1. Fundamental Physics and the Decadal Survey Quantum to Cosmos 3 Airlie, VA 7 July 2008 Michael Salamon NASA HQ/Astrophysics Div.

2. Fundamental Physics and the Decadal Astronomy and Astrophysics Decadal Survey basics Decadal timeline Novel issues for the Decadal Survey Committee The position of Fundamental Physics in this Decadal A New NRC Study Nota Bene The National Research Council (NRC) is independent of the agencies which request its studies. Agency personnel cannot represent or speak for the NRC. The material in this presentation is for the most part publicly available.

3. The Astronomy & Astrophysics Decadal Survey National Research Council –Commission on Physical Sciences, Mathematics, and Applications Board of Physics and Astronomy Space Studies Board –Committee on Astronomy and Astrophysics (joint subcommittee) BPA, SSB, with CAA assistance conduct the Decadal Survey Process –Astronomy and Astrophysics Survey Committee Panel on High Energy Astrophysics from Space Panel on Optical and Infrared Astronomy from the Ground Panel on Particle, Nuclear, and Gravitational-Wave Astrophysics Radio and Submillimeter-Wave Astronomy Panel on Solar Astronomy Panel on Theory, Computation, and Data Exploration Panel on Ultraviolet, Optical, and Infrared Astronomy from Space 2001 Survey science panels

4. Decadal Time Line (from NAS website) ~Summer 2010May 2008~Winter 2009/10 Stage 1: Defining the Study (agencies’ Statement of Task) Stage 2: Committee selection and approval (range of expertise, no conflicts) Stage 3: Committee meetings, information gathering, deliberations, and drafting of the Report Stage 4: Report review (independent review by anonymous experts)

5. Decadal Cost Estimation 2001 Decadal Cost Estimates (US cost, FY00 $): –JWST at $1000M –Con-X at $800M –LISA at $250M –GLAST at $300M To address unexpected cost growth, “trip wires” likely to be introduced with “decision rules:” reprioritization, termination? How will budgetary limits affect the prioritization process? This Decadal Survey Report will have several novel features which will present a challenge to the Survey Committee, but which will enhance the value of the report to the agencies. Large underestimation of cost resulted in unrealizable mission program.

6. New Challenges for the Decadal Survey Committee Material below from the talk by Anneila Sargent (Chair, Board of Physics and Astronomy) at the Austin, TX AAS meeting on the 2010 Astronomy & Astrophysics Decadal Survey

7. 2010 A&A Decadal Survey The 2010 Astronomy & Astrophysics Decadal Survey has been requested by three agencies: NASA Astrophysics Division NSF Astronomy Division DOE High Energy Physics Division (astrophysics programs only) The fundamental physics that NASA’s astrophysics division supports is that specified in the SMD/Astrophysics Science Plan. The Survey is not expected to consider programs associated with NASA Heliophysics Division DOE High Energy Division non-astrophysics programs NASA’s former Microgravity Physics (Code U) division The Decadal Survey Committee has some prerogative to determine the boundaries of the survey. Specifically, they can decide (while being consistent with the Statement of Task) what elements of fundamental physics constitute a subset of Astronomy and Astrophysics.

8. Astrophysics in the SMD Science Plan Science AreaScience QuestionsResearch Objectives Discover the origin, structure, evolution, and destiny of the universe, and search for Earth-like planets What are the origin, evolution, and fate of the universe? How do planets, stars, galaxies, and cosmic structure come into being? When and how did the elements of life and the universe arise? Is there life elsewhere? 1. Understand the origin and destiny of the universe, phenomena near black holes, and the nature of gravity 2. Understand how the first stars and galaxies formed and how they changed over time into the objects recognized in the present universe 3. Understand how individual stars form and how those processes ultimately affect the formation of planetary systems. 4. Progress in creating a census of extra-solar planets and measuring their properties. Physics of the Cosmos – The Physics of the Cosmos Program (formerly Beyond Einstein) contains missions that can explore the most extreme physical conditions of the universe, from black holes to dark energy. They will study the building blocks of our own existence at the most basic level: the matter, energy, space and time that create the living Universe.

9. Recent congressional legislation (Joint Explanatory Statement for HR2764) states: “Achieving the goals of the Exploration Initiative will require a greater understanding of life and physical sciences phenomena in microgravity as well as in the partial gravity environments of the Moon and Mars. Therefore, the Administrator is directed to enter into an arrangement with the National Research Council to conduct a “decadal survey” of life and physical sciences research in microgravity and partial gravity to establish priorities for research for the 2010-2020 decade.” New NRC Study: A Place for Fundamental Physics in Space? “Decadal Study in Physical and Biological Space Research” is tentative title. ESMD (Exploration Systems Mission Directorate), not SMD, is the “owner” of this NRC study, and is preparing a Statement of Task. Does “microgravity physics” include “Code U” fundamental physics? An “experts’ meeting” was held for the community to provide input to the SoT.