ESD 2026 Senior Review for Extension of Earth Science Operating Missions
NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD)/Earth Science Division (ESD) periodically conducts reviews of on-orbit missions in extended operations to maximize the scientific return of the Earth Science mission fleet within finite resources, a process called the Senior Review for Extension of Earth Science Operating Missions. NASA uses the findings from these reviews to define an implementation strategy and give programmatic direction and budgetary guidelines to the missions and projects concerned for the next three fiscal years. The 2026 ESD Senior Review call describes the objectives and process for the review, including the scope, schedule and evaluation criteria, the 2026 ESD Senior Review panel, and provides instructions for the preparation and submission of proposals and in-person presentations to the review panel.
2026 ESD Senior Review Schedule (Tentative):
| Draft Call Letter/Notification of Exclusion to Missions | December 19, 2025 |
| Mission Pre-Proposal Briefing | January 14, 2026 |
| Reclama Due for Excluded Missions | January 15, 2026 |
| Final Call Letter | January 16, 2026 |
| National Interests “Fact Sheet” from Proposers | February 13, 2026 |
| National Interests Survey Sent to Participating Organizations | February 16, 2026 |
| Proposal Presentations Due | March 27, 2026 |
| SR Panel (Mission Presentations) | April 13-17, 2026 |
| SR Chair Briefing to ESD | April 21, 2026 |
| SR Panel Report | May 2026 |
| PPBE2028/Senior Review Budget Decisions | May-July 2026 |
| SR Results and Mission Management Team Recommendations to ESD | May 2026 |
| Guidance Letters to Missions | August 2026 |
| Mission Response | September 2026 |
Contact
For further information, please contact the Senior Review Program Officer:
Jamie Wicks
Earth Science Division
Science Mission Directorate
NASA Headquarters
Washington DC 20546-0001
jamie.wilson.wicks@nasa.gov







