Working Draft of an Ongoing White Paper

The Further Integration of Aeronautics into the National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program

by

Brent D. Bowen, Director, Nebraska Space Grant Consortium

David R. Downing, Director, Kansas Space Grant Consortium

Michaela M. Schaaf, Coordinator, Nebraska Space Grant Consortium

et al.

presented to

The Aeronautics Working Group of the National Council of Space Grant Directors &

The 4th National NASA Space Grant/EPSCoR Conference

May 1996

Revised copy presented to

The Aeronautics Working Group of the National Council of Space Grant Directors

November 1996

Abstract

Many consider NASA programs to be exclusively space-oriented. However, NASA's roots originated in the aeronautical sciences. Recent developments within NASA elevated the declining role of aeronautics back to a position of priority. On a parallel pattern, aeronautics was a priority in the legislation which authorized the National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program. This working paper outlines the development of the aeronautics aspect of the National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program. Results from two aeronautics surveys provide a baseline and direction for further development. The organizers here provide a preliminary draft framework of goals, activities, and a recommended action plan. All interested individuals are invited to provide input to the revision of the ongoing group white paper. The Aeronautics Working Group is comprised of members of the National Council of Space Grant Directors, with associate members from Space Grant academic affiliates, industry affiliates, and NASA Centers. The group will provide a forum to facilitate the continuing visibility of aeronautics in the Space Grant Program. The success of the Aeronautics Working Group will be evidenced through a higher profile recognition of the interdependent relationship of aeronautics and space science.

Authors

Brent D. Bowen is Professor and Director at the Aviation Institute, University of Nebraska at Omaha. Dr. Bowen directs the Nebraska Space Grant Consortium.

David R. Downing Chairs the Department of Aerospace Engineering at the University of Kansas. Dr. Downing directs the Kansas Space Grant Consortium.

Michaela M. Schaaf is the Coordinator of Research and Special Programs for the Aviation Institute, University of Nebraska at Omaha. She coordinates the NASA Nebraska Space Grant & EPSCoR Programs.

et al. Members of the Aeronautics Working Group of the National Council of Space Grant Directors.

Introduction

The foundation for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) stems back to its predecessor, the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA). All flying vehicles must rely on the basic fundamentals of flight and aeronautics. Even vehicles that reach outer space must be able to fly through the atmosphere of the earth and return safely home. Thus, the first A in NASA, representing aeronautics, remains an important priority of the agency.

Upon its creation in 1958, NASA assumed the functions, responsibilities, duties, and powers of NACA. All NACA property, personnel, funds and records were also transferred to NASA. The importance of aeronautics to NASA's mission is clearly illustrated in the first sentence of the legislation which created the agency (Public Law #85-568, 1958). AAN ACT To provide for research into problems of flight within and outside the earth's atmosphere, and for other purposes.

Space Grant History & Development

The NASA Space Grant College and Fellowship Program, established in 1987, consists of 52 actively participating state consortia. The program seeks to enhance space and aeronautical-related research and education, while maintaining the United States' leadership role in aeronautics and space-related industry. Aeronautics is defined by Webster's dictionary as Aa science dealing with the operation of aircraft; the art or science of flight. (1989) While this definition does not eliminate some forms of spaceflight, the definition of aeronautics can be limited to include only those activities which affect the safety, environmental compatibility, and the productivity of the air transportation system in our atmosphere.

The need for the role of aeronautics in the Space Grant was realized upon approval of the original legislation creating this program. The National Space Grant College and Fellowship Act of 1987 (Public Law 100-147) supports the research of space resources which are defined as any tangible or intangible benefit which can be realized from aeronautical and space activities; or advancements in any field related to space.

Early in the program, David Downing, Director of the Kansas Space Grant Consortium, recognized that there were no discussions of aeronautics topics at Space Grant Meetings. When Downing spoke to Space Grant Program Manager Julius Dasch regarding this issue, Dasch recommended that Downing form a working group to determine the role of aeronautics in the Space Grant program.

At the Third National Space Grant Conference at Johnson Space Center, Texas, Downing proposed the development of a Working Group to highlight and coordinate the aeronautics role within the Space Grant. Following the conference, the Kansas Space Grant Consortium conducted a survey (1993) to measure interest in the concept.

The results of the survey indicate that a majority of the states have education programs related to aeronautics. Table 1 outlines some of the different aeronautical programs available at colleges and universities in the responding states. Aeronautical-related research is being conducted in some of the states. Categories of this research are identified in Table 2. This table also illustrates how many responding states conduct this activity. While it is not as evident as education and research, aeronautics-related industry also plays a role in the responding states. Table 3 provides some data on the amount of aeronautics-related industry in these states.

Table 1

Table 2

Aeronautics-related Research in Responding States

Table 3

Aeronautics-related Industry in Responding States

A majority of Space Grant Consortia have signed up to participate in the Aeronautics Working Group at various Space Grant meetings. As a follow-up to the Kansas survey, Brent Bowen, Director of the Nebraska Space Grant Consortium, chaired a panel discussion at the Western Regional Space Grant Conference in Fairbanks, Alaska on the further role of aeronautics in the Space Grant Program. The consensus outcome of that discussion was to propose a formal working group to the National Council of Space Grant Directors. A report on the Fairbanks initiative was presented and approved for action by the Space Grant Directors at the San Jose meeting. Another outcome of the San Jose meeting was a recommendation for the development of a white paper detailing the history and objectives of the Aeronautics Working Group. Three Space Grant meetings have offered individuals the opportunity to participate in the Aeronautics Working Group. To date, over 70 individuals have joined the Aeronautics Working Group. The Kansas and Nebraska Space Grants agreed to provide organizational leadership. Kansas will focus on the engineering and science components of aeronautics and Nebraska will focus on flight technology and administration.

The Case for Aeronautics

Long before the term space race was popular, the United States already had a 40-year old agency studying aspects of flight (McCurdy, 1993). However, as the space race took over the headlines, aeronautics took a backseat to space flight. Those within NASA realized the vital role aeronautics plays in the national security and economy of the country. Therefore, aeronautical research within NASA continued, but it failed to make the headlines.

Many sources have been identified which support and define the role of aeronautics in NASA. The Aeronautics Enterprise@ is a section of the NASA Strategic Plan (1995) devoted to fostering aeronautical research within the agency. It lays out the plan to challenge the international competition so the U.S. can maintain its leadership role in aviation.

In January of 1995, NASA published a fact sheet titled, Developing Cutting Edge Technology to Keep America the World's Leader in Aviation.@ This statement reveals a commitment to aviation research and development by NASA. The predictions made reflect a 100% increase in air travel by the year 2005. Experts predict this increase will generate a demand for $600 billion in new jet airliners. Experts further predicted 140,000 jobs and a supersonic transport aircraft marketplace valued at $200 billion by 2015. As NASA's involvement in aeronautics research and development cover general aviation to jumbo jets, from subsonic to hypersonic speeds, the agency has set a goal to recapture the 35% of market share lost in the past 25 years.

A key part of NASA's Strategic Plan (1995) is based on the premise that NASA will maintain a leading role in the development of aeronautics technology in conjunction with both industry and other federal agencies. NASA will also actively support the upgrade of the national air transportation system. The Space Grant Program, with a presence in each state, should provide the educational base for aeronautics through research and outreach activities.

Consortia Which Have Joined the Aeronautics Working Group: The Challenge

Aeronautics in the Space Grant Program plays a key role in many space grant consortia projects. States such as Oklahoma, South Dakota, Alaska, Wisconsin, New Mexico, Washington, Hawaii, Virginia, Kansas, and Nebraska to name a few, have conducted aeronautics-related projects within the Space Grant Program. Projects such as Aviation Career Education (ACE) Academies in several states, courses in aviation and/or aerospace, mini-grants for aviation studies, fellowship and scholarship research on flight and effects of flight, a jointly sponsored General Aviation Design Competition by NASA and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), conferences on the future of aviation, FAA Teacher Resource Centers, and many others represent the desire of Space Grant Consortium administrators, faculty, and students to incorporate aeronautics in the Space Grant College and Fellowship Program. While some states have aeronautics-related programs and/or research, the role of aeronautics has the potential to include more programs and a larger level of activity. Currently, there is no formal means of collaboration with other states on these projects. Deriving the information on current activities from each state and sharing this information will effect the collaboration of Space Grants on aeronautical-related projects within the Space Grant.

To further the role of aeronautics in the Space Grant, an ongoing action plan is being developed to chart the course for the Aeronautics Working Group. This group will meet at Space Grant Director meetings, regional meetings, the national conference and other opportunities as they arise.

At previous Aeronautics discussions at Director Meetings, National Conferences, and Western Regional meetings, the following mission statement resulted:

To establish an organization which will aid in the coordination and communication of activities and the exchange of information among state consortia having an interest in aviation and aeronautics.

To alert Space Grant personnel that there are significant interests and activities related to aviation and aeronautics within many state consortia. 

To facilitate the mission, the following recommendations for action were developed by the initial working group:

Create a World Wide Web site as an aviation clearinghouse. This task is being implemented by the University of Nebraska at Omaha Aviation Institute. The site is located at Aviation Institute Links and is updated continuously.

Establish an e-mail distribution list for the Aeronautics Working Group.

Foster the development of aeronautics research in the Space Grant Program by sponsoring specific opportunities for publications and presentations of research results at regional and national meetings of the Space Grant, as well as the national conference. 

Additional action items resulting from the May 1996 Aeronautics Working Group meeting at the Fourth National NASA Space Grant/EPSCoR Conference in Williamsburg, Virginia include:

Explore the possibility of hosting an Aeronautics Working Group Conference.

Co-sponsor the first on-line scholarly journal in aviation. This publication, the Journal of Air Transportation World Wide, is on-line and can be viewed at JAT website.

Establish a group within the national organization and each regional group. This group has developed over the course of several meetings and now consists of over seventy members.

Expand a briefing paper to inform all directors and personnel of current aeronautics research, education, and outreach ideas on incorporating more aeronautics where interested. This paper is the result of the paper component of the action plan.

Update the aeronautics survey which was administered three years ago.

Recommend future poster sessions include an aeronautics component.

Initiate collaborative research exchange visits.

Recruit aeronautics experts into the consortia from current and new affiliate institutions.

Involve more aviation industry representatives in Space Grant.

Identify lead individuals for each regional group to advocate and promote aeronautics at regional meetings.

Work closely with NASA Center personnel. 

Aeronautics Survey Update & Additional Action Items

An updated aeronautics survey was administered to each Space Grant in the summer of 1996 to collect input on proposed projects of the Aeronautics Working Group. The survey was designed by the Nebraska Space Grant with input from other states. A 77% response rate was achieved after each Space Grant received the initial mailing of the survey, and those that had not yet responded received two additional reminders. The survey results indicate there are many states that want to exchange aeronautics best practices and collaborate on aeronautics projects. Of those responding, 48% indicated that there are not enough aeronautical activities within their Space Grant. Through the Aeronautics Working Group these activities are, and will continue to be, made possible.

One proposal stemming from the Williamsburg meeting was the inclusion of aeronautics into the next poster session. Forty-five percent of survey respondents are willing to participate in this activity, and forty percent are undecided. This activity could also include a poster display in the lobby at NASA Headquarters to further promote Space Grant within the organization. Julius Dasch also commented at the Fall 1996 Meeting of the Council of Space Grant Directors that the poster display was seen as a success at the 1996 national meeting.

The Aeronautics Working Group will facilitate aeronautics contacts for each Space Grant at the NASA Centers. This is necessary due to the low response of consortia currently collaborating with NASA Centers on aeronautical projects. Sixty-three percent of responding consortia do not currently collaborate with NASA Centers on these projects. This is an item which can be promoted through the Aeronautics Working Group. Dryden Flight Center has been identified as the Center to begin facilitating contacts with for the 1996-1997 time frame.

Each state has a Department of Aeronautics, as well as a Federal Aviation Administration Flight Standards District Office. Half of the responding states are willing to Incorporate these institutions as government affiliates. Thirty-seven percent of those responding are undecided. This is a measure that can be acted upon by the Aeronautics Working Group to better define the roles of these organizations to each consortium and decide what type of measure should be taken to effect this proposal.

Each state already includes, 77%, or is willing, 23%, to include institutions with aeronautical-related programs as academic affiliates. To facilitate those states which are willing to include these potential affiliates, a list of institutions with aeronautical-related programs will be provided by the Aeronautics Working Group. Additionally, the Aeronautics Working Group will also assist in identifying aeronautical-related industry contacts for Space Grant consortia. Seventy-two percent of responding states replied they have aeronautical-related industry within their state. Of these, 76% are willing to include them as industry affiliates, while 21% already include them, and 3% are unwilling to include them. The Aeronautics Working Group can also work with the 28% of the responding states which did not identify aeronautical-related industry in their state to identify companies and facilitate contacts.

Finally, interest exists for collaboration on a group aeronautics project. Forty-five percent of responding states are willing to participate, while 10% are unwilling to participate, and forty-five percent are undecided. The Aeronautics Working Group is in the process of identifying different projects in which states can participate.

Conclusion

Overall, this survey indicates the trend is turning towards aeronautics. More states are interested in aeronautics today than when the first survey was administered in 1993. This can be attributed to the implementation of the action items of the Aeronautics Working Group. The group has exposed each state to the importance of aeronautics as a strategic enterprise of NASA. The goals are being accomplished with the simple inclusion of aeronautics topics on the agenda of each Space Grant meeting by explicitly mentioning the strategic initiative in aviation and aeronautics at all NASA Space Grant activities, publications, and presentation opportunities. In updating the Aeronautics Working Group progress at each national and regional meeting, more states are becoming involved with the working group. A complete copy of the survey is included in the Appendix.

Finally, the Aeronautics Working Group wants to ensure that the first AA@ in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration is recognized as a vital component of the National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program.

Appendix

Bibliography/References

Aeronautics in NASA and NACA. (1993). Washington, D.C.: Langley Research Center.

Glennan, T. K. (1993). The birth of NASA: The diary of T. Kenneth Glennan. Washington, D.C.: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA History Office.

Kansas Space Grant Consortium. (1993). NASA Space Grant Aeronautics Survey. Unpublished manuscript. University of Kansas.

McCurdy, H. E. (1993). Inside NASA: High technology and organizational change in the U.S. space program. Baltimore: John Hopkins University Press.

NASA. (1988). NASA historical data book. Washington, D.C.: Scientific and Technical Information Division, National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

NASA. (1995). NASA strategic plan. Washington, D.C.: National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

NASA. (January 1995). Developing cutting edge technology to keep America the world's leader in aviation.
[Fact Sheet]. Washington, D.C.: National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

Nebraska Space Grant Consortium. (1996). NASA Space Grant Aeronautics Survey. Unpublished manuscript. University of Nebraska at Omaha Aviation Institute.

Public Law #85-568, 72 Stat., 426. (1958). National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958.

Public Law 100-147. (1987). National Space Grant College and Fellowship Act.

File:white.wpd Revised: November 27, 1996