[Senate Hearing 111-]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
COMMERCE, JUSTICE, SCIENCE, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS FOR
FISCAL YEAR 2010
----------
THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2009
U.S. Senate,
Subcommittee of the Committee on Appropriations,
Washington, DC.
The subcommittee met at 11:05 a.m., in room SD-192, Dirksen
Senate Office Building, Hon. Barbara A. Mikulski (chairman)
presiding.
Present: Senators Mikulski, Nelson, Shelby, and Voinovich.
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
STATEMENT OF CHRISTOPHER J. SCOLESE, ACTING
ADMINISTRATOR
OPENING STATEMENT OF SENATOR BARBARA A. MIKULSKI
Senator Mikulski. Good morning, and welcome to the
Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, and Science. I'd like to
welcome Mr. Scolese from the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
in my State.
We have heard testimony from several Presidents'
administrations, we've had Nobel Prize winners, and now we're
actually going to have astronauts in space. As I understand it,
it is the very first time that we will receive testimony from
space.
One could make jokes about it, and maybe we've heard it
before when it's been coming from outer space, but today it
will be the real deal.
As we prepare for that, know that I've also asked one of
our colleagues who is an astronaut Senator Bill Nelson, to join
us for that part of the hearing. The Senate is a wonderful
institution, we've actually had three astronaut Senators--John
Glenn, Jake Garn, and Bill Nelson.
And one today which, really, with the Hubble, Senator
Shelby and I have been together on the Hubble for 19 years, as
was Senator Kit Bond.
I really want to pay tribute to both Senator Glenn--when I
took over this subcommittee so many years ago he was a learned
counselor and adviser to help me really understand the breadth
and depth of the American Space Program.
I also want to pay tribute to Senator Jake Garn, who was my
ranking member in those days and on a bipartisan basis we
worked together to do many sound things to achieve a balanced
space program. And Senator Garn brought a measure of great
civility and an enormous knowledge, and I feel that I was able
to launch my career in trying to help the American Space
Program because of the excellent guidance and tutelage, those
two space astronaut Senators gave me.
So, with that, I also, want to welcome Chris Scolese to the
hearing. He's no stranger to us, he's served as NASA's Chief
Engineer since 2007, and was the Deputy Director of the Goddard
Space Flight Center.
I want to thank Administrator Scolese for steering the NASA
ship during this time of transition. It has indeed been in
competent hands, and I want to thank you for your fidelity, for
your competence, and for your stewardship. It exactly shows why
we need a civil service, and why we need a NASA civil service.
You truly have been part of that senior executive corps,
providing hands-on leadership, as well as motivation of his
staff, as we go through very difficult times.
So, I really want to thank you, and I think, you know, I
want to just give you a little round of applause. I'm sorry
more colleagues are not here, they'll be here for the more
glitzy part of it, but we think you're glitzy, too.
Later on in the hearing, as I said, we're going to talk to
7 of our very daring and courageous astronauts from Space
Shuttle Atlantis.
But let us get right to the heart of why we're here, which
is the NASA 2010 budget request. It's for $18.7 billion--$1
billion above the omnibus level--and also, NASA has received $1
billion in the American recovery stimulus package. So, between
the 2010 budget request, the Recovery Act, NASA will receive $2
billion more than they have in the past. This is a real
victory.
Unfortunately, these gains don't continue into the future,
and this is where we're deeply troubled. We're concerned that
NASA is flat-lined after 2010.
But there's promising news within the 2010 budget, as well.
We're heartened that science is funded at $4.5 billion, with
greater investments in Earth science as we study our own
planet, and look to distant stars.
We also note that in other areas of science, the budget
totals of $4.5 billion, and NASA is being guided by the decadal
reports prepared by the National Academy of Science. These are
roadmaps for us, and we believe science at NASA saves lives,
saves the planet, and creates jobs for the future. We're very
heartened that we will continue to look at green science as we
look at Planet Earth, but at the same time, to do other forms
of science, related to planetary science, as well as solar
science. And we're going to continue our mission development in
telescopes, like the James Webb telescope.
In aeronautics research, the budget request is for $507
million, roughly the equivalent of the 2009 omnibus level. This
is disappointing. The aeronautics budget in 1998 was $1.5
billion, 10 years ago, aeronautics was one of the keystones of
the NASA budget. We've got to get back to this, because we
believe that in order to maintain U.S. leadership in
aeronautics, we need to make those public investments in
development of technologies that increase our competitive edge
in aircraft and airspace for safer, better, faster
transportation.
The budget also reflects money for the Space Shuttle, and
the space station, $3.2 billion for the Space Shuttle, $2.3
billion for the space station.
The budget calls for eight more flights to the space
station, and we'll be discussing this in a very active way with
the acting administrator. Eight more flights before the end of
the fiscal year 2010.
We know the administration is committed to these remaining
flights, and we know that delays that can occur in the Shuttle
schedule, and we're concerned that there's no funding in the
budget to keep a transition going.
As we retire the Shuttle, and we must do it with honor, we
also have to acknowledge the wonderful workforce that has kept
the Shuttle flying all of these years. And that this
transitioning of the workforce is a major challenge for NASA,
for the administration, and quite frankly for the Congress to
work on a bipartisan basis with us.
The United States can't afford to lose this talent. Our
talent in science and engineering continues to be needed, so we
need to really take a fresh, creative way of looking at this
workforce.
As our courageous astronauts perform amazing feats, we also
need to know that with that Space Shuttle, safety has to be our
number one concern, our number one priority that is a--
absolutely needs to ensure. We need to ensure their safety, no
matter what.
Now, this budget is a down payment on a balanced space
program. Some years ago, a man by the name of Norm Augustine
chaired a White House Commission for the President--a
Republican President, I might add--and we've followed that for
years, that we would have a commitment to human space
exploration, a reliable and safe space transportation system
and that we would do science, and we would do aeronautics.
Well, here we are again, where we're asking Norm Augustine
to chair a Commission in terms of human flight. We look forward
to the way that the Augustine review will take place, and
hopefully it will help us, guide us on this.
Let me conclude, though, by saying we're deeply troubled by
the cost overruns at NASA. Since 2006, 10 of the 12 NASA
projects in development have exceeded baseline cost in
schedules. This has cost credibility with NASA and the
Congress. So, whenever they want to do something new that's
dazzling, that's important to either our economics or to
science, or to exploration, we wonder what we're getting into.
And what we think we're getting into either doubles or triples
or so on. And there is a growing concern among our colleagues
that because of flawed estimates that there is a reluctance to
begin what we need to do.
I believe we need to tackle this, and we're going to look
for your ideas on how to do that.
But I want to conclude by saying this is a very special
year in NASA's space history. It's the 50th anniversary of when
NASA was created. It's the 40th anniversary, this July--July
20--of when we landed on the Moon. It's the 25th anniversary of
when Dr. Sally Ride was the first woman to go into space, and
of course, the beloved, and cherished Hubble Telescope, the
people's telescope, is celebrating its 19th year in space, and
like a lot of us, it's had ups and downs and needed a lot of
help.
So, we look forward to hearing from you, we think the
President has done a good job in making recommendations in this
budget, but we think there's more work to be done.
Now I'd like to turn to my ranking member, Senator Shelby.
STATEMENT OF SENATOR RICHARD C. SHELBY
Senator Shelby. Thank you, Madam Chairwoman.
Mr. Scolese, thank you for joining us today, and thank you
for the work that you've done over the years at NASA.
This is a sizable sum with our budget, considering the
funding constraints that the Federal Government faces. This is
a $903 million, or 5.1 percent increase over the 2009 funding
level.
This would provide--but it doesn't begin to provide enough
for NASA to do all of the critical missions it has been asked
to do.
The proposed budget has welcome increases in the areas of
science and exploration, and maintains aeronautics funding at
an acceptable level. However, more than 21 percent of NASA's
budget, nearly $4 billion, is being set aside as a placeholder,
while NASA turns its manned space program over to, what will
hopefully be an independent, and unconstrained blue-ribbon
panel.
While there are a few developments at NASA to be excited
about, there are even more that are troubling.
For starters, we are just now receiving a budget proposal
from the administration that claimed it was able to hit the
ground running, and was ready to lead.
With the nominee for the Administrator's post that was
barely announced less than a week ago, the administration, I
believe, has chosen to let their budget proposal be the face of
NASA until a successful nominee is confirmed, in order to
shepherd this Nation's space priorities through Congress.
In the case of the future for human space flight in some
lunar science missions, the administration has made Norm
Augustine that Chairwoman Mikulski referenced, the de facto
interim Administrator, further delaying any plan for over $4
billion of NASA's budget until weeks before the start of the
fiscal year.
Such timing will not allow for NASA to potentially re-plan
a major component of their budget, or for Congress to review
the inclusion of this funding in fiscal year 2010.
Rather than rush such a monumental decision, any suggested
changes should inform the development of the 2011 budget, once
the ramifications of the recommendations can be fully vetted
and authorized by Congress.
The proposed budget--while addressing issues of climate
change, unmanned exploration and aeronautics research--
shortchanges, I believe, our most viable and visible and
inspiring manned space flight program. Instead of providing
Constellation with funds to move forward, it is delaying the
current mission, while seeking to have a do-over on plans that
have been authorized by both a Republican and Democratic
Congress.
I believe it should be remembered that, while the Hubble
Telescope has brought us amazing images, and deepened our
understanding of the universe, this marvelous instrument would
still be on the ground, without our manned space program.
It is our distinct pleasure today to be able to talk to the
crew--as Chairwoman Mikulski said--of the Atlantis, as they
return to Earth from a successful mission. They will be the
last, I believe, of Americans to travel farther away from the
Earth than the Space Station for years to come.
I believe that manned space flight is something that is
still in the realm of Government, because despite their best
efforts, some truly private enterprises have not been able to
deliver on plans of launching vehicles.
SpaceX claimed that they would be launched by 2004, and had
a grandiose vision of manned flights launching by early this
year. Unfortunately, the reality is that out of four attempts,
they've only delivered a single dummy payload to space, have
never delivered any payload to the Space Station, much less a
human.
However grandiose the claims of proponents for commercial
orbital transportation services, part D, they cannot substitute
for the painful truth of failed performance, at present. For
all of the hype, and the hundreds of millions in taxpayer
dollars invested in cargo-only delivery, we still await the
first successful completion of a single mission that delivers a
real payload, not a simulated dummy.
I ask--is this the hope we will hitch our dreams of the
future of manned space flight to? Will unproven cargo
capabilities close the manned space flight gap faster than the
work NASA has done on Ares and Orion? Are we to entertain the
idea of placing people on a rocket that has yet to deliver a
single real payload of any kind into space? I would have
trouble, Madam Chairwoman, supporting a budget that is poised
to eliminate a real manned space program, and instead maintains
the fantasy of one.
This course, I believe, will only extend the time we will
have to rely on the Russians to get our astronauts to a space
station for which we have invested billions of dollars.
Without truly supporting and building upon the human and
heavy-lift launch capabilities that are already under
development, our astronauts will have no choice but to wave at
the Russians, perhaps the Chinese, and possibly astronauts from
India and other countries, as they pass by the Space Station on
their way to exploring space.
As our astronauts endlessly circle the Earth in the future,
astronauts from other nations, perhaps, will be exploring well
beyond the edges of Earth's atmosphere and will become the
inspiration of America's children. Is that what we want? I hope
not.
We may be the leader in manned space flight today, but the
eventual ramifications of this budget, as I understand it, has
the potential to ensure that this lead will end, perhaps
forever.
PREPARED STATEMENT
I look forward to hearing from you today, but the reality
is that rocket science is tough, it is not a cheap venture, and
it is not without risk. As a former NASA Administrator recently
said, and I'll quote, ``A fictional space program will always
be faster, better, and cheaper than a real space program, but
it won't be one.''
Thank you.
[The statement follows:]
Prepared Statement of Senator Richard C. Shelby
Thank you, Madam Chairwoman. Mr. Scolese, thank you for joining us
today to discuss the fiscal year 2010 budget proposal for the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). NASA's proposed budget is
$18.7 billion. This is a $903 million, or 5.1 percent, increase over
the fiscal year 2009 funding level.
This is a sizeable sum considering the funding constraints that the
Federal Government faces, yet it still does not begin to provide enough
for NASA to do all of the critical missions it has been asked to do.
The proposed budget has welcomed increases in the areas of science and
exploration, and maintains aeronautics funding at an acceptable level.
However, more than 21 percent of NASA's budget, nearly $4 billion, is
being set aside as a placeholder while NASA turns its manned space
program over to what will hopefully be an independent and un-
constrained blue ribbon panel.
While there are a few developments at NASA to be excited about,
there are even more that are troubling. For starters, we are just now
receiving a budget proposal from an administration that claimed it was
able to hit the ground running and was ready to lead. Without even a
nominee for Administrator, this administration has chosen to let their
budget proposal be the face of NASA until a successful nominee is
confirmed in order to shepherd the Nation's space priorities through
Congress.
In the case of the future for human space flight and some lunar
science missions, the Administration has made Norm Augustine the de
facto interim administrator, further delaying any plan for over $4
billion of NASA's budget until weeks before the start of the fiscal
year. Such timing will not allow for NASA to potentially re-plan a
major component of their budget, or for Congress to review for
inclusion this funding in fiscal year 2010. Rather than rush such a
monumental decision, any suggested changes should inform the
development of the 2011 budget once the ramifications of the
recommendations can be fully vetted and authorized by Congress.
The proposed budget, while addressing issues of climate change, un-
manned exploration, and aeronautics research, shortchanges our most
visible and inspiring space program, manned space flight. Instead of
providing Constellation with funds to move forward, it is delaying the
current mission while seeking to have a do-over on plans that have been
authorized by both a Republican and Democratic Congress.
It should be remembered that while the Hubble telescope has brought
us amazing images and deepened our understanding of the universe, this
marvelous instrument would still be on the ground without our manned
space program. It is our distinct pleasure today to be able to talk
with the crew of Atlantis as they return to Earth from a successful
mission. They will be the last Americans to travel farther away from
Earth than the space station for years to come.
I believe that manned space flight is something that is still in
the realm of government because, despite their best efforts, some truly
private enterprises have not been able to deliver on plans of launching
vehicles. Space-X claimed that they would be launching by 2004 and had
grandiose visions of manned flights launching by early this year.
Unfortunately the reality is that out of four attempts, they have only
delivered a single dummy payload to space, have never delivered any
payload to the space station, much less a human. However grandiose the
claims of proponents for Commercial Orbital Transportation Services
part D (COTS-D) are, they cannot substitute for the painful truth of
failed performance at present.
For all the hype and the hundreds of millions in taxpayer dollars
invested in cargo only delivery, we still await the first successful
completion of a single mission that delivers a real payload, not a
simulated dummy.
I ask, is this the hope we will hitch our dreams of the future of
manned space flight? Will these unproven cargo capabilities close the
manned spaceflight gap faster than the work NASA has done on Ares and
Orion? Are we to entertain the idea of placing people on a rocket that
has yet to deliver a single, real, payload of any kind to space?
I would have trouble supporting a budget that is poised to
eliminate a real manned space program and instead maintains the fantasy
of one. This course will only extend the time we will have to rely on
the Russians to get our astronauts to a space station for which we have
invested billions.
Without truly supporting, and building upon the human and heavy
lift launch capabilities that are already under development, our
astronauts will have no choice but to wave at the Russians, the
Chinese, and possibly astronauts from India, as they pass by the space
station on their way to exploring space. As our astronauts endlessly
circle the Earth, the astronauts of other nations will explore well
beyond the edges of Earth's atmosphere and will become the inspiration
of America's children. We may be the leader in manned space flight
today, but the eventual ramification of this budget has the potential
to ensure that this lead will end forever.
The reality is that rocket science is hard. It is not a cheap
venture, and it is not without risk. As the former NASA Administrator
recently said, ``a fictional space program will always be faster,
better, and cheaper than a real space program.''
I look forward to working with NASA and the Administrator, once one
is nominated and confirmed, to move the real space program at NASA and
its exploration goals forward in the next fiscal year.
Thank you.
Senator Mikulski. Senator Voinovich, are you prepared to
stay for the hearing, so we could go to Scolese?
Senator Voinovich. I am, but I have a short statement.
Senator Mikulski. Would you like to make it?
Senator Voinovich. Yes, I would.
Senator Mikulski. Sure.
STATEMENT OF SENATOR GEORGE V. VOINOVICH
Senator Voinovich. Thank you very much for having this
hearing, and it's my first opportunity to be on this
subcommittee, and Mr. Scolese, thank you for your participation
here.
I want you to know that NASA is very close to me, I'm
wearing this watch that was given to me by the crew of the STS-
70, the all-Ohio crew that happens to have the OSU Buckeye sign
on it.
We're all aware of what NASA's done, and their engineering
and scientific accomplishments. Given the complexity and
uniqueness and variety of the missions that are managed under
the NASA umbrella, it's of utmost importance that the Agency
have adequate human capital framework to ensure their success,
and I just want you to know how pleased I am with the fact that
NASA has used the additional flexibilities that we gave them in
2004 so that you could go out and recruit the best and
brightest people to work for NASA.
In addition to that, I'd like to thank you and former
Administrator Griffin for the fact that you came up with a
program at a very difficult time to maintain the 10 centers
that we had throughout the United States. And I want to applaud
you that you took back in work that was going out to other
contractors to try and maintain the in-house capability of
NASA.
I am also please, Madam Chairwoman, that when there was a
concern about whether or not you were going to continue your
commitment to aeronautics, and I agree with you, Madam
Chairwoman, that that budget for aeronautics ought to be
reviewed.
But I'm also grateful that you identified our, as Glenn,
for the CEV and for the launch vehicle, that we now have a new
mission.
I think the real challenge now is to make sure that we
allocate these resources in the places that it makes the most
difference. And I think that Senator Shelby makes a very good
point about dealing with some of the real-world things, and I
think the American public is going to demand that, and I'm
certainly hoping that Mr. Augustine takes that into
consideration when he comes back to make his recommendations to
NASA.
I have to say that I was concerned about what the
administration would do about the NASA budget. There was many
of us that felt that because of other priorities, that the NASA
budget would be shortchanged. That hasn't been the case--as
Senator Shelby says, there's been an increase of 5.1 percent.
So, somebody did a pretty good job with OMB, convincing them
that this program was worthwhile.
PREPARED STATEMENT
And I keep emphasizing--as I had when I was mayor, and
Governor of Ohio--that too often NASA does not do a good enough
job in letting the folks of this country know how the work that
they're doing has so many other things that make a difference
in people's lives. In other words, not just up in space, but
all of these things that you're doing, do impact--remarkably--
the quality of life of people here in this country.
And we've seen this at Cleveland Clinic. They've taken a
lot of stuff that you guys have developed, and put it to work
to save people's lives.
So, I'm anxious to hear your testimony today.
[The statement follows:]
Prepared Statement of Senator George V. Voinovich
Good Morning. Thank you Chairwoman Mikulski and Ranking Member
Shelby for convening today's hearing. Thank you Mr. Scolese for
participating. I am looking forward to hearing more about the
administration's fiscal year 2010 budget request and what NASA has in
store for the future.
NASA's engineering and scientific accomplishments have long been a
symbol of America's innovation and technological excellence.
Given the complexity, uniqueness, and variety of missions that are
managed under the NASA umbrella, it is of utmost importance that the
agency have an adequate human capital framework to ensure mission
success. That is why I have utilized my role on the Homeland Security
and Government Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight of Government
Management, the Federal Workforce and the District of Columbia to work
with NASA to improve its workforce development.
I am proud that the agency has made substantial and commendable
strides in its human capital management since 2004, when my
legislation, the NASA Flexibility Act, was signed into law. NASA has
certainly done a much better job in recruiting, developing, and
retaining the staff it needs to execute the agency's missions.
As a former mayor of Cleveland and governor of Ohio, I have been
concerned for many years about NASA Glenn's struggle to obtain an
identifiable mission. When I spoke with several of NASA Glenn's
administrators a few years ago, we were all worried about restoring
NASA's aeronautics funding and setting NASA Glenn on a clear mission
forward.
In 2005, when Mike Griffin became NASA's administrator, I met with
him to discuss the future of NASA Glenn, and he assured me he was not
only focused on keeping NASA centers around the country functioning,
but also that he was committed to finding a new mission for Glenn. I
was pleased with Griffin's leadership. He did a great job managing and
maintaining the ten NASA research centers at a time when the agency was
going through a difficult transition.
I am so glad he was able to work with Lockheed Martin to see NASA
Glenn secure an identifiable mission that included testing and
certification of the Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV) as well as
overseeing the development of several Crew Launch Vehicle (CLV) upper
stage systems.
But the staffs at NASA Glenn and at the Plum Brook facility are
eager to do more.
Glenn is renowned for its blend of aeronautics and space flight
experience. Together, NASA Glenn Research Center and the Air Force
Research Lab at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base have helped shape Ohio
as a global leader in aerospace design and production.
I am generally pleased with where NASA has been headed, but
concerned that with the impending retirement of the Space Shuttle, and
its replacement by the next generation of human space flight systems
that shifting priorities within NASA could lead to the transfer of NASA
Glenn Research Center's mission responsibilities to other NASA centers.
It is my hope that the vitality of Glenn be maintained, and that
the Obama Administration and its future nominee for NASA administrator
would continue its commitment to the ``10 Healthy Center Concept.''
Mr. Scolese, thank you again for joining us, I am eager to hear
your thoughts on the future NASA.
Senator Mikulski. Mr. Scolese, please proceed.
STATEMENT OF CHRISTOPHER J. SCOLESE
Mr. Scolese. Thank you, Chairwoman Mikulski, Ranking Member
Shelby, and members of the subcommittee. Thank you for inviting
me here today to discuss the President's fiscal year 2010
budget request of $18.686 billion for NASA.
The President's request is $903.6 million above the fiscal
year 2009 omnibus appropriation.
First, let me note that NASA's fiscal year 2009 budget is
$18.8 billion, or about $1.2 billion above the fiscal year 2009
request. This reflects an increase of $168 million in the
regular appropriations, and about $1 billion in the Recovery
Act.
NASA is appreciative of the support of this committee, and
the Congress, for the full funding of the fiscal year 2009
request, and the additional Recovery Act funds, which will
enable NASA to meet critical priorities.
The President's fiscal year 2010 request includes $4.5
billion for science. In Earth Science, NASA is continuing to
work aggressively to implement the recommendations of the
decadal survey. The first two decadal missions--SMAP and
ICESat-II, continue formulation. The next two DESDynI and
CLARREO--will be accelerated and NASA will issue its first
Venture-class announcement of opportunity this year.
Over the next year, we plan to launch the Glory and
Aquarius missions, the GOES-O mission for NOAA, and complete
the development of the NPOESS Preparatory Project.
We will continue development of the foundational missions,
including the global precipitation mission, the landsat data
continuity mission, and initiate work on a thermal infrared
sensor.
NASA is currently assessing options to recover from the
disappointing loss of the Orbiting Carbon Observatory, and we
will keep you informed of our findings and plans.
In planetary science, we are continuing the exploration of
the solar system with the Juno mission to Jupiter, the Mars
Science Laboratory, and the MAVEN Scout mission to Mars.
In astrophysics, I'm pleased to report that the final
Hubble servicing mission EVA was completed on Monday, and
earlier this week, the Space Shuttle successfully released a
revitalized Hubble Space Telescope. We look forward to many
more years of discoveries from Hubble. Development continues on
the James Webb Space Telescope, which passed its confirmation
review last year, and has an Agency commitment to launch in
2014.
NASA's fleet of heliophysics missions located throughout
the solar system is providing researchers the first ever
comprehensive view of solar influences on the Earth and other
planets.
The fiscal year 2010 budget request of $507 million renews
NASA's commitment to a strong program in aeronautics, that will
continue to contribute to the economic well-being and quality
of life of Americans through its partnerships with industry,
academia, and other government agencies.
Our Airspace Systems Program continues to collaborate with
the Joint Planning Development Office to enhance the capacity,
efficiency, and flexibility of the National Airspace System.
In exploration, the President's fiscal year 2010 budget
request of $3.963 billion is an increase of $457 million above
the fiscal year 2009 omnibus appropriations level, and $225.4
million above last year's plan. This increased budget will
support continued progress to advance the development of the
next-generation human spaceflight system to carry American
crews and supplies to space and return Americans to the Moon.
Specifically, the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and the Lunar
Crater Observation Sensing Satellite spacecraft are ready for
launch next month. Later this year, two major test flights will
be conducted: the Ares 1-X developmental test flight from KSC,
and the Orion Pad Abort I test at the White Sands Missile
Range.
At the request of the Director of the Office of Science and
Technology Policy, NASA is initiating an independent review of
U.S. human space flight plans, conducted by a panel of outside
experts, chaired by Norm Augustine. The review will examine
ongoing and planned NASA human spaceflight development
activities and potential alternatives, and present options for
advancing a safe, innovative, sustainable, and affordable human
spaceflight program in the years following Shuttle retirement.
It will also evaluate options for extending ISS operations
beyond 2016. The panel will present its results by August 2009.
During the review, the NASA workforce will continue to work on
all current exploration projects, including the Ares I and
Orion.
The President's fiscal year 2010 budget request includes
$6.176 billion for Space Operations, which funds the safe
flight of the Space Shuttle to complete the eight remaining
scheduled flights to the ISS and then retire the Shuttle. We
believe these flights can be accomplished by the end of 2010.
This month, the ISS will host its first six-person crew, and
next month, the STS-127 mission will deliver the third and
final component of the Japanese Kibo laboratory, setting the
stage for full research utilization of the ISS.
Last December, NASA awarded two commercial resupply
services contracts to develop vehicles needed to deliver
supplies and experiments to the ISS. The benefits from NASA's
human spaceflights programs are ultimately demonstrated in the
inspiration of the next generation of Americans, which was
reflected recently in the delighted faces of students who
participated in the uplink phone call between President Obama
and the combined Shuttle and Station crews last month.
Finally, the fiscal year 2010 request supports NASA's
Education Program, to continue developing a future aerospace,
technical, and scientific workforce, improving the
technological competitiveness of our Nation's universities, and
attracting and retaining students in science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics disciplines.
PREPARED STATEMENT
This request also funds the NASA cross-agency support
programs, which provide critical mission support activities,
necessary to assure the efficient and effective operation and
administration of the Agency and its Centers.
Madam Chair, thank you again for your support, and that of
this committee, I would be pleased to respond to any questions
you may have.
[The statement follows:]
Prepared Statement of Christopher J. Scolese
Chairwoman Mikulski and members of the subcommittee, thank you for
the opportunity to appear today to discuss the President's fiscal year
2010 budget request for NASA. The President's fiscal year 2010 budget
request for NASA is $18.686 billion. The fiscal year 2010 request
represents an increase of $903.6 million above the amount provided for
NASA in the fiscal year 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act (Public Law
110-8). The fiscal year 2010 budget does a number of things: it
supports the administration's commitment to deploy a global climate
change research and monitoring system; it funds a strong program of
space exploration involving humans and robots with the goal of
returning Americans to the moon and exploring other destinations; and
it supports the safe flight of the Space Shuttle to complete assembly
of the International Space Station by the Space Shuttle's planned
retirement.
Highlights of the Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Overview
With the fiscal year 2010 budget request, NASA advances global
climate change research and monitoring. The NASA investment in Earth
science research satellites, airborne sensors, computer models and
analysis has revolutionized scientific knowledge and predictions of
climate change and its effects. Using the National Research Council's
recommended priorities for space-based Earth science research as its
guide, NASA will develop new space-based research sensors in support of
the administration's goal to deploy a global climate research and
monitoring system. NASA will work to deploy these new sensors
expeditiously while coordinating with other Federal agencies to ensure
continuity of measurements that have long-term research and
applications benefits.
The fiscal year 2010 NASA request funds a robust program of space
exploration involving humans and robots. NASA's astronauts and robotic
spacecraft have been exploring our solar system and the universe for
more than 50 years. The Agency will create a new chapter of this legacy
as it works to return Americans to the Moon by 2020. NASA also will
send a broad suite of robotic missions to destinations throughout the
solar system and develop a bold new set of astronomical observatories
to probe the mysteries of the universe, increasing investment in
research, data analysis, and technology development in support of these
goals.
With the fiscal year 2010 request, NASA will complete the
International Space Station (ISS) and advance the development of new
space transportation systems and the unique scientific research that
can be conducted onboard the ISS. The fiscal year 2010 budget request
funds for the safe flight of the Space Shuttle to complete the ISS,
incorporates an additional flight to deliver the Alpha Magnetic
Spectrometer (AMS) to the ISS, and then retires the Shuttle. NASA is
committed to completing these nine remaining scheduled Shuttle flights,
including the current mission underway to service the Hubble Space
Telescope, which we believe can be accomplished by the end of 2010.
Funds freed from the Shuttle's retirement will enable the Agency to
support development of systems to deliver people and cargo to the ISS
and the Moon and explore other destinations. As part of this effort,
NASA will stimulate private-sector development and demonstration of
vehicles that may support the Agency's human crew and cargo
requirements for ISS. In addition, the Agency will continue to utilize
the ISS, the permanently crewed facility orbiting Earth that enables
the Agency to develop, test, and validate critical space exploration
technologies and processes, and to conduct microgravity research. NASA
also will continue to coordinate with international partners to make
this platform available for other government entities, commercial
industry, and academic institutions to conduct research.
At the request of the Director of the Office of Science and
Technology Policy, NASA is initiating an independent review of planned
U.S. human space flight activities, with the goal of ensuring that the
Nation is on a vigorous and sustainable path to achieving its boldest
aspirations in space. This review will be conducted by a blue-ribbon
panel of outside experts chaired by Norman R. Augustine. The panel will
present its results in time to support an administration decision on
the way forward by August 2009. This Review of U.S. Human Space Flight
Plans will examine ongoing and planned NASA human space flight
development activities, as well as potential alternatives, and present
options for advancing a safe, innovative, affordable, and sustainable
human space flight program in the years following completion of the
current Space Shuttle manifest and retirement. The independent review
panel will seek input from Congress, the White House, the public,
industry, and international partners. In addition, the review will
examine the appropriate amount of R&D and complementary robotic
activities needed to make human space flight activities most productive
and affordable over the long term, as well as appropriate opportunities
for international collaboration. It will also evaluate what
capabilities would be enabled by each of the potential architectures
considered. And it will evaluate options for extending International
Space Station operations beyond 2016. We will keep the Congress
informed, as appropriate, with the progress of the review.
It is important to note that the President has submitted a fiscal
year 2010 budget request for NASA Exploration Systems of $3.963
billion, an increase of $457.6 million above the fiscal year 2009
Omnibus Appropriations level. During the review, the NASA workforce
will continue to focus on the safe flight and operation of the Space
Shuttle and ISS, and continue to work on all current exploration
projects, including Ares I, Orion, and Commercial Crew and Cargo
efforts.
The President's fiscal year 2010 budget request includes $507
million for Aeronautics Research, renewing NASA's commitment to
cutting-edge, fundamental research in traditional and emerging
disciplines to help transform the Nation's air transportation system
and to support future aircraft. NASA research will increase airspace
capacity and mobility, enhance aviation safety, and improve aircraft
performance while reducing noise, emissions, and fuel consumption. The
Integrated Systems Research Program, a new program beginning in fiscal
year 2010, will conduct research at an integrated system-level on
promising concepts and technologies and explore, assess, and
demonstrate the benefits in a relevant environment.
Finally, consistent with administration priorities, NASA is
developing plans to stimulate innovation and increase investments in
technologies for the future while ensuring that nearer-term Agency
commitments are met.
NASA Initial Fiscal Year 2009 Operating Plan and Recovery Act Funding
Before I highlight key accomplishments and plans for activities
across the Agency, I would like to summarize NASA's initial fiscal year
2009 Operating Plan, including Recovery Act funding, as recently
submitted to the subcommittee. The initial fiscal year 2009 Operating
Plan is $18,784.4 million, or $1,170.2 million above the President's
fiscal year 2009 request, which reflects an increase of $168.2 million
in the regular appropriation and $1,002.0 million in the Recovery Act.
NASA is appreciative of the action by the Committees on Appropriations
and Congress in providing regular appropriations for the Agency with
full funding for Science, Aeronautics, Exploration, Space Shuttle, ISS,
and Education. This total fiscal year 2009 appropriations level, with
minor adjustments within the total, will enable NASA to meet critical
priorities, in accordance with the direction from the Congress and the
President. NASA also appreciates the efforts by the subcommittees to
include funding for NASA in the Recovery Act. This funding will help
NASA achieve programmatic goals in Science, Exploration and
Aeronautics, and repair damage done to the NASA Johnson Space Center
during Hurricane Ike, and support national recovery goals.
NASA has allocated the $1,002.0 million in Recovery Act funds as
follows:
--Science, $400.0 Million
--Earth Science, $325.0 Million
--Astrophysics, $75.0 Million
--Aeronautics, $150.0 Million
--Exploration, $400.0 Million
--Constellation Systems, $250.0 Million
--Commercial Crew & Cargo, $150.0 Million
--Cross Agency Support, $50.0 Million
--Inspector General, $2.0 Million
I would be happy to address the objectives to which NASA is
applying the Recovery Act funds in detail.
Science
NASA's Science Mission Directorate continues to expand humanity's
understanding of our Earth, our Sun, the solar system and the universe
with 57 science missions in operation and 31 more in development. The
Science budget funds these missions as well as the research of over
3,000 scientists and their students across the Nation. The President's
fiscal year 2010 request for NASA includes $4,477.2 million for
Science.
The Science budget request includes $1,405.0 million for Earth
Science in fiscal year 2010, and steadily increases Earth science
funding in the outyears. NASA's 15 Earth Science missions in operation
provide a large share of the global observations used for climate
change research in the United States and elsewhere. This year, NASA's
Earth Science satellites enabled research to understand how changes
both in the tropics and in Arctic sea ice are changing ocean biology
globally. NASA also recently conducted the first Ice Bridge aircraft
campaign to demonstrate a new airborne laser capability to bridge the
gap in time between ICESats 1 and 2. In fiscal year 2010, NASA plans to
launch the Glory mission to map atmospheric aerosols and continue the
long record of solar influences on climate, and the Aquarius mission to
provide the first global measurements of sea surface salinity. NASA
will complete development of the NPOESS Preparatory Project and
continue development of the Global Precipitation Mission and the
Landsat Data Continuity Mission (LDCM). The request fully funds
development of a Thermal Infra-red Sensor (TIRS) at a total cost of
approximately $150-175 million. A decision whether to fly TIRS on LDCM
or another spacecraft will be made this summer; meanwhile, funding for
TIRS is carried within the LDCM budget. The launch vehicle failure of
the Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO) was a significant loss to the
climate science communities, and NASA is assessing options to recover
from that loss; we will inform the Congress of the results of these
studies when they become available. NASA is continuing to work
aggressively to implement the recommendations of the National Research
Council Decadal Survey for Earth Science. The first two Decadal Survey
missions, SMAP and ICESat-II, will continue formulation in fiscal year
2010, and the next two, DESDynI and CLARREO, will be accelerated and
transition to formulation. NASA also expects to issue its first
Venture-class Announcement of Opportunity later this year, implementing
another important decadal survey recommendation.
The fiscal year 2010 Science budget request includes $1,346.2
million for Planetary Science. NASA's Planetary Science missions
continue to return images and data from the far reaches of the Solar
System. This year, the Mars Phoenix Lander completed its mission,
conducting the first chemical test providing evidence of water ice on
another planet. MESSENGER returned stunning imagery of portions of the
planet Mercury never before seen. The Cassini spacecraft continues to
provide un-paralleled science of the Saturnian system; the spacecraft
flew within 25km of Enceladus viewing the ejecting plumes and surface,
and data from 19 fly-bys of Titan enabled creation of a radar map
showing 3-D topography revealing 1,200-meter (4,000-foot) mountain
tops, polar lakes, vast dunes, and thick flows from possible ice
volcanoes. Development is continuing on the Juno mission to Jupiter for
launch in 2011. NASA and ESA jointly announced they will work together
on a Europa Jupiter System mission as the next outer planets flagship
mission. The rovers Spirit and Opportunity continue to study the
Martian surface and have exceeded their 5-year of successful
operations. NASA is continuing development of the Mars Science
Laboratory (MSL) for launch in 2011 and selected MAVEN, a Mars aeronomy
mission, as the next Mars Scout mission for launch in 2013. NASA has
integrated its lunar science research program with the Lunar Precursor
Robotic Program into a single Lunar Quest Program under the Science
Mission Directorate, which includes the LADEE mission, the U.S. nodes
of the ILN, and a new virtual university research collaboration called
the NASA Lunar Science Institute. The Moon Mineralogy Mapper (M3) was
launched aboard Chandrayaan-1 and has begun making scientific
observations of the Moon's composition. Development is continuing on
the GRAIL mission to map the Moon's gravity field for launch in 2011.
NASA has issued an Announcements of Opportunity for the next New
Frontiers mission, and will do so for the next Discovery mission later
this year.
The fiscal year 2010 Science budget request includes $1,120.9
million for Astrophysics. 2009 is the International Year of Astronomy,
and NASA's Astrophysics program will deploy exciting new capabilities
for studying the cosmic frontier. The Kepler mission, launched in
March, is NASA's first mission dedicated to the search for Earth-like
planets in our galaxy. ESA will launch the Herschel and Planck missions
in April, carrying several NASA instruments, to study the far-infrared
sky and the cosmic microwave background. The final Hubble Space
Telescope serving mission aboard STS-125, currently in progress, is
upgrading the observatory to its peak scientific performance. Late this
calendar year, NASA plans to launch the Wide-field Infrared Survey
Explorer (WISE) as part of its highly successful Explorer Program,
following on the recent successes of the Fermi Gamma-ray Space
Telescope (launched as GLAST in July 2008), which has provided the
best-ever view of the gamma-ray sky revealing energetic sources in our
solar system, our galaxy, and galaxies billions of light-years away.
Development is continuing on the James Webb Space Telescope, which
passed its Confirmation Review in 2008 and has an Agency commitment to
launch in 2014. Development continues on the NuSTAR mission to study
black holes for launch in 2011, along with a Soft X-ray Spectrometer to
fly on Japan's Astro-H mission in 2013. Development continues on the
airborne Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy or SOFIA,
which will conduct open door flight tests in 2009 and early science
flights in 2010, with planned full operational capability in 2014.
Conceptual design is continuing for ambitious future mission concepts
to investigate the origins of planets, stars, and galaxies; to search
for Earth-like planets around nearby stars; and to examine the nature
of dark energy, dark matter, gravity waves, and black holes. These and
other mission concepts are currently under consideration by the NRC's
decadal survey for Astrophysics, or Astro 2010, which will be completed
during 2010, and will provide recommendations to NASA on the science
community's highest priority science questions and strategic missions
for the next decade.
The fiscal year 2010 Science budget request includes $605.0 million
for Heiophysics. The fleet of NASA Heliophysics missions strategically
placed throughout the solar system is providing researchers the first
ever solar system-wide view of solar influences on the Earth and other
planets, and the dynamic structures of space itself. This virtual
``Great Observatory'' is in place and functioning for the next solar
magnetic activity cycle, and has already detected the first signs of a
new solar maximum anticipated for 2011-2012. Late this year or early
next, the launch of Solar Dynamics Observatory will add to this fleet
the capability to observe the solar atmosphere to a depth one-third of
the Sun's radius to study the flow of plasmas that generate magnetic
fields and the sudden changes that produce coronal mass ejections that
we experience as space weather. Also this year, NASA plans to select
two Small Explorer (SMEX) missions in response to an Announcement of
Opportunity issued in 2008, which could be either Heliophysics or
Astrophysics missions depending on the proposals selected. Development
of the Radiation Belt Storm Probes mission to study the interactions of
space weather events with Earth's magnetic field is continuing for
launch in 2012. The Magnetosphere Multi-Scale mission to observe the
processes of magnetic reconnection, energetic particle acceleration,
and turbulence in Earth's magnetosphere will undergo a Confirmation
Review this year for a planned launch in 2014. Finally, NASA is
continuing early formulation work on the Solar Probe-Plus mission that
will travel into, and sample, the near-Sun environment to probe the
origins of the solar wind.
Aeronautics Research
NASA's fiscal year 2010 budget provides $507 million for
Aeronautics Research. Over the past year, the Aeronautics Research
Mission Directorate has continued to pursue long-term, innovative, and
cutting-edge research that develops revolutionary tools, concepts, and
technologies to enable a safer, more flexible, environmentally
friendly, and more efficient national air transportation system. NASA
Aeronautics Research also plays a vital role in supporting NASA's space
exploration activities.
A primary goal across Aeronautics Research programs is to establish
strong partnerships with industry, academia, and other government
agencies in order to enable significant advancement in our Nation's
aeronautical expertise. NASA has put many mechanisms in place to engage
academia and industry, including industry working groups and technical
interchange meetings at the program and project level, Space Act
Agreements (SAAs) for cooperative partnerships, and the NASA Research
Announcement (NRA) process that provides for full and open competition
for the best and most promising research ideas. To date, 68 SAAs have
been established with industry partners across all programs and 375
NRAs have been awarded to academia, industry and non-profit
organizations. NASA Aeronautics has continued to collaborate with the
Joint Planning Development Office (JPDO), Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), U.S. Air Force, Army, and other government
organizations.
New for fiscal year 2010, $62.4 million has been provided for the
Integrated Systems Research Program (ISRP) to conduct research at an
integrated system-level on promising concepts and technologies and
explore, assess, or demonstrate the benefits in a relevant environment.
The research in this program will be coordinated with on-going, long-
term, foundational research within the three other research programs,
and will be closely coordinated with other Federal Government agency
efforts. The project within ISRP will be the Environmentally
Responsible Aviation (ERA) Project, a ``green aircraft initiative,''
that will explore and assess new vehicle concepts and enabling
technologies through system-level experimentation to simultaneously
reduce fuel burn, noise, and emissions. The ERA project will transfer
knowledge outward to the aeronautics community so that aircraft and
propulsion system manufacturers can confidently transition these
technologies into new products, as well as transfer knowledge inward to
the Fundamental Aeronautics Program when the need for further
development at a foundational level is identified.
NASA's Airspace Systems Program (ASP) has partnered with the JPDO
to help develop concepts, capabilities and technologies that will lead
to significant enhancements in the capacity, efficiency and flexibility
of the National Airspace System. For fiscal year 2010, ASP has been
reorganized from the NextGen Airspace and NextGen Airportal projects
into the NextGen Concepts and Technology Development project and the
NextGen Systems Analysis, Integration and Evaluation project. The
distinctions between airport operations, terminal-area operations and
en-route operations were sometimes confusing, leading to time expended
determining the line of demarcation between the responsibilities of the
two projects. A more significant distinction is the development of air
traffic management concepts and the technologies that enable air
traffic management improvements and the evaluation of these concepts
and technologies at a system level. The previously planned work on
airspace concepts, technologies and systems will continue. This new
project structure is better aligned to the nature of the work being
performed. A notable accomplishment for ASP is the successful
completion, by NASA researchers in collaboration with academia and the
FAA, of a series of human-in-the-loop experiments that explored
advanced concepts and technology for separation assurance, which
ensures that aircraft maintain a safe distance from other aircraft,
terrain, obstacles, and certain airspace not designated for routine air
travel. The technology being developed by NASA and its partners is
critical to relieving air-traffic controller workload, a primary
constraint on airspace capacity that is expected to increase in coming
years. In the future, this Program will continue to develop new
technologies to solve important problems such as surface traffic
planning and control, and initial algorithms for airport arrival and
departure balancing as well as developing traffic flow management
concepts for increased efficiencies at the regional and national levels
for different planning intervals.
NASA's Fundamental Aeronautics Program (FAP) conducts research in
all aeronautics disciplines that enable the design of vehicles that fly
through any atmosphere at any speed. For fiscal year 2010, all ARMD
research into planetary entry, descent and landing (EDL) has been
consolidated into the Hypersonics project in FAP. EDL is an integral
part of many space missions and is not easily divided into distinct
hypersonic and supersonic phases. This change will provide more focus
to technical developments and will also yield technical management
efficiencies. The FAP program has supported the testing of various new
concepts that will help enable much improved capabilities for future
vehicles. For example, wind-tunnel testing was conducted for several
promising powered lift concepts. Powered lift concepts increase lifting
force on an aircraft at slow speeds (e.g., at take-off and landing)
without increasing drag under cruise conditions. Successful use of the
concepts will enable short take-off and landings on runways less than
3,000 feet, which will increase next-generation air transportation
system capacity through the use of shorter fields and improved low-
speed maneuverability in airport terminal areas. Testing was also
completed for a Smart Material Actuated Rotor Technology (SMART)
helicopter rotor, which offers the potential for significant noise and
vibration reduction in rotorcraft. Future work includes technologies
and advanced tools to evaluate the trades between noise, emissions, and
performance of future aircraft entering service in the 2012-2015
timeframe. Additionally, with the transfer of technologies to be
matured to system-level within ISRP, the Subsonic Fixed Wing (SFW)
project is streamlining its research content. This is enabling new
efficiencies across the foundational disciplines remaining in the
project. The integrated system-level research in this program will be
coordinated with on-going, long-term, foundational research within the
three other research programs, and will focus specifically on maturing
and integrating technologies in major vehicle systems and subsystems
for accelerated transition to practical application.
NASA's Aviation Safety Program (AvSP) continues to develop tools
and technologies to improve on today's incredibly safe air
transportation system, while ensuring that future technologies can be
safely incorporated to the system. Examples of advances that support
this development include NASA's ongoing and new research into aircraft
icing. For example, with current knowledge we cannot extrapolate how
ice forms on a straight wing such as found on a turbo-prop to how it
will form on a swept wing, or a radically new aircraft configuration.
The Aviation Safety Program is tackling this with a combination of
computational models and experiments in NASA's Icing Research Tunnel.
We are establishing that, in high and cold flight conditions, ice can
form deeper in jet engines than previously understood. NASA is working
collaboratively with the FAA, industry and international partners, such
as the National Research Council of Canada, to conduct tunnel tests of
the underlying physics, to fly our instrumented S-3 Viking into such
engine icing conditions, and design upgrades to our Propulsion System
Lab in which jet engines may be tested in detail. Additional future
work in Aviation Safety includes addressing gaps in validation and
verification of critical flight software, developing new data-analysis
capabilities to mine aviation operational data for safety issues,
examining the safety of new vehicle systems and structures, and
tackling the biggest human factors issues in the NextGen flightdeck.
NASA's Aeronautics Test Program (ATP) is focused on ensuring a
healthy suite of facilities and platforms to meet the Nation's testing
needs including the development of new test instrumentation and test
technologies. As part of its continuous efforts to improve facility
operational efficiencies, ATP initiated the National Force Measurement
Technology Capability, to address the severe erosion of NASA's
capability to utilize strain gage balances in wind tunnel testing. The
National Partnership for Aeronautics Testing, a strategic partnership
between NASA and the Department of Defense (DOD), recently commissioned
a study of government-owned, mid-to-large supersonic facilities
necessary to fulfill future air vehicle test requirements. The Program
will continue to develop a long-term strategic approach that aligns the
NASA and DOD facilities to meet future requirements with the right mix
of facilities and appropriate investments in facility capabilities.
Exploration Systems
Human space flight is important to America's political, economic,
technological and scientific leadership. In the span of a few short
years, NASA has already taken long strides in the formulation of
strategies and programs to develop a robust program of space
exploration. These critical steps will allow our Nation to build the
next-generation space flight vehicles that will carry humans and
deliver cargo to the ISS and the Moon, and on to other destinations in
our solar system. The President's fiscal year 2010 budget request for
Exploration Systems is $3,963.1 million, an increase of $457.6 million
above the fiscal year 2009 appropriation and $225.4 million above the
planned fiscal year 2010 level in last year's request. Based on the
Recovery Act funds and the President's increased budget request for
fiscal year 2010, the Exploration Systems budget plan includes about
$630 million more in fiscal year 2009 and fiscal year 2010 than the
previous plan. At this critical juncture, full funding at the
President's requested level is essential for expediting development of
new U.S. human space flight systems to support the International Space
Station and explore the Moon and other destinations beyond low Earth
orbit.
The Constellation Program will apply additional Recovery Act funds
to critical activities related to the successful completion of the
Orion, Ares I and Ground Operations projects. The Commercial Crew and
Cargo Program plans to use Recovery Act funds to stimulate efforts
within the private sector in order to develop and demonstrate
technologies that enable commercial human space flight capabilities--
efforts that are intended to foster entrepreneurial activity leading to
job growth in engineering, analysis, design, and research, and to
economic growth as capabilities for new markets are created.
Following the Review of U.S. Human Space Flight activities, the
administration will provide an updated request for Exploration
activities, as necessary. In the meantime, NASA is proceeding as
planned with current Exploration activities, including Ares I, Orion,
Commercial Crew and Cargo efforts, and lunar systems.
During the past year, NASA Exploration Systems continued to make
significant progress in developing the next-generation U.S. human space
flight vehicles and their associated ground and mission support
systems. In the next several weeks, the first lunar robotic mission,
the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and the Lunar Crater Observation
Sensing Satellite spacecraft, will be launched from the Cape Canaveral
Air Force Station aboard an Atlas V, which will help NASA scout for
potential lunar landing and outpost sites. Later this year, two major
test flights for the Constellation Program will be conducted: Ares I-X
is the first developmental test flight to support the design of the
Ares I Crew Launch Vehicle; and the Pad Abort 1 (PA-1) is the first
test of the Launch Abort System to be used on the Orion Crew
Exploration Vehicle. NASA will continue to work with other nations and
the commercial sector to coordinate planning, leverage investment, and
identify opportunities for specific collaboration on Exploration
activities.
The Constellation Program continues to complete the formulation
phase of its projects--in particular Ares I, Orion, and major ground
facilities. Major development work is underway, contracts are in place;
and we have a dedicated group of civil servants and contractors who are
all working hard to accomplish the Constellation Program's objectives.
So far, NASA engineers have conducted about 6,500 hours of wind tunnel
testing on subscale models of the Ares I to simulate how the current
vehicle design performs in flight. These wind tunnel tests, as well as
the Ares I-X test flight, will lay the groundwork for maturing the Ares
I final design prior to its Critical Design Review (CDR). When launched
later this year from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the Ares
I-X will climb about 25 miles in a 2-minute powered test of the First
Stage performance and the First Stage separation and parachute recovery
system. Work on the Orion Project also continues to advance. Recently,
NASA conducted testing of the water recovery process for the Orion
capsule, and NASA also selected the material for Orion's heat shield.
Later this year, Orion's PA-1 test will take place at White Sands
Missile Range, New Mexico. PA-1 will demonstrate the Launch Abort
System's ability to pull crew to safety should there be an emergency
while the Orion and Ares I stack is still on the launch pad.
In September 2008, Ares I completed a key milestone with its
Preliminary Design Review (PDR). PDR is the final step of the initial
design process, and thereby a crucial milestone during which the
overall project verifies that the preliminary design can meet all
requirements within acceptable risk limits and within cost and schedule
constraints, and identifies technical and management challenges and
addresses approaches for eliminating or mitigating them. This fall, the
Orion is expected to have progressed to the point of completing PDR,
and obtaining Agency approval to proceed to Critical Design Review
(CDR). Current plans call for Ares I to progress to the point of
obtaining Agency approval by early 2010 to proceed to CDR.
As part of the Commercial Crew and Cargo Program and its associated
Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) cargo projects, NASA
is completing its promised $500 million investment to the two funded
COTS partners, Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX) of
El Segundo, California, and Orbital Sciences Corporation (Orbital) of
Dulles, Virginia. Recently, SpaceX successfully operated the full
complement of the first stage engines of the Falcon 9, the SpaceX
launch vehicle. Orbital continues to progress in achieving engineering
milestones, and completed its PDR earlier this month. In addition, NASA
has two non-funded COTS partners.
The transition of NASA facilities, infrastructure, property, and
personnel from the Space Shuttle Program to the Constellation Program
continues to be a major activity. This joint effort between the Space
Operations and Exploration Systems Mission Directorates includes the
utilization and disposition of resources, including real and personal
property; personnel; and processes in order to leverage existing
Shuttle and Space Station assets for NASA's future Exploration
activities.
NASA's Advanced Capabilities programs include the Human Research
Program (HRP) and the Exploration Technology Development Program
(ETDP). These programs continue to reduce risks for human explorers of
the Moon and beyond by conducting research and developing new
technologies to aid future explorers. HRP focuses on the highest risks
to crew health and performance during exploration missions while also
developing and validating a suite of human health countermeasures to
facilitate long-duration space travel. For example, NASA is conducting
research to better understand the effect of space radiation on humans
and to develop effective mitigation strategies. This year, HRP
delivered a space radiation risk assessment tool, provided cockpit
display design requirements for the Orion spacecraft, and provided
design requirements for the new Constellation Space Suit System. HRP is
also conducting research onboard the ISS with regard to: the cardiac
structure and function of astronauts; radiation shielding technologies;
and, the effect that certain pharmaceuticals may have on the prevention
of bone loss during long-duration missions. ETDP will conduct a range
of activities, including testing cryogenic hydrogen and methane
propulsion systems for future missions; developing a small pressurized
rover for transporting astronauts on the lunar surface; and
demonstrating the capability to produce oxygen from lunar soil. ETDP
also is conducting experiments on the Space Station to investigate the
behavior of fluids and combustion in microgravity, and operating
instruments to monitor atmospheric contaminants on the Space Station.
Space Operations
The fiscal year 2010 budget request includes $6,175.6 million for
Space Operations.
It is an exciting time for NASA's Space Shuttle Program. At this
moment, the astronauts of Shuttle Atlantis are in orbit on STS-125, the
final mission to service the Hubble Space Telescope. We anticipate that
the work they are doing, which includes upgrading the Hubble's
instruments, should extend the observatory's operational life several
years. The President's fiscal year 2010 budget funds the safe flight of
the Space Shuttle to conduct its remaining missions, including the AMS
flight and completing assembly of the ISS. NASA is committed to
completing the eight remaining scheduled Shuttle flights, which we
believe can be accomplished by the end of 2010. These Shuttle flights
will leave the ISS in a configuration to support a broad portfolio of
research and to receive and be maintained by commercial cargo services.
The fiscal year 2010 budget request includes $3,157.1 million for the
Space Shuttle Program.
NASA and its Russian, European, Canadian, and Japanese
International Space Station partners are working together to realize
one of the most inspiring dreams of the last 50 years: the
establishment of a station in Earth orbit for the conduct of various
types of research. We are now approaching two significant milestones.
In May, the ISS will host its first six-person crew. The recent
delivery of the Station's final set of solar arrays and other equipment
by the crew of STS-119 represents the final step toward this goal. In
June, the STS-127 mission will deliver the third and final component of
the Japanese Kibo laboratory--the Kibo Exposed Facility. The addition
of the Exposed facility enables the Kibo laboratory, with the European
Columbus module and the U.S. Destiny module, to complete the three
major international science labs on ISS, setting the stage for
utilization of ISS as a highly capable microgravity research facility.
The President's fiscal year 2010 budget request includes $2,267.0
million for the ISS.
The ISS will represent both an unparalleled international
cooperative effort and a U.S. National Laboratory in orbit. Scientists
will be able to conduct biomedical and engineering research from a
unique vantage point. Some of the work will increase our knowledge of
the effects of long-duration human space flight, which is critical for
the design and operation of future human space vehicles, including
those being developed under the Constellation Program to return U.S.
astronauts to the Moon and explore other destinations. Other research
will not be focused on space exploration at all, but may have
significant applications right here on Earth. Medical research, for
example, may be applicable to the development of vaccines; NASA's
research into salmonella aboard the Space Shuttle and ISS has already
increased our knowledge in this area. In the key areas of energy and
the environment, the ISS serves as a daily demonstration of ``green''
technologies and environmental management techniques. The ISS receives
120kW of power from its solar arrays to operate the Station and run
experiments. The ISS environmental system is designed to minimize the
amount of mass that has to be launched from Earth to support the
Station, so recycling is a must. STS-119 supplied ISS with a
replacement Distillation Assembly for Station's water recycling system,
which is key for supporting a full six-person crew for extended periods
of time. Given the central role science and technology play in our
society, it is important that the United States maintain a leadership
role in these fields. The availability of a research laboratory in the
microgravity environment of space will support this aim.
Another benefit from Space Shuttle missions and ISS research is
reflected in the programs' ability to inspire the next generation of
Americans. This was reflected recently in the delighted faces of
students who participated in the uplinked phone call between President
Obama and the crews of the ISS and STS-119 on March 24. The ISS will
support the President's goal of making math and science education a
national priority by demonstrating what can be accomplished through
science and engineering, and by inspiring both teachers and students.
NASA is relying on U.S. industry to develop vehicles to deliver
supplies and experiments to the ISS. In December 2008, the Agency
awarded two Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) contracts for the
provision of this critical capability. Cargo resupply is important for
the continued viability of ISS. In addition, the vendors involved will
gain valuable experience in the development and operation of vehicles
that can (1) fly to the ISS orbit; (2) operate in close proximity to
the ISS and other docked vehicles; (3) dock to ISS; and, (4) remain
docked for extended periods of time.
The fiscal year 2010 budget request includes $751.5 million for
Space and Flight Support, which supports Space Communications and
Navigation, Launch Services, Rocket Propulsion Testing, Crew Health and
Safety, and the new Human Space Flight Operations programs.
Education
The fiscal year 2010 budget request for Education totals $126.1
million and furthers NASA's commitment to Science, Technology,
Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education. NASA will continue its
successes in developing a future aerospace workforce, improving the
technological competitiveness of our Nation's universities, attracting
and retaining students in STEM disciplines, and engaging the public in
NASA's missions. NASA will accomplish these goals by offering
competitive research grants to universities, providing targeted
educational support to Minority Serving Institutions, and strengthening
curricula at 2-year community colleges. NASA's plans to streamline and
centralize internship and fellowship application processes will realize
cost savings and facilitate student access to information while
attracting a wider, more diverse participant base. The Agency is also
seeking new opportunities for student involvement in current space and
aeronautics research missions and flight projects, including those
using high altitude balloons, sounding rocket payloads, airborne
sensors, and space satellites. NASA will further these efforts through
a new project, Innovation in STEM Education, which will allow the
Agency to investigate and offer opportunities for student and faculty
to participate in NASA-related research. In coming months, the Agency
will complete award announcements for competitive grant programs in K-
12, global climate change, and informal education, and revise and issue
new solicitations using fiscal year 2009 funds.
NASA will further pursue a goal to attract and retain students in
STEM disciplines in the upcoming fiscal year. Last year, the
Interdisciplinary National Science Program Incorporating Research &
Education (INSPIRE) program engaged over 200 high schools in STEM
areas, and NASA Explorer Schools conducted instructional and enrichment
activities that reached over 105,000 students. The March 2009 STS-119
mission also provided a unique educational opportunity as two Mission
Specialists who are science teachers, Joe Acaba and Richard Arnold,
were part of the crew. NASA Education continues to provide internships,
fellowships, and research opportunities to help students and educators
gain hands-on experiences in a range of STEM-related areas. These
opportunities provide students with the motivation, inspiration, and
experience needed to serve the Nation's current and future workforce
needs. In fiscal year 2008, the Agency provided more than 3,000 summer
internships, reached 5,331 students through significant research
experience or grants, and provided 139 grants to underrepresented and
underserved institutions.
NASA will also engage elementary and secondary school and informal
education audiences by using Earth and deep space observations, the
flight experience of Educator Astronaut Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger
aboard STS-131, as well as future missions to the Moon and other
destinations. New technologies such as social networks, Internet
collaborations, a new virtual magnet school, and remote control of
science instruments will expand and enhance these efforts. In fiscal
year 2010, NASA also plans to provide an online professional
development system for students training to become educators, in-
service teachers, and informal educators. Additionally, NASA will
promote continuous public awareness of its mission and improvement to
STEM literacy by partnering with informal education providers, which
allows Agency partners to share the excitement of NASA missions with
their visitors in meaningful ways.
Cross-Agency Support
NASA Cross-Agency Support provides critical mission support
activities that are necessary to ensure the efficient and effective
operation and administration of the Agency, but cannot be directly
aligned to a specific program or project requirement. These important
functions align and sustain institutional and program capabilities to
support NASA missions by leveraging resources to meet mission needs,
establishing Agency-wide capabilities, and providing institutional
checks and balances. Cross-Agency Support includes Center Management
and Operations, Institutional Investments, and Agency Management and
Operations. The fiscal year 2010 budget request includes $3,400.6
million for Cross Agency Support.
Center Management and Operations funds the critical ongoing
management, operations, and maintenance of nine NASA Centers and major
component facilities. NASA Centers continue to provide high-quality
support and the technical talent for the execution of programs and
projects. The fiscal year 2010 budget request includes $2.084 million
for Center Management and Operations.
Institutional Investments funds design and execution of non-
programmatic revitalization construction of facilities projects,
demolition projects for closed facilities, and environmental compliance
and restoration activities. The Construction of Facilities Program
makes capital repairs and improvements to NASA's critical
infrastructure to improve safety and security and improve NASA's
operating efficiency by reducing utility usage. NASA continues to right
size the infrastructure by demolishing facilities that are no longer
needed. Emphasis has been placed on energy and water conservation.
Currently, NASA has five buildings that are certified under the
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) criteria, three
additional buildings that are built and awaiting certification as LEED
Silver facilities, and 13 buildings in various stages of design and
construction as High Performance Buildings and are expected to be LEED-
certified when completed. The fiscal year 2010 budget request includes
$355.4 million for Institutional Investments.
NASA's fiscal year 2010 request includes $961.2 million for Agency
Management and Operations, which funds the critical management and
oversight of Agency missions, programs and functions, and performance
of NASA-wide activities, including five programs: Agency Management,
Safety and Mission Success, Agency Information Technology Services,
Innovative Partnerships Program, and Strategic Capabilities Assets
Program.
--The fiscal year 2010 budget request provides $412.7 million for
Agency Management, which supports executive-based, Agency-level
functional and administrative management requirements. Agency
Management provides for the operational costs of Headquarters
as an installation; institutional and management requirements
for multiple Agency functions; assessment and evaluation of
NASA program and mission performance; strategic planning; and
independent technical assessments of Agency programs.
--The fiscal year 2010 budget request provides $183.9 million for
Safety and Mission Success activities required to continue
strengthening the workforce, training, and strengthening the
fundamental and robust cross-checks applied on the execution of
NASA's mission, and to improve the likelihood for safety and
mission success for NASA's programs, projects, and operations.
The engineering, safety and mission assurance, health and
medical independent oversight, and technical authority
components are essential to NASA's success and were established
or modified in direct response to many of the key Challenger
and Columbia accident board recommendations for reducing the
likelihood for future accidents. Included under Safety and
Mission Success is the Software Independent Verification and
Validation program.
--The fiscal year 2010 budget request for Agency Information
Technology Services is $150.4 million, which encompasses cross-
cutting services and initiatives in IT management,
applications, and infrastructure necessary to enable the NASA
Mission and improve security, integration and efficiency of
Agency operations. NASA plans significant emphasis on continued
implementation of five major Agency-wide procurements to
achieve the following: (1) consolidation of IT networks leading
to improved network management, (2) consolidation of desktop/
laptop computer services and mobile devices to improve end-user
services, (3) data center consolidation to provide more cost-
effective services, (4) Agency public web site management to
improve access to NASA data and information by the public, and
(5) Agency business systems development and maintenance to
provide more efficient and effective business systems. NASA
will also continue to improve security incident detection,
response, and management through the Security Operations
Center.
--The request for the Innovative Partnerships Program (IPP) is $184.8
million. IPP works with all four Mission Directorates to
provide innovations meeting NASA's technology needs, and
transfers NASA technology for broad Spinoff applications that
improve quality of life and contribute to economic growth.
Included in the IPP portfolio are: NASA's SBIR/STTR Programs
seeking out innovative high-technology small businesses; a new
Innovative Technology Project seeking high-impact revolutionary
research and technology projects; a Seed Fund to address
technology needs through cost-shared, joint-development
partnerships; use of commercial flight services by the FAST
program to demonstrate new technologies; Innovation Ambassadors
to exchange ideas; and the Centennial Challenges prize program
for the citizen inventor. IPP seeks partnerships through
offices at all 10 NASA Centers.
--Finally, NASA is requesting $29.4 million in fiscal year 2010 for
the Strategic Capabilities Assets Program (SCAP). This program
funds the costs required to sustain key Agency test
capabilities and assets, such as an array of flight simulators,
thermal vacuum chambers, and arc jets, to ensure mission
success. SCAP ensures that assets and capabilities deemed vital
to NASA's current and future success are sustained in order to
serve Agency and national needs. All assets and capabilities
identified for sustainment either have validated mission
requirements or have been identified as potentially required
for future missions.
Conclusion
The President's fiscal year 2010 budget request for NASA supports
the administration's commitment to deploy a global climate change
research and monitoring system, funds a robust program of space
exploration involving humans and robots with a goal to return Americans
to the Moon by 2020 and explore other destinations, and funds the safe
flight of the Shuttle to complete assembly of the ISS through its
retirement, planned for the end of 2010. The fiscal year 2010 budget
request funds continued use of the ISS to enable the Agency to develop,
test, and validate critical exploration technologies and processes and,
in coordination with our international partners, to make the ISS
available support other government entities, commercial industry and
academic institutions to conduct unique research in the microgravity
environment of space. It will also stimulate private sector development
and demonstration of vehicles that may support NASA's cargo and crew
requirements. And it renews NASA's commitment to aeronautics research
to address fundamental aeronautics, aviation safety, air traffic
management, and mitigating the impact of aviation on the environment.
NASA's diverse portfolio of science, technology, engineering and
mathematics (STEM) educational activities is also aligned with the
administration's goal of improving American innovation and global
competitiveness. NASA looks forward to working with the subcommittee on
implementation of the detailed fiscal year 2010 budget request.
Madam Chair, thank you for your support and that of this
subcommittee. I would be pleased to respond to any questions you or the
other members of the subcommittee may have.
HUMAN SPACEFLIGHT
Senator Mikulski. Thank you, Mr. Scolese. My areas of
questioning will be in three categories, which of course, the
Spaceflight and the reliability of our space transportation
system for the remaining eight missions, space--the scientific
endeavors that are supported in the President's budget which is
really a robust commitment to science; and also, the
acquisition issues.
Let me go to the Spaceflight issue. The administration is
committed to flying the Space Shuttle 8 more times to finish
the Space Station. The budget assumes that this can be done by
2010. The Shuttle program is a $3 billion a year program, so
here is my question. One, can you envision a scenario where you
would keep flying the Shuttle past 2010, and second, if you
have to, if you can't complete the 8 missions, where will the
money come from if the Shuttle flights have to be extended?
Mr. Scolese. Yes, as I mentioned earlier----
Senator Mikulski. In other words, do you have an ending
date where you blow a whistle and the racks come down, and it's
goodbye to the Shuttle?
Mr. Scolese. No, we don't have an ending date. We are
committed to flying the manifest, which is the remaining eight
flights, we look at that regularly, almost weekly, to look at
what our logistics chain is, and what's available and what the
current situation is.
As of today, we believe that we can complete those missions
by the end of September 2010. Clearly, if we run into any
serious difficulties, that we have to slip, and we would have
to go beyond the September date.
We don't foresee those at this stage of the game. We have
margin in the date to September 2010. However, if we did have
to slip, if it was a significant slip, months or more, we will
have to find additional resources to cover that slip. And we
would either have to come in and ask for an increase in the
budget if we knew early enough about it, or we would have to go
off and take resources from other parts of NASA.
Senator Mikulski. But the administration is counting on
these 8 flights to be done by 2010.
Mr. Scolese. Yes.
Senator Mikulski. And there is no contingency plan beyond
that, except, ``If we get to it, we'll deal with it?''
Mr. Scolese. Well, as I was saying, based on what we see we
believe--that we can make that date. We have not working
towards a date, I need to be careful about that--but our
planning indicates that 2010 is a very achievable date.
SOYUZ
Senator Mikulski. Right, well let me move ahead, then.
Let's go to the Soyuz, which is our only way that, if our
astronauts get into difficulty, we can return them safely.
There's been much in the press about the Soyuz, number one,
its ongoing reliability, and also what they're charging us to
do--to be this standby vehicle, which we're absolutely
dependent upon. Could you tell us, number one, what is in the
budget to--how many--what are we, essentially, what is our--
what is it that we're requesting of the Russians, how many
Soyuz flight guarantees and, is the money in the budget to do
that, and do you believe that those--that money is reasonable,
or does it require some diplomatic negotiation?
Mr. Scolese. Well, today we believe the money is
reasonable. As you pointed out, we've been relying on the Soyuz
for crew rescue since the initiation of the Space Station. So,
it's always been a part of the program for that aspect of it.
And, of course, following the Columbia tragedy, we were relying
on the Soyuz to take our crew up to the Station and back.
In the time between Shuttle retirement and the availability
of Orion to take crew up and back, we will be relying on the
Soyuz. We do not buy Soyuz, so to speak, we buy seats. We buy
the training, the flight up, the flight back, and all of the
logistics associated with a long-duration mission, and that's
how we negotiate with the Russians. We're in the process of
negotiating with them for the duration of that gap. And, to
date, as we're saying, we're still negotiating, it's about $47
million a seat, today. And the press has reported, but we're
still negotiating, about $51 million for the future.
Senator Mikulski. Well, my time has expired, I think that
it goes through those. I do have workforce questions, and then
science and acquisition, but let me turn to my colleagues and
we'll come back for another round.
NASA'S SPEND PLAN
Senator Shelby. Thank you, Madam Chair.
The Congress explicitly provided $400 million to the
exploration program in 2009 economic stimulus bill to close the
gap between the Shuttle and constellation programs, as I
understand it.
It's my understanding that NASA's spend plan included the
redirection of $150 million for new initiatives related to
commercial, crew, and cargo. Based on what little detail we've
learned from NASA, it appears these funds are for entirely new
activities that have not even been formally presented or
reviewed by the Congress. What's going on, here? What other
options were examined for Ares and Orion with the $150 million,
prior to it being proposed for commercial studies, as I
understand it. Tell us what's going on, here?
Mr. Scolese. Certainly. Of the $400 million that was
appropriated, $250 million is being used to accelerate and
improve the situation for Ares and Orion, by procuring long-
lead materials that we needed----
Senator Shelby. Why do you need to use it all?
Mr. Scolese. Well, I'll get to that. And certainly more
would allow us to do more. We did look at the overall system
when we came up with the plan, and we invested $150 million in
commercial crew.
It's broken into two fundamental categories--$70 million is
something that will broadly support not only commercial
activities, but all activities associated with the Space
Station.
One example of those is the human rating requirements.
Human rating--we do these missions so infrequently that we need
to go off and catalogue those so that anybody that wants to
come to the Space Station will clearly understand what it is
that we need to do. Anybody that wants to fly a NASA astronaut
will understand how we want to fly.
And then $80 million is available through competition, but
first, we're going to go off and issue a broad area
announcement to see if there is interest in providing
commercial crew capabilities, and then we will--and only then--
will we obligate those funds.
SECTION 505 OF THE OMNIBUS
Senator Shelby. It's my understanding that section 505 of
the omnibus clearly prohibits funding for new activities. Did
Congress approve what you're doing, here, for the redirection
of the funds?
Mr. Scolese. Well, we submit it as part of our operating
plan, so----
Senator Shelby. But you hadn't had an approval of it, had
you? By the Congress.
Mr. Scolese. Not at this time.
Senator Shelby. Don't you think you need--if section 505 of
the omnibus prohibits funding for new activities, did you
consider that?
Mr. Scolese. Well, I think we had authority to go off and
work commercial activities, and that's what we're trying to do
here, and we submitted it as part of the operating plan. I'd
have to go back and look at the details----
Senator Shelby. Will you check that for the record?
Mr. Scolese. I will check that for the record, sir. Yes,
sir.
[The information follows:]
Fiscal Year 2009 Recovery Act Spend Plan
Section 505, Title V, Division B of the fiscal year 2009 Omnibus
Appropriations Act (Public Law 111-8), states that ``None of the funds
provided under this Act, or provided under previous appropriations Acts
. . . shall be available for obligation or expenditure through the
reprogramming of funds that creates or initiates a new program, project
or activity.''
Since NASA's initial Operating Plan defined the activities that
would be undertaken by the Agency in response to the American Recovery
and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5), the Operating Plan
does not represent a re-programming from a previous baseline. The
Recovery Act funds did not identify specific activities, so the initial
Operating Plan represents the proposed baseline for these funds. While
some of the specific activities may be new or identified uniquely for
the first time, they are all supporting NASA's existing authorized and
appropriated programs and projects.
ARES-V
Senator Shelby. Because some of the people on our staff are
concerned about this.
Ares-V delay--NASA has repeatedly stated that the
constellation programs will continue as usual while the human
space flight review is underway. While this may be true for
Ares I and Orion, other facets of constellation--it's my
understanding they're being held back. The heavy-lift vehicle,
Ares-V, has been specifically delayed, pending an altered
request due to the human spaceflight study, it's my
understanding.
If constellation is moving forward, then why is Ares-V, the
heavy-lift rocket, that is essential to landing a man on the
Moon, being delayed? This is unusual business. What's going on,
here?
Mr. Scolese. Well, you're absolutely right--Ares-V is
absolutely critical if we're going to get humans back to the
Moon, and outside of low Earth orbit, plus for other
activities. We are not stopping work on Ares-V. There is
continued work----
Senator Shelby. You're still committed to Ares-V, aren't
you?
Mr. Scolese. I'm sorry.
Senator Shelby. NASA's committed to Ares-V.
Mr. Scolese. Oh, absolutely. We have to have that type of a
vehicle, Ares-V, in order to get out of low-Earth orbit. And,
in fact, work being done on Ares I is directly applicable to
Ares-V, the solid rocket motor, the J2X engine in the upper
stage, plus we have, you know, individuals at our space flight
centers, also continuing to work on Ares-V.
Clearly there could be implications as a result of the
review that's going on this summer, but as the President's
budget said, they want to return humans to the Moon, and
there's only one way to do that, with the heavy-lift launch
vehicle, and Ares-V is the one that's on the books today.
Senator Shelby. How much of the $30 million for Ares-V in
the 2009 bill will you spend? Will you spend that this year?
Mr. Scolese. I expect that we will, but I'd like to get
back to you for the record.
[The information follows:]
Ares-V
The fiscal year 2009 Operating Plan contains $30 million for the
Ares-V. That money is expected to be fully expended in 2010.
Senator Shelby. You going to get back in the next 10 days
or so?
Mr. Scolese. Yes, sir.
Senator Shelby. Does the action by NASA at that point,
dealing with Ares-V delay indicate there's already a pre-
determined outcome, as it relates to Ares-V?
Mr. Scolese. No. I mean, as I said earlier, the only way
we're going to get out of low-Earth orbit is with a vehicle,
and a substantial vehicle, and Ares-V is the one that----
Senator Shelby. You've got to have it, hadn't you?
Mr. Scolese. You have to have that type of a vehicle, yes
sir.
Senator Shelby. Okay.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Senator Mikulski. Senator Voinovich.
COST OVERRUNS
Senator Voinovich. Thank you, Madam Chair.
I'd like to first commend the Agency for a decision that
they made a couple of years ago, and that was in regard to the
Plumbrook facility. I was quite impressed with the fact that
when I talked with Mr. Griffin about that facility, he was not
knowledgeable about its potential or its condition, and the
Agency had--along with Lockheed Martin--decided they were going
to do something else in terms of testing the CEV.
And I was impressed with the fact that he came out, and
they looked at it, and NASA is investing, I think, some $54
million into that, which will do the testing for a lot of the
things that NASA's doing, and also put it in the position where
they can take in some commercial work. I think that kind of
work on your part is very important.
I'm also concerned about the fact that Senator Shelby said,
some of these overruns. And what does NASA do about these?
What's does NASA do about these in terms of contractors, do you
hit them over the head, trying to get them to perform? Is there
any provision that says that if they have these overruns and
don't make good on what they say they're going to do that they
won't get further business from NASA?
Mr. Scolese. Overruns--we work those very carefully, and
yes, there are penalties for overruns, but we also have to
understand what the reasons for them are. Sometimes it's due to
underestimates in the beginning that we, indeed, plan for. And
sometimes it's due to the fact that we change requirements. As
you know, NASA is a research and development agency, we do
things, typically, for the first time. And that requires
learning as we're going along, so if we adjust the requirements
it is not an overrun by the contractor, it is us adjusting the
requirements, and adjusting the contract.
Senator Voinovich. How often is that the case?
Mr. Scolese. A fair amount. It happens relatively
frequently. In fact, we tend to be the mission integrator, so,
that will happen.
But, the budget that you want to look at is the NASA
budget--how much do we say, it's going to cost to do a
particular mission. And then we work with our contractors, when
a contractor does not perform there are penalties. There are
severe penalties, including terminating the activity. We
clearly report on contractor performance, so that future work
is judged by past performance.
But, we have to look first to see if we're changing
requirements or if they're not performing.
Senator Voinovich. You're confident that you're doing what
anyone else would do in terms of these contractors?
Mr. Scolese. Yes, I am.
U.S.-RUSSIA PARTNERSHIP
Senator Voinovich. Okay.
Recently I was in Brussels and heard Sergiev Levrov, the
Russian Foreign Minister give a speech, and I was quite
concerned about the tone of this speech. And I just wonder, in
your negotiations with the Russians, in terms of the use of the
Soyuz, have you seen any difference in attitude on their part,
in terms of them being above-board, objective negotiators, or
has this--I don't know--paranoia set in with their scientific
agencies that you're working with?
Mr. Scolese. No, we haven't seen it. Russia has been a very
good partner with us on the Space Station, and in our space
activities, and they continue to be a very reliable partner.
So, we have not seen that.
Senator Voinovich. In other words, you're dealing on a
professional basis, with scientists, and the foreign policy
thing hasn't entered into those negotiations? You feel that
they're being fair and above-board?
Mr. Scolese. Yes, I mean, we're linked very tightly on this
Space Station. They can't survive without us, and we can't
survive without them. And we work very closely together, and
it's been a good and productive relationship over the last
several years.
TEN HEALTHY CENTER CONCEPT
Senator Voinovich. This undertaking of looking at the
future of NASA, I think it would be very important for you to
share with the folks that are doing this that, many of us are
very happy with the 10 healthy center concept. And you know
darn well there are people out there that are holding their
breath, and hyperventilating, what are they going to get and
what are they going to do? And I think the sooner that that's
made clear to everyone, just what the deal is going to be, I
think all of us will be feeling a whole lot better about
things.
So, if you could share that with--if you have any input
from your organization, that was a--something that we really,
all of us supported, you did a good job of assigning missions
to the various agencies, and we'd like to know that that's
still part of the program.
Mr. Scolese. I certainly will. As you know, it's the people
that make this all work, and we have some of the best people in
the world, if not the best people in the world, in developing
our spaceflight systems--human robotic and aeronautics. And we
have some great capabilities in all of our centers, and we
should utilize those to the fullest, and I'll make that known.
Senator Voinovich. Thank you.
SHUTTLE WORKFORCE TRANSITION PLAN
Senator Mikulski. Senator Voinovich raised some really
important issues around workforce assurance, and also the
acquisition and cost overrun issue.
Let me come back to the workforce issues--one, with the
retirement of the Shuttle. As you know, it is a source of great
concern in the communities, particularly in Florida and in
Texas. We're talking about thousands of people who've really
served the Nation with fidelity and reliability, I mean, they
really kept the Shuttle going. And the Shuttle's had
challenges, including the return to flight after the
Challenger.
Could you tell us where NASA is in the workforce planning
for this transition, and number two, is NASA, or the
administration also in consultation with our colleagues and
also the Governors of those respective States--it's a big deal.
Mr. Scolese. Yes, and you're absolutely right--the people
that have built and maintained this Shuttle have done an
incredible job and are truly dedicated. We see it every day. We
see it with the flight that's going on today. We're going to
rely on them until the last Shuttle returns to Earth.
Senator Mikulski. And they have to stay?
Mr. Scolese. And they have to stay.
Senator Mikulski. You know, so we're going to go ahead. I
mean, I'm going to the edge of my chair, I'm going to sound
like Bill Nelson, launching.
Mr. Scolese. I think we probably very much agree on this.
They are doing an incredible job, and we are doing a number of
things to retain and retrain--where that's needed--the
workforce. We need them, as I said, to continue to fly the
Shuttle safely, and we're relying on that.
So, in some cases we're doing retention bonuses, we're
encouraging people to stay on that may want to retire or leave
for other reasons.
Also, we are looking at people engaged in work on Orion and
Ares or other elements of Constellation, so they can look,
today, and know they're working on the Shuttle, and know that
they're already working on the next-generation system, so that
they know they will have a job when they are done.
For those people that may not be, available or may not be
able to continue with the program, we're looking at other
activities, other avenues for them, it may be at other centers,
it may be retraining. That's what we can do within NASA.
Outside of NASA, we're working with our contractors. We
don't have as much insight into that, but they're trying to do
the same thing there, as well, we're working with them to
provide retention bonuses, to encourage them to offer people
opportunities to work, not only on the Shuttle, but on the
next-generation system, that they may be operating, whether
it's Orion, or Ares, or a component of that.
So, we're working, across the board to retain the workforce
and retrain the workforce and allow for a smooth transition for
those that may have to leave the Shuttle program at the end.
RETENTION
Senator Mikulski. I feel very strongly about this, and
again, knowing first of all, the fact is that we need them now.
And we need them to stay. And if I were in the room with Peter
Orzag, working on this, and the President's science advisor,
looking at the future of NASA, I'd say, ``You know, everybody
dumped buckets of money into the banks because they said we
need their talent,'' well, they had no place to go. But here,
we have these wonderful people who have a job that they're
doing, and a job that we need them to do.
So we're going to ask for quarterly reports from NASA on
how this transition is going on. And I gather--because it will
be a phase-down, but also for the retention now. And do you
think that there are sufficient resources in your
appropriations request to retain the workforce that we have
during these last flights, taking us into the end of the fiscal
year 2011, and to really properly retain them as we also are
looking at those who wish to retire, and those who wish to be
retrained, and those who wish to be redeployed within NASA.
So, those are your, kind of, three tools, isn't it?
Retirement, retraining, and redeployment?
Mr. Scolese. Yes. And we do believe we have the resources,
as I mentioned, retention bonuses and other activities to do
that, but we're working specifically to make sure that we have
people that can cover any issue that may come up with the
Shuttle and its associated systems. So we are taking a very
active look at making sure that we retain those--that dedicated
workforce.
SCIENCE
Senator Mikulski. Right. And, as you know, now with 19
years, the Hubble servicing is coming to an end, and we have
300 people who have really served the Nation well in Hubble,
and we also want that same attention to detail with retention,
and also looking at what are the other projects at Goddard.
So, we would like to be in touch with the NASA
Administrator on these issues.
Let me go to science. And let's go to the President's
desire, we believe, to have a green science initiative, I
believe, is the way of talking about it.
We are so proud, here, in this subcommittee, that we fund
80 percent of all climate change science. We are the green
committee. Senator Boxer and I have had talks about this.
NASA's portion is $1.2 billion, including science that comes
from Earth-observing spacecraft, and then there is NOAA that
also does very important work on climate research--$325
million.
So, $2 billion is spent by the Government on climate change
science, but $1.5 billion comes from this subcommittee.
Let me go to what NASA's job is, and I would like, if you
could, outline an inventory of the NASA projects in the budget
request that will contribute to climate change science?
Mr. Scolese. Certainly. As you know, we have a number of
on-orbit satellites that are, today, contributing to our
understanding of climate change, they're supporting not just
NASA researchers, but researchers throughout the world.
They're also supporting the operational agencies, as you
mentioned, NOAA, USGS, other Department of the Interior
organizations--Forestry, Agriculture. In addition, we have
several missions in development, I could list some of them--the
global precipitation mission is one, the Landsat data
continuity mission is another. We have the decadal missions
that are coming up, and we're very aggressively working to meet
those.
In addition, we have relationship with NOAA that is very
productive, where we've been producing the polar orbiting
environmental satellites. We launched the last one, NOAA and
Prime in January, and it's working well on orbit, it's been
turned over to NOAA. We have a GOES-O launch scheduled for
later in June, that is coming up. We have the NPOESS
preparatory project, which is we are working in collaboration
with, not only NOAA, but also the Department of Defense, on the
next-generation weather satellites.
And while the Department of Defense is developing the Prime
satellite, we were developing the preparatory project, which
was intended to test out the capabilities, but now has become
critical to the operational weather and climate communities,
and we hope to launch that in the next year or so.
PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
Senator Mikulski. Well, first of all, that's impressive.
That is really impressive. I think what the committee would
appreciate, and also the Congress would appreciate, as it looks
at climate change legislation, for us to have an inventory of
these very important climate projects. We're also going to ask
for the same inventory from NOAA.
But what we want is not only a list of the projects, Mr.
Scolese, but what is the information that we're going to get
that will be useful to policymakers to really come up with
really sound legislation to deal with the global climate
crisis.
As you know, there's been incredible debate over the last
couple of years about science, junk science, and everybody's
got their arguments about the climate change situation. We
believe science should speak for itself, and that the facts of
science should speak for itself.
But, what the American people will want to know is, say,
okay, we're going to spend $1.5 billion on science, and we've
been spending it over time, and it's been enormously
impressive. We would not know today about the global climate
crisis if it were not for NASA. And then the very important
work of NOAA, and our National Science Foundation.
As we've met with environmental ministers from around the
world, the size and scope of the NASA endeavor has enabled them
to also do their science. What would be useful to us in the
debate is to know what we can continue to contribute for our
colleagues, so that decisions, recommendations, policy
initiatives and policy flashing lights would come from our
science. So, could we have that from you? Because the people
really need to have that in plain English.
We can hear GOES, NPOESS, they all have those names, et
cetera, and I think it's often not seen. But we're ready to do
legislation on the global climate crisis.
Which then takes me to something else. After--presuming we
do have legislation--do you see that it is our science that
will also be able to provide ongoing monitoring to see whether
we truly are making a difference? Will there need to be new
things, or will what we're doing now be able to carry us, say,
for the next 5 or 7 years?
Mr. Scolese. Well, I think what we're doing now will
probably carry us for the next 5 to 7 years, the answer to your
question is will we be able to do monitoring? Absolutely. We're
doing that today in various areas. For instance, in ozone
monitoring, we use satellites to measure the ozone, and have
seen, you know, an improvement in the reconstitution of the
ozone layer.
So, yes, our satellites can go off and provide a lot of
that information, and will continue to do so. And I expect, as
the decadal survey missions indicated, that we will need some
new capabilities, as we gain new understanding and want to look
at different effects, be they, solar effects or Earth effects,
or, other climatological effects that we need to deal with.
So, yes, our satellites can, and will, continue to do that,
and as you know, our data systems are out there providing that
data to researchers, as I said, around the world. So, as I
said, we're getting an objective look at the data, as well, to
inform the decisions of the policymakers.
[The information follows:]
Global Climate Change
Provide an inventory of climate projects. Identify the types of
information from them that would be useful to policy makers, with any
``flashing lights'' that would come from science results. Assess the
sufficiency of monitoring activities over the next 5-7 years.
See Attached.
Senator Mikulski. Well, I think it's impressive. I'm really
proud of NASA and what they've done in this. And they have been
truly a tremendous voice to--not only scientists--but for those
who have stewardships about their individual nations' futures.
And NASA is really loved and appreciated because of what it
does do, along with NOAA and the National Science Foundation.
This, though, takes me then to other science, which is in
addition to our Earth science, planetary science, astrophysics
and heliophysics. Is there concern at NASA that, with our
emphasis on green science, and also on dealing with the global
climate crisis, that other scientific projects will be crowded
out?
You know, to keep the shuttle going, there was a lot of
rearrangement of the money, and science suffered over the
years. The President has made a significant investment in this
year's budget, and we really appreciate this, because it's then
not left up to the Congress to restore science, which it has
been in the last decade.
Mr. Scolese. We believe we have a balanced program and, of
course, as you know probably better than most, there's always
many more missions that people want to do, many more
investigations.
Senator Mikulski. Every science wants their own rocket
ship.
Mr. Scolese. But we believe we have a balanced program, and
we'll be looking at that, and have it informed by the decadal
surveys that are coming up, to establish those priorities and
determine what we can do. I think you'll see heliophysics is
going up, astrophysics is staying about the same, and planetary
is about the same. So Earth science and heliophysics have a
little bit better, and the others are kind of balancing out to
historical percentages.
NASA EDUCATIONAL EFFORTS
Senator Mikulski. Which then takes me to education. What is
in the President's request for the NASA educational efforts?
Mr. Scolese. I was going to say $125 million and David
tells me it's $126 million. So, we have $126 million in that
budget. It covers everything from, support for formal
education, K-12, universities, grants for graduate students and
undergraduates, as well as informal education, in terms of,
support to museums and other activities along those lines. And
we can get you the specifics.
Senator Mikulski. Well, I understand that it is $126
million, that there's been a reduction of $43 million. Do you
know why, and what will go by the wayside with that $43 million
cut, or would you like to go back and talk to your team?
Mr. Scolese. I think I need to go back and talk to my team
about that.
[The information follows:]
NASA Education Program
The fiscal year 2010 budget request for NASA's Education Program is
$126.1 million, up from $116.0 million in the fiscal year 2009 request.
As part of NASA's fiscal year 2010 budget request, the Agency preserved
high-priority investments in Higher Education STEM (science,
technology, engineering, mathematics) Education, K-12 STEM Education,
and Informal STEM Education.
Higher Education STEM Education includes STEM Opportunities,
Minority University Research and Education Program (MUREP), Space
Grant, and Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research
(EPSCoR). These projects will build, sustain, and provide a skilled,
knowledgeable, diverse, and high performing workforce to meet the
current and emerging needs of NASA and the Nation.
K-12 STEM Education includes three main areas. STEM Student
Opportunities engage and help retain students in STEM disciplines
through flight opportunities, hands on research and engineering
experiences, and increased knowledge of NASA science and technology
content. STEM Teacher Development uses NASA's content and resources to
provide pre-service and classroom teachers with learning experiences to
build STEM skills and better motivate students to pursue STEM careers.
Informal STEM Education supports NASA Center efforts involving
scouting groups, community based organizations, and other informal
education providers who use NASA content to engage their audiences in
STEM experiences. NASA also supports the Nation's museums, science
centers and planetariums in developing innovative educational
experiences that help the American public understand NASA's exploration
mission.
A summary of NASA's fiscal year 2010 request for the Education
Program follows:
FISCAL 2010 BUDGET REQUEST
[Dollars in Millions]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal Fiscal
year 2008 year 2009 Fiscal Fiscal Fiscal Fiscal Fiscal
actual enacted year 2010 year 2011 year 2012 year 2013 year 2014
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal Year 2010 President's 146.8 169.2 126.1 123.8 123.8 123.8 125.5
Request...........................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Higher Ed. STEM Education.......... 92.0 107.7 80.6 80.6 80.6 80.7 80.7
K-12 STEM Education................ 41.3 47.5 43.3 41.0 41.0 41.0 42.7
Informal STEM Education............ 13.5 14.0 2.1 2.1 2.1 2.1 .........
Fiscal Year 2009 President's Budget 146.8 115.6 126.1 123.8 123.8 123.8 .........
Request...........................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Education.......................... 146.8 115.8 126.1 123.8 123.8 123.8 .........
Total Change From Fiscal Year 2009 ......... 53.6 ......... ......... ......... ......... .........
Request...........................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Compared with NASA's fiscal year 2009 budget request, the fiscal
year 2010 budget request includes increases for:
--Higher Ed. STEM Education (+$14.202 million)
--K-12 STEM Education (+$4.365 million)
--Informal STEM Education (+$0.113 million)
NASA's fiscal year 2010 budget request does not include
continuation of fiscal year 2009 Congressional augmentations for:
--Global Climate Change Education (fiscal year 2009 +$10 million)
--K-12 Competitive Educational Grant Program (fiscal year 2009 +$16
million)
--Science Museums and Planetarium Grants (fiscal year 2009 +$7
million)
--NASA Visitors Centers (fiscal year 2009 +$7 million)
--Space Grant (fiscal year 2009 +$12.268 million)
--EPSCoR (fiscal year 2009 + $11.72 million)
NASA will be able to address the intended outcomes of these
initiatives, as well as NASA's stated education goals, through programs
for which the Agency is requesting fiscal year 2010 funding.
Senator Mikulski. Let me say why I'm raising this. I'm a
big supporter, as you know, of the National Academy of
Sciences, and this is why we so like the decadal studies, that
we're guided by--in our endeavors and what we should be
exploring and doing through the National Academy of Sciences,
then it's not out of politics or State interest and so on, that
we're really working for the Nation.
And, in the ``Rising Above the Gathering Storm'', another
Augustine-led effort was, we talked about how could America
maintain its competitive edge, how could we continue
innovation? And they talked about a triad of increased money
for research, really a focus on education, K-12, to make sure--
even earlier--that our young people focused on so-called STEM
disciplines, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics,
and that we have an innovation-friendly government, patent
reform, tax policy.
Education, here we're doing all this fantastic research, we
have a President that's making major investments in education,
and through his own charisma, and that of the First Family, are
creating, I think, a renewed interest in education. Their own
girls, the way they feel about the rest of America. How can we
use now, the power of NASA, while we're doing the research
part, and our job of being innovative-finally, to be part of
education?
I feel that education at NASA has not been as sharply
focused, and perhaps not as wise in its use of dollars, when
we've got not only a great story to tell about education, but a
great way to motivate our young people to be interested in
that. I want to hear from the astronauts because of their
courage, the spectacular thing they've done, but I want people
to think, ``Wow, there's a telescope, that I use the pictures
in my classroom, and there's an astronaut that maybe I'm going
to be, or maybe I'm going to work at Houston and work that's
going to happen on the space station, to find a cure for breast
cancer,'' which is challenging one of our most beloved
colleagues here.
So, you see where I am? I'm into motivation, I'm into
inspiration, using this story. So, where--what do you see about
this?
Mr. Scolese. Well, I agree, clearly, the program, as I
mentioned it, it tries to encompass all those things in various
forms, with our teacher training programs that we do. We try
and bring teachers down to launches, so that they can see
what's actually going on, along with going out and providing
forums where teachers can come in for the summers, for
instance, and participate at NASA Centers, to learn about what
we do and how we do it. That's sort of on the formal training
program of the teachers.
We have the grants students in minority universities, as
well as in other universities, to encourage undergraduate and
graduate work. As you mentioned about, the informal education,
you know, encouraging museums in getting NASA content and
activities out, so that the broader public can see them.
And of course, directly, as our people go out there and
talk to students, astronauts, scientists, engineers are out
there talking at schools as well, and we encourage that as part
of what we do as an agency, because we do realize the strong
motivation that people see when they get to meet somebody that
flew in space or somebody that works at NASA and does some
interesting stuff.
I, myself, even had an opportunity to talk to a bunch of
seventh grade students just a little bit ago----
Senator Mikulski. Harder than testifying before Congress?
Mr. Scolese. Yeah, they ask some interesting questions. But
the good thing, and this is going to be kind of funny, is that
the NASA portion of it, which I did, was rated against
everybody else, and we beat out the mortician and the fireman.
So, we ended up doing pretty good in the view.
But, actually is something that when people can get out
there and see the looks on the students when they see what we
can do, is really great.
So, I think we're doing all of those things, and we'll get
you a better detailed list.
[The information follows:]
NASA Education Program
The President's fiscal year 2010 budget request for NASA's
Education Program is $126.1 million, up from $116 million in the fiscal
year 2009 request. The Office of Education administers national
education efforts that draw on content from across the Agency. It also
disseminates education content and activities developed by the Mission
Directorates, Centers and education partners.
The NASA Education Program addresses three outcomes:
--to strengthen NASA's and the Nation's workforce;
--to attract and retain students in STEM disciplines; and
--to engage Americans in NASA's mission.
As part of the fiscal year 2010 budget request--Education projects
have been reorganized into three programs to better meet the needs of
targeted audiences:
--Higher Education STEM Education;
--K-12 STEM Education; and,
--Informal STEM Education.
NASA's Higher Education STEM Education budget supports the targeted
development of individuals who are prepared for employment in
disciplines needed to achieve NASA's mission and strategic goals.
Graduates of these projects have had in-depth and hands-on experience
with research and engineering that support NASA's scientific and
exploration missions. Experiences include NASA/industry internships,
scholarships, competitions, and engineering design work. These
students, drawn from national audiences, are interested in, prepared
for, and able to contribute immediately to the NASA/aerospace
workforce.
The Office of Education budget builds academic infrastructures and
supports NASA-grounded research that builds the scientific and
engineering competitiveness of the Nation. These investments also build
the future STEM workforce by providing future workers the opportunity
to contribute to research of interest to NASA. Target audiences in
research capability-building include community colleges and Minority
Serving Institutions (MSI's). This type of efforts is funded through
both the HE and the MUREP budgets.
K-12 STEM Education activities are based on NASA missions and
stimulate excitement in students. Educator training and professional
development programs improve teacher proficiency and confidence in
teaching NASA and STEM content. Education technologies that foster
educator training and student engagement opportunities are developed
through the K12eED Program, but the tools and infrastructures serve all
NASA Education programs.
NASA Informal STEM Education programs build STEM-interest in the
general public by providing NASA exhibits, workshops, and special
activities at museums, science centers, planetariums, and the
activities of community organizations and clubs.
Senator Mikulski. Well, I think that's very interesting.
What I would like to ask, is that you make available, the Dr.
Joyce Winterton, Assistant Administrator for Education, to meet
with our staff so that we really have an idea of the
comprehensive scope that you are doing, and how we can be
supportive of that in, again, looking at the National Academy,
``Rising Above'' the Gathering Storm. And when they looked at
the education of students, they looked at exactly what you
said, teacher training, and how we can help with that. And
then, hands-on kinds of things for young people to be able to
either see or witness, and so on the inspiration part of NASA.
And number three, what is it about the development of
curriculum and so on that you can help? One of the things that
really so touched me about what NASA did--and I'll just tell
this little story.
Dr. Weiler, as you know, Mr. Space, science, and Goddard,
et cetera, used part of his education budget to work with the
National Federation of the Blind in Baltimore. And working with
the National Federation of the Blind in Baltimore and the
National Air and Space Museum--the space part of the
Smithsonian--they developed a textbook for blind children on
astronomy. And it's called ``Touch the Invisible Sky.''
Now I have seen the textbook, and the Federation is
headquartered in Baltimore, and what that has meant to boys and
girls, and what it's meant to parents, where their children can
learn science, and actually touch the Hubble, and also think
about careers in science, where particularly those things in
the digital world that they could participate. This is--this is
stunning, and it will--it impacts thousands of lives. So, we
appreciate that.
Mr. Scolese. Thank you.
ACQUISITION PROCESS
Senator Mikulski. I'm going to have one other set of
questions related to acquisition, and then--what time--what
time do we link up with Atlantis? Twelve twenty-nine? I'm
afraid to let everybody go, it's my Catholic school education,
that if you go, you won't come back.
And, here's Bill Nelson, Bill we've got a few minutes,
here. We're actually not going to be early, but we're just
asking questions about cost difference.
Do you want to explain to Senator Nelson where we are while
I finish?
Senator Voinovich raised the question about the acquisition
process. Do you think we need a Commission on this? Do you
think with acquisition cost overruns and schedule upages, we
need a national Commission, where an effort like the Pentagon
has just completed with their acquisition?
Mr. Scolese. I'm not sure we need a national Commission on
it. I can tell you what we are doing. The Government
Accountability Office, of course, has been reviewing NASA, and
we recognized the issues that are associated with acquisition
and acquisition reform. One of our biggest is the early cost
estimates for our missions. There tends to be a lot of
exuberance and enthusiasm for the missions, and as a result, we
tend to say we can do more for less than we can really do it.
So, we're working very hard to fix that very early portion
of it. And that's a combination of working with our colleagues
in the external community, in the science community, as well as
working internally to develop better cost estimates, and we're
doing that. With the National Academy, we're sitting down so
that they can develop better cost estimates, we can work with
them so that we can develop them. We can develop cost estimates
that can be compared against each other, as opposed to having
one estimator do it one way, one group do it another way, we
can get them all on common footings, so that we can look at
them in terms of a common base, to understand which is really
more expensive or more risky than the other.
In addition, we've revised our acquisition strategy. We now
have essentially three meetings that we do before we go off
with a procurement. One to look at what it is that we really
want to accomplish and do we have the resources to accomplish
it, both within NASA and in the industry as a whole. Is it
available to us? Because often times we find out that we start
something before we have the people or the resources available
to support it. And then we develop the best way to go off and
procure that, whether it be a fixed-price activity, and in-
house activity, where it's built within NASA, or whether we go
out of house to contractors.
In addition, we're looking at how we monitor our
performance, so that we can catch problems early, rather than
finding them out late in the game when they're very expensive.
So we're having monthly reporting, so that we can go off and
look at all of those activities. And of course, we're working
with industry and academia to go off and address those from
their perspective as well.
So, that's what NASA is doing, and we're working with our
colleagues in other agencies, most closely with NOAA, of
course, because we buy some of their satellites.
HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE
Senator Mikulski. Well, thank you, again. I want to just
thank you again for your service. I'm not going to recess the
committee. What I'm going to do is ask you some questions about
the Hubble.
Mr. Scolese. Okay.
Senator Mikulski. Then I'm going to, essentially, as we get
ready to link up with Atlantis, talk about the biographies of
the astronauts, and I'm going to ask our colleague--we're happy
to be joined by our colleague, Senator-astronaut Bill Nelson,
to, perhaps while we're waiting to hook up, you might talk
about what it feels like to be an astronaut. Everybody sees it,
they see it weightless, et cetera, but you've actually known,
in our conversations, it can be pretty dangerous. And so, by
that time, we'll be ready to hook up with them, and we would
also invite you to engage in the conversation with them.
So, we're getting ready now and lining up to connect to our
astronauts, on the Atlantis mission.
You've watched Hubble, and I am so proud of Hubble. You
know, it's gone where no telescope has gone before. It's taken
us to pictures of galaxies, and the great information of the
Hubble has gone out to people in school--the scientists and
school children around the world, whether it was in south
Baltimore or South Africa. And, what I would like, if you could
share with us, from the science viewpoint, what you think have
been the major accomplishments of the Hubble mission?
Mr. Scolese. Probably the most significant accomplishment,
as I look around, is the inspiration it's given to people to go
off and pursue science, engineering, math, technology careers.
You look at every textbook and you see a Hubble image, whether
it's, of some planetary nebula or some nebula someplace, or
just the Hubble Space Telescope with an astronaut floating next
to it. It just has an incredible encouragement to people, to go
off and do those things, because it does represent an icon.
When Hubble was first launched, you remember, more than
anybody else, the difficulties that we had when it was first
launched, and the perseverance----
Senator Mikulski. You mean when it went up and it wouldn't
work?
Mr. Scolese. When it went up and it wouldn't work. I didn't
want to say it quite that way. It was the techno-turkey of the
time, yet it was resurrected.
Senator Mikulski. That was my phrase.
Mr. Scolese. Yes. It's been resurrected and I think people
have seen that and recognized that with hard work and
perseverance, you can overcome almost anything. And watching
our crews, just this week and in previous weeks, we tend to get
most of our attention with Hubble missions, because they are so
dynamic, they are so interesting.
We can practice and practice and practice, yet at some
point in a mission, you always know that something's going to
come up that wasn't quite the way you practiced it. And I'm
sure Mike Massimino how he had to use some elbow grease to
remove a handrail.
So, I think that's probably our biggest contribution,
because I see it when I talk to children and I see it when I
talk to people who are now graduates from college, that, you
know, looking at the Hubble. In my generation it was going to
the moon. I think in this generation it's been, you know, what
the Hubble Space Telescope can do.
And then, of course, I can't do the justice that an Ed
Weiler could do to how it's revolutionized our understanding of
the universe. But it clearly has done that. It's rewritten
every textbook that's been out there in astronomy and
cosmology, and to some extent, in physics as well.
Senator Mikulski. Well, I understand that the Hubble has
led to 7,000 scientific papers, and that the information on
Hubble, even that which continues to be analyzed, could fill
two Libraries of Congress, and has taken us to the discovery of
new galaxies, and also the whole issues of black holes and dark
energy, things that will help us understand the universe, and
in understanding the universe, understand physics, quantum
physics, tremendous scientific expansion----
Mr. Scolese. All those.
Senator Mikulski [continuing]. That then enable us, also,
to go to far more practical implications. Isn't that correct?
Mr. Scolese. Absolutely. I'm surprised it's only 7,000,
considering all the things that it's done.
Senator Mikulski. The other thing that was required, in
addition to the astronauts, was these tools. When one goes into
space to do this work, because what the Hubble did on this
mission, was five space walks, and that's what we're going to
talk with them about, five space walks that took hours. It's
just not like suiting up and walking out and--did you do space
walk or did you stay inside?
I think I'd stay inside, too. Could you imagine trying to
find a little space suit in, you know, in 14 petite? Well, they
did it for Sally and some of the others.
But anyway, could you tell us about the technology that was
developed to be able to refurbish the Hubble?
Mr. Scolese. Just an incredible number of tools. For every
mission, one has to think about, taking a screwdriver with a
ski glove on, and a pressure suit, where you're in a balloon
trying to move in order to do this work. So, it's not at all
like putting a suit on or just having a glove on, it's
pressurized, and you're fighting that each and every time you
move. And the astronauts can describe it a heck of a lot better
than I can describe it. But that's the limitation that one has
to work with.
And then think about the fact that you can't see
everything. You've got this hood over your head. So, you have
to develop tools that will allow the crews to be able to work
with those limitations, limitations in viewing, limitations in
their ability to grasp things. So every mission, you have to
come up with a new set of tools, a new set of guides to allow
them to see where they want to go. And this mission was no
different, to go off and do that.
Then you have to remember you have to take the power with
you. It doesn't come along, you can't plug it into the wall
like our Black and Decker, these are largely battery-operated.
So while they're floating around in space, they have to have
these tools. When they remove a screw, they have to capture it,
otherwise it's going to go floating around in space. Because on
this mission, and on other missions, we repaired things that
weren't designed to be repaired in space. If you design it to
be repaired in space, you'll have big fasteners that you can
grasp with a gloved hand and everything will stay in place.
We were removing hundreds, 150, 160-some screws, little
screws, that if they got into the wrong place----
Senator Mikulski. Talk about having a screw loose.
Mr. Scolese [continuing]. Yes--they could damage the
telescope or damage the orbiter or damage the suit that the
astronauts were in.
So, in addition to being able to remove the screw, we had
to make sure that that screw didn't float away and go someplace
we didn't want it to go. So, we had components that allowed us
to capture those screws.
And then, as we mentioned, think about pulling a circuit
card out of your computer, if you've ever had to go off and do
that, put in a board for graphics if you wanted to do gaming or
something along those lines. And think of how small that is. We
had the astronauts retrieve that.
Needless to say, they couldn't use their gloved hand, so we
had to develop a tool that would allow them to go in there,
grasp it, pull it out, and then put a new box in.
So, there's an incredible amount of effort with the
engineers on the ground developing these tools and
understanding what's going on, working with the astronauts to
refine those tools so that they can use them effectively. And
then, while the mission is going on, adjusting when things
change.
SPACE SHUTTLE CREW INTRODUCTION
Senator Mikulski. And it's the big deal.
What I'd like to do now is--first of all, that was an
excellent description--I'd like to talk about these astronauts
and who they are, as we get ready to connect to them, a few
words about, really, what they did, just as you've described
it. And while we're waiting, in the 4 minutes for the hookup,
as you said, this is not a Swiss watch factory, to connect to
them.
Well, first of all, there were seven astronauts, and of the
seven, three had been on previous Hubble experiences. One is
Scott Altman, he's the commander of the mission. He flew the
Shuttle during its capture and release of Hubble. He was also
the commander of the last Hubble servicing mission, in March
2002, when we installed that Hubble advanced camera that made
the mission worthwhile.
The other is John Grunsfeld, who's considered like one of
the fathers or godfathers or grandfathers of the Hubble. He led
the space walking team, and he's conducted three space walks,
in addition to the five others he did on previous serving
missions. He's done two previous Hubble missions, in December
1999 and March 2002, which was so important, again, to reboot,
reinvigorate Hubble.
And then there's Mike Massimino, who will be leading the
conversation today. Now he's conducted two space walks, and
guess what? He's the first astronaut to Twitter from space. Oh
boy, engaging thousands of people and he also was the one who
persevered during Sunday's nail-biting, hold your breath, oh my
gosh, Sunday space walk. And I've never been so glad ever to
hear someone say, ``Disposable bag, please,'' which said that
he had accomplished it. He had to deal with a stuck bolt, a
tool battery that died, but he kept on going. Mike flew on the
last Hubble servicing mission in March 2002, again, when we did
that advanced camera.
Now, we've had three other Hubble astronauts on their first
shuttle mission. Megan McArthur, one of the women on the trip,
operated the shuttle's robotic arm during the capture and
release of the rejuvenated Hubble. She became an astronaut in
2000. She has an unusual background. Dr. McArthur has a Ph.D.
in oceanography and worked at the Script's Oceanographic
Institute, so, from inner space to outer space.
We have Drew Feustel, who conducted three space walks, and
on the third space walk--that was Saturday--he and Grunsfeld
installed that new spectrograph that looks deeply into the
early universe how profound. He became an astronaut in 2000, he
began his education at a community college, he worked as an
auto mechanic, and now he's a mechanic in space. He then went
on to an undergraduate degree and a masters in Earth science
and geophysics from Purdue, and a Ph.D., specializing in
seismology, from Queens University in Canada. These are
incredible backgrounds.
Then there's Greg Johnson, the pilot of the mission. He
orchestrated the photographic and video documentation of the
mission. He became an astronaut in 1998. He's a Navy captain,
he landed on 500 carriers, and we're going to count on him to
land safely and smartly tomorrow, at around 10 o'clock eastern
standard time.
And last, but not at all least, Michael Good, who conducted
two space walks, including Sunday's, which lasted more than 8
hours. It is the sixth longest NASA space walk in history. He
comes as Air Force colonel and a test pilot.
We're about 2 minutes away, and as you can see, this is
really an incredible amount of talent, and also, talent and
dedication and courage and diligence. So, that's who we'll be
talking to in space, the very first hearing from space. And as
we get ready for our uplink, I'd like to turn to our astronaut-
Senator, Bill Nelson.
And Senator, if you could share, maybe, your thoughts on
this occasion, of the rejuvenation of Hubble, and your own
experiences in space?
Senator Nelson. Madam Chairwoman, this is----
Senator Mikulski. And this is the way we ought to be at the
table, I might add, authorizers and appropriators, not only
celebrating, but really working together for the good of the
country.
THE ASTRONAUT EXPERIENCE
Senator Nelson. And thank you for this opportunity, Madam
Chairwoman. This is an incredible example of the interlinking
of humans and machines, to accomplish great things. As you were
reading the biographies of these astronauts, they are
exceptionally qualified people, they are, all of them,
overachievers, and yet, they are just the visible example of a
space team that is, every one of them, overachievers.
A lot of that team is in your State, at the Goddard Space
Flight Center, and this particular mission is symbolic of the
expertise at Goddard, that putting together all of those with
the team that gets them up there, that creates the vehicle to
get them there, and then to do the work once in orbit.
Now, in this case, these astronauts have not had a minute
to spare, every minute is scheduled. As a matter of fact,
usually it's very typical of crews that they have to fight for
time to get to the window to gaze back at this incredible
creation that we call our home, the planet. In our particular
case, I had to cheat on my sleep to find time, just to go and
float in front of the window, and see our home.
One of the greatest examples of this teamwork, came out of
tragedy, Madam Chairwoman, and that was Apollo 13.
Senator Mikulski. Right.
Senator Nelson. We thought that that was going to be three
dead men on the way when that explosion occurred on the way to
the moon, and yet that incredible team, on the ground, working
with the astronauts in real-time, who's lives were on the line,
we brought them back and brought them back safely.
And so, what these new lens, these new computers, these new
instruments on Hubble are going to do for us, is help us gaze
out even further, to sample cosmic rays and understand in
greater detail, what is this infinite place called the
universe, and how do we relate to it. And that's why I'm so
excited for the success of this mission.
Thank you, Madam Chairwoman.
SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS TESTIMONY
Senator Mikulski. Well, that was really eloquent, and it
shows how--to be an astronaut, you have to be daring, you have
to be courageous, you have to be agile.
So, anyway, that was a great job, and now we'll just wait
to hear from Houston, a familiar sound to you.
Now remember, we're going to be able to see the astronauts,
but they can't see us. This is going to be for them, an audio
link.
Mr. Ventry. Atlantis, this is Houston, are you ready for
the event?
Astronaut. We are now ready for the event. Voice check.
Mr. Ventry. Atlantis, this is Don Ventry at the U.S.
Senate, how do you hear me?
Astronaut. Space Shuttle Atlantis has you loud and clear,
sir.
Mr. Ventry. Atlantis, please stand by for Senator Barbara
Mikulski.
Senator Mikulski. Hello to all of our astronauts on Space
Shuttle Atlantis. You are taking part in something quite
historical, not only have you given the Hubble a new life, but
you're going to give the Senate a new lease on life. You are
the very first astronauts to testify from space, at an official
hearing.
I'm joined by my colleague, Senator Bill Nelson, a brother
astronaut to you. I'm going to lead off the conversation by
first of all, thank you for this stunning and successful
mission. As you closed the hatch on the Hubble, you have now
opened a new door to a new era of scientific discovery.
Hubble is the people's telescope, and it wanted to have
another chance to be able to educate a new generation of
scientists and school children. What you've done to refocus and
recharge the Hubble Space Telescope is appreciated. We
appreciate the daring and the difficult and the dangerous
things that you've done to install the cameras, the computers,
the batteries, and the gyroscopes.
Hubble is the greatest scientific instrument since
Galileo's telescope, but you are some of the greatest
astronauts that we could get hooked up with.
We want to hear from you about what those experiences are
like, but before I do, Bill, Senator Nelson, did you want to
say something to your brother astronauts in space?
Senator Nelson. Hey guys, I wish I were up there with you.
Senator Mikulski. So, Mike Massimino, are you the one
that's going to lead it off?
So, okay, well that works, we see you very clearly. I feel
like--if only the Hubble is going to work as good as this link.
So tell us, what was it like to be up there? What was the
greatest nail-biting thing that you had? What were those space
walks like? What's it been like up there?
Mr. Massimino. Well, Senator, I'd just say, first of all,
we're very honored to be able to appear before the committee
today. It's an honor for us, it's also an honor to be part of
this mission. Many people worked very hard on it, including all
the folks at Goddard, and of course, your efforts, Senator,
keeping Hubble alive, are much appreciated. We're a beneficiary
of that vision that you share with all. Hubble is a part of the
spirit of exploration that I think is an American dream we all
share. So, thank you so much.
HUBBLE REPAIR MISSION
Senator Mikulski. Well, tell us, what was the most--for all
of you to jump in--what were some of the most thrilling moments
of the mission, what were some of the most nail-biting? We sure
liked that disposable bag comment, because we knew you had been
able to fix that whole computer situation. Mike?
From what I see, we're getting a lot of enthusiasm.
Mr. Massimino [continuing]. Ground trying to help us. When
I wasn't able to get the bolt to turn for the handle, to take
the handle off, to continue with the repair of the instrument,
the space telescope imaging spectrograph, and we had practiced
this so many times as a crew, to do this repair, and never
expected--we try to think of every problem we could come up
with, and we were prepared, I thought, for everything, but we
never expected that particular bolt to give us trouble. And
when it did, and when we started getting the suggestions from
the ground, I really thought that we were in trouble. I
couldn't see how we were going to be able to continue the
repair at that point.
But, the folks at the Goddard Space Flight Center did a
great job, along with the folks at the Johnson Space Center,
and people from around the country, I'm sure, were all
involved, trying to figure out how we could do this. And we
didn't have much time because we were running late into this
space walk, but they figured out a way for us to fix it, we got
the tools we needed, and we were able to get access to the
board by breaking off the handle in a way that we would never
have imagined to do it. When we launched, we never thought we'd
have to do that, but we did it.
And for me, that was a feat, that we could continue----
Senator Mikulski. Well, listen, Space Shuttle Atlantis,
we're having a hard time hearing you.
Mr. Massimino [continuing]. Nail-biters out there, to be
sure.
Mr. Johnson. Senator Mikulski, this is Greg Johnson, the
pilot. It, too, is an honor to testify before your
subcommittee. I can tell you, from the flight deck, Scooter and
I and Megan were watching, and every single EVA, to me, was a
nail-biter. I was trying to photo document them, some of it
with IMAX, and the two points that really come to mind are
Bueno closing the door when the arm started to slip, as he
pushed as hard as he could.
And then Mike Massimino going to get contingency tools, in
areas that he hadn't really gone to before, and then breaking
that bolt. You should have seen the action out the back window,
it was--I'm sure it was better up close, but from the pilot's
perspective, I was on the edge of my seat the--all five EVAs,
actually.
Senator Mikulski. Dr. McArthur, did you want to say
anything?
Mr. Johnson. And I guess I'll let Megan comment, and then
if you have any more questions for----
Dr. McArthur. Yes, ma'am.
Hello, Senator Mikulski, and Senator Nelson, and all of the
Senators on the committee. It's great to be chatting with you
today about our experiences. I think you've heard a lot about
how the EVAs were pretty much all nail-biters, and that's
certainly true. Those guys did great work out there though, and
we're real proud of them.
Operating the arm, that was my primary task during the
flight, and it actually went very nominally, very much as
expected and as we had trained, it's pretty incredible to me to
be thinking about this amazing stuff that we're doing, moving
this giant telescope around in space with a robotic arm, and
have it be nominal. So, I just take away that sense of wonder
at doing the incredible and having it be nominal, that's sort
of the big impression that it has made on me.
HUBBLE'S CONTRIBUTIONS
Senator Mikulski. Well, guys--first of all, thank you. It's
really exciting to hear you. And we really, again, want to
salute your daring and your bravery and your courage.
And this takes me to a question about all of your work,
personally. You know, you've been training for this now for
several years. You've had the support of devoted families and
we've had delayed takeoffs, setbacks, challenges in space. My
question to you is, when you've literally put your lives on the
line for this scientific endeavor. Could you tell me why you
wanted to service the Hubble, and why, knowing at times, the
uncertainty of the risk involved here, that you were willing to
risk your lives to fix an aging telescope who seemed like its
best days were behind it?
Astronaut. Senator, it's really wonderful to appear before
your committee and all the Senators there today. I really
appreciate you taking the time to hear us.
You know, Hubble really has struck a fundamental chord in
the human hearts around the world. It would be hard to find a
K-12 school room anywhere in the United States of America that
doesn't have a Hubble picture up on the wall.
From a science perspective, as you opened the hearing, it's
probably the most significant scientific instrument of all
time, in terms of its productivity. And astronomers try and
answer, using Hubble, fundamental questions that we've had,
since the beginning of human history. Where do we come from?
Where are we going, what's the history of the universe, what is
the stuff that we're made of, how was it made, what's the
universe made of? All these very, deep philosophical questions
that everybody has a curiosity about.
That's what Hubble and the other science, basic science
that we do in this great country is all about. And Hubble is at
the pointy end of that. And so, from a perspective of risk, we
all take risks every day, driving up 295 to Baltimore, there's
a certain risk there every morning in the commute. And we don't
think about those risks, we think about the risks when, the
stakes are a little bit higher, as they are for our space
program. But when you look at the importance of what we do,
things like Hubble, the International Space Station, our
exploration program, our climate observing, observing the
Earth, the dynamic Earth, all of these things are so very
important to our country and to the world, that the risks are
definitely worth it.
Astronaut. And I would just add, quickly, that we're not
leaving an aging telescope, we're leaving a newly refurbished
telescope, with new instruments, instruments that have been
repaired, a telescope that is now at the apex of its
capabilities, and will be for a long time to come.
Senator Mikulski. Bill, did you have a question?
Senator Nelson. Hey guys, I just want you to know that you
have made the spring in the step of every American a little bit
bouncier by what you all have accomplished. And, what you said
about us understanding this universe that we are a part of, and
where did we come from, is now going to be better understood by
the success of your mission. So, congratulations to all of the
team.
Senator Mikulski. I, too, want to conclude this
conversation, by again thanking you for your dedication, your
sense of duty, and you really--when we talk about the Hubble
and giving it, essentially, a new life and a new way of going
and seeing the universe, you've touched our hearts, and you've
also made history.
We want to wish you a very safe landing, and we look
forward, Senator Nelson and I, to welcoming you at the Capitol,
where we can give you a great big Hubble hug, and welcome you
back home.
This concludes our part of the conversation.
Mr. Massimino. Thank you very much, we've enjoyed it.
Mr. Ventry. Atlantis, this is Houston ACR. That concludes
the event, thanks.
Mr. Massimino. Thank you, Senator Mikulski.
Senator Mikulski. Wow, wasn't that a hearing?
And, Senator Nelson, we were glad you were here.
Senators may submit additional questions for this
subcommittee. We're going to request NASA's responses within 30
days.
SUBCOMMITTEE RECESS
This subcommittee will now stand in recess until Thursday,
June 4, at 9:30 a.m., when we'll take testimony from the
Director of the FBI.
Before I put down the gavel, wasn't that just wonderful? I
mean, don't you all feel that that was pretty exciting?
So, thank you, again, Administrator Scolese, and thank you
for your job, thank you for your service, and let's go where no
Senate's gone before, and get this job done.
[Whereupon, at 12:50 p.m., Thursday, May 21, the
subcommittee was recessed, to reconvene at 9:30 a.m., Thursday,
June 4.]