Letter From Clive Neal to NASA Inspector General Regarding SMD Mission Extension Process Report

“I am writing this open letter with regard to the Inspector General Report No. IG-15- 001 (hereafter “IG-Report”) regarding the Science Mission Directorate’s (SMD) Mission Extension Process that was released on 9 October of this year. In this report you highlighted the Planetary Science Division (PSD) for particular criticism because of its non-standardized approach to evaluating mission extensions. Having been part of the PSD 2012 Senior Review, and chair of the GRAIL and the PSD 2014 Senior Reviews, I feel I must respond to note some errors and misunderstandings within the IG report. It is my opinion that the proposed recommendations could have a serious deleterious impact on the effectiveness of planetary science missions.”

Full letter (pdf) 

NASA OIG: The Science Mission Directorate’s Mission Extension Process