Amendment 24: C.23 Planetary Science Deep Space SmallSat Studies released

Amendment 24 releases the new program element C.23 Planetary Science Deep Space SmallSat Studies. Notices of Intent are requested by September 30, 2016 and proposals are due by November 18, 2016. Questions concerning this program element may be directed to Carolyn Mercer at cmercer@nasa.gov.

C.23 Planetary Science Deep Space SmallSat Studies supports the study of spaceflight mission concepts that can be accomplished using small spacecraft, including CubeSats. NASA’s Planetary Science Program is considering including small secondary payloads on every future planetary science launch. As such, studies performed under this program element will provide valuable information to assist future Announcement of Opportunity planning and NASA’s development of small spacecraft technologies relevant to deep space science investigations.

In order to advance the objectives outlined in the Science Plan, proposed investigations may target any body in the Solar System, including near Earth objects (NEO’s), except for the Earth and Sun. Investigations of extra‑solar planets are not included in this program element.

The Planetary Science Deep Space SmallSat Studies (PSDS3) program is intended to capitalize on the creativity in the planetary science community to envision science enabled by smaller and significantly lower cost deep space missions. NASA expects to make awards for mission concept studies that will explore the breadth of missions possible that are enabled by CubeSat/SmallSat technologies.