SCIENTISTS POLLED ON SOLAR SYSTEM EXPLORATION PROGRAM PRIORITIES
(From Lori Stiles, University Communications, 520-621-1877)

- Tuesday, April 25, 2006

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Contact Information
Mark V. Sykes, Planetary Science Institute
520-622-6300 sykes@psi.edu

Michael J. Drake, UA Lunar and Planetary Lab
520-621-6962 drake@lpl.arizona.edu

Heidi B. Hammel, Space Science Institute
203-438-3506 hbh@alum.mit.edu
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The Planetary Science Institute (PSI), in collaboration with the Lunar and
Planetary Laboratory of The University of Arizona, the SETI Institute and the
Space Science Institute, has conducted a survey of U.S.-based planetary
scientists to prioritize NASA solar system exploration programs across spending
categories in the face of an uncertain future for NASA space science in general.

Survey results are posted at http://www.psi.edu. More than 1,000 responded to
the poll, which is the largest response ever (about 50 percent) to a survey of
that community, said PSI Director Mark V. Sykes. PSI is a non-profit planetary
research organization headquartered in Tucson, Ariz.

Respondents ranked NASA Research and Analysis (R&A) programs the top funding
priority. Eighty-eight percent ranked R&A either first or second priority.
Ninety-one percent said that R&A funding should be stable and never used to
fund missions.

"The real issue is that half of the American workforce will be retired 10 years
from now, " said Regents' Professor Michael J. Drake, director of the
University of Arizona's Lunar and Planetary Laboratory and planetary sciences
department. "If we are to remain competitive in space, we need to train the
next generation of planetary scientists, and they are supported by R & A
programs. That's the real issue. This is about young people, the researchers of
the future."

R&A programs also are important because they return the greatest value from
exisiting missions, Drake added. R&A programs are critical to developing the
highest potential for new missions, regardless of frequency, he said. "One
concludes from the survey that when budget climates are restrictive, R&A
programs need to be protected first."

An important survey finding is the willingness of the planetary community to
make sacrifices in the scheduling of its high priority Discovery-class (small)
missions if needed to allow Flagship (large) and New Frontier-class (medium)
missions.

More than half (58 percent) were willing to spread out opportunities for
Discovery-class missions to accomplish this. Almost three-quarters (73 percent)
agreed to skip one or two Discovery- class mission opportunities as well as a
New Frontier-class mission opportunity if such an action allowed a Flagship
mission to be flown.

"The community clearly values large as well as small missions. Such a mix is
needed to preserve American competitiveness in solar system exploration," said
SSI Co-Director of Research Heidi Hammel. SSI is a non-profit space research
institute headquartered in Boulder, Colo.

"The greatest danger facing American solar system exploration today is the
current effort by NASA to transfer its funding to other enterprises having
budget crises," Sykes said.

As a part of this, NASA has specifically targeted the survey's highest priority
research programs for sharp reductions in its initial FY06 Operating Plan and
FY07 budget proposal. Congressional approved is pending for both.

"Congress should direct NASA to reverse these transfers," Sykes said. "Let's not
break what works."