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Rebuilding Begins

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NASA and the Politics of Climate Research

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Abstract

This chapter covers the period 2006–2009. Michael Freilich took over Earth Science. An oceanographer, he regarded Wilson as a mentor. He used the Decadal Survey (2007–2017) as a guide to planning and strategy for insulating his program from disruptive climate politics. He began incrementally to rebuild the Earth Science division, pointing to the sea-level program as a priority. Promoting new satellites, he made sure there was continuity in polar ice observation through an ICESAT-2 and an aircraft program, ICEBridge, between ICESAT-1 and this follow-on.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Berrien Moore, interview by author, Apr. 14, 2022.

  2. 2.

    “Michael Freilich (1954–2020) Former Director, NASA Earth Science Division,” Profile, Retrieved from https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/people/432/michael-freilich-1964-2020

  3. 3.

    Sandra Cauffman, interview by author, Jan. 20, 2022.

  4. 4.

    Michael Freilich, interview by author, Feb. 18, 2020.

  5. 5.

    Earth Science and Applications from Space: National Imperatives for the Next Decade and Beyond Final Report, (Washington, DC: National Academies Press, 2001). Retrieved from https://www.nap.edu/read/11820

  6. 6.

    Berrien Moore, Oral History, EOS Collection, NASA.

  7. 7.

    “Cutbacks Impede Climate Studies: U.S. Earth Programs in Peril, Panel Finds,” Washington Post, (January 16, 2007). Retrieved from https://tinyurl.com/9pr3b8b3

  8. 8.

    “Martian Logic: Earth Science Pays the Price for Starry-Eyed Ambitions,” Washington Post, (January 18, 2007). Retrieved from https://tinyurl.com/5fhz3vm5

  9. 9.

    “Michael Griffin Address, 2007 Goddard Space Symposium,” Mar. 20, 2007. Retrieved from https://www.nasa.gov/pdf/171973main_mg_Goddard_20070316.pdf

  10. 10.

    “Berrien Moore and Richard Anthes, Op-Ed,” Space News, (May 29, 2007). Retrieved from https://spacenews.com/oped-fundamental-misunderstandings/

  11. 11.

    David Kestenbaum, “NASA Chief Assailed for Climate Comments,” NPR (June 1, 2007).

  12. 12.

    Clayton Sandell and Bill Blakemore, “Scientists Surprised by NASA Chief’s comments,” ABCNews, (Nov 2, 2007).

  13. 13.

    Alicia Chang, “NASA Chief Regrets Remarks on Global Warming,” NBCNews, (June 5, 2007). Retrieved from https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna19058588

  14. 14.

    Art Charo, interview by author, Oct. 23, 2019.

  15. 15.

    Michael Freilich, interview by author, Feb. 18, 2020.

  16. 16.

    Ibid.

  17. 17.

    Ibid.

  18. 18.

    Sandra Cauffman, interview by author, Nov. 20, 2022.

  19. 19.

    Michael Freilich Testimony, “Hearing before the Subcommittee on Space, Aeronautics, and Related Sciences of the Com. On Commerce, Science, and Transportation,” U.S. Senate, (March 7, 2007), 169. Retrieved from https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CHRG-110shrg78568/html/CHRG-110shrg78568.htm

  20. 20.

    Walleed Abdalati, interview by author, Feb. 22, 2022.

  21. 21.

    “Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations for 2009.” GovInfo | U.S. Government Publishing Office, (2008). Retrieved from https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CHRG-110hhrg42708/html/CHRG-110hhrg42708.htm

  22. 22.

    NASA, OSTM/Jason-2 Science Writer’s Guide, NASA History Files.

  23. 23.

    Michael Freilich, interview by author, Feb. 18, 2020.

  24. 24.

    Peter B. de Selding, “France Ties Its ESA Funding to Support for Jason-3 Program,” Space News, (Sept. 22, 2008), 1, 4.

  25. 25.

    Conrad Lautenbacher, “The Beginning of Jason,” in History of Meteorology, Atmosphere, and Ocean Science from Space in France and Europe by its Actors Ed. Fellous, Jean-Lewis., (Paris, France: Institut Francais d’Histoire de l’Espace, forthcoming).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Maxwell School, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, USA

    W. Henry Lambright

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Lambright, W.H. (2023). Rebuilding Begins. In: NASA and the Politics of Climate Research. Palgrave Studies in the History of Science and Technology. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-40363-7_8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-40363-7_8

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  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-031-40362-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-031-40363-7

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