Space Science Money Needed Elswhere

Message to Outer Planet Research Community by NASA Mission Directorate’s Solar System Division

“Due to miscommunications within the Solar System Division, the email that you received was misleading and premature. I sincerely apologize for the confusion and concern that it has caused. I am working with Science Mission Directorate Management to institute a process that will eliminate future miscommunications to the Science Community.”

NASA To Use Outer Planets Data Analysis Funds for Other Purposes

“Fiscal Year 2005 funds for NASA’s Outer Planets Data Analyis solicitation have been reallocated. In 2004, 142 proposals were submitted in response to this solicitation. 55 proposals were selected accounting for $4.8 million of the $5 million available.”

The following email was sent out by Curt Niebur at NASA Headquarters to Prinicipal Investigators for those proposals which were selected:

DPS ALERT: Outer Planets Research Cancelled; Concern for all R&A Programs

“On January 24, 2006, Curt Niebur, Discipline Scientist for the Outer Planets Research Program sent a message to PIs in that program rescinding funding letters that had been received in early December, because those funds had been redirected by senior management. This action is to my knowledge without precedent in the NASA Research and Analysis programs and is having substantial and significant negative impact on many scientists. The DPS is collecting impact statements from the affected PIs.”