physics to an improvement in the operational char- 

 acteristics of electronic and optical materials; in- 

 vestigate energy exchange processes among atoms, 

 molecules, electrons, ions, and fields for use in 

 energy conversion, lasers and their uses in science, 

 and solar energy conversion; advance information 

 and electronic sciences to provide improved data 

 management at lowest possible cost; increase cap- 

 ability of engineering materials to withstand high 

 temperatures to make possible development of 

 efficient aircraft engines and space power systems; 

 and gain a basic understanding of fiber-matrix 

 composite materials. 



Long-Range Future 



NASA's research program priorities for the 

 longer range future (next 10 years or more) are: 



Physical sciences. To conduct further surveys of 

 the sky in new wavelengths that will identify ob- 

 jects and phenomena in the distant regions of the 

 universe; study these objects and phenomena at 

 greater spectral and spatial resolutions; and devel- 

 op detailed understanding of the physical process- 

 es in the Sun-Earth system and within the Earth's 

 complex magnetosphere-atmosphere system. 



Environmental sciences (planetary). To conduct 

 detailed studies of the terrestrial planets and bod- 

 ies, relating their history and condition to those of 

 the Earth; extend our first-order knowledge to 

 more of the outer planets and their satellites; and 

 carry out reconnaissance of the smaller bodies in 

 the solar system (comets and asteroids). 



Environmental sciences (Earth). To conduct the 

 space segment of a national climate program; un- 

 derstand and assess the contribution of individual 

 climate elements to the climate picture; and 

 monitor movement of major tectonic plates to an 

 accuracy of a few centimeters per year. 



Life sciences. To use the unique, gravity-free 

 environment of space flight to further knowledge 

 in medicine and biology by exploring basic physio- 

 logical mechanisms in all living systems; and search 

 for extraterrestrial life, and attempt to understand 

 the formation and existence of life in the universe. 



Engineering sciences. To provide the technology 

 base for new aeronautical concepts; provide effi- 

 cient means to transmit energy in space; provide 

 autonomous systems for space exploration; devel- 

 op technology base for major break-throughs in 

 propulsion and space power systems; provide tech- 

 nology base for large-area systems for space mis- 

 sions; and advance information science to include 

 computer-human interactions, artificial intelli- 

 gence, and establishing and implementing the best 

 use of computers. 



1 88 NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION 



Other Promising Areas 



A number of other basic research areas appear 

 to offer promise of achievements of some signifi- 

 cance and potential payoff, but are not now being 

 pursued as much as they might be and are not now 

 planned for increased support in the years ahead. 

 Chief among these are: 



• Research on the fundamental physical and 

 chemical processes involved in the remote 

 sensing of atmospheric and water constituents 

 and pollutants. 



• Detection of strain buildup along extended 

 faulted areas. 



• Increased activity in propagation research in 

 new, higher frequency bands to provide op- 

 portunities for wider band future satellite 

 communication links with reduced interfer- 

 ence. 



• Search for other planetary systems. 



• Search for extraterrestrial intelligence. 



Organization and Management of 

 Scientific Activities 



Organization 



The NASA organizational structure has evolved 

 to meet changing national needs and program 

 priorities. There are three major management 

 areas at the Associate Administrator level. Two of 

 these, the Associate Administrator and the Asso- 

 ciate Administrator for Space Flight, are responsi- 

 ble for the R&D programs of NASA. 



The Associate Administrator is responsible for 

 programs in space science, space applications, 

 aeronautics and space technology, tracking and 

 data acquisition, and energy (jointly or coopera- 

 tively with ERDA). Also under his authority is the 

 Office of University Affairs, which provides a 

 modest level of funding to academic institutions or 

 individuals at institutions for support of research. 

 All of the basic research in NASA is funded by 

 these programs, the greatest part by the space sci- 

 ence and aeronautics and space technology pro- 

 grams. 



The Associate Administrator for Space Flight is 

 responsible for R&D programs in space transporta- 

 tion and in the operation of space transportation 

 systems. Chief among the present programs are 

 development of the space shuttle, the spacelab (by 

 the European Space Agency, with NASA 

 cooperation), and the interim upper stage (by 

 DOD, with NASA cooperation). Other upper 

 stages for the space shuttle are being developed by 

 the private sector. All of these elements comprise 

 the space transportation system, to be operational 

 in the early 1980's. This Office is also responsible 



