The Future of Fundamental Physics Research at NASA

From Quantum to Cosmos: Fundamental Physics Research in Space

Airlie Center, Warrenton VA

May 21-24, 2006

Michael Salamon

Astrophysics Division/Science Mission Directorate/NASA HQ

Fundamental Physics at NASA

• “Laboratory” fundamental physics within the Astrophysics Division: The fundamental issues

• Difficult times: Budget, earmarks• Advisory bodies• The Roadmap process: The nose of the camel…• Summary

How Can Laboratory Fundamental Physics Become a Priority within Astrophysics?

• Context:• Fixed funding: money for LFP comes at expense of other existing programs• Large (strategic) missions: Must be in the Decadal Survey, which establishes

national priorities across agencies, and subsequently the NASA Roadmap.• NRC’s Board of Physics and Astronomy (BPS) and the Space Studies Board (SSB)

supports the Astronomy and Astrophysics Survey Committee (AASC)• Panel Reports to the BPS/SSB provide input to AASC

• Small mission opportunities: Explorer Program (WMAP success; STEP made finalist list)

• Research and Analysis: Reduced funding, although LFP does receive modest support (e.g. APOLLO, in cooperation with the NSF); balloon missions.

• International Space Station: No longer a NASA decision; the Administration has decided to use the US share of the ISS only for those life science studies required for exploration.

• Entry Points:• Decadal Survey• Advisory bodies (NAC, ApS, AAAC)• SMD Roadmap

Astrophysics Missions

Mission Launch 06 IBPD Phase End of Prime

HST Apr-90 same Implementation - Extended Operations Apr-05RXTE Dec-95 same Implementation - Extended Operations Jan-98FUSE Jun-99 same Implementation - Extended Operations Mar-03Chandra Jul-99 same Implementation - Extended Operations Jul-04XMM Dec-99 same Implementation - Extended Operations Dec-04HETE-2 Oct-00 same Implementation - Extended Operations Oct-01WMAP Jun-01 same Implementation - Extended Operations Sep-03Integral Oct-02 same Implementation - Extended Operations Sep-04GALEX Apr-03 same Implementation - Extended Operations Aug-05Spitzer Aug-03 same Implementation - Prime Operations May-06Gravity Probe - B Apr-04 same Implementation - Post-Op Data Analysis Sep-05Swift Nov-04 same Implementation - Prime Operations Jan-07Astro-E2/Suzaku Jul-05 same Implementation - Prime Operations Feb-08Herschel Jul-07 same Implementation - DevelopmentPlanck Jul-07 same Implementation - DevelopmentGLAST Sep-07 May-07 Implementation - DevelopmentHST SM-4 NET Dec-07 robotic Implementation - DevelopmentKepler Jun-08 TBD Implementation - DevelopmentWISE Jun-09 Aug-08 Implementation - DevelopmentJWST Jun-13 Aug-11 FormulationSIM 2015-2016 Oct-12 FormulationLISA TBD Sep-13 FormulationCon-X TBD n/a Pre-FormulationJDEM TBD n/a Pre-FormulationTPF n/a n/a delayed indefinitelySOFIA n/a Aug-06 under review

Current Budgetary Issues at NASA

• Unanticipated costs within the Shuttle and International Space Station programs required the Administrator to reduce the growth in the Science Mission Directorate funding levels by ~$3B over the next five years.

• SMD now sees 1.5% growth in FY07, followed by 1% growth in later years.

• Within the Astrophysics Division, cost increases in JWST, GLAST, and HST SM4 have serious impact on other, later missions: • NuSTAR is cancelled.• SOFIA has undergone review (budget zeroed out for FY07 and

beyond); fate TBD.• Terrestrial Planet Finder (TPF) zeroed out for FY07 and beyond.• Beyond Einstein Program severely cut.• R&A budget cut by 15% for FY07 and beyond. (This is being

reconsidered following response from the science community.)

FY 2007 President’s Budget(The Universe Budget Changes)

The Astrophysics: Content of FY07 Budget

Entry Points?

1. Astronomy and Astrophysics Decadal Survey: Board of Physics and Astronomy, and Space Studies Board; Panel Reports

2. NASA Advisory Council* (NAC) and its Astrophysics Subcommittee (ApS) (input to Roadmap)

3. Astronomy and Astrophysics Advisory Committee* (AAAC)

4. SMD Science Plan (Roadmap): Requires NAS/NRC pedigree (e.g. Decadal Survey, Quarks to Cosmos Report)

* Federal Advisory Committee (FACA law => meetings are open to the public, excluding extraordinary circumstances)

Astronomy and Astrophysics in the New Millennium

The report of the Astronomy and Astrophysics Survey Committee (AASC), Astronomy and Astrophysics in the New Millenium, contains recommendations in priority order for new initiatives to realize the science goals of the field. It is the most recent in a series of surveys that are carried out once every 10 years.

In preparing the New Millennium report, the AASC made use of a series of panel reports that address various aspects of ground- and space-based astronomy and astrophysics. These reports provide in-depth technical detail.

Panel on Optical and Infrared Astronomy from the GroundPanel on Radio and Submillimeter-Wave AstronomyPanel on Ultraviolet, Optical and Infrared Astronomy from SpacePanel on Particle, Nuclear, and Gravitational-Wave AstrophysicsPanel on High-Energy Astrophysics from SpacePanel on Solar AstronomyPanel on Theory, Computation, and Data ExplorationPanel on Astronomy Education and PolicyPanel on Benefits to the Nation

1. From the Board of Physics and Astronomy Website

10

NASA Advisory Council (25 members)Science Committee

(5 members)

Science Subcommittees Executive Panel(chairs of SMD subcommittees)

Astrophysics Subcommittee

Heliophysics Subcommittee

Planetary Science Subcommittee

Earth Science Subcommittee

Each Subcommittee has about 15 members

Planetary Protection

Subcommittee

Exploration AeronauticsAudit & Finance

Human Capital

2. NASA Advisory Council

Advises on SMD Roadmap

NASA ADVISORY COUNCILSUBCOMMITTEES OF THE SCIENCE COMMITTEE

Astrophysics Subcommittee (APS) Slate

Name Institution Expertise

David Spergel (Chair)

Princeton University Early universe physics, astrophysical theory, planet finding

Michael Brown Calif. Inst. of Technology Extra-solar planets, planetary astronomy

Michael Cherry Louisiana State University Cosmic Ray physics, high energy theory

Robert N. Clatyon Univ. of Chicago Isotopes in extraterrestrial materials, nucleosynthesis in stars

Neil Cornish Montana State University Gravity theory, cosmology

Brenda Dingus Los Alamos National Laboratory Gamma-ray bursts, gamma-ray instrumentation

Alan Dressler Observ. Carnegie Inst.Wash. Origins of galaxies, galaxy evolution

Debra Fischer San Francisco State Univ Planet finding

Kathryn Flanagan MIT X-ray instrumentation, Supernovae remnants

Lucy Fortson Adler Planetarium/Chicago Education/Public Outreach, gamma rays

Thomas Greene ARC IR instrumentation, star formation

Heidi Hammel Space Science Institute Kuiper Belt objects, Comets

Craig J. Hogan Univ of Washington Cosmology theory, quantum cosmology

Rob Kennicutt Cambridge University Galaxy evolution, extra-galactic observations

Fred K.Y. Lo Natl. Radio Astronomy Obs. Radio astronomy

John Mather GSFC Cosmic microwave background, astronomical instrumentation

Chris McKee Univ of California, Berkeley Interstellar medium, star formation

Belinda Wilkes Harvard-SAO X-ray properties of active galactic nuclei

3. Astronomy and Astrophysics Advisory Committee (AAAC)

• Congress in 2002 mandates establishment of Astronomy and Astrophysics Advisory Committee (AAAC) to oversee coordination of A&A programs between NASA, the NSF, and DOE. This is an official advisory body to the Government, operating under FACA law.

• Oversight by the Office of Science and Technology Policy, whose role in the Executive Office of the President includes coordination of interagency activities.

• The AAAC has commissioned a number of task groups:• Task Force for Cosmic Microwave Background Research• Dark Energy Task Force• Dark Matter Scientific Assessment Group

• Chaired by Garth Illingworth, UC Santa Cruz

As established in SEC. 23 of P.L. 107-368 (the National Science FoundationAuthorization Act of 2002) and amended by SEC. 5 of P.L. 108-423 (the Department of Energy High-End Computing Revitalization Act of 2004):

ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS ADVISORY COMMITTEE

(a) Establishment.—The Foundation, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and the

Department of Energy shall jointly establish an Astronomy and Astrophysics Advisory Committee (in this

section referred to as the “Advisory Committee”).

(b) Duties.—The Advisory Committee shall—

(1) assess, and make recommendations regarding, the coordination of astronomy and astrophysics

programs of the Foundation, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and the Department of

Energy;

(2) assess, and make recommendations regarding, the status of the activities of the Foundation, the

National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and the Department of Energy as they relate to the

recommendations contained in the National Research Council's 2001 report entitled “Astronomy and

Astrophysics in the New Millennium”, and the recommendations contained in subsequent National

Research Council reports of a similar nature; and

(3) not later than March 15 of each year, transmit a report to the Director, the Administrator of the

National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Secretary of Energy, the Committee on Science of

the House of Representatives, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the

Senate, and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate on the Advisory

Committee's findings and recommendations under paragraphs (1) and (2).

Congressional Charter for the AAAC

Task Force for CMB Research (TFCR)

• The AAAC in 2004 establishes a Task Force for CMB Research: “The Task Force has been asked to provide an ordered program of preliminary observations and technology development ultimately leading to a possible space mission post WMAP and PLANCK.”

• TFCR report (2005) outlines scientific and technology pathway to an ultimate space-based CMBPol mission. (Available at http://www.nsf.gov/mps/ast/tfcr_final_report.pdf)

• Most importantly: The TFCR establishes a unified voice for the U.S. CMB community which is heard by Congress, NASA, and the White House (Office of Science and Technology Policy, Office of Management and Budget)

(From a talk at the CMB and Physics of the Early Universe Conference, April 22, 2006)

4. Strategic Planning and Roadmap: 2001-2003

• Each Theme within the Division had its own subcommittee (under the Space Science Advisory Committee)

• Triennial theme roadmaps produced by “roadmap committees” composed of community and subcommittee members, with agency oversight.

• Theme roadmaps used as input to the Space Science strategic plan, which in turn informed the Agency Strategic Plan.

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Decadal Survey

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The 2005 Universe Roadmap, the UR-Document for Astrophysics in the SMD Science Plan

NASA Authorization Act for 2005 (S.1281)Title I Section 101

(d) SCIENCE.— (1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall develop a plan to guide the science programs of NASA through 2016.

(2) CONTENT.—At a minimum, the plan developed under paragraph (1) shall be designed to ensure that NASA has a rich and vigorous set of science activities, and shall describe— (A) the missions NASA will initiate, design, develop, launch, or operate in space science and earth science through fiscal year 2016, including launch dates; (B) a priority ranking of all of the missions listed under subparagraph (A), and the rationale for the ranking; and (C) the budget assumptions on which the policy is based, which for fiscal years 2007 and 2008 shall be consistent with the authorizations provided in title II of this Act.

Proposed Outline of SMD Science Plan

Preamble: The NASA Science Story

Purpose & Progress: Tie to NASA Strategic Plan; table of goals and long-term outcomes; highlights of recent accomplishments

Summary of Science Questions and Prioritized Missions: (mostly tables)

Common Elements of Strategy: SMD principles; science prioritization and community engagement (NRC, NAC, etc.); role of R&A; research solicitation & selection (peer review basis, etc); program and mission development (mission classes, strategic & PI-mode, launch & comm services); technology management approach; EPO strategy; interagency & international partnerships

Research Areas: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Planetary Science, Astrophysics

Science Enabling & Enabled by Human Exploration: how science enables and is enabled by human exploration; SMD’s relationship to ESMD; science at the Moon; science in preparation for human expeditions to Mars

Summary: On the Brink of Understanding

Appendices

1

6

2

12

4x20

4

1

8

Outline of Astrophysics Division contribution to NASA Science Plan for 2007-2016

•Science Goals

•Exploring the Extremes of Spacetime

•Origin and Evolution of Cosmic Structure

•Origin and Destiny of Stars

•Exploring New Worlds

•Strategic Mission Summary

•Mission Roadmap with Milestones

•Technology Enables Discovery

•Sustaining the Vision: Research and Analysis

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC06

Draft for SC, Subcommittees, NRC, Industry, public review

Roadmap Presentations to Subcommittees

Status / Content Presentation to NAC / SC

Draft of Science Division Sections

Draft of Common Elements Sections

Deliver to Congress

Draft for Agency & OMB clearance

Comments from NRC,Subcommittees, etc.

Revised Draft for NAC/SC Review

Final Discussion with NAC / SC

Roadmaps Mars post NRCHelio Astro

Earth (Internal Draft)

Mars to NRC

Solar System

Science Subcommittees

NAC Science Committee 2/8-9 HQ 5/17-18 JPL 7/19-20 TBD 10/11-12 GSFC 2/7-8 HQ?

Chairs telecon - TBD

TBS TBS TBS5/3-4 Conference

4/1

5/31

6/15

5/31

9/15

9/29

11/1

12/15

1st Table top review with PA&E 6/7

2nd Table top review with PA&E 10/18

9/15

9/15

1st Table top review with OMB 6/16

2nd Table top review with OMB 10/24

SMD Management Review

SMD Science Plan Schedule 3/27

RoadmapSMD ReviewDraftPresentationTable Top ReviewMeetingsDelivery

Key

Italics = change from prior version of the schedule

SSB report on impacts of FY07 request

Summary

• Opportunities exist for doing some types of laboratory fundamental physics experiments in space, but not at the strategic mission level.

• Flat funding levels for SMD science means that addition of new program elements will displace others.

• Scientific priorities are established by the community through NAS/NRC surveys and federal advisory committees. Interagency adoption of common, coordinated goals adds stability and visibility to programs.

• Small, incoherent communities have small influence; a united fundamental physics community is essential. Consider possible avenues to developing a strong science case (national strategic case?), prioritizing, and building a representative body.

• Jean Clavel’s talk on ESA’s Fundamental Physics program; proposal pressure works.