Executive Summary, Mission to America

The National Space Grant Program

(From Mission to America, Report of the National Council of Space Grant Directors, The Woods Hole Workshop, August 24-28,1992.)

In 1958, Congress passed the National Space Act. That act transformed the National Advisory Committee on Aeronautics into the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and firmly committed the United States to the exploration and exploitation of space for future benefit. NASA maintains major research, development, demonstration, and operation programs in aeronautics, manned and unmanned space flight, space commercialization, and advanced technologies. NASA has conducted unmanned missions to all but one of the planets of our solar system. It has established major observatories in space for continued studies of the Earth, our solar system, and the distant universe. NASA vehicles regularly fly people to and from orbit. By the year 2000, Americans will reside permanently in orbit about Earth. Furthermore, the President has committed the nation to establishing a permanent moonbase and eventually sending people to Mars."

"NASA is a small, critically necessary, part of the larger field of American aerospace industries and services, frequently considered the hallmark of U.S. world technological, economic, and scientific leadership. Aerospace industries and services enable rapid travel across the United States and tightly link the nation to the rest of the world. NASA programs serve the national security. NASA's research and development capabilities contribute to the economic health of the nation by sponsoring scientific research and creating new technology. With its experimental missions, with its creative methods of transferring technology to public uses, and with its unique complements of university and industrial affiliates, NASA has long been perceived as a farsighted agent in advancing the education of Americans."

"Congress enacted the National Space Grant College and Fellowship Act on October 30, 1987. The Act is a new commitment by Congress to higher education. Congress expects that the participating universities and NASA will cooperate under this Act to extend the benefits the nation obtains from its broad range of aerospace activities. In analogy to the Land and Sea Grant programs, Congress anticipates that Space Grant universities, their affiliates, and NASA will conceive new ideas, seed future growth, both on and off the Earth, cultivate and nurture opportunities for citizens through technology transfer, then guide them toward new ventures, educating them to function in a society burgeoning with engineering and scientific innovations." . . .

The National Space Grant Program has been modeled after the National Land Grant [the Morrill Act of 1862] and the National Sea Grant university programs [1966)]. "The Space Grant Program concept was introduced by Senator Lloyd Bentsen in 1986 as Senate Bill 2098. In congressional testimony introducing the legislation, Senator Bensten stated, 'Space Grant Program's research and development effort would be directed toward national ends for space technology and commercialization.'" In the actual legislation, Congress found that "research and development of space science, space technology, and space commercialization contributed to the enhancement of commerce." Further, Congress found that "development of space frontiers requires a broad commitment and partnership between Federal government, states, private industry, and universities concerned with utilization of space. The intent of the legislation was to use existing schools and encourage interdisciplinary consortia of universities and industry. Senator Bentsen proposed that grants be 'awarded on a competitive basis to applicants who propose the most cost-effective programs for the development and utilization of space resources.' In his congressional remarks, Senator Bentsen stated that the Space Grant fellowship program would be established for education and training assistance at the undergraduate and graduate levels. In the enacting legislation, Congress found that NASA 'will provide the needs for promotion of activities in the program that will result in greater understanding, assessment, development, and utilization of space.'" (The Woods Hole Report).

"Congress expected to encourage the following activity from its enabling legislation:

Promote a strong educational base, obtain responsive research and training, and achieve broad dissemination of knowledge and techniques.

Utilize universities to support exploration and development of resources and opportunities afforded by the space environment.

Encourage and support multidisciplinary programs of space research within the university community.

Engage in integrated activities of training, research, and public service.

Conduct cooperative programs with industry.

Coordinate the Space Grant Program with the overall program of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

Encourage and support consortia comprised of university and industry members to advance the exploration and development of space resources.

Encourage and support Federal funding for graduate fellowships in fields related to space.

Support activities in colleges and universities generally for the purposes of creating and operating a network of institutional programs that will enhance achievements resulting from efforts under the program." (The Woods Hole Report).

Fifty-two Space Grant consortia now work individually toward these purposes in every state, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Directors of the statewide consortia formed the National Councils of Space Grant Directors to satisfy Congress's mandate for a national network. The Council enables the fifty-two directors to work with NASA in constructing a national network.

Contents
ISSO -- Institute for Space Systems Operations
1992-1993 Annual Report