---------------------------- Original Message ---------------------------- Subject: Undermining US Solar System Exploration From: "Mark V. Sykes" Date: Thu, February 9, 2006 8:32 am To: Michael.D.Griffin@nasa.gov -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear Dr. Griffin, I note in your cover letter for the initial FY06 NASA Operating Plan that you make a point of reducing Research by 15% this fiscal year (the numbers in your spreadsheet indicate a reduction of 10%, so I presume this indicates further cuts). Coupled with the reduction planned for FY07, NASA Research is reduced a net minimum of 25% in one year. The success of our solar system exploration program is particularly sensitive to the health of the planetary research programs. Your cuts will substantially reduce the ranks of our planetary scientists, particularly young researchers. It will damage our nation's immediate and long-term capacity to lead the world in what has been a very high profile and successful enterprise. You have been given some exceptionally bad advice. Your SMD management should have been sufficiently knowledgeable to apprise you of the impact of such a draconian step. However, it seems that over recent years their ranks have been depleted of people that understand this, and dissent from within SMD ranks is not tolerated. I am told that OMB has recommended reduction in research programs because of a substantial carry-over from one year to the next. However, this carry-over exists only because of the inexcusable delays for which NASA is well-known in getting funding to institutions. Recently, the process has exceeded a year for some programs, from proposal submission to funding being allocated and made available for spending. In your letter you say that "the number of new research awards in FY 2006 are reduced". Were you aware that new research award letters have been sent out for a number of programs already, since last November, and that SMD is planning to revoke some fraction of these awards? The impact of this will also be immediate and long term - scientists at the Planetary Science Institute illustrate this at www.psi.edu/~sykes/deselect . I support the broader goals of the President's Vision. However, it seems to me that the path being taken is ensuring their failure while destroying everything else in the process. At the end of the day, this country will be left with only a memory of being a leader in space. Sincerely, Mark --------------------------- Mark V. Sykes, Ph.D., J.D., Director Planetary Science Institute 1700 E. Fort Lowell, Suite 106 Tucson, AZ 85719 520-622-6300 520-622-8060 FAX