After the completion of the National Research Council (NRC) report, Maintaining U.S. Leadership in Aeronautics: Scenario-Based Strategic Planning for NASA's Aeronautics Enterprise (1997), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Office of Aeronautics and Space Transportation Technology requested that the NRC remain involved in its strategic planning process by conducting a study to identify a short list of revolutionary or breakthrough technologies that could be critical to the 20 to 25 year future of aeronautics and space transportation. These technologies were to address the areas of need and opportunity identified in the above mentioned NRC report, which have been characterized by NASA's 10 goals (see Box ES-1) in "Aeronautics & Space Transportation Technology: Three Pillars for Success" (NASA, 1997). The present study would also examine the 10 goals to determine if they are likely to be achievable, either through evolutionary steps in technology or through the identification and application of breakthrough ideas, concepts, and technologies.

Communications systems have always been a critical element in aviation. Until recently, nearly all communications between the ground and aircraft have been based on analog voice technology. But the future of global aviation requires a more sophisticated "information infrastructure" which not only provides more and better communications, but integrates the key information functions (communications, navigation, and surveillance) into a modern, network-based infrastructure. Satellite communications will play an increasing role in providing information infrastructure solutions for aviation. Developing and adapting satellite communications technologies for aviation use is now receiving increased attention as the urgency to develop information infrastructure solutions grows. The NASA Glenn Research Center is actively involved in research and development activities for aeronautical satellite communications, with a key emphasis on air traffic management communications needs. This paper describes the recent results and status of NASA Glenn's research program. Kerczewski, Robert J. Glenn Research Center NASA/TM-2001-211150, E-13003, NAS 1.15:211150

First published in 1997, this volume responds to the increase in air traffic, as there has been a great deal of work by the nations of the world, under the auspices of ICAO, toward developing the concept for a future air navigation infrastructure to serve worldwide civil aviation efficiency. Even though the concept is well described and implementation is beginning, only technical manuals are available to advance the systems concept. This book describes the global vision for the Future Air Navigation System (FANS) and is the first text of its kind dedicated solely to Communications Navigation, Surveillance/Air Traffic Management and the CNS/ATM systems concept. In addition to the technical issues associated with CNS/ATM, the book also examines institutional, economic, labour and Human Factors issues. It is designed as a text usable in the classroom environment in universities and aviation technical schools.