NASA is set to introduce a new mission selection process, Competition Model 2.0 (CM 2.0), aimed at streamlining the way scientific missions are proposed and selected. A virtual town hall will be held on October 26, where NASA officials, including Dr. Nicola Fox, will explain the new model and answer questions from the science community.
Overview of Competition Model 2.0
The changes come in response to feedback regarding the lengthy and complex current mission proposal process, which has often involved significant contract management challenges. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman has directed the Science Mission Directorate to work towards a more efficient selection process, reducing the time and resources spent on competition while focusing funding on high-priority missions.
CM 2.0 emphasizes a science-first approach, allowing proposals to concentrate on scientific merit without the immediate need for detailed engineering plans and cost analysis. This shift is expected to facilitate a more rapid and efficient selection process.
New Selection Steps for Various Mission Types
For flagship missions, the existing management process remains unchanged, having already been reformed following lessons learned from the James Webb Space Telescope project. However, for Astro-Probes, New Frontiers, and Discovery missions, the competition will now consist of two simplified steps. The first step will require a compelling science case, a science implementation plan, and a proof-of-concept mission design, significantly reducing the documentation needed for initial submissions.
The second step involves a Mission Implementation Study, which will evaluate the scientific and implementation merits of proposals. This streamlined process is projected to cut the timeline from announcement to selection by up to 45 percent, shortening it from 35 months to approximately 19.5 months.
Additional Changes for Smaller Missions
Mid-scale missions and Earth Explorers will adopt a similar two-step competition format, while smaller missions like SMEX and Earth Venture will transition to a single-step process with reduced review teams. These updates are also expected to decrease the selection timeline significantly, from about 32 months to roughly 19 months.
NASA aims to keep pace with the rapidly evolving commercial space sector by integrating best practices and capabilities from the commercial industry into their mission designs, ensuring that all mission types can benefit from these advancements.
Town Hall Meeting Details
The upcoming town hall meeting will take place from 2 to 3 p.m. EDT on October 26. Participants from the science community, academia, media, and the general public are encouraged to attend and engage with NASA leaders. Attendees will have the opportunity to submit questions and vote on others during the session.
A recording of the town hall will be made available online after the event, allowing those who cannot attend live to access the information shared during the meeting.
Source: NASA
