David R. Boyle

A commercial space technology testbed on ISS

There is a significant and growing commercial market for new, more capable communications and remote sensing satellites. Competition in this market strongly motivates satellite manufacturers and spacecraft component developers to test and demonstrate new space hardware in a realistic environment. External attach points on the International Space Station allow it to function uniquely as a space technology testbed to satisfy this market need. However, space industry officials have identified three critical barriers to their commercial use of the ISS: unpredictable access, cost risk, and schedule uncertainty. Appropriate NASA policy initiatives and business/technical assistance for industry from the Commercial Space Center for Engineering can overcome these barriers.

The Nuclear Security Science and Policy Institute at Texas A&M University

NSSPI is a multidisciplinary organization at Texas AM (2) educate the next generation of nuclear security and nuclear nonproliferation leaders; (3) analyze the interrelationships between policy and technology in the field of nuclear security; and (4) serve as a public resource for the reduction of nuclear threats. Since 2006, Texas AM (2) advise students on valuable research projects that contribute substantially to the nuclear nonproliferation, safeguards, and security arenas; and (3) engage with experts from several similar international academic and research institutes in activities and research that benefit Texas A&M students. NSSPI also helps international institutions develop their own programs in nuclear security and nonproliferation.

The University-To-University Components

The Nuclear Materials Safety activity seeks to enhance safety and contribute to the development of a safety culture. This will be achieved through interaction among research laboratories, institutes and industrial sites to address current practical problems in nuclear materials safety and safety management. In addition, a second area of emphasis will be collaboration among universities to establish new academic curricula and degree programs which incorporate safety into the education of young engineers and scientists. In addition, faculty and students can contribute to research projects as well.