NASA has initiated studies in preparation for the 2020 Astronomy and Astrophysics Decadal Survey (http://science.nasa.gov/astrophysics/2020-decadal-survey-planning/). This Letter announces the upcoming release in August 2016 of a solicitation for proposals to conduct medium-size, or Astrophysical Probe, mission concept studies as part of the Decadal Survey preparations. This solicitation will be issued as a new Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) program element.
Astrophysics Probes are envisioned to have a total lifecycle (NASA phases A through F) cost between approximately $400M to $1B. NASA will peer review the submitted proposals in response to this ROSES solicitation and select five to eight Probes concepts for one and a half year studies to address key areas, such as science goals and measurements, mission design, launch constraints, and operation. In addition to approximately $100K in funding for each study, NASA will provide access to a mission design laboratory facility at one of its Centers to conduct architecture and design studies and to develop cost estimates.
The final product of each study will be a formal report to NASA; NASA intends to submit these studies to the Decadal Survey.
Notices of Intent (NOIs) to propose will be due in mid-September 2016, followed by full proposals due in mid-November 2016. A preproposal teleconference, including a Question and Answer session, will be held prior to the NOI due date.
NASA reserves the right to cancel this Dear Colleague Letter at any time, or to not solicit proposals for Astrophysics Probes mission concept studies, should programmatic, budgetary, and/or other reasons warrant it.
For further information, contact Dr. Rita Sambruna, Astrophysics Probes Program Officer, at [email protected].