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Office of Space Science (OSS)

The Office of Space Science (OSS) manages the Space Science Enterprise, one of six Strategic Enterprises outlined in NASA's Strategic Plan. Each enterprise covers a major area of the agency's research and development efforts. The other five NASA Enterprises are Aerospace Technology, Biological and Physical Research, Earth Science, Human Exploration and Development of Space, and Education.

http://spacescience.nasa.gov/index.htm

The mission of the Space Science Enterprise is to solve mysteries of the universe, explore the solar system, discover planets around other stars, search for life beyond Earth from origins to destiny, chart the evolution of the universe and understand its galaxies, stars, planets, and life.

Office of Space Science Education and Public Outreach Program

The NASA Office of Space Science (OSS) Education and Public Outreach (E/PO) program is now one of the largest programs in astronomy and space science education ever undertaken. E/PO activities focus on K-14 education and the public understanding of science, and are embedded in every OSS flight mission and research program. The OSS E/PO Support Network coordinates and integrates these efforts, and provides a point of entry for individuals and organizations wishing to participate in the OSS E/PO program.

OSS E/PO Goals are:

To share the excitement of space science discoveries with the public;
To enhance the quality of science, mathematics, and technology education, particularly at the precollege level; and
To create our 21st century scientific and technical workforce.

With a focus on:

Fulfilling the needs of educators;
Creating long-term partnerships between the space science and education communities;
Providing meaningful opportunities for underserved/underutilized groups;
Building on and adding value to existing programs, institutions, and infrastructure; and
Evaluating OSS E/PO programs for quality and impact

Support Network
The OSS "Support Network" is a nationwide infrastructure of space science education and outreach groups (broker/facilitators) whose purpose is to aid space science investigators in identifying and developing high-quality E/PO opportunities. The network fosters partnerships between the space science and E/PO communities, and provides the services needed to establish and maintain a vital national, coordinated, long-term OSS E/PO program. The Broker/Facilitators and Education Forums, in particular, aim to help scientists turn results from space science missions and programs into educationally appropriate activities suitable for regional and/or national dissemination.

Major Links to NASA

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is devoted to understanding and protecting Earth, exploring the Universe and search for life, and inspiring the next generation of explorers as only NASA can. NASA has six Strategic Enterprises or major areas of research and development efforts. These NASA Enterprises are Aerospace Technology, Biological and Physical Research, Earth Science, Education, Human Exploration and Development of Space, and Space Science.
http://www.nasa.gov

Space Science Enterprise
This enterprise is responsible for all of NASA's programs relating to astronomy, the solar system, and the sun and its interaction with Earth. There are four general space science themes of NASA OSS research: Search for Origins, Structure and Evolution of the Universe, Solar System Exploration, and Sun-Earth Connections.
http://spacescience.nasa.gov/index.htm

Space Science Missions
The best source for space science mission information is through the Office of Space Science Mission Page. Here you will find an updated and comprehensive list of past, current, and future space science missions. Missions are organized by their stage in development (under study, in development, operating, past missions) and by their mission name or acronym.
http://spacescience.nasa.gov/missions/index.htm

Space Science Education and Public Outreach (E/PO) Programs
NASA Office of Space Science (OSS) Education and Public Outreach (E/PO) programs focus on K .$B!&.(B14 education and the public understanding of science, and are embedded in every OSS flight mission and research program.
http://spacescience.nasa.gov/education/index.htm

Space Science Education and Public Outreach Support Network
The Office of Space Science has established a Space Science EPO " Support Network" to make education at all levels and the enhanced public understanding of science integral parts of the Space Science missions and research programs.
http://spacescience.nasa.gov/education/resources/ecosystem/index.htm

Space Science Education and Public Outreach Support Network Brochure
OSS has put together an online brochure describing how the Support Network works. (.pdf / 133kb).
http://spacescience.nasa.gov/education/resources/ecosystem/brochure_low_res.pdf

Aerospace Technology
The Aerospace Technology Enterprise pioneers the identification, development, verification, transfer, application and commercialization of high-payoff aeronautics and space transportation technologies. The Enterprise is managed by the Office of Aerospace Technology.
http://www.aero-space.nasa.gov/

Biological and Physical Research
The mission of this Enterprise is to conduct basic and applied research to support human exploration of space and to take advantage of the space environment as a laboratory for scientific, technological, and commercial research. The Office of Biological and Physical Research creates unique cross-disciplinary research programs, bringing the basic sciences of physics, biology, and chemistry together with a wide range of engineering disciplines.
http://spaceresearch.nasa.gov/

Earth Science
The Earth Science Enterprise uses space to provide information about Earth's environment that is obtainable in no other way. In concert with research and industry partners, the Enterprise is developing the understanding needed to support the complex environmental policy and economic investment decisions that lie ahead. The Earth Science Enterprise is managed by the Office of Earth Science.
http://www.earth.nasa.gov/

Education
The Education Enterprise seeks to inspire the next generation of explorers as only NASA can. The Office of Education is a clearing house for all NASA education programs. They lists all of the NASA education resources available for educators, students, scientists, informal educators and the public.
http://science.hq.nasa.gov

Human Exploration and Development of Space
The Human Exploration and Development of Space Enterprise is to explore and to expand the human experience into the far reaches of space. The enterprise is managed by the Office of Space Flight whose programs provide safe, assured transportation to and from space for people and payloads, and develop and operate habitable space facilities to enhance scientic knowledge, support technology development, and enable commercial activity.
http://www.hq.nasa.gov/osf/


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