Developing compelling and science-focused mission concepts for NASA competed mission proposals

• Published in: Acta astronautica 2022-02, Vol.191, p.502-509
• Main Authors: Wessen, Randii R., Propster, Paul, Cable, Morgan, Case, Kelley, Guethe, Christopher, Matousek, Steve, Nash, Alfred, Ziemer, John
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Careers; Communication skills; Launching pads; Mission concept; NASA; Proposals; Science; Storytelling; Websites
• ISSN: 0094-5765; 1879-2030
• DOI: 10.1016/j.actaastro.2021.12.002

Since the mid 1990s, NASA has used a competitive selection process to initiate new mission concepts. These competed missions, which can be found at “NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System” (NSPIRES) website [1], are motivated by high-value science with low implementation and cost risks. Selectable mission concepts require highly focused science approaches—delivering high quality science “on a budget.” Prospective Principal Investigators (PIs) need to convince NASA that the science they are proposing is both compelling and has high programmatic value. Unfortunately, many of these PIs are not trained in the communication skills needed for “selling” a mission concept to stakeholders. This requires a proposal that presents an investigation in an accessible, relatable, authentic, and believable way. It is the onus of the proposing PI to convince NASA of the value of their particular science concept in a competitive environment, addressing any pre-conceived notions reviewers might have about the concept's value, complexities, urgency, and other impediments to understanding. The importance of this can be seen in the NASA-sponsored PI Launchpad (Nov 2019 & Jun 2021) [2] which was designed to help early career scientists understand the skills, methods, processes, and resources needed to develop compelling science mission concepts; as well as in JPL's update to their concept maturity model (Jan 2020) which included the addition of Story and Strategy dimensions. This paper provides guidance to assist prospective PIs in developing compelling, science-focused mission concepts. It will provide direction for communicating concepts more clearly to make science objectives more relatable to both reviewers and a broader audience, improving the probability of selection. •Leverage the techniques from JPL and others to help prospective Principal Investigators generate a get-able science story.•Meet the “6 dimensions” of maturing a mission concept.•Understand how to rise above the competition and convince NASA that your mission concept is the most compelling.•Use the power of narrative to deliver an authentic, relatable, and persuasive message.•Learn what first time Principal Investigators will need for their mission concept story.