NASA Solicitation for History of Scientific Exploration of Earth and Space
Dear Colleagues:
In celebration of NASA’s upcoming 50th anniversary, scholarly histories of NASA’s activities in the scientific exploration of Earth and space are solicited by this History of the Scientific Exploration of Earth and Space (HSEES) program element. The International Geophysical Year (IGY) of 1957-1958 marked the beginning of the space age and the birth of NASA; it ushered in a half-century of unprecedented achievement in our scientific exploration of Earth and space. The concurrence of the International Polar Year (IPY) in 2007-2009 and the International Heliophysical Year (IHY) in 2007-2008, also provides a unique opportunity to examine the scientific advances that have occurred in the nearly 50 years since the establishment of NASA on October 1, 1958.
The primary objective of the HSEES program element is to engage, inform and inspire diverse public audiences by sharing historical knowledge about NASA’s scientific exploration of the Earth and space, and by communicating NASA’s unique contributions to the advancement of Earth and space science during the past 50 years. An essential component of communicating to the public is accurate, complete, well-written histories about the scientific exploration of space. Credible histories require work over a period of years and sustained support to be successful. In addition, an accurate history requires access to individuals and documents, which may be difficult for independent authors not coordinated with NASA.
A secondary objective is to extend the spirit of exploration and discovery embodied in past NASA science missions and to help attract and educate the next generation of scientists and engineers. This opportunity is a coordinated program with the NASA History Division and funded by the Science Mission Directorate (SMD). It is part of a coordinated set of education, public outreach and historical research activities in relation to IPY, IHY, and NASA’s 50th anniversary.
Historical investigations will be selected for a period of no more than three years beginning in Fiscal Year 2007 (October 1, 2006-September 30, 2007). The anticipated total amount of funds available for this amendment is approximately $1.5M for the three-year period (at approximately $500K per year). This program element is open to a wide range of proposed costs, from zero to a few $10K’s for monographs, and approximately $50-$100K per year for book-length works.
The specifics of the HSEES solicitation are available at http://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/viewrepositorydocument/70450/E.5H SEES.pdf
The short announcement of HSEES is at http://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/viewrepositorydocument/70449/Amendme nt19.pdf
Detailed information about the normal procedures for Notices of Intent (NOIs) and the submission of proposals are included in the Summary of Solicitation at http://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/viewrepositorydocument/32140/Summary _of_Solicitation_Amend19.pdf
NOIs are optional, but if submitted are due 12/15. The NOI cover page will be available on or before 11/15, and a link to the future NOI cover page form at https://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/member/proposals/selectSolicitation .do?method=init&orderBy=title&sortOrder=ASC
Dr. Steven J. Dick
NASA Chief Historian
Director, NASA History Division
Office of External Relations
NASA Headquarters
300 E Street SW
Washington, D.C. 20546-0001
202 358 0383 (PH)
202 358 2866 (Fax)
steven.j.dick@nasa.gov
