Skip to main content

Steps to Facilitate Principal-Investigator-Led Earth Science Missions (2004) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:

2 Background: PI-Led Missions in the Earth Science Enterprise
Pages 11-17

The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.


From page 11...
... ESE established the Earth Explorers Program to address these issues by providing frequent, flexible opportunities for rapid-development flight missions focused on specific Earth science investigations. Earth Explorer missions thus fill a well-defined and focused role in ESE, complementing facility-class missions to achieve ESE's overall scientific objectives.
Read the entire page →
From page 12...
... . Although the following are not always stated as explicit goals, the program appears also to have been designed to: · Provide frequent, predictable opportunities for training new investigators and ensuring the continued broad involvement of the scientific community in the overall development of ESE satellite projects; · Encourage direct involvement of university faculty and students in all aspects of ESE flight mission planning and implementation, and expand the base of academic institutions that have the capability (through experienced faculty)
Read the entire page →
From page 13...
... Although ESSP missions may demonstrate the utility of new measurement types and approaches, the conduct and substantial solution of a specific, well-defined geophysical investigation using 3 to 4 years of on-orbit data is a paramount programmatic requirement. The most recent ESSP AO explicitly requires that the proposed science be considered high priority and clearly beyond the scope of that possible from existing or approved missions in order for the proposed mission to be accepted.4 Successful ESSP proposals are supported over the total mission life cycle from concept formulation and refinement through integration, test, and launch, followed by production and dissemination of validated geophysical data sets.
Read the entire page →
From page 14...
... DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS OF PI-LED MISSIONS Distinctions in scientific focus and mission management differentiate Earth Explorer missions from the larger and longer-duration facility-class missions. Scientific Characteristics Facility-class missions are justified based on the breadth of the science enabled by the data they collect and the contributions of the measurements they make to the generation of multidecadal time series of key quantities.
Read the entire page →
From page 15...
... During the prelaunch phases of the missions, competing and evolving requirements of different scientific users can influence the design of the instruments, data products, and calibration/validation activities in the quest for broad scientific utility. Facility-class missions thus fulfill an ESE commitment to acquire data for many segments of the Earth science community; however, this commitment can result in the degradation of the measurements' utility for specific investigations in exchange for their contributions to a wide range of multidisciplinary studies.
Read the entire page →
From page 16...
... There is, however, no unique definition of a "PI-led management approach." As articulated in presentations to the committee by NASA program and NASA center officials, as well as in the most recent ESSP AO,6 the intention of the PI-led management approach is to vest end-to-end mission responsibility (from original concept, through implementation, to generation and distribution of validated data sets and products derived from remotely sensed measurements) in a single, identified PI, working with a team of his or her choice.7 The PI is accountable to NASA for overall mission success, including maintenance of the scientific/applications integrity and success of the mission.8 To achieve these ends, the PI is formally empowered to manage cost and schedule milestones at every stage of the mission;9 in particular, the PI is responsible for making key science trade-offs, including those required by resource limitations (e.g., funding, mass, power, accommodation)
Read the entire page →
From page 17...
... Finding: The PI-led mission paradigm represents a valuable approach to soliciting and executing missions involving focused science objectives, with demonstrated success in both the Earth and space sciences. PI-led missions provide an important element of the overall ESE observing strategy, complementing other elements such as facility-class missions and data buys.
Read the entire page →

Key Terms

  • explorers program
  • earth science
  • earth explorer
  • space science
  • science missions

  • explorer missions
  • essp missions
  • earth studies
  • mission size
  • jet propulsion

  • space sciences
  • science objectives
  • richard zurek
  • propulsion laboratory
  • science enterprise

  • mission success
  • instrument capabilities
  • nasa funding
  • recent essp
  • enhanced scientific

  • science community
  • data products
  • mission sizes
  • management approach
  • overall scientific

  • scientific program
  • space studies
  • mission management
  • flight missions
  • ese flight


    • This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
    More information on Chapter Skim is available.