New Worlds 2018

“THE BEST SPACE SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE ON EARTH”

The Spacer Tribe gathers in Austin again this fall.Amazing talks by amazing people ASTRONAUTS to ARTISTS, ENGINEERS to ENTREPRENEURS, NASA to NEWSPACE, NEW WORLDS BLOWS OUT THE AIRLOCK–…

NASA imposes cost caps on astrophysics flagship studies

NASA has directed teams studying proposed flagship-class missions for the next astrophysics decadal survey to fit their concepts within cost caps that could force major changes to their designs.

NASA drops request to delay next astrophysics decadal

Two months after suggesting the next major review of priorities in astrophysics research and missions to achieve those goals be delayed, the head of NASA’s science directorate says that study should stay on schedule.

Astronomers resist NASA push to delay astrophysics decadal survey

With uncertainty about the future of two large space telescopes, NASA is continuing to suggest that the next decadal survey for astrophysics be postponed, a move opposed by many astronomers.

NASA renames Swift mission after astronomer Neil Gehrels

NASA announced Jan. 10 that it was renaming the Swift astronomy spacecraft after its former principal investigator, who passed away last year.

Report lays out potential changes to WFIRST to reduce its cost

An independent review board for NASA’s next flagship astronomy mission concluded in its final report that the project is “not executable” without additional funding or adjustments to the spacecraft.

NASA trims reserves and shifts schedules to find astrophysics cost savings

Forced to find nearly $30 million in cost savings, NASA’s astrophysics program has trimmed budget reserves on one mission approaching launch and delayed the schedule of another.

NASA to delay WFIRST reviews for independent study

NASA will delay moving its newest flagship astronomy mission into its next stage of development to accommodate an independent review of the program.

NASA examines effects of 2017 spending bill on science programs

As members of Congress took credit for NASA funding levels in a fiscal year 2017 omnibus spending bill, the agency’s science leadership is examining how those funds will affect its programs.

NASA and JAXA to develop replacement X-ray astronomy telescope

NASA and the Japanese space agency JAXA will start work this spring on an orbiting X-ray astronomy telescope to replace one lost shortly after launch last year.

NASA science chief seeks to allay concerns about transition

The head of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, seeking to assure astronomers concerned about the next administration, said that the transition process has gone as he expected.

NASA selects X-ray astronomy mission

NASA has selected an X-ray astronomy spacecraft to study black holes and other astronomical phenomena as the next flight in a program of small astrophysics missions, the agency announced Jan. 3.

Report warns of WFIRST cost growth

The estimated cost of NASA’s next major astrophysics mission after the James Webb Space Telescope has increased by up to 25 percent, growth that a new report warns could hurt other priorities for NASA astronomy missions in the coming years.

NASA may build replacement instrument for Japanese astronomy mission

NASA is considering building a replacement for an instrument lost on a Japanese X-ray astronomy satellite earlier this year that could fly on another Japanese spacecraft.

NASA astronomy missions pass senior review

NASA has accepted the recommendation of a review panel that it continue operations of a half-dozen astrophysics missions, including infrared and x-ray observatories and a retooled extrasolar planet mission.

NASA trims astrophysics research funds to cover shortfall

NASA’s astrophysics division will cut several million dollars of research funds this year to partially cover a broader funding shortfall created by congressionally mandated allocations to other division programs.