NASA science goals and planning processes

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Marc S. Allen, Marc.Allen@NASA.gov, Science Mission Directorate, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Mail Suite 3C26, Washington, DC 20546
NASA's Science Mission Directorate performs a vital role in enabling, promoting, and implementing the U.S. research agenda in Earth and space science. This research agenda is carried out by a complex ecosystem that comprises the NASA Centers, the academic community, other federal agencies, U.S. industry, and foreign partners. The Directorate works with all of these to formulate long range plans, develop budgets, and fund and oversee space missions and their supporting research and technology development. In doing so, the Agency must weigh the interests and capabilities of these diverse partners, within the context of established policies, to address overall Agency objectives and advance the most scientifically productive and budgetarily efficient program possible. A brief overview of the key elements and processes of this essential Government role will be presented, with an emphasis on those of most direct relevance to NASA's scientific research portfolio.