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What’s Ahead
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| In this March 8 photo, the combined optical element and science instruments of the James Webb Space Telescope are removed from their shipping container at a Northrop Grumman facility in California. An independent assessment of whether the $8.8 billion mission will be able to launch on its current schedule and within its cost cap is expected to be released this week. (Image credit – NASA / Chris Gunn) |
National Academies Holding Annual Space Science Week
This Tuesday through Thursday, the National Academies will convene its annual Space Science Week at its headquarters in Washington, D.C. The event will revolve around the portfolios of the Academies’ five standing committees dedicated to different branches of space-based science. Science leaders from NASA, other federal agencies, and other countries’ space agencies will give presentations. Topics include the recent decadal survey on Earth science and applications from space, the upcoming astronomy and astrophysics decadal survey, and the growth and evolution of NASA’s Planetary Science mission portfolio. An independent assessment of whether the $8.8 billion James Webb Space Telescope will be able to meet its current launch schedule and stay within its budget cap is also expected sometime this week. On Wednesday night, the executive director of the LIGO Laboratory, David Reitze, will give the week’s keynote public lecture, entitled “The Gravitational Wave Astronomical Revolution.”
NASA Advisory Council Holds First Meeting This Year
The NASA Advisory Council will meet for the first time this year on Wednesday and Thursday at NASA headquarters in Washington, D.C. The agenda for the meeting is not yet available but will be posted here.
Congress in Recess for Two Weeks
With appropriations for fiscal year 2018 now off their plate, both houses of Congress are on recess for the next two weeks. As the November midterm elections approach, Congress is likely to avoid taking up contentious, high-profile legislation during the coming months, although lower-profile bills that are significant to the U.S. scientific enterprise could advance. The House and Senate Armed Services Committees are beginning to work on the fiscal year 2019 version of the annual National Defense Authorization Act, and a number of bills pertaining to energy research, development, and demonstration are pending. Among them is the “Department of Energy Research and Innovation Act,” which includes a comprehensive authorization of the DOE Office of Science. The House has already passed the bill, and a Senate committee has approved an identical version of it. See FYI’s Federal Science Bill Tracker for further information on pending legislation.
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In Case You Missed It
Final 2018 Appropriations a Windfall for Science
On March 23, President Trump signed final appropriations legislation for fiscal year 2018, marking the end of a year of wildly differing budget proposals for science agencies. In a repudiation of the Trump administration’s proposal to slash nondefense spending, including science agency budgets, Congress boosted most science programs, although the spending increases varied considerably by agency and program. For example, the National Science Foundation is receiving a 4 percent increase, while the Department of Energy Office of Science budget will increase by $869 million or 16 percent, and the National Institutes of Health is receiving a $3 billion or 9 percent boost. FYI’s bulletin summarizing the spending outcomes for science is available here. More detailed tables of budget outcomes by agency and program are available in FYI’s Federal Science Budget Tracker.
Nine Iranians Indicted for Broad University Hacking Campaign
On March 23, the Department of Justice unsealed an indictment against nine Iranian citizens that alleges they hacked into computer systems of hundreds of U.S. and international universities and companies starting in 2013, targeting academic publications, research data, and other intellectual property across all research disciplines. In a press conference on the indictment, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein stressed, “ Universities can thrive as marketplaces of ideas and engines of research and development only if their work is protected from theft. The events described in this indictment highlight the need for universities and other organizations to emphasize cyber security, increase threat awareness, and harden their computer networks.” The move comes as the administration has been developing measures to combat alleged intellectual property theft by other countries, namely China.
Senate Confirms Park to Lead Nonproliferation Office
The Senate confirmed nuclear physicist Brent Park to be the National Nuclear Security Administration’s deputy administrator for defense nuclear nonproliferation by voice vote on March 22. In the position he will be responsible for the development and implementation of policy and technical solutions to eliminate proliferation-sensitive materials and to limit the global spread of materials, technology, and expertise related to nuclear and radiological weapons. Park has previously served as the head of the Global Security Directorate at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and as director of the Remote Sensing Laboratory at the Department of Energy’s Nevada National Security Site.
Senators Grill Perry About Energy R&D Cuts
Last week, Energy Secretary Rick Perry continued to field congressional questions and criticisms from across the political spectrum about the administration’s deep proposed cuts to energy R&D programs for fiscal year 2019. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chair Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) criticized the cuts in her opening statement at a March 20 hearing, saying the U.S. needs to be focused on “maintaining our global leadership in science, research, and development.” In defending the cuts, Perry cited his time as governor of Texas, saying that in his experience, “just because there is a reduction of a line item doesn’t necessarily mean that there’s going to be a reduction in results.”
Perry Also Questioned about Plutonium Production Plans
Perry also testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee on March 22 about the Department of Energy’s nuclear security and cleanup portfolio. Several senators asked him about whether DOE remains on track to produce 80 plutonium pits per year for warheads by 2030, with some expressing concern about a potential relocation of pit production from Los Alamos National Laboratory to DOE’s Savannah River Site in South Carolina. Perry said that Los Alamos is “going to be the center for plutonium excellence for as long into the future as there is a future” and will be responsible for production for “0 through 30” pits per year, but also said that an analysis of alternatives on how to produce “31 through 80” pits per year is set to be released on May 11.
NNSA Head Defends Fusion Cuts
At a Senate hearing on March 14, Strategic Forces Subcommittee Ranking Member Joe Donnelly (D-IN) expressed concerns about the Trump administration’s proposal to phase out funding for the Laboratory for Laser Energetics (LLE) at the University of Rochester beginning in fiscal year 2019. Lisa Gordon-Hagerty, the new head of the National Nuclear Security Administration, replied that she has personally looked into the issue and said that although LLE “is a source oftentimes of future scientists and engineers because they get some training there,” the withdrawal is warranted to support “near-term priorities” of the Stockpile Stewardship Program. In response to a question on the same subject at a March 20 hearing by Rep. Mike Simpson (R-ID), chair of DOE’s appropriations subcommittee, Gordon-Hagerty added that NNSA has “determined that for our long-term stockpile assessment and certification that we can wind down some of these programs.” In the final fiscal year 2018 appropriations bill, Congress increased funding for LLE by 10 percent to $75 million, as called for by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY).
Commerce Secretary Ross Questioned on NOAA Staff Cuts
Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross appeared before the House Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Subcommittee on March 20 to testify about the department’s fiscal year 2019 budget request. Subcommittee Ranking Member José Serrano (D-NY) questioned Ross about how the administration’s proposal to cut 248 positions in National Weather Service field offices impacts “ the timeliness and accuracy of weather forecasting.” Ross responded that NOAA does not see a large risk and will not implement any staff cuts or leave vacant positions unfilled “if we think there’s any material risk of reducing the accuracy and timeliness of the forecast.” NOAA Administrator Tim Gallaudet was scheduled to appear before the committee on March 21, but the hearing was postponed due to inclement weather.
Science Committee Passes Bill to Augment NSF Innovation Corps
The House Science Committee passed a bill on March 22 that would expand the National Science Foundation Innovation Corps (I-Corps) program, which provides entrepreneurship education and training for scientists and engineers. The “Innovators to Entrepreneurs Act,” sponsored by Research and Technology Subcommittee Ranking Member Dan Lipinski (D-IL), would require NSF to permit Small Business Innovation and Research grantees to take I-Corps training courses and to develop a new course to aid participants whose projects are ready for commercialization. The committee held a hearing last December to review the I-Corps program and discuss ways to broaden its impact. Congress directed NSF to expand the program last year through the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act.
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Events This Week
Tuesday, March 27 National Academies: Space Science Week (continues through Thursday)
Plenary session: 1:00 - 6:00 pm, Tue
National Academies (2101 Constitution Ave. NW, DC)
Webcast available
NASA: Advisory Council meeting (continues Thursday)
1:00 - 5:00 pm, Wed; 9:00 am - 4:00 pm, Thu
NASA headquarters (300 E St. SW, DC)
Webcast available
Thursday, March 29 No events.
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Opportunities NSF and NIST Seeking Advisory Committee Nominations
Ocean Leadership Seeking Science Policy Communications Associate
The Consortium for Ocean Leadership, a D.C. based non-profit organization that represents a number of ocean science research, education, and technology institutions, is accepting applications for a science policy communications associate. Responsibilities include developing communications materials about programs and activities, and supporting the organization’s legislative positions and proposals, among other duties. Individuals with a bachelor’s degree in a communications field or science and at least two years of related experience are encouraged to apply.
APLU Seeking Governmental Affairs Specialist
The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities is accepting applications for a professional staff position in its Office of Congressional and Governmental Affairs. Duties include analyzing legislation and federal regulations, developing policy positions and strategies, and representing APLU with key stakeholders, among other responsibilities. Individuals with a bachelor’s degree and five years of relevant experience are encouraged to apply.
For additional opportunities, please visit www.aip.org/fyi/opportunities. Know of an upcoming science policy opportunity? Email us at fyi@aip.org.Know of an upcoming science policy event? Email us at fyi@aip.org.
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