WORLDTECHNASA reworks science mission selection with Competition Model 2.0
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NASA is reorganising how it chooses science missions under a new approach called Competition Model 2.0 (CM 2.0), which is meant to lower proposal costs, simplify competition and bring more spacecraft into development sooner, according to a report by Interesting Engineering.
What changes in the evaluation process
Nicky Fox, associate administrator of NASA's Science Mission Directorate, announced the overhaul. Under the revised system, early evaluations will put scientific merit first, so research teams can defer much of the detailed engineering and financial planning that a proposal now requires up front.
Strain on research teams
Fox acknowledged that the current process weighs heavily on research teams, which must devote considerable time and resources to proposals that may never be funded. The new approach is meant to address this by judging scientific objectives before extensive technical and financial information is demanded.
Goals behind the directive
The changes were directed by NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman. Their stated intent is to open mission competitions more widely to scientists, universities, NASA centers and commercial organisations.
Open questions
- How much detailed engineering and financial planning will actually be postponed under the new system?