NASA'S Earth Science Enterprise plans to release an Earth System Science Program (ESSP) Announcement of Opportunity (AO) in the summer of 2004. ESSP missions are intended to execute science investigations at the forefront of Earth System Science to secure answers to high priority Earth Science questions in the science focus areas described in our new Earth Science Enterprise (ESE) Strategy. We strongly encourage you to read the new ESE Strategy accessible at www.earth.nasa.gov. NASA will invite both the U.S. and international science communities to participate in proposals for ESSP missions to be carried out as a result of this AO.
As in the past, NASA plans to conduct a two-step proposal and evaluation process for this AO. Step-One is primarily a science concept screening, with some assessment of the mission's technical risks. At the end of Step-One, NASA will recommend that a limited number of highly rated investigations enter the Step-Two process and prepare full proposals. We anticipate a 90-day response period for the Step-One proposals, with the announcement of recommendations to enter the Step-Two process in about February, 2005. We anticipate a 120-day response period for the Step-Two proposals. Announcement of awards is expected in the fall of 2005.
Further details will be forthcoming over the next several months.
