NASA Planetary Science Division Research and Analysis Prgrams – An Assessment

Editorial, Mark V. Sykes Planetary Science Institute

Despite high priority in the recent Planetary Decadal Survey and prior NRC reports, NASA Planetary Science Division Research and Analysis programs continue to suffer from uncertain budgets and low selection rates, undermining US solar system exploration. I have written a report, with the above title, on the budget history and status of these programs, which has been posted at: http://planetarypolicy.org/RA_REPORT_DEC12/NASA_PSD_RA_Report.pdf with supporting documentation at: http://planetarypolicy.org/RA_REPORT_DEC12/RA_budget_history_03_13.xlsx http://planetarypolicy.org/RA_REPORT_DEC12/psd_grant_stats.xlsx

Recommendations are made for the priority of funding stability and growth, the communication of annual budgets to program officers at the beginning of each fiscal year, and an ongoing assessment of activities needed to support PSD strategic goals in a process that is open and transparent.