NASA Awards $50.1 Million to Arizona State University for Psyche Mission
Track this bill to get notified when it advances a stage. One tap to stop, anytime.
The Frame
This award provides $50.1 million in federal funding to Arizona State University to manage the scientific and operational planning for a major NASA space mission, determining the project's feasibility and design.
Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.
Arizona State University
The university receives $50.1 million in federal funding and assumes responsibility for leading the mission's scientific and management activities.
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
The laboratory is tasked with providing technical support for spacecraft development and mission implementation.
No recent stage movement in the current record.
Next step not available in the current record.
Summary
Key Facts
- NASA awarded $50.1 million to Arizona State University for the Psyche mission.
- The funding supports the Phase A concept definition portion of the NASA Discovery Program.
- Dr. Linda Elkins-Tanton is the Principal Investigator responsible for project resources and science team activities.
- Dr. James Bell serves as the Deputy Principal Investigator.
- The Jet Propulsion Laboratory is the primary partner for spacecraft development, navigation, and mission operations.
- Phase A objectives include project management, project reviews, and preparation of a concept study report.
- The contract includes planning for potential future mission phases (B, C, D, and E).
- The mission is based on the 2014 NASA Discovery Program Announcement of Opportunity (NNH14ZDA014O).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of this $50.1 million award?
Who is in charge of the mission?
What is the role of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in this project?
Why It Matters
This award provides $50.1 million in federal funding to Arizona State University to manage the scientific and operational planning for a major NASA space mission, determining the project's feasibility and design.
News Coverage
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
University-Led NASA Mission
The document highlights a model where a university, rather than a government agency alone, holds primary responsibility for the scientific and management success of a major space mission.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.usaspending.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance75How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy10Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment20Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz30Current news / social attention level
Publisher tools