The Discovery-Program is a series of relatively low-cost, highly focused scientific space missions managed by NASA's Planetary Science Division. Initiated in the early 1990s, this program aims to enhance scientific understanding of the Solar System through smaller, more frequent missions that can be developed and launched on a faster schedule and at a lower cost compared to larger flagship missions.
History and Objectives
The Discovery-Program was established to enable frequent launches of planetary science missions, allowing for quicker scientific returns and the exploration of various planetary bodies within our Solar System. Here are some key historical points:
- Inception: The program was formally announced by NASA in 1992, following the success of the Magellan Mission to Venus.
- First Mission: The first mission under this program was NEAR Shoemaker, which orbited and then landed on the asteroid 433 Eros.
- Program Goals:
- To study the Solar System's planets, moons, comets, and asteroids.
- To answer specific, focused scientific questions.
- To promote innovation in spacecraft design and mission operations.
- To engage the scientific community in proposing and executing missions.
Selection Process
Selection for missions within the Discovery-Program involves a competitive process where scientists and engineers submit proposals that must meet certain criteria:
- The proposed mission must be scientifically compelling.
- The cost cap must not exceed a specified amount (historically around $500 million).
- The mission should be feasible within a relatively short development timeline.
Notable Missions
Several missions have been launched under the Discovery-Program, including:
- MESSENGER - The first spacecraft to orbit Mercury.
- Dawn - Visited and orbited the protoplanet Vesta and the dwarf planet Ceres.
- Kepler Space Telescope - Launched to discover Earth-sized planets orbiting other stars.
- InSight - Designed to study the interior structure of Mars.
Current and Future Missions
As of the last update, the following missions are in various stages of development or operation:
- Lucy Mission - Scheduled to explore the Trojan asteroids sharing Jupiter's orbit.
- Psyche - Will explore the metallic asteroid 16 Psyche, thought to be the exposed core of a planetesimal.
Impact and Legacy
The Discovery-Program has significantly contributed to planetary science by:
- Providing new insights into planetary formation and evolution.
- Facilitating the study of small bodies, which can help understand the early Solar System.
- Encouraging innovative approaches to space exploration due to its cost constraints.
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