r (PB92-181692) |NTEGRA[EO N92-3[634 TECHNOLOGY PLAN FOR THE CIVIL SPACE PROGRAM t 1991 (NASA) 137 p Unclas _A _ __ lo?Tg _ HIlIZ O[IZZSO 1991 INTEGRATED TECHNOLOGY PLAN FOR THE CIVIL SPACE PROGRAM ORIGINAL PAGE COLOR PHOTOGRAP_I OFFICE OF AERONAUTICS AND SPACE TECHNOLOGY NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20546 This report has been prepared as an internal OAST document, and it will serve as the basis for OAST program planning in the future. 1991 INTEGRATED TECHNOLOGY PLAN FOR THE CIVIL SPACE PROGRAM OFFICE OF AERONAUTICS AND SPACE TECHNOLOGY NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20546 PREFACE During 1991, the National Aeronautics and Space Adminislration (NASA) tasked the Office of Aeronautics and Space Technology (OAST) to prepare an Integrated Technology Plan for the Civil Space Program. This action came in response to the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on the Future of the U.S. SpaceProgram, chaired by Norman Augustine. The purpose of the Integrated Technology Plan (ITP) is to serve as a strategic plan for the OAST space research and technology (R&T) program, and as a strategic planning framework for other NASA and national participants in advocating and conducting technology developments that support future U.S. civil space missions. OAST's ITP planning effort was comprised of the following six steps: (1) establish an overarching strategy for civil space technology development and transfer (2) develop a program structure and a set of decision rules (3) solicit civil space mission strategic plans, technology needs and priorities from potential users (4) develop a strategic plan, including integrated technology investment priorities (5) coordinate OAST space R&T with other NASA and national efforts (6) demonstrate that the OAST Space R&T Program can be tailored to fit within annual budgets. The product of this activity is an integrated technology development strategy that meets both NASA and national civil space mission needs, assures technological consistency in long range R&T and mission planning, and allows for timely and effective adaptation to a changing external environment. The riP begins with a discussion of the national policy and NASA organization which establishes the overall framework for civil space R&T planning. The second chapter provides a top-level review of the potential users of civil space R&T, their strategic mission plans, and the technologies they have identified as needed to achieve those plans. Chapter 3 sketches the overall methodology used to develop a civil space technology swategy and describes the technical details of the 1991 strategic plan, ending with a review of civil space R&T priorities. The fourth chapter describes how the swategic plan is annually wanslated into the OAST Space R&T Program, with a summary ofthe fiscal year 1992 program. The rrP concludes with a discussion of requirements for technology development coordination and swategies for facilitating the transfer of civil space technology tothe private sector. Several appendices also are attached that provide further information regarding budget implications of the strategic plan, organizational roles, and other topics. The ITP will be revised annually to reflect changes in mission planning, approval ofnew focused and research base efforts, and progress in ongoing technology development efforts. Moreover, both the ITP and derived OAST space technology development planning and implementation will be subjected to annual external and internal review to ensure continuing quality and relevance. • ii Inter, rated 7ed_logy I'hv_ During recent years, industry, academia and government groups have examined the U.S. civil space effort from a wide variety of perspectives. From each of the examinations has come one resounding, primary message: advances in space technology are critical to ensure that our future civil space goals can be achieved, while reducing risks and costs to a minimum. In addition, timely development and transfer of selected new technologies have been identified by both government and industry leaders as a vital ingredient in the continuing economic competitiveness of the Nation. NASA's Integrated Technology Plan will help enable the United States to achieve its civil space goals, as well as support U.S. technological competitiveness, through the establishment of a clear and coherent strategy for civil space research and technology development for the coming decades. Richard H. Petersen Associate Administrator for Aeronautics and Space Technology EDITORIAL NOTE As the 1991 edition of the ITP was being finalized, a number of major changes were implemented within NASA. Two new Program Offices were created: the Office of Space Systems Development and the Office of Exploration. In addition, the details of mission planning and technology needs of the Office of Space Science and Applications (OSSA) continued to be refined. A limited number of adjustments have been made in the 1991 ITP to reflect these changes; general updates will be incorporated in the 1992 edition of the Plan. • iv Int_'graled 7_ctu_-dc_gyi'l,'zn CONTENTS 1 Introduction National Policy .......................................................................................................... 1-1 National Technology Assessments ............................................................................. 1-4 The NASA Context ................................................................................................... 1-8 2 U.S. Civil Space Technology Needs Office of Space Science and Applications .................................................................. 2-3 Office of Exploration ............................................................................................... 2-10 Office of Space Flight .............................................................................................. 2-14 Office of Space Communications ............................................................................ 2-16 Other Government Needs ........................................................................................ 2-17 Commercial Space Sector Technology Needs .......................................................... 2-18 Assessment of Technology Needs Commonality ..................................................... 2-20 3 Civil Space Technology Strategic Plan Methodology ............................................................................................................. 3-1 Overarching Space R&T Strategy .............................................................................. 3-7 R&T Base Strategy .................................................................................................... 3-8 Focused Technology Programs Strategy .................................................................. 3-12 Strategic Plan Priorities ............................................................................................ 3-38 4 Space R&T FY 1992 Program Program Development Process .................................................................................. 4-1 FY 1992 Program Overview ...................................................................................... 4-3 FY 1992 R&T Base Summary ................................................................................... 4-3 FY 1992 Focused Programs Summary ..................................................................... 4-11 5 Coordination of Civil Space Technology Development and Transfer NASA Programs ........................................................................................................ 5-1 Other U.S. Government Agencies .............................................................................. 5-5 Coordination With U.S. Industry ............................................................................... 5-9 Space R&T: International Issues ................................................................................ 5-9 Technology Transfer: Strategies and Plans ............................................................... 5-10 APPENDICES A. Budget Implications ............................................................................................. A- 1 B. Institutional Implications ...................................................................................... B-1 C. Technology Validation ......................................................................................... C-1 D. Space Technology and National Competitiveness ................................................ D- 1 E. Detailed Strategic Civil Space Mission Forecast ...................................................... GLOSSARY OF ACRONYMS [] • PRECEDING PAGE BLANK NOT PfLMED ORIGINAL PAGE BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPh NASA's current space science mission are enabling enormous strides in our understanding of the universe. For example, this photograph depicts the "Window- Curtain" structure seen by the Hubble Space Telescope in Orion's Great Nebula. Future advances in space science will depend increasingly on new space technologies, such as sensors, telescope optical systems andlong-livedcoolers, andon improvementsinscience data management and analysis tools. In addition, the scientific value of future robotic exploration missions willbe greatlyenhancedbyinsituscience technologies. The ITP Space Science Technology Thrust provides a technical strategy for achieving these objectives. [] CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION During recent years, diverse groups have examined the U.S. civil space