After reading about the NASA Discovery Program, you should realize that there
are several constraints on the mission that will effect how you choose the
instruments. There are many facets to a mission besides the science
instruments. You must take these into consideration before you start choosing
your instruments.
Spending Limits
You have to know how much money you will have left to spend on the science
instruments after budgeting for the rest of the mission. In order to find out
how much money you have to spend, you have to consider all the costs involved.
Remember, the NASA Discovery Program has a restriction on the total money
you can spend on the mission.
Item
Cost (millions of dollars)
Spacecraft
85
Science Instruments
?
Science Team
10
Operations Center
15
Contingency (recommended 10%)
?
Weight Limits
You also need to consider how much each instrument weighs. The NASA Discovery
Mission says that the launch vehicle must be the size of a Delta II launch vehicle
or smaller. Every launch vehicle has a given payload weight limit. The Delta
II can hold around 2200 kg in this type of mission. The Program Manager has
told you to set your science payload weight limit at 50 kg.
Some questions to think about:
What are the types of items that make up the "Spacecraft" cost area?
What might effect the amount of each item?
What is contingency? Why might you need it?
How much money do you have left to spend on science instruments?
The Delta II can lift more than 50 kg. What other things might take up the
payload limit?
Go on to
Quiz on Mission Restrictions
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