Report identifies 16 highest priorities to guide NASA’s technology development efforts for next 5 years

February 2, 2012

During the next five years, NASA technology development efforts should focus on 16 high-priority technologies and their associated top technical challenges, says a new report from the National Research Council, sponsored by NASA.

The high-priority technologies include items such as radiation mitigation; guidance, navigation, and control; nuclear systems for both power generation and transportation; and solar power generation.

These priorities were chosen to align with three main facets of NASA’s overall mission: extending and sustaining human activities beyond low Earth orbit; exploring the evolution of the solar system and the potential for life elsewhere; and expanding our understanding of Earth and the universe.

The following table identifies recommended highest-priority technologies for NASA research and development over the next five years:

Objective A

Extend and sustain human activities beyond low Earth orbit

Objective B

Explore the evolution of the solar system and the potential for life elsewhere

Objective C

Expand understanding of Earth and the universe

Radiation Mitigation for Human Spaceflight

Guidance, Navigation, and Control

Optical Systems (Instruments and Sensors)

Long-Duration Crew Health

Solar Power Generation (Photovoltaic and Thermal)

High-Contrast Imaging and Spectroscopy Technologies

Environmental Control and Life Support Systems

Electric Propulsion

Detectors and Focal Planes

Guidance, Navigation, and Control

Fission Power Generation

Lightweight and Multifunctional Materials and Structures

(Nuclear) Thermal Propulsion

Entry, Descent and Landing Thermal Protection Systems

Active Thermal Control of Cryogenic Systems

Lightweight and Multifunctional Materials and Structures

In-Situ Instruments and Sensors

Electric Propulsion

Fission Power Generation

Lightweight and Multifunctional Materials and Structures

Solar Power Generation (Photovoltaic and Thermal)

Entry, Descent, and Landing Thermal Protection Systems

Extreme Terrain Mobility