NASA Wants You To Nominate The Advisors It Ignores
Annual Invitation for Public Nominations by U.S. Citizens for Service on NASA Federal Advisory Committees
“NASA announces its annual invitation for public nominations for service on NASA Federal advisory committees. U.S. citizens may nominate individuals and also submit self- nominations for consideration as potential members of NASA’s Federal advisory committees. NASA’s Federal advisory committees have member vacancies from time to time throughout the year, and NASA will consider nominations and self-nominations to fill such intermittent vacancies. NASA is committed to selecting members to serve on its Federal advisory committees based on their individual expertise, knowledge, experience, and current/past contributions to the relevant subject area.”
Keith’s note: Having sat through more NAC meetings and subcommittee meetings than I can count over the past 25 years, I have to say that while there is some useful discussion, most of what is presented is rewarmed content that has been heard or discussed elsewhere. Once in a while someone climbs on a soapbox and rants (sometimes about something important) but the issue fades as soon as they are on the plane headed home. Charlie Bolden listens (I guess) to what the committee members have to say and then ignores 99% of what is said. Its mostly a slow-motion Kabuki theater: NASA people moving in the shadows – but little real substance up front.
Further, by the time anything ends up in a formal letter or report most of the teeth have been removed. Only the National Academy of Sciences does a better job at watering down real issues than the NAC. That said, it is good to have people on these committees who will sometimes try and do the right thing. These committees are only as good as the people who serve on them – so please nominate some good people – so they can try.