NASA has recently unveiled a significant development in the field of space exploration, announcing that two innovative proposals for missions focusing on X-ray and far-infrared wavelengths have been selected for further examination. These proposals have been chosen as part of NASA’s ongoing efforts to expand our understanding of the universe. They will each receive $5 million to conduct a detailed 12-month mission concept study. Following a thorough evaluation of these studies, NASA anticipates selecting one of the proposals in 2026 to move forward with construction, aiming for a launch in 2032.

A New Class of Astrophysics Missions

The mission that will eventually be selected is set to become the first in a new category of NASA astrophysics missions within its Explorers Program, known as Probe Explorers. This new mission class is designed to bridge the gap between NASA’s flagship missions, which are generally large-scale, and smaller missions, offering a middle ground in the agency’s exploration endeavors aimed at uncovering the mysteries of the universe.

Nicola Fox, the associate administrator for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, emphasized the significance of the Explorers Program in fostering innovative ideas for missions that enhance our knowledge of the cosmos. She highlighted that the introduction of this new category of missions represents the largest competition ever seen in NASA’s Astrophysics program, elevating creativity to unprecedented levels. The selected proposals have the potential to enable groundbreaking science that aligns with the top astrophysics priorities for the decade. They also promise to develop crucial technologies for future major missions and provide opportunities for the scientific community to benefit from a new observatory.

Recommendations from the Decadal Survey

The initiative to establish this new mission class was recommended by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s 2020 Decadal Survey, titled "Pathways to Discovery in Astronomy and Astrophysics for the 2020s." The survey suggested that the first mission should focus on observing either X-ray or far-infrared wavelengths of light. The cost for each of the new Probe Explorers missions is capped at $1 billion, excluding the cost of the rocket, launch services, and any additional contributions.

NASA’s evaluation of the Probe Explorers proposals considered several factors, including their scientific merit and alignment with the Decadal Survey’s recommendations. Other considerations included the feasibility of the development plans and the use of technologies that could aid in the creation of future large-scale missions.

Selected Proposals

Advanced X-ray Imaging Satellite

This proposal envisions an X-ray imaging observatory with a large, flat field-of-view and high spatial resolution. The mission aims to study the seeds of supermassive black holes, explore the process of stellar feedback that influences galaxy evolution, and determine the power sources of various explosive phenomena in the universe. The observatory is designed to build on the successes of past X-ray observatories, offering new capabilities for X-ray imaging and spectroscopy.

• Principal Investigator: Christopher Reynolds, University of Maryland, College Park
• Project Management: NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland
  

  Probe Far-Infrared Mission for Astrophysics
  

  This observatory is planned to be a 5.9-foot (1.8-meter) telescope focusing on studying far-infrared wavelengths. It aims to bridge the gap between existing infrared observatories, such as NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, and radio telescopes. By examining radiant energy that emerges only in the far-infrared, the mission seeks to answer questions about the origins and growth of planets, supermassive black holes, stars, and cosmic dust.

• Principal Investigator: Jason Glenn, NASA Goddard
• Project Management: NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Southern California
  

  The Legacy of NASA’s Explorers Program
  

  The Explorers Program holds the distinction of being NASA’s longest-running continuous program designed to provide regular, cost-effective access to space through principal investigator-led space science investigations. These missions are relevant to the Science Mission Directorate’s astrophysics and heliophysics programs. Since the launch of Explorer 1 in 1958, which led to the discovery of Earth’s radiation belts, the program has launched over 90 missions. Noteworthy missions include the Uhuru and Cosmic Background Explorer missions, which were instrumental in earning Nobel Prizes for their investigators.

  The Explorers Program is managed by NASA Goddard for the Science Mission Directorate, which oversees a wide range of research and scientific exploration initiatives, including studies of Earth, space weather, the solar system, and the broader universe.

  For more detailed information about NASA’s Explorers Program and its initiatives, you can visit the official website: https://explorers.gsfc.nasa.gov.

  Expanding the Frontiers of Space Science
  

  These new missions represent a crucial step forward in expanding our understanding of the universe. By focusing on X-ray and far-infrared wavelengths, NASA is poised to unlock new scientific insights and technological advancements that could pave the way for future explorations. The collaborative efforts between NASA and the scientific community will ensure that these missions not only advance our knowledge but also inspire the next generation of scientists and explorers.

  As these proposals move through the evaluation and development phases, they carry the potential to revolutionize our comprehension of cosmic phenomena and their underlying mechanisms. The anticipation surrounding these missions highlights the continued importance of space exploration in answering fundamental questions about our universe and our place within it.

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