February 1995
Strategic Enterprises
Space Science Enterprise
NASA contributes to the creation of new scientific knowledge by exploring the solar system and the universe beyond. It does so to better understand who we are, how we got here, and where we are going. The Space Science Enterprise maintains scientific leadership, excites and inspires our society, strengthens education and scientific literacy, develops and transfers technologies to promote U.S. competitiveness, fosters international cooperation to enhance programs and share their benefits, and sets the stage for future space ventures. The mission of the Space Science Enterprise is to seek answers to fundamental questions, such as:
- What is the origin of the universe? What is the nature of the Big Bang and quasars? What is the origin of the Sun, the solar system, and life?
- How has the universe evolved since the Big Bang? How has the solar system evolved?
- What is the ultimate fate of the universe? Do dark matter and black holes play a crucial role?
- Is the solar system unique? Is the Earth unique in the universe? Are there planets around other stars?
- How are conditions for life on Earth maintained? How does the solar output vary? How does the Earth's magnetic field trap radiation and protect the planet?
- Did life ever arise on Mars or elsewhere in our solar system? Is there life or are there even civilizations around other stars?
- Are the laws of physics the same everywhere in the universe? Do the laws of physics remain the same at all times?
To accomplish this mission, the Enterprise has established the following goals:
- Discover the origin, evolution, and fate of the universe, galaxies, stars, and planets.
- Use the unique environment of space to probe the fundamental laws of physics.
- Understand the solar system's origin and evolution by exploring, surveying, and sampling the planets and moons with robotic spacecraft.
- Understand and characterize asteroids, lunar, and planetary resources.
- Determine the processes that drive the Sun and govern its effects on Earth's environment and the heliosphere.
- Determine if planets, including terrestrial-like planets, exist around stars.
- Determine if life exists, or ever existed, elsewhere in the solar system and the galaxy.
The Space Science Enterprise seeks to answer these fundamental questions by using space-based telescopes to observe the Universe; space probes, orbiters, and landers to explore the planets; and Earth-orbiting satellites and deep space missions to study the Sun and its influence on the Earth.
The Enterprise accomplishes its goals by employing a strategy that dramatically lowers mission costs while preserving, to the greatest extent possible, mission performance. To do so, it will accept prudent risk, shorten development times, explore new conceptual approaches, streamline management, and make other changes to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. The Space Science Enterprise will also develop enabling technology that is critical to its future success in partnership with the Space Technology Enterprise. These steps will strengthen the ability of the Enterprise to conduct smaller missions more frequently, thus providing a continuous stream of scientific data.
The public is both an investor in this research and the ultimate customer and beneficiary. In conducting scientific research, NASA serves the needs of the scientific and educational communities, the media, and industry-all of which play vital roles in bringing the benefits of its scientific research to the public. To enhance the return to the public, the Space Science Enterprise will take care to clearly communicate its exciting results, proactively build educational partnerships into its scientific programs, and select mission/program designs that maximize the development and dissemination of new technology relevant to broader national needs.
Curator: James H. Chi
Last Updated: Tue, Apr 18, 1995