Abstract
Perspectives on NASA planetary programs from a mission implementation center
Highlights
The present categorization of missions into SIMPLEx, Discovery, New Frontiers, and Flagship class missions is an efficient use of funds to achieve maximum science return
We offer some suggestions on those categorizations for the Decadal Survey to consider as they consider overall balance in Planetary Science Division (PSD)’s mission lines
If NASA were to articulate programmatic considerations, priorities, and balance before the Announcement of Opportunity (AO), it would be well-received by the mission implementation centers in prioritizing which mission concepts they develop and submit
Summary
The present categorization of missions into SIMPLEx, Discovery, New Frontiers, and Flagship class missions is an efficient use of funds to achieve maximum science return. 1.2 Discovery Discovery mission proposals need to be developed to a level of maturity for the review team and decision makers to have confidence that the proposed science can be accomplished by the proposed implementation Developing these concepts to that point requires time and resources. If NASA were to articulate programmatic considerations, priorities, and balance before the AO, it would be well-received by the mission implementation centers in prioritizing which mission concepts they develop and submit. In order to allow innovative approaches to address the science questions and the incorporation of technology developments between the time of the Decadal Survey and the time of the AO, implementation should be left to the proposing team. In order to maintain overall balance, potential overruns should be detected early and acted upon
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