2. Potential NASA Funding Sources
Explorer program
International space science collaboration
Unsolicited JAXA approach to NASA
‘I rob banks because that's where the money is.’
Willie Sutton

3. Explorer program
Try for a mission of opportunity (MoO) at next Midex call for proposals
But … call for proposals delayed from Mar ‘07 to Nov ’07
Open competition:– can win or lose
If win, get money in Oct ’09
Currently have a very small amount of internal JPL funding to prepare for Midex MoO. Trying to get funding money for tracking station activities.

5. International space science collaboration
Supports NASA/JPL contributions to Herschel and Planck missons
Need to investigate if this program is suitable for VSOP-2

6. VSOP-2 Tracking Study
Examine minimum and maximum % of time VSOP-2 can be tracked with various combinations of tracking stations:
B = Green Bank, East Coast USA
G = Goldstone, West Coast USA
H = Hartebeesthoek, South Africa
M = Madrid, Spain
S = Santiago, Chile
T = Tidbinbilla, Australia
U = Usuda, Japan
For VSOP-2: Ha=25,000 km, Hp=1000 km, I=31o
3 Arguments of perigee studied: 0o, 90o, 270o

11. Useful Links NASA 2008 Budget:
NASA explorer program: