NASA DISCOVERY PROGRAM COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is this NASA opportunity about?

This is a NASA Headquarters Science Mission Directorate (SMD) community announcement signaling an upcoming Announcement of Opportunity (AO) for the Discovery Program. The Discovery Program is NASA's line of competed, Principal Investigator (PI) led planetary science missions proposed under a strict "not to exceed" cost cap.

What is the purpose of this community announcement?

The announcement is an advance notice that a final Discovery AO was planned for release no earlier than June 2010. It also summarizes expected competition structure, key boundaries, and changes relative to an earlier draft AO, so potential proposers can plan accordingly.

When was the final AO expected to be released?

NASA indicated the final AO was planned for release no earlier than June 2010.

Does this announcement guarantee that NASA will release the AO?

No. NASA stated the agency had not yet approved issuance of the final AO, the announcement did not obligate NASA to release it, and the release timing could change due to budget formulation.

What kind of missions does the Discovery Program support?

Discovery supports full, PI-led planetary science missions competed under a defined cost cap. Teams propose a complete mission concept that must fit within a strict budget ceiling.

How does the selection process work?

NASA described a two-step competition. First, NASA anticipated selecting about two to three proposed investigations for roughly nine months of Phase A concept studies. After Phase A, NASA planned to down select one investigation to proceed into Phase B and later mission phases for full development and flight.

How many Phase A concept studies did NASA expect to select?

NASA anticipated selecting about two to three proposed investigations for Phase A concept studies.

How long were the Phase A concept studies expected to last?

Phase A concept studies were expected to run for roughly nine months.

What is the goal of Phase A concept studies?

The Phase A studies are intended to mature mission design, cost, schedule, and technical readiness sufficiently for NASA to compare concepts on an equal footing before making a down-selection decision.

How many missions were expected to be selected for full development after Phase A?

NASA planned to down select to one investigation to proceed into Phase B and later mission phases.

Are Missions of Opportunity (MO) included in this Discovery AO?

No. NASA stated that there would be no Missions of Opportunity solicited under this Discovery AO.

If Missions of Opportunity are not included, where would MO proposals be submitted?

NASA stated that all MO proposals were shifted to a separate, stand-alone solicitation called SALMON (Stand Alone Missions of Opportunity Notice).

What is the funding opportunity number for this announcement?

The opportunity was listed under funding opportunity number NNH10ZDA006J.

What types of funding instruments were associated with this opportunity?

It was characterized as discretionary funding using grant and cooperative agreement instruments.

Is cost sharing required?

No. The opportunity description indicated there is no cost sharing requirement.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility was described as unrestricted (open to any entity type), subject to any additional eligibility clarifications that would appear in the AO text.

What launch vehicle options were planned for this Discovery AO?

NASA indicated launch vehicle options were expanded to include "medium" and "high" performance classes with 4 meter fairings, with proposer cost impacts still being assessed at the time of the notice.

Were there any requirements related to specific launch vehicle families?

Yes. NASA planned to require proposed missions to maintain compatibility through Preliminary Design Review (PDR) with three launch vehicle families: Atlas V, Delta IV, and Falcon 9.

Why did NASA plan to require compatibility with Atlas V, Delta IV, and Falcon 9 through PDR?

The stated intent was to improve resilience to launch vehicle availability or procurement changes by ensuring missions are not overly tailored to a single rocket too early.

How did NASA plan to handle technology infusion cost cap incentives?

NASA stated that minimum requirements to qualify for technology infusion cost cap incentives would be defined in a new Program Library document titled "In Space Propulsion Technologies Minimum Demonstration Requirements."

What cost treatment did NASA specify for missions proposing Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generators (ASRGs)?

For missions proposing to use ASRGs, NASA stated that costs tied to environmental review and nuclear launch approvals and services (NEPA, NLSA, and nuclear launch services) would be treated as a firm, fixed cost of $20 million in FY10 dollars.

What communications/downlink clarification was described for X band?

NASA stated it would tighten the justification for using X band for science data downlink consistent with a Space Frequency Coordination Group recommendation. Deep space X band users would be limited to 12 MHz of bandwidth, and at Mars to 8 MHz.

When would a mission be required to use Ka band instead of X band?

Missions needing more than the stated X band bandwidth limits (12 MHz deep space, 8 MHz at Mars) would be required to use Ka band.

Did NASA indicate any change to standard aperture fees?

Yes. NASA stated that standard aperture fees would remain.

For Mars surface missions, was the Electra lite UHF radio package required?

No. NASA stated the AO would no longer require inclusion of the Electra lite UHF radio package for Mars surface missions.

If Electra lite is not required, are there still requirements for UHF relay compatibility at Mars?

Yes. NASA stated that any UHF system used would have to be interoperable with the existing Mars UHF relay network.

What was the latest allowable Launch Readiness Date (LRD)?

NASA extended the latest allowable Launch Readiness Date to December 31, 2017.

What schedule did NASA outline for the competition?

NASA indicated the following intended schedule: final AO release no earlier than June 2010; a pre-proposal conference about three weeks after AO release; proposals due 90 days after AO release; Phase A selections targeted for March 2011; concept study reports due around February 2012; down selection targeted for July 2012; and launch readiness no later than December 31, 2017.

When were proposals expected to be due?

NASA stated proposals would be due 90 days after the AO release.

When were Phase A selections targeted?

Phase A selections were targeted for March 2011.

When were Phase A concept study reports expected to be due?

Concept study reports were due around February 2012.

When was down selection targeted?

NASA targeted down selection for July 2012.

Where did NASA direct proposers to look for updates?

NASA pointed proposers to the Discovery Program Acquisition Page for updates.

Who was listed as the point of contact for questions?

The point of contact was Dr. Michael New, Discovery Program Lead Scientist at NASA SMD.

If a team spends money preparing a proposal based on this notice or the earlier draft AO, will NASA reimburse those costs?

No. NASA cautioned that any proposal preparation costs incurred in response to this notice or the draft AO would be entirely at the submitter's own risk.

What draft AO did NASA reference when describing changes?

NASA referenced an earlier draft Discovery AO released in December 2009 identified as NNH10ZDA003J.

What is the overall intent of the solicitation described in the announcement?

The stated intent is to fund a small set of early concept studies first and then narrow the competition to a single mission for full development and flight.