1. Preparing for the Future: NASA's Planning for the Decadal Survey
John Nousek
Penn State University
International Workshop on Astronomical X–Ray Optics  Prague, Czech Republic
7 December 2016

3. NASA Astrophysics Subcommittee
Evolution of the Astrophysics Subcommittee:
NASA is applying for FACA charters for four science advisory subcommittees, including the Astrophysics Subcommittee.
Community-based studies (e.g., Senior Reviews, Science &Technology Definition Teams) will now have a chartered Federal Advisory Committee to report to
Once chartered, Astrophysics Subcommittee (APS) will be replaced by Astrophysics Advisory Committee (APAC)
The Astrophysics Advisory Committee will report to the Director of the Astrophysics Division
Once the Astrophysics Advisory Committee is chartered, then the Director of the Astrophysics Division will establish subordinate groups
Four STDTs for large mission studies (FIRS, HabEx, LUVOIR, XRS)
L3 Study Team
October Update: Charters have been submitted to the GSA for approval

4. Astrophysics - Big Picture
FY16 appropriation and FY17 President’s budget request provide ~$1.35B
Fully funds Webb for an October 2018 launch, WFIRST formulation (new start), and increases for R&A and new suborbital capabilities
Senior Review (4/2016) recommended continuing all missions
SOFIA new instruments: HAWC+ 2nd gen instrument commissioned; HIRMES 3rd gen instrument selected; 4th gen instrument call in 2017
NASA missions under development: ISS-NICER (2017), ISS-CREAM (2017), TESS (2017), Webb (2018), WFIRST (mid-2020s).
Partnerships with ESA and JAXA on future missions: XRRM (JAXA), Athena (ESA), L3 (ESA).
Explorer AOs are being released every 2-3 years, soliciting a mission and a mission of opportunity each time.
National Academies Midterm Assessment Report validates progress
NASA initiating large and medium mission concept studies as input for 2020 Decadal Survey

5. X-ray Recovery Mission (XRRM)
Hitomi (ASTRO-H) was lost on March 26, 2016
JAXA proposed an X-ray Recovery Mission (XRRM) to recover science lost. Requires Japanese Government budget approval
The NASA Advisory Council recommended on July 28, 2016, that NASA participate in XRRM. NASA should rebuild SXS if problems leading to loss of Hitomi are solved, does not interfere with decadal Survey priorities, and subject to Mid Term Review report findings
If NASA participates, NASA’s hardware role same as on Hitomi
Project would be directed by GSFC to reduce cost, schedule, and technical risk by leveraging off Hitomi experience and heritage
US community participants, beyond XRRM team at GSFC, would be selected anew from an open call

6. 2016 Astrophysics Explorers / MO
AO Cost Cap is $250M for MIDEX, not including ELV launch
Three categories of MO: Partner Mission of Opportunity, Small Complete Mission (SCM) including ISS & suborbital-class (ULDB, sRLV, CubeSats), & New Missions using Existing Spacecraft
Cost Cap is $70M for MOs, except suborbital-class MOs at $35M
Access to space provided by NASA for ISS or suborbital-class SCM MOs at no charge; SCM access to space may be provided by NASA for a charge ($3M -$15M)
Proposals due December 15, 2016.
Step 1: select 2 or 3 MIDEXs & 2 or 3 MOs for 9-month Phase A Concept Studies, funded at $2M for MIDEX and $500K for MOs
Step 2: review Phase A Concept Study Reports; early 2019 downselect 1 MIDEX and 1 or 2 MOs for Phase B and subsequent phases
MIDEX launch readiness date no later than December 2023
More information at

7. Astrophysics Missions in Development

8. ISS-NICER

9. CREAM – Cosmic Energy and Mass

10. TESS – Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite

11. James Webb Space Telescope

12. WFIRST – Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope

13. Euclid

14. Athena

15. NASA Astrophysics Budget

16. $36M Reduction in NASA Astrophysics 2016

17. FY2017 Budget Request
This budget request & runout allows WFIRST to be executed without additional funding.
This request & notional runout support other Decadal Survey priorities & continued Explorer AOs at cadence of 4 per decade.
Includes partnerships on ESA’s Athena & L3 gravitational wave observatory
Precursor exoplanet science and technology including Large Binocular Telescope Interferometer, Extreme Precision Doppler Spectrometer, and WFIRST Coronagraph.
Retains prior growth in R&A and suborbital programs.
Senior Review funding is inadequate to continue all currently operating missions in FY17-FY18 without reductions in mission and GO funding.

18. Decadal Survey Missions

19. Preparing for 2020 Decadal Survey
NASA studying large mission concepts for 2020 Decadal Survey
A well informed Decadal Survey makes better recommendations
NASA appointed Science and Technology Development Teams and initiated four large mission concept studies:
X-ray Surveyor
Far Infrared Surveyor (proposed name Origins Space Telescope)
Large Ultraviolet/Optical/Infrared Surveyor
Habitable Exoplanet Imaging Mission
Science and Technology Definition Teams have significant roles:
Develop science case
Flow science case into mission parameters
Assess technology gap list
Direct trades of science vs cost/capability
All teams have met face to face twice since early this year
Teams are planning for quarterly face to face meetings in FY17

20. Large Mission STDTs

21. Astrophysics Probes
NASA soliciting medium-size missions in preparation for 2020 Decadal
Astrophysics Probe is defined as mission with total lifecycle cost (NASA’s Phase A through E) in range $400M to $1B.
NASA will provide funding to the PI-led mission concept study team, fund a run with a mission design center at GSFC or JPL, and provide cost assessment at end of study
36 NOIs were received on September 16 in several research areas and from a variety of institutions including NASA Centers, academia, and industry.
Selection targeted for February 2017
Award initiation targeted for March 2017
Final reports due to NASA in September 2018
NASA will submit the final reports and the results of the NASA cost assessment to the 2020 Decal Survey Committee