Flight Programs 



delays wreak havoc with the research programs of individual scientists and 

 ultimately work to the detriment of the entire space life sciences community. 



• Many experiments require prompt reflight to increase sample size, to validate 

 experimental design and hardware, and to rerun inconclusive or malfunctioning 

 investigations. This capability has rarely been available to life scientists. 



• A variety of alternative means of gaining access to space already exists or could 

 be developed. 



• The United States would benefit greatly in a number of areas by cooperating 

 with foreign space programs. While progress has been made in this regard, 

 much more needs to be done. 



Recommendations 



• NASA should do the following to reduce the delay between the Agency's 

 acceptance of a proposal for a flight experiment and actual launch of that 

 experiment: 



— Continue the establishment of Discipline Working Groups, which allow 

 greater contact between investigators and NASA programs when 

 experiments are solicited. 



— Limit the scope of Announcements of Opportunity by making them 

 more discipline-oriented. 



— Try to establish a firmer link between Announcements of Opportunity 

 and specific, manifested missions. 



— Link Announcements of Opportunity with theme-oriented missions or 

 programs whenever possible. 



— Target different Announcements of Opportunity to different experimental 

 opportunities available on the Space Shuttle middeck, Spacelab, free- 

 fliers, Space Station, Biocosmos, and elsewhere. 



— Release Announcements of Opportunity on a regular basis to allow 

 potential researchers to plan their proposal preparation and resources 

 better. 



— Accept a smaller number of experiments with more narrowly targeted 

 objectives to prevent overlap and maximize resources. 



• Life sciences payloads should be given priority so that life sciences research 

 is routinely conducted in space. 



— Payload space, such as Shuttle middeck lockers, should be made 

 available on a priority basis on each Shuttle mission for life sciences 

 research. 



— If middeck lockers are not available, NASA should look into the 

 availability of Spacehab, the Commercially Developed Space Facility, or 

 other facilities as substitutes. 



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