WASHINGTON - The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has selected two proposals to study X-ray and far-infrared light from space for further review, the agency announced. Each proposal team will receive $5 million for a year-long mission concept study. NASA plans to choose one of the missions for development in 2026 and expects a launch in 2032.
The mission selected will be the first in a new class under NASA's Explorers Program, known as Probe Explorers. This new class of missions aims to bridge the gap between NASA’s flagship projects and smaller-scale missions, offering a mid-tier approach to advancing astrophysical research.
"NASA's Explorers Program brings out some of the most creative ideas for missions that help us reveal the unknown about our universe," said Nicola Fox, associate administrator for NASA's Science Mission Directorate. "Both of the selected concepts could enable ground-breaking science responsive to the top astrophysics priorities of the decade, develop key technologies for future flagship missions, and offer opportunities for the entire community to use the new observatory, for the benefit of all."
The creation of the Probe Explorers class was recommended by the 2020 Decadal Survey by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. The survey called for a new mission focusing on either X-ray or far-infrared light. Each mission is capped at a cost of $1 billion, excluding launch and rocket expenses.
NASA assessed the proposals based on their scientific potential, the feasibility of their development plans, and their technological contributions to future large-scale missions.
One of the selected proposals is the Advanced X-ray Imaging Satellite. This mission would operate as an X-ray imaging observatory, offering a large field of view and high spatial resolution. Its primary objectives include studying the formation of supermassive black holes, investigating the role of stellar feedback in galaxy evolution, and exploring the sources of various cosmic explosions. This observatory would build on the capabilities of previous X-ray missions, improving both imaging and spectroscopy technologies. The project is led by Christopher Reynolds of the University of Maryland, with project management by NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland.
The other selected proposal is the Probe Far-Infrared Mission for Astrophysics. This mission would utilize a 5.9-foot telescope to study far-infrared light, helping to bridge the observational gap between infrared and radio wavelengths. By focusing on far-infrared radiation, the mission would address key questions about the origins of planets, supermassive black holes, stars, and cosmic dust. The project is led by Jason Glenn at NASA Goddard, with management provided by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California.
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