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NASA NTRS2015

In-Flight Operation of the Dawn Ion Propulsion System Through Survey Science Orbit at Ceres

The Dawn mission, part of NASA's Discovery Program, has as its goal the scientific exploration of the two most massive main-belt objects, Vesta and Ceres. The Dawn spacecraft was launched from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on September 27, 2007 on a Delta-II 7925H- 9.5 (Delta-II Heavy) rocket that placed the 1218-kg spacecraft onto an Earth-escape trajectory. On-board the spacecraft is an ion propulsion system (IPS) developed at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory which will provide a total delta V of 11 km/s for the heliocentric transfer to Vesta, orbit capture at Vesta, transfer between Vesta science orbits, departure and escape from Vesta, heliocentric transfer to Ceres, orbit capture at Ceres, and transfer between Ceres science orbits. Full-power thrusting from December 2007 through October 2008 was used to successfully target a Mars gravity assist flyby in February 2009 that provided an additional delta V of 2.6 km/s. Deterministic thrusting for the heliocentric transfer to Vesta resumed in June 2009 and concluded with orbit capture at Vesta on July 16, 2011. From July 2011 through September 2012 the IPS was used to transfer to all the different science orbits at Vesta and to escape from Vesta orbit. Cruise for a rendezvous with Ceres began in September 2012 and concluded with the start of the approach to Ceres phase on December 26, 2015, leading to orbit capture on March 6, 2015. Deterministic thrusting continued during approach to place the spacecraft in its first science orbit, called RC3, which was achieved on April 23, 2015. Following science operations at RC3 ion thrusting was resumed for twenty-five days leading to arrival to the next science orbit, called survey orbit, on June 3, 2015. The IPS will be used for all subsequent orbit transfers and trajectory correction maneuvers until completion of the primary mission in approximately June 2016. To date the IPS has been operated for over 46,774 hours, consumed approximately 393 kg of xenon, and provided a delta V of over 10.8 km/s to the spacecraft. The IPS performance characteristics are very close to the expected performance based on analysis and testing performed pre-launch. This paper provides an overview of Dawn's mission objectives and the results of Dawn IPS mission operations through arrival at the second science orbit at Ceres.

Garner, Charles E.↗
NASA NTRS2014

Real-Time Science Operations to Support a Lunar Polar Volatiles Rover Mission

Future human exploration of the Moon will likely rely on in situ resource utilization (ISRU) to enable long duration lunar missions. Prior to utilizing ISRU on the Moon, the natural resources (in this case lunar volatiles) must be identified and characterized, and ISRU demonstrated on the lunar surface. To enable future uses of ISRU, NASA and the CSA are developing a lunar rover payload that can (1) locate near subsurface volatiles, (2) excavate and analyze samples of the volatile-bearing regolith, and (3) demonstrate the form, extractability and usefulness of the materials. Such investigations are important both for ISRU purposes and for understanding the scientific nature of these intriguing lunar volatile deposits. Temperature models and orbital data suggest near surface volatile concentrations may exist at briefly lit lunar polar locations outside persistently shadowed regions. A lunar rover could be remotely operated at some of these locations for the approx. 2-14 days of expected sunlight at relatively low cost. Due to the limited operational time available, both science and rover operations decisions must be made in real time, requiring immediate situational awareness, data analysis, and decision support tools. Given these constraints, such a mission requires a new concept of operations. In this paper we outline the results and lessons learned from an analog field campaign in July 2012 which tested operations for a lunar polar rover concept. A rover was operated in the analog environment of Hawaii by an off-site Flight Control Center, a rover navigation center in Canada, a Science Backroom at NASA Ames Research Center in California, and support teams at NASA Johnson Space Center in Texas and NASA Kennedy Space Center in Florida. We find that this type of mission requires highly efficient, real time, remotely operated rover operations to enable low cost, scientifically relevant exploration of the distribution and nature of lunar polar volatiles. The field demonstration illustrated the need for science operations personnel in constant communications with the flight mission operators and the Science Backroom to provide immediate and continual science support and validation throughout the mission. Specific data analysis tools are also required to enable immediate data monitoring, visualization, and decision making. The field campaign demonstrated that this novel methodology of real-time science operations is possible and applicable to providing important new insights regarding lunar polar volatiles for both science and exploration.

Moon; Volatiles; Rover; Missions↗
NASA NTRS2017

Reinventing Image Detective: An Evidence-Based Approach to Citizen Science Online

Usability studies demonstrate that web users are notoriously impatient, spending as little as 15 seconds on a home page. How do you get users to stay long enough to understand a citizen science project? How do you get users to complete complex citizen science tasks online? Image Detective, a citizen science project originally developed by scientists and science engagement specialists at the NASA Johnson Space center to engage the public in the analysis of images taken from space by astronauts to help enhance NASA's online database of astronaut imagery, partnered with the CosmoQuest citizen science platform to modernize, offering new and improved options for participation in Image Detective. The challenge: to create a web interface that builds users' skills and knowledge, creating engagement while learning complex concepts essential to the accurate completion of tasks. The project team turned to usability testing for an objective understanding of how users perceived Image Detective and the steps required to complete required tasks. A group of six users was recruited online for unmoderated and initial testing. The users followed a think-aloud protocol while attempting tasks, and were recorded on video and audio. The usability test examined users' perception of four broad areas: the purpose of and context for Image Detective; the steps required to successfully complete the analysis (differentiating images of Earth's surface from those showing outer space and identifying common surface features); locating the image center point on a map of Earth; and finally, naming geographic locations or natural events seen in the image. Usability test findings demonstrated that the following best practices can increase participation in Image Detective and can be applied to the successful implementation of any citizen science project: (1) Concise explanation of the project, its context, and its purpose; (2) Including a mention of the funding agency (in this case, NASA); (3) A preview of the specific tasks required of participants; (4) A dedicated user interface for the actual citizen science interaction. In addition, testing revealed that users may require additional context when a task is complex, difficult, or unusual (locating a specific image and its center point on a map of Earth). Video evidence will be made available with this presentation.

Romano, Cia↗
NASA NTRS2019

Generating Excitement and Increasing Awaressness of NASA Planetary Science and Astromaterials Assets

Students, educators, the public, and the scientific community are so often inspired by NASA science and exploration. Millions have joined NASA during live mission event broadcasts and also follow NASA on social media. Exploration of worlds in our solar system enable the scientific community to obtain and analyze data that provide clues to better understand the history and evolution of our solar system. Missions that collect and return samples to Earth from a target solar system body provide scientists with samples they can research and analyze in their laboratories. For those who are not planetary scientists, they may not understand the significance of these samples and/or the importance of sample return missions. The Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science (ARES) Science Engagement team, through work supported by NASA’s Science Mission Directorate (SMD) Science Education Cooperative Agreement Notice NNH15ZDA004C, provides access to samples from NASA’s Astromaterials Collections through NASA sponsored exhibits at educator and scientific conferences, NASA relevant public outreach events, and collaborations with other Science Activation Teams supported by the SMD Cooperative Agreement Notice. The goal of this work is to generate excitement while enhancing knowledge and awareness of NASA’s unique assets, thus highlighting NASA planetary science and exploration.

Graff, P. V.↗
NASA NTRS2016

NASA Ames Space Science and Astrobiology: 4th Annual Jamboree

Welcome to the Fourth Annual Ames Space Sciences and Astrobiology Jamboree! The Space Science and Astrobiology Division at NASA Ames Research Center consists of over 50 civil servants and more than 110 contractors, co-­‐ops, post-­‐docs and associates. Researchers in the division are pursuing investigations in a variety of fields including exoplanets, planetary science, astrobiology and astrophysics. In addition, division personnel support a wide variety of NASA missions including (but not limited to) Kepler, SOFIA, LADEE, JWST, and New Horizons. With such a wide variety of interesting research going on, distributed among three branches in at least 5 different buildings, it can be difficult to stay abreast of what one’s fellow researchers are doing. Our goal in organizing this symposium is to facilitate communication and collaboration among the scientists within the division, and to give center management and other ARC researchers and engineers an opportunity to see what scientific research and science mission work is being done in the division. We are also continuing the tradition within the Space Science and Astrobiology Division to honor one senior and one early career scientist with the Pollack Lecture and the Early Career Lecture, respectively. With the Pollack Lecture, our intent is to select a senior researcher who has made significant contributions to any area of research within the space sciences, and we are pleased to honor Dr. David DesMarais this year. With the Early Career Lecture, our intent is to select a young researcher within the division who, by their published scientific papers, shows great promise for the future in any area of space science research, and we are pleased to honor Dr. Christiaan Boersma this year.

Dotson, Jessie↗
NASA NTRS2019

Improving Earth Science Data Literacy

The improvement of scientific literacy across the public can take on a myriad of forms and activities. The vast archives of NASA’s Earth science data, as one example, reflect the agency’s ongoing commitment to producing the highest quality data, services and tools intended for enabling the public to understand the complexity of Earth systems. The focus of this presentation is to explore and reveal the specific strategies the NASA Earth Science Data and Information System (ESDIS) Project uses to support our very large and diverse user communities access to and understanding of these science data and services. The diversity of our subject matter, spanning the whole Earth science domain, is mirrored by our user communities which are equally as broad in their needs and abilities. ESDIS and the supporting Communication Team leverages an array of internet-based tools and communication strategies to both understand actual user needs and develop optimum pathways for improving our users’ knowledge and understanding of the data. We will focus our limited time on a few of the high-impact activities including Webinars, or video-based, on-line, interactive discussions and presentations that since their introduction in 2013 have become a staple for user-instructor interaction via the internet. Here we discuss the types of content we produce and many lessons learned on how best to use this medium for improving user literacy on the subject at hand. In addition, we include discussion of our approach to using various social media platforms and tools to bolster the awareness of our users for data and services that are likely of interest. The ESDIS project remains active in various social media campaigns where our particular blend of science, data and tools engages new users curious of how to get their science or application started using NASA-available data. We anticipate that these examples may prove to be novel in their application to improving science literacy and skill development among the public.

Lindsay, Francis↗
NASA NTRS2014

NASA 2014 The Hyperspectral Infrared Imager (HyspIRI) – science impact of deploying instruments on separate platforms

The Hyperspectral Infrared Imager (HyspIRI) mission was recommended for implementation by the 2007 report from the U.S. National Research Council Earth Science and Applications from Space: National Imperatives for the Next Decade and Beyond, also known as the Earth Science Decadal Survey. The HyspIRI mission is science driven and will address a set of science questions identified by the Decadal Survey and broader science community. The mission includes a visible shortwave infrared (VSWIR) imaging spectrometer, a multispectral thermal infrared (TIR) imager and an intelligent payload module (IPM). The IPM enables on-board processing and direct broadcast for those applications with short latency requirements. The science questions are organized as VSWIR-only, TIR-only and Combined science questions, the latter requiring data from both instruments.

Quattrochi, Dale↗
NASA NTRS2017

A Science-Driven Mission Concept to An Exoplanet

A concept for a science-driven robotic mission to an exoplanet was developed by a team of scientists and engineers from NASA and academia. The concept and scope were based on key mission and science requirements designed to address the question: “What makes a flight mission to an exoplanet compelling, in terms of science return, compared to what we will be able to learn in the next few decades with large near-Earth telescopes or other remote sensing techniques such as a telescope at the Solar Gravity Lens Focus?” By thinking systematically through mission and science goals and objectives, key requirements were developed that would drive technology developments in all necessary aspects, not just on propulsion. Unique science measurements would be performed en route to the exoplanet, including exploring the environment in the outer regions of our solar system, the Oort Cloud, the local interstellar medium, and the astrospheric environment around the host star. One of the key mission science objectives, and one that addresses why a mission to an exoplanet is compelling, was to confirm and characterize life. This objective is fundamental and drives the need for a precursor exoplanet characterization program to search for Earth-centric biosignatures and also drives key aspects of the mission concept. The team concluded that a direct confirmation of life would require in situ observations and measurements which cannot be performed on a fast (~10% of the speed of light) flyby; thus, the mission would require a method to slow down, orbit, or send a probe to the exoplanet’s surface. This capability drives a trade between interstellar travel velocity, trip duration, and propulsion architecture, as well as a high level of onboard autonomy, including adaptive science data collection, on-board data processing, and analysis. This paper describes our mission concept, the key requirements, and open trades.

Bennett, Gary↗
NASA NTRS2020

Astro-animation - A case study of art and science education

Art and science are different ways of exploring the world, but together they have the potential to be thought-provoking, facilitate a science‐society dialogue, raise public awareness of science and develop an understanding of art. For several years, we have been teaching an astro-animation class at the Maryland Institute College of Art as a collaboration between students and NASA scientists. Working in small groups, the students create short animations based on the research of the scientists who are going to follow the projects as mentors. By creating these animations, students bring the power of their imagination to see the research of the scientists through a different lens. Astro-animation is an undergraduate-level course jointly taught by an astrophysicist and an animator. In this article, we present the motivation behind the class, describe the details of how it is carried out and discuss the interactions between artists and scientists. We describe how such a programme offers an effective way for art students, not only to learn about science but to have a glimpse of ‘science in action’. The students have the opportunity to become involved in the process of science as artists, as observers first and potentially through their own art research. Every year, one or more internships at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center have been available for our students in the summer. Two students describe their experiences undertaking these internships and how science affects their creation of animations for this programme and in general. We also explain the genesis of our astro-animation programme, how it is taught in our animation department and we present the highlights of an investigation of the effectiveness of this programme we carried out with the support of an NEA research grant. In conclusion, we discuss how the programme may grow in new directions, such as contributing to informal STE(A)M learning.

Laurence Arcadias↗
NASA NTRS2021

Origins Space Telescope Science Drivers to Design Traceability

The Origins Space Telescope (Origins) concept is designed to investigate the creation and dispersal of elements essential to life, the formation of planetary systems, and the transport of water to habitable worlds and the atmospheres of exoplanets around nearby K- and M-dwarfs to identify potentially habitable—and even inhabited—worlds. These science priorities are aligned with NASA’s three major astrophysics science goals: How does the Universe work? How did we get here? and Are we alone? We briefly describe the science case that arose from the astronomical community and the science traceability matrix for Origins. The science trace-ability matrix prescribes the design of Origins and demonstrates that it will address the key science questions motivated by the science case.

Infrared↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Demonstrating the Promise and Problems for Open Science in Heliophysics

The recent push towards open science comes with a new set of problems to address. The additional work required to align a project with even the concepts of open science is at best problematic and typically not reasonably possible. The issue is further complicated by the lack of supporting infrastructure for the requirements of open science. We present the first executable paper in heliophysics as an example of how a collaboration between scientists, software developers, and software engineers can streamline the research process. This novel approach to science enables the science result to more easily adhere to the concepts of open science through the application of technology from inception to publication. We also use this paper to demonstrate gaps in our infrastructure that currently prevent progress in our pursuit of open science. This presentation is meant to initiate discussions of the methods and gaps presented, and we hope the discussion will be productive.

infrastructure↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Examining the Trends in Financial Support Given to Science Teams for Data Analysis in Mission Proposals

Introduction: The goal of this summer internship research project was to analyze trends in financial support proposed for the science teams of planetary missions. The analysis focuses on the funding for Co-Investigators (Co-Is) to conduct research and/or data analysis needed to achieve the science objectives of the mission. The operational portion of the missions after launch (i.e., Phase E, including cruise and prime operations at the final destination) were examined since that is when the bulk of research is funded and conducted. The objectives of the project were to determine the average level of support for Co-Investigators, identify variation between mission competitions and over time, and determine the relationship between mission type and the amount of support requested. Methodology: This project was conducted using data from 90 proposals submitted to six mission competitions in the Discovery and New Frontiers programs. The level of support for Co-Is was determined by examining Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) 4 (Science Analysis) for Phase E, which was further subdivided into cruise and prime operations. This data represents a proxy rather than the actual funding Co-Is receive to perform research and data analysis because not every dollar in WBS 4 is spent on this activity. Therefore, the proxy obtained in this research represents an overestimate of the funds allocated to Co-Is for research and data analysis. Findings: Analysis shows that on average a Co-I receives approximately four full years of support spread across the entirety of Phase E for science analysis. The variation among proposed missions is less than expected given the variety of factors that are expected to drive this metric (length of mission, mission type, etc.). Additionally, the level of requested support for Co-Is has been remarkably consistent across every variable considered (by competition, over time, by mission type) over the six competitions and nearly 20 years spanned by this project. This remains true for cruise, primary operations, and all of Phase E. Conclusions: A remarkable amount of science is accomplished by the science teams of planetary missions. However, a surprisingly small amount of funding is requested to support the science analysis driving this productivity, both in terms of absolute magnitude of funding and as a portion of total mission cost. This suggests improvements are needed to refine the estimates of Co-I support and/or that Co-Is rely on other funding sources to conduct their research. Better estimates can be determined by engaging directly with Co-Is and NASA centers to obtain data as well as finding other data sources. Additionally, NASA could consider mandating improved reporting of requested funding levels in mission competitions.

E Murray↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Artemis Internal Science Team Update: Hardware and Integrated Testing

The Artemis program will reestablish human presence on the Moon and lead to a new era of scientific discovery and exploration. Led by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Artemis program is a collaboration of space agencies and companies from around the world. In support of the Artemis program a cross disciplinary effort integrating science, engineering, operations, and human factors is currently being developed to identify methods, facilities, and field locations to test hardware, train astronauts, and evaluate concepts of operations. NASA’s Science Mission Directorate (SMD) and Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate (ESDMD) established a comprehensive Science Team structure to support the Artemis program. This structure includes 1) an Artemis Internal Science Team (AIST), 2) a Geology Team (GT) with additional Participating Scientists (PS) roles, and 3) Payload Teams (PT) for the inclusion of scientific instruments. The GT, PS and PT will be competitively selected for each mission as part of NASA’s Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) solicitations. The AIST provides multi-mission continuity and has been working closely with Artemis program elements to best integrate science into all aspects of planning and development. This abstract serves to provide an AIST update on science relevant hardware developments and integrated testing efforts that occurred in 2022.

Trevor George Graff↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

NASA EOSDIS 20 Years of Data Usage and User Assessment in Support of Open Science Initiative

NASA EOS Data and Information System (EOSDIS) has been distributing data to world-wide users free with open access. Since the launch of NASA’s Terra satellite in 1999, more than 10,000 distinct EOS data products have been archived and distributed by NASA-funded Earth Science data centers encompassed by the EOSDIS. As of September 30, 2022, more than 90 PB of data archived by EOSDIS have been made available to public users and during FY 2023 over 60 PB have been distributed to public users worldwide. Over these twenty and more years, it has shown significant increase in the distribution of various data products. This has been possible due to free and open access of the data thereby a step towards open science initiative. The purposes of this study are 1) to perform a comprehensive investigation of the archive and distribution patterns of EOSDIS data products for last 20 years, 2) to identify and characterize the global user community for those data, 3) analyze the increased demand for data products, 4) evaluate distribution of higher level products because those are the ones most frequently used in the studies of natural disasters by public users (those data requestors not involved directly in the production or validation of the data products.) and contribute globally to the advance scientific understanding of the Earth-Atmosphere Systems. Funded by the Earth Science Data and Information System (ESDIS) Project, the ESDIS Metrics System (EMS) collects archive, distribution, and user information from EOSDIS data centers. The information (comprising all data products including heritage datasets going back to the 1990s) is stored in a relational database from which it can be analyzed in many ways. We present several metrics analyses that include data distribution patterns for all, as well as the most frequently requested data products; and user characterizations by country, domain, and Earth Science discipline (e.g., Land, Ocean, Cryosphere) of the requested products. Due to the enormous quantity of data handled by EOSDIS data centers and requirements of future data systems to archive increasing amounts of Earth Science data from future and current Earth Science missions effectively, the results of this study can provide insight on how the user communities have accessed the data and provide guidance for open science initiative.

Lalit Wanchoo↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Visualizing Geospatial Data through ESRI Story Maps for Earth Science Education: Lessons Learned from My NASA Data

For 20 years My NASA Data (MND) has curated NASA Earth science data and provided the data to educators in engaging learner-centered resources. MND has recently featured story maps as an innovative way to engage students in NASA Earth data. A story map is a cloud-based lesson that engages the learner in interactive geospatial maps using NASA data, and other multimedia content, text, and tasks that can be seamlessly incorporated in classroom instruction. This immersive technology eliminates the need for the user to move among tricky interfaces to access and visualize Earth science data, and no special software is required to be downloaded. Each story map integrates data from different NASA satellite missions, retrieved from Distributed Active Archive Centers (DAACs). Story maps also employ data analysis tools, such as time series options and swipe tools that allow learners to view and analyze relationships between scientific variables. MND has produced 25 story map lesson plans on the topics of air quality, the urban heat island effect, Earth’s energy budget, phytoplankton distribution, hurricane formation, solar eclipses, ocean circulation patterns, sea ice extent, and volcanic eruptions. Nine of them are extended story maps and written in the 5E format, which is internationally recognized as best practice based on how children learn science. Each story map resource is developed by the MND team featuring a GIS programming specialist, a lead scientist, and educational specialist/s to ensure the context, content, and methods are scientifically and educationally sound. The MND story maps are written for middle and high school science teachers and students as they connect with the Earth Systems Science phenomena featured in the Next Generation Science Standards. Each story map includes supporting resources for smooth integration in the classroom. During Fiscal Year 2023, The My NASA Data website received over 100,000 story map engagements during. These metrics highlight the interest in story maps as an Earth Science educational resource.

Desiray Wilson↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Increasing Discovery and Usability of Earth Science Satellite Data with My NASA Data

For 20 years, the My NASA Data project at NASA Langley Research Center has developed innovative approaches to increase the use of NASA’s satellite data by learners. My NASA Data offers a variety of authentic Earth Science datasets and a data visualization tool, eliminating the need for educators and/or learners to obtain specialized knowledge of GIS data formats and software to access and use authentic Earth Science data. While there is no shortage of available data, as federal government agencies such as NASA house petabytes of freely accessible Earth Science datasets, much of the data are only available for download and visualization in specialized formats and software, limiting their accessibility to educators and learners, especially those in primary and secondary school. Using the Google Earth Engine platform, the My NASA Data team has recently reinvented their data visualization tool, called the Earth System Data Explorer (ESDE). The ESDE gives users the capability to explore over 60 Earth Science satellite datasets in a multitude of formats such as maps, graphs, and data table Its new and improved user interface design was developed based on the preferences of educators, whom the My NASA Data project has over 20 years’ experience working with. Earth Science and GIS Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) structured the data in a professional and scientific manner. During Fiscal Year 2023, the My NASA Data website received over 1 million digital engagements, with over one-third being visitors to the data visualization tool. These metrics highlight the interest in a visualization tool that is simple and free to use with reliable and trusted datasets. The ESDE empowers users to readily relate and analyze NASA Earth Science data within their area of interest. The team used a user-centered design (UCD) framework to receive and incorporate feedback into the application’s design. Core requested features include the ability to create time series graphs, comparative analysis of maps, and download the data as CSV file. Responses indicate that advances in data visualization tools such as the ESDE make authentic Earth Science data more accessible. This presentation will cover how the My NASA Data project develops tools to enhance data discovery and accessibility, as well as how SME and user suggestions are incorporated.

Desiray Wilson↗
DOE OSTI2024

The 2024 “Hacking Limnology” Workshop Series and Virtual Summit: Increasing Inclusion, Participation, and Representation in the Aquatic Sciences

The 4th Aquatic Ecosystem MOdeling Network—Junior (AEMON-J) Hacking Limnology Workshop and 5th Virtual Summit: Incorporating Data Science and Open Science in the Aquatic Sciences (DSOS) convened 15–19 July 2024. During the week, these joint communities engaged in activities at the intersection of big data, open science, modeling, remote sensing, and the aquatic sciences. The weeklong event, with over 100 aquatic science practitioners and enthusiasts, followed a similar structure to previous years, comprising three days of workshops followed by two days of the virtual summit.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2025

2020 Budget Request for the DOE Computational Science Graduate Fellowship (CSGF) Grant

The Department of Energy Computational Science Graduate Fellowship (DOE CSGF) is essential for addressing the increasingly complex national workforce demands stemming from the growth of computational science and engineering challenges. Computational science and engineering (CSE) takes a multidisciplinary approach that utilizes scientific computing to tackle practical problems and provide technical tools across the spectrum of scientific discovery. The DOE CSGF specifically highlights high-performance computing (HPC) as a critical enabling technology in CSE, driving advancements in science and engineering that are vital to both the DOE and the broader economy. Over the past half-century, HPC has been an essential tool for DOE’s success. During this period, important missions, such as nuclear stockpile stewardship, have turned to HPC as an essential technology. Entire science disciplines have been transformed through the augmentation of scientific observation via HPC. At government laboratories, academic institutions, and in industry, DOE CSGF alumni are helping push traditional HPC boundaries while contributing to discoveries in high-energy physics, quantum information systems, fusion-reactor design, machine learning, additive manufacturing, nano materials for next-generation batteries and transistors, and advanced nuclear reactor modeling. In addition, HPC is used to address national health needs that will eventually point to cures both by helping cancer researchers manage and analyze huge troves of data, by simulating biological mechanisms, and by accelerating drug development. A 2023 report from the ASCAC Subcommittee on American Competitiveness and Innovation to the ASCR office, “Can the United States Maintain Its Leadership in High-Performance Computing?” says of the Program, “The CSGF program provides a barometer for disciplines that will be of interest to future DOE computing. Computational biology, machine learning, and quantum computing are among the subjects that began to swell in the ranks of CSGF applicants before the labs were hiring as high a percentage of employees in these categories.” The explosion of scientific and technological data has heightened the demand for advanced high-performance computing (HPC) to transform these data into meaningful scientific insights. As access to vast amounts of data increases, the fields of Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence are experiencing a resurgence, enhancing the established practices of computational modeling and simulation. In its September 2020 subcommittee report on "AI/ML, Data Intensive Science, and High-Performance Computing," the DOE Advanced Scientific Computing Advisory Committee (ASCAC) specifically called for a fellowship program to train computational and data scientists to address exascale and data-intensive computing challenges. This integration of empirical and theoretical modeling will increasingly guide federal policymakers in making decisions that impact American society and future generations. It demands a workforce of highly skilled and intellectually agile computational scientists capable of navigating the rapid advancements in scientific computing within the DOE National Laboratory research environment. The DOE CSGF program has consistently addressed this critical need.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗