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 |