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Wait-a-Minute!
Image credit: Barbara David

The value of two-way communication input and output between NASA and the planetary science community via specialized advisory groups (AGs) has been devalued.

That assessment comes from the space agency’s Science Mission Directorate, providing yet another wait-a-minute moment.

“Unfortunately, despite the recognized value of the AGs,” [NASA’s Planetary Science Division] “PSD can no longer formally support the AGs,” reports Louise M. Prockter, NASA Planetary Science Division Director.

Credit: Space HD Wallpapers

Groups impacted

NASA will be ending support for the AGs at the end of April of these years, impacting these groups:

Extraterrestrial Materials Analysis Group (ExMAG)

Lunar Exploration Analysis Group (LEAG)

Mapping and Planetary Spatial Infrastructure Team (MAPSIT)

Mars Exploration Analysis Group (MEPAG)

Mercury Exploration Assessment Group (MExAG)

Outer Planets Assessment Group (OPAG)

Small Bodies Assessment Group (SBAG)

Venus Exploration Analysis Group (VEXAG)

Recent changes

pointed out in a January 16 communiqué: “For many years, the eight PSD AGs have served as community-based, interdisciplinary bodies responsible for providing science input and analysis needed to plan and prioritize NASA planetary science research and exploration activities.”

“Several recent changes in the NASA landscape, however,” Prockter said, “make continuing the current support and operations model infeasible.”

“This decision does not automatically force the AGs to be dissolved—they have the opportunity to evolve and innovate as self-organized entities that continue to help advance planetary exploration,” Prockter added.

The full communiqué can be read at:

https://science.nasa.gov/planetary-science/resources/psd-director-letter-to-the-community/

Surprising decision

“This was a surprising decision. It seemed likely that support for the AGs would be reduced in some manner; however, I did not think support would be eliminated,” responded Benjamin Greenhagen, Chair of the Lunar Exploration Analysis Group (LEAG). “With all due respect for PSD, I don’t think this was the correct decision. And I don’t believe that this was the only possible decision.”

NASA’s Artemis Program, enabling Moon to Mars human exploration.
Image credit: NASA

Greenhagen said “it will be harder for us to provide agile analysis to NASA on critical topics but we will.”

Artemis de-generation?

“I think that community engagement, analysis, and consensus building is essential to NASA executing of our nation’s priorities of advancing lunar science, exploration, and critical technologies,” said Greenhagen in an open posting on the Lunar-L site.

“I take it to heart when NASA says we are all the Artemis Generation and we are going,” Greenhagen said. “When something is this important, you focus on what you will do to support and foster it rather than what you can’t do.”

Wait-a-Minute!
Image credit: Barbara David