2022 Decadal Survey

[Flyaway]

A study outlining priorities in planetary science for the next decade backs continued efforts to return samples from Mars while recommending NASA pursue missions to the planet Uranus and an icy moon of Saturn.

The final report of the planetary science decadal survey, developed by a committee of the National Academies and released April 19, also recommended work on a space telescope to track near Earth objects, a Mars lander to look for evidence of life and a lunar rover to collect samples that would be returned by astronauts.

“This report sets out an ambitious but practicable vision for advancing the frontiers of planetary science, astrobiology and planetary defense in the next decade,” Robin Canup, co-chair of the steering committee for the decadal survey and assistant vice president of the Planetary Sciences Directorate at the Southwest Research Institute, said in a statement about the decadal.

Planetary science decadal endorses Mars sample return, outer planets missions

A study outlining priorities in planetary science for the next decade backs Mars sample return and missions to the planet Uranus and an icy moon of Saturn.

spacenews.com

Here’s the report itself:

Origins, Worlds, and Life

The next decade of planetary science and astrobiology holds tremendous promise. New research will expand our understanding of our solar system's origins, how planets form and evolve, under what conditions life can survive, and where to find potentially habitable environments in our solar system...

nap.nationalacademies.org

 

[Hobbes]

I like the recommendations. Two flagships: an Uranus orbiter and atmospheric probe (long overdue), followed by an Enceladus mission. Increase in basic research to support future missions (this is currently done as part of mission development, and JWST has shown what that can lead to). A warning not to let Mars sample return nuke other programs if/when its cost balloons. Investment in improved RTG. NEO Surveyor (postponing it in this year's budget was a dumb move).

 

[Flyaway]

I like the recommendations. Two flagships: an Uranus orbiter and atmospheric probe (long overdue), followed by an Enceladus mission. Increase in basic research to support future missions (this is currently done as part of mission development, and JWST has shown what that can lead to). A warning not to let Mars sample return nuke other programs if/when its cost balloons. Investment in improved RTG. NEO Surveyor (postponing it in this year's budget was a dumb move).

I think it’s a shame about Neptune missing out again. I imagine there is good reasons with identical missions can’t be sent to Uranus and Neptune, one shortly after the other.

 

[TomS]

I like the recommendations. Two flagships: an Uranus orbiter and atmospheric probe (long overdue), followed by an Enceladus mission. Increase in basic research to support future missions (this is currently done as part of mission development, and JWST has shown what that can lead to). A warning not to let Mars sample return nuke other programs if/when its cost balloons. Investment in improved RTG. NEO Surveyor (postponing it in this year's budget was a dumb move).

I think it’s a shame about Neptune missing out again. I imagine there is good reasons with identical missions can’t be sent to Uranus and Neptune, one shortly after the other.

Apparently the survey ranked a Neptune-Triton mission below the Uranus mission because of orbital mechanics limits -- in the 2030s, it's significantly easier to get a launch to Uranus than Neptune. So maybe look for a Neptune launch in the 2040s?

Robotic mission to Uranus receives top priority in decadal survey – Spaceflight Now

 

[Brett Davidson]

A study from 2010 of an Ice Giant ORbiter or IGOR.

Ice Giants Decadal Study – NASA Solar System Exploration

The purpose of this study was to define a preferred concept approach along with the risk/cost trade space for a Uranus or Neptune Mission launched in the 2020-2023 time frame and within a cost range of $1.5B-$1.9B in FY15$. The study was conducted by a team led by William Hubbard with members of...

solarsystem.nasa.gov

Also

https://www.lpi.usra.edu/icegiants/mission_study/Full-Report.pdf

 

[Flyaway]

NASA Embraces Planetary Science Decadal Recommendations, With Caveats

Glaze showed three charts today comparing how much it would cost to execute everything that the Decadal recommended for the next 10 years, $41.120 billion, versus the Decadal’s estimate of a “flat” planetary science budget that assumes two percent inflationary increases, $34.990 billion, versus NASA’s current 5-year plan.

The top chart shows the funding needed for both Uranus and Enceladus, while the second includes only Uranus. Glaze said studies of how to execute the Uranus Orbiter-Probe mission will start no later than FY2024 with launch possibly in the early 2030s. As for Enceladus, those studies will not begin before FY2026.

“The near term is pretty challenging,” Glaze said. “We need to keep in mind that the current planning budget we have now is short of even the level budget, so [I’m] just trying to set expectations.” The Decadal is “inspirational and we will continue to advocate for budgets to support the aspirational goals of the Survey. But just to have a little bit of reality, we need to recognize that some of the recommended activities” may not be achievable.

NASA Embraces Planetary Science Decadal Recommendations, With Caveats

Posted: August 18, 2022 11:51 pm ET | Last Updated: August 18, 2022 11:58 pm ET | Get a quick summary of NASA's response to the recommendations of the 2022 Decadal Survey on Planetary Science and Astrobiology as explained by Planetary Science Division Director Lori Glaze at a virtual Town Hall...

spacepolicyonline.com

Planetary defense has struggled to gain acceptance in the space science community because it is not considered “science” per se, but its inclusion in this Decadal Survey seems to be a game changer. The Decadal strongly supports NASA’s investment in planetary defense, especially the NEO Surveyor mission, a space-based infrared telescope specifically designed to locate NEOs. NASA proposed cutting NEO Surveyor’s budget in the FY2023 request and delaying launch for at least two years, but the Decadal calls for it to proceed expeditiously.

PDCO Director Lindley Johnson pointed out at the meeting today that the budget request was formulated before the Decadal was released. “Now seeing what the Decadal Survey committee said … we have important insight into what the community thinks” and it is “causing us to do a serious look as we put together the FY2024 request. … It’s an example of the impact that the Decadal Survey can have.”

 

[Flyaway]

As NASA takes the first steps to implement recommendations of the planetary science decadal survey, the agency is warning that projected funding for at least the near term will fall short of that’s report’s projections.

NASA cautions planetary science funding falls short of decadal projections - SpaceNews

As NASA takes the first steps to implement the planetary science decadal survey, the agency is warning funding will not match projections.

spacenews.com

 

[Flyaway]

Despite a small funding increase for 2023, NASA’s planetary science programs still face “significant stress” financially that contributed to the delay of one mission and could push back the start of others.

NASA received $3.2 billion for planetary science in the fiscal year 2023 omnibus spending bill signed into law Dec. 29. That was about $80 million more than what the agency received for planetary science in 2022 and $40 million above its request for 2023.

That increase, though, may do little to address some of the challenges NASA has been facing with current and future missions. Lori Glaze, director of NASA’s planetary science division, outlined those issues in presentations last month to the agency’s Planetary Science Advisory Committee and at a town hall during the Fall Meeting of the American Geophysical Union (AGU).

NASA planetary science budget remains under stress - SpaceNews

Despite a small funding boost for 2023, NASA’s planetary science programs still face “significant stress” financially that contributed to a mission delay.

spacenews.com