National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Small Business Innovation Research & Technology Transfer 2008 Program Solicitations

Chapter 9.1.3

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The Science Mission Directorate (SMD) engages the Nation’s science community, sponsors scientific research, and develops and deploys satellites and probes in collaboration with NASA’s partners around the world to answer fundamental questions requiring the view from and into space. SMD seeks to understand the origins, evolution, and destiny of the universe and to understand the nature of the strange phenomena that shape it. SMD also seeks to understand:

• The nature of life in the universe and what kinds of life may exist beyond Earth;
• The solar system, both scientifically and in preparation for human exploration; and
• The Sun and Earth, changes in the Earth-Sun system, and the consequences of the Earth-Sun relationship for life on Earth.

The Science Mission Directorate also sponsors research that both enables, and is enabled by, NASA's exploration activities. The SMD portfolio is contributing to NASA’s achievement of the Vision for Space Exploration by striving to:

• Understand the history of Mars and the formation of the solar system. By understanding the formation of diverse terrestrial planets (with atmospheres) in the solar system, researchers learn more about Earth’s future and the most promising opportunities for habitation beyond our planet. For example, differences in the impacts of collisional processes on Earth, the Moon, and Mars can provide clues about differences in origin and evolution of each of these bodies.
• Search for Earth-like planets and habitable environments around other stars. SMD pursues multiple research strategies with the goal of developing effective astronomically-detectable signatures of biological processes. The study of the Earth-Sun system may help researchers identify atmospheric biosignatures that distinguish Earth-like (and potentially habitable) planets around nearby stars. An understanding of the origin of life and the time evolution of the atmosphere on Earth may reveal likely signatures of life on extrasolar planets.
• Explore the solar system for scientific purposes while supporting safe robotic and human exploration of space. For example, large-scale coronal mass ejections from the Sun can cause potentially lethal consequences for improperly shielded human flight systems, as well as some types of robotic systems. SMD’s pursuit of interdisciplinary scientific research focus areas will help predict potentially harmful conditions in space and protect NASA’s robotic and human explorers.

The following topics and subtopics seek to develop technology to enable science missions in support of these strategic objectives.

S1.01 Lidar System Components
S1.02 Active Microwave Technologies
S1.03 Passive Microwave Technologies
S1.04 Sensor and Detector Technology for Visible, IR, Far IR and Submillimeter
S1.05 Detector Technologies for UV, X-Ray, Gamma-Ray and Cosmic-Ray Instruments
S1.06 Particles and Field Sensors and Instrument Enabling Technologies
S1.07 Cryogenic Systems for Sensors and Detectors
S1.08 In Situ Airborne, Surface, and Submersible Instruments for Earth Science
S1.09 In Situ Sensors and Sensor Systems for Planetary Science
S1.10 Space Geodetic Observatory Components
S1.11 Lunar Science Instruments and Technology

S2.01 Precision Spacecraft Formations for Telescope Systems
S2.02 Proximity Glare Suppression for Astronomical Coronagraphy
S2.03 Precision Deployable Optical Structures and Metrology
S2.04 Optical Devices for Starlight Detection and Wavefront Analysis
S2.05 Optics Manufacturing and Metrology for Telescope Optical Surfaces

S3.01 Avionics and Electronics
S3.02 Thermal Control Systems
S3.03 Power Generation and Storage
S3.04 Propulsion Systems
S3.05 Balloon Technology, Terrestrial and Planetary

S4.01 NanoSat Launch Vehicle Technologies
S4.02 Rapid End-to-End Mission Design and Simulation
S4.03 Cost Modeling
S4.04 Reusable Flight Software

S5.01 Planetary Entry, Descent, Ascent, Rendezvous and Landing Technology
S5.02 Sample Collection, Processing, and Handling
S5.03 Surface and Subsurface Robotic Exploration
S5.04 Technologies for Low Mass Mars Ascent Vehicles (PAV)

S6.01 Technologies for Large-Scale Numerical Simulation
S6.02 Sensor and Platform Data Processing and Control
S6.03 Data Analyzing and Processing Algorithms
S6.04 Data Management - Storage, Mining and Visualization
S6.05 Software as a Service to Large Scale Modeling