MEETING REPORT: Astrophysics Working Group
1997 March, High-Energy & Cosmic-Ray Subgroup
ISSUES UNDER DISCUSSION
- Into which NRA should the review of Cosmic Ray investigations be
placed (SEC or ATP)?. Does it make sense to try to split CR from
heliospheric research?
Consensus:
- Cosmic-ray theory either to SEC/Cosmic and Heliospheric
or to ATP (or both)
- Galactic cosmic ray experiment to SEUS
- Heliospheric cosmic-ray experiment to SEC
- Is it "fair" to shorten the SMEX response interval, by the
pre-release period, given how much uncertainty there still is at
the pre-release juncture?
Consensus: Keep traditional 90-day response interval
- The plan to convert the sounding rocket (and long-duration
balloon?) program to GOCO operation may put it (them) in jeopardy.
- What should be the NASA policy toward supporting ground-based
astronomical research?
Consensus: Keep current policy of making sensible, case-by-case
decisions (permitting up to 10% of an individual NASA
PI's budget to be spent on ground-based observations)
- How should be funding be handled for missions that have reached the
"extended" phase?
Consensus: Concur with senior-review recommendation to include
these in ADP
- Are the funding "caps" for the UNEX and MIDEX programs set at the
"right" levels?
Consensus: MIDEX probably ok; UNEX may be too low
MAJOR CONCERN:
Loss of "corporate memory" at NASA Headquarters
One- to three-year "rotators" can't be expected to perform their vital
role unless they have access to the experience of a sufficient core
group of dedicated Civil Servants (CS's). The sub-group believes that
there are currently too few long-term CS's left to satisfy this
minimum need and (emphatically!) that the opening mentioned by Henry
Brinton should be filled at the earliest opportunity.
The following members and NASA representatives attended the HEA-CR
sub-group session:
AWG members
Burrows,
Fishman,
Gaisser,
Harnden,
Harrison,
Hink,
Lewin,
McCammon,
Seo,
Szymkowiak
HQ staff
Hertz,
Jones,
Kaluzienski
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Updated 22 July 1997
peterson@astronomy.ohio-state.edu