Steps to Facilitate Principal-Investigator-Led Earth Science Missions

Committee on Earth Studies, Space Studies Board, Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences, National Research Council Principal-investigator (PI) Earth science missions are small, focused science projects involving relatively small spacecraft. The selected PI is responsible for the scientific and programmatic success of the entire project. A particular objective of PI-led missions has been to help develop university-based research capacity. Such missions, however, pose significant challenges that are beyond the capabilities of most universities to manage. To help NASA’s Office of Earth Science determine how best to address these, the NRC carried out an assessment of key issues relevant to the success of university-based PI-led Earth observation missions. This report presents the result of that study. In particular, the report provides an analysis of opportunities to enhance such missions and recommendations about whether and, if so, how they should be used to build university-based research capabilities.

principal-investigator (pi) Earth Science Missions Are Small, Focused Science Projects Involving Relatively Small Spacecraft. The Selected Pi Is Responsible For The Scientific And Programmatic Success Of The Entire Project. A Particular Objective Of Pi-led Missions Has Been To Help Develop University-based Research Capacity. Such Missions, However, Pose Significant Challenges That Are Beyond The Capabilities Of Most Universities To Manage. To Help Nasa's Office Of Earth Science Determine How Best To Address These, The Nrc Carried Out An Assessment Of Key Issues Relevant To The Success Of University-based Pi-led Earth Observation Missions. This Report Presents The Result Of That Study. In Particular, The Report Provides An Analysis Of Opportunities To Enhance Such Missions And Recommendations About Whether And, If So, How They Should Be Used To Build University-based Research Capabilities.

FrontMatter 1 Foreword 7 Preface 9 Acknowledgment of Reviewers 11 Contents 13 Executive Summary 15 1 Introduction 22 2 Background: PI-Led Missions in the Earth Science Enterprise 25 3 Program Conceptualization: Matching Objectives to Constraints 32 4 Institutional Investments: Establishing the Foundations 38 5 Project Implementation: Improving Life-Cycle Processes 44 6 Conclusions 63 Appendixes 65 A Statement of Task 67 B Committee Meeting Agendas 69 C PI-Led Missions and Their Characteristics 73 D NASA Technology Development Programs Relevant to PI-Led Earth Explorers Missions 84 E Biographies of Committee Members 87 F Acronyms 92 Principal-investigator (PI) Earth science missions are projects involving relatively small spacecraft. To help NASA's Office of Earth Science determine how best to address the challenges related to such missions, the NRC carried out an assessment of issues relevant to the success of these missions. This report presents the results of that study.