Principal-Investigator-Led Missions in the Space Sciences Book

Executive Summary     1
Introduction     10
PI-Led Programs, Roles, and Relationships     16
PI-Led Mission Lines     16
The Explorer Program     16
The Discovery Program     17
The New Frontiers Program     21
The Mars Scout Program     21
Evolution of PI-Led Missions     22
Key PI-Led Mission Leadership Roles     22
Principal Investigators     22
Project Managers     22
NASA Centers     23
The Selection Process     24
Mission Phases and Major Milestones     24
Proposal Process     26
Proposal Review and Selection Processes     29
Management of PI-Led Missions     31
Background     31
NASA Program Office Role     32
Explorer Program Office     32
Discovery Program Office     33
Mars Scout and New Frontiers Program Offices     34
PI Team Management Roles     34
Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer     35
Comet Nucleus Tour Mission     36
Changes in Management and Oversight     37
PI-Led Mission Performance: Cost, Schedule, and Science     38
Cost and Schedule     38
Science     43
Examples of Scientific Achievements     47
Lessons Learned from PI-Led Mission Experiences     52
Technical Failures     52
Comet Nucleus Tour     52
Genesis     53
Terriers     53
Failures of Core Missions     54
Programmatic and Project Management Failures     54
Conclusions and Recommendations     57
Selection Process     57
Proposals and Reviews     57
Proposing Team Experience and Leadership     61
Technology Readiness     62
Funding Profiles     64
International Contributions     64
Program Management     66
Role of the Program Office     66
Program Oversight Practices     66
Threat of Cancellation     69
Role of Project Management     70
Technical and Management Failures     70
Team Interactions     71
Cost, Schedule, and Science Performance     72
Appendixes
Biographical Sketches of Committee Members and Staff     77
Previous Space Studies Board Report Findings and Recommendations on Principal-Investigator-Led Missions     81
Definitions of PI-Led Missions from NASA Announcements of Opportunity     88
Excerpts on PI-Led Missions from National Research Council Decadal Survey Reports     92
Major Changes in Requirements Between Announcements of Opportunity     98
Number of Publications from Explorer and Discovery Missions     100
Previous Studies on Lessons Learned from PI-Led Missions     101
Acronyms     105
Excerpt from the National Academy of Public Administration Report NASA: Principal Investigator Led Missions in Space Science     109