Physics of the CosmosCollaborations
Q: Does a NASA Center have to be involved in the proposal?
A: Submissions are not formal proposals and a NASA Center does not need to be involved at this time. NASA Centers will provide support to the concept study teams once the Astrophysics Division Director has made selections.
Q: In MIDEX and SMEX missions, collaboration with a NASA Center is often required and starts as early as the pre-concept phase. How does ASTRA compare in terms of the timing and expectations for NASA Center engagement?
A: Collaboration with a NASA Center is not required at this time as only high-level mission concepts are required. The request for mission concepts is preliminary pre-formulation (i.e. idea formulation).
Q: At what stage are we expected to search & arrange for partnerships with industry and international collaborations? Is the expectation by the end of 2026, or at the time that the 4-6 missions are at the STDT phase?
A: Partnerships are not required at this stage of concept selection. Once the studies have been selected, and Science and Technology and Definition Teams developed, partnerships with industry and international participation will be established.
Scope
Q: Are these mission concepts for a flagship-class or probe-class?
A: Mission concepts are for large strategic missions that are >$1B. The ASTRA Initiative includes Probe- and Flagship-class missions.
Q: What is the anticipated timeline for the mission concepts and technology that will be selected as a part of this process: from today to launch? Is this planning for the 2030s, 2040s, or 2050s?
A: Mission prioritizations are recommended by the National Academies via Astrophysics Decadal Surveys. The Decadal Survey on Astronomy and Astrophysics 2020 (Astro2020): Pathways to Discovery in Astronomy and Astrophysics for the 2020s, recommended the Great Observatories Mission and Technology Maturation Program, with the Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) as the first entrant. While HWO continues to be the highest priority in this Program, the ASTRA Initiative will identify strategic technology developments that could start as early as FY27. The launch of missions selected for study by the NASA Astrophysics Division will d …