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The role of small missions in planetary and lunar explorationThe Space Studies Board of the National Research Council charged its Committee on Planetary and Lunar Exploration (COMPLEX) to (1) examine the degree to which small missions, such as those fitting within the constraints of the Discovery program, can achieve priority objectives in the lunar and planetary sciences; (2) determine those characteristics, such as level of risk, flight rate, target mix, university involvement, technology development, management structure and procedures, and so on, that could allow a successful program; (3) assess issues, such as instrument selection, mission operations, data analysis, and data archiving, to ensure the greatest scientific return from a particular mission, given a rapid deployment schedule and a tightly constrained budget; and (4) review past programmatic attempts to establish small planetary science mission lines, including the Planetary Observers and Planetary Explorers, and consider the impact management practices have had on such programs. A series of small missions presents the planetary science community with the opportunity to expand the scope of its activities and to develop the potential and inventiveness of its members in ways not possible within the confines of large, traditional programs. COMPLEX also realized that a program of small planetary missions was, in and of itself, incapable of meeting all of the prime objectives contained in its report 'An Integrated Strategy for the Planetary Sciences: 1995-2010.' Recommendations are provided for the small planetary missions to fulfill their promise.
Document ID
19960002222
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Contractor Report (CR)
Date Acquired
September 6, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1995
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Report/Patent Number
NAS 1:26:199590
NASA-CR-199590
Accession Number
96N12230
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NASW-4627
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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