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 Contents Front Matter Summary 1 Introduction and Background 2 NASA's Exploration Plans and Workforce Implications 3 Science And Engineering Workforce Demographics 4 Factors Affecting the Aerospace S&E Workforce 5 Findings and Recommendations A NASA Letter of Request B Statement of Task C Workshop Agenda and Participant List D Committee Meeting Agenda, February 22, 2006 E NASA List of Competencies and Current Agency Population F Biographical Sketches of Committee Members and Staff