Managing GRAIL: Getting to launch on cost, on schedule, and on spec

The Gravity Recovery And Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) mission launched September 2011. GRAIL is a Discovery Program mission with a project cost cap. Led by Principal Investigator (PI) Dr. Maria T. Zuber of MIT and managed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, GRAIL will precisely map the gravitational field of the Moon to reveal its internal structure “from crust to core,” determine its thermal evolution, and extend this knowledge to other planets. Dr. Sally Ride leads education and public outreach. This paper summarizes development challenges and accomplishments. Critical success factors are discussed, including key personnel, technical margins, and schedule/cost management practices.