PLANNING SCIENCE OBSERVATIONS BASED ON MARKET FORCES

Randii R. Wessen, David Porter, Robin Hanson
randii.r.wessen@jpl.nasa.gov
JPL, California Institute of Technology

Abstract:
Science planning is the most fundamental objective of any planetary mission. 
However, planning science observations have been based on collocation of the 
payload scientists who debate the merits of which investigation had the 
"stronger" science. Winners where based on which investigator delivered the best 
presentation and not necessarily the best overall science for the mission. 
This paper will discuss an innovative approach toward science planning based on 
the forces of supply and demand.

This new planning process focuses on the fact that the individuals who can make 
the best decisions about what observations to propose, what resources are 
required to implement the observations, and which observations are most important 
are the Principle Investigators. The process begins with inputs from an 
independent Science Workshop. Their inputs are a list of high-value science 
observations. From this a timeline is generated specifying observation start, 
duration, number of computer words and data volume. Investigators then are 
allocated "chits" (i.e., a unit of exchange) for the amount of time their 
investigation is designated as the prime data-gathering instrument.

Investigators may make changes to the timeline by submitting "bids" (i.e., a 
request for new resources) to a database. Each bid has an associated number of 
chits. If there are no conflict of resources, the observation request is 
automatically incorporated into the timeline. However, if a conflict exists, 
the request with the larger number of chits is accepted. The investigator whose 
observation was bumped from the timeline can add more chits to the request, 
modify the observation to work with another investigation (i.e., adds more chits 
from another investigator), or lose the observation.

This process allows investigators to generate an integrated, conflict-free 
timeline from their home institutions; promote requests for smaller, more 
synergistic observations; and allow the individuals with the largest vested 
interest to determine the science returned by the mission.