The following NASA Research Announcement has been distributed
by mail (1/26/95) to a standard NASA distribution list. The
NRA can be obtained by contacting the NASA officials listed
below. At some point soon, you should be able to download
the entire NRA from either:
http://www.hq.nasa.gov/
or from the NASA/OLMSA Life and Biomedical Science and
Applications (LBSAD) BSAD Gopher:
gopher://lifegopher.hq.nasa.gov/
NOTE: An update for more specific details regarding download
sites will be posted, if necessary.
++++++++++++++
Excerpt from:
NASA OMB Approval No. 2700-0042
NRA 95 OLMSA-02
NASA Research Announcement Soliciting Proposals for Plant
Research Utilizing U.S. Space Shuttle Middeck and Russian
Space Station Mir
Life and Biomedical Sciences and Applications Division
Office of Life and Microgravity Sciences and Applications
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Date NRA Issued: January 26, 1995
Letters of Intent Due: February 24, 1995
Proposals Due: April 12, 1995
The Life and Biomedical Sciences and Applications Division of
the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
seeks proposals for research that supports three areas of
emphasis in the Plant Space Biology Program: 1) the
understanding of the role of gravity in the growth,
development, structure, and function of plants; 2) the
acquisition of scientific information to develop the
technical base required for the construction and the use of a
bioregenerative life support system to support crews in
extraterrestrial environments; and 3) the utilization of
gravity and microgravity to acquire knowledge for benefits on
earth. Space flight investigations conducted to date have
shown that gravity affects the structure and function of
plants at all levels (organismal, cellular, subcellular, and
molecular). How the processes are controlled, and the role
gravity plays in them, remain largely unknown. Although
plant biology research concentrate upon achieving a
fundamental scientific understanding of the effects of
gravity upon plants, it is apparent that the knowledge gained
will have practical application for environmental management,
for enhanced production of food, medicine, clothing, and
forest products on earth, and for the development of life
support systems for space exploration. Proposals may
emphasize molecular, genetic, biochemical, physiological, and
cellular analyses that aim to explain mechanisms underlying
the effects of gravity and biochemical controls in plants.
Other proposals may emphasize more applied research aimed at
determining plant behavior under microgravity conditions and
how plants may play a part in bioregenerative systems.
Proposed research may involve the use of small land plants
and/or their cells, protoplasts, tissues, organs and seeds.
This NASA Research announcement (NRA) provides an opportunity
to conduct investigations on plants as a small payload flight
experiment in he U.S. Space Shuttle middeck, or as a flight
experiment on the Russian Space Station Mir. Experiments can
either be developed as "stand alone" flight experiments
without ground research (but based upon a firm ground
research foundation) or in combination with appropriate
ground research. Flight opportunities as a small payload
flown on the U.S. Space Shuttle middeck in the Plant Growth
Unit (PGU), the Plant Growth Facility (PGF), or in a passive
container called the Biological Research Canisters (BRIC).
Plants flown on the Mir will be maintained in the recently
upgraded Russian growth unit, Svet. Proposals to this NRA
are for flight opportunities available from 1995-1997.
Participation in small payloads and Mir research for the
Space Plant Biology program is open to all individuals and
all categories of domestic and foreign organizations,
industry, educational institutions, other nonprofit
organizations, NASA laboratories, and other U.S. Governmental
agencies. Proposals which will enhance or complement the
scientific return from research currently being supported by
the National Science Foundation or other Government agencies
are encouraged.
A letter of Intent to Propose is requested by February 24,
1995. Proposals may be submitted at any time up to April 12,
1995. Proposals will be evaluated for scientific/technical
value, programmatic relevance, implementation feasibility,
the ability of the experiment to meet hardware and safety
requirements, and the availability of funds. Selection for
flight definition (proposals selected for scientific merit,
programmatic relevance and feasibility) will be made between
May and July 1995. The funding schedule for each selected
experiment will be dependent on its particular flight
assignment.
Submit proposal to:
Dr. Tom Scott
Life and Biomedical Sciences and Applications Division
Code ULR
NASA Headquarters
Washington, DC 20564-0001
Copies required: Twenty (20)
NASA Selecting official:
Dr. Joan Vernikos
Director, Life and Biomedical Sciences and Applications
Division/ Code ULR
NASA Headquarters
Washington, DC 20564-0001
Proposals due: April 12, 1995
Letters of Intent Due: February 24, 1995
Foreign proposals: details within NRA
Obtain additional information about science objectives from:
Dr. Tom Scott
Life and Biomedical Sciences and Applications Division
Code ULR
NASA Headquarters
Washington, DC 20546-0001
Telephone: (202)-358-2359
Fax: (202)-358-4168
E-mail: tscott at gm.olmsa.hq.nasa.gov
Obtain additional information about flight hardware and
characteristics from:
Ms. Mayra Montrose
Life and Biomedical Sciences and Applications Division
Code ULF
NASA Headquarters
Washington, DC 20546-0001
Telephone: (202)-358-2147
Fax: (202)-358-4168
