North Dakota NASA EPSCoR has recently begun defining Research Focus Areas (RFAs) to provide more structure to programmatic activities and to attempt to build the critical resources necessary to foster and expand NASA-relevant research in North Dakota. RFAs are identified when one or more university faculty are successful at obtaining significant NASA funding for a particular research program on a multi-year timescale that also offers the potential for significant expansion in the future. UND and NDSU faculty are encouraged to participate in existing RFAs or to suggest new RFAs that demonstrably show the potential for expansion in the state.

Currently, two RFAs have been defined. They include:

1. Astronomical/planetary science research. This RFA was formed because two UND faculty have been awarded ~$750,000 since 2004 to study near-Earth and main-belt asteroids via near-infrared spectroscopic techniques. These faculty have developed a program that studies the mineralogy and surface compositions of asteroids, which addresses such fundamental questions as the thermal histories experienced by the asteroids in the early solar system, their potential association with different meteorite types, determining object albedos, and inferring the geological history and structure of the asteroids – the latter which is particularly important for Near-Earth Asteroids and mitigation techniques if one ever has the potential to collide with Earth.
   
   In addition, UND is improving its astronomical infrastructure capabilities through renovations and expansion of the UND Observatory . The observatory is a part of the Space Grant Internet Telescope Network and includes two optical and one radio telescope - all remotely operable via the Internet. Plans also call for the construction of a 3rd optical telescope in 2008.
   
   Via the combination of a robust planetary science research program and improved astronomical infrastructure, the potential exists to give both faculty and students greater research opportunities that will attract additional NASA funding to North Dakota.



2. Planetary space suit research. Since 2005, ND NASA EPSCoR and the North Dakota Space Grant Consortium have been funding nascent planetary space suit research, which is a topic that is very important for NASA and the implementation of the Vision for Space Exploration. This research, led by Pablo de Leon at UND, is working on various innovative suit designs that could lead to suits for use when humans return to the Moon and during the first expeditions to Mars. This research has been developing collaborations with both NASA and industry and holds the potential for significant expansion as this program develops. For more information, visit this link
   
   ND NASA EPSCoR continues to search for up to three additional RFAs that can be established and offer the potential for significant research and technology development in North Dakota. If you have any questions or ideas, please contact Dr. Hardersen at (701) 777-4896 or via email at Hardersen@space.edu .



3. Earth sciences research. North Dakota, through the efforts of the Upper Midwest Aerospace Consortium (UMAC) and the AgCam project, is continuing to develop a research emphasis that will benefit the agricultural and natural resources industries in North Dakota. Remote sensing from orbit is a vital tool that can be used to study the development of crops through the growing season and monitor their health. Researchers applying for grants with emphasis on this RFA should work to develop long-lasting, state-wide efforts that can positively impact agricultural productivity and development in North Dakota.



4. Materials science research. This is a broad RFA that can encompass many different types of materials research. North Dakota State University, for example, has a growing programs in polymers and coatings that is working with the NASA Kennedy Space Center to develop corrosion-resistant coatings that can protecting launch site equipment at the Cape. This is just one example of current materials research in North Dakota. PI's are encouraged to propose projects that can grow and develop direct collaborations with NASA.