A National Research Council steering committee and six panels that are advising NASA on innovative technologies for future missions is holding a series of public workshops to review 14 draft NASA technology “road maps” and solicit input from the public, the aerospace community, and policymakers. The study will provide recommendations to NASA to help chart a course for technologies and concepts that could benefit future earth and space science missions and also contribute to critical national and commercial needs in space technology. For more information on the study or to provide input, visit http://www.nationalacademies.org/NASAroadmaps.

DETAILS: Seating is limited; reporters who wish to attend any workshop must register in advance. Contact the Office of News and Public Information; 202-334-2138 or e-mail news@nas.edu.

March 9-11
Panel on Materials
Washington, D.C.

This workshop will examine potential road maps relating to nanotechnology, materials, structural and mechanical systems, manufacturing, and thermal management systems. _The workshop will run from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on March 9, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on March 10, and from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on March 11 in Room 109 of the National Academies’ Keck Center, 500 Fifth St., N.W. For a complete agenda and more information, visit http://www8.nationalacademies.org/cp/meetingview.aspx?MeetingID=4966&MeetingNo=4.

March 21-24
Panel on Propulsion and Power
Pasadena, Calif.

This workshop will examine potential road maps related to space power and energy systems, in-space propulsion systems, launch propulsion systems, and ground and launch system processing. The workshop will run from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day in Room 101 of the Guggenheim Building, California Institute of Technology, 1200 East California Blvd. For a complete agenda and more information, visit http://www8.nationalacademies.org/cp/meetingview.aspx?MeetingID=4999&MeetingNo=2.

March 23 and 24
Panel on Entry, Descent, and Landing
Irvine, Calif.

This workshop will examine potential road maps related to spacecraft entry, descent, and landing systems. The workshop will run from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on March 23 and from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on March 24 at the National Academies’ Arnold and Mabel Beckman Center, 100 Academy Drive. For a complete agenda and more information, visit http://www8.nationalacademies.org/cp/meetingview.aspx?MeetingID=5001&MeetingNo=2.

March 29
Panel on Instruments and Computing
Irvine, Calif.

This workshop will examine potential road maps related to scientific instruments, observatories, and sensor systems. The workshop will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. at the National Academies’ Arnold and Mabel Beckman Center, 100 Academy Drive. For a complete agenda and more information, visit http://www8.nationalacademies.org/cp/meetingview.aspx?MeetingID=4975&MeetingNo=2.

March 29 and 30
Panel on Robotics, Communications, and Navigation
Washington, D.C.

This workshop will examine potential road maps related to communications and navigation systems and robotics. The workshop will run from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. each day in Room 110 at the National Academies’ Keck Center. For a complete agenda and more information, visit http://www8.nationalacademies.org/cp/meetingview.aspx?MeetingID=4972&MeetingNo=2.

April 26 and 27
Panel on Human Health and Surface Exploration
Houston

This workshop will examine potential road maps related to astronaut health, life support, and habitation systems and exploration destination systems. The workshop will take place from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on April 26 and from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on April 27 at the Lunar and Planetary Institute, 3600 Bay Area Blvd. For a complete agenda and more information, visit http://www8.nationalacademies.org/cp/meetingview.aspx?MeetingID=5000&MeetingNo=2.

May 10 and 11
Panel on Instruments and Computing
Washington D.C.

This workshop will examine potential road maps related to computer modeling, simulation, information technology, and data processing. The workshop will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 10 and from 8:30 a.m. to noon on May 11 in Room 212 of the National Academies’ Keck Center. For a complete agenda and more information, visit http://www8.nationalacademies.org/cp/meetingview.aspx?MeetingID=4975&MeetingNo=3