NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

NASA deputy administrator Lori Garver addresses the NASA Advisory Council. (NASA / Tom Tschida)

The NASA Advisory Council, which advises NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden on major agency programs and policy issues, held their two-day quarterly meeting during the first week of October at the AERO Institute in Palmdale, Calif. Hosted by NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center, the sessions focused on reports from the chairman of the council's various committees and comments from NASA deputy administrator Lori Garver that the agency needs to shift public attention to the future of NASA's aerospace research and scientific exploration in the post-shuttle era:

SOFIA observatory program manager Bob Meyer highlights technical features of the German-built infrared telescope mounted inside the SOFIA 747SP to members of the NASA Advisory Council during their tour of the Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility. “We have to be able to communicate better with the public about what they feel is of value that we do, and then of course, communication is two-way, having them understand more what it is that are doing,” Garver said. "The president’s budget was all about leading human space flight into the future, having a more robust and strong program that can last for decades and centuries."

The day prior to their quarterly meeting, the council was briefed on the SOFIA observatory, the Global Hawk science aircraft and other major research and development efforts under way during a tour of NASA Dryden facilities in Palmdale and at Edwards Air Force Base.

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