The only requirement for launch date is that it be no later than June 2004. This requirement has not changed.

NASA will select two missions for flight based on the published evaluation criteria. Mission teams should describe their best launch date in their concept study report. Launch date per se is not an evaluation criterion.

As discussed in the MIDEX AO (Section 7.4.3), "definition (Phase B) for the investigation selected as the second mission (launch by June 2004) will proceed at a lower level for a period of time, to conform to the available Explorer program budget profile." In order to quickly execute a contract for the mission selected to be launched in June 2004, the proposer must provide sufficient information to understand the implications of this delay to the science investigation and to the implementation of the mission. The information required is described in Section J of the revised MIDEX Guidelines for Concept Study Preparation (March 1999). It should be noted that the cost cap of $140M still applies to any mission selected as the second mission.

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NASA Headquarters Responsible Office: Code SR
Last Updated: 22 March 1999
Author: Paul Hertz (Code SR)