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Astrophysics Research and Mission Development: Enhancing Capabilities and Expanding Opportunities

This strategic plan outlines the important activities and capabilities within the AMES Space Science & Astrobiology Division that were not adequately covered in previous plans. It includes the division's expertise in airborne astronomical observations, NASA mission development, astronomical instrument development, and physical facilities. The plan aims to participate more substantively in astrophysics missions, restart the IR detector development program, expand exoplanet instrumentation and technology, propose for SOFIA legacy and balloon missions, and ensure a line of succession for the SS shop, among other goals. Year one progress includes negotiating work areas, determining resource needs, and developing a hiring plan. The plan also outlines milestones for the coming years.

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Astrophysics Research and Mission Development: Enhancing Capabilities and Expanding Opportunities

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  1. AMES Space Science & Astrobiology Division Strategic Plan YIR Astrophysics Research, Mission Participation, Technology, and Instrument Development Tiger Team members (or expressed interest): Tom Greene, Tom Roellig, Emmett Quigley, Christine Martinez, Naseem Rangwala, Rus Belikov, Dan Sirbu, Nic Scott, Steve Howell, Sean Colgan, Pasquale Temi, Tony Colaprete, Pam Marcum, Kimberly Ennico-Smith

  2. AMES Space Science & Astrobiology Division Strategic Plan YIR This is a new capability description of important activities and capabilities within the Division that the Tiger Team members felt were not covered sufficiently or explicitly enough in last year’s SS Strategic Plan. Note that many of these activities were assigned to ARC in the latest Center Roles document NPD 1000.3E The members felt that the current ARC SS Strategic Plan overlooked or under-represented: Airborne astronomical observations Division expertise in NASA mission development Astronomical instrument development Physical facilities (N245 shop, N244 detector lab) Due to the shutdown we got a late start and have met once, but there appears to be significant interest in adding this material as a new section in the next SS Strategic Plan

  3. AMES Space Science & Astrobiology Division Strategic Plan YIR • Strategic Motivation 1. NASA Center staff can provide longer-term science and technology development than possible via APRA NRA proposals. For example, we can lead / participate in studies like smaller versions of the current Decadal mission studies. • 2. Ames has no vested business interest in developing large astrophysics missions, so we can be guided by best science and most efficient technical paths. GSFC and JPL scientists have business conflicts. • 3. Ames has the primary NASA agency role to lead airborne research, and cross-cutting astrophysics research in IR astrophysics research (& supporting in astrophysics technology research & technology development) per NPD 1000.3E (v1.5 May 2017).

  4. AMES Space Science & Astrobiology Division Strategic Plan YIR • Wishlist / Goals for the SS Division (to be pruned): • Participate more substantively in Astrophysics missions • Restart the IR detector development program • Set up an IR astronomical line list database (extend beyond the PAH database) • Expand our exoplanet instrumentation/technology development and data analysis capabilities • Propose for a SOFIA Legacy program • Ensure a line of succession for the SS shop • Set up a clean room for small instrument development • Propose for a new SOFIA instrument or to upgrade an existing instrument • Propose for a balloon mission • Propose for a SMEX or MIDEX mission

  5. AMES Space Science & Astrobiology Division Strategic Plan YIR • Summary of year 1 progress for this capability • N/A since it was not in last year’s Plan

  6. AMES Space Science & Astrobiology Division Strategic Plan YIR Provide a Summary of the year 1 milestones Include/discuss successes, challenges, and failures for each N/A since it was not in last year’s plan

  7. AMES Space Science & Astrobiology Division Strategic Plan YIR • Provide a Summary of the coming year challenges and plans for this capability • Add these capabilities to the SS Plan – it was felt that N200 management does not appreciate or advocate for our activities in these areas – inclusion in the Plan may help • Organize desired activities and personnel into more focused areas to raise visibility and identify physical facilities • Add to or refurbish our existing physical facilities, e.g. a new clean room for instrument development, upgrade the N244 detector lab • Propose to both HQ AOs/NRAs and for HQ directed and ARC internal funding to support and augment our capabilities • Advocate for strategic new hires (CS and contract) and funding, especially in technical support areas

  8. AMES Space Science & Astrobiology Division Strategic Plan YIR • Milestones • Year 1 (2019) • Negotiate work areas where ARC can contribute that match NASA / HQ needs • Determine personnel, technical support, and facility resource needs • Develop hiring plan and secure investment commitments • Years 2-5 (2020-2024) • Complete initial modest efforts, make progress on larger ones • Re-assess our abilities and resources • Rescopeor cancel if insufficient institutional (ARC or HQ) support • Years 6-10 (2025+) • - TBD

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