WASHINGTON — During the next five years, NASA 's technology development efforts should focus on 16 high-priority technologies and their associated top technical challenges, says a new report released Wednesday from the National Research Council.

In addition, the report recommends emphasis on flight demonstrations for technologies that are nearly ready and a 10- percent allocation from the existing program budget to advance and refine early emerging technologies.

"It has been years since NASA has had a vigorous, broad-based program in advanced space technology development," said Raymond Colladay, president of RC Space Enterprises Inc., and chair of the committee that wrote the report. "Success in executing future NASA space missions will depend on advanced developments that should already be under way."

The 16 high-priority technologies were selected with input from the external technical community as part of NASA's draft technology roadmaps and include items such as radiation mitigation; guidance, navigation, and control; nuclear systems for both power generation and transportation; and solar power generation. These priorities were chosen to align with three main facets of NASA's overall mission: extending and sustaining human activities beyond low Earth orbit; exploring the evolution of the solar system and the potential for life elsewhere; and expanding understanding of Earth and the universe.

The report recommends that NASA's Office of the Chief Technologist pursue cooperative development of high-priority technologies with other government agencies and the U.S. commercial space industry to leverage resources. (PNA/Xinhua)

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