  The PI Launchpad attempts to provide an entry level explanation of the
process of space mission development for new Principal Investigators (PIs). In
particular, PI launchpad has a focus on building teams, making partnerships,
and science concept maturity for a space mission concept, not necessarily
technical or engineering practices. Here we briefly summarize the goals of the
PI Launchpad workshops and present some results from the workshops held in 2019
and 2021. The workshop attempts to describe the current process of space
mission development (i.e. space-based telescopes and instrument platforms,
planetary missions of all types, etc.), covering a wide range of topics that a
new PI may need to successfully develop a team and write a proposal. It is not
designed to replace real experience but to provide an easily accessible
resource for potential PIs who seek to learn more about what it takes to submit
a space mission proposal, and what the first steps to take can be. The PI
Launchpad was created in response to the high barrier to entry for early career
or any scientist who is unfamiliar with mission design. These barriers have
been outlined in several recent papers and reports, and are called out in
recent space science Decadal reports.
