DRAFT Announcement of Opportunity (AO) -- 2025 Astrophysics Small Explorer (SMEX)
ID: NNH25ZDA008JType: Special Notice
Overview

Buyer

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATIONNATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATIONNASA HEADQUARTERSWASHINGTON, DC, 20546, USA

NAICS

Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (54171)

PSC

SPACE R&D SERVICES; SPACE FLIGHT, RESEARCH AND SUPPORTING ACTIVITIES; BASIC RESEARCH (AR11)
Timeline
    Description

    NASA's National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has announced a draft Announcement of Opportunity (AO) for the 2025 Astrophysics Small Explorer (SMEX) program, inviting community review and comments on proposed space science investigations. The program aims to support Principal Investigator-led projects that align with NASA's objectives of exploring the universe's origins, evolution, and the search for Earth-like planets. This initiative is significant as it encourages participation from a diverse range of organizations, including educational institutions, non-profits, and government agencies, reflecting NASA's commitment to community engagement in astrophysics exploration. Interested parties can access the draft AO on the NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System (NSPIRES) platform, with comments due by February 21, 2025, directed to the primary and secondary contacts, Doris Daou and E. Lucien Cox, via email.

    Point(s) of Contact
    Doris Daou -- Astrophysics Small Explorers Program Lead Scientist - Science Mission Directorate
    Doris.Daou@nasa.gov
    E. Lucien Cox – Astrophysics Small Explorers Program Executive - Science Mission Directorate
    elbert.l.cox@nasa.gov
    Files
    Title
    Posted
    NASA's Science Mission Directorate has released a draft Announcement of Opportunity for the 2025 Astrophysics Small Explorer (SMEX) program, inviting community review and comment. The program focuses on PI-led space science investigations relevant to NASA's goals of exploring the universe's origins, evolution, and the search for Earth-like planets. The draft AO is available for review on the NSPIRES platform, and participation is open to various organizations, including educational and non-profit institutions, as well as government agencies. The comment period ends on February 21, 2025, and responses will be published in a Q&A section. It's important to note that releasing this draft does not obligate NASA to issue the final SMEX AO. Comments must be submitted by email, preserving the anonymity of contributors. This effort reflects NASA's commitment to engaging the community and gathering feedback to guide future exploratory missions in astrophysics.
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