Science Advisory Committees

Four new Science Advisory Committees, formerly subcommittees of the NASA Advisory Council Science Committee (NAC SC), were constituted under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) and will advise divisions of the NASA Science Mission Directorate (SMD). The Committees operate under charters approved by the NASA Administrator. The Committees are managed under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) that provides for openness and public accountability. This includes public meetings and public access to Committee records.

The Science Advisory Committees represent diverse perspectives within each of the science disciplines: Astrophysics, Earth Science, Heliophysics, and Planetary Science. These subcommittees provide recommendations and advice to the SMD Division Directors.

Each Committee consists of between 12 and 20 members. The Chairs of these committees also serve as members of the NAC SC. The Committees are listed below.

Community engagement in technical analyses such as mission architectures prior to conceptual design are often performed by Analysis Groups, whose Chairs may sit as members of the Advisory Committees.

  • Astrophysics Program Analysis Groups
  • Earth Science Advisory Groups
  • Planetary Science Analysis Groups

For more information on FACA:

Annual call for public nominations:

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