National Aeronautics and Space Administration Headquarters Washington, DC 20546-0001 Reply to Attn of: SE FEB 4 2002 Dr. H. Jay Melosh Lunar and Planetary Laboratory University of Arizona, Tucson Department of Planetary Science Tucson, AZ 85721 Dear Dr. Melosh: Thank you for submitting the research proposal entitled "Constraining tectonism in the northern plains of Mars with studies of an extensive network of ridges using MOLA data and images" to the NASA Headquarters Mars Data Analysis Program in response to NRA 0 1-0SS-0 1 (ROSS-2001). I regret to inform you that your proposal was not selected for funding. Of the 78 proposals submitted to the MDAP program a total of 52 Solicited Full Proposals were selected for funding. Each solicited full proposal is reviewed by several external and panel reviewers prior to the MDAP Review Panel meeting. During the panel meeting each proposal is discussed at length and rated as to the scientific merit, relevance, and cost effectiveness of the proposal with respect to the objectives of the MDAP program. It is the panel's consensus evaluation of a proposal that forms the primary basis for selection or rejection. The summary evaluation of your proposed research is enclosed for your information. It is hoped that this information may be useful to you in any future proposal submissions. If you have any questions concerning the evaluation of your proposal or the MDAP program, my e-mail address is jboyce@hq.nasa.gov or you can contact me at (202) 358-0302. Sincerely, Joe Boyce Discipline Scientist Mars Data Analysis Program Research Program Management Division Office of Space Science NRA-01-01-MDAP-015 PI: Melosh, H. Jay 11/15/01, 7:54 PM CONSENSUS EVALUATION OF PROPOSAL SUBMITTED IN RESPONSE TO NRA 01-0SS-01 Mars Data Analysis Program 2001 Proposal Number: NRA-01-01-015 PI Name: Melosh, H. Jay PI Institution: University of Arizona, Tucson Proposal Title: Constraining tectonism in the northern plains of Mars with studies of an extensive network of ridges using MOLA data and images. All proposals and reviews are proprietary and should be handled by the reviewer in a confidential manner. Comments on this page may be transmitted anonymously to the proposer. (1) SUMMARY OF RESEARCH OBJECTIVES. The objectives of the proposal are to study the wrinkle ridges of the northern plains that have been revealed through analysis of MOLA data and to interpret them in terms of their implications for stress history and the relationships with "quasi-circular depressions." (2) SUMMARY OF EVALUATIONS. Describe the proposal according to (1) Intrinsic Merit (discuss strengths and weaknesses); (2) Relevance to NASA Objectives (evaluate the likelihood that the results of the proposed work will contribute positively to NASA's goals and strategic plan), and (3) Cost Effectiveness (measure the balance between the requested budget, the value of the results/products, and the importance or relevance to current NASA objectives). Intrinsic Merit The proposal is very short and insufficient details are provided. The objectives are clearly laid out and if one is familiar with the work on wrinkle ridges then the details of how it might be done could be assumed (from the proposal alone it would be unclear). It is unclear though whether the subdued ridges of the northern plains can really be used for stress analysis. The ridges of the northern plains are not formed in the present plains material but in the underlying (Hesperian?) surface. Thus the ridge observed in the MOLA data is an echo of the underlying ridge. As such it is not clear that the details of the morphometry can be obtained. Any regional offset that might be present across the actual ridge might not be observed at the current surface. Small-scale morphometric information would be lost due to the burial. The observed morphometry may not therefore be directly indicative of strain, etc. Measurements are being primarily carried out using gridded data products; while convenient it may actually inhibit the accurate measurement of the properties of small ridges such as relief because the gridding process actually smooths the data, hence leading to lower estimates of properties like relief than the actual data suggest. It is not clear how tectonic vs. nontectonic ridges will be distinguished. Relevance to NASA Objectives The ridges within the northern plains of Mars are not well understood nor the extraordinary smoothness of the plains. Delineation of the geometry of these features may help to describe the history of the northern plains in a tectonic sense and possibly in a depositional sense as well. Cost Effectiveness The costs are consistent with the proposed work. (3) COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS FOR THE PROPOSER. Adherence to these comments does not constitute a guarantee of future funding. A more specific proposal would certainly allow a better understanding of the work being proposed, how it might be accomplished, and its relevance. Illustrations of the extent to which meaningful morphometric data could be acquired and interpretations made for the northern plains ridges, considering the geologic environment, would demonstrate the methodology. Addition of geologic expertise to the team would aid in the interpretation and understanding the geologic context. The Nature reprint was not attached, making it difficult to evaluate the scope and impact of prior work.