SMEX Phase A Study Teams -
There are rumors circulating that only one SMEX will be selected this fall. The status of those rumors is: maybe.
The President proposed a reduced budget for the Explorer Program. The available funding for future Explorers (includes SMEX selections from the current Phase A studies as well as missions solicited through future AOs) will not support our baseline plan. The baseline plan was:
a) Downselect two SMEX's for launch in 2007 and 2008
b) Issue an AO this year for MIDEX's to launch in 2010 and 2011
To first order (and we are working the budgets now, this is a back-of-the-envelope calculation at this point), the reduced Explorer Program budget will support the following two options.
Option A:
a) Downselect two SMEX's for launch in 2008 and 2009
b) Issue an AO in 2006 for MIDEX's to launch around 2012 or later
Option B:
a) Downselect one SMEX for launch in 2008
b) Issue an AO in 2005 for one MIDEX to launch around 2011
Ed Weiler, Associate Administrator for Space Science, has decided to ask the Space Science Advisory Committee (SScAC) for advice before deciding between these options. The SScAC meets March 26-27 in Washington, DC.
NASA Headquarters Responsible Office: Code SZ
Last Updated: 4 February 2004
Author: Paul Hertz (Code SZ)