astrophysics
NASA selects astrophysics mission proposals for study
NASA has selected four mission concepts for additional study in the latest round of an astrophysics program, but selected missions could face delays because of budget constraints.
ESA scaling back design of X-ray astronomy mission
Faced within increasing costs, the European Space Agency is looking for ways to revise the design of a large X-ray space telescope, an effort that could have implications for NASA’s own astrophysics programs.
Roman Space Telescope top challenge for new NASA astrophysics director
The person tapped to be the next head of NASA’s astrophysics division says his top priority is to keep the agency’s next large space telescope on schedule and within its budget.
NASA and DLR to end SOFIA operations
NASA and German space agency DLR announced April 28 they will end operations of an airborne astrophysics observatory in September.
NASA to start astrophysics probe program
NASA is starting to implement recommendations of the astrophysics decadal survey by announcing plans for a new line of missions and laying the groundwork for future large space telescopes.
Astrophysics decadal survey recommends a program of flagship space telescopes
A long-awaited report on the future of astrophysics research recommended NASA pursue a series of flagship observatories, starting with a large space telescope estimated to cost $11 billion but which would not fly until the early 2040s.
NASA selects gamma-ray telescope mission for development
NASA will develop a gamma-ray telescope intended to study the formation of chemical elements in the galaxy as its next small astrophysics mission.
NASA astrophysics director to step down
Paul Hertz, who has led NASA’s astrophysics programs for nearly a decade, will step down by the end of the year to pursue his “next challenge” at the space agency.
SpaceX to launch NASA astrophysics mission
SpaceX won a NASA contract Feb. 4 to launch a small astrophysics spacecraft, continuing the company’s string of similar agency contracts over the last two years.
NASA selects four small astrophysics missions for study
NASA has selected four small astrophysics missions for further study, although the agency cautions that not all may ultimately be flown.
Pandemic may delay several NASA astrophysics missions
Several NASA astrophysics missions in various stages of development are likely facing delays because of the coronavirus pandemic, an agency official said.
Pandemic delays launch of NASA astrophysics smallsat mission
The launch of a NASA astronomy smallsat mission next year will be postponed by several months after the pandemic delayed assembly of key elements of the spacecraft.
NASA selects finalists for next small astrophysics mission
NASA has selected four finalists for the agency’s next small astrophysics mission, including both spacecraft and International Space Station experiments to study a wide range of astronomical phenomena.
Cubesats gain broader acceptance for astrophysics missions
As one astronomy cubesat reaches the end of its mission, scientists and NASA officials argue that such spacecraft have demonstrated they can perform useful science often not feasible with larger missions.
Astronomy missions pass senior review
NASA has decided to extend the lifetimes of all eight astrophysics missions up for review, from large space telescopes to an instrument on the International Space Station.
Astrophysicists gear up for 2020 decadal survey
As astrophysicists prepare to begin their next decadal survey, other scientists and members of Congress endorsed the overall process even as they suggested some changes.
Foust Forward | Expanding budgets for an expanding universe
There’s little doubt, though, that JWST will eventually launch, even if the March 2021 date slips. The same isn’t the case for the Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope (WFIRST), NASA’s next flagship astrophysics mission.
Op-ed | The rocky landscape for astrophysics
Aside from the gaping hole in capabilities that WFIRST was uniquely designed to fill in the 2020s, NASA's projected out-year budget delivers a knock-out punch to future U.S. leadership in space astrophysics
NASA selects infrared astronomy survey mission
NASA has selected for development a mission that will perform a spectroscopic survey of the entire sky at near-infrared wavelengths to study the origins of solar systems, galaxies and the universe.
NASA planning alternative reviews of SOFIA
NASA is planning two alternative reviews of an airborne observatory amid conflicting congressional views on whether the program will be eligible for the next senior review of astrophysics missions.
