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Principal-Investigator-Led Missions in the Space Sciences (2006) / Chapter Skim
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Appendix C Definitions of PI-Led Missions From NASA Announcements of Opportunity
Pages 88-91

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From page 88...
... The PI is accountable to NASA for the scientific success of the investigation and must be prepared to recommend project termination when, in his/her judgment, the successful achievement of established minimum science objectives, as defined in the proposal as the Performance Floor (see Section 5.11.3) , is not likely to be achievable within the committed cost and schedule reserves." 88
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From page 89...
... . It is expected that the GSFC Explorer Program Office will work with the selected Principal Investigators and implementing organizations to define roles and responsibilities to fulfill this responsibility in the most effective manner." Section 3.4.4 "For any PI selected for Phase A concept studies that so requests, GSFC can provide the project management, mission system engineering, spacecraft, ground system, and other support needed to complete the formulation and implementation of an investigation.
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From page 90...
... program." Mars Scout AO (May 1, 2002) Section 3.1 "Mars Scout Mission investigations must be headed by a single Principal Investigator (PI)
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From page 91...
... ," but for New Frontiers, the freedom is subject to a more vague requirement of "stated constraints with essential NASA oversight." -- For both the Explorer and Scout AOs, the managerial freedom granted the PI is less definitive: "NASA intends to allow the Principal Investigator and his/her team to use their own management processes, procedures, and methods to the fullest extent possible." · Finally, a NASA document, Tutorial: NASA Research Solicitations and the Writing & Review of Proposals for the Office of Space Science (p.
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Key Terms

  • explorer program
  • explorer missions
  • nasa oversight
  • science objectives
  • led missions

  • management approach
  • essential nasa
  • management processes
  • regarding nasa
  • freedom granted

  • define roles
  • gsfc explorer
  • including foreign
  • scout aos
  • stated criteria

  • project direction
  • wording regarding
  • established science
  • committed cost
  • nasa intends

  • including development
  • frontiers state
  • single principal
  • implementing organizations
  • management specifics

  • own management
  • stated constraints
  • selected principal
  • successful achievement
  • managerial freedom


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