The study committee will examine the nation's technology needs for the post-2000 time frame and identify areas where early R&D could result in the creation of an enabling technology "pipeline" that could be tapped for future activities. Emphasis will be placed on identifying high-risk, high-payoff technologies that initially can be pursued within a constrained budget environment. Technologies to be considered will apply to NASA missions and to other civil and commercial uses of space. Specifically, the committee will:

1. Characterize the space missions likely to be conducted in the post-2000 time frame in order to understand possible technology needs.
2. Assess which technologies have the greatest potential for improving the capabilities and reducing the cost of NASA, other government, or commercial space programs in the 2000-2020 time frame.
3. Determine which of these new technologies could benefit greatly from NASA long-lead time research and development and which are already being developed, or are likely to be developed, by the commercial space industry or by other government agencies.
4. Suggest how NASA can be more effective in working with industry and universities to develop these technologies.