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Preface
The NASA Engineering Management Council (EMC) was established in 1991 under NASA
Management Instruction (NMI) 1152.62. The membership consists of senior management offi-
cials in engineering and quality assurance from each NASA Center,. One of these council’s key
functions is to develop policies and recommendations for NASA-wide programs. One of the
key elements of NASA programs identified by the EMC is the mission design process used for
developing new missions.
The guide has been developed in response to a request from the EMC to provide definition of
the mission design process. It is intended to serve as a reference compendium of proven ap-
proaches to be used by those knowledgeable and experienced in NASA projects and aerospace
technology. The basic processes, activities, and products described herein are applicable to the
wide array of missions conducted throughout NASA. An abbreviated format of limited detail
has been adopted in order to cover the essential topics in a reasonably sized document.
Reference materials and other source data have been highly condensed. A listing of additional
reading material is included as an Appendix.
The guide is not intended to constrain imagination and initiative in approaching the design of
NASA missions. The guide should be used in formulating a study plan tailored to the mission
under study.
Any comments should be addressed to:
Dr. Michael G. Ryschkewitsch, Chief
Systems Engineering Office, Code 704
Goddard Space Flight Center
Greenbelt, Maryland 20771
This guide is being distributed under the auspices of the NASA EMC.
Thomas E. Huber
EMC Chairman
