Extending Science NASA's Space Science Mission Extensions and the Senior Review Process (2016) / Chapter Skim
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In response, the Academies created the Committee on NASA Science Mission Extensions, which met in person and via conference call several times starting in December 2015. The committee was asked to evaluate the following: • The scientific benefits of mission extensions, • The current process for extending missions, • The current biennial requirement for mission extensions, • The balance between starting new missions and extending operating missions, and • Potential innovative cost-reduction proposals for extended missions.1 NASA currently operates approximately 60 space science missions, of which approximately 45 have finished their prime mission phase and have entered their extended phase.2 Extended missions provide a substantial return 1 Thefull statement of task is included in Appendix A
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undertakes a Senior Review process for astrophysics and planetary science missions in even-numbered years and Earth science and heliophysics missions in odd-numbered years. For spacecraft missions that continue to operate beyond their prime phase, the Senior Review is a valuable peer review process for recommending future support based on assessments of the scientific accomplishments Extended Missions, 45 Prime Missions, 15 FIGURE S.1 Number of prime versus extended missions in the NASA Science Mission Directorate fiscal year 2016 budget.
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For example, NASA Earth Science Division missions and some Heliophysics Division missions have potential or realized non-research utility -- meaning that they can be used to support other NASA or national needs. So in addition to the primary criterion of continued scientific productivity, evaluating the applied and operational use of NASA Earth science missions is a secondary factor in Earth Science Senior Review evaluation and extension decisions.
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Overall, the committee was impressed with the way NASA SMD conducts its mission-extension review process and how much the four SMD divisions communicate amongst themselves regarding the reviews. With respect to the membership of the Senior Review panels, the committee concluded that there are several criteria that SMD can implement and standardize across the divisions.
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With the expectation that most missions will be eligible for extension, investment in the development of standard procedures and templates during the prime phase can be a highly effective way to control long-term operations costs and limit the risks introduced by implementing new procedures specifically developed for extended operations. Some NASA divisions permit missions entering into or already in extended phase to accept increased risk, which is an inevitable consequence for aging spacecraft and science instruments and at least for some divisions, an acceptable option in the context of reduced budgets.
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(Chapter 3) Recommendation: NASA's Science Mission Directorate division directors should continue to commu nicate among themselves to identify and incorporate best practices across the divisions into the Senior Review proposal requirements and review processes and procedures.
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Missions that have already been paid for and successfully launched can continue to provide very high return at a modest incremental cost. Although the committee has recommended a number of refinements, including a 3-year cadence for Senior Reviews, there is a strong consensus that NASA's approach to extended missions is fundamentally sound and merits continued support.
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