[EricRobodox]

lol, there was a career fair while i was working there were i got to talk to people from all over JPL, and he was talking about how the missions are chosen very selectively and that tons of missions concepts dont make it, even with hours upon hours upon hours.... upon hours of research and design have gone into the proposal. Then on top of it, there are also some major dates that after approved need to be planned and worked out, like design and other things that are somewhat over my head. I think for MSL, the major like meeting was done March or May, i know it was just before i came in, and MSL has been approved since i think 2001 or 2003. one of those. Little tired at the moment, and cant think too straight. If Dave knows more about it, im sure he wouldnt mind explaining a bit.