Issues Affecting the Future of the U.S. Space Science and Engineering Workforce

In January 2006, the President announced a new civilian space policy focusing on exploration. As part of its preparations to implement that policy, NASA asked the NRC to explore long-range science and technology workforce needs to achieve the space exploration vision, identify obstacles to filling those needs, and put forward solutions to those obstacles. As part of the study, the NRC held a workshop to identify important factors affecting NASA's future workforce and its capacity to implement the exploration vision. This interim report presents a summary of the highlights of that workshop and an initial set of findings. The report provides a review of the workforce implications of NASA's plans, an assessment of science and technology workforce demographics, an analysis of factors affecting the aerospace workforce for both NASA and the relevant aerospace industry, and preliminary findings and recommendations. A final report is scheduled for completion in early 2007.Table of ContentsFront MatterSummary1 Introduction and Background2 NASA's Exploration Plans and Workforce Implications3 Science And Engineering Workforce Demographics4 Factors Affecting the Aerospace S&E Workforce5 Findings and RecommendationsA NASA Letter of RequestB Statement of TaskC Workshop Agenda and Participant ListD Committee Meeting Agenda, February 22, 2006E NASA List of Competencies and Current Agency PopulationF Biographical Sketches of Committee Members and Staff

Committee on Meeting the Workforce Needs for the National Vision for Space Exploration, National Research Council