A revolution in robotic space exploration: ten times as many missions at ten percent of the cost per mission

Abstract

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) has recently adopted a new strategy that includes small, frequent missions as a cornerstone, replacing the large, infrequent missions that dominated its recent past. JPL's director has implemented a long range strategy leading to fundamentally new processes for designing and carrying out robotic space missions. An important part of this strategy is development of processes to produce miniaturized, highly capable spacecraft to conduct unique investigations of the planets and heavens to inspire the public and continue the flow of scientific knowledge. These low cost spacecraft are being designed and built rapidly using modern electronic tools to fly highly innovative scientific sensors and instruments launched on small vehicles at least twice every year. This paper explores the techniques, tools, software, and organizations that have been established to carryout this strategy, with emphasis on the early phases of new project design.