CENTER FOR SCIENCE AND PUBLIC POLICY

Space Science

The Keystone Center helped design an inclusive public involvement strategy in coordination with NASA Headquarters and the Jet Propulsion Lab staff for Mars missions. The Keystone Center worked on potential areas of high concern such as the use of space nuclear power sources including launch site issues. In 2001, Keystone helped NASA and JPL staff develop their public engagement and risk communication goals.

Projects include:

Thirty Meter Telescope (2007)
The Keystone Center worked with stakeholders to provide an independent assessment of the feasibility of bringing a thirty-meter telescope to Mauna Kea, the premiere astronomy site in the northern hemisphere and a place sacred to native Hawaiians. The Moore Foundation, a significant funder of the telescope, used this report in evaluating future investments in the project.
Contact:	Janesse Brewer

Mars Public Involvement (2000 - 2006)
Keystone, NASA Headquarters, and Jet Propulsion Lab staff designed the public involvement strategy for 10 years of Mars Missions, starting in 2003. Keystone worked on potential areas of high concern such as the use of nuclear fuel sources and launch site issues.
Contact:	Janesse Brewer

NASA Deep Space Network Array (2005)
Keystone facilitated community meeting for the proposed siting of several hundred deep space communications satellites near the Mohave Desert. NASA is interested in replacing its old large ground-based satellite dishes with many smaller ones. The project has implications for land use, endangered species protection, and job growth.
Contact:	Janesse Brewer

Project Prometheus Program (2003 - 2004)
Project Prometheus is a NASA program designed to advance radioisotope-based power systems and develop space nuclear electric power systems that would extend NASA’s exploration capabilities in space. The Keystone Center interviewed more than 40 stakeholders about Project Prometheus from non-governmental organizations (NGOs), state regulators at potential testing sites, and space policy experts. The report outlines thirteen findings based on the aggregated themes from the interviews and advances 6 recommendations. This report has been briefed and endorsed at the highest levels of NASA, to include former Administrator O’Keefe.
Final report:	Project Prometheus Stakeholder Interviews, Findings, & Recommendations
Contact:	Janesse Brewer

Mars Sample Return Program (2000 - 2001)
NASA had plans to bring rock samples back from Mars to study here on earth. Keystone provided input and advice on how to best understand public interests and concerns, and advised NASA on public engagement for the siting of a sample receiving facility. Keystone provided modified advice on a stakeholder approach in the wake of September 11 and the anthrax issue as we predicted different factors would come into play regarding the health and safety concerns of siting a BSL-4 facility in or near communities. Due to changing NASA time frames and priorities, further work was postponed.
Contact:	Janesse Brewer