Exploration Precursor Robotic Missions, what can we fly, and where to? Options

[infocat13]

http://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/viewre...ursor%20RFI.pdf

The request for proposals is out!
The intent is that the SMD ( science missions directorate ) would work closely on these missions and fly instruments, but some of the payload would be ESMD (exploration systems directorate) payloads. ISRU comes to mind,however ISRU could be used in a mars sample return mission so here is my proposal that extends to yet another new proposed line item, the cryogenic on orbit fuel storage/transfer and the aeroshell.
aeroshell is being offered in the discovery AO.
so here is my idea, please critique me.

A Centaur or Delta upper stage is modified to both launch a interplanetary payload and to use residual fuel to power a fuel cell and batteries.My destination is Deimos to satisfy the ESMD folks, and the use of the upper stage to power the payload using its residual fuel is a demonstration of the proposed fuel depot line item.
http://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/viewre...49/Section4.pdf
The payload would include a communications relay for current and future mars robotic probes.The payload would have its own solar arrays and would separate from the Centaur and its solar shade, its long term fuel storage and conversion to fuel cell for power mission over.The Centaur then would vent any remaining consumables and impact Deimos to provide data to the science payload.

After the long term storage of cryogenic fuel is demonstrated on a robotic precursor mission, it could be used next in this scenario, http://www.facebook.com/LoriGarver?v=app_2...69&topic=63

If it is required that any outer planet science probe uses solar arrays and the aeroshell for orbit insertion, it may be required that the solar array must remain stowed behind the aeroshell, so I propose that when the cryogenic upper stage storage technology matures that this would be our power source for the probe in till just before aeroshell orbit insertion. I would think that a cryogenic upper stage could last at least in till orbit insertion to Jupiter.The cryogenic upper stage aeroshell stack could allow a robust Jupiter mission to include a lander
http://discovery.larc.nasa.gov/PDF_FILES/5...echnologies.pdf
and again the upper stage would impact a outer planet moon for science observations like LCROSS or perhaps fly a brief mission extension of its own.

[Drkskywxlt]

James Garvin, former NASA chief scientist, briefed the ACE Lab team leadership and some senior APL staff about the precursor mission strategy and our analysis of a NEO mission in detail. Basically, the news is this...the 2016 Mars mission is probably already dropped given more realistic financial estimates. The <$800M mission ideas for the larger missions is actually more like <$500M (Discovery class) with maybe one of the larger (NF) class per decade. Still, it's a very robust program that could complement SMD's objectives in many ways. These are definitely missions that have science as the secondary/complementary objective to ESMD's goals.

Several options are open for the 2014 NEO mission. We're looking at a single, focused Discovery-class mission. JPL is interested in a "shotgun" approach of launching 2-3 spacecraft to independent targets using SEP. There is a great deal of interest in ESMD and SMD both for an IR NEO-finder telescope. But, of course, neither directorate wants to pay for it. Most likely it won't be this first xPRP mission, but could be something that responsibility is split. It would also help meet the stated national goal of identifying 90% or more of 140m and larger NEOs. So, perhaps that could be a special item.