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What’s Ahead
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| In 2012, NASA announced the first discovery of a system of multiple exoplanets orbiting a binary star, shown here in an artist’s conception. The system, known as Kepler-47, was observed by the Kepler space telescope, which is currently nearing the end of its mission as its fuel supply is runs out. (Image credit - NASA Ames/JPL-Caltech/T. Pyle) |
Exoplanet Science Strategy Set for Release
On Wednesday, the National Academies will release the Exoplanet Science Strategy that Congress mandated in the NASA Transition Authorization Act of 2017. Astronomers David Charbonneau and Scott Gaudi, who chaired the committee that developed the strategy, will offer remarks and take questions via webcast. The aim of the strategy is to take stock of scientific research on exoplanets and the telescopes used to observe them, including future facilities such as the Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope. The strategy will also identify important open scientific questions in exoplanet research as well as the measurements and observational technologies needed to answer them. An updated strategy for astrobiology, which Congress also mandated, is due for release in the near future. Both strategies are intended to inform future planning documents, including the upcoming National Academies decadal survey for astronomy and astrophysics.
Nicky Fox Taking the Reins of NASA Heliophysics
This week Nicky Fox is taking over as the new director of NASA’s Heliophysics Division. Previously, Fox worked at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, where she was a project scientist on the recently launched Parker Solar Probe mission. NASA first announced it had chosen Fox for the position in March. Peg Luce, the division’s deputy director, has been serving as acting director since the departure last year of the previous director, Steve Clarke.
Congress Looks to Wrap Up Funding for DOE, DOD
With both chambers back in session this month, congressional leaders hope to send a number of the 12 annual appropriations bills to the president before fiscal year 2018 funding expires on Oct. 1. At the top of the list for consideration are a three-bill package that includes funding for the Department of Energy and a two-bill package that includes funding for the Department of Defense, National Institutes of Health, and Department of Education. The House’s schedule includes “possible consideration” late this week of a finalized DOE package and a Tuesday vote on a motion to formally begin negotiations with the Senate on the DOD bill. (Update: The House and Senate Appropriations Committees will hold a conference committee meeting on Wednesday to discuss the DOE spending package.)
DOD Leaders to Discuss Space-Based Missile Defense
On Tuesday, the Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance is hosting a congressional briefing on using space-based assets to shoot down ballistic missiles with top Department of Defense officials, including Under Secretary for Research and Engineering Mike Griffin, Missile Defense Agency Director Samuel Greaves, and Under Secretary of Defense for Policy John Rood. Earlier this year, Griffin said he believes the technical challenges and costs of developing such systems have been exaggerated, while Greaves said his agency is “not averse” to fielding space-based interceptors. Rood has been overseeing development of the Trump administration’s long-delayed Missile Defense Review, which will establish DOD’s official position on what missile defense strategies the U.S. should pursue.
Committee Votes Rescheduled for OSTP and NASA Nominees
The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee will meet on Wednesday to vote on President Trump’s nominations of Kelvin Droegemeier to direct the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and James Morhard to be deputy administrator of NASA. The committee was scheduled to vote on the nominations last week but postponed the meeting due to a change in the Senate floor schedule.
EU Funders Announce Plan to Achieve ‘Full and Immediate’ Open Access
National research funding organizations from 11 European countries announced Tuesday the launch of “cOAlition S,” an initiative requiring all publications from research they fund to be published in “compliant” open access journals or platforms starting in 2020. Participants will abide by 10 principles to facilitate the movement to open access, including barring publication in hybrid journals, assigning copyright to authors, and capping publication fees at a standard rate. Championed by former European Commission Director General for Research and Innovation Robert-Jan Smits, the initiative serves the European Union’s goal of implementing full and immediate open access to research publications by 2020. The European Research Council and European Commission support the initiative, and EU Research Commissioner Carlos Moedas has urged the EC to adopt similar requirements for the next EU flagship R&D program, Horizon Europe. Several prominent European national funding organizations have yet to sign on to the initiative. While the German Research Foundation has welcomed the coordinated approach toward open access, it has expressed concerns the new mandates could increase article processing charges and would require “fundamental changes to the system by which reputation is created and research success is rewarded away from indicators such as journal impact factors.”
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In Case You Missed It
NSF Launches Competition to Solicit New ‘Big Ideas’
Last week, the National Science Foundation launched a public competition to identify new Big Ideas that will shape the foundation’s research investments over the next decade and beyond. Proposals will be accepted from eligible individuals and small groups through Oct. 26 and will face several rounds of review by NSF staff and a blue-ribbon panel of external experts. NSF will select “up to approximately four” winning ideas in the summer of 2019, and winners will each receive $26,000 cash awards. The agency will also showcase up to 100 of the top submissions on the competition website.
NASA Planning to Set Up Lunar Science Committee
At the meeting of the NASA Advisory Council last week, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine revealed the agency plans to set up a new committee under the council dedicated specifically to lunar science. He remarked, “There is a history at NASA where what you do at the Moon is not science, it’s part of the Human Exploration Mission Directorate, and science is everything other than the Moon.” He added that, with its new focus on lunar exploration, NASA needs to “think in a transdisciplinary way about what science is at the Moon.” Thomas Zurbuchen, who leads NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, elaborated that the new committee would address both the scientific study of the Moon and its use as a base for scientific infrastructure, citing a Moon-based radio telescope as an attractive subject for consideration. Zurbuchen also said NASA would be looking for additional direction from the scientific community on the subject.
NASA Earth Science Director Announces Retirement
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| (Image credit - NASA / Joel Kowsky) |
Mike Freilich, director of NASA’s Earth Science Division, announced on Aug. 28 that he plans to retire from the agency this coming February. Freilich has held the job since 2006, during which time he has overseen the launch of 16 major missions and instruments. He has also directed a steady transition from the development of large-scale missions to larger numbers of smaller missions, including by initiating the division’s Venture-class program and incorporating CubeSats into its mission portfolio. NASA plans to begin a search for his successor this fall. It is also currently seeking a new director for the Planetary Science Division. The agency appointed the division’s previous director, Jim Green, as its chief scientist in April.
Senate Democrats Introduce Energy Storage R&D Bill
On Aug. 24, Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN) and six Democratic senators introduced the “Advancing Grid Storage Act,” which would direct the Department of Energy to establish a program that would coordinate its energy storage research efforts and adopt long-term cost and performance goals for specific storage systems. A press release marking the introduction describes DOE’s existing research efforts as “fragmented.” The bill would also instruct DOE to establish a demonstration and deployment program for energy storage systems as well as a technical assistance grant program.The legislation is similar to a bill introduced last year by Sen. Al Franken (D-MN), whom Smith replaced following his resignation.
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Events This Week
Monday, September 3 Labor Day holiday
Wednesday, September 5 DARPA: 60th Anniversary Symposium (continues through Friday)
National Harbor Convention Center (Oxon Hill, MD)
Videos will be posted after the event
Federal Demonstration Partnership: Fall Meeting (continues through Friday)
Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill (400 New Jersey Ave. NW, DC)
Bipartisan Policy Center: “Evidence: Time to Act”
9:00 - 11:30 am, Bipartisan Policy Center (1225 Eye St. NW, DC)
Webcast available
American Chemical Society: “Understanding the Potential of Solar Energy: Tackling Energy Challenges of Tomorrow” congressional briefing
12:00 - 1:30 pm, RSVP to govtrelations@acs.org
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Opportunities OMB Seeking Program Examiners in Energy and Science Office
The White House Office of Management and Budget is accepting applications for program examiners in the Natural Resources, Energy, and Science Resource Management Office. Position responsibilities include overseeing agency budget formulation and execution, analyzing legislative and regulatory policies, and developing strategies to improve management and strategic planning, among other duties. Individuals with an understanding of scientific, legal, or economic attributes of energy or natural resource issues are encouraged to apply. Applications are due Sept. 14.
Rutgers Hiring Science Policy Program Coordinator
The Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University is accepting applications for a senior program coordinator to develop its new S&T politics initiative. The purpose of the initiative is to explore “how science, technology, and politics intersect; the political systems that connect them; and how deeper understanding and clearer communication within and across these disciplines can benefit policymakers, scientists, and the larger public.” The coordinator will oversee a pilot state government fellowship program and a workshop series, among other activities.
Navy Seeking STEM Program Analyst
A contractor to the Office of Naval Research is accepting applications for a STEM program analyst. Position duties include assisting with the implementation of STEM initiatives while engaging both Defense Department and civilian stakeholders as well as providing program support to the director of education and workforce development, among other responsibilities. Individuals with a bachelor’s degree in a STEM field and extensive related experience are encouraged to apply.
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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