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Charles F. Bolden, Jr.Administrator
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Mission
Overview
Since 1958, NASA has pioneered the future in human and robotic space exploration, scientific discovery, and aeronautics research. NASA is comprised of Headquarters in Washington, DC, nine Centers located around the country, and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, a Federally Funded Research and Development Center operated under a contract with the California Institute of Technology. In addition, we have partnerships with academia, the private sector, state and local governments, other Federal agencies, and a number of international organizations, creating an extended NASA family of civil servants, contractors, allied partners, and stakeholders.
NASA’s work is implemented primarily by five Directorates and three offices:
- Aeronautics Research conducts fundamental research in aeronautical disciplines and develops capabilities, tools, and technologies that will enhance aircraft performance, safety, and environmental compatibility, as well as increase the capacity and flexibility of the U.S. air transportation system.
- Human Exploration and Operations provides the Agency with leadership and management of NASA space operations related to human exploration in and beyond low Earth orbit.
- Science conducts the scientific exploration of Earth, the Sun, the solar system, and the universe through a wide variety of ground-, air-, and space-based missions and support systems.
- Space Technology develops the cross-cutting, advanced and pioneering new technologies needed for NASA's current and future missions, many of which also benefit America's aerospace industries, other government agencies, and address national needs.
- Mission Support coordinates the efficient and effective day-to-day operations and infrastructure critical to the Agency.
- Office of Education helps to strengthen NASA and the Nation's future workforce, attract and retain students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, disciplines, and engage Americans in NASA's mission.
- Office of the Chief Technologist provides policy, strategy and leadership that guides NASA’s technology and innovation activities, fosters technology transfer and commercialization for the benefit of the Nation, coordinates partnerships, prizes and challenges, and documents, tracks, and analyzes NASA’s technology investments ensuring they are consistent with NASA's technology needs and strategy.
- Office of the Chief Scientist is the principal adviser to the NASA Administrator on NASA science programs, strategic planning and the evaluation of related investments.
For more on NASA's organization, go to www.nasa.gov/about/org_index.html.
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Strategic Goals & Objectives
Agencies establish a variety of organizational goals to drive progress toward key outcomes for the American people. Long-term strategic goals articulate clear statements of what the agency wants to achieve to advance its mission and address relevant national problems, needs, challenges and opportunities. Strategic objectives define the outcome or management impact the agency is trying to achieve, and also include the agency's role. Each strategic objective is tracked through a suite of performance goals, indicators and other evidence. Click here for more information on stakeholder engagement during goal development.
Strategic Goal:
Expand the space frontier.
Statement:
Expand the frontiers of knowledge, capability, and opportunity in space.
Strategic Objectives
Statement:
Expand human presence into the solar system and to the surface of Mars to advance exploration, science, innovation, benefits to humanity, and international collaboration.
Description:
Over the next decades, NASA intends to erase the boundaries to human exploration of space. We want to open new frontiers beyond low Earth orbit to humankind. NASA is expanding human exploration by developing the capability to transport humans to and from deep space, enabling the exploration of other planets and asteroids within our solar system using innovative, advanced technologies.
As a starting point, exploring deep space requires the capability to transport cargo and crew beyond low Earth orbit, or farther than 2,000 kilometers beyond Earth. NASA is developing a new transportation system that includes a crew capsule, a heavy-lift launch vehicle, and supporting ground facilities and systems.
NASA is developing technologies to enable the additional capabilities that will be required the farther away from Earth we travel. These include the capabilities for in-space propulsion, in-space operations, long-duration habitation, and other systems to support humans in hostile environments. Precursor robotics, robotic missions that investigate candidate destinations and provide vital information to prepare for human explorers, will lay the groundwork for humans to achieve new milestones in deep space.
The capability to transport humans to and from deep space will leverage incremental development of exploration capabilities that seed future discoveries and innovation, and eventually lead to creation of a permanent, long-term human space presence in the solar system. Our exploration of deep space will reward us with new knowledge. While new knowledge increases our understanding of our planet, our solar system, our universe, and ourselves, Americans expect tangible benefits and applications that we can use on Earth. If the past is prologue, scientists and entrepreneurs will generate new uses for the knowledge and technology resulting from NASA’s investments in exploration systems, and this in turn will grow the U.S. economy.
Priority Goal: Achieve critical milestones in development of new systems for the human exploration of deep space.
Statement:
By September 30, 2015, NASA will complete the Space Launch System, Orion, and Exploration Ground Systems Critical Design Reviews (CDRs), allowing the programs to continue to progress toward Exploration Mission (EM)-1 and EM-2 missions.
Description:
NASA is developing the nation’s first human deep-space exploration capability in the form of the Space Launch System (SLS) and the Orion crew vehicle. With the supporting Exploration Ground Systems (EGS), the SLS and Orion will carry humans farther into space than ever before, and are essential for exploration of deep space, including future human exploration of Mars. Human space exploration inspires the nation to seek knowledge through scientific discovery, advancing our understanding of the universe. As the foundation of the human exploration endeavor which will drive the Space Economy, these programs are fueling the creation of new industries, job growth, and the demand for a highly skilled workforce. NASA’s human exploration portfolio will be the initial catalyst for a better life on Earth, advancing American leadership in space, and creating a path for peace, diplomacy, and global cooperation.
NASA’s first flight of the SLS with the Orion crew vehicle, the EM-1, is currently targeted for launch in FY 2018. The EM-1 is the first flight of an uncrewed mission that will orbit the Moon and return safely to Earth. The EM-1 flight will exercise multiple systems and technical approaches in preparation for a crewed mission. To successfully achieve the goal of launching EM-1 in FY 2018, the SLS launch vehicle, Orion spacecraft and EGS programs will complete several significant design reviews as well as test flight and ground hardware and software prior to launch. The successful completion of these milestones, in conjunction with the final assembly and test of the launch vehicle and spacecraft hardware at the Kennedy Space Center launch site, will enable the successful launch of the EM-1 flight. By the end of FY 2015, all three programs-SLS, Orion and EGS-will have completed their individual Critical Design Reviews (CDRs), ensuring the whole exploration system progresses toward the EM-1 flight in FY 2018.
The SLS program CDR is the culmination of the various SLS elements’ final design reviews and will be held by the end of FY 2015. The program CDR will assess the ability of the overall launch vehicle design to meet the mission requirements with acceptable risk and appropriate margins within the defined cost, schedule and technical constraints.
Similar to the SLS, the Orion program CDR will be the culmination of several more detailed reviews. Critical flight data from the Exploration Flight Test-1 mission, the first Orion test flight to be launched in 2014, will provide information to finalize the design of the Orion spacecraft. Additionally, one of the final design reviews will focus on the Service Module, which will be developed for NASA by the European Space Agency (ESA). NASA is leveraging its strong international partnership with ESA-established in the development of the International Space Station (ISS). ESA will provide the European Service Module, a critical Orion element, in support of the first integrated test flight on the SLS launch vehicle, EM-1 in FY 2018. The Orion program CDR will assess the ability of the overall spacecraft design to meet the mission requirements with acceptable risk and appropriate margins within the defined cost, schedule and technical constraints.
The Exploration Ground Systems program CDR will be the culmination of several system-level final design reviews. For example, the mobile launcher (ML), which will provide all of the necessary ground system connections and services to the SLS launch vehicle and Orion spacecraft, will complete structural modifications by the end of this goal. After the structural modifications are complete, additional modifications of the ML will continue through FY 2017. The EGS program CDR will assess the ability of the overall ground systems designs in meeting the mission requirements with acceptable risk and appropriate margins within the defined cost, schedule and technical constraints.
Statement:
Conduct research on the International Space Station (ISS) to enable future space exploration, facilitate a commercial space economy, and advance the fundamental biological and physical sciences for the benefit of humanity.
Description:
NASA’s contribution to society starts with scientific and technological achievement, but extends much further. We are using our resources to spur exploration as well as the new and robust commercial space market. The continued operation of the ISS is critical to achieving NASA’s and the Nation’s goals in science, technology, and human spaceflight. The ISS is the world’s only orbiting, microgravity research and development (R&D) laboratory where researchers may perform multidisciplinary research and technology development to prepare for our exploration of the solar system. Results of research projects will continue to yield benefits in areas such as human health, telemedicine, physical science, Earth observations, space science, and education programs that inspire future scientists, engineers, and space explorers. The Center for Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS), is the sole manager of the ISS National Laboratory, which is a portion of the ISS, and is working to maximize use of the ISS for research in space. The Administration’s decision to extend ISS operations until at least 2024 will allow us to maximize its potential and maintain American leadership in space.
The ISS is proving to be a catalyst for the growing commercial space enterprise, as well as a critical springboard for our future space exploration goals. NASA is buying hundreds of millions of dollars of cargo flights from new commercial launch services providers. With the collaboration of five space agencies, 15 nations, and private companies, the ISS is a model for cooperation on future human space exploration missions beyond low Earth orbit.
Priority Goal: Increase utilization of the International Space Station’s internal and external research facilities.
Statement:
By September 30, 2015, NASA will increase the utilization of the International Space Station internal and external research facility sites with science and technology payload hardware to 70 percent.
Description:
The continued operation of the International Space Station (ISS) is critical to achieving NASA’s and the Nation’s goals in science, technology, and human spaceflight. The ISS is a world-renowned research and development laboratory performing multidisciplinary research in science and technology benefiting humanity and enabling exploration of the universe. The ISS is also proving to be a catalyst to the growing commercial space enterprise, and is a critical springboard for our future space exploration goals.
NASA’s goal is to increase utilization of the ISS to conduct scientific research; for exploration related technology development; and to foster commercial investment in space. As an operational and multi-disciplinary research laboratory, with research coming from a wide variety of sources, it is important to characterize how the laboratory is being used and progress toward maximizing utilization of the laboratory.
Statement:
Facilitate and utilize U.S. commercial capabilities to deliver cargo and crew to space.
Description:
Partnerships with American industry to enable U.S. commercial crew transportation to low Earth orbit will stimulate a commercial industry, promote job growth, and expand knowledge, as well as supply the ISS. NASA envisions commercial human spaceflight to low Earth orbit becoming a robust, vibrant, profit-making commercial enterprise with many providers and a wide range of private and public users. Our role in this enterprise is to provide expertise, incentives, and opportunities to the emerging human space flight industry. We will purchase transportation services to meet our International Space Station crew rotation and emergency return obligations. A vibrant, job-creating, profit-making transportation system for humans and cargo to low Earth orbit will significantly contribute to the national economy.
Priority Goal: Facilitate the development of and certify U.S. industry-based crew transportation systems while maintaining competition.
Statement:
By September 30, 2015, the Commercial Crew Program will complete the first phase of certification efforts with Commercial Crew Transportation partners, and will make measurable progress toward the second certification phase with industry partners while maintaining competition.
Description:
The Commercial Crew Program is helping facilitate the development of U.S. commercial crew space transportation capabilities with the goal of achieving safe, reliable, and cost effective access to and from low Earth orbit and the International Space Station (ISS). Enabling a U.S. industry-based capability can facilitate development of a commercial market, providing new high-technology jobs and reduce the cost of human access to space. A successful commercial market will further open the frontier for space exploration.
NASA is focused on ensuring that the current phase of crew system development, the Commercial Crew integrated Capability, (CCiCap), is successful at maturing the system designs and completing initial testing. Under CCiCap, U.S. space industry partners are working to mature designs of their integrated crew transportation systems, including spacecraft, launch vehicle, ground and mission systems.
In December 2012, NASA initiated the first phase of crew transportation systems certification by awarding three Certification Products Contracts (CPC). Under CPC, commercial partners are working with NASA to develop products that meet the agency's flight safety and performance requirements and specifications. This includes certification across all aspects of the integrated system, including the spacecraft, launch vehicle, and ground and mission operations. Integrated system verification plans, hazard reports, alternate standards and certification plans are being developed to ensure safe, crewed missions to and from the space station.
The second phase of certification will begin after CPC, and will involve a full and open competition. The second phase of certification will involve final systems development, qualification and acceptance testing, orbital demonstration flights, and initial service flights of NASA crew to the International Space Station. By the end of FY 2015, measurable progress on this second phase of certification will be evidenced. Competition will be maintained.
Statement:
Understand the Sun and its interactions with Earth and the solar system, including space weather.
Description:
The domain of heliophysics ranges from the interior of the Sun, to the upper atmosphere and near-space environment of Earth (above 50 kilometers), and outward to a region far beyond Pluto where the Sun’s influence wanes against the forces of interstellar space. Earth and the other planets of our solar system reside in this vast extended atmosphere of the Sun, called the heliosphere, which is made of electrified and magnetized matter entwined with penetrating radiation and energetic particles. To increase our understanding of the heliopshere, we seek to answer fundamental questions about this system’s behavior: What causes the Sun to vary? How do geospace, planetary space environments, and the heliosphere respond? What are the impacts to humanity?
The emerging science of interplanetary space weather is crucial to NASA’s human and robotic exploration objectives beyond Earth’s orbit. Humans are presently confined to low Earth orbit, where the planetary magnetic field and the body of Earth itself provide substantial protection against solar storms. Eventually, though, astronauts will travel to distant places where natural shielding is considerably less. Our new long-term exploration initiatives directly rely on our ability to successfully understand, predict, and mitigate impacts of interplanetary space weather.
Statement:
Ascertain the content, origin, and evolution of the solar system and the potential for life elsewhere.
Description:
Planetary science continues to expand our knowledge of the solar system, with active missions and Earth-based research programs exploring all the way from Mercury to Pluto and beyond. We seek to answer fundamental questions: How did our solar system form and evolve? Is there life beyond Earth? What are the hazards to life on Earth?
Robotic exploration is the principal method we use to explore the solar system, and is an essential precursor to human exploration of space. Ground based observations, experiments, theoretical work, and analysis of extraterrestrial materials supplement our space-based assets. Each progression from flybys, to orbiting spacecraft, to landers and rovers, to sample return missions helps advance our understanding of the formation of planetary bodies, the chemical and physical history of the solar system, and the conditions that are capable of sustaining life. The successful Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity, for example, is allowing us to explore the potential habitats for past life on Mars.
Our investment in planetary science helps us protect Earth by identifying and characterizing celestial bodies and environments that may pose threats to our planet. Further, planetary science programs add to the pool of knowledge necessary for future human exploration missions. In support of the Asteroid Grand Challenge, we will enhance our Near Earth Objects Observation program to improve the detection and characterization of potential asteroid candidates for robotic and crewed exploration.
Statement:
Discover how the universe works, explore how it began and evolved, and search for life on planets around other stars.
Description:
NASA leads the Nation and the world on a continuing journey to answer profound questions: How does the universe work? How did we get here? Are we alone? The scope of astrophysics is truly breathtaking, ranging from the birth of the universe and the development of stars and galaxies over cosmic time, to the search for life on planets around other stars.
NASA’s astrophysics missions explore the extreme physical conditions of the universe and study the building blocks of our own existence at the most basic level: the space, time, matter, and energy that created the universe. Our telescopes have already measured the current age of the universe to be about 13.7 billion years and have uncovered remarkable new phenomena, such as the mysterious dark energy that dominates the universe. In the future, they will probe the origin and destiny of the universe, including the first moments of the Big Bang and the nature of black holes, dark energy, dark matter, and gravity.
We seek to understand the origin and evolution of the universe, as well as understand the processes for life on other planets. NASA’s observatories allow astronomers to explore the processes of formation of stars, galaxies, and planets. We have observed star formation occurring when the universe was at only a few percent its current age. The upcoming James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) will allow us to uncover the mysteries of star formation at an even earlier age, as well as study in detail planets around other stars.
We are navigating a voyage of unprecedented scope and ambition: seeking to discover and study planets orbiting around other stars and to explore whether they could harbor life. NASA’s astrophysics missions, in conjunction with ground-based telescopes, have already confirmed the existence of over 2,000 extrasolar planets. Of even greater interest, we are now finding that there are many small, rocky extrasolar planets where liquid water could exist. In the future, NASA’s telescopes will continue this breathtaking journey, discovering new planets and observing signatures that could indicate possibilities for life.
Priority Goal: Launch the James Webb Space Telescope.
Statement:
By October 2018, NASA will launch the James Webb Space Telescope, the premier space-based observatory. To enable this launch date, NASA will complete the James Webb Space Telescope primary mirror backplane and backplane support structures and deliver them to the Goddard Space Flight Center for integration with the mirror segments by September 30, 2015.
Description:
The James Webb Space Telescope (Webb) Program will produce an astronomical observatory capable of watching the universe light up after the Big Bang. It will revolutionize humankind's understanding of the Cosmos and our place in it. This observatory is key for meeting NASA's strategic objective to discover how the universe works, explore how it began and evolved, and search for life on planets around other stars. Webb is NASA's new telescope that will allow us to explore deeper into space and see things that even the Hubble Space Telescope cannot see. Webb's new technologies, like those developed for the backplane components, are critical to the mission's success.
The Webb observatory has a deployable, segmented primary mirror made up of 18 hexagonal mirrors. When combined into a single structure, these computer-controlled mirrors will form a single crisp image. To form these sharp images, the mirror segments must be firmly held by an extremely rigid and stable structure known as the primary mirror backplane. This backplane can be thought of as a skeleton on which we hang the mirror segments. The backplane support structure attaches to the primary mirror backplane and holds the science instrument module. The science instrument module contains the observatory's cameras and spectrographs. The backplane support structure provides a rigid and thermally stable platform to guarantee that the science instruments and telescope mirror stay in perfect alignment.
The construction of the primary mirror backplane and backplane support structure is the pacing item in the schedule for the telescope. Keeping these items on schedule is vital to keeping Webb on track for its planned October 2018 launch. From now through FY 2015, the parts of the backplane (center section, wings, backplane support fixture, and test equipment) will undergo their final phases of manufacturing and testing before being assembled into a single unit. This single unit will be delivered to the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, MD. Once the completed unit is available, NASA will place the 18 mirror segments into the backplane.
Following the completion of the telescope, the Webb program will embark on the next major integration and test portion of its schedule. In 2016, the program will begin the integration of the telescope with the science instrument module (denoted as Optical Telescope plus Integrated Science instrument module: OTIS). Also in 2016, the spacecraft will begin its integration steps. In 2017, NASA will complete the OTIS testing. The spacecraft and sunshield will be integrated and tested in 2017. Finally, in 2018, the complete integration of the observatory will occur, joining the OTIS and the spacecraft in preparation for their launch in October.
Statement:
Transform NASA missions and advance the Nation’s capabilities by maturing crosscutting and innovative space technologies.
Description:
NASA invests in cross-cutting, transformational space technologies that have high potential for offsetting mission risk, reducing costs, and advancing existing capabilities, which makes achieving more challenging missions possible. These technologies enable a new class of space missions; strengthen our Nation’s leadership in space-related science, technology, and industrial base; and foster a technology-based U.S. economy.
Drawing on talent from our workforce, academia, small business, and the broader space enterprise, NASA delivers innovative solutions that dramatically improve technological capabilities for our mission and the Nation. Development and infusion of these new capabilities improves the reliability of future missions and is vital to reaching new heights in space and sending American astronauts to new destinations, such as an asteroid or Mars.
Priority Goals
Statement:
By September 30, 2015, NASA will complete the Space Launch System, Orion, and Exploration Ground Systems Critical Design Reviews (CDRs), allowing the programs to continue to progress toward Exploration Mission (EM)-1 and EM-2 missions.
Description:
NASA is developing the nation’s first human deep-space exploration capability in the form of the Space Launch System (SLS) and the Orion crew vehicle. With the supporting Exploration Ground Systems (EGS), the SLS and Orion will carry humans farther into space than ever before, and are essential for exploration of deep space, including future human exploration of Mars. Human space exploration inspires the nation to seek knowledge through scientific discovery, advancing our understanding of the universe. As the foundation of the human exploration endeavor which will drive the Space Economy, these programs are fueling the creation of new industries, job growth, and the demand for a highly skilled workforce. NASA’s human exploration portfolio will be the initial catalyst for a better life on Earth, advancing American leadership in space, and creating a path for peace, diplomacy, and global cooperation.
NASA’s first flight of the SLS with the Orion crew vehicle, the EM-1, is currently targeted for launch in FY 2018. The EM-1 is the first flight of an uncrewed mission that will orbit the Moon and return safely to Earth. The EM-1 flight will exercise multiple systems and technical approaches in preparation for a crewed mission. To successfully achieve the goal of launching EM-1 in FY 2018, the SLS launch vehicle, Orion spacecraft and EGS programs will complete several significant design reviews as well as test flight and ground hardware and software prior to launch. The successful completion of these milestones, in conjunction with the final assembly and test of the launch vehicle and spacecraft hardware at the Kennedy Space Center launch site, will enable the successful launch of the EM-1 flight. By the end of FY 2015, all three programs-SLS, Orion and EGS-will have completed their individual Critical Design Reviews (CDRs), ensuring the whole exploration system progresses toward the EM-1 flight in FY 2018.
The SLS program CDR is the culmination of the various SLS elements’ final design reviews and will be held by the end of FY 2015. The program CDR will assess the ability of the overall launch vehicle design to meet the mission requirements with acceptable risk and appropriate margins within the defined cost, schedule and technical constraints.
Similar to the SLS, the Orion program CDR will be the culmination of several more detailed reviews. Critical flight data from the Exploration Flight Test-1 mission, the first Orion test flight to be launched in 2014, will provide information to finalize the design of the Orion spacecraft. Additionally, one of the final design reviews will focus on the Service Module, which will be developed for NASA by the European Space Agency (ESA). NASA is leveraging its strong international partnership with ESA-established in the development of the International Space Station (ISS). ESA will provide the European Service Module, a critical Orion element, in support of the first integrated test flight on the SLS launch vehicle, EM-1 in FY 2018. The Orion program CDR will assess the ability of the overall spacecraft design to meet the mission requirements with acceptable risk and appropriate margins within the defined cost, schedule and technical constraints.
The Exploration Ground Systems program CDR will be the culmination of several system-level final design reviews. For example, the mobile launcher (ML), which will provide all of the necessary ground system connections and services to the SLS launch vehicle and Orion spacecraft, will complete structural modifications by the end of this goal. After the structural modifications are complete, additional modifications of the ML will continue through FY 2017. The EGS program CDR will assess the ability of the overall ground systems designs in meeting the mission requirements with acceptable risk and appropriate margins within the defined cost, schedule and technical constraints.
Statement:
By September 30, 2015, NASA will increase the utilization of the International Space Station internal and external research facility sites with science and technology payload hardware to 70 percent.
Description:
The continued operation of the International Space Station (ISS) is critical to achieving NASA’s and the Nation’s goals in science, technology, and human spaceflight. The ISS is a world-renowned research and development laboratory performing multidisciplinary research in science and technology benefiting humanity and enabling exploration of the universe. The ISS is also proving to be a catalyst to the growing commercial space enterprise, and is a critical springboard for our future space exploration goals.
NASA’s goal is to increase utilization of the ISS to conduct scientific research; for exploration related technology development; and to foster commercial investment in space. As an operational and multi-disciplinary research laboratory, with research coming from a wide variety of sources, it is important to characterize how the laboratory is being used and progress toward maximizing utilization of the laboratory.
Statement:
By September 30, 2015, the Commercial Crew Program will complete the first phase of certification efforts with Commercial Crew Transportation partners, and will make measurable progress toward the second certification phase with industry partners while maintaining competition.
Description:
The Commercial Crew Program is helping facilitate the development of U.S. commercial crew space transportation capabilities with the goal of achieving safe, reliable, and cost effective access to and from low Earth orbit and the International Space Station (ISS). Enabling a U.S. industry-based capability can facilitate development of a commercial market, providing new high-technology jobs and reduce the cost of human access to space. A successful commercial market will further open the frontier for space exploration.
NASA is focused on ensuring that the current phase of crew system development, the Commercial Crew integrated Capability, (CCiCap), is successful at maturing the system designs and completing initial testing. Under CCiCap, U.S. space industry partners are working to mature designs of their integrated crew transportation systems, including spacecraft, launch vehicle, ground and mission systems.
In December 2012, NASA initiated the first phase of crew transportation systems certification by awarding three Certification Products Contracts (CPC). Under CPC, commercial partners are working with NASA to develop products that meet the agency's flight safety and performance requirements and specifications. This includes certification across all aspects of the integrated system, including the spacecraft, launch vehicle, and ground and mission operations. Integrated system verification plans, hazard reports, alternate standards and certification plans are being developed to ensure safe, crewed missions to and from the space station.
The second phase of certification will begin after CPC, and will involve a full and open competition. The second phase of certification will involve final systems development, qualification and acceptance testing, orbital demonstration flights, and initial service flights of NASA crew to the International Space Station. By the end of FY 2015, measurable progress on this second phase of certification will be evidenced. Competition will be maintained.
Statement:
By October 2018, NASA will launch the James Webb Space Telescope, the premier space-based observatory. To enable this launch date, NASA will complete the James Webb Space Telescope primary mirror backplane and backplane support structures and deliver them to the Goddard Space Flight Center for integration with the mirror segments by September 30, 2015.
Description:
The James Webb Space Telescope (Webb) Program will produce an astronomical observatory capable of watching the universe light up after the Big Bang. It will revolutionize humankind's understanding of the Cosmos and our place in it. This observatory is key for meeting NASA's strategic objective to discover how the universe works, explore how it began and evolved, and search for life on planets around other stars. Webb is NASA's new telescope that will allow us to explore deeper into space and see things that even the Hubble Space Telescope cannot see. Webb's new technologies, like those developed for the backplane components, are critical to the mission's success.
The Webb observatory has a deployable, segmented primary mirror made up of 18 hexagonal mirrors. When combined into a single structure, these computer-controlled mirrors will form a single crisp image. To form these sharp images, the mirror segments must be firmly held by an extremely rigid and stable structure known as the primary mirror backplane. This backplane can be thought of as a skeleton on which we hang the mirror segments. The backplane support structure attaches to the primary mirror backplane and holds the science instrument module. The science instrument module contains the observatory's cameras and spectrographs. The backplane support structure provides a rigid and thermally stable platform to guarantee that the science instruments and telescope mirror stay in perfect alignment.
The construction of the primary mirror backplane and backplane support structure is the pacing item in the schedule for the telescope. Keeping these items on schedule is vital to keeping Webb on track for its planned October 2018 launch. From now through FY 2015, the parts of the backplane (center section, wings, backplane support fixture, and test equipment) will undergo their final phases of manufacturing and testing before being assembled into a single unit. This single unit will be delivered to the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, MD. Once the completed unit is available, NASA will place the 18 mirror segments into the backplane.
Following the completion of the telescope, the Webb program will embark on the next major integration and test portion of its schedule. In 2016, the program will begin the integration of the telescope with the science instrument module (denoted as Optical Telescope plus Integrated Science instrument module: OTIS). Also in 2016, the spacecraft will begin its integration steps. In 2017, NASA will complete the OTIS testing. The spacecraft and sunshield will be integrated and tested in 2017. Finally, in 2018, the complete integration of the observatory will occur, joining the OTIS and the spacecraft in preparation for their launch in October.
Strategic Goal:
Understand Earth and improve life on it.
Statement:
Advance understanding of Earth and develop technologies to improve the quality of life on our home planet.
Strategic Objectives
Statement:
Enable a revolutionary transformation for safe and sustainable U.S. and global aviation by advancing aeronautics research.
Description:
Aviation is the transportation mode that connects nations, cities, businesses, and people to support a growing and vital global economy. Within the United States, aviation is essential to economic well-being. Aviation contributes more than $1.0 trillion annually to the U.S. economy and supports more than 10 million direct and indirect jobs, including more than one million manufacturing jobs. Aviation comprises more than five percent of the total U.S. gross domestic product. In the United States, more than $1.5 trillion in freight is transported by air every year and air travelers alone spend more than $635 billion a year. Globally, the aviation system is growing rapidly with the potential for more than five times as many passengers and 10 times the cargo in 2050 as today. Since our establishment, NASA has continually advanced America’s aviation system to improve our quality of life and productivity on Earth.*+
NASA contributes unique innovations to aviation through our research activities. These innovations serve as key enablers for the role of U.S. commercial aviation in sustaining American commerce and safe, environmentally sustainable mobility, and hence the Nation’s economic well-being. NASA’s role is to explore early stage concepts and ideas, develop new technologies and operational procedures through foundational research, and demonstrate the potential of promising new vehicles, operations, and safety technology in relevant environments. We are focused on the most appropriate cutting-edge research and technologies to overcome a wide range of aeronautics technical challenges for the Nation’s and the world’s current and future air transportation system.
* “The Economic Impact of Civil Aviation on the U.S. Economy,” August 2011, FAA, (http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/media/FAA_Economic_Impact_Rp...)
+“IATA Vision 2050,” Page 61, IATA, February 2011, Table 16, PDF.(http://www.iata.org/pressroom/facts_figures/documents/vision-2050.pdf)
Statement:
Advance knowledge of Earth as a system to meet the challenges of environmental change, and to improve life on our planet.
Description:
Earth’s changing environment impacts every aspect of life on our planet and climate change has profound implications on society. Studying Earth as a single complex system is essential to understanding the causes and consequences of climate change and other global environmental concerns. NASA addresses the issues and opportunities of climate change and environmental sensitivity by answering the following questions through our Earth Science programs: How is the global Earth system changing? What causes these changes in the Earth system? How will Earth’s systems change in the future? How can Earth system science provide societal benefits?
NASA’s Earth science programs shape an interdisciplinary view of Earth, exploring the interaction among the atmosphere, oceans, ice sheets, land surface interior, and life itself, which enables scientists to measure global and climate changes and to inform decisions by Government, organizations, and people in the United States and around the world. We make the data collected and results generated by our missions accessible to other agencies and organizations to improve the products and services they provide, including air quality indices, disaster prediction and response, agricultural yield projections, and aviation safety.
Statement:
Optimize Agency technology investments, foster open innovation, and facilitate technology infusion, ensuring the greatest national benefit.
Description:
NASA’s missions require that we expand the boundaries of our technological capabilities to explore our solar system, increase our understanding of space, and improve life on Earth. Innovation and invention are the necessary elements that will enable this progress and shape our future. Efficient management of technology investments is more critical than ever. NASA, like other technology development organizations, both Government and commercial, must balance technology investments and promote successful innovation with limited resources.
To optimize the technology portfolio, we seek to align mission directorate technology investments, eliminate duplication, and lower costs while providing critical capabilities that support missions and longer-term national needs. We strive to develop tools and processes to manage the technology portfolio, find better ways to analyze our portfolio, identify mission needs, create roadmaps, set priorities, establish partnerships, and engage scientists, engineers, and the public to invent extraordinary technologies for our future.
Statement:
Advance the Nation’s Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education and workforce pipeline by working collaboratively with other agencies to engage students, teachers, and faculty in NASA's missions and unique assets.
Description:
NASA’s education programs work in collaboration with other Federal agencies to improve the quality of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education in the United States, which supports both NASA’s strategic plan and the Administration’s STEM policy. To maintain a globally competitive Nation, our education programs develop and deliver activities that support the growth of NASA’s and the Nation’s STEM workforce, help develop STEM educators, engage and establish partnerships with institutions, and inspire and educate the public. NASA’s contribution to STEM education brings immediate benefits to schools and other institutions, while helping to ensure that future generations of Americans will have the technical skills needed to continue NASA’s missions. We will continue to engage and involve the public and other stakeholders in our activities, and work to build an open, transparent and participatory organization.
Through effective use of our assets in our STEM education programs, we are able to share NASA’s inspirational activities with a broader audience. NASA STEM engagement activities provide learners of all ages the chance to engage in science, technology, engineering, and math, and to understand the value of STEM in their lives. Our learners include: primary, secondary, and higher education students; parents and guardians; formal and informal educators and higher education faculty; and the general public at large. The quality of life we enjoy today is the direct result of the inspiration and achievements of scientists, engineers, mathematicians, and technologists of yesterday. We pursue our objective to ensure future generations of STEM professionals are inspired, experienced, and capable of achieving even greater accomplishments in STEM-related fields. We pursue this objective through a portfolio of NASA-unique STEM experiential learning opportunities (e.g. grants, internships, fellowships, scholarships, workshops) and challenges. These creative applications of NASA-related knowledge encourage innovation, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, which are characteristics required of our Nation’s future STEM workforce.
Strategic Goal:
Serve the public through excellence in NASA's workforce and assets.
Statement:
Serve the American public and accomplish our Mission by effectively managing our people, technical capabilities, and infrastructure.
Strategic Objectives
Statement:
Attract and advance a highly skilled, competent, and diverse workforce, cultivate an innovative work environment, and provide the facilities, tools, and services needed to conduct NASA’s missions.
Description:
NASA’s workforce and institutional capabilities enable us to successfully conduct our missions. We are dedicated to innovation, bold ideas, and excellence, which enable us to provide the day-to-day operations required to support and achieve our missions.
People are our most important resource; without them, no mission can be achieved. We have a workforce that is skilled, competent, and dedicated. Our workforce is committed and passionate, and brings many dimensions of diversity, including ideas and approaches, to make our teams successful. To conduct our missions over the next 20 to 30 years, we must focus on attaining an increasingly diverse workforce with the right balance of skills and talents and provide an inclusive work environment in which employees with varying perspectives, education levels, skills, life experiences, and backgrounds work together and are fully engaged in NASA’s Mission.
Statement:
Ensure the availability and continued advancement of strategic, technical, and programmatic capabilities to sustain NASA’s Mission.
Description:
We identify and prioritize our essential assets and implement strategic investment decisions to sustain, enhance, replace, modify, or dispose of them based on NASA and National needs. We ensure that our key capabilities and critical assets will be available in the future to support the missions that require them. For example, we provide launch services to NASA and civil sector missions, as well as an uninterrupted, reliable space communications network to allow data transmissions to Earth from space. Both of these capabilities are critical to making space missions feasible, safe, and efficient.
NASA’s technical capabilities and assets support NASA missions as well as the work of others beyond NASA. Other Federal agencies and the private sector use our specialized facilities to test and evaluate items to mitigate risk and optimize engineering designs. We manage our technical capabilities and assets carefully through strategic investments and sustainable practices that ensure their readiness for NASA and other customers.
Statement:
Provide secure, effective, and affordable information technologies and services that enable NASA’s Mission.
Description:
Information technology (IT) is critical to NASA’s infrastructure and mission success. To support NASA’s missions effectively, we must inspire excellence in IT planning and service delivery across organizational and functional boundaries. We must find ways to use information technology that supports a more collaborative, geographically diverse and mobile working culture, keeps our IT skills and capabilities up-to-date to serve NASA’s missions, and protects those missions from ever-evolving IT security threats.
Our approach to IT planning and service delivery emphasizes responsive innovation, transparency, and accountability. In planning, we take an agency-wide view that considers NASA’s diverse mission needs to guide IT policy, investment decisions, and management practices. At the same time, our approach calls for rigorous assessments of investment trade-offs and sequencing to balance the cost, quality, and timing of our IT capabilities to optimize value while limiting mission risk. We will collaborate with NASA leaders to prioritize and sequence our information management investments to deliver the right blend of capabilities over time to effectively and affordably support NASA.
Statement:
Ensure effective management of NASA programs and operations to complete the mission safely and successfully.
Description:
Safety and mission success programs protect the health and safety of the NASA workforce and improve the likelihood that NASA’s programs, projects, and operations will be completed safely and successfully. NASA’s commitment to safety and mission success extends to the American public, our employees, our commercial partners, and our contractors. We do this through an environment of trust and ethical behavior using diverse multidisciplinary teams that foster equal opportunity, collaboration, and continuous learning. We promote technical excellence and competence while ensuring safety, reliability, maintainability, quality engineering, and project management within NASA.
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FY16-17 Agency Priority Goals
An Agency Priority Goal is a near-term result or achievement that agency leadership wants to accomplish within approximately 24 months that relies predominantly on agency implementation as opposed to budget or legislative accomplishments. Click below to see this agency's FY16-17 Priority Goals.
Agency Priority Goal:
Statement:
Achieve critical milestones in development of new systems for the human exploration of deep space. By September 30, 2017, NASA will have begun integration and testing of the Exploration Mission (EM)-1 Orion Crew Module (CM), including the first power-on of the vehicle; delivered all four EM-1 Space Launch System (SLS) Core Stage RS-25 engines to the Michoud Assembly Facility in preparation for integration into the Core Stage; and completed construction of Exploration Ground Systems (EGS) Pad B.
Description:
NASA is developing key elements of the Nation’s first human deep-space exploration capability in the form of the Space Launch System (SLS) and the Orion crew vehicle. With the support of Exploration Ground Systems (EGS), the SLS and Orion will carry humans farther into space than ever before, and are essential for exploration of deep space, including future human exploration of Mars. Human space exploration inspires the Nation. As the foundation of the human exploration endeavor, these programs are also building a highly skilled workforce. NASA’s human exploration portfolio will advance American leadership in space, and create a path for peace, diplomacy, and global cooperation.
NASA’s first flight of the SLS and the Orion crew vehicle, Exploration Mission (EM)-1, will be an uncrewed mission beyond low Earth orbit with the Orion capsule returning safely to Earth. The EM-1 flight will exercise multiple systems and technical approaches in preparation for a crewed mission. In order to achieve this goal, the SLS launch vehicle, Orion spacecraft, and EGS programs will complete several significant design reviews, as well as test flight and ground hardware and software prior to launch. The successful completion of these milestones, in conjunction with the final assembly and test of the launch vehicle and spacecraft hardware at the Kennedy Space Center launch site, will enable the successful launch of the EM-1 flight. By the end of FY 2017, the SLS, Orion, and EGS programs will be past critical design and into system qualification and major flight hardware production.
For this reporting period, the SLS program will complete a number of significant development, qualification, and production milestones. SLS will complete the second of two qualification tests of the five segment solid rocket motor, the successful completion of which will clear the boosters for flight. Production of core stage (hydrogen and oxygen tanks, intertank, and forward and engine sections) and interim cryogenic propulsion stage qualification hardware will be complete and ready for testing. SLS will also start production of flight hardware, including the launch vehicle stage adaptor and multipurpose crew vehicle stage adaptor. The four RS-25 core stage engines allocated for EM-1 will go through testing in preparation for integration into the EM-1 core and green run testing in FY 2018. Finally, SLS will complete the development of green run and EM-1 flight software.
The Orion Program will complete its Critical Design Review and continue manufacturing and testing of the EM-1 flight vehicle. Manufacturing has already begun on the EM-1 Crew Module’s pressure vessel (the living space within Orion that provides life support for the crew). It will be delivered to the Kennedy Space Center in FY 2016, and then assembly of the Crew Module can begin. This will also be the first flight of the European Service Module, a milestone in the long human spaceflight partnership between NASA and the European Space Agency. The structural testing of the European Service Module will occur in this reporting period. In late FY 2017, the EM-1 Orion crew and service module assembly will undergo environmental testing at Glenn Research Center’s Plum Brook Station in Ohio.
The Exploration Ground Systems program will conduct a Critical Design Review in early FY 2016 to assess the ability of the overall ground systems designs in meeting the mission requirements with acceptable risk and appropriate margins within the defined cost, schedule, and technical constraints. In FY 2016, the program will conduct its System Integration Review. These reviews will be the culmination of several system-level final design and implementation reviews. In late FY 2017, several components of Exploration Ground Systems plan to kick off their respective Operational Readiness Reviews. The system, including any enabling products, will be reviewed and a determination made if it is ready to be placed in an operational status. The kickoff will initiate a process to capture all applicable lessons-learned for organizational improvement and systems operations. All waivers and anomalies will have been in final evaluation and prepared for closure as appropriate. Systems hardware, software, personnel, and procedures will initiate a review to ensure they are in place to support operations. It is anticipated that some additional modifications of the mobile launcher will continue through FY 2017.
Agency Priority Goal:
Statement:
Increase the occupancy of the International Space Station’s (ISS’s) internal and external research facilities by adding new instruments and capabilities. By September 30, 2017, NASA will increase the occupancy of the ISS internal and external research facility sites with science and technology payload hardware to 75 percent.
Description:
The continued operation and use of the International Space Station (ISS) is critical to achieving NASA’s and the Nation’s goals in conducting science, demonstrating technology, enabling a commercial market in low Earth orbit, and propelling human spaceflight into the solar system. The research occurring aboard the space station, which is the world’s only continuously-crewed orbiting, microgravity research and development laboratory, is helping NASA prepare to send astronauts into deep space and is providing tangible benefits to everyone on Earth.
NASA’s goal is to increase utilization of the ISS for exploration related technology development; to foster commercial investment in space; and to conduct scientific research. As an operational and multi-disciplinary research laboratory, with research coming from a wide variety of sources, it is important to characterize how the laboratory is being used and progress toward maximizing utilization of the laboratory.
Agency Priority Goal:
Statement:
Facilitate the development of and certify U.S. industry-based crew transportation systems while maintaining competition, returning International Space Station crew transportation to the United States. By September 30, 2017, the Commercial Crew Program (CCP), along with its industry partners, will make measurable technical and programmatic progress toward the certification of commercial crew transportation systems, including the completion of at least one Design Certification Review.
Description:
The Commercial Crew Program is helping facilitate the development of U.S. commercial crew space transportation capabilities with the goal of achieving safe, reliable, and cost-effective access to and from low Earth orbit and the International Space Station (ISS). Enabling a U.S. industry-based capability can facilitate development of a commercial market, providing new high-technology jobs and reducing the cost of human access to space. A successful commercial market will further open the frontier for space exploration. NASA will continue to work with The Boeing Company and Space Explorations Technologies Corporation to complete development and NASA certification for human space transportation systems capable of carrying people into orbit.
Once certification is completed, NASA plans to use these systems to ferry astronauts to the ISS and return them safely to Earth.
Agency Priority Goal:
Statement:
Revolutionize humankind's understanding of the Cosmos and humanity’s place in it. By October 2018, NASA will launch the James Webb Space Telescope (Webb). To enable this launch date, NASA will complete the testing of the Webb Optical Telescope Element plus Integrated Science Instrument Module by September 30, 2017.
Description:
The James Webb Space Telescope (Webb) Program will produce an astronomical observatory capable of watching the universe light up after the Big Bang. It will revolutionize humankind's understanding of the Cosmos and our place in it. This observatory is key for meeting NASA's strategic objective to discover how the universe works, explore how it began and evolved, and search for life on planets around other stars. Webb is NASA's new telescope that will allow us to explore deeper into space and see things that even the Hubble Space Telescope cannot see. Webb's new technologies, such as those developed for the telescope backplane components, are critical to the mission's success.
The Webb observatory has a deployable, segmented primary mirror made up of 18 hexagonal mirrors. When combined into a single structure, these computer-controlled mirrors will form a single, crisp image. To form these sharp images, the mirror segments must be firmly held by an extremely rigid and stable structure known as the primary mirror backplane. When the backplane is populated with the already completed mirror segments, and then joined to the Integrated Science Instrument Module (ISIM), Webb will have a completed telescope capable of creating images.
Completion of OTIS, which integrates the Optical Telescope Element (OTE) and the ISIM, is a major step in the realization of the Webb mission. Keeping these items on schedule is vital to keeping Webb on track for its planned October 2018 launch. From now through FY 2017, ISIM will complete its testing, the Pathfinder structure and mirrors will reduce the risks associated with the full OTIS tests, and the OTIS test itself will occur. The OTIS test will verify that the system will deliver the required performance in terms of optical quality and sensitivity.
Following the integration of the telescope and science instruments, the Webb program will embark on the next major integration and test portion of its schedule. In calendar year 2017, the spacecraft and sunshield will be integrated and tested. Finally, in fiscal year 2018, the complete integration of the observatory will occur, joining the OTIS and the spacecraft/sunshield in preparation for their launch in October.
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FY14-15 Agency Priority Goals
An Agency Priority Goal is a near-term result or achievement that agency leadership wants to accomplish within approximately 24 months that relies predominantly on agency implementation as opposed to budget or legislative accomplishments. Click below to see this agency's FY14-15 Priority Goals.
Agency Priority Goal:
Achieve critical milestones in development of new systems for the human exploration of deep space.
Statement:
By September 30, 2015, NASA will complete the Space Launch System, Orion, and Exploration Ground Systems Critical Design Reviews (CDRs), allowing the programs to continue to progress toward Exploration Mission (EM)-1 and EM-2 missions.
Description:
NASA is developing the nation’s first human deep-space exploration capability in the form of the Space Launch System (SLS) and the Orion crew vehicle. With the supporting Exploration Ground Systems (EGS), the SLS and Orion will carry humans farther into space than ever before, and are essential for exploration of deep space, including future human exploration of Mars. Human space exploration inspires the nation to seek knowledge through scientific discovery, advancing our understanding of the universe. As the foundation of the human exploration endeavor which will drive the Space Economy, these programs are fueling the creation of new industries, job growth, and the demand for a highly skilled workforce. NASA’s human exploration portfolio will be the initial catalyst for a better life on Earth, advancing American leadership in space, and creating a path for peace, diplomacy, and global cooperation.
NASA’s first flight of the SLS with the Orion crew vehicle, the EM-1, is currently targeted for launch in FY 2018. The EM-1 is the first flight of an uncrewed mission that will orbit the Moon and return safely to Earth. The EM-1 flight will exercise multiple systems and technical approaches in preparation for a crewed mission. To successfully achieve the goal of launching EM-1 in FY 2018, the SLS launch vehicle, Orion spacecraft and EGS programs will complete several significant design reviews as well as test flight and ground hardware and software prior to launch. The successful completion of these milestones, in conjunction with the final assembly and test of the launch vehicle and spacecraft hardware at the Kennedy Space Center launch site, will enable the successful launch of the EM-1 flight. By the end of FY 2015, all three programs-SLS, Orion and EGS-will have completed their individual Critical Design Reviews (CDRs), ensuring the whole exploration system progresses toward the EM-1 flight in FY 2018.
The SLS program CDR is the culmination of the various SLS elements’ final design reviews and will be held by the end of FY 2015. The program CDR will assess the ability of the overall launch vehicle design to meet the mission requirements with acceptable risk and appropriate margins within the defined cost, schedule and technical constraints.
Similar to the SLS, the Orion program CDR will be the culmination of several more detailed reviews. Critical flight data from the Exploration Flight Test-1 mission, the first Orion test flight to be launched in 2014, will provide information to finalize the design of the Orion spacecraft. Additionally, one of the final design reviews will focus on the Service Module, which will be developed for NASA by the European Space Agency (ESA). NASA is leveraging its strong international partnership with ESA-established in the development of the International Space Station (ISS). ESA will provide the European Service Module, a critical Orion element, in support of the first integrated test flight on the SLS launch vehicle, EM-1 in FY 2018. The Orion program CDR will assess the ability of the overall spacecraft design to meet the mission requirements with acceptable risk and appropriate margins within the defined cost, schedule and technical constraints.
The Exploration Ground Systems program CDR will be the culmination of several system-level final design reviews. For example, the mobile launcher (ML), which will provide all of the necessary ground system connections and services to the SLS launch vehicle and Orion spacecraft, will complete structural modifications by the end of this goal. After the structural modifications are complete, additional modifications of the ML will continue through FY 2017. The EGS program CDR will assess the ability of the overall ground systems designs in meeting the mission requirements with acceptable risk and appropriate margins within the defined cost, schedule and technical constraints.
Agency Priority Goal:
Increase utilization of the International Space Station’s internal and external research facilities.
Statement:
By September 30, 2015, NASA will increase the utilization of the International Space Station internal and external research facility sites with science and technology payload hardware to 70 percent.
Description:
The continued operation of the International Space Station (ISS) is critical to achieving NASA’s and the Nation’s goals in science, technology, and human spaceflight. The ISS is a world-renowned research and development laboratory performing multidisciplinary research in science and technology benefiting humanity and enabling exploration of the universe. The ISS is also proving to be a catalyst to the growing commercial space enterprise, and is a critical springboard for our future space exploration goals.
NASA’s goal is to increase utilization of the ISS to conduct scientific research; for exploration related technology development; and to foster commercial investment in space. As an operational and multi-disciplinary research laboratory, with research coming from a wide variety of sources, it is important to characterize how the laboratory is being used and progress toward maximizing utilization of the laboratory.
Agency Priority Goal:
Statement:
By September 30, 2015, the Commercial Crew Program will complete the first phase of certification efforts with Commercial Crew Transportation partners, and will make measurable progress toward the second certification phase with industry partners while maintaining competition.
Description:
The Commercial Crew Program is helping facilitate the development of U.S. commercial crew space transportation capabilities with the goal of achieving safe, reliable, and cost effective access to and from low Earth orbit and the International Space Station (ISS). Enabling a U.S. industry-based capability can facilitate development of a commercial market, providing new high-technology jobs and reduce the cost of human access to space. A successful commercial market will further open the frontier for space exploration.
NASA is focused on ensuring that the current phase of crew system development, the Commercial Crew integrated Capability, (CCiCap), is successful at maturing the system designs and completing initial testing. Under CCiCap, U.S. space industry partners are working to mature designs of their integrated crew transportation systems, including spacecraft, launch vehicle, ground and mission systems.
In December 2012, NASA initiated the first phase of crew transportation systems certification by awarding three Certification Products Contracts (CPC). Under CPC, commercial partners are working with NASA to develop products that meet the agency's flight safety and performance requirements and specifications. This includes certification across all aspects of the integrated system, including the spacecraft, launch vehicle, and ground and mission operations. Integrated system verification plans, hazard reports, alternate standards and certification plans are being developed to ensure safe, crewed missions to and from the space station.
The second phase of certification will begin after CPC, and will involve a full and open competition. The second phase of certification will involve final systems development, qualification and acceptance testing, orbital demonstration flights, and initial service flights of NASA crew to the International Space Station. By the end of FY 2015, measurable progress on this second phase of certification will be evidenced. Competition will be maintained.
Agency Priority Goal:
Statement:
By October 2018, NASA will launch the James Webb Space Telescope, the premier space-based observatory. To enable this launch date, NASA will complete the James Webb Space Telescope primary mirror backplane and backplane support structures and deliver them to the Goddard Space Flight Center for integration with the mirror segments by September 30, 2015.
Description:
The James Webb Space Telescope (Webb) Program will produce an astronomical observatory capable of watching the universe light up after the Big Bang. It will revolutionize humankind's understanding of the Cosmos and our place in it. This observatory is key for meeting NASA's strategic objective to discover how the universe works, explore how it began and evolved, and search for life on planets around other stars. Webb is NASA's new telescope that will allow us to explore deeper into space and see things that even the Hubble Space Telescope cannot see. Webb's new technologies, like those developed for the backplane components, are critical to the mission's success.
The Webb observatory has a deployable, segmented primary mirror made up of 18 hexagonal mirrors. When combined into a single structure, these computer-controlled mirrors will form a single crisp image. To form these sharp images, the mirror segments must be firmly held by an extremely rigid and stable structure known as the primary mirror backplane. This backplane can be thought of as a skeleton on which we hang the mirror segments. The backplane support structure attaches to the primary mirror backplane and holds the science instrument module. The science instrument module contains the observatory's cameras and spectrographs. The backplane support structure provides a rigid and thermally stable platform to guarantee that the science instruments and telescope mirror stay in perfect alignment.
The construction of the primary mirror backplane and backplane support structure is the pacing item in the schedule for the telescope. Keeping these items on schedule is vital to keeping Webb on track for its planned October 2018 launch. From now through FY 2015, the parts of the backplane (center section, wings, backplane support fixture, and test equipment) will undergo their final phases of manufacturing and testing before being assembled into a single unit. This single unit will be delivered to the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, MD. Once the completed unit is available, NASA will place the 18 mirror segments into the backplane.
Following the completion of the telescope, the Webb program will embark on the next major integration and test portion of its schedule. In 2016, the program will begin the integration of the telescope with the science instrument module (denoted as Optical Telescope plus Integrated Science instrument module: OTIS). Also in 2016, the spacecraft will begin its integration steps. In 2017, NASA will complete the OTIS testing. The spacecraft and sunshield will be integrated and tested in 2017. Finally, in 2018, the complete integration of the observatory will occur, joining the OTIS and the spacecraft in preparation for their launch in October.
