Results of 2016 NASA Astrophysics Senior Review of Operating Missions
Daniel Evans NASA Headquarters
The NASA 2016 Astrophysics Senior Review was held during February and March 2016. The following missions were reviewed in three panels:
- Chandra X-ray Observatory (Chandra)
- Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope (Fermi)
- Hubble Space Telescope (Hubble)
- K2 mission using the Kepler Space Telescope (K2)
- Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR)
- Spitzer Space Telescope (Spitzer)
- Swift Gamma-ray Burst Explorer (Swift)
- X-ray Multi-Mirror Mission-Newton (an ESA mission with US participation; XMM-Newton)
The 2016 Astrophysics Senior Review Panels found no scientific reason to discontinue or significantly reduce any of the six missions under this review and that the scientific value of the complete Astrophysics Senior Review 2016 portfolio is greater than the sum of its parts. The panels recommended that NASA continue all of these missions.
Based on the findings of the 2016 Astrophysics Senior Review, the Astrophysics Division Director, in consultation with the Acting SMD Associate Administrator, has decided that all eight missions are approved to continue operations through FY17 and FY18. In addition, (a) Chandra, Fermi, Hubble, NuSTAR, Swift, and XMM-Newton are directed to plan on a continuation through FY19 and FY20, subject to the findings of the 2018 Senior Review; (b) K2 is approved to continue operations until its fuel is exhausted (anticipated before the end of FY19) and to then conduct an orderly project closeout; and (c) Spitzer is approved to continue operations until the James Webb Space Telescope has successfully completed commissioning in mid-FY19 and to then conduct an orderly project closeout.
The reports of the three Senior Review panels, and NASA’s response to the three reports, are available on the NASA Science site.