| Planetary Science Deep Space SmallSat Studies (PSDS3) | |
| The ROSES 2016 Planetary Science Deep Space SmallSat Studies (PSDS3) Appendix C.23, specifies that: | |
 | |
| This program element does not use the two-step proposal submission process. Notices of intent to propose are requested by September 30, 2016, and proposals are due by November 18, 2016. No data management plans are required with submissions to this program element. | |
| The Planetary Science Deep Space SmallSat Studies (PSDS3) program is intended to capitalize on the creativity in the planetary science community to envision science enabled by smaller and significantly lower cost deep space missions. NASA expects to make awards for mission concept studies that will explore the breadth of missions possible that are enabled by CubeSat/SmallSat technologies. | |
| Small satellites have been suggested as a means to execute scientific missions at far lower cost and complexity than typical space science missions. CubeSats are an example of these small satellites and are built from a set of standardized subunits. Proposals to this program element may propose to use CubeSat form factors from 1U up to 12U and 24U or larger Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle Secondary Payload Adapter (ESPA) mounted satellites up to 180kg. Hosted payloads are not solicited at this time. This program element requires the submission of investigations that would operate in interplanetary space and, therefore, must meet more demanding engineering and environmental requirements than have been experienced by missions in low Earth orbit. NASA seeks to make study awards across a range of mission concepts requiring new technologies that will enable smaller missions in deep space. | |
| This program element supports the study of spaceflight mission concepts that can be accomplished using small spacecraft, including CubeSats. All proposed investigations must be responsive to the goals of the Planetary Science Division, as described in the 2014 NASA Science Plan. Additionally, proposals may address the operational requirements of the Planetary Defense Coordination Office in conducting surveys for potential Near Earth Objects (NEO’s) and characterization of known NEO’s as documented in the National Research Council study, "Defending Planet Earth: Near-Earth Object Surveys and Hazard Mitigation Strategies Final Report," released in 2010. Proposed investigations may target any body in the Solar System, including near Earth objects (NEO’s), except for the Earth and Sun. Investigations of extra-solar planets are not included in this program element. | |
| Studies are to be led by a designated Principal Investigator (PI) with a small science team. Mission design will be a critical part of these studies. Successful proposers will be expected to produce a publicly releasable mission concept study summary/fact sheet and present a summary of their study at a special session of a domestic Planetary Science Conference, to be arranged by NASA after awards are made. Additionally, a full written report to NASA is required. Short proposals (up to ten pages) are solicited that clearly summarize the mission concept, science target(s) and objectives, relevance to NASA Planetary Science objectives, and the nature of the science advancement expected from the mission. | |
| Proposals must strictly conform to the formatting rules in Section 2.2 of Program Element C.1 The Planetary Science Research Program Overview and Chapter 2 of the NASA Guidebook for Proposers. Proposals that violate the rules may be rejected without review. |
| Critical Dates | ||
| Notice of Intent to Propose | Proposal Due Date | |
| 09/30/16 | 11/18/16 | |
| ||
| Mission data are available from the Planetary Data System (PDS). | |
|
| Data available from The Planetary Plasma Interactions (PPI) Node |
| |
| Other Data Within PDS | |
| The following Discipline Nodes have additional information: | |
|
Atmospheres Node Cartography and Imaging Sciences Node Ring-Moon Systems Node Small Bodies Node Geosciences Node | |
| |
| Ancillary data (SPICE files) can be obtained from the NAIF Node | |
 |
Privacy / Copyright Freedom of Information Act |
 |
Web Master: PDS-PPI Operator Nasa Official: William Knopf Last Updated: Febuary 2009 |