Critique of OIG Review of SMD Mission Extension Process

Letter From Clive Neal to NASA Inspector General Regarding NASA SMD Mission Extension Process Report
“I am writing this open letter with regard to the Inspector General Report No. IG-15- 001 (hereafter “IG-Report”) regarding the Science Mission Directorate’s (SMD) Mission Extension Process that was released on 9 October of this year. In this report you highlighted the Planetary Science Division (PSD) for particular criticism because of its non-standardized approach to evaluating mission extensions. Having been part of the PSD 2012 Senior Review, and chair of the GRAIL and the PSD 2014 Senior Reviews, I feel I must respond to note some errors and misunderstandings within the IG report. It is my opinion that the proposed recommendations could have a serious deleterious impact on the effectiveness of planetary science missions.”
OIG Finds Major Flaws in Planetary Science Division Mission Extension Process, earier post