National Academy of Sciences
National Academy of Engineering
Institute of Medicine
National Research Council

NASA Should Strengthen Suborbital Program


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A NASA high-altitude scientific balloon preparing to launch from Antarctica. Photo courtesy NASA.

February 26, 2010 -- NASA's suborbital program -- which conducts research using aircraft, balloons, and rockets -- enables cutting-edge research in areas such as climate science and astrophysics and is vital in developing technologies and training personnel, says a new report from the National Research Council. The report recommends that NASA reorder its priorities to increase funding for the program and create a new leadership position to coordinate it.