NASA Defends Selection of AXIS and PRIMA for Astrophysics Probe-Class Missions Amid Community Concerns

NASA Defends Selection of AXIS and PRIMA for Astrophysics Probe-Class Missions Amid Community Concerns

1602+ Words Refined into 6 Facts by AI • 2 sources • 1d ago

• NASA has selected two mission concepts, AXIS and PRIMA, for further study as part of its first probe-class astrophysics mission. Each proposal has received $5 million for one-year studies to refine their designs, with a decision on which to launch expected in 2026.
• The APEX program aims to bridge the gap between smaller Explorer-class missions and larger flagship missions like the James Webb Space Telescope. The selected missions will focus on far-infrared and X-ray astronomy, with a cost cap of $1 billion for the selected mission.
• Mark Clampin, director of NASA's astrophysics division, defended the selection process during a meeting, stating, “In selecting the two missions that we picked, PRIMA and AXIS, we really aimed to balance the astrophysics portfolio.” He emphasized that both missions promise to yield significant scientific insights.
• Concerns were raised within the astrophysics community regarding the perceived inequality in the proposals' technological readiness. Clampin addressed these concerns, asserting, “Our perspective is that those missions are on a similar footing and we selected them based on the quality of the science programs.”
• During the meeting, committee members questioned the selection process, noting that one of the selected missions was rated lower than some that were not chosen. Clampin clarified that NASA is not obligated to select only Category 1 proposals, stating, “We opted to select two proposals that we felt were the ones we wanted to go forward with.”
• Clampin urged the community to support the selected studies, saying, “I would strongly urge the community to get behind these studies and stop trying to pick them apart.” This reflects a desire for unity and collaboration within the astrophysics community.