Overview
Scientists in NASA's Space Science Enterprise seek to answer fundamental questions about the origin and evolution of life and celestial objects (planets, planetary systems, stars, galaxies, etc.) in the universe.
Research at ARC implements Space Science Enterprise goals through four elements dealing with astrophysics, planetary systems, exobiology, and space technology. Because the unifying theme for these elements is the origin and evolution of stars, planets, and life, the total research effort is a major thrust in the Space Science Enterprise Astrobiology program.
Astrophysics research addresses Enterprise goals and objectives that deal with understanding how the structure in the universe emerged, the dynamical evolution of galaxies and stars, and the exchange of matter and energy among stars and the interstellar medium. Planetary systems research addresses Enterprise goals and objectives that deal with understanding star formation, the evolution and distribution of volatile and organic material, the origin and distribution of planetary systems, rings, and primitive bodies, and planetary atmosphere evolution. Exobiology research addresses Enterprise goals and objectives that deal with understanding the origin, evolution, and distribution of life by conducting research on the cosmic history of biogenic compounds, prebiotic evolution, the early evolution of life, computational astrobiology, and extreme environments in which living organisms can exist. Finally, space technology efforts address Enterprise goals and objectives that deal with the development of advanced technologies to enable future astrophysics missions, as well as robotic and human solar-system exploration missions.
Ames Research Center is recognized as a world leader in astrobiology, the study of life in the universe and the chemical and physical forces and adaptations that influence its origin, evolution, and destiny. In pursuing our primary mission in astrobiology, Ames performs pioneering basic research and technology development to further fundamental knowledge about the origin, evolution, and distribution of life within the context of cosmic processes. For example, research and technology developments are currently conducted to:
- Study the mechanisms of the origin, evolution, and distribution of life in the universe;
- Determine the abundance and distribution of the biogenic compounds that are conducive to the origin of life;
- Identify locations on bodies within our solar system where conditions conducive to life exist or have existed;
- Explore the other bodies (planets, comets, asteroids) of our solar system;
- Locate planets and planet-forming regions around other stars;
- Study extrasolar matter such as interstellar gas and dust.
This report highlights accomplishments in the four key research thrusts at Ames that support the goals and objectives of the Space Science Enterprise: astrophysics, planetary systems, exobiology, and space technology.
Astrophysics
As NASA's lead in airborne astronomy, scientists at Ames pioneered the field of astrophysics. Study topics range from star-forming regions and processes to interstellar photochemistry to protoplanetary disks. Understanding cosmic processes--the evolution of the universe itself--is a vital part of the Origins initiative.
Ames astronomers and astrophysicists utilize a wide variety of methods. Ground-based telescopes such as the Keck and Mount Lemmon Observatories are regularly employed for observations of celestial objects and processes. Development continues on the SOFIA, an infrared telescope to be carried aboard a Boeing 747 aircraft specially modified for the task. Space-based observations are also made through instruments such as the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) and other observatories and missions. Computer modeling and laboratory analogs of chemical processes enhance the observational astronomy performed.
Highlighted in this section of the report are a wide variety of accomplishments in astrophysics, including:
- Production and testing of the world's largest echelle grating necessitated to meet the requirements for wavelength range and resolution demanded by the desired measurements of the far-infrared spectral lines of molecules and atoms originating in the interstellar medium;
- Completion of the design and engineering model of the water-vapor monitor for SOFIA, which is critical for the proper calibration of the 3-meter class telescope mounted in a Boeing 747 aircraft;
- The development of a new interstellar simulation chamber, unique within NASA, to directly simulate gaseous molecules and ions at the low temperature and pressure conditions of interstellar space to permit determination of spectroscopic properties of large interstellar aromatic molecules and ions under conditions that precisely mimic interstellar conditions.
Space Technology
To support the Space Science Enterprise in conducting future space science and exploration missions, Ames scientists and engineers develop and validate technologies and instruments, develop calculation-based and modeling algorithms, and refine analytical methods.
Highlighted in this section of the report are a wide variety of accomplishments in space technology, including:
- Development and manufacture of the guide-star telescope detectors for the Gravity Probe B Project, the purpose of which is to test Einstein's theory of general relativity;
- Development of a lightweight, high-efficiency pulse tube cryocooler designed to meet NASA's future requirements for zero boil-off propellant storage needed for developing reusable space transportation vehicles for both Earth-to-orbit and long-duration missions;
- Development of state-of-the-art cryogenic readouts, with improved sensitivity, which are the critical electronics for infrared detector arrays, and in most instances, the dominant source of noise in such detection systems.
Planetary Systems
Scientists in the Space Science Enterprise are interested in how and where planets form in the universe, and the geophysical, geochemical, and atmospheric processes that have occurred over the lifetime of a planet. Further, understanding the dynamics between planetary processes and the origin and evolution of life will help us understand the distribution of life in the universe.
Highlighted in this section of the report are a wide variety of accomplishments in planetary systems, including:
- The production of interactive search and geometrical visualization utilities, as part of the Ames Planetary Data System's Rings Node, to assist Cassini scientists in planning observations of the rings of Saturn during the upcoming tour mission (2004-2008);
- Development of theoretical models for star and planetary formation that have been used to determine requirements for future missions such as the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) and the Space Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF);
- Discovery of a correlation between high stellar metallicity and the detected presence of an extrasolar planet that has been exploited to find extrasolar planets with less effort, thus saving large amounts of time on instruments such as the Keck Telescope.
Exobiology
Ames' Exobiology Program is a key element of NASA's Astrobiology Initiative, and Ames serves as NASA's lead center in exobiology. Research in exobiology at Ames ranges from studying the mechanisms of the origin of living systems to the processes governing the evolution of life to the distribution of life on other planets. When coupled with Ames' pioneering research on the dynamics of galaxies, molecular gases and clouds, planetary systems, and the solar system, our study of life is facilitated by understanding the cosmic environment within which life originates and evolves.
Molecules of exobiological significance are ubiquitous in the universe. It is important to understand the sources and interactions of these building blocks and how living systems emerge from prebiotic molecular chaos.
Highlighted in this section of the report are a wide variety of accomplishments in exobiology, including:
- Establishment of a greenhouse facility to maintain field-collected microbial mats in an environment where human scientists and intelligent agents work together to perform experiments;
- Definitive identification of sugars in meteorite samples, for the first time, indicating that these compounds--central components of contemporary nucleic acids--were available for incorporation into the first living organisms on the primitive Earth;
- Construction of computer simulations that model the structure and function of membranes, a critical component for the origin of cellular functions, and that explore the capacity of membrane structures to function as primitive catalysts.
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