Decadal Survey
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.
SOFIA makes case for continued operations
Officials with a NASA airborne observatory responded to a stinging rebuke in the latest astrophysics decadal survey by arguing that the facility, targeted for termination, is essential to the agency’s broader science program.
Astro2020: A decadal survey that spans decades
The long-awaited Astro2020 roadmap calls for a series of flagship observatories, starting with an $11 billion space telescope that wouldn’t fly until the early 2040s.
Astrophysics decadal survey recommends NASA terminate SOFIA
The future of NASA’s SOFIA airborne observatory remains in limbo after the astrophysics decadal survey gave the program, proposed for termination by NASA, a vote of no-confidence.
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 moves Mars Sample Return program into next phase of development
NASA is moving ahead with work on a pair of Mars sample return missions, although some in the planetary science community worry how the cost of that effort will affect other projects.
Planetary science decadal survey to include astrobiology and planetary defense
NASA and the National Academies are set to start the next planetary science decadal survey, one that will place an increased emphasis on areas like astrobiology and planetary defense.
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.
Committee praises NASA’s planetary science program but raises some concerns
NASA has done a good job implementing the recommendations of its latest planetary science decadal survey despite past budget problems, but needs to improve some programs, a recent report concluded.
Senate science hearing debates effectiveness of decadal surveys
A Senate hearing Aug. 1 intended to discuss NASA’s search for life beyond Earth turned into a discussion about the long-standing process the scientific community uses to prioritize missions.
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.
First-ever Earth science decadal survey was a call to action
To gauge the impact of the National Academies’ first Earth science decadal survey, it’s important to look beyond its list of 15 recommended missions and consider the warning the panel began conveying in its 2005 interim report: The U.S. Earth-observing program was in danger of collapse.
Astronomers meet amid questions about the status of NASA flagship missions
Scientists gathering this week for the country’s largest astronomy meeting will discuss plans for future space telescopes, while raising questions about the status of upcoming missions.
What happened to the 2007 Earth science decadal survey missions?
Ten years after the National Academies published the first Earth science decadal survey, NASA has flown one of the 15 recommended missions with two more scheduled to launch in 2018.
