NASA and the Politics of Climate Research: Satellites and Rising Seas (Palgrave Studies in the History of Science and Technology)

Preface
Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction
	The Sea-Level Threat
	Satellite Observation
	Bureaucratic Entrepreneurship
	The Narrative Ahead
Chapter 2: The Coming of Seasat
	The Apollo Illusion
	Initiating
	Thinking About the Oceans
	Fletcher’s Vision
	Ozone Depletion
	Stepping Stones to Seasat
	Enlisting Carl Wunsch: A Scientific Gatekeeper
	Seasat’s Problems
	Seasat Fails
Chapter 3: Adopting TOPEX/Poseidon
	W. Stanley Wilson
	Connecting with Scientists
	Going Abroad
	Formulating a Program
	Selling Science
	Getting a Recommitment
	Finding a Partner
	The Vienna Debacle
	An End-Run to a Beggs Decision
	Oceanographic Resistance
	Seeking Help
	Wunsch’s Legerdemain
	Getting a “New Start”
Chapter 4: Breakthrough for Sea-Level Rise
	Developing Technology and Partnership
	Post-Challenger: EOS Rises
	A Sense of Momentum
	Bush’s Priorities
	EOS vs. “the Ocean from Space”
	EOS Under Fire
	Wilson Departs
	Close Calls
	The Launch
	A Triumph and Surprise
	Continuity a Must
Chapter 5: Remaking a Mission
	Fisk and Tilford Go
	Kennel and Townsend
	Sea-Level Findings
	Reshaping Earth Science
	The Politics of Climate Change
	Consolidation
	Extending TOPEX/Poseidon
	GRACE
	Lindstrom
	Defending NASA
	From Townsend to Asrar
Chapter 6: High Hopes
	Relinquishing EOS Follow-Ons
	NPOESS
	Enlisting EUMETSAT
	Moving Toward the Poles
Chapter 7: “At Risk of Collapse”
	Initially: Good News
	Innovating Jason-2
	Synergy for Sea-Level Rise
	James Hansen and Asrar
	Earth Scientists Complain
	Partnering Problems
	Michael Griffin as Administrator
	Decadal Survey Interim Report
	TOPEX/Poseidon Ends
	Hansen Controversy Climaxes
	Adopting Jason-2
	The NPOESS Crisis
	Reactions
	Where Next?
Chapter 8: Rebuilding Begins
	Instilling Confidence
	Using the Decadal Survey
	The NRC Decadal Survey
	Reactions
	Research Strategy
	Congress
	Prioritizing ICESAT-2
	Jason-2 Launches
	Decision-Making for Jason-3
Chapter 9: Gaining Momentum
	Polar Melting
	NOAA’s Role
	Obama’s Policy Change
	Garver vs. Freilich
	A “Climate-Centric” Agenda
	Reality Check
	Looking for Partners
	IPCC
	Nelson Hearings
	Establishing a Sea-Level Change Team
	SWOT
Chapter 10: Taking “The Lead”
	NOAA’s Dilemma
	Fighting
	The Zwally Dispute
	Freilich Bends and Accepts “The Lead”
	Trump as Catalyst
Chapter 11: Mounting Defense
	Reassuring Scientists
	NASA Leadership
	The First Trump Budget
	Strengthening NASA’s Defense
	The Decadal Survey
	The Sea-Level Change Team
	Bridenstine Takes Command
	Launching
	Freilich Decides to Leave
	Jason-3
	The Rhythm of Innovation
	An Administrator’s Legacy
Chapter 12: Advancing
	Unshackling NASA
	The Earth System Observatory
	The Era Ahead
	An Expanded Partnership
Chapter 13: Conclusion
	Policy Innovation
	A Unifying Goal
	A Supportive Constituency
	Administrative Leadership
	The Initiator: Stanley Wilson, 1979–1992
	The Remaker: Charles Kennel, 1994–1996
	The Consolidator: William Townsend, 1996–1998
	The Embattled Maintainer: Ghassem Asrar, 1998–2006
	The Rebuilder and Institutionalizer: Michael Freilich, 2006–2019
	Toward the Future
Index