Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board & Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences 
Decadal Survey of Civil Aeronautics [PDF ebook] 
Foundation for the Future

The U.S. air transportation system is very important for our economic well-being andnational security. The nation is also the global leader in civil and military aeronautics, a position that needs to be maintained to help assure a strong future for the domestic and international air transportation system. Strong action is needed, however, to ensure that leadership role continues. To that end, the Congress and NASA requested the NRC to undertake a decadal survey of civil aeronautics research and technology (R&T) priorities that would help NASA fulfill its responsibility to preserve U.S. leadership in aeronauticstechnology. This report presents a set of strategic objectives for the next decade of R&T. It provides a set of high-priority R&T challenges-characterized by five commonthemes-for both NASA and non-NASA researchers, and an analysis of key barriers that must be overcome to reach the strategic objectives. The report also notes the importance of synergies between civil aeronautics R&T objectives and those of national security.