NASA puts the science case first in a redesigned mission competition
NASA’s 21 October announcement sets out CM2.0, a staged approach to choosing science missions. Initial proposals would concentrate on the science case and a conceptual mission design, with more engineering and cost work later. The agency targets shorter selection schedules, including 19.5 months for some two-stage competitions, while keeping different routes for different mission classes.
Science··Morning
Early proposals focus on the scientific question
NASA, the US space agency, announced a revised approach to competitive science-mission selection in a letter dated 21 October. Nicola Fox, who leads its Science Mission Directorate, described CM2.0 as putting the science case first. Teams would begin with the scientific question, an implementation plan and a conceptual demonstration of mission design. More detailed engineering and cost work would follow later, reducing the work demanded before the science case is assessed.[1]
Larger and smaller competitions keep different routes
A two-stage selection remains for the Astro Probes, New Frontiers and Discovery mission classes. Engineering support and early mission design would help develop the initial science ideas before the field is narrowed. Some smaller programmes would use a single stage instead. Flagship missions, NASA’s largest directed projects, remain under their separate management approach. The redesign therefore changes particular competitive pathways rather than imposing one selection sequence on every science mission.[1]
Shorter selection schedules remain agency targets
For certain two-stage competitions, NASA targets 19.5 months for a process previously taking 35 months. Some smaller selections would move from 32 months to 19 months. Those are announced selection goals, not measured acceleration in launches or scientific results. Cost and schedule thresholds would still inform decisions that can include stopping a mission. NASA will outline the model at a planned community meeting, while technical and financial assessment remain part of later development.[1]
