NASA’s plans for the next New Frontiers planetary science mission have hit a snag. Due to budget issues, the release of the call for proposals has been delayed until at least 2026. The Science Mission Directorate (SMD) of NASA explained that budget uncertainty within the Planetary Science Division (PSD) has made it difficult to proceed with the selection process.
The delay is a result of uncertainty surrounding a debt-ceiling agreement that keeps funding for non-defense discretionary agencies, like NASA, at a flat rate in fiscal year 2024, with a modest 1% increase projected for 2025. Lori Glaze, the director of NASA’s planetary science division, cautioned that unless anticipated budget levels are realized, the New Frontiers mission will likely not be solicited until 2026.
The call for proposals was originally seeking missions focused on six topics recommended by the planetary science decadal survey in 2011. These topics included a mission to Jupiter’s moon Io and a sample return mission to the moon’s South Pole-Aitken Basin. However, due to the delay, there may be changes to the mission topics based on guidance from the latest planetary science decadal survey published in 2022.
To navigate the delay, NASA will enlist the help of the National Academies to review potential mission concepts based on the two lists from the decadal survey. This setback will impact scientists and their planned missions, as it will require adjustments in partnerships, spacecraft design, and science goals.
The original timeline projected the selection of several proposals for Phase A studies by the end of 2024, with the next mission expected to launch between 2031 and 2034. The estimated cost for developing the mission was initially set at $900 million, but the decadal survey recommended increasing the cost cap to $1.65 billion.
NASA has a successful track record with its New Frontiers missions, having already selected four projects to date. These projects include missions to Pluto, Jupiter, and an asteroid. Additionally, a mission to Saturn’s moon Titan is currently in development for a launch in 2027.
While the delay is undoubtedly disappointing, it is essential for NASA to ensure financial stability and make informed decisions about the future of planetary science missions. The agency remains committed to advancing our understanding of the universe through its groundbreaking explorations.
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