Science
NASA streamlines science mission selection, shortening timelines by up to 45 percent
NASA News reports a new Competition Model 2.0 judges science first, with a town hall set for October 26.
The short version
- NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman directed the Science Mission Directorate to speed up science delivery and cut the time spent on long competitions.[NASA News]
- Under Competition Model 2.0, proposals are judged on science first, with detailed engineering, cost, and implementation plans deferred until needed.[NASA News]
- Selection timelines are projected to fall to about 19.5 months for Astro-Probes, New Frontiers, and Discovery, and to about 19 months for smaller missions.[NASA News]
- NASA will hold a virtual Science Town Hall on October 26 to explain the changes and answer questions.[NASA News]
Key facts
- NASA's Competition Model 2.0 prioritizes scientific merit before detailed engineering, cost, and implementation plans are required.[NASA News]
- Administrator Jared Isaacman directed the Science Mission Directorate to accelerate science delivery and reduce time and resources spent on long competitions.[NASA News]
- For Astro-Probes, New Frontiers, and Discovery missions, Step 1 requires a science case, a science implementation plan, and a proof-of-concept mission design.[NASA News]
- For Astro-Probes, New Frontiers, and Discovery missions, the time from Announcement of Opportunity to Step 2 selection is projected to fall from 35 months to about 19.5 months.[NASA News]
- For SMEX, Missions of Opportunity, Earth Venture, Hosted Payloads, and Ride Shares, time to final selection is projected to drop from about 32 months to about 19 months.[NASA News]
- NASA will host a virtual Science Town Hall from NASA Headquarters on Monday, October 26, to explain Competition Model 2.0 and answer questions.[NASA News]
What remains uncertain
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.