Draft AOs for Small Astrophysics Explorer Missions & Astrophysics Explorer Missions of Opportunity Released for Comment
Release Date: July 14, 2014
Comments Due: August 4, 2014
Identification Number: NNH14ZDA011J (Draft 2014 Small Astrophysics Explorer AO)
Identification Number: NNH14ZDA012J (Draft 2014 Astrophysics Explorer Missions of Opportunity solicitation)
On July 14, 2014, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Science Mission Directorate (SMD) is releasing two draft solicitations for community review and comment: the Draft 2014 Small Astrophysics Explorer (SMEX) Announcement of Opportunity (AO) and the Draft 2014 Astrophysics Explorer Missions of Opportunity (MO) Program Element Appendix (PEA) for the Second Stand Alone Missions of Opportunity Notice (SALMON-2) AO. Upon the release date, the full text of both draft solicitations will be available at http://nspires.nasaprs.com/.
The Astrophysics Explorers Program conducts Principal Investigator (PI)-led space science investigations relevant to SMD’s astrophysics programs. Explorer investigations must address NASA’s goals to discover the origin, structure, evolution, and destiny of the Universe and search for Earth-like planets.
Participation is open to all categories of organizations or institutions, U.S. or non-U.S., including educational, industrial, and not-for-profit institutions, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), University Affiliated Research Centers (UARCs), NASA Centers, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), and other Government agencies.
The comment period for the Draft 2014 SMEX AO and the Draft 2014 Astrophysics Explorer MO PEA ends on August 4, 2014.
The issuance of the Draft 2014 Small Explorer AO does not obligate NASA to issue the 2014 Small Astrophysics Explorer AO and solicit proposals. The issuance of the Draft 2014 Astrophysics Explorer MO PEA does not obligate NASA to issue a 2014 Astrophysics Explorer MO PEA and solicit proposals. Any costs incurred by prospective investigators in preparing submissions in response to any of these draft solicitations are incurred completely at the submitter’s own risk.
Comments on both drafts may be addressed in writing or by E-mail to the Astrophysics Explorer Program Scientist: Dr. Wilton T. Sanders, Astrophysics Division, Mail Suite 3U16, Science Mission Directorate, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Washington, DC 20546-0001, E-mail: wilton.t.sanders@nasa.gov (subject line to read “SMEX AO”). Responses to all inquiries will be answered by E-mail and also posted weekly at the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) location of the Astrophysics Explorer Program Acquisition website at http://explorers.larc.nasa.gov/APSMEX/; anonymity of persons/institutions who submit questions will be preserved.
