System 

NASA National Aeronautics and Space 

Administration 

NASDA National Space Development Agency of 

Japan 

NEBULA NASA's Cloud Computing Platform 

NEN Near Earth Network 

NEO Near-Earth Object 

NEOO Near-Earth Object Observations 

NES NASA Explorer Schools 

NESC NASA Engineering and Safety Center 

NETS NASA Educational Technology Services

NextGen Next Generation Air Transportation 

System 

NEXT NASA Evolutionary Xenon Thruster 

NExScI NASA Exoplanet Science Institute 

NGAS Northrup Grumman Aerospace Systems

NGO Non-Governmental Organization 

NGST Northrop Grumman Space Technology 

NH Northern Hemisphere 

NIAC NASA Institute for Advanced Concepts 

NIH National Institute for Health 

NIR Near-Infrared 

NIRCam Near-Infrared Camera 

NIRSpec Near-Infrared Spectrometer 

NISN NASA Integrated Services Network 

NIVR Netherlands Agency for Aerospace 

Programs 

NLR National Aerospace Laboratory of the 

Netherlands 

NLS NASA Launch Services 

NLSI NASA Lunar Science Institute 

nm Nanometer 

NMSU New Mexico State University 

NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration 

NOx Nitrogen Oxide 

NPAT National Partnership for Aeronautic 

Testing 

NPD NASA Policy Directive 

NPO Non-Profit Organization 

NPOESS National Polar–orbiting Operational 

Environmental Satellite System 

REF-6
Reference: Acronyms and Abbreviations

NPP NPOESS Preparatory Project 

NPR NASA Procedural Requirement 

NRA NASA Research Announcement 

NRC National Research Council 

NRCC National Research Council Canada 

NRL Naval Research Laboratory 

NRO National Reconnaissance Office 

NSBRI National Space Biomedical Research 

Institute 

NSC NASA Safety Center 

NSF National Science Foundation 

NSPD National Space Policy Directive 

NSSC NASA Shared Services Center 

NSSDC National Space Science Data Center 

NSWPC National Space Weather Program 

Council 

NTEC NASA Technology Executive Council 

NuSTAR Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array 

NUV Near Ultraviolet 

NWP Numerical Weather Prediction 

O2 Oxygen 

OA Office of Audits 

OCE Office of the Chief Engineer 

OCFO Office of Chief Financial Officer 

OCHMO Office of the Chief Health and Medical 

Officer 

OCIO Office of Chief Information Officer 

OCO Orbiting Carbon Observatory 

OCT Office of the Chief Technologist 

OHCM Office of Human Capital Management 

OI Office of Investigations 

OIG Office of Inspector General 

OIIR Office of International and Interagency 

Relations 

OLI Operational Land Imager (Landsat Data 

Continuity Mission instrument) 

OLS Operational Linescan System 

OMB Office of Management and Budget 

OMC Operations Management Council 

OMEGA Offshore Membrane Enclosures for 

Growing Algae 

OMI Ozone Monitoring Instrument 

OMPS Ozone Mapping and Profiler Suite 

(NPOESS Preparatory Project 

instrument) 

ONERA Office National d'Études et de 

Recherches Aérospatiales 

OPM Office of Personnel Management 

ORR Operations Readiness Review 

OSC Orbital Sciences Corporation 

OSCAT Indian Space Agency's scatterometer 

instrument 

OSHA Occupational and Safety and Health 

Administration 

OSMA Office of Safety and Mission Assurance 

OSP Orbital/Suborbital Program (of the 

USAF) 

OSTP Office of Science and Technology Policy

OSTST Ocean Surface Topography Science 

Team 

OTE Optical Telescope Element 

OTIS Optical Telescope Element/ Integrated 

Science Module (JWST) 

OVWST Ocean Vector Winds Science Team 

P.L. Public Law 

PACE Pre-Aerosols, Carbon and Ecosystems 

PAR Performance and Accountability Report 

PAR Program Acceptance Review 

PARASOL Polarization & Anisotropy of 

Reflectances for Atmospheric Sciences 

coupled with Observations from a Lidar 

PART Program Assessment Rating Tool 

PB President’s Budget 

PBR President’s Budget Request 

PBS President’s Budget Submit 

PCA Program Commitment Agreement 

PCAD Propulsion Cryogenics Advanced 

Development 

PCBs Polychlorinated biphenyls 

PCOS Physics of the Cosmos 

PDR Preliminary Design Review 

PDS Planetary Data System 

PI Principal Investigator 

PICS Partnerships, Innovation and 

Commercial Space 

PIP Payload Interface Processor 

PIR Program Implementation Review 

PLAR Post Launch Assessment Review 

PLSS Portable Life Support System 

PMA President's Management Agenda 

PMC Program Management Council 

PNAR Preliminary Non-Advocate Review 

REF-7
Reference: Acronyms and Abbreviations

PNT Positioning, Navigation, and Timing 

POWER Protecting Our Workers and Ensuring 

Reemployment Presidential Initiative 

PPS Precipitation Processing System 

PR Precipitation Radar 

PSBR Proton Spectrometer Belt Research 

PSL Propulsion Systems Laboratory 

psu practical salinity units 

QTR Quarter 

QuickSCAT Quick Scatterometer 

R&A Research and Analysis 

R&D Research and Development 

R2 Robonaut 2 

RAP Robotics Alliance Project 

RBSP Radiation Belt Storm Probes 

RBSPICE Radiation Belt Science of Protons, Ions, 

Composition, and Electrons 

RCT Randomized controlled trials 

REMS Rover Environmental Monitoring System

RF Radio Frequency 

RFI Request for Information 

RFP Request for Proposal 

RHESSI Reuven Ramaty High Energy Solar 

Spectroscopic Imager 

RMP Risk Mitigation Phase 

ROSES Research Opportunities in Space and 

Earth Science 

RPS Radioisotope Power System 

RTF Return to Flight 

RPT Rocket Propulsion Testing 

RR Readiness Review 

RS Russian Segment 

RSAS Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems 

RSDO Rapid Spacecraft Development Office 

RSRB Reusable Solid Rocket Booster 

RSRM Reusable Solid Rocket Motor 

RTAX A field programmable gate array on 

RSBP 

RTF Return to Flight 

RVT Remote Visual Testing 

RTT Research Transition Teams 

S/A Solar array 

s/c Spacecraft 

S&MA Safety and Mission Assurance 

S, R and Q Safety, Reliability, and Quality 

SA Single Access 

SA/SPaH Sample Acquisition, Processing, and 

Handling (drill for MSL) 

SAA Space Act Agreement 

SAC-D Satellite de Aplicaciones Cientificas–D 

(Argentina) 

SADA Solar Array Drive Assembly 

SAGE Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas 

Experiment 

SALMON Stand Alone Missions of Opportunity 

NRA 

SAM Sample Analysis of Mars (MSL) 

SAP NASA’s Core Financial System 

SAR Synthetic Aperture Radar 

SAU Strategic Airspace Usage 

SBC Single Board Computer 

SBIR Small Business Innovative Research 

SBRS Santa Barbara Remote Sensing 

(Division of Raytheon) 

SCADA Supervisory Control and Data 

Acquisition 

SCaN Space Communications and Navigation 

SCAP Shared Capability Assets Program 

SCEM "The Scientific Context for Exploration of 

the Moon," NRC Planetary Science 

report 

SCNS Space Communications Network 

Services 

SDO Solar Dynamics Observatory 

SeaWiFS Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor 

SE&I System Engineering and Integration 

SEMAA Science Engineering Mathematics 

Aerospace Academy 

SET Space Environment Testbeds 

SFCO Space Flight Crew Operations 

SFS Space and Flight Support 

SFW Subsonic Fixed Wing 

SH Southern Hemisphere 

SI Strategic Integration 

SGLT Space-to-Ground Link Terminals 

SI Science Instrument(s) 

SIM Space Interferometry Mission 

SIR System Integration Review 

SLS Space Launch System 

SM-4 Servicing Mission–4 (Hubble) 

SMAP Soil Moisture Active/Passive 

SMD Science Mission Directorate 

SMEX Small Explorer 

REF-8
Reference: Acronyms and Abbreviations

SN Space Network 

SNGG Space Network Ground Segment 

Sustainment 

SNSB Swedish National Space Board 

SoI Summer of Innovation 

SMC/TEL Space and Mission Command/Test and 

Evaluation Directorate 

SMD Science Mission Directorate 

SMEX Small Explorer 

SOC Security Operations Center 

SOC Solar Orbiter Collaboration 

SOFIA Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared 

Astronomy 

SOHO Solar Heliospheric Observer 

SOMD Space Operations Mission Directorate 

SORCE Solar Radiation and Climate Experiment 

SOST Subcommittee on Ocean Science and 

Technology 

SpaceX Space Exploration and Technology 

SPHERES Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, 

Reorient, Experimental Satellites 

SPOC Space Program Operations Contract 

SPP Solar Probe Plus 

SR Senior Review 

SR Space Radiation 

SRA Slip Ring Assembly 

SR&T Supporting Research and Technology 

SRB Standing Review Board 

SRG Stirling Radioisotope Generator 

SRR System Requirement Review 

SRW Subsonic Rotary Wing 

SSC Stennis Space Center 

SSME Space Shuttle Main Engines 

SSO Swiss Space Agency 

SSP Space Shuttle Program 

SSS Sea Surface Salinity 

ST Space Technology 

ST7 Space Technology 7 mission 

STEM Science, Technology, Engineering, and 

Mathematics (Education) 

STEREO Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory 

STI Scientific and Technical Information 

STRG Space Technology Research Grants 

Program 

STS Space Transportation System 

STScI Space Telescope Science Institute 

STTR Small Business Technology Transfer 

Program 

SWIR Short Wave Infrared 

SWOT Surface Water and Ocean Topography 

SwRI Southwest Research Institute 

SXS High-Resolution Soft X-Ray 

Spectrometer 

TAT Test Assessment Team (JWST) 

TBD To be determined 

TDEM Technology Development for Exoplanet 

Missions 

TDRS Tracking and Data Relay Satellite 

TDRSS Tracking and Data Relay Satellite 

System 

THEMIS Time History of Events and Macroscale 

Interactions during Substorms 

TIM Total Irradiance Monitor (Glory 

instrument) 

TIMED Thermosphere, Ionosphere, 

Mesosphere, Energetics and Dynamics 

TIMS Thermal Infrared Multispectral Scanner 

TIRS Thermal Infrared Sensor 

TMI TRMM Microwave Imager 

TNO TPD Netherlands Organization for Applied 

Scientific Research - Institute of Applied 

Physics 

TOF Time of Flight 

TPS Thermal Protection System 

T&R Transition and Retirement 

TRL Technology Readiness Level 

TRMM Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission 

TSDIS TRMM Science Data and Information 

System 

TT&C Flight Tracking Telemetry and Command

TWINS Two Wide–angle Imaging Neutral–atom 

Spectrometers 

U.S.C. United States Code 

UAS Uninhabited Air Systems 

UAV Unmanned Aerial Vehicle 

UCLA University of California at Los Angeles 

UKSA United Kingdom Space Agency 

ULA United Launch Alliance 

USA United Space Alliance 

USAF United States Air Force 

USAID U.S. Agency for International 

Development 

USDA United States Department of Agriculture 

REF-9
Reference: Acronyms and Abbreviations

USE Upper Stage Engine 

USGCRP U.S. Global Change Research Program 

USGS United States Geological Survey 

USRA Universities Space Research 

Association 

UTD University of Texas at Dallas 

UV Ultraviolet 

UVS UV Spectrometer 

VAO Virtual Astronomical Observatory 

VCL Vegetation Canopy Lidar 

VIIRS Visible-Infrared Imager Radiometer Suite 

(NPOESS Preparatory Project 

instrument) 

VTT VTT Technical Research Centre of 

Finland 

WFF Wallops Flight Facility (NASA, managed 

by GSFC) 

WFIRST Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope 

WISE Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer 

WMAP Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe 

WSC White Sands Complex 

WSTF White Sands Test Facility 

XCVR Transceiver 

XMM X-ray Multi-mirror Mission (Newton 

Observatory) 

XPI X-ray Polarimeter Instrument 

REF-10