Solar System Observations contains two primary components: Planetary Astronomy and Near Earth Object Observations. The Near Earth Object Observations component is not being solicited under ROSES-2015. It is expected that the Near Earth Object Observations component will be solicited under ROSES-2016.

For proposals that contain mission data analysis, planetary spacecraft mission data to be used in proposed investigations must be available in the Planetary Data System (PDS) or equivalent publicly accessible archive at least 30 days prior to the proposal submission date . Spacecraft data that have not been obtained yet (i.e., future mission data) or those that have not been accepted for distribution in approved archives are not eligible for use in investigations. Regardless of the archive(s) used, if the data to be analyzed have issues that might represent an obstacle to analysis, the proposers must demonstrate clearly and satisfactorily how such potential difficulties will be overcome. Investigators funded by spacecraft missions who wish to apply must demonstrate clearly how the proposed research does not overlap and is not redundant with data analysis, duties, or responsibilities already funded by their respective mission(s). Please see Appendix C.1, The Planetary Science Division Research Program Overview , for more information.