SCIENCE, AERONAUTICS, AND TECHNOLOGY
FISCAL YEAR 1996 ESTIMATES
BUDGET SUMMARY
OFFICE OF SPACE SCIENCE PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY
SUMMARY OF RESOURCES REQUIREMENTS
FY 1994 FY 1995 FY 1996
(Thousands of Dollars)
* Advanced x-ray astrophysics facility 239,300 234,300 237,600
** Gravity probe-b 42,400 50,000 51,500
** Offsetting reduction -- -- -51,500
* Global geospace science 27,600 40,000 5,400
Payload and instrument development 59,500 53,900 33,100
Explorers 123,300 120,400 129,200
Mission operations and data analysis 405,200 432,400 428,600
Research and analysis 71,100 75,400 90,400
Suborbital program 69,500 67,200 106,700
Information systems 26,500 26,100 25,900
Launch services 84,600 95,800 74,200
Total 1,149,000 1,195,500 1,131,100
* Total Cost information is provided in the Special Issues section
** In October 1994, NASA requested that the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) assemble a review panel to validate the
technical feasibility and scientific merits of Gravity Probe-B (GP-B) relative to other science priorities within the NASA budget.
Discussions are currently underway, with final results anticipated in mid-1995. In the event the panel recommends
continuation of GP-B, equivalent offsets within the NASA budget must be identified.
SCIENCE, AERONAUTICS, AND TECHNOLOGY
FISCAL YEAR 1996 ESTIMATES
BUDGET SUMMARY
OFFICE OF SPACE SCIENCE PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY
SUMMARY OF RESOURCES REQUIREMENTS
FY 1994 FY 1995 FY1996
(Thousands of Dollars)
Distribution of Program Amount by Installation
Johnson Space Center 13 27 --
Kennedy Space Center 300 800 500
Marshall Space Flight Center 314,846 331,763 317,746
Ames Research Center 29,473 27,883 65,739
Langley Research Center 40 900 500
Lewis Research Center 42,900 25,700 --
Goddard Space Flight Center 641,588 677,673 622,830
Jet Propulsion Laboratory 41,468 32,928 57,731
Headquarters 78,372 97,826 66,054
Total 1,149,000 1,195,500 1,131,100
SCIENCE, AERONAUTICS AND TECHNOLOGY
FISCAL YEAR 1996 ESTIMATES
OFFICE OF SPACE SCIENCE PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY
PROGRAM GOALS
The Physics and Astronomy program seeks to expand our understanding of the origin and evolution of the universe, the
fundamental laws of physics, and the formation of stars and planets. The exploration and research activities of this program seek to
answer more specific questions within the four fundamental areas identified as goals of the Space Science program. These more
specific areas are:
Determine the fundamental laws of physics using the unique environment of space;
Determine the processes that drive the Sun and govern its effects on Earth's environment and the heliosphere;
Discover the origin, evolution and fate of the universe, galaxies, stars and planets.
STRATEGY FOR ACHIEVING GOALS
The Physics and Astronomy program is composed of two major elements: astrophysics and space physics. The astrophysics
program is concerned with the origin and evolution of the universe beyond our solar system. Objects studied by the astrophysics
program include distant galaxies and galactic clusters, as well as stars and other structures in nearby galaxies and the interstellar
medium in our own galaxy. Unusual and exotic phenomena -- such as quasars, neutron stars, pulsars, and black holes -- are of
particular interest to the astrophysics program, and are the target of many ground-based and space-based research programs.
Astronomical observations from space avoids image distortion created by the Earth's atmosphere. Many wavelengths are obscured
and some wavelengths cannot be observed from the surface of the Earth at all.
The space physics program is focused upon naturally occurring plasmas, the physical state which comprises 99 percent of all
matter in the universe. Relatively cool plasmas in the planetary ionospheres, the hot plasma of the sun, Earth's and other planets'
magnetospheres, and galactic cosmic-ray plasmas are all the focus of study. Study of Earth's nearby space environment has
revealed a dynamic and complex system of plasmas interacting with the magnetic fields and electric currents surrounding our
planet. This region, comprised of the magnetized solar-wind plasma plus the perturbation in the heliosphere caused by the
presence of the magnetic Earth, is referred to as geospace.
The goals of the Physics and Astronomy program are achieved through a combination of spacecraft missions, instruments and
payloads flown on international and U.S.-sponsored satellites and Shuttle/Spacelab flights, and suborbital missions flown aboard
research aircraft, balloons and sounding rockets. The entire program rests on a solid basis of supporting research and technology,
data analysis, and theory programs designed to fully exploit the data obtained and to foster the next generation of space scientists.
With its unprecedented capabilities in energy coverage, spatial resolution, spectral resolution and sensitivity, the AXAF mission will
provide unique and crucial information on the nature of objects ranging from nearby stars like our sun to quasars at the edge of the
observable universe. The AXAF, initiated in FY 1989, has been significantly restructured, and is scheduled to be launched with an
upper stage by the Shuttle in September 1998 for a five-year mission. AXAF will provide high resolution imaging of the x-ray
spectrum, which is necessary for both the discovery and subsequent investigation of various energetic phenomena associated with
galaxies, stars, neutron stars, black holes, and interstellar material.
Full scale development of the Gravity Probe-B mission was initiated in FY 1993 after a lengthy period of science definition,
technology demonstration, and design and test of prototype components.. This is a highly complex, technically challenging mission
designed to test key elements of Einstein's General Theory of Relativity. The mission will explore the predictions of the theory in two
areas: (1) A measurement of the "dragging of space" by rotating matter; and, (2) A measurement of space time curvature known as
the "geodetic effect". The mission is baselined for launch in October 2000 aboard a Delta launch vehicle. In October 1994, NASA
requested that the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) assemble a review panel to validate the technical feasibility and scientific
merits of the mission in light of other science priorities within the NASA budget. Discussions are currently underway, with final
results anticipated in June 1995. In the event the panel recommends continuation of the GP-B mission, equivalent offsets within
the NASA budget must be identified.
The Global Geospace Science (GGS) program is part of the U.S. contribution to the International Solar Terrestrial Physics (ISTP)
program designed to conduct advanced observations and study of the sun and Earth’s geospace. NASA's two GGS spacecraft, Wind
and Polar, together with Japan's Geotail (launched in 1992) and other Earth observing and near-Earth satellites, will make the first
coordinated geospace measurements of the interaction between the Earth's magnetic field and plasma from the sun, and the
transfer of mass, energy, and heat to the Earth system. Wind will study this transfer at the head of the geospace region which lies
between the Earth and the Sun. Polar will conduct at Earth's poles, and Geotail at a point where the Earth's magnetic region tails
away. Wind was successfully launched in November 1994; Polar is scheduled for launch in December 1995.
Physics and Astronomy Payload and Instrument Development supports a number of instruments and payloads to be used on
international satellites or on Spacelab missions. The Collaborative Solar-Terrestrial Physics (COSTR) program is the other U.S.
contribution (with the GGS program) to the International Solar Terrestrial Physics (ISTP) program. The COSTR program is providing
instruments and subsystems for ISTP missions developed by our international partners, including the European Solar and
Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) and four Cluster spacecraft, with launches scheduled for October and December 1995,
respectively. The Japanese Geotail spacecraft was launched successfully in 1992 and is currently in operation. Payload and
Instrument Development also includes the Tethered Satellite System (TSS) science program; TSS is a cooperative program with Italy
that will contribute to our knowledge about geospace. Launch aboard the Shuttle is scheduled for February 1996.
The Explorer program supports the development of small to moderate-sized astrophysics and space physics missions. The types of
missions selected conduct investigations of an exploratory or survey nature, or have specific objectives that do not require the
capabilities of a large spacecraft or observatory. Missions currently under development include the X-ray Timing Explorer (XTE) and
the Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE), with planned launches in August 1995 and late 1997, respectively. Each mission will be
launched aboard a Delta launch vehicle. The Small Explorer (SMEX) program supports smaller, lower-cost missions with more
focused science objectives which can be flown aboard a Pegasus launch vehicle. SMEX missions currently under development are
the Submillimeter Wave Satellite (SWAS) and the Fast Auroral Snapshot (FAST), both planned for launch in mid-1995. Two new
missions selected for development beginning in FY 1995 are the Transition Region and Coronal Explorer (TRACE) and the Wide-field
Infrared Explorer (WIRE), with planned launches in 1997 and 1998, respectively.
The Mission Operations and Data Analysis program supports satellite operations during the performance of the core missions of
spacecraft, extended operations of selected spacecraft, and for ongoing analysis of data after the usable life of a spacecraft has
expired. Funding is also provided for pre-flight preparations for NASA satellite operations and data analysis activities, and for long-
term data archiving and data base services. In addition, funds from this category are used to support ongoing servicing support and
new instrument development for the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). The HST Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) and
Near Infrared Camera and Multi-object Spectrometer (NICMOS) are being developed for flight in 1997, and the Advanced Camera for
flight in 1999.
The Suborbital program uses aircraft, balloons, and sounding rockets to conduct versatile, relatively low-cost research of the Earth's
ionosphere and magnetosphere, space plasma physics, stellar astronomy, solar astronomy, and high energy astrophysics. Activities
are conducted on both a national and international cooperative basis. Funds are requested beginning in FY 1996 to initiate
development of the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), a cooperative program with Germany that will replace
the aging Kuiper Airborne Observatory (KAO). SOFIA will accomplish infrared studies of the birth and death of stars, formation of
planetary systems, chemical make-up of star-forming clouds in the Milky Way galaxy, nature of the energy sources in other galaxies,
and nature of the outer bodies in our own solar system. Initial operations are scheduled for FY 2000.
The Research and Analysis program provides a solid basis of supporting research and new technology development, research, and
theory-building. Research teams at NASA centers and at universities, industrial laboratories, and other government laboratories are
supported. The scientific information obtained and the technology developed in this program are made available to the scientific
communities and the general public for application to the advancement of scientific knowledge, education and technology. Funds
are also requested in FY 1996 for planning and technology development activities related to the Space Infrared Telescope Facility
(SIRTF). SIRTF is the last of the four Great Observatories and has been the highest priority new mission in astrophysics for many
years. SIRTF will perform science that is complementary to SOFIA, and may include a collaboration with the Japanese to achieve a
portion of its science objectives. Development is planned to begin in FY 1997, with a planned launch in FY 2002.
The Information Systems program in Physics and Astronomy will provide a state-of-the-art computer and data environment to
support science research objectives. This includes high performance networking and computing, with expedient access to data,
mathematical processing tools, and advanced visualization techniques to convert massive amounts of data to meaningful
information, leading to improved scientific insight. Multiple science disciplines will be supported by the projects funded under this
program.
Beginning in FY 1996, mission unique launch services for all Space Science missions requiring expendable launch vehicles are
included as part of the OSS budget. Overall program management rests with NASA’s Launch Vehicles Office (LVO). Launch
services funding budgeted within OSS supports Pegasus launch services for the SMEX missions (FAST, SWAS, TRACE, WIRE);
Medium-lite class launch services for FUSE; Delta launch services for GGS (Wind, Polar), Explorers (ACE, XTE); Atlas launch
services for SOHO; and an Inertial Upper Stage (IUS) for AXAF.
BASIS OF FY 1996 FUNDING REQUIREMENT
ADVANCED X-RAY ASTROPHYSICS FACILITY
FY 1994 FY 1995 FY 1996
(Thousands of Dollars)
Advanced x-ray astrophysics facility development* 239,300 234,300 237,600
* Total Cost information is provided in the Special Issues section
PROGRAM GOALS
The Advanced X-ray Astrophysics Facility (AXAF) will observe matter at the extremes of temperature, density and energy content.
Previous x-ray missions such as the Small Astronomical Satellite-C and the Einstein Observatory have demonstrated that
observations in the x-ray band provide a powerful probe into the physical conditions of a wide range of astrophysical systems. With
its unprecedented capabilities in energy coverage, spatial resolution, spectral resolution and sensitivity, AXAF will provide unique
and crucial information on the nature of objects ranging from nearby stars like our sun to quasars at the edge of the observable
universe. AXAF is the third of NASA's Great Observatories, which include the Hubble Space Telescope and the Compton Gamma
Ray Observatory, and has been given high priority by the National Academy of Sciences Astronomy Survey Committee.
STRATEGY FOR ACHIEVING GOALS
The Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) was assigned responsibility for managing the AXAF Project in 1978 as a successor to the
High Energy Astrophysics Observatory (HEAO) program. The scientific payload was selected through an Announcement of
Opportunity (AO) in 1985 and confirmed for flight readiness in 1989. TRW was selected as prime spacecraft contractor for the
mission, with major subcontracts to Hughes Danbury (mirror development), Eastman Kodak (High Resolution Mirror Assembly --
HRMA), and Ball Aerospace (Science Instrument Module - SIM). The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) also has
significant involvement throughout the program. AXAF will be launched on the Shuttle with an Inertial Upper Stage (IUS) provided
by Boeing. International contributions are being made by the Netherlands (an instrument), Germany (an instrument), Italy (detector
test facilities), and the United Kingdom (microchannel plates and science support).
AXAF was given new start approval in FY 1989, with full scale development contingent upon demonstrating the challenging
advances in mirror metrology and polishing technology. The first pair of mirrors were fabricated and tested in a specially designed
X-ray Calibration Facility at MSFC in 1991, and the x-ray results validated the polishing and metrology. With the success of this
Verification Engineering Test Article (VETA) #1 demonstration, the program proceeded fully into design and development (Phase
C/D).
The AXAF program was restructured in 1992 in response to downward revisions of the future funding projections for NASA
programs. The original baseline was an observatory with six mirror pairs that was planned for a 15 year mission in low Earth orbit
with shuttle servicing. The restructuring produced AXAF-I, an observatory with four mirror pairs to be launched into a high Earth
orbit for a five year life time, and AXAF-S, a smaller observatory flying an X-Ray Spectrometer (XRS). A panel from the National
Academy of Sciences (NAS) endorsed the restructured AXAF program. The FY 1994 AXAF budget was reduced by Congress,
resulting in termination of the AXAF-S mission. The Committees further directed that residual FY 1994 AXAF-S funds be applied
towards development of a similar instrument payload on the Japanese Astro-E mission to mitigate the science impact of losing
AXAF-S. This activity is currently underway, and funding for FY 1996 Astro-E activities is being requested within the Physics and
Astronomy Payload and Instrument Development line.
MEASURES OF PERFORMANCE
HRMA Critical Design Audit (CDA) - Review determined that HRMA design is sufficiently mature, with adequate number of
February 1994 detailed drawings completed and meets all critical performance and interface
requirements. All technical problems or design anomalies were resolved without
compromising system performance, reliability, safety or resource constraints.
Observatory Preliminary Design Review Review confirmed that overall system design is of sufficient maturity, meets all critical
(PDR) - December 1994 technical and performance requirements, established the compatibility of all major
hardware interfaces and represents an acceptable level of technical, cost and schedule
risk to the program.
Instrument CDRs - April 1995 Reviews will confirm that instrument designs are sufficiently mature, meet all critical
performance and interface requirements, and impose acceptable levels of technical,
cost and schedule risk to the overall program.
AXAF Science Center (ASC) Review will validate overall maturity of ASC design, ensure that all major hardware
Critical Design Review (CDR) - and software components adequately support science requirements, and are
July 1995 functionally compatible with all other elements of the ground system.
AXAF Spacecraft Electronic Review will verify that detailed design of key spacecraft subsystems are sufficiently
& Structure CDA - mature and are physically and functionally compatible with established interfaces
December 1995 and performance criteria of overall spacecraft design.
AXAF Observatory CDR - Major milestone. Assess validity and maturity of observatory design as a functionally
February 1996 integrated system in terms of subsystem compatibility, interface requirements and
ability to meet all established performance criteria within acceptable levels of technical,
cost and schedule risk.
Science Instrument Module (SIM) Fabrication of the Science Instrument Module completed at Ball Aerospace.
completed - April 1996 The SIM will house the two focal plane science instruments on AXAF, and must be
completed prior to delivery of flight instruments.
Deliver flight instruments Flight instruments shipped to Ball Aerospace upon completion of integration and test
to Ball - August 1996 activities for integration into SIM (see above).
X-ray calibration tests at MSFC - HRMA and SIM hardware shipped to MSFC and integrated into X-Ray Calibration
January 1997 Facility (XRCF) in late 1996. Tests will verify HRMA mirror alignment and compare
technical performance of mirrors and science instruments against predicted values.
Begin Observatory assembly and test - Initiate integration of completed spacecraft with telescope/instruments at TRW,
October 1997 followed by full-up systems testing (thermal-vac, acoustic, et al).
Deliver Observatory to Kennedy Observatory integration and systems testing completed at TRW. Begin integration
Space Center (KSC) - June 1998 with upper stage, final performance testing, and integration in Shuttle cargo bay.
Launch Observatory - September 1998 Shuttle deployment into low-Earth orbit followed by Upper stage delivery to highly
elliptical operational orbit. Hardware checkout followed by initiation of science
observations.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND PLANS
Recent progress has been extremely positive. Over the past year, AXAF did not lose a day of schedule on the critical path towards
launch. Detailed performance predictions based on test and analysis of the mirrors in fabrication and materials and designs of the
mirror assembly indicate that performance margins have increased dramatically over the past year. Finally, the upper stage
selected provides highly elliptical (10,000 x 140,000 kilometer) orbit, which should increase by over twenty percent the number of
observations AXAF can make in its operational lifetime.
The Observatory PDR was held in December 1994, with no significant problems identified. Mirror development work at Hughes-
Danbury Optical Systems (HDOS) has been completed four months early; all mirrors will be shipped to Optical Coating Laboratories,
Inc. (OCLI) for coating as soon as required. The mirrors were delivered earlier than expected and with better than expected
smoothness, due to technological and process innovations developed at HDOS.
Detailed design activities will continue throughout FY 1995 in support of planned CDRs for instruments and various elements of the
spacecraft and telescope assembly. Mirror fabrication at HDOS will be completed by mid-year, and all mirrors delivered to OCLI by
late 1995. The first coated mirror is scheduled to be shipped to Kodak to begin integration into the HRMA in June, but
efforts are underway to accelerate that date to try to build up additional schedule margin. The Alignment Tower for the High
Resolution Mirror Assembly (HRMA) at Eastman-Kodak is operational, and engineering tests using an uncoated flight mirror were
begun in November.
With the funds requested for FY 1996, AXAF-I development will be more than 80% complete. The spacecraft Structural Test Article
will be completed early in FY 1996, and static testing is scheduled to be completed in the middle of the fiscal year. Detailed design
activities for the spacecraft should be completed early in FY 1996, and fabrication of the flight structure will begin. The spacecraft
CDR is scheduled for February 1996. Development of the HRMA, optical bench, and science instruments will continue in FY 1996,
with deliveries of these items for testing occurring over the last half of the calendar year.
BASIS OF FY 1996 FUNDING REQUIREMENT
GRAVITY PROBE-B
FY 1994 FY 1995 FY 1996
(Thousands of Dollars)
Gravity probe-b development* 42,400 50,000 51,500
* Total Cost information is provided in the Special Issues section
PROGRAM GOALS
The purpose of the GP-B mission is to verify Einstein's theory of general relativity. This is the most accepted theory of gravitation
and of the large scale structure of the Universe. General relativity is a cornerstone of our understanding of the physical world, and
consequently our interpretation of observed phenomena. However, it has only been tested in a limited number of ways. An
experiment is needed to more precisely explore the predictions of the theory in two areas: (1) A measurement of the "dragging of
space" by rotating matter; and, (2) A measurement of space time curvature known as the "geodetic effect". The former (1) has never
been measured and the latter; (2) needs to be measured more precisely. Whether the experiment confirms or contradicts Einstein's
theory, its results will be of the highest scientific importance. The measurements of both the geodetic and frame dragging effects
will allow Einstein's Theory to be either rejected or given greater credence. The effect of invalidating Einstein's theory would be
profound, and would call for major revisions of our concepts of physics and cosmology.
The advanced technologies required for GP-B are also relevant to meeting the goals of the Space Technology Enterprise of the NASA
strategic plan. GP-B is contributing to the development of cutting-edge space technologies which are also applicable to future space
science missions and transportation systems.
STRATEGY FOR ACHIEVING GOALS
This test of the general theory requires advanced applications in superconductivity, magnetic shielding, precision manufacturing,
spacecraft control mechanisms, and cryogenics. The GP-B spacecraft will employ super-precise quartz gyroscopes (small quartz
spheres machined to an atomic level of smoothness); coated with a super-thin film of superconducting material (needed to be able to
"read-out" changes in the direction of spin of the gyros); encased in a ultra-low magnetic-shielded, supercooled environment
(requiring a complex process of lead-shielding, a Dewar containing supercooled helium, and a sophisticated interface among the
instrument's telescope, the shielded instrument probe, and the Dewar); and maintained with a level of instantaneous pointing
accuracy of 20 milliarcseconds (requiring precise star-tracking, a "drag free" spacecraft control system, and micro-precision
thrusters). The combination of these technologies will enable GP-B to measure: (1) the distortion caused by the movement of the
Earth's gravitational field as the Earth rotates west to east; and, (2) the distortion caused by the movement of the GP-B spacecraft
through the Earth's gravitational field south to north, to a level of precision of 0.2 milliarcsecond per year, the width of a human
hair observed from 50 miles.
The expertise to design, build and test GP-B, as well as the detailed understanding of the requirements for the Dewar and
spacecraft, resides at Stanford University in Palo Alto, CA. Consequently, MSFC has assigned responsibility for experiment
management, design, and hardware performance to Stanford. Science experiment hardware development (probe, gyros, dewar, et al)
is conducted at Stanford in collaboration with Lockheed/Palo Alto Research Laboratory (LPARL). Spacecraft development and
systems integration will be performed by Lockheed Missiles and Space Corporation (LMSC). Launch is scheduled for October 2000
aboard a Delta II launch vehicle.
MEASURES OF PERFORMANCE
Probe C PDR - July 1994 Probe C is flight model of container that interfaces the science instrument with the
Dewar, carrying plumbing, electronic, and data links, out of the Dewar. Design review
verified incorporation of modifications derived from Probe B prototype, verified that
overall design meets all established interface and performance requirements.
Probe B delivery - August 1994 Completed final integration and test of prototype probe assembly. Integrated with
engineering model dewar for performance testing (Ground Test-1A).
Ground Tests - 1A Start - February 1995 Tests the operation of Probe-B protoflight model of the science instrument under
cryogenic conditions to validate operations procedures and evaluate overall
systems performance.
Probe C CDR - July 1995 Confirms that design is of sufficient maturity and detail, and is compatible with
established interfaces (thermal, structural, etc.). Freezes design prior to initiation of
full-scale hardware fabrication.
Spacecraft PDR - November 1995 LMSC-developed spacecraft bus will house the Dewar, Probe, and Science Instrument.
Review will determine overall maturity of design, assuring that all critical interfaces
and performance criteria have been met. Successful completion will initiate detailed
design activities at the subsystem level.
Science Instrument Assembly (SIA) SIA is quartz block that houses the quartz gyros, proof mass, electronic pickup
Preliminary Design Review (PDR) - sensors, and supporting mechanisms. Review will assess overall design maturity,
January 1996 compatibility with established interfaces, and ability to achieve critical performance
requirements.
Flight Model Dewar Delivery - Delivery of the largest Helium Dewar ever made for a science mission. Ready for
November 1996 integration with Probe B prototype for second series of performance tests.
Ground Tests-2 start - June 1997 Conduct second series of performance tests using flight model dewar and Probe B
prototype.
Probe C delivery - September 1997 Complete integration and test of flight model.
Spacecraft CDR - October 1997 Verify that detailed design of spacecraft bus meets all critical interface and
performance requirements, with acceptable levels of technical and programmatic risk.
Successful completion freezes design and initiates hardware fabrication phase.
Payload/Spacecraft integration - SIA shipped to LMSC for integration with spacecraft bus. Initiate system-level testing
October 1999 to verify flight performance.
Ship to KSC - June 2000 Complete flight verification testing. Begin integration with launch vehicle.
Launch - October 2000 Development phase complete. Initiate mission operations phase.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND PLANS
Recent activities continue on or ahead of the baseline schedule to launch Gravity Probe-B by October 2000. The telescope
Requirements Review and Hardware Preliminary Design Review (PDR) were completed in May 1994, two months ahead of schedule.
The Probe-C PDR was completed in July, two months ahead of schedule. Welding of the flight Dewar was recently performed using
an automated process; this is the largest spacecraft Dewar ever to be manufactured.
Preparation for the second series of cryogenic ground tests are scheduled to begin in February 1995. These tests will integrate the
recently delivered Probe B prototype with the engineering model dewar to simulate operations in a simulated flight environment.
CDRs are scheduled for the telescope assembly and the Probe C (flight model) in mid-1995, and detailed design activities will
continue at LMSC in preparation for a spacecraft PDR in November.
In October 1994, NASA requested that the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) assemble a review panel to validate the technical
feasibility and scientific merits of the mission relative to other science priorities within the NASA budget. Discussions are currently
underway, with final results anticipated in mid-1995. In the event the panel recommends continuation of the GP-B mission,
equivalent offsets within the NASA budget must be identified in order to support the program in FY 1996 and beyond.
BASIS OF FY 1996 FUNDING REQUIREMENT
GLOBAL GEOSPACE SCIENCE
FY 1994 FY 1995 FY 1996
(Thousands of Dollars)
Global geospace science development* 27,600 40,000 5,400
* Total Cost information is provided in the Special Issues section
PROGRAM GOALS
Global Geospace Science (GGS) is part of the United States' contribution to the International Solar Terrestrial Physics (ISTP)
program. This program is an international, multi-spacecraft, collaborative science mission designed to provide the measurements
necessary for a new and comprehensive understanding of the interaction between the sun and the Earth. GGS will allow the United
States to become a full partner in the ISTP program, reinforcing our commitments to international cooperation and maintaining a
leadership role in solar-terrestrial physics.
STRATEGY FOR ACHIEVING GOALS
GGS is a complementary science mission to the Collaborative Solar Terrestrial Research (COSTR) program under which NASA
provides instruments and launch support in exchange for access to science data in a cooperative effort with the European Space
Agency (ESA) and the Japanese Institute of Space and Aeronautical Science (ISAS). The combined ISTP program will include eight
spacecraft: two U.S. spacecraft, Wind and Polar; five ESA spacecraft, including the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) and
four Cluster spacecraft; and one ISAS spacecraft, Geotail. Launch of this suite of systems began in 1992 with the successful launch
of Geotail and will be completed by late 1995.
The GGS spacecraft will combine their measurements with the Geotail satellite and other Earth Observing Satellites as the first
phase of the ISTP program. The two U.S. spacecraft, Wind and Polar, will use a total of nineteen instruments to make simultaneous
measures of the interaction of the solar wind with the Earth's magnetic field, both at the head of the field and as the field surrounds
the Earth. GGS will provide the first coordinated geospace measurements of these key plasma source and storage regions, perform
multi-spectral global auroral imaging, and provide multi-point study of the Earth's magnetic response to the solar wind. The GGS
mission will enhance understanding of how energy and matter from the sun influences Earth's geospace and atmosphere,
contributing to assessments of the relationship of the sun to the Earth's climate. GGS spacecraft contract award was completed in
FY 1989, as was final confirmation and initiation of instrument development activity. Wind was successfully launched in November
1994; Polar launch is scheduled for December 1995.
MEASURES OF PERFORMANCE
Polar Integration and Test (I&T) Halted integration and test activities on Polar, pending successful
standdown - May 1994 launch and checkout of Wind to assure spacecraft functionality
Wind launch - November 1994 Development phase complete. Initial spacecraft checkout followed by initiation of
mission operations phase.
Polar Thermal - Vacuum Test - Conduct critical performance testing of fully integrated spacecraft (with instruments)
March 1995 with fully operational flight software in a simulated space environment.
Polar Validation & Verification Comprehensive ground systems test of procedures for launch and early orbit
(V&V) test - sequences, instrument activation, mission operations, and contingency modes
Part 1 - August 1995 conducted via the GSFC Payload Operations Control Center (POCC) while the
Part 2 - September 1995 spacecraft is located in the high bay at Martin Marietta. Part 2 test is similar in scope
to POCC V +V Test (Part 1) but occurs with the spacecraft close to full flight
configuration after completion of final environmental tests.
Ship Polar spacecraft to Pad - Fully integrated and tested Polar spacecraft shipped to Vandenburg Air Force Base
October 1995 (VAFB) for integration with Delta II launch vehicle.
Polar launch - December 1995 Development phase complete. Initial spacecraft checkout followed by initiation of
mission operations phase.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND PLANS
Since April 1994, the Wind Spacecraft experienced an almost flawless integration and test process. The spacecraft was delivered to
the launch site at Kennedy Space Center (KSC) ahead of schedule and was processed and launched successfully on November 1,
1994. A 30 day report following the launch reflects a spacecraft activation and instrument sequence of events with few or no
anomalies. Initial Wind operations have provided excellent science data return, with good indications of nominal performance
throughout the operational lifetime of the spacecraft.
Following the successful launch of Wind, final integration and test work on Polar work was resumed in December 1994. A new
baseline schedule reflects a Polar launch readiness date (LRD) of December 9, 1995. A recent Program Management Council review
of the new Polar schedule and remaining funding has certified the schedule and the remaining funds as adequate to complete the
program. FY 1995 funds will support extensive system-level testing of the integrated spacecraft. FY 1996 funds support final
integration, test and launch operations at Vandenburg Air Force Base (VAFB) by December 1995.
BASIS OF FY 1996 FUNDING REQUIREMENT
PAYLOAD AND INSTRUMENT DEVELOPMENT
FY 1994 FY 1995 FY 1996
(Thousands of Dollars)
Collaborative solar terrestrial research 32,800 23,200 3,800
Tethered satellite system 2,400 3,800 5,700
Shuttle/international payloads 24,300 26,900 23,600
Total 59,500 53,900 33,100
PROGRAM GOALS
Physics and Astronomy Payload and Instrument Development supports a number of instruments and payloads to be used on
international satellites or on Spacelab missions. International collaborative programs offer opportunities to leverage U.S.
investments, obtaining scientific data at a relatively low cost. Spacelab missions utilize the unique capabilities of the Shuttle to
perform scientific experiments that do not require the extended operations provided by free-flying spacecraft. The Payload and
Instrument Development program supports investigations in all space physics and astrophysics disciplines.
STRATEGY FOR ACHIEVING GOALS
The Collaborative Solar Terrestrial Research (COSTR) program, in conjunction with NASA's development of the GGS spacecraft,
represents the U.S. contribution to the International Solar Terrestrial Physics (ISTP) program. Whereas GGS supports development
of U.S. spacecraft, COSTR provides U.S. instruments for flight aboard foreign spacecraft. These include the Solar and Heliospheric
Observatory (SOHO), four Cluster spacecraft provided by the European Space Agency (ESA), and the Geotail mission developed by
Japan. Geotail was successfully launched in July 1992 and its operation is nominal. The European SOHO and Cluster missions
are scheduled for launch in late 1995. The ISTP ensemble of missions will provide overlapping and simultaneous data in FY 1996
aimed at deriving the physics of the behavior of the solar terrestrial system.
The Tether Satellite System (TSS) program is an international cooperative project with the Italian government. A U.S.-developed
tether deployment mechanism carried aboard the Shuttle will deploy the Italian satellite (including U.S. instruments) into the upper
atmosphere to perform space plasma experiments while also investigating the dynamic forces acting upon a tethered satellite. The
mission originally was flown aboard the Shuttle in July 1992, although a technical malfunction in the deployer resulted in failure to
fully accomplish the mission objectives. A reflight of the TSS is therefore planned for the spring of 1996.
Payloads funding also supports development of several instruments designed for flight on the Space Shuttle, including the Orbiting
and Retrievable Far and Extreme Ultraviolet Spectrometer (ORFEUS) and Interstellar Medium Absorption Profile Spectrograph
(IMAPS), to be flown on the German-U.S. Shuttle Pallet Satellite (SPAS); Astro-2 (1995), a reflight of the ultraviolet portion of the
Astro-1 (1990) mission; and the Infrared Telescope in Space (IRTS, 1995), a joint U.S.-Japanese mission which will be launched on
an expendable launch vehicle and recovered by the Shuttle. The ORFEUS/IMAPS, which flew aboard the Shuttle in the
summer of 1993 and will be reflown on a future Shuttle mission, explores the character of extreme and far ultraviolet sources,
studies the composition and distribution of matter in the neighborhood of the sun, and performs direct observations of the
interstellar medium. Astro-2 will perform far ultraviolet spectroscopy, broad-band ultraviolet imaging and ultraviolet polarization
studies of galactic and stellar phenomena. The IRTS mission will survey the sky for cool galactic and intergalactic phenomena
across a broad range of the infrared spectrum.
The program also supports a number of ongoing international and U.S. development projects. These include Astro-E, a Japanese x-
ray mission; the High Energy Transient Experiment (HETE, 1995), a small satellite for study of gamma-ray burst phenomena in
multiple wavelengths; ground-based support for Japan's Very Long Baseline Interferometry Space Observatory Program
(VSOP, 1996) and Russia's RADIOASTRON (1997) program; the Stellar X-ray Polarimeter (SXRP) and Monitoring Experiment (MOXE)
instruments to be flown on Russia's Spectrum-X-Gamma (SXG, 1995) mission; U.S. cooperation on the Infrared Space Observatory
(ISO, 1995), a European successor to the U.S.-developed Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS, 1983); and portions of two
instruments to be flown on Europe's X-ray Mirror Mission (XMM, 1998).
In the FY 1994 appropriation, Congress directed NASA to pursue flight of a GSFC-developed X-ray spectrometer on the Japanese
Astro-E mission. NASA will contribute improved foil mirrors and an x-ray calorimeter derived from the spectrometer previously
planned for the canceled AXAF-S mission. This new device will measure the energy of an incoming X-ray photon by precisely
measuring the increase in temperature of the detector as the photon is absorbed. It will provide high quantum efficiency over a
large instantaneous bandpass, from 0.3 to 10 keV, at an unprecedented energy resolution of approximately 12 eV. The 32 element
calorimeter array will cover approximately 1 arc minute, thus providing approximately 2 arc second resolution. This capability will
permit an unprecedented sensitivity study of a wide range of astrophysical sources, answer many outstanding questions in
astrophysics, and likely pose many new ones.
HETE is a collaborative program with France and Japan that is managed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. As part of
its innovative management activities, the university team has obtained an inexpensive satellite from industry, reduced management
overhead, relied exclusively on mature technologies, and used contributions from international partners. This mission is to provide
information about the precise location of gamma-ray bursters and spectral analysis of these and other high energy transient
phenomena.
The Space Very Long Baseline Interferometry (SVLBI) program is composed of the Japanese VSOP and Russian Radioastron
missions. These two international missions will provide the highest resolution images of radio sources ever obtained. NASA is
participating on the science advisory groups and providing ground processing hardware, tracking support, and the construction of
four ground science stations to support both missions. With its extremely long baseline, VSOP and Radioastron will explore very
small radio sources with high angular resolution, thereby achieving higher resolution of active galactic nuclei and compact radio
sources that can be achieved on the ground. VSOP and Radioastron each has a design life of 3 years.
The U.S.-provided MOXE and SXRP instruments on the Russian SXG mission will complement other instruments on the spacecraft.
The Russian SXG mission consists of an x-ray telescope with a complement of focal plane detectors and several auxiliary
instruments. The U.S. is providing the SXRP and MOXE instruments to be flown on the SXG and a data archiving system. The
SXRP will provide low resolution polarization data across the x-ray spectrum. The MOXE will provide all sky monitoring of transient
x-ray events. SXG has a design life of 3 years.
The ESA XMM satellite will have highly sensitive instruments providing broad-band study of the x-ray spectrum. This mission will
combine telescopes with grazing incidence mirrors and a focal length greater than 7.5 meters with three imaging array instruments
and two Reflection Grating Spectrometers (RGS). The U.S. is providing components to the Optical Monitor (OM) and RGS
instruments. The XMM has a lifetime goal of 10 years.
MEASURES OF PERFORMANCE
SOHO L-1/Cluster L-2 Readiness Provided an independent assessment of progress toward, and readiness
Review - July 1994 for, mission operations.
SOHO XDL detector deliveries Successfully completed development of replacement detectors for two major
Complete - October 1994 SOHO instruments due to failure of baseline detector design in testing.
Astro-2 launch - March 1995 Complete development phase; conduct operations aboard Shuttle mission STS 67.
SOHO launch - October 1995 Spacecraft/instrument integration and test completed; launch aboard Atlas IIAS;
initiate mission operations.
HETE launch - November 1995 Spacecraft/instrument integration and test completed; launch aboard Pegasus;
initiate mission operations.
Cluster launch - November 1995 Spacecraft/instrument integration and test completed; launch aboard Ariane V;
initiate mission operations.
TSS launch - February 1996 Refurbishment/integration/test activities completed; conduct operations aboard
Shuttle mission STS 75.
VSOP launch - September 1996 Instrument/spacecraft integration and test completed: Japanese launch.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND PLANS
In 1994, significant progress has been made towards completion of the development of the COSTR program. All flight model and
protoflight model instruments were delivered to the ESA and Japan for integration and test with the SOHO and Cluster spacecraft.
Critical design and fabrication of the new Cross Delay-line (XDL) detectors for SOHO instruments, the German-built Ultraviolet
Coronagraph Spectrometer (UVCS) and Solar Ultraviolet Measurement of Emitted Radiation (SUMER) instruments, was completed in
October. Failure of the original detectors to survive qualification tests required development of new detectors in only about one
year's time --- a significant accomplishment. Additional refurbishment and rework of SOHO and Cluster instruments will be
completed in FY 1995 in Europe and Japan in support of planned launches in late 1995.
Refurbishment of the TSS satellite and instrument payload will continue throughout FY 1995 in support of the planned Shuttle
mission in February 1996.
In support of Congressional direction, residual FY 1994 AXAF funds were applied towards definition of U.S. participation in the
Japanese Astro-E mission. The scope of U.S. involvement on the Astro-E mission has recently been very well defined. NASA has
reached an understanding with the Japanese as to the extent of our participation; this understanding is expected to be formalized
by an international agreement in the very near future. Current plans are for the U.S. to develop selected hardware for an X-Ray
Spectrometer (XRS) similar to the instrument previously planned to fly aboard the AXAF-S mission. Residual FY 1994 funds from
AXAF are sufficient to support definition activities throughout FY 1995. Phase B activities for Astro-E will be completed in
FY 1995; full-scale development activities will begin in FY 1996 in support of a planned launch in late 1999.
Final integration and test activities are nearing completion for the HETE spacecraft which will launch in mid-late 1995. The SXG
instruments, SXRP and MOXE, will be shipped to Russia in support of a 1995 launch. The SVLBI program began compatibility
testing of Japanese VSOP hardware with U.S. tracking stations in the fall 1994. First Announcement of Opportunity (AO) for
international competition of observing time is expected to be released in the spring 1995, with initial VSOP operations scheduled to
begin in September 1996. XMM Phase B studies started in October 1994. Structural thermal models of the instruments are to be
shipped by the fall of 1995. Engineering qualification models of the instruments are to be shipped by the summer of 1996 in
support of a launch in 1998
BASIS OF FY 1996 FUNDING REQUIREMENT
EXPLORER PROGRAM
FY 1994 FY 1995 FY 1996
(Thousands of Dollars)
X-ray timing explorer 36,500 32,600 --
Advanced composition explorer 33,200 39,600 36,000
Small explorers 39,400 33,100 37,900
Explorer planning 14,200 15,100 55,300
*Total 123,300 120,400 129,200
* Total Cost information is provided in the Special Issues section
PROGRAM GOALS
The goal of the Explorer program is to provide frequent, low-cost access to space for Physics and Astronomy investigations which
can be accommodated with small to mid-sized spacecraft. The program supports investigations in all space physics and
astrophysics disciplines. Investigations selected for Explorer projects are usually of a survey nature, or have specific objectives not
requiring the capabilities of a major observatory. The Explorer program continues to seek reductions in the cost of developing
spacecraft, in order to provide more frequent launch opportunities for space science missions.
STRATEGY FOR ACHIEVING GOALS
Explorer mission development is managed within an essentially level funding profile. New mission starts are therefore subject to
availability of sufficient funding in order to stay within the total program budget. The X-Ray Timing Explorer (XTE) and the
Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) require a Delta launch vehicle. Small Explorers (SMEX) include the Fast Auroral Snapshot
(FAST), the Submillimeter Wave Astronomy Satellite (SWAS), the Transition Region and Coronal Explorer (TRACE) and the Wide-field
Infrared Explorer (WIRE). These missions will launch aboard a Pegasus launch vehicle. To facilitate more frequent flights, the new
Medium-class Explorer (MIDEX) program will be initiated with the anticipated new start of the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopy Explorer
(FUSE) in FY 1996. MIDEX missions will be larger than SMEXs, but smaller and less expensive than Delta class missions and will
be launched aboard a new Med-Lite class launch vehicle.
The XTE will use three instruments to conduct timing studies of x-ray sources. A comprehensive record of the source of x-rays with
varying intensity over time, characterization of those attributes, and study of compact x-ray emitting objects such as binary stellar
masses will be performed by XTE. The XTE spacecraft and one of its instruments are being developed in-house at GSFC,
with two instruments provided by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the University of California - San Diego. The XTE
was initiated in FY 1990 and is on schedule for launch in August 1995.
The ACE is a space physics mission which will use nine instruments to study the composition of the solar corona, interplanetary
and interstellar media, and galactic matter across a wide range of plasma phenomena. The instruments include six high-resolution
spectrometers, designed to improve the collecting power of previous systems, to study the mass and charge of plasma phenomena.
Three other instruments will provide measures of the lower energy phenomena related to the solar wind. Spacecraft development is
provided by the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, with project management by GSFC. Foreign participation
includes the University of Bern and the Max Planck Institute, who provide instrument components and a flight data system shared
by three instruments, respectively. ACE development was initiated in November 1993; it is scheduled for launch no later than
December 1997.
The FAST will provide high resolution data on the Earth's aurora and how electrical and magnetic forces control them. The flow of
electrons, protons, and other ions will be studies with greater sensitivity and spatial discrimination and faster sampling than ever
before, using five small university-provided instruments. The FAST data will be integrated with the results of other Earth observing
satellites and ground observations. The FAST is managed as a GSFC inhouse project. Major participants include UC-Berkeley, the
Lockheed Palo Alto Research Laboratory, the University of New Hampshire, and UC-Los Angeles. FAST development began in FY
1991. The launch of FAST was delayed from September 1994 to August of 1995 due to failure of a Pegasus launch vehicle.
The SWAS will provide discrete spectral data for study of the water, molecular oxygen, neutral carbon, and carbon monoxide in
dense interstellar clouds, the presence of which is related to the formation of stars. The SWAS is managed as a GSFC inhouse
project. Major participants also include the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, the Millitech Corporation, Ball Aerospace, and
the University of Cologne, which provides a spectrometer. The SWAS development started in FY 1991, and is scheduled for launch
in July of 1995.
The TRACE is a solar science mission that will explore the connections between fine-scale magnetic fields and their associated
plasma structures. Observations of solar-surface magnetic fields will be combined with observations showing their effects in the
photosphere, chromosphere, transition region and corona. The TRACE is managed as a GSFC inhouse project. Major participants
include the Lockheed Palo Alto Research Laboratory and the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. The TRACE
development began in October 1994 and is scheduled for launch in late 1997.
The WIRE will detect starburst galaxies at a redshift of .5, ultraluminous galaxies at a redshift of 2, and luminous protogalaxies to a
redshift of 5. WIRE is managed as a GSFC inhouse project. Major participants include Utah State University, Ball Aerospace,
Cornell University, CalTech, and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The WIRE development was also initiated in October 1994, and is
scheduled for launch in late 1998.
The mid-sized Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE, 2000) mission is currently being restructured, with the goal of reducing
costs and accelerating the launch schedule. If approved, FUSE will conduct high resolution spectroscopy in the far ultraviolet
region. Major participants will include the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, the University of Colorado, and
UC-Berkeley. Canada will provide telescope baffles and fine error sensor assemblies. GSFC will provide management oversight of
this Principal Investigator-managed mission. NASA will soon be releasing an Announcement of Opportunity for participation in two
future missions of the new MIDEX class. MIDEX missions are conceived of as costing under $70 million, expressed in constant FY
1994 dollars. NASA plans to launch the first two MIDEX missions in 1999 and 2000, respectively.
MEASURES OF PERFORMANCE
XTE:
Begin environmental tests - Following completion of integration, the spacecraft entered its series of electrical,
October 1994 magnetic, vibration, thermal/vacuum, and balance tests.
Ship to KSC - June 1995 Spacecraft system level testing successfully completed. Move to pad for integration
with Delta II launch vehicle.
Launch - August 1995 Development phase completed. Initial spacecraft checkout followed by start of mission
operations.
ACE:
Preliminary Design Review Review confirmed overall system design is of sufficient maturity, meets all critical
(PDR) - November 1993 technical and performance requirements, established the compatibility of all major
hardware interfaces and represents an acceptable level of technical, cost and schedule
risk to the program. Successful completion marks beginning of detailed design phase.
Critical Design Review Assess validity and maturity of observatory design as a functionally integrated system
(CDR) - September 1994 in terms of subsystem compatibility, interface requirements and ability to meet all
established performance criteria within acceptable levels of technical, cost and
schedule risk. Successfully completed; integration/test phase initiated.
Initiate ACE spacecraft Assembly of the spacecraft begins, as subsystems are delivered.
subsystem I&T - September 1995
Begin environmental tests - Following completion of integration, the spacecraft enters its series of electrical,
November 1996 magnetic, vibration, thermal/vacuum, and balance tests.
Ship to KSC - July 1997 Spacecraft system level testing successfully complete. Move to KSC for integration with
Delta II launch vehicle.
Launch - August 1997 Development phase completed. Initial spacecraft checkout followed by start of mission
operations.
SWAS:
Critical Design Review Assess validity and maturity of observatory design as a functionally integrated system
(CDR) - November 1993 in terms of subsystem compatibility, interface requirements and ability to meet all
established performance criteria within acceptable technical, cost and schedule risk.
Successful completion marked beginning of integration/test phase.
Begin environmental tests - Following completion of integration, the spacecraft entered its series of electrical,
February 1995 magnetic, vibration, thermal/vacuum, and balance tests.
Begin launch operations - June 1995 Spacecraft system level testing successfully completed. Ship to Vandenburg Air Force
Base for integration with Pegasus launch vehicle.
Launch - July 1995 Development phase completed. Spacecraft checkout followed by start of mission
operations.
FAST:
Begin environmental tests - March 1994 Following completion of integration, the spacecraft entered its series of electrical,
magnetic, vibration, thermal/vacuum, and balance tests
Begin launch operations - June 1995 Spacecraft system level testing successfully completed. Ship to Vandenburg Air Force Base
(VAFB) for integration with Pegasus launch vehicle.
Launch - August 1995 Development phase completed. Spacecraft checkout followed by start of mission
operations.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND PLANS
Progress to date on XTE has been very good. It appears that XTE will achieve the aggressive goals set for the program over 3 years
ago, by launching on schedule and under budget. Environmental testing is currently underway, with vibration and acoustic testing
beginning in January, and will continue through mid-1995. Launch remains on schedule for August 1995.
By the end of FY 1995, CDRs for all of the ACE instruments will have been completed. Spacecraft subsystem development is
scheduled to advance sufficiently to allow the start of integration and test this summer. Instruments are scheduled for shipment to
the spacecraft during the latter part of FY 1996 in support of an August 1997 launch.
The FAST and the SWAS are both scheduled for launch in mid-1995. The FAST was previously scheduled for launch in late FY
1994, but is currently on standby due to the recent failure of the Pegasus launch vehicle. The SWAS spacecraft and instrument
hardware fabrication and testing activities are nearing completion, and preparations are underway to initiate system-level
environmental testing in support of a launch in mid-late 1995. Two new SMEX missions, TRACE and WIRE were selected in 1994
as new developments beginning in FY 1995. In keeping with the SMEX philosophy of low-cost missions with short development
schedules, both TRACE and WIRE will complete design activities in FY 1995, and development of components will be completed in
FY 1996. TRACE is scheduled for launch in late 1997, and WIRE launch is scheduled for late 1998.
Funding from the Explorers planning line will support the FUSE mission until the schedule and budget for the restructured mission
is approved. Also supported will be advanced planning and studies for the future MIDEX missions. NASA also plans to fund a
technology development program within the Explorer program, with the goal of reducing the weight and cost of future small
spacecraft. The size and scope of this technology development effort are currently under review.
BASIS OF FY 1996 FUNDING REQUIREMENT
MISSION OPERATIONS AND DATA ANALYSIS
FY 1994 FY 1995 FY 1996
(Thousands of Dollars)
HST operations and servicing 215,200 236,700 182,700
HST data analysis 38,500 42,700 43,500
AXAF mission operations and data analysis 11,600 18,900 40,400
Astrophysics mission operations and data analysis 84,500 84,700 79,600
Space physics mission operations and data analysis 55,400 49,400 82,400
Total 405,200 432,400 428,600
PROGRAM GOALS
The Mission Operations and Data Analysis (MO&DA) program is fundamental to achievement of the goals of the Office of Space
Science (OSS) program. Funding supports satellite operations during the performance of the core missions of astrophysics and
space physics spacecraft, extended operations of selected spacecraft, and for ongoing analysis of data after the usable life of
spacecraft has expired. Funding also supports pre-flight preparations for satellite operations and data analysis activities, and long-
term data archiving and data base services. Also supported are preparations for future servicing of the Hubble Space Telescope
(HST), including development of advanced science instruments. Furthermore, the MO&DA program attempts to dramatically lower
operations costs while preserving, to the greatest extent possible, science output. To do so, it will accept prudent risk, explore new
conceptual approaches, streamline management, and make other changes to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
STRATEGY FOR ACHIEVING GOALS
Hubble Space Telescope (HST) science operations are carried out through an independent HST Science Institute, which operates
under a long-term contract with NASA. Satellite operations, including telemetry, flight operations, and initial science data
transcription, are performed on-site at Goddard Space Flight Center under separate contract. While NASA retains operational
responsibility for the observatory, the Science Institute plans, manages, and schedules the scientific operations. In a single year of
operations, the activities of over 500 scientists are supported under the HST program, and over 15,000 observations recorded.
In order to extend its operational life and provide a basis for future enhancements of its scientific capabilities, HST is designed to be
serviceable. This requires on-orbit maintenance and changeout of spacecraft subsystems and scientific instruments about every
three years. Ongoing modification and upkeep of system ground operations are also performed.
Pre-launch operations funding for the Advanced X-ray Astrophysics Facility (AXAF) program supports the development of a ground
control system, AXAF Science Center (ASC) and preparation for flight system operation. A common ground system located at the
Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) will be used to serve the combined requirements for the Space Shuttle, Spacelab, and AXAF
flight operations. The ASC, developed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), supports x-ray calibration of the flight
mirror assembly and instruments using a precursor of the AXAF data system during the pre-launch phase of the program and will
ultimately serve a key role in the management of science operations.
Currently, five operational missions in astrophysics and eight operational missions in space physics are supported. Astrophysics
missions include the Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory (CGRO, 1991), the Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer (EUVE, 1992), the
International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE, 1978), and U.S. participation in the international Roentgen Satellite (ROSAT, 1990) and
Japanese Astro-D/ASCA (1993). Space physics missions include Wind (1994), Geotail (1992), the Japanese cooperative satellite
Yohkoh (1991), Ulysses (1990), Voyager 1 and 2 (1977), Pioneer 10 and 11 (1972, 1973), SAMPEX (1992), and the Interplanetary
Monitoring Platform (IMP-8, 1973).
The CGRO measures gamma-rays, providing unique information on phenomena occurring in quasars, active galaxies, black holes,
neutron stars, supernova, and the nature of the mysterious cosmic gamma-ray bursts. EUVE is studying the sky at wavelengths
once believed to be completely absorbed by the thin gas between the stars. IUE continues to provide valuable data in ultraviolet
wavelengths for U.S. and European scientists. U.S. observers continue to enjoy 50% of the observing time (shared with Germany
and the UK) from the highly successful ROSAT X-ray satellite. The Japanese/U.S. Astro-D/ASCA spacecraft is conducting spatially
resolved spectroscopic observations of selected cosmic x-ray sources. Wind studies the solar wind input of mass and energy to the
Earth. Wind also carries a Russian gamma-ray instrument, the first Russian instrument ever to be flown on a U.S. spacecraft.
Geotail, a Japanese spacecraft studying the earth’s magnetotail, and the U.S. Wind spacecraft are the first part of the cooperative
International Solar Terrestrial Physics (ISTP) program. The Yohkoh spacecraft, a cooperative program with the Japanese, is
continuing to gather x-ray and spectroscopic data on solar flares and the corona. Ulysses is currently studying the sun's polar
regions, measuring the interplanetary medium and solar wind as a function of heliographic latitude. Voyager 1 and 2 and
Pioneer 10 and 11 are continuing to probe the outer heliosphere and look for the heliospheric boundary with interstellar space as
they travel beyond the planets. SAMPEX is measuring the composition of solar energetic particles, anomalous cosmic rays, and
galactic cosmic rays.
MEASURES OF PERFORMANCE
AXAF:
On-Line System Preliminary Design Validate design/maturity of hardware and software systems which support
Review (CDR) - July 1994 primary aspects of AXAF operations, including data acquisition and distribution to
AXAF Science Center (ASC), spacecraft command/telemetry, etc.
Off-Line System Preliminary Design Validate design/maturity of software system which is used to process spacecraft
Review (PDR) - December 1994 command loads generated by mission planners and flight operations team.
On-Line System Critical Design Major design review for hardware and software systems which support
Review (CDR) - March 1995 primary aspects of AXAF operations, including data acquisition and distribution to
AXAF Science Center (ASC), spacecraft command/telemetry, etc.
Off-Line System Critical Design Validate design/maturity of software system which is used to process spacecraft
(CDR) - September 1995 command loads generated by mission planners and flight operations team.
Off-line Release 1 - January 1996 First major deliveries of ground system hardware and software for integrated
On-line Release 1 - February 1996 systems testing.
HST:
1st Servicing Mission - November 1993 Restore HST to full operational status. Install corrective optics, replace defective
solar arrays, replace High Speed Photometer (HSP) with Wide Field/Planetary
Camera -- WF/PC-II.
NICMOS & STIS Critical Design Reviews Conduct 2-phased review of HST replacement instruments to be installed during
(CDRs) - August 1994 - October 1994 second HST servicing mission. August reviews examined hardware subsystem
designs and interfaces (electrical, thermal, etc.) October reviews examined detailed
designs for software and operations.
2nd Servicing Mission Critical Detailed review of overall content and procedure for the 1997 second servicing
Design Review (CDR) - July 1995 mission.
Cargo Integration Review for the Completes coordination of HST flight hardware and carriers destined for
Second Servicing Mission - March 1996 the space shuttle cargo bay with JSC payload integration.
Delivery of NICMOS and Instrument development activities completed. Shipped to GSFC to begin final
STIS to GSFC - August 1996 integration and testing.
2nd Servicing Mission - February 1997 Replace Faint Object Spectrometer (FOS) and Goddard High Resolution Spectrometer
(GHRS) with STIS, add NICMOS instrument, other replacement hardware as required.
ISTP missions: Acquire in-situ and remote sensing measurements of Sun-Earth environment from
Wind Launch - November 1994 different locations in near-Earth space. Launch dates are important factor
Polar launch - December 1995 in maintaining operations overlap with other ISTP missions.
SOHO launch - October 1995
Cluster launch - November 1995
Explorers:
SWAS launch - July 1995 Acquire discrete spectral data for study of the chemical composition of dense
interstellar clouds, the presence of which is related to the formation of stars.
XTE launch - August 1995 Conduct timing studies of x-ray sources with varying intensity over time,
characterization of those attributes, and study of compact x-ray emitting objects such
as binary stellar masses.
FAST launch - August 1995 Provide high resolution data on the Earth's aurora and how electrical and magnetic
forces control them.
Ulysses:
1st Solar Polar pass: Explore the heliosphere over the full range of solar latitudes (polar regions previously
June-October 1994 unexplored) and to provide an accurate assessment of the total solar environment.
2nd Solar Polar pass:
June-September 1995
ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND PLANS
The first Hubble Space Telescope (HST) servicing mission in December 1993 was a tremendous success. The mission restored the
faint object and crowded field capabilities of the telescope, which had been unavailable due to spherical aberration of the primary
mirror. Also, jitter induced by thermal effects on the observatory’s solar arrays has been corrected by the installation of two
modified solar arrays provided by the European Space Agency. Several subsystems, including gyroscopes and a data processing
system, were installed so as to restore redundancy and to ensure operations until the next servicing mission occurs. The
observatory is now fulfilling the promises NASA made for it, generating an ongoing stream of major scientific discoveries. HST is
generating great public interest as measured by several major news and television reports over the past twelve months. HST images
are also being distributed to school children nationwide through NASA’s national "Teacher Resource Laboratory" system. Recently,
a set of detectors under development for the HST has attracted a great deal of attention due to technology spin-offs. Early
development of these detectors was done within the astrophysics Advanced Technology Development program. These detectors have
been adapted for use in mammography, and significantly reduce the radiation exposure to patients. This new mammography
technology is breaking into the health care field, and is expected to rapidly become the standard. In addition, the same technology
is under assessment by the utilities industry as a means of detecting discharges from leaking electrical power lines. Such an
application holds the potential for saving the nation billions of dollars in utility bills by improving transmission efficiency.
Planning for the second HST servicing mission in 1997 is ongoing. Critical Design Reviews (CDRs) for the Space Telescope Imaging
Spectrograph (STIS) and Near Infrared Camera/Multi-Object Spectrometer (NICMOS) were completed in 1994. Integration and test
activities will continue throughout FY 1995 in support of an August 1996 delivery to Goddard for final integration and testing. In an
effort to reduce outyear funding requirements, estimated costs for an Advanced Camera for the third servicing mission in 1999 have
been reduced by more than a factor of two, with minor impact to science; this has been accomplished through acceptance of higher
technical and programmatic risk, and a reduced development schedule.
Detailed design of the AXAF ground system on-line and off-line systems were conducted, and will continue throughout FY 1995.
Funding in FY 1996 will support the first major deliveries of ground hardware and software for integrated systems testing.
In September 1995, the Ulysses spacecraft passed over the south polar region of the sun providing the first measurements of the
solar wind emerging from the solar poles. It found a wind twice as fast and with different composition than in low latitude regions,
a lower than expected penetration of cosmic rays from outside the solar system, and a magnetic field with large low frequency
waves. The outer heliospheric spacecraft (Pioneers and Voyagers) are finding evidence that the they may encounter the heliospheric
shock (region where the Sun's dominance of space terminates) as early as 1998. Geotail is finding that conditions in the Earth's
magnetic tail are more complex than expected. The Solar Anomalous Magnetospheric Particle Explorer (SAMPEX) is providing the
first detailed measurements of interstellar material that is brought into the Earth's space environment in the form of energetic
particles.
In order to accommodate a growing number of operational spacecraft within MO&DA budgets that are significantly lower than
previously expected, NASA is continuing to pursue cost savings while minimizing science impact. Cost reduction efforts in many
projects are showing results. For missions like CGRO and EUVE, flight operations teams have been reduced from 23 to 19 Full-
Time Equivalents (FTEs); further reductions to the 13-14 FTE range will be possible in 96-97 when the mission operations control
centers have been converted from dedicated computers to workstation-based generic systems. The science instrument operations
team for EUVE is in the middle of a staffing reduction program to convert from three-shift operation to single-shift operation. On
the science analysis side, astrophysics has systematically standardized data formats and modularized data analysis software
packages. Because of such savings and innovations, funding requested should be sufficient to support all currently operating
missions, as well as all newly launched missions, through FY 1996.
In FY 1995, the remaining components of the International Solar Terrestrial Physics (ISTP) program will be launched (SOHO, Polar,
and Cluster) to join Geotail and Wind in orbit. This mission set, along with complementary missions probing the heliosphere
(Ulysses, Pioneers 10 and 11, Voyagers 1 and 2), the cooperative Japanese Yohkoh spacecraft, and the small Explorer missions
SAMPEX, will provide an unprecedented opportunity to study solar variability and the effects of this variability on the Earth's space
environment, and upon the heliosphere at high latitudes and out to distances beyond 60 AU (an AU corresponds to the Earth's
distance from the Sun). However, Pioneer 11 operations will probably be terminated during FY 1995 as a result of the decreasing
power supply on board the spacecraft.
Other missions to be launched include the X-ray Timing Explorer (XTE 8/95), the Submillimeter Wave Astronomy Satellite (SWAS
7/95), Polar (12/95), the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO 10/95), Cluster (11/95), and the Fast Auroral Snapshot (FAST
8/95).
BASIS OF FY 1996 FUNDING REQUIREMENT
RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS
FY 1994 FY 1995 FY 1996
(Thousands of Dollars)
Space physics supporting research and technology 35,700 35,700 35,700
Astrophysics supporting research and technology 35,400 39,700 39,700
Space infrared telescope facility definition --- -- 15,000
Total 71,100 75,400 90,400
PROGRAM GOALS
The goals of the Research and Analysis (R&A) program in Physics and Astronomy are to: (1) optimize the design of future missions
through science definition, development of advanced instruments and concepts, and definition of proposed new missions; (2)
strengthen the technological base for sensor and instrument development; (3) enhance the value of current space missions by
carrying out ground-based observations and laboratory experiments; (4) conduct the basic research necessary to understand
astrophysics phenomena and solar-terrestrial relationships and develop theories to explain observed phenomena and predict new
ones; and, (5) continue the acquisition, analysis and evaluation of data from laboratories, airborne observatories, balloons, rocket
and spacecraft activities. In addition to supporting basic and experimental astrophysics and space physics research for future
flight missions, the program also develops and promotes United States scientific and technological expertise.
STRATEGY FOR ACHIEVING GOALS
The R&A program carries out its objectives by providing grants to universities, nonprofit and industrial research institutions, and
funds to scientists at NASA Centers and other government agencies. Several hundred grants are awarded each year to the
community of scientists. These grants help train future investigators in space science disciplines -- science and engineering
graduate and post graduate students who will become the nation’s future scientific leaders.
Funding also supports Advanced Technology Development (ATD) activities which develop new mission concepts and ensure that the
technology for a mission is mature before development begins in order to minimize cost, schedule, and technical risks. Mission
concept and definition studies are also used to identify and define new and usable technologies and optimize their use within an
affordable development cost. Increasing emphasis is being made within the Agency to better utilize advanced technologies in future
missions.
MEASURES OF PERFORMANCE
Technology development of advanced Significant progress made in FY 1994. Test program provided improvements in
x- and gamma ray detectors spectral resolution, imaging capability and detector efficiency (sensitivity).
(Ongoing) Flight tests aboard sounding rockets and balloon planned for FY 1995.
Development of solid state gamma-ray detectors which may be operated without
cryogenic cooling is a goal for FY 1996.
Technology development of advanced Major new developments in delay-line microchannel plate detector electronics and
Ultraviolet (U/V) detector systems anode fabrication achieved in FY 1994. Technology used to support replacement of
(Ongoing) defective detectors on SOHO mission.
Completion of 3 year study in planned for FY 1996. Advanced detectors developed here
will be flown on future U/V missions such as FUSE and HST Advanced Camera.
Theoretical studies of solar physics Advanced generation numerical codes for analysis of solar x-ray data developed
(Ongoing) FY 1994. These codes will aid in the development of theoretical models for comparison
with observed plasma ejections from the Sun, known to be fundamental to solar
terrestrial relationships.
Theoretical studies of the Heliosphere Studies planned in FY 1995 to predict the location and physical characteristics of the
(Ongoing) boundary of the heliosphere in anticipation of its encounter by the Pioneer and
Voyager spacecraft.
Magnetospheric Physics studies Data from the Geotail mission will be integrated with theoretical models in FY 1995 to
(Ongoing) provide an enhanced understanding of physical and chemical characteristics of the
Earth's magnetic field.
SOFIA:
Wind tunnel testing completed - Phase B Studies complete. Technical feasibility of the aft mount telescope
August 1994 configuration confirmed through extensive wind tunnel tests at ARC for the Boeing
747-200 and 747SP aircraft. Both versions determined acceptable.
Non-Advocate Review - February 1995 Conduct preliminary review of program to identify key technical challenges, highlight
cost/schedule concerns and identify other program issues for remedial action to assure
acceptable level of cost, technical and programmatic risk prior to initiation of program.
Aircraft version selected - March 1995 Final decision on acquisition of Boeing 747-200 or 747SP based on performance,
modification requirements, purchase price, availability, operations costs, etc.
Request for Proposal (RFP) Documentation to support industry proposals for aircraft modification contract
draft complete - July 1995 ready for release. Release contingent upon new start in FY 1996.
SIRTF:
Phase A studies completed - JPL inhouse studies of alternative mission designs reviewed for relative technical
September 1996 merits (complexity, feasibility, etc) cost and schedule requirements.
Complete Spacecraft Request Documentation to support industry proposals for spacecraft development contract
for Proposal (RFP) - September 1996 ready for release. Release contingent upon new start approval in FY 1997.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND PLANS
The R&A program continued to provide exciting scientific discoveries in 1994. In space physics, bright blue and red upper
atmospheric flashes extending upward as high as 60 miles were captured on film for the first time. Some of these flashes, which
last only a few hundredths or thousandths of a second, reach through the ozone layer to the ionosphere. These flashes link weather
in Earth’s lower atmosphere to events in the upper layers of the atmosphere, through a process that is not yet well understood. In
astrophysics, amino acids were discovered around the galactic center. The distant presence of Glycine, one of the building blocks of
life, could be an important clue to the distribution of organic matter in the universe. Significant progress has been made in the
development and testing of innovative new x- and gamma-ray detectors; improvements were in the important areas of enhanced
spectral resolution, finer imaging capability, and detector efficiency (sensitivity). A major development in detector technology was
achieved by Dr. Oswald Siegmund, in delay-line microchannel plate detector electronics and anode fabrication. Siegmund’s work
enabled rapid development of last minute replacement detectors for the SOHO mission.
Also during FY 1994, the space physics program has investigated uses and techniques for tethered spacecraft to directly sample
atmospheric regions (mesosphere and lower thermosphere) otherwise inaccessible by orbiting spacecraft. Study of the Earth's inner
magnetosphere has received renewed emphasis owing to the recognized importance of electrical coupling between ionospheric and
magnetospheric processes, the time evolution of such processes, and the exchanges of particles that take place following large space
weather events. Advanced generation numerical codes for analysis of solar x-ray data have been developed; these codes have
breakthrough abilities to model the observed plasma ejections from the Sun, known to be fundamental to solar terrestrial
relationships.
In the FY 1995 astrophysics program, several flight tests of innovative x- and gamma-ray detectors aboard balloons and sounding
rockets will be performed with the prospect of providing critical new information on several topics of very high interest, including the
nature of the enigmatic source of matter/antimatter radiation from the direction of the center of our Milky Way Galaxy and the
origin of the isotropic, diffuse cosmic x-ray background. Observations are planned of the brightest extreme ultraviolet radiation
source, epsilon Cma, and our closest galaxy, the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) using newly developed payload instruments such as
a high resolution spectrometer. The development of suborbital payloads continues, including post-COBE follow-up investigations on
anisotropies in the cosmic microwave background radiation at improved sensitivity and angular resolution - experiments likely to
function as pathfinders for a future orbiting mission.
Also during FY 1995, the space physics program is seeking to perform radioactive dating of the cosmic radiation and to predict the
nature, location, shape and thickness of the heliosphere's boundary in anticipation of its encounter by the Pioneer and Voyager
spacecraft. Energy storage, plasma energization and flow rate, and the morphology of the magnetic field will be studied using new
data from the Geotail missions and powerful new computer codes and theory. The program will also provide final reports that define
a multi-faceted effort to study the detailed interaction of solar magnetic fields and the associated flow of plasmas that lead to the
variability of the Sun.
The astrophysics ATD program will continue to support definition studies for the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy
(SOFIA) through FY 1995 in support of an FY 1996 new start. Phase B studies for SOFIA were successfully completed in FY 1994.
The technical feasibility of the aft mount telescope configuration was confirmed through extensive wind tunnel tests at ARC for both
the Boeing 747-200 and 747SP aircraft.
During FY 1996, the astrophysics program anticipates significant progress in two new promising detector technologies which will
greatly enhance our capability to simultaneously image and spectrally resolve cosmic x- and gamma-ray sources with
unprecedented resolution and sensitivity. These include the development of solid state gamma-ray detectors which may be operated
effectively without the need for cooling to cryogenic temperatures and x-ray sensors with the fine spectral capability of calorimeters,
but which may be arrayed in a fashion akin to Charge Coupled Devices (CCDs). In addition, a vigorous laboratory program in
ultraviolet astrophysics is planned, including the development of synthetic extreme ultraviolet spectra and the measurement of
ultraviolet transition probabilities and atomic oscillator strengths. This program will aid in the interpretation of data from the HST,
EUVE, ORFEUS, and Astro-2 missions.
Additional FY 1996 funding is included for mission definition activities related to the Space Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF), in
anticipation of entering development soon thereafter. SIRTF is the last of the four Great Observatories and has been the highest
priority new mission (as ranked by the National Academy of Sciences) in astrophysics for many years, especially because of the
breakthroughs in infrared detector technology in the U.S. SIRTF’s exquisite sensitivity will complement SOFIA’s high spatial and
spectral resolution. Through a series of restructuring efforts over the past three years, the anticipated lifecycle costs have been
reduced by approximately a factor of five. SIRTF may also include a collaboration with the Japanese to achieve a portion of its
science objectives. JPL is responsible for program management.
Also during FY 1996, the space physics program will seek to understand the composition and dynamic physical processes of the
solar, interplanetary and galactic regimes which create cosmic rays, and the galaxy and solar system through which they travel; to
place limits on the existence of antimatter galaxies and forms of dark matter in the universe; to understand the dominant physical
processes that characterize the transition between the Earth's uppermost atmospheres and space and the transfer of energy
through this boundary region owing to variations in solar emissions; to optimize high energy observing technologies and research
concepts for the study of solar flares from space during the next epoch of maximum solar activity; to refine revolutionary gamma-ray
and hard x-ray imaging spectroscopy techniques in order to define small missions for the advanced study of solar flares; and to
determine the plasma populations in the Earth's space environment and their variations over large spatial regimes using novel
remote sensing, imaging techniques. Advances in technology and modeling capability will lead to the development of new
instrumentation to image otherwise invisible plasma distributions in the Earth's space environment.
BASIS OF FY 1996 FUNDING REQUIREMENT
SUBORBITAL PROGRAM
FY 1994 FY 1995 FY 1996
(Thousands of Dollars)
Airborne program
Kuiper airborne observatory 13,600 13,200 3,400*
Stratospheric observatory for infrared astronomy -- -- 48,700
Balloon program 16,400 16,000 16,000
Sounding rockets 39,500 38,000 38,600
Total 69,500 67,200 106,700
* Assumes $9.7 million offset due to planned termination of Kuiper Airborne Observatory (KAO) operations and initiation of SOFIA.
PROGRAM GOALS
The principal goal of the Suborbital program is to provide frequent, low-cost flight opportunities for space science payloads to
conduct research of the Earth's ionosphere and magnetosphere, space plasma physics, stellar astronomy, solar astronomy, and high
energy astrophysics. The program also serves as a technology testbed for instruments which may ultimately fly aboard orbital
spacecraft, thus reducing cost and technical risks associated with the development of future space science missions.
STRATEGY FOR ACHIEVING GOALS
The Suborbital program provides the science community with a variety of options for the acquisition of in-situ or remote sensing
data. Aircraft, balloons and sounding rockets provide access to the upper limits of the Earth's atmosphere. The Spartan program
provides access to space by supporting deployable payloads for flight aboard the Shuttle. Activities are conducted on both a
national and international cooperative basis.
Astronomical research with instrumented jet aircraft has been an integral part of the NASA Physics and Astronomy program since
1965. For relatively low cost, NASA has been able to provide to the science community very quick, global response to astronomical
"targets of opportunity." The Airborne program has provided support for the Kuiper Airborne Observatory (KAO) since 1974. This
facility has consisted of a specially modified C-141 aircraft platform that carries a 0.91 m infrared telescope to altitudes above
41,000 ft for 5 + hour scientific research flights. Operations at these altitudes enable routine access to most of the infrared
spectrum from one micrometer to a few millimeters. With the exception of a few very narrow spectral "windows", this region is not
accessible from the ground due to absorption by the water vapor at lower altitudes in the Earth's atmosphere. The program is
managed by the Ames Research Center (ARC), with all science payloads selected via an annual peer review held at ARC.
The Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) is a new airborne observatory designed to replace the aging KAO,
and consists of a 2.5 m telescope provided by the German Space Agency (DARA) integrated into a used Boeing 747 aircraft. With
spatial resolution and sensitivity far superior to the KAO, SOFIA will facilitate significant advances in the study of a wide variety of
astronomical objects, including regions of star and planet formation in the Milky Way, activity in the nucleus of the Milky Way, and
planets, moons, asteroids and comets in our Solar System. The program will build upon a very successful program of flying
teachers on the KAO by reaching out to K-12 teachers as well as science museums and planetaria around the country. Initial
development of SOFIA is planned for FY 1996, with initial operations by the end of 2000. KAO is scheduled to terminate operations
beginning in FY 1996 if initial development of SOFIA is approved. The savings from cessation of KAO operations are an integral
element of the funding plan for SOFIA.
The Balloon program provides a cost-effective means to test flight instrumentation in the space radiation environment and to make
observations at altitudes that are above most of the water vapor in the atmosphere. In many instances it is necessary to fly primary
scientific experiments on balloons, because of size, weight, or cost considerations or lack of other opportunities. Balloon
experimentation is particularly useful when studying infrared, gamma-ray, and cosmic-ray astronomy. In addition to the level-of-
effort science observations program, the program has successfully developed balloons capable of lifting payloads greater than 5000
pounds. In addition, the balloon program is now capable of conducting a limited number of missions lasting nine to fourteen days;
successful long-duration flights have been conducted in the Antarctic, and more are planned. The Balloon program is managed by
the NASA/GSFC Wallops Flight Facility (WFF). Flight operations are conducted by the National Scientific Balloon Facility (NSBF), a
government-owned, contractor-operated facility in Palestine, Texas.
Sounding rockets are uniquely suited for performing low altitude measurements (between balloon and spacecraft altitude) and for
measuring vertical variations of many atmospheric parameters. Special areas of study supported by the sounding rocket program
include the nature, characteristics, and composition of the magnetosphere and near space; the effects of incoming energetic
particles and solar radiation on the magnetosphere, including the production of aurora and the coupling of energy into the
atmosphere; and the nature, characteristics, and spectra of radiation of the sun, stars and other celestial objects. In addition, the
sounding rocket program provides several science disciplines with the means for flight testing of instruments and experiments being
developed for future flight missions. The program also provides a means for calibrating flight instruments and obtaining vertical
atmospheric profiles to complement data obtained from orbiting spacecraft. The program is managed by GSFC/WFF, and launch
operations are conducted from facilities in White Sands, New Mexico and Poker Flats, Alaska.
The Spartan program provides small, reusable spacecraft which can be flown aboard the Shuttle. These units can be adapted to
support a variety of science payloads and deployed from the Shuttle cargo bay to conduct experiments for a short time (i.e. several
hours or days). Payloads are later retrieved, reinstalled into the cargo bay and returned to Earth. The science payload is returned
to the mission scientists for data retrieval and possible refurbishment for a future flight opportunity. The Spartan carrier is also
refurbished and modified as needed to accommodate the next science payload.
MEASURES OF PERFORMANCE
KAO operations:
FY 1994 74 flights achieved, including 7 flights to observe comet Shoemaker-Levy 9
collision with Jupiter in July. Flights provided educational flight opportunity for 20
teachers.
FY 1995 40 flights planned. Reduced flight rate due to aircraft to be taken out of
service from September through March for major maintenance.
FY 1996 Anticipated termination of KAO operations beginning in FY 1996. Contingent upon
FY 1996 new start approval for SOFIA.
Balloon Program:
FY 1994 22 flights achieved, including 2 Antarctica flights designed to detect the
origin of cosmic rays from galactic sources.
FY 1995 20-25 flights expected. Antarctica campaign (2 flights) will serve as engineering test
flights for new instruments designed to increase statistical data on origin, energy
and composition of cosmic rays derived from 1994 campaign. Australian campaign (5
flights) will measure gamma ray emissions from the Galactic center and study selected
celestial objects that can only be observed in the Southern Hemisphere.
FY 1996 20-25 flights planned, including 2 long-duration missions over Arctic
regions which will re-fly new instruments flown over Antarctica in FY 1995 campaign.
Sounding Rockets:
FY 1994 33 flights achieved, including 1 flight to obtain ultraviolet imagery of comet
Shoemaker/Levy impact with Jupiter. Complemented observations from Galileo, HST,
KAO and ground observatories.
FY 1995 30-35 flights expected. Poker Flats campaign (9 flights) will study a variety of auroral
acceleration processes and their effects on the Earth's upper atmosphere.
FY 1996 Approximately 35 flights planned. International Australia campaign (5 flights) will
conduct astrophysics observations unachievable from the northern hemisphere.
Spartan:
Spartan 201 Space Physics missions observe and measure the solar source of the solar wind.
September 1994 - July 1995 Conduct investigations of solar wind as correlative data measurements to Ulysses
Spartan 204 - February 1995 Perform Shuttle glow experiments and uses the Far Ultraviolet Imaging Spectrograph
to view diffuse sources of light from distant galaxies.
Spartan 206 - November 1995 Payload developed by Office of Space Access and Technology (OSAT) which carries
instruments to measure noble gases, contamination and erosion potential of space
environment.
Spartan 207 - April 1996 Inflatable Antenna Experiment developed by Office of Space Access and Technology
(OSAT).
SOFIA:
Initiate aircraft procurement - Acquisition of a suitable Boeing 747 aircraft is a critical path item as it is the principal
January 1996 driver of the aircraft modification design.
Initiate SOFIA aircraft This activity is the largest single procurement in the SOFIA program. Its schedule is
modifications - June 1996 driven by the early acquisition of the aircraft and a streamlined procurement activity.
In-house Systems Preliminary Initial detailed review of key program elements of program which will be designed at
Design Review (PDR) - September 1996 the ARC. These include the aircraft's shear layer control system, cavity door, consoles
and electronics systems.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND PLANS
In 1994, the KAO flew 74 research flights that involved 32 Principal Investigators and logged more than 560 hours of observation
time. In addition, 20 teachers from grades K-12 were given the opportunity to fly aboard the KAO. In FY 1995, the KAO is expected
to fly more than 40 research flights. This included a highly successful deployment to Australia for observations of the comet
Shoemaker-Levy 9 as it impacted the planet Jupiter in July. KAO is scheduled to terminate operations beginning in
FY 1996 if initial development of SOFIA is approved. The savings from cessation of KAO operations are an integral element of the
funding plan for SOFIA. FY 1996 funds support the purchase of a used Boeing 747 aircraft, aircraft refurbishment, and initial
design activities by a prime contractor selected to modify the aircraft into a flying observatory. In addition, a Memorandum Of
Understanding (MOU) with DARA would also be signed. Initial operations for SOFIA would begin in late 2000.
In FY 1994, 33 sounding rockets and 22 balloons were flown. Of particular interest were the observations of comet Shoemaker-Levy
9 impact with Jupiter in July, and the highly successful sounding rocket campaign in Brazil in which thirteen rockets were flown to
study the ionosphere at the Earth’s magnetic equator. Recent developments in long-duration ballooning capabilities are now
available to accommodate 1-2 ton payloads for periods of up to 2 weeks. This capability provides an alternative to Spacelab missions
for some investigators, and are now being used in polar campaigns to fly cosmic ray experiments where the event rate is especially
low. Funding in FY 1995-FY 1996 will support an anticipated 20-25 balloon flights and 30-35 sounding rocket flights.
Spartan 201 consists of a 17-inch diameter solar telescope with an ultraviolet coronagraph and a white light coronagraph to observe
and measure the solar source of the solar wind. Spartan 201 had highly successful flights in 1993 and 1994, and another reflight is
planned for 1995 to provide correlative data for the Ulysses mission during its passage over the northern solar pole. Spartan
missions are also planned for FY 1995 and FY 1996 which support an astrophysics payload and two experiments developed by the
Office of Space Access and Technology (OSAT).
BASIS OF FY 1996 FUNDING REQUIREMENT
INFORMATION SYSTEMS
FY 1994 FY 1995 FY 1996
(Thousands of Dollars)
Information systems 26,500 26,100 25,900
PROGRAM GOALS
The Information Systems program is fundamental to the attainment of the overall technical and scientific goals of the Office of Space
Science (OSS). The program provides state-of-the-art data management, networking, and computing capabilities which support
research activities in all disciplines and provide the means for optimal exploitation of all science data acquired.
STRATEGY FOR ACHIEVING GOALS
The Information Systems program will provide access to high performance networking, computing and data management, and an
interactive analysis environment with efficient access to data, mathematical processes tools, and advanced visualization techniques.
Multiple science disciplines will be supported by the projects funded under this program.
NASA’s National Space Science Data Center (NSSDC) at the Goddard Space Flight Center archives and distributes data acquired in
space flight programs. A master directory service for distribution of science data to a wide range of users is also maintained. In
addition, support is provided for development of search techniques to access data from multiple databases and to assimilate data
from multiple data sets into single applications.
The NASA Science Internet (NSI), managed by the Ames Research Center, is a computer networking service used to provide access to
flight program databases, data processing systems, and to other applications for scientific collaboration available through the
Internet. Researchers and organizations participating in the NASA-funded flight programs and in joint international missions are
supported through this network service. This service is closely coordinated with other U.S. computer networking facilities.
Funds provided for information system research and technology are used to improve science data management capabilities, to
improve scientist’s productivity by developing enhanced analysis and visualization techniques and to facilitate the transfer of new
information technologies into the private sector. Principal Investigators at universities and research centers throughout the U.S.
and Canada are selected through peer-reviewed NASA Research Announcements to participate in this portion of the program.
MEASURES OF PERFORMANCE
Shuttle Radar Imaging Mission - Visualization and animation techniques developed for Magellan radar data adapted to
April 1994 acquire real-time, multispectral data. fused into a single image.
Establish Mars Global Database - Interactive science data visualization enabled by higher performance parallel
July 1994 computing adapted for use with Mars global map. Allows Mars "flyover" guided by
workstation mouse over Martian terrain.
Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 impacts Worldwide distributed science event, with broad participation by general
with Jupiter - July 1994 public. Over 2.5 million accesses to images made available on World
Wide Web servers.
Establish industry partnerships - Cooperative agreement with two companies to transfer high performance computing
October 1994 and visualization capabilities for broadened commercial applications.
Internet connections to South Strengthened collaboration with joint projects and science colleagues.
America and Argentina - FY 1995
Master Directory and other One-stop shopping available to both science community and general public for all
Services fully operational science data assets archived in widely distributed locations. Also linked to World Wide
at NSSDC - FY 1995 Web Home Page browse capability.
Global mosaics of Jupiter and Mars - Data from various sources adapted to produce global images of Jupiter and Mars. Data
April 1996 will also be incorporated into comprehensive database which allows user to
interactively peruse the solar system.
Develop enhanced mission simulation Develop integrated capability to test and evaluate full suite of computing and related
techniques - FY 1996 technologies for data compression, autonomous spacecraft operations, flight/ground
system trade-offs, etc.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND PLANS
Advanced networking has enhanced the research environment, and also has accelerated the access and utilization of the science
data by the general public, making them more broadly available to traditionally unserved communities. For example, in July 1994,
the week in which the Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 collided with Jupiter, the NSSDC’s World Wide Web system experienced nearly
500,000 accesses. The World Wide Web systems at the HST Science Institute and Jet Propulsion Laboratory experienced 500,000
and 1,500,000 accesses, respectively. In FY 1994, the NSSDC On-Line Data and Information Services (NODIS) system was accessed
almost 40,000 times by the user community. The NSSDC Data Archive and Distribution Services (NDADS) system received
approximately 20,000 requests for data during the same timeframe.
Based on historical trends, it is anticipated that demands for NSSDC and NSI services in FY 1995 and FY 1996 will be even greater.
However, the combination of increasing user demands and the constrained budget environment will require tradeoffs between
investments in advanced technologies, such as visualization tools and technology testbeds, and support of current NSSDC and NSI
services.
BASIS OF FY 1996 FUNDING REQUIREMENT
LAUNCH SERVICES
FY 1994 FY 1995 FY 1996
(Thousands of Dollars)
Ultra-lite -- 15,000 9,000
Small 10,400 4,000 10,800
Med-lite -- -- 5,100
Medium 24,300 35,600 31,000
Intermediate 43,000 26,000 --
Upper stages 6,900 15,200 18,300
Total 84,600 95,800 74,200
PROGRAM GOALS
Launch Services are a vital element in the achievement of the overall goals of the Space Science program. Expendable Launch
Vehicles (ELVs) provide space science missions with safe, reliable, cost-effective access to low Earth orbit, and possess the unique
capability of delivering spacecraft beyond Earth orbit to other points in the solar system and beyond.
STRATEGY FOR ACHIEVING GOALS
Payloads may be launched aboard a number of vehicles, each of which supports a discrete performance class. Small payloads are
launched aboard the Pegasus XL, which is developed by the Orbital Sciences Corporation (OSC) and requires in-flight deployment
from a Lockheed L1011 aircraft. The Pegasus XL is capable of delivering payloads up to approximately 1,000 pounds to low Earth
orbit. The Ultra-lite launch services budget supports the Student Explorer Demonstration Initiative (STEDI) which is managed by
the United States Research Association (USRA) in cooperation with NASA. Funding supports the development of two small
university-developed spacecraft and the procurement of launch services. A contract for Ultra-lite launch services was signed with
OSC in December 1994 to support the STEDI program. This new class of ELV will provide approximately one half the lift capacity of
a Pegasus.
Medium class payloads require launch services capable of delivering up to 11,000 pounds to low Earth orbit. These missions are
launched aboard the Delta launch vehicle, which is developed by McDonnell-Douglas (MDAC). These vehicles may be launched
either from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS) or, if a polar orbit is required, from the Vandenberg Air Force Base
(VAFB). The Med-lite is a new class of launch services which will provide approximately one half the lift capacity of a Delta.
Contractor selection for the new Med-lite is targeted for summer of 1995.
Intermediate class payloads require launch services capable of delivering spacecraft up to 20,000 pounds to low Earth orbit. These
missions are launched aboard the Atlas launch vehicle, which are provided by the Martin-Marietta Corporation and, like the Delta,
may be launched either from the east coast (KSC) or west coast (VAFB). Payloads launched aboard the Shuttle may be delivered to a
higher orbit via the use of an upper stage. The AXAF mission will be launched aboard the Shuttle, and will use an Inertial Upper
Stage (IUS) developed by Boeing to deliver the spacecraft to a highly elliptical orbit.
Funding for mission-unique launch services is now included under the budget request for the benefiting program. Funding support
for management oversight of the entire Launch Services program rests with the Launch Vehicles Office (LVO), which is now part of
the newly-formed Office of Space Access and Technology (OSAT). The LVO aggregates NASA, the NOAA, and the international
cooperative ELV mission requirements, establishes appropriate acquisition strategies for purchasing firm, fixed priced launch
services from the U.S. industry, and imposes the scope and level of technical oversight of the commercial ELV operators' delivery of
service that reflects the criticality of the mission and the level of government resources at risk. The administration, procurement,
and technical oversight of launch services in the small and medium performance classes is managed by the Goddard Space Flight
Center (Pegasus XL, Med-lite and Delta II). Intermediate (Atlas I/IIAS) launch services are managed by the Lewis Research Center
(LeRC). Upper stages, including the AXAF IUS, are managed by the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC). The KSC is delegated
responsibility for technical oversight of vehicle assembly and testing at the launch site by GSFC and LeRC and is responsible for
spacecraft processing at the launch site.
MEASURES OF PERFORMANCE
Wind launch - November 1994 Launch delayed from mid-1994 due to technical problems with spacecraft.
Launched successfully aboard Delta II on November 1, 1994.
SWAS launch - July 1995 Launch from KSC aboard the Pegasus XL/L1011 launch vehicle. Exact date of this
launch is dependent upon successful return to flight of the redesigned Pegasus XL
launch vehicle. Targeted for July 1, 1995 in summer launch window.
FAST launch - August 1995 Launch from VAFB aboard the Pegasus XL/L1011 launch vehicle. Launch delayed from
mid-1994 due to technical problems with new Pegasus XL. Exact date of this launch is
dependent upon successful return to flight of the redesigned Pegasus XL launch
vehicle. Launch currently targeted for 1995 launch window (August 1-20).
SAC-B/HETE launch Dual payload launch from WFF aboard Pegasus XL/L1011 launch vehicle. Exact date
mid-late 1995 of this launch is dependent upon successful return to flight of the redesigned Pegasus
XL launch vehicle.
XTE launch - August 1995 Launch aboard a Delta II.
SOHO launch - October 1995 Atlas IIAS launch delayed from July 1995 to October due to spacecraft readiness and
Atlas launch manifest conflicts.
Polar launch - December 1995 Launch aboard a Delta II from Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB) delayed from mid-
1994 due to technical problems with spacecraft. New launch date still maintains
operational overlap with other GGS mission (Wind).
ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND PLANS
Planned launches for missions using the Pegasus launch vehicle are currently under review. In June 1994, the first flight of the
new Pegasus XL was aborted due to mechanical malfunctions, and future launches have been delayed until the implementation of
required redesigns are completed. This has deferred the planned launches of FAST, SWAS and SAC-B/HETE by several months.
Redesign activity by the launch vehicle developer and operator, the Orbital Sciences Corporation (OSC), is nearing completion. The
next Pegasus flight will carry an OSC-developed commercial payload in March 1995. First launch of the fully redesigned vehicle is
planned for April, and will carry the Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) mission developed by the Mission To Planet Earth
(MTPE) program. FY 1996 funds also support initial launch services procurements for the new SMEX missions, TRACE and WIRE,
with planned launches in FY 1997 and FY 1998, respectively.
Ultra-lite launch services funding supports the STEDI program. Initial payload development and launch vehicle procurement
begins in FY 1995. USRA is currently reviewing proposals for science payloads, and will select the final two mission candidates in
late January. A contract for Ultra-lite launch services was awarded in December 1994 to OSC in support of planned launches in
early 1997.
Med-lite funding supports the initial procurement of launch services for the FUSE mission in October 1998. This program was
previously baselined for a Delta II launch in late 2000, but is currently being rescoped to reduce total cost, schedule and launch
services requirements. After numerous delays due to technical problems experienced during integration and test, the Wind
spacecraft was successfully launched in November. These delays have also resulted in the delay of Polar to November 1995. Other
missions supported include the Explorer missions, XTE (August 1995) and ACE (August 1997).
The SOHO mission launch aboard an Atlas IIAS has been deferred by several months due to spacecraft readiness concerns and a
crowded Atlas launch manifest, but is still scheduled for launch in 1995. NASA has selected Boeing to provide an Inertial Upper
Stage (IUS) for the AXAF mission, and activities have begun in support of a Shuttle launch in September 1998.
SAT 1.1