What specific program specialized in launching small, low-cost spacecraft during the Goldin era?
Answer
The Discovery Program
The strategy implemented under the 'faster, better, cheaper' philosophy dramatically increased the annual launch cadence for science missions, particularly in planetary exploration. This acceleration was largely achieved through the specialized vehicle for this approach: the Discovery Program. The Discovery Program focused specifically on designing, building, and launching small, low-cost spacecraft. Successful examples frequently cited as proving the viability of this approach included the Mars Global Surveyor orbiter and the Mars Pathfinder lander, which famously carried the Sojourner rover to the Martian surface.
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