The need for an instrument first, spacecraft second mission development approach

NASA science instruments have had a history of developmental delays. These development delays can lead to cost growth for the overall mission, as shown in recent studies of NASA missions and a larger historical data set. There are examples of historical missions, such as QuikSCAT and QuikTOMS, that have had shorter development times and less than historical average cost and schedule growth, which had instruments that were largely developed prior to the start of mission development. This implies that a similar approach, labeled instrument first, spacecraft second (IFSS), could provide reduced cost and schedule growth in future missions. This paper discusses the supporting data for such an approach.