Don Savage
NASA Headquarters, Washington, DC         September 6, 1996
(Phone:  202/358-1547)

RELEASE:  96-184

NASA SELECTS 19 INNOVATIVE SPACE PHYSICS MISSION CONCEPTS

       NASA has awarded $2.9 million to study 19 proposals 
for new innovative mission concepts in space physics.  

       The 19 were selected from 70 proposals submitted in 
response to a NASA Research Announcement (NRA) released in 
February 1996, which solicited proposals for concept studies 
for missions that could be ready to start between 1999 and 
2005.  Concepts were solicited for missions ranging from low 
cost missions up to $20 million to large missions not to 
exceed $250 million for the development phase of the project.  
In addition, the NRA sought missions which promise 
breakthrough advances in the study of space physics, offer 
exploration and discovery, will make use of new technologies, 
and are low cost.

       "I was particularly pleased to see the number of 
exciting missions which the community has envisioned.  The 
goal is to study innovative missions which can significantly 
advance our understanding of the Sun and the environment of 
space, and how they affect Earth," said Dr. George Withbroe, 
Director of the Sun-Earth Connection theme in the Office of 
Space Science, Washington, DC.  "All 19 missions we selected 
are highly focused, low-cost designs which should incorporate 
the latest in sensor and spacecraft technology to meet those 
goals."

       The studies are for one to two years and average about 
$100,000 each per year.  Final reports of the findings will 
be made available to the public at the completion of the 
studies.  The mission concepts that result from these studies 
will be considered in the development of NASA's future space 
science strategic plan.  Many of these mission concept 
studies may result in proposals to NASA, solicited through 
the Announcement of Opportunity process, for new flight 
projects in programs such as the Explorer program. 

       A listing of the selected studies that includes the 
name of the Principal Investigator, Institution and a brief 
description of the mission concept is available by calling 
the Headquarters Newsroom at 202/358-1600.  The studies also 
are available via the Internet at: 

http://umbra.nascom.nasa.gov/spd/#Notices   (Select the link 
"Future Mission Concept Studies")
                             - end -