A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR STScI

A. STScI MISSION STATEMENT

“Our mission is to enable excellence in astronomical research by optimizing the science from state-of-the-art observational instruments in space.”

B. CUSTOMER

“Our customer is NASA as influenced by the astronomical community and the public.”

C. GOALS

I. Business base (retention, enhancement, or acquisition of missions that support substantial fractions of the Institute’s workforce.)

  1. Maintain HST as the world’s leading observatory at least until JWST operations begin

    1. Advocate for Hubble servicing as supported by NASA and the NRC (Lanzerotti report)

    2. Enhance the scientific impact of HST by extending its operational lifetime

    3. Create AURA proposal for next HST contract

  1. Ensure that JWST meets its science goals

    1. Develop JWST operations systems that ensure productive use of the observatory for its science goals

    2. Build public support for JWST through coordinated approaches to the community, NASA, & the public

  1. Compete to be the S&OC for the next major UVOIR mission(s)

    1. Work with NASA on TPF-C mission definition

    2. Create proposal team and support to bid for the TPF-C S&OC

    3. Work with NASA and the community on definition of other large UVOIR missions

  1. Make OPO a national center for education and outreach in astronomy

    1. Keep HST at the forefront of astronomy in the public mind

    2. Expand the cross-section of the American public that we reach

    3. Provide resources and tools across multiple NASA missions to support teaching of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics

II. Competitiveness (ways we carry out our work or acquisition of special work that improves the likelihood of enhancing our business base):

  1. Decrease costs at STScI while preserving the scientific and technical excellence that gives us a competitive advantage for mission support.

    1. Improve STScI processes to comply with all major mission performance, cost, & schedule requirements

    2. Use full cost evaluations of our work to guide strategic choices of the systems and services we will support and the evolution of those systems and services

    3. Coordinate HST and JWST best practices and investments to optimize work across both missions

  1. Support community-led astronomy programs that enhance our core competencies & contributions

    1. Make STScI a leader of the NVO operational facility

    2. Reduce costs for small mission support by leveraging our expertise and infrastructure

    3. Seek partnerships on community projects that focus on key scientific and technological areas relevant to large astronomy programs