# NASA announces overhaul of science mission competitions

_Published Saturday, October 24, 2026 at 10:19 PM EDT · Science, Policy · Latest · Tier 2 — Notable_

NASA will change how it competes and selects science missions under Competition Model 2.0, science chief Nicola Fox announced in a letter published by NASA Watch. Initial proposals will emphasize science, deferring detailed engineering and cost work until needed for selection.

Astro-Probes, New Frontiers and Discovery will use an accelerated two-step process, with implementation studies centered on Goddard or JPL and a possible JHU/APL role for selected missions. Smaller mission classes will move to a single-step competition. Fox says implementation will proceed in stages; flagship mission management will retain its existing approach.

## Sources

- [NASA Watch](https://nasawatch.com/2026/10/22/faster-to-science-a-letter-to-the-nasa-science-community/)

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Canonical: https://techandbusiness.org/newswire/aV3BXNw_os4ZH104e1mAH6
Published: 2026-10-25T02:19:04.142Z
Story chronology: 2026-10-22T14:34:46.000Z
Retrieved: 2026-10-25T06:20:08.549Z
Publisher: Tech & Business (techandbusiness.org)