Volume 11, Number 1 • Spring 2003 • Welcome

NASA’s Enterprise-ing Plans

By Dr. Jeremiah F. Creedon
Associate Administrator, Office of Aerospace Technology

NASA has established one set of goals and objectives supporting its vision — to improve life here, to extend life to there and to find life beyond — and its mission — to understand and protect our home planet, to explore the universe and search for life, and to inspire the next generation of explorers . . . as only NASA can. This creates a “One NASA” framework that guides all research and development efforts. The six NASA Enterprises (Aerospace Technology, Biological and Physical Research, Earth Science, Education, Space Flight and Space Science) contribute through their expertise to this single vision and mission. The Enterprises and Centers contribute with far-reaching science and technology efforts that will open a vast potential of benefits for life here on Earth and beyond.

The role of the Aerospace Technology Enterprise is to pioneer and validate high-payoff technologies needed for NASA’s science and exploration missions, and to help maintain US leadership in aviation and space through the development and transfer of enabling technologies. The Enterprise accomplishes this role through leading-edge fundamental and applied research in aviation safety and security, airspace systems capacity, innovative technologies for vehicle and engine systems, flight research, next-generation launch technologies, human-rated vehicles for access to space and a wide variety of technologies.

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs also are used to enhance NASA technology and support technology transfer objectives. In 2004, NASA will introduce the Enterprise Engine to create innovative partnerships with non-aerospace industrial firms and venture capitalists in order to meet NASA technology needs.

As the Space Science Enterprise searches for the answers to questions about life in the universe, knowledge about how other solar systems formed may be gained. The research can help us in our quest to understand the building blocks of life and the conditions necessary for life to persist.

The research of the Earth Science Enterprise is improving our understanding of interactions between Earth’s continents, atmosphere, oceans, ice and life. Data from our satellites enable researchers to understand global change and to provide information vital to making the decisions that affect our quality of life.

With other federal agencies, NASA applies research from the Earth Science Enterprise to undertakings of national priority. We have identified 12 applications in which our partner agencies have decision-support systems, such as weather-prediction models and terrain databases for aviation, that are being improved upon based on our innovations in research and technology.

The Office of Biological and Physical Research utilizes the unique laboratory of the space environment to study biological and physical processes. Experiments that take advantage of this environment range from basic biology to quantum mechanics, and from fundamental research to research with near-term applications in medicine and industry.

The newest Enterprise is Education (introduced in late 2002). This Enterprise is developing exciting initiatives to engage educators and students in the pursuit of excellence in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Under the “One NASA” vision, NASA Education will permeate and be embedded within all Agency activities.

The Education Enterprise will provide unique teaching and learning experiences through the Agency’s research and flight capabilities. Students and educators will be able to work with NASA and university scientists to study Earth, explore Mars and conduct other scientific investigations. They will learn what it takes to develop the necessary new technology to revolutionize flight, reach the farthest regions of the solar system and live and work in space. Agency assets such as the Hubble Space Telescope, Earth-observing systems, space shuttle, and International Space Station will become tools for advancing the frontiers of education.

The Space Flight Enterprise provides many of the supporting capabilities that allow much of the science, research and exploration achievements of the rest of the Agency. Because of this Enterprise, each of the others has available the platforms in space that enable the success of their missions.

NASA is a multifaceted organization dedicated to ongoing scientific research, investigating the reaches of outer space and developing new and innovative technology. Through the Enterprises, NASA will reach its goals. Q

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