Minority University- SPace Interdisciplinary Network Cooperative Agreement Notice for FY “Institutes for Collaborative Research and Education (ICRE) at Network Resources and Training Sites (NRTS) URE OMS 2004 Closing Events Program July 8-9, 2004 James L. Harrington, Jr. (301)

MU-SPIN Description The primary goal of this program is to increase the contributions to NASA research, education and technology made by minority institutions. In collaboration with NASA’s Enterprises, Centers, scientists and educators, MU-SPIN leverages the Network Resources and Training Sites program to create partnerships with other affiliated research laboratories.

Expected Outcomes Partnerships and collaborations that contribute substantially to the NASA mission. Use NASA’s unique mission challenges and outcomes as the basis for obtaining state-of-the- art research and educational excellence resources. Move Minority Institutions increasingly towards gaining support from sources outside the MUREP funding. Contribute significantly to the goals of NASA for diversification in NASA’s programs.

Network Resources and Training Sites IRA NRTS began in 1996 with the specific objective to perform collaborative scientific and/or engineering research or education projects along with facilitating technical assistance workshops for the MU-SPIN program. –Improvement in the in-house science and education infrastructure of MIs –Development of infrastructure support mechanisms

CAN ICREs at NRTS The objective of the new MU-SPIN CAN for FY is to “Prepare the next generation of scientists, educators and technologists to contribute to current and the design of future earth observing and space exploration missions” The approach for the new CAN will be the funding of multiple ICREs focusing on specific future announcements selected as targets for increased MI participation. MU- SPIN will be collaborating with NASA program managers, principal investigators and team scientists in the selection of the target announcements. The outcome is the training of MIs to effectively team and compete for announcements outside of MUREP for increased sustainability of MUREP funded programs.

Funding The official announcement will be available during the Summer of Calendar Year Expected award total funding is $2.4M per year for five years. Proposals from individuals* and teams will be accepted. Awards will range between $50-100K for individuals and up to $300K for teams. * ICREs by definition must include at least two institutions and one must be a minority institution. Funding from this CAN is designated to support the abilities of the MI to conduct research, host workshops and participate in scientific societies to expand exposure of new capabilities

Focused Training Concept Two focused training concepts: –1. Training for competing for Earth Science, Space Science, Biological and Physical Research and Education research announcements (NRAs), and Cooperative Agreement Notices (CAN). –2. Training for NASA Announcements of Opportunity for flight missions.

Earth Science How is the Earth changing and what are the consequences for life on Earth? How is the global Earth system changing? What are the primary causes of change in the Earth system? How does the Earth system respond to natural and human induced changes? What are the consequences of change in the Earth system for human civilization? How well can we predict future changes in the Earth system?

NASA Earth Science Three Basic Activities Research Program to increase in our knowledge of the Earth system Applications program to demonstrate practical use of Earth system information to decision makers in governments, businesses, and elsewhere Technology program to enable new or lower cost capabilities for the study of the Earth system in the future

NASA Earth Science Research Priorities for Earth System Variability and Trends. Primary Forcings of the Earth System. Earth System Responses and Feedback Processes Consequences of Global Changes Global Change Prediction or Assessments

NASA Earth Science Research Themes Biology and Biochemistry of Ecosystems and the Global Carbon Cycle. Atmospheric Chemistry, Aerosols, and Solar Radiation. Global Water and Energy Cycle Solid Earth Science –In addition, the ESE fosters applications research and commercial developments aimed at more pragmatic issues including: food and fiber, natural resources, disaster management, environmental quality, urban systems and infrastructure, and human health and safety.

Example ICRE Fundamentals Biology and Biochemistry of Ecosystems and the Global Carbon Cycle –This component focuses on the study of change in the Earth’s terrestrial and marine ecosystems and biochemical cycles. It addresses ecosystems as they are affected by human activity, as they change due to their own intrinsic biological dynamics, and as they respond to climatic variations and in turn, affect climate. Six Science Questions –What changes are occurring in Land Cover and Land Use, and what are their causes? (Question F2) To answer these questions, NASA will pursue a strategy combining remote sensing observations with in situ observations, basic research, process studies, and modeling. The desired outcomes include: –fundamental understanding of primary productivity and the consequences of land cover and land use change as a basis for applications to agriculture forestry, fisheries, sustainable land and marine resource management, and biodiversity conservation.

Understand Sustainability Resources and Requirements NRA-99-OES-06 Land Cover and Land Use Change Research –This announcement presents an opportunity for researchers to participate in the NASA research and development activity of Land Cover and Land Use Change (LULUC). –One of the key scientific questions within the theme of biology and biochemistry of ecosystems and the global carbon cycle focuses on understanding how land cover and land use are changing and what the causes and consequences of such change. LULUC aims to develop and use NASA remote sensing technology to address these issues and improve our understanding of human interaction with the terrestrial environment. –Two areas of research have been identified for this announcement: a) Human and natural disturbance and implications for carbon dynamics b) Developing Forest Monitoring Systems –The investigators selected through this NRA will develop a series of reports and assessments on the consequences of land use change in different parts of the globe. These reports will be targeted at high-level decision makers and the public.

MU-SPIN CAN Research Support Partners GSFC Earth Science Directorate. –Laboratory for Terrestrial Physics –EOS Terra and Landsat Satellite researchers –GSFC Distributed Active Archive Center (DAAC) workshops American Geophysical Union (AGU). IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Society

Space Science To Explore the Universe and Search for Life Where do we come from? Are we alone? Where are we going?

NASA Space Science Themes Solar System Exploration Mars Exploration Astronomical Search for Origins Structure and Evolution of the Universe Sun Earth Connection –Astrobiology

Solar System Exploration We have a lot to do!

Example ICRE fundamentals Solar System Exploration roadmap with emphasis on near term and mid term –Seeks to understand how our own solar system formed and evolved. This knowledge may have important implications about how other solar systems formed and for the search for life beyond Earth. –A balanced set of small, medium and flagship missions is required in order to meet the wide variety of scientific and technical challenges (Discovery, Mars Scout, and New Frontiers). –Basic scientific research and analysis will continue to be funded at significant levels. These investments support the analysis of mission data, help to frame scientific goals and mission scenarios for the future and establish a training ground for the next generation of explorers. –Eight Research Objectives, supported by research focus areas with specific mission focused investigations.

ICRE Fundamentals con’t Research Objective 2 –Determine how the solar system evolved into its current diverse state Only by observing solar system bodies under different conditions and from a variety of vantage points can we begin to understand the processes by which they evolved from their initial formative states to the wide diversity we see today. Research Focus Area –Determine how the processes that shape planetary bodies operate and interact Planetary interiors, surfaces, atmospheres, and magnetospheres are now known to be interdependent. Earth’s magnetic field, for example which is generated by processes within the planet’s molten core, shields us from fatal high-energy radiation. Mission focused investigations –Multidisciplinary comparative studies of planetary atmospheres, surfaces and interiors and satellites. This relies on a robust program of scientific research and analysis that allows the nation’s best scientists to fully and creatively utilize the data returned by our spacecraft.

Understand Sustainability Resources and Requirements Research Opportunities in Space Science A.2.3 PLANETARY GEOLOGY AND GEOPHYSICS (PG&G) 1. Scope of Program The Planetary Geology and Geophysics (PG&G) program supports scientific investigations of the planetary surfaces and interiors, satellites (including the Moon), satellite and ring systems, and smaller solar system bodies such as asteroids and comets. The goals of the PG&G program are to foster the gathering, synthesis, analysis, and comparative study of data that will improve the understanding of the extent and influence of planetary geological and geophysical processes on the bodies of the solar system, the origin and evolution of the solar system, and the nature of Earth and its history in comparison to other planets.

Understand Sustainability Resources and Requirements Examples of the kinds of research supported by this program include:  Direct analysis of released data from planetary missions;  Theoretical modeling of geologic and geophysical processes;  Photo geologic analysis and geologic interpretation of planetary surfaces;  Compositional and geologic mapping of planetary surfaces;  Laboratory and remote sensing studies;  Experimental studies of materials under conditions relevant to objects in the solar system;  Theoretical studies of the interiors of planetary bodies;  The dynamical evolution of the planets, satellites, small solar-system bodies, and ring systems;

Solar System Exploration Partners Discovery Program –Discovery Program Outreach Office at JPL –MErcury Surface, Space, ENvironment,Geochemistry and Ranging (MESSENGER) mission New Frontiers Program –New Horizons Mars Exploration Program –Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (CRISM Instrument)

MESSENGER will peel back Mercury’s veil of mystery. MESSENGER will investigate key science questions using an optimized set of miniaturized instruments: What is the origin of Mercury’s high density? What are the composition and structure of its crust? What is Mercury’s tectonic history and is its surface shaped by volcanism? What are the characteristics of the thin atmosphere and miniature magnetosphere? And what is the nature of the mysterious polar caps?

Summary Measurement Objectives (PKB Science Definition Team) Mandatory Science Floor Highly Desirable Bonus

If water once flowed on Mars, did it leave any clues? In 2005, aboard the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, the Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer for Mars (CRISM) instrument joins NASA’s set of high-tech detectives seeking traces of past water on the Martian surface. CRISM’s mission: Find the spectral fingerprints of aqueous and hydrothermal deposits and map the geology, composition and stratigraphy of surface features. The instrument will also watch the seasonal variations in Martian dust and ice aerosols, check the water content in surface materials and collect atmospheric data -- leading to new areas of exploration and discovery. Mars Exploration Mission Partner

Education To Inspire the Next Generation of Explorers –All NASA Missions have an education plan –These plans are designed to Inspire and Motivate students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) –Will be reflected in undergraduate faculty and curriculum improvement and K-12 pre-service, in-service and curriculum improvement.

Getting a Pluto Mission Took One Thing More Than Any Other: