About the HEASARC: HEASARC Overview: Relevance to the NASA's Strategic Plan > The Organization of HEASARC Activities

Relevance to the NASA's Strategic Plan

The HEASARC is one of the lead data centers supporting missions and activities within the Science Mission Directorate. Scientists have used the HEASARC to address at least four of the fundamental questions in the NASA strategic plan namely:
  • How did the Big Bang unfold?
  • What happens at the edge of a black hole?
  • What is causing the expansion and acceleration of the universe?
  • How were stars and galaxies created?
The more detailed science goals given in the strategic plan are also addressed by the HEASARC data holdings, namely:
  1. Understand how structure in our Universe (e.g., clusters of galaxies) emerged from the Big Bang;
  2. Test physical theories and reveal new phenomena throughout the Universe, especially through the investigation of extreme environments;
  3. Understand how both dark and luminous matter determine the geometry and fate of the Universe;
  4. Understand the dynamical and chemical evolution of galaxies and stars and the exchange of matter and energy among stars and the interstellar medium.
The HEASARC technology activities also have addressed the technology goal to "Lower mission life-cycle costs and provide critical new capabilities through aggressive technology development." This has been achieved by standardizing formats and reusing software, promoting interoperability and the development of revolutionary new tools such as Skyview.


Last modified: Wednesday, 13-Oct-2010 14:21:45 EDT