January 13, 2017, 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

January 13, 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

The MIDEX Opportunity; What is it and how do you win

Timothy Gehringer (NASA/GSFC, code 1010)

NASA will be releasing the Medium Explorer (MIDEX) AO for Heliophysics in 2019. THEMIS was the last MIDEX launched in 2007, the AO was released in 2001. It will be eighteen years since the last MIDEX and it seems opportune to review what makes up this AO and why is it different from the SMEX and other AOs. We will explore topics such as: What are the differences between the various Explorer opportunities? What makes a winning MIDEX mission? What is the expectation of NASA for larger missions?

A MIDEX mission is more than just scaling up or down your current science mission concept; it is a unique opportunity to do exciting world-class science that isn't possible in any other way. The purpose of this seminar is to explore what it takes to find a winning sweet spot of science, and complexity (risk) for a MIDEX cost cap of ~$250 million dollars (not including launch vehicle). What has been important to winning past selections, what could change in future selections and what will be constant through all NASA AOs including this MIDEX. Your perspectives, insights and experience will be welcome as we discuss this puzzle of getting a GSFC proposal selected and the unique challenges that as a NASA center we face.

This seminar will give the attendee a deeper insight into the challenge of proposing the largest scientifically open Heliophysics opportunity that NASA offers and how do you as the Principal Investigator position your proposal to be selected.